Single stage, turret or lock-n-load? Forster press with Dillon trimmer?

[MikeInOr]

I have been reloading for over 25 years. Up tell now I have always done everything on my Dillon 650. I recently had a batch of 50 x .45acp I wanted to unload with a collet puller (I tried Barry's 185gr bullets and the resulting loads were way too light).

The only single stage press I have owned is an RCBS Jr that I threw away years ago when the handle fell off. I am looking at the Redding turret press, a Rockchucker, a Hornaday lock-n-load or a Lyman T mag turret. For ocassional small tasks like puttling bullets or trimming a box of 20 cases with a Dillon case trimmer or small batches of a caliber I don't want to invest in a entire 650 head for what press would you choose?

I don't think my Dillon case trimmer will fit under the yoke of a Forster single stage... will it? If I could use my Dillon 1200 trimmer on the Forster I would probably go this route due to what I have read on the Forster.

 

[joem1945]

I have some RCBS presses that hold the size/trim dies quite nicely. They are cast presses and very strong. I keep the 650 for loading only, otherwise it gets gunked up.

 

[Lr_athlete32]

I went with the rcbs over the lock n' load because its cast iron and not cast alloy.

However, I do realize that I would likely never load enough to expose any durability problems in the hornady press.

I have been looking at the new iron press hornady came out with a couple months ago.

 

[John3921]

The forster press is an outstanding press. Smooth, powerful, does an excellent job of keeping run out to a minimum.

What it doesn't do well is hold a bullet puller since the dies float. A cam over puller like a hornady will work, but a puller like the rcbs is problematical.

I don't know for sure but I doubt a case trimmer will fit under the yoke of the handle.

For just these operations the forster would be the wrong press.

I'd find an inexpensive o-frame press. You don't need anything expensive or fancy. Your old rcbs Jr. Would fit the bill nicely.

 

[BCRider]

For a side job sort of press I'd even consider a Lee cast single stage.

Or do you intend to off load some of the rifle loading duties to this new press? If so then a Forster or perhaps an RCBS Summit would be a couple of top end suggestions.

I'm not a fan of turret style presses. I was given a very old Lyman T-mag and I found that even as solid as it was that the die plate still wanted to rock back and forth a touch. I ended up shimming the rear support to lock it down and went with tightening the retention nut fully and loosening it to rotate the plate to both get rid of the rocking and line the dies up axially with the ram. So while I fixed my T-mag it left me with a less than great feeling about anything with a turret plate.

In the same batch I also received a couple of Lee 1000's. These further reduced my love of rotating die plates. But in this case the presses were used for handgun ammo so the lifting and general play in the plate wasn't a big deal.

But because of all this I far prefer a nice solid screwed down or snug bayonet fixing of the dies. As a result I opted for a Hornady single as my side job and rifle loading press.

 

[BYJO4]

There are a number of good presses you could get. I've used the Rockchucker for over 40 years and it does a fine job. It has an excellent reputation and you will never wear it out. While I use my progressive for virtually everything I do now, the Rockchucker will remain on my bench for various odd jobs.

 

[MikeInOr]

I appreciate everyone's feedback! I was kind of thinking an O frame press would be the best way to go. I really like the idea of the Forster but it makes perfect sense that it won't work well for a bullet puller even though I was thinking of going with the Hornaday puller. And the Dillon case trimmer is top of the list for getting a new press.

I am very pleased with the rifle rounds I get out of my Dillon 650. I get excellent accuracy out of my .308 bench/varmint Rem 700. I feel no need to change anything or go away from 650 for rifle loads.

I couldn't keep the handle on my RCBS jr on... very frustrating! My very first press 25 years ago was an RCBS 4x4 also a very frustrating press. Both these presses really soured my taste for green. But I do know a Rockchucker is the press all other O frame presses are measured against. My buddy's Rockchucker has always been a great press to use.

I have been looking for a used O frame press but they almost always come with a bunch of other low end gear which I have no interest in. I am coming to the point where I have almost convinced myself to buy a new naked press.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Between the two turrets, I'd pick the Redding T-7 over the Lyman. While they look very simular, the Redding's plates are calibrated to take the "rock" into consideration when the ram is raised.

