[hillestadj]

Hey guys,

Im doing it, just going to bite the bullet and set up for reloading. Went to get some .308 ammunition yesterday and prices just made me sick. I have read many of the "new to reloading" threads and a lot of other great articles on the internet. My question isnt about what I need to get started, I already have quite the comprehensive list.

My question is strictly about the press. Given the choice between a Lee Classic Cast and Redding Big Boss single stage which one do you prefer and why? Anything you could tell me (poitive or negative) about either press would be greatly appreciated. I have narrowed it down to these two but now I need your imput.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

 

[jaguarxk120]

Your signiture list say's it all, Sako, Browning and Ruger. Buy the Redding, you won't go wrong with the quality.

 

[miestro_jerry]

hillestadj,

I have very little hands on with these presses. My single stage is a RockChucker. I looked at both presses online and think that the Redding is much better built. But it is your money and your needs that should be the decision maker. People tell me the Lee presses are really good for the money. The Redding looks good for over all strength and durability.

Myself, my choices would be a RCBS Rockshucker or a Forster CO-AX press. The RockChucker is in the middle of the price range between the Lee and the Redding, the CO-AX is in the $240 range.

My RockChucker is very strong, you can literally stand on the press when trying to compress soemthing or pull something apart.

Sorry I couldn't help you more,

Jerry

 

[M1Garand]

If you are just getting into reloading, IMO, it's hard to beat the Lee Challenger Breech Lock Anniversary Kit . It has everything you need to start but your power/primers, dies and components and for under $100. Redding it top quality stuff but the press alone will cost you $60 more then the whole Lee set up. Just getting into it, I think it's hard to beat, you can always upgrade later. I'd pick up a reloading manual and read it first, most are good, but my favorite is probably the Lyman, it had loads from various bullet makers and not confined to just one.

 

[bsn]

The Lee Classic will reload accurate ammunition, no less than the Redding, both will last a lifetime. The Redding is of a higher quality and precision, but not enough of a difference to make a tangable difference. My suggestion is to go with the Lee Anniversary kit, it is an absolute steal for the price and will load ammunition just as accurate as any other brand. If you decide reloading is for you, then start gathering the reloading components on an as needed/wanted basis with the brands that suit you best.

 

[hailstone]

My motto over the years buying tools for around the home, farm and now my employment is quality tools don't cost they pay. I started reloading over fifty years ago with a Herter press loaned to me by a neighbor. When I bought my first press over forty years ago I got a quality press and its still in use. Recently I upgraded to a turret press and again bought quality iron. A name means little when searching for quality although it will generally lead you in the right direction. My reloading bench has tools of every color on the market today. Each is bought with what I consider best quality materials and construction. Only you know what you consider quality. Make your purchases accordingly irregardless of color or name.

 

[StretchNM]

I'm wondering IF, setting both the Redding Big Boss and Lee Classic Cast side-by-side and examining them closely, if anyone here would then say that the Redding is better built or a more quality press.

Just wondering...........

Having owned and used the Classic Cast for more than a year now, and after having toyed with the Redding Big Boss at Cabelas last November, I can answer my own question above. Get the Lee. Thusly, by getting the better press and saving yourself close to one hundred dollars, invest your savings in a nice, quality scale and other accessories.

Stats for your reading pleasure:
- The Big Boss boasts a 4.5" opening, the Lee a mere 5";
- The Big Boss boasts a 1" diameter ram, the Lee a mere 1-1/8" (can you tell the difference? Yes);
- The Big Boss boasts 3.8" of ram stroke, the Lee a mere 4";
- The Big Boss boasts a "smart" primer arm (where the primer cup moves into and out of position as the ram is raised and lowered), the Lee merely was the first to use it (and still does);
- The Big Boss boasts a primer dispensing tube that can be routed to a trash can, the Lee merely was the first to use it (that I'm aware of) and still does;
- The Big Boss boasts a "heavy-duty" cast iron frame with offset, the Lee merely uses a "heavier duty " frame with offset;
- The Big Boss boasts a "heavy-duty" compound linkage, the Lee merely uses a "heavier duty " compound linkage;
- The Big Boss boasts a steel bushing to use both regular and large-sized dies, the Lee merely offers the same.
- The Big Boss boasts a $175 price tag. The Lee can be had for less than $80;
- The Big Boss sells a press that needs a lifetime warranty. The Lee will warrant this lifetime press for 2 years.
- The Big Boss is made in....(I assume in America, but honestly don't know)? The Lee is made in America.
- The Big Boss is green. The Lee is red.

 

[jaguarxk120]

Hey I love that thinking. He can sell the Browning BT99 and buy a H&R single, they are both break open single shots, both do the same job, both take the same shells.
And with the extra money in his pocket he can buy any press out there.

 

[ranger335v]

" between a Lee Classic Cast and Redding Big Boss single stage "

The Lee Classic Cast. If it had been available when I got my RC my single stage press would definately be red.

