What Was Your First Reloading Press? Do You Still Have It?

RCBS Single. Still going strong after 18 years ( I got it from the man who taught me to reload and he used it for 20 years ) along with a new Dillon 650 that I picked up 15 years ago.

Lyman T Mag Turret lasted 30 years... before column broke. Went with Lee Classic Cast Turret for replacement 2 years ago and could not be happier. Still have a Dillon 450 JR which takes Square Deal dies. That one is about 27 years old and will replace with a Square Deal if and when it gives up the ghost.
Problem is I am old school and like to seat primers by hand. Never had "skin oil" affect one yet and the older I get the crustier I get anyway

Also have an RCBS 4x4 which is kind of like an old Dillon 450 in operation and a Redding Big Boss II single stage. Make all the ammo I need without the full progressive machines. I actually enjoy reloading as much as shooting.

I just bought a package deal used with 2 Lee Pro 1000 progressive and a Lee Reloaders Press (single stage). It included a Hornady electronic scale GS-1500, Lee beam scale, Franklin Arsenal tumbler, a few thousand primers, 45 Colt brass and bullets (about 500), 9mm lead bullets, books from Lee, Spear, Lyman, ABC or Reloading as well as assorted paperbacks offered by various powder makers, assorted tools and parts and 3 LBS of powders for $350. After cleaning they worked perfectly with every thing I needed for 45 ACP, 45 Colt, 9mm Luger, and 38spl/357. I also got a Hornady hand primer setup for it with the assorted tools.

It has worked perfectly once cleaned properly with all calibers for a few thousand rounds so far.

Rock Chucker, liked it so well I purchased a second one (used) and mounted it along side the first one.

Lyman Spartan i bought in the early 70s, I reloaded 9mm to 444,, and I have a lee 1000 that holds down a empty box under my table.

RCBS Rock Chucker. Still very much in use.

My first reloading press is an old orange crusher, single stage. Very strong and surdy. My father gave it to me in 1995; it's probably older than me. I still have it and use it. It suits my purposes nicely.

I inherited an older RCBS JR 3 press and a Pacific press, still have them and use them now since dad passed. Can't give them up and it's good therapy on my days off! Reloading .45 ACP at the moment.

Nappers said:

I inherited an older RCBS JR 3 press and a Pacific press, still have them and use them now since dad passed. Can't give them up and it's good therapy on my days off! Reloading .45 ACP at the moment.

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Nappers,
I hear you on that; My dad passed away on 26 January 2012. He taught me how to reload and I have all the reloading tools he gave me. When doing this, it brings back good memories. Also, I have an 8 yr. old daughter who has "helped me" make .45 ACP's and she likes doing that with me. Amazing how this goes from generation to generation.

First, a Pacific Super C purchased in 1966 by my father, still works great.
Next a Rockchucker I bought in 1980 and used this morning
3 and 4 were Lee Loadmasters which are great presses and definitely the best thing Lee ever made.
My next press will be a hydraulic press I design and build myself for swaging bullets.

Dose the Super C look like this?

First Press

My first was (is) a Pacific Power-C that bought in 1971 or so. I still have it and use it for load development or short runs. Attached image of table is cluttered because I pushed all my Pacific tools together to include them. Everything still performs as well as when new.

Ammomaster
Used it today

Pacific single stage, bought it in 1987 and been using it ever since.

A decap press sounds like a good idea.

Dillon 450 since 1984.

Breech Lock Challenger.

I doubt I will ever use anything but.

Maybe a turret.....maybe. Just for the plates. Still would use it it single stage style, and without a powder through die.

Well, I inherited in '99, my dad's:

RCBS Jr 2 press (circa 1963 or so)
RCBS 4x4 (circa '92)
RCBS Partner press (circa '95)
RCBS Uniflow powder measure (circa '92)
RCBS Standard priming tool (circa '93)
Old uniflow powder measure (circa '60's)

Then, last Thursday, bought a Lyman T-Mag 2 press

Working on a new bench, so nothing mounted yet, but all the RCBS is still very much opperational and used.

I just yesterday I called RCBS looking for a primer rod assembly for the priming tool, asking where I could get one, and they said I had made the right call, "give me your name and address, and we'll mail one out to you today, free of charge"..... Kudos to them, great customer service! I was just wanting to know where I could buy one, but I guess they stand behind there product 100%, and then some.

Dillon 550. I've had it for at least a dozen years, and just upgraded to the strong mount and a roller handle. Wish I'd done those earlier. I load .45acp, 9mm and .38/.357 and will be loading .223 in the near future. I'm not sure how many thousands of rounds I've loaded on it. It paid for itself years ago.

My first was an RCBS Reloader Special. I traded it for a Reloader Special 3 in the late 80's because it has the compound linkage. I still have it today and all my rifle ammo (except for AR) is loaded on it.

First press was an xl650. I don't plan on getting rid of it.

Howdy

My first reloading press was this little Lyman Spartan press I picked up used about ten years ago. It is the press I learned reloading on.



Since then I have two Hornady Lock & Load AP presses, two MEC Jrs, and a RCBS Grand progressive shotshell press. But I keep the little single stage press around for when I load 45-70 or 303 British. If I ever get into any other rifle cartridges, I'm sure I will load them on the Lyman too.

My first press was the Lyman All American that I bought in mid 1980. It was used then.No I do'not have it. I gave it to my neighbor 10 years ago.

First press was a rockchucker. But I started reloading with the old Lee loaders first was for 12 gauge (hammer & bathroom scale) second was for 45 lc.

A CH4D H press. Not quite stout enough for large-caliber full length resizing, but I find myself shuffling dies around on its four stations now that I'm loading pistol and rifle.