If leaning toward a single stage...you're right, the Co-Ax won't do what you want...I'd choose the Lee Classic Cast, not the Breech Lock model, over the Rockchucker or LNL. It is every bit as strong...it can be used to reload the .50 BMG...and has a superior spent primer handling system

 

[MikeInOr]

I did more reading and really like the looks of the Redding Big Boss 2. It seems like the last press I will ever need.

I just looked at the Lee classic cast and it seems pretty simular to the Big Boss 2 at about half the price. I usually error on investing on better tools than I need which would push me towards the Redding. But the Lee classic cast also seems like way more press than I will even need.

So my question is... Why not the Breech lock model? Is the breach lock just Lee's version of the Horniday lock-n-load?

The redding turret is the press Iwas initially leaning towards... but I think a magnum O frame is what I have setteled on. All the magnum presses appear to take the Horniday Lock-n-load bushings which sound like they will be as productive as a turret... "For my uses!".

 

[9mmepiphany]

Is the breach lock just Lee's version of the Horniday lock-n-load?

Basically it is the simplified version of the LNL. The big difference is that dies mounted in the LNL bushings can be used on many different press on which you've installed the LNL conversion adapter. I have the conversion on my Lee Classic Cast and am able to move a die from my progressive press to my single stage without any adjustment.

Why not the Breech lock model?

The tipping point for me was that the non-Breech Lock model stays cleaner as spent primers fall through the ram into a tube...and into the trash. The Breech Lock model has most of the primers "jump" (sideways) into a catch drain...not all of them make it...which has a tendency to leave a lot of "dirt" on the press.

If you're looking for a press to "last forever", you might take a look at Hornady's new Iron Press

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[BCRider]

I got that same constantly loosening handle issue on my Dillon 550. I can torque that silly lock nut down until I turn blue as the press and at best it lasts a few hundred rounds more before it loosens again.

I keep telling myself that I'll drill and install a roll pin to act as a locking key. Or drill and tap so a small machine screw acts as an easily removed locking key. But I can't find the round tuit to make it happen. Some day soon.....

Anyhow, if you still have the "offending" Rockchucker you might want to try this trick to fix the issue.

 

[MikeInOr]

The RCBS I tossed was a JR... not a Rockchucker. Everything about the JR was cheap and flimsy. The handle on the JR was a press fit so there was nothing to tighten. I would not toss a RockChucker but the JR was worthless in many more ways than just the handle.

I have never had any problems with my Dillon 650 handle. I use the roller handle but I still have the ball handle packed away. Is there something stripped on your 550 handle? Is the handle the problem on your 550 or is it the socket the holds the handle? My recollection is there is a nylon locknut holding the handle on my Dillon? Do you just need a new locknut? You might try asking Dillon, they are supposed to have good support and they might be able to get you the parts to fix your issue.



Thank you for the explanation on the Breach Lock on the Lee press! I did a little searching but didn't find a good explanation as to the differences. I have read many complaints about bad spent primer handeling on many models of presses. I have never had an issue with my Dillon and don't see using a new press to do much depriming but I don't see much reason to buy a press with a design issue that bothers so many.

I am not going to be doing a lot of reloading on this new press so I think the Lee cast is exactly what Iam after. Midway has it on sale right now for $99 I believe. I will look into the new Horniday first though. I like to know all my options. I found some old Hollywood presses on ebay that looked interesting (I love old tools) but they were too pricey and it sounds like parts would be a problem. There was an interesting CH - H frame press but I think I will stick to a classic O frame press. I had never heard of Hollywood or CH presses before. Both look interesting... but expensive.

Thank you guys for the feedback!

 

[tightgroup tiger]

I can torque that silly lock nut down until I turn blue as the press and at best it lasts a few hundred rounds more before it loosens again.

Get a small tube of red locktite and use that on it. It won't come loose again.

I like that new Hornady iron press, It or the Lee Classic cast press would be my two choices and I wish I could buy either of them but my RCBS won't be giving up the ghost anytime soon.

I have the conversion on my Lee Classic Cast and am able to move a die from my progressive press to my single stage without any adjustment.

9mm,
Did you have to shim up your conversion bushing? You use a LNL-AP don't you?

 

[9mmepiphany]

9mm,
Did you have to shim up your conversion bushing? You use a LNL-AP don't you?

I do use a LNL AP as a primary press.

I was prepared to shim up the Lee Classic Cast According to this video, but after making the measurements, found that one wasn't needed. I still can't believe it and might have to measure again