Help with single stage press

[kyonic]

I need help find a really nice single stage press. I have a Dillon Square deal B that is way overkill for the amount that I shoot so I am wanting to downgrade to a single stage "the dillon is for sale if anyone is interested". I have a lee single stage that came with my aniv. kit but I dont like it very well it just feels to flemsy. I have been looking at the Lymann or Redding, RCBS has a really bad spent primer catch that I dont like. Do any of you have any suggestions? The Lymann that I am looking at is the Crusher 2 and the Redding is the Boss, I think.


Well let me know what you think.
Thanks

 

[zxcvbob]

I have an ancient one of these: http://www.ch4d.com/catalog/?p=61

The Forster (Bonanza) Co-Ax press is also interesting; quick die changes, and no shellholders.

 

[alucard0822]

get a lee classic cast, and don't look back. You can get a crusher 2 or boss for almost twice the money, but they aren't really any better, and the primer tube for the lee works flawlessly, just run the tube into a bucket, mount it solid, and so far it has run flawlessly through a few thousand rounds. The largest case I load is 30-06, and it has plenty of power for anything from 50BMG on down. I also owned a rock chucker, I liked it except for the crappy primer catch like you pointed out, tried to like the boss, but even disreguarding the difference in cost, the Lee classic cast feels like a nicer press. You can always paint it blue or yellow if you want.

 

[fmnnc]

+1 on the Lee Classic Cast!

 

[alohanole]

+1 more for the Lee Classic Cast. I also have a Dillon SDB, but wouldn't think of getting rid of it. It loads my .45 ACP with amazing ease. I also own a Hornady LnL. But for most of my rifle loading, I go with my classic cast. Very solidly built and never a hiccup. Get it, you won't be sorry.

 

[Hunter0924]

You should check out the Hornady L-N-L press. I have been loading on one better then 10 years and my father on one better then 20 years and both still work like they should. Also Hornady customer service is excellent not to mention the Get Loaded promotion.

 

[scrat]

Sorry +1 on the Lee Classic cast. i also have the smaller lee Cast. its great for rifle shells and sizing bullets

 

[BigJakeJ1s]

+1 on Forster Co-Ax.

Andy

 

[dmftoy1]

I've had really good luck finding single stage presses cheap from the local volume reloader's. (Guys that sell at gunshows) It seems that alot of people buy the equipment, don't like the hobby and then trade it off to the volume reloaders for ammo. The last one I picked up was an RCBS Rockchucker for $40. FWIW.

Have a good one,
Dave

 

[SDefender]

I have the Hornady Classic. It always works perfectly for my .40 and .45 auto pistol cartridges and should have the strength to handle anything. And the LNL quick change die system is really cool; 1/6 turn of the bushing mount and the die is in or out with no adjustment.

I use the Lee Auto Prime ii ram priming system with it.

 

[alucard0822]

Lee just brought out quick change die collars too. The classic cast also can full length size 50bmg brass with only a shell holder and die change, so case forming 7mm-08 out of 308 brass only takes two fingers.

 

[Hutch]

The Lyman press I have has one annoying feature. When the handle is all the way down, the ram is slightly lower than at it's highest point. That is to say, there's a point near the bottom of the stroke when the ram goes "over the top" and lowers, slightly. That means you have to monkey around with the sizing die adjustment a bit. A nit, but it's there. My ooooold RCBS Junior is not similarly cursed.

If I were going to add a single-stage press, I'd keep an eye out for a old Rockchucker. As others have said, some former reloaders have given it up and traded in their old presses. Just a personal prejudice, and not trying to start another Ford vs. Chevy war, I'd stay away from the Lee presses.