Looking for Loading press
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Purdy good picture.
www.forsterproducts.com
Co-Ax® Reloading Press with “S” Jaws
Co-Ax Press, supplied with “S” jaws. No need to complicate the reloading process. Our Co-Ax Press keeps it simple while still delivering famous Forster precision....
www.forsterproducts.com
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1,503 Posts
I think any press you get, O frame, will do pretty much all you want it to. I started with an RCBS Jr about 1987 or so. Have had RCBS ever since, now a Rockchucker. With me I just like RCBS but in my mind their press is no better or worse than any other single stage press, personnal thing as I said. I've also used Lee single stage and Pacific C frame and both did all I asked! I have a Ponsness warren 16ga press and a Mec jr in 28ga. They both turn out useable ammo but hands down the best shotgun press I ever had was a Texan, nothing compared to it! I understand the guy that made them died long ago and when he did Texan press's became a thing of the past. For rifle and handgun dies, I have mostly RCBS, Go figure. But I don't believe there is a bad set made, they all do what they are supposed to do it's just that some are finished better than other's. My favorite for looking at are my Forester but my old Herter's and Lee dies do the same job just as well. Got a set of Lyman for a 243 a couple years ago and not the first complaint!
I bought an RCBS Rockchucker off eBay, listed as "heavily used", but there's no play nor "looseness" in it that I can find. I suspect that the press will outlast ME.
I agree that there probably is not a "bad" set of dies being sold, today. I tend to go for Lee dies first (what's wrong with getting a shell holder, load data, AND a powder scoop?), though their shell holders don't always work and play well with my Lyman hand primer (go figure).
I have taper crimp dies for .38 Spl. and .45 ACP from Forster and/or Redding, which do wonders for feeding reliability and tightening groups. It IS an extra step in the seating/crimping process, but well worth the effort, on the range.
I agree that there probably is not a "bad" set of dies being sold, today. I tend to go for Lee dies first (what's wrong with getting a shell holder, load data, AND a powder scoop?), though their shell holders don't always work and play well with my Lyman hand primer (go figure).
I have taper crimp dies for .38 Spl. and .45 ACP from Forster and/or Redding, which do wonders for feeding reliability and tightening groups. It IS an extra step in the seating/crimping process, but well worth the effort, on the range.
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18,997 Posts
Some very early dies were made of mild steel and hard chrome plated for a heat-treat substitute (It works well for hydraulic rams). Those dies are prone to cracking the plating under re-sizing stress and then scars the brass enough to ruin cases. Those old dies, made by or sold by C-H, Western, Lyman, Weatherby and Union, are mostly gone now.
Dies with no heat-treat or plating work as long as cases are lubed but rust badly if not cared for. Old Lyman dies are mild steel but blued. Most dies today will rust but heat-treating delays rusting.
My dad, in the '60s, set up his loading room in the same room where pool chlorine was kept. It rusted dies and his press in short order. Cheap, chromed dies would have been better than RCBS in that case.
I don't know of any 'bad' dies made today. I like and own a bunch of Redding dies, a couple sets of Lyman and stacks of RCBS.
Dies with no heat-treat or plating work as long as cases are lubed but rust badly if not cared for. Old Lyman dies are mild steel but blued. Most dies today will rust but heat-treating delays rusting.
My dad, in the '60s, set up his loading room in the same room where pool chlorine was kept. It rusted dies and his press in short order. Cheap, chromed dies would have been better than RCBS in that case.
I don't know of any 'bad' dies made today. I like and own a bunch of Redding dies, a couple sets of Lyman and stacks of RCBS.
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2 Posts
I would like to get into reloading 357 magnum cartridges. Can someone point me to a list or video or something that will tell me everything I need to get?
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7 Posts
I agree with all who have recommended the Rockchucker, and would add to that, the Redding T7 if you want a turret press, where you can have a couple of calibres permanently set up. They are hugely strong.
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16 Posts
I used a very basic Lee Challenger for a long time. Recently changed to an RCBS Rebel. From what I’ve read, it’s supposed to be the eventual replacement for the Rock Chucker. I don’t honestly think the Rock Chucker is going anywhere though. The Rebel is a beast of a thing. It’s big, heavy has a huge Ram and a zerk fitting for lubrication. I really don think there is anyway you could kill the thing. It just plain and simple works. Nothing at all fancy, it’s green and does exactly what you want it to do and does it very well.
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39,105 Posts
8 pages of ideas / opinions in the 'sticky' at the top of this category. You aren't going to get the same answer from any two members, I'd wager.
Reloading equipment for beginner
You asked about a scale. This is my balance beam scale. It is no longer marketed but is quite handy. I suggested before that I can't recommend a "kit" because there are so many good equipment choices that allow you to mix and match to your specific style of reloading. Very good choice, I...
www.shootersforum.com
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54 Posts
What are going to reload? Shotgun, rifle, pistol? How ammo do you consume in a week or month? Are you a competition shooter? Recreational? Precision long range? Bench rest? Answers to these will help the forum point in a better direction or directions for a press or presses to meet your needs.
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1,037 Posts
You must have forearms the size of Popeye's...Woof !!! Either that or your dancing on the handle, like I used to do....lol
I must be stronger than I thought Jack! I'm sure not younger though!
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26 Posts
For Rifle and Pistol it's hard to beat a Herter's Super Model 3
Built like a tank
For Shotgun a Texan FW
IMO, better than that era MEC, in fact the grabber came out just to compete.
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7 Posts
Before you order, check local pawn shops. They often have stuff they take in then cannot sell. I have been offered as much as $200 worth of reloading stuff for $50.
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18,997 Posts
gunpa--- Nobody says the RCBS Jr. is not a fine press. It certainly is. Fred Hunnington just made it easier to use by compounding the leverage. RCBS was originally a bullet making tool company. Rock Chuck Bullet Swage. Fred was a renowned rockchuck shooter along with Joyce Hornaday, Fred Barnes, Vernon Speer and others.
His story of how the A-2 press was finally patented is worth repeating, as told by Fred in 1968.
The patent had been submitted and quite a bit of money spent but the patent was denied as not being 'unique'. Fred went to Washington after securing a hearing in person at the patent office. He showed up with a wheel barrow with every reloading press available at the time and his A-2 with a handful of 30-06 empties to re-size.
He resized a case with the A-2 sitting in his lap and then challenged everyone present to duplicate it with any other tool.
He got his patent.
His story of how the A-2 press was finally patented is worth repeating, as told by Fred in 1968.
The patent had been submitted and quite a bit of money spent but the patent was denied as not being 'unique'. Fred went to Washington after securing a hearing in person at the patent office. He showed up with a wheel barrow with every reloading press available at the time and his A-2 with a handful of 30-06 empties to re-size.
He resized a case with the A-2 sitting in his lap and then challenged everyone present to duplicate it with any other tool.
He got his patent.
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