Single Stage Presses: Are they pretty much all the same?

[TruthTellers]

After making the thread about the Lee Classic Turret(LCT) press, I figure I'd ask this question about single stage presses. All single stagers only hold one die at a time. Some are smaller, some are bigger, but since they only do one operation at a time, is there any reason to not just get the cheapest one?

Also, with a turret press being able to work as a single stage press, is there any reason other than price to get a single stage press over a turret press?

 

[AV8TOR]

Yes they are kind of the same but you did not mention what cartridges you are loading. If handguns then the leverage will pretty much do the job across the sizes but not quite the same on larger rifle cases.
With a single stage press yes one operation at a time. Get yourself two trays and for consistency always perform operations the same, take from the left and put in the right. When that is finished move the trays so again take from the left, this way nothing gets forgot.
There are quality and material differences but not that will affect your output.

 

[ROAshooter]

"is there any reason to not just get the cheapest one?"

sigh......


by all means.....get the cheapest one.....


"All single stagers only hold one die at a time."......glad to get that straight.....

 

[splattergun]

Strength of materials. Aluminum, steel, or cast iron.
Inherent strength of the shape. C, O, coaxial or A
Strength of the linkage design and materials.
Craftsmanship

All contribute to the working power, strength and reliability of a press.

Second question,
A SS press always comes in handy on a bench for tasks such as decapping before tumbling, resizing or reforming brass etc etc. while leaving our turret rigged for loading mass quantities of pistol cartridges.

I use my LCT for pistol rounds and my SS press for rifle.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I went through this a little while back when looking for a Single Stage to compliment my Hornady LNL AP progressive press.

What I found is that they are not all the same and can be divided into simple groups depending on which features are important to you

An easy way to separate them is:
1. Aluminum vs. Cast Iron construction
2. Spent primer handling...the ones that route the spent primer through the ram keep the press much cleaner
3. Speed to switch between dies. Most screw in, some use a bushing system, another has slip-in dies

I was looking for one where I could easily switch dies between my progressive press and the single stage. Since my progressive used bushing, the single stage I chose would ideally be able to accept them; that left out any of the turret presses as alternatives...unless you plan to have multiple set of dies for any given caliber

 

[Reeferman]

The Rock Chucker I have has been great. I converted the bushing to Hornadys quick change to match my LNL press. But if I was looking for a new single stage I would give the new Hornady one a good look over.

 

[Paddy]

Do none of the turrets have the larger thread die holes? I think it's 1-1/4" or something that the Hornady bushing threads into. I'd want that in a turret for sure. I like the LNL bushings.

As far as them being all the same, no they differ in lots of ways, some large, some small, but worth knowing before you select one. Splatter gun has good points, and I'll add that some presses can prime, some can't, some have better spent primer handling than others, some will accept bigger rifle cases than others, so no they aren't all the same.

Heck, my SS moves the die up and down rather than the case! (Summit) which I love. It also ambidextrous, which isn't necessarily just for south paws.

Just remember that you'll be swinging this handle a zillion times, so make sure it's a pleasant and possible experience, that also suits your particular purposes.

 

[fiftybmg]

There are three practical considerations I can think of for choosing a specific brand of single stage press.

1. the die body is larger, and won't fit in normal threads, the Rockchucker is normally used in this case because the die thread insert can be replaced with one accommodating large body dies

2. preference for a die bushing system, like the LnL, for easy die replacement

3. clearance for longer brass, reloading the longer magnums or 50 Browning case derivates

 

[TruthTellers]

Do none of the turrets have the larger thread die holes? I think it's 1-1/4" or something that the Hornady bushing threads into. I'd want that in a turret for sure. I like the LNL bushings.

As far as them being all the same, no they differ in lots of ways, some large, some small, but worth knowing before you select one. Splatter gun has good points, and I'll add that some presses can prime, some can't, some have better spent primer handling than others, some will accept bigger rifle cases than others, so no they aren't all the same.

Heck, my SS moves the die up and down rather than the case! (Summit) which I love. It also ambidextrous, which isn't necessarily just for south paws.

Just remember that you'll be swinging this handle a zillion times, so make sure it's a pleasant and possible experience, that also suits your particular purposes.

splattergun does have a lot of good points. The metal constructions between them make a difference with cast beating aluminum and O shape beating a C.

I must say that IMO for single stage presses it seems that priming off the press is a better idea because it seems like a faster and more reliable process than on the press.

I guess that the single stage is still a good press to start with, but I'm of the opinion that a good turret press is a more flexible reloading system. For small test batches or depriming, I still see the Lee Hand Press as being a good option for those that have the psychical dexterity to perform the operation so I lean towards that over a single stage press.

