I'm looking for a single stage press for a single caliber. Which brand/model provides the best accuracy and reliability?
I have to agree with Walkalong. "You guys are killing me." This is exactly like the oil field workers in my neck of the woods talking about pickup trucks. Some guys badmouth Chevy, saying their Fords are the only truck that'll hold up in the oilfield in bad weather. Then you talk to the Chevy owners and you get the same story about Fords. I guess it's human nature to do all you can to make it known that your decision (the current one) is the best and what you use is the best. I've heard "some" truths, some halftruths, and and even a few lies, or at least continuations of stories that never seem to go away, like the bull that RCBS doesn't make good equipment anymore because their frames are made in China.
RCBS has a lifetime warranty on their presses. Even if the qualilty control in China doesn't have the same perfection as it did in the US, (and there's no proof of that), if you were to get a misaligned frame, RCBS will replace it. If you only figure that out 10 years later RCBS will still replace it. If the "weak" cast iron frame springs out of alignment 20 years later RCBS will replace it...free.
Now I'm not going to bad mouth Lee. The price point is a lot cheaper. To give their customers that cheap price...something has to give...in how much it costs to produce, and what kind of guarantee they can offer.
Now lets clear something up. The Lee Classic Cast (and the Classic Turret) have Cast Iron frames not steel...just like the RCBS. What
is steel vs. the competition's cast iron, is only the linkage (and in the Turrets case the columns that hold the frame pieces together) Check it for yourself
HERE The lever handles, and the rams are Steel for RCBS and most other brands as well.
As for the "aluminum" argument of some posts, consider that automobile companies only went to aluminum block engines, to save weight,get better gas mileage, and to get the Feds off their backs. Nobody has ever said they are better and stronger. As for aircraft, it's a weight issue as well. Ever been in a light plane? You have to wonder if the things will stay together for one flight...and it's a wonder of the world when they do.
About Lee's warranty: It's really a great warranty, and it's fair considering the price point of the original equipment. Replacement for 2 years, and after that they will fix or replace (as they decide) for life...if you send them 1/2 of the then current retail price.
Now to the O.P. All the brands can and do provide "the best accuracy" if the reloader cares enough, is knowledgeable enough, and spends enough money on dies (especially seaters), trimmer, concentricity gage, Lapua cases, the best bullets...and don't forget to hire a big name company to make your tricked out race gun, or custom bench rest masterpiece. You weren't specific as to how serious you are about it.
Most of us aren't into that much accuracy, now are we?
Now on reliability. How serious are you about that? A lifetime guarantee on your press may be more important than a two year one, but that's a personal choice. I don't think my RCBS Rock Chucker is the best of the best. That may very well be a Redding or a Forester. Depends whether you are a Ford man or a Chevy man (figuratively). My equipment has lasted me 40 years now, and none of it shows any signs of causing me to test RCBS's life time warranty. Not surprised, are you? Maybe the Lee, Forster, Redding machines are better....how do you test that? More than good enough, has been good enough for me...and you know, if I'd bought a Redding or Forster, I'd probably feel the same way about them.
Oh, btw, I bought a Lee first. It was a Lee Loader.
It only had to last two months though, since I started using the Rock Chucker after that. I liked it, but I got impatient...kinda like how after these 40 years I got impatient again...and bought an RCBS Pro 2000.
Any of the products we've talked about can load good ammo...pick the one that suits your needs and expectations. Don't get swayed by the the people trying to justify their last purchase, or those who think their brand is it and the rest is crap.