Single Stage Press Suggestions

[FROGO207]

I found a use for the fake plastic AARP card I often got in the mail. I used it as a shield to stop the primer from falling off the RCBS RC and landing on the floor. Any expired credit card would do as well. Put it long way horizontal, between the front of the press and the primer tray and slide down into the groove. I use this press for 50 BMG with no problems either-----after I loosened the bushing the first time that is.

 

[dh1633pm]

You could get two Rock Chuckers for the price of a Co-Ax, but all you have are two Rock Chuckers that will last you two lifetimes. But if you get a Co-Ax you will always have a Co-Ax, best press ever.

 

[irishlad]

As 'upgrade' is subjective, that leaves us with 'overbuilt' as the only qualifier.

"Beefy" single stages have their place, but you will soon get tired of swinging a sledge if a tack hammer is really all you need.

So,,,, What will you be using it for?
What features do you want that your current press does not have?
Do you have any other presses? If so, which ones?

Gonna go waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay out on a limb here, make a ton of assumptions,,,,,,,,,, and suggest a Lee Classic Turret

+1 I have a Rockchucker and a LCT, if I could only have one, it would be the LCT. Never seen a CoAx.

 

[Cheesemaker]

Ive had a "Lee Breech Lock Challenger" press for some time now and feel a desire to upgrade to a more over built single stage press. Was considering either the "Lee Classic Cast" or "Redding Big Boss II."

Any input is appreciated.

I have the Redding Big Boss II - I like it. I load - handgun 38sp thru 500 S&W and rifle 223 and 308. Works well. Top notch quality. Good deprimed primer catcher. USA made.

I know there is a lot of love for the Co-Ax - I have never used one so cannot comment. But with all the love it cannot be bad.

I have plans to get into 338 lapua and will likely procure a Redding UltraMag - maybe I am a Redding "fan boy" - for good reasons.
If I went Turret I would go Redding T7 -

Good luck.

 

[nettlle]

If "overbuilt" is the most desirable feature you are looking for a Redding T7 or Big Boss is going to be hard to beat. Redding stuff is not cheap.

 

[Skgreen]

I purchased an aftermarket primer catcher for my 'Chucker,,, All but eliminates primers going AWOL, but doesn't stop grit / crud / carbon from landing / entering where the ram and base meet,,, (Not quite as bad as throwing a handful of metal filing's into a gearbox, but 'somewhat along those lines', at least in my small mind,,,,,,,)

'Through the ram' (or similar) spent primer channeling is certainly a feature worth seeking.

Again, not sure what the OP's usage will be, but just because something will size 50 BMG doesn't mean it's 'better',,, (Especially if you don't reload 50 BMG!!!!)

Didn't take long for me to realize that even my 'Chucker was far 'beefier' than I needed for cranking out pistol ammo,,, Mass at rest tends to stay at rest, and how much mass you want to throw back and forth over and over and over again is purely up to you.

Of course, if you're 'small batching', no harm/no foul. Lotsa stuff out there that will work just fine.

 

[Skgreen]

+1 I have a Rockchucker and a LCT, if I could only have one, it would be the LCT. Never seen a CoAx.

I started with/still have my 'Chucker,,, In order to 'pick up the pace' a bit, the LCT was on my short list for a long time. (Eventually ended up going 'all in' with a LNL AP instead.)

The LCT, in my opinion, is one heck of a feature-orientated press for not a lot of money. Lotsa happy LCT owners out there.

FWIW, the Co-Ax was 'in the running' against the 'Chucker for my first press. (Due to the reviews as I've never seen a Co-Ax either!!!)

It's kind of a 'different take on things', and I'm sure it works just fine. The ergo's are certainly different. (Reminds me of how we'd turn on the old windmill back on the farm,,,)

 

[Livin_Cincy]

Here is a god video on Concentricity / Runout if you are looking towards precision rifle.

 

[jmorris]

There are a few flaws in the methods used in the video above but in any case,

The dies you use are more important than the press you use.

The components you use are more important than the dies you use.

The firearm is more important then the components you use.

The person shooting the firearm is more important than the firearm used.

 

[Livin_Cincy]

There are a few flaws in the methods used in the video above but in any case,

The dies you use are more important than the press you use.

The components you use are more important than the dies you use.

The firearm is more important then the components you use.

The person shooting the firearm is more important than the firearm used.

I am not sure I understand.

In the Video the Components and Dies were held constant. The variable measured was the press used.

Since runout / concentricity correlates with accuracy then the same shooter shooting the same firearm would get the same results with a controlled runout / concentricity.

 

[DM~]

My CO-AX has loaded more than 80,000 rounds and is still tight/accurate. As you can see, I like the Rock Chucker too.