 

[dh1633pm]

The CO-Ax press has many features not found else where. While all the good presses will give you many years of fine service with zero down time, the CO-Ax has those few extra's. Quick change dies, no need to buy shell holders, smaller overall size. The way it lines up the die with the cartridge works well. The leverage afforded by its design. The cup holder that collects all the spent primers means these is no mess. Other may catch them, but it catches them and keeps them put.

 

[Rule3]

splattergun does have a lot of good points. The metal constructions between them make a difference with cast beating aluminum and O shape beating a C.

I must say that IMO for single stage presses it seems that priming off the press is a better idea because it seems like a faster and more reliable process than on the press.

I guess that the single stage is still a good press to start with, but I'm of the opinion that a good turret press is a more flexible reloading system. For small test batches or depriming, I still see the Lee Hand Press as being a good option for those that have the psychical dexterity to perform the operation so I lean towards that over a single stage press.

A LEE CLASSIC turret press is cast and can be used as a single stage or a auto index turret.

For most needs especially handgun, any brand of single stage will work and do the job, People have their choices of "color"

There is no advantage to the LEE Hand Press, get a Lee Challenger if you want a inexpensive basic single stage.

RCBS
Hornady
LEE
and the other mentioned really heavy duty ones like the Co ax or say Redding, depends on your budget and what you want to load?

But it is just like advising someone what car to buy, it is up to the individual.

 

[Cowhide Cliff]

If you ever use a cheap one and then an RCBS Rock Chucker or other higher end press you will know why the cost is different.

I have a cheaper press, not the cheapest but middle of their line (wont mention the brand) that I only use for knocking out spent primers on black powder shells. Honestly it works great for that but I would hate to have to load my ammo with it.

I guess if I had never used a better press I wouldn't know the difference.

 

[jerkface11]

Get a Forster coax you won't regret it.

 

[JimKirk]

Forster Co-Ax ... The Cadillac of Single Stage Presses!!!!

 

[mdi]

You've gotten a lot of explanations on the differences in single stage presses, but basically they are 99% the same. A frame, in an "O" or "C" shape (I put the Co-Ax press in a catagory by itself!) that holds a die and a ram that moves the case into the die. Some are cast aluminum, some are cast iron and steel. Most have compound leverage.

The biggest difference is personal opinions. Some will suggest a press they use which may not fit your idea of a "good tool". Some criticize the materials the equipment is made from as being inferior. Some may suggest a press their favorite gun "hero" uses, and some may have a favorite color. Some will bad mouth a certain manufacturer, not because they have first hand experience, but based on what they've read and/or price (it don't cost much so it can't be any good, right?). Ask what's the best "------" on a forum and you'll get 112 different opinions. Chevy vs. Ford.

I'd suggest you get a bunch of reloading suppliers' catalogs, and/or visit their web sites, and read up as much as you can on each press. Try and determine what press will suit your reloading needs. Google test data on the presses you like, but remember, I don't think there is a "Consumer Reports" analysis of reloading presses so you're gonna just get opinions....

I don't believe there is a really bad press on the market today and whatever press you get it will last you many, many years (other than Smart Reloader) and there will always be a use for a single stage press after you "graduate" to other types of equipment.

FWIW; I used a Lee Challenger press, cast aluminum and a Redding Boss. I made very good ammo with both presses, and I put 8+ years and multiple thousands of rounds, and bullet sizing on the Lee.

 

[ku4hx]

... is there any reason to not just get the cheapest one?

Well, there's an old saying that comes to mind, "Penny wise and pound foolish". Buy what you want, but presses are like pretty much anything else, quality will likely cost you more. High price doesn't always mean high quality, but when it comes to presses it's my experience it generally does. Often the higher price buys exceptional customer service you may not need for years. But when you do, in the case of known established press makers, you be glad you had it.

My single stage press is an RCBS Jr I bought in 1970. That cast iron hulk is scarred and discolored, but it still makes exceptionally fine ammunition. In its day, it was not a cheap piece of equipment, but regardless of cost, it long ago paid for itself and a major part of that is build quality.

 

[gspn]

From an economy of movement standpoint, an auto-indexing turret like the Lee Classic Turret, saves you a lot of hand movements...and therefore a LOT of time.

The auto-index turret saves you from having to handle every single case 3 or 4 times (depending on how many dies you use). It saves FAR more time than merely changing the dies out.

If I use four dies and load 500 shells on the Lee turret I have to physically move each shell twice...once onto the ram and once off...for a total of 1,000 movements to and from the bench.

If I use a traditional single stage I have to move those same shells 4,000 times...twice for each of my four stages...once onto the ram and off of the ram for each die I use.

So...using the auto-index turret I make 3,000 fewer movements of the brass by hand...that is a big time savings. If you figure that it takes a second to move the shell each way then you are talking about a time savings of roughly 50 minutes for those 500 shells by using the auto-index vs single stage just from moving shells back and forth.

