WHICH SINGLE STAGE PRESS SHOULD I CHOOSE?

[SILENTSOUL308]

Ok, here's my situation. I've been reloader for a few years now. I learned from from a wise old man on a single stage press, but I now load on a dillon 550b. When I load match rounds, I use it as a single stage. I'm now in the market for a single stage press, but I don't know which press to buy. I like the RCBS Rockchucker, but I have no first hand experience with it, or any other SSP (single stage press). Could some of you SSP users extend me your toughts and/or experiences? Money is really not a factor, I just want to buy the best SSP for my needs.

 

[Nhsport]

There seems to be used ones around now and then . Check at your local range,gunclub or whatever .
I also use a progressive but like to have a single stage on hand . I lean towards the turret style as it allows you to leave more than one die in the press and just generally speeds things up . I have a lyman which is fine ( I bought it in like new/used for $75 , I believe they are at least twice that new. ) Truth be I haven't bolted it to my bench yet because I have a Lee turret. I myself don't think much of some of the Lee equipment but the turret is really pretty good . I am not to sure on the primeing system but I use the RCBS hand primer for all that so I don't care.
The Rockchucker has a top rep , If you see a good deal you can't go wrong with that either .

 

[EddieCoyle]

Get a Rockchucker. If a new one is too pricey, look on Ebay for a used one.

 

[loadedround]

In my humble opinion the best reasonable single station press on the market today is the Redding Boss. It has the finest machining of any press I have seen and only a few dollars more than Lyman or RCBS...it certainly deserves a look.

 

[Chawbaccer]

You really won't go wrong with one of the upper echelon presses, Redding Boss, Rock Chucker, Hornady and maybe Lyman's Orange crusher. Like many others I use the Rock Chucker and have no problems with it.

 

[Lloyd Smale]

rock chucker and orange crusher are probably the best bang for the buck. IVe used them both and would say its a toss up other then the excellent customer service from rcbs and the crappy customer service from lyman.

 

[Matt-man]

I think the Lee Classic Cast is an excellent value in a single stage press:

• Heavy, solid, and smooth
• Excellent spent primer handling with the primers going down the center of the ram and through a tube to your trash can
• Handle adjustable for length & angle in addition to right/left hand - I didn't think this was a big deal, but now that I've used it I like it. I can make the handle short for loading pistol rounds, or lengthen it for more leverage with rifle rounds.
• Can take 1-1/4" x 12 dies so you can use 50 BMG dies, or Hornady's Lock-n-Load quick-change setup
• Only $60-65

 

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

I agree with Matt Man. I had a Rock Chucker. I bought a Lee Classic Cast single stage out of curiousity because it was cheap. Worked them side by side on the bench. After a month or so I sold my RC for enough money to pay for my Lee and the LnL adapter kit I'd put on it.

It is as rugged as the RC, but has features the RC doesn't.

If you need more press than the Lee Classic cast, you'd have to go with something out of the bench rest reloading catalog. Even then, I'm not sure you're getting tons more for your money.

 

[swampgator]

RCBS RS-3

Bought a used RCBS RS-3 for $35 ten years ago. Still use it for load developement. Not as beefy as a Rockchucker but strong enough to load 30-06 on.

 

[YodaVader]

I ordered a Lee Classic Cast Press earlier this year - was $64.99 at Midway. It is quite a solid press , very similar in size to the Rockchucker but was $45 less (at the time).

 

[JoeHatley]

I gave away my RCBS and bought a Lee Classic. Nice press, good value.

Joe

 

[slylikea_fox]

I won't ever buy another Rock Chucker after i found out they were cast in China. I traded my RC IV for a Lee Classic Cast which says cast in USA on the back of the frame and for a Lee cast turrett press. The Single stage Lee is a much smoother operating press than the RC could ever hope to be. I have also called Redding and they assured me their presses were cast in the USA.

 

[Ol` Joe]

There is a Lyman Orange Chrusher and a Co-Ax on my bench. I also have a RCBS Jr and sold a RCBS RC. If you want the best go with the Forster, although the Lyman or RCBS RC both do a fantastic job.

 

[callgood]

Here's the Forster Co Ax Ol Joe mentioned. The features I like, other than the construction, are- no shell holders needed. Takes a couple of seconds to switch dies. Once you have them adjusted, lock down the rings and you're done. I load 5 pistol calibers and two rifle with it and have never wished I had bought another brand.