DM

 

[taliv]

I am not sure I understand.

In the Video the Components and Dies were held constant. The variable measured was the press used.

Since runout / concentricity correlates with accuracy then the same shooter shooting the same firearm would get the same results with a controlled runout / concentricity.

well for starters, i could be wrong but i don't think that's exactly a micrometer. the guage is advertised to have a .001 level of precision. and i assume the dial is about the quality of what you'd find on $30 calipers. now maybe he's going to divine the .0008 and .0007 etc by eyeballing the space between the .000 and .001 but it seems sketchy

second, 3 rounds is hardly a going to get a representative sample

third, we don't know if the runout came from the press or the brass. what he should have done was measure all the brass necks to make sure they had no runout, or the same runout and then performed the test. it would be pretty easy to fudge a test like. maybe he did measure the brass ahead of time and used the ones with the least runout for his favorite press.

 

[jmorris]

I am not sure I understand.

In the Video the Components and Dies were held constant. The variable measured was the press used.

Since runout / concentricity correlates with accuracy then the same shooter shooting the same firearm would get the same results with a controlled runout / concentricity.

It’s not an apples to apples comparison.

One press or die he makes a single stroke seating a bullet while on another he makes multiple strokes seating a bullet and not even making sure the case is clocked the same. That in and of itself can make a difference in results.

Not to mention he didn’t check the cases alone to make sure he was starting with the same thing.

Buy or build some of these tools and you could see for yourself that low runout numbers doesn’t necessarily equal smaller groups. A perfectly seated less than ideal bullet won’t beat a great bullet that is seated with some amount of runout.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Come on guys, this is turning into a totally different discussion. I know it's connected but the press is the focus here.

 

[jmorris]

well for starters, i could be wrong but i don't think that's exactly a micrometer. the guage is advertised to have a .001 level of precision. and i assume the dial is about the quality of what you'd find on $30 calipers. now maybe he's going to divine the .0008 and .0007 etc by eyeballing the space between the .000 and .001 but it seems sketchy

It’s not but you can get some indicators that are more accurate than micrometers. This one has a two millionths resolution.

 

[taliv]

Come on guys, this is turning into a totally different discussion. I know it's connected but the press is the focus here.

isn't runout a pretty significant consideration for which press to use?

 

[jmorris]

Come on guys, this is turning into a totally different discussion.

Same discussion. I maintain that dollar for dollar if instead of buying say the Redding big boss II, he invested the money instead in dies, he’d be more likely to make better ammunition than using the dies he has now in a different press.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I just got the impression the OP isn't that much into the precision game and just wants a better press than he has. Of course I could be wrong.

 

[Ole Joe Clark]

My old Pacific "Multi Power" O type press still works as good as new, and new was back in the mid 1970's.

Have a blessed day,

Leon

 

[jmorris]

I just got the impression the OP isn't that much into the precision game and just wants a better press than he has. Of course I could be wrong.

Yeah, he didn’t give us much to go on and gave the thread a lot of leeway with the “any input is appreciated.” Ending to the OP.

That said how do we quantify “better press”?

 

[PapaG]

Rock Chucker. You'll never wear it out and if you want can upgrade to a progressive (if the parts are still available).

 

[Skgreen]

I just got the impression the OP isn't that much into the precision game and just wants a better press than he has.

Same impression I got.

In reading the OP's comments, there really isn't a whole lot to go off of as far as wants / needs / budget / actual usage.

In these types of situations, folks are pretty quick to jump in and 'fill in the blanks' on their own.

Understandable, but must have's and don't need's are never universal.

Would really like to know more about what the OP 'has in mind/wants to accomplish' to better assist with the OP's needs.

(Nothing wrong with not knowing what one wants/needs either. That information in itself would also be helpful)

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I agree, more info would be very helpful indeed.

 

[jmorris]

Would really like to know more about what the OP 'has in mind/wants to accomplish' to better assist with the OP's needs.

Yep, my wife thinks a “better” shoe is one that costs the most or aesthetically pleasing. While I think one I can wear for 14 hours and even drop a thing or two on the steel toe from time to time without any discomfort is the “better” one.

For our wants and needs, we are both right. Same as no wrong answer without a good question.

 

[Bat Rastard]

I have had a Dillon 550 for 25 years or so. It did all I needed to do.
A year ago, I decided I needed to add a single stage to the bench for this or that. Mostly pass through sizing 10mm.
I shopped and found a new Rockchucker for about $100. I was, and am very pleased.
However, a month later I could have had a used Rockchucker from an estate auction for $25.
Any of the presses you are considering will be MORE than adequate.
My advice, keep your eyes open and pounce on opportunity.