Why? Well, the CC is cast steel - railroad rails actually - not cheaper/weaker cast iron. Its lever is fully adjustable for working side, length and angle. It's precisely bored/machined on modern CNC tooling. The ram is a large diameter with longer throw so it will require a lot more use to wear an equal amount. It drops spent primers into a bottle so the ram stays clean - others have copied that feature. But, other than all that I suppose it's a toss up.

Oh, did I forget to mention the CC is a LOT less costly? You could buy a few nice reloading tools from Sinclair with the difference, a concentricity gage for instance. But, at it's price, the Boss certainly carries a better status value in some people's eyes.

Saying that looking at both of them on-line shows the Boss to be better built is quite puzzling to me. Maybe my eyes ain't so good anymore but I just can't see that kind of detail on my computer. ??

 

[StretchNM]

Hey I love that thinking. He can sell the Browning BT99 and buy a H&R single, they are both break open single shots, both do the same job, both take the same shells.
And with the extra money in his pocket he can buy any press out there.

I suppose that's an analogy, Jaguar. BUT..... using the BT99 and the H&R as a comparison between the Lee and the Redding, wouldn;t be fair to the Redding. It's not that much less of a press! ........

 

[jaguarxk120]

I'm not comparing Lee and Redding. Or their quality as I do not own either press. Will I run out and buy one, no, what I have works for me. It's just some are happy with a H&R single shot and some are happy with a Browning BT99.

 

[hillestadj]

Hey I love that thinking. He can sell the Browning BT99 and buy a H&R single, they are both break open single shots, both do the same job, both take the same shells.
And with the extra money in his pocket he can buy any press out there.

haha, thats a thought, but the 99 stays until the day I bring home a Kolar.....might be a while yet

 

[hillestadj]

Thanks for all the dialouge gents, this really is helpful. Since it seems a little split down the middle let me put it this way, will I notice $75 worth of difference between them?

It doesnt really help my decision that the only presses I can physically get my hands on locally are RCBS Rockchuckers and Lee Challangers (not the CC), neither of which Im particularly interested in.

 

[jaguarxk120]

The day I bring home a Kolar you rest assured there will be a Spolar on the bench.

 

[ranger335v]

"...will I notice $75 worth of difference between them?"

Well, sorta. For the greater price you will have the lesser press. ??? ( Not less snob appeal of course, just a mechanically lesser press. Maybe if Lee charged more, say $250 for the CC, more people would be impressed with it?!!! )

Most presses will load ammo of equal quality/precision. Most of us agonize over our tool brands/models far more than is justified. On average, small variations are as great between tools of the same maker as between makers. By far the largest difference in ammo quality lies in the hands of the loader; if he knows what he's doing he can get good quality ammo with any common press becaise they are all quite good. If the user doesn't have the needed skills and knowledge then no press, or dies, or scale or powder measure, etc., will matter on the target.

Get the Lee CC.

 

[BigJakeJ1s]

The Redding Big Boss (not the Big Boss II) does not have through-the-ram spent primer handling like the Lee CC has. The Lee also has a completely adjustable handle/linkage, while the Redding does not. The Lee CC I tried at Cabella's was very tight and smooth. Not as smooth as my co-ax, but very nice nonetheless. IMHO, the Redding Big Boss is not worth the extra money. The co-ax, on the other hand, certainly is.

 

[hillestadj]

Thanks BigJake, Im not going to buy anything until I can find somewhere I can actually see them beforehand. I would love a Co-ax from everything I've read, but I cant justify the $250 price tag for my very first experience in handloading.

 

[ranger335v]

"The Lee CC I tried...was very tight and smooth. Not as smooth as my co-ax, but very nice nonetheless. "

True. But, with wear-in it will get as smooth as any, they all do it.

My 30 year old 'Chucker was as "smooth (gritty) as a gravel road" when new. Took a couple of years (I'm a low volume shooter) to wear it in but it's smooth as an oiled baby's butt now.

 

[hillestadj]

Well, doing some thinking today and more research. Those that have talked about the Forster Co-ax have planted the seed. Now who would take a Co-ax over a O style press (Redding or the CC) and why? What else in general can anyone tell me about the Forster?

Sorry to drag this on but I am an anal *** when it comes to buying tools/guns. I have been looking at the three choices (Big Boss, CC, and Co-ax) all day now and have talked myself into just getting either of them at one point or another. This is killing me.

 

[ranger335v]

"This is killing me."

It shouldn't. Actually, it really won't make a bit of difference in the long run.

The CoAx has some rabid followers of course, it is good press (so are the others). I just don't care for its ergonomics.

The lever is too long and sticks straight out. Access to the cartridge is from the front, directly in line with the lever. For me, it requires too much moving about in an awkward and slowish way to work. But, it's sure a good press. As is the Boss. And the C.C.