The auto-index turret provides tremendous economy of movement over the single stage "batch process".

 

[mgmorden]

Get one that is steel or cast iron. The primer through the ram setup is good, but I ended up getting a RCBS Rockchucker Supreme for my single stage (upgrading from a Lee C-frame aluminum), simply because the bolt mounting pattern on it was better for my bench than the pattern on the Lee Classic Cast.

Either way, anything other than the cheaper aluminum presses will serve you well for a lifetime.

 

[savanahsdad]

something else I haven't seen mention yet "Cam Over" I bought an old Pacific set years ago ,press ,powder measure, scale, dies and a bunch of miscellaneous tools , didn't need it but the price was right , the press was only used for decapping , then one day I used it to seat some bullets and notice all the cam over , like .015 of cam over and my COL became more consistent , that day my Pacific got mounted to my main bench and has been my go to full time press ,
I do miss the ease of my other press it has better linkage for leverage and a shorter handle , and took up less space but it just bottomed out with no cam over , the Pacific is a bit more work but turns out better ammo ,

so . no there're not all the same

 

[JohnSmallTX]

RCBS v.s. Lee

I currently own both a RCBS Junior and a Lee Challenger single stage Press.

Depending on your needs and budget, both can be OK.

The Lee – an OK / basic press for not much money – light weight and linkage is not heavy duty. OK for loading plinker ammo, but I wouldn’t use it for anything that needs any degree of precision because the press’s linkage is loose-as-a-goose. Particularly suited for someone that is just starting to reload and doesn’t know if they’ll continue.

The RCBS – I’ve loaded a TON of ammo on it. Still very very tight. This thing is built like a tank. It will out live me and 5 more owners.

If you’re serious about your reloading and want a single stage press, get the RCBS.

 

[dh1633pm]

Last weekend I was loading 300 BLK. I was also sorting and processing all my 308 brass from the summer. Found an extra couple pieces of 308 in the truck after everything else was decapped and resized. Instead of putting it aside, I slid out the 300 BLK die and in went the 308. I resized the three pieces of brass and put them with other brass to be cleaned. I then slid the 308 die out and in went the 300 BLK. Fast and efficient. I also found a couple 300 BLK pieces that somehow got into the resize pile. No need to fuss, slid out the seater and in went the sizer. Fixed them up and then went back to my work.

CO-Ax need I say more.

 

[SlowFuse]

I have 2 single stages. An RCBS Jr and the aluminum LEE Cframe that's about $30.

I've reloaded on the RCBS for years, everything from 32 S&W to 45-70 Govt. Never an issue. I reloaded 45 ACP on the Lee once. It spit primers everywhere and just felt shaky/flimsy. I only decap. on it now and prepare to sweep up spent primers.

 

[salpal48]

Lee classic Turret

Let me start off the reply By the Term Classic Lee Turret. Lee is the furtherest you can get from the word Classic.. If you want to compare . i would look @ the following, Lyman AA, Herters 234, Texan 101, Or If not least Hollywood.. . Basically lee equipment should be Compared to Cheap equipment and Disposable.
lee make a turret Press. . and Thats It. . lee is in a Group , similar to smart loader. . now that would be a Tough comparison
Remember The Motto americans live By" Cheap is Good Expensive is bad '

 

[9mmepiphany]

Let me start off the reply By the Term Classic Lee Turret. Lee is the furtherest you can get from the word Classic

The above is a bit amusing as Lee only uses the word Classic to denote a separation form their economy line of presses. Nowhere do they claim that their press is "a classic" or refer to it as "the classic." There is no sense in getting worked up about something which doesn't exist.

In their press lineup, "Classic" simply means "made from cast iron" as opposed to aluminum. It is much like Springfield Armory applying "Operator" to models of their 1911 line to denote that it is equipped with a rail under the dustcover

As to the quality of the Lee Classic line, the Lee Classic Cast Single Stage press easily gives the RCBS Rockchucker, to say nothing of the RCBS Jr. models, a fair run for the money in build quality and ability. In addition, this Lee's spent primer handling system is without question superior to that of the RCBS

 

[wiiawiwb]

CoAx

I'm still new to reloading and researched, ad nausem, which press to get. I narrowed it down to the CoAx and the T-7. Both are fine presses but I am truly pleased I got the CoAx.

Some people have complained about the priming aspect but I think it's a fantastic system and designed to seat the primer at the proper depth. The dies swap out quickly and the center design of the press provides both strength and ease of motion. The depriming method keeps the press clean.

I can't say enough good things about it. I'm thrilled I chose the CoAx.

You won't be disappointed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEzVZe7f6G0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4c9ZFsSgyeA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZPa0mP0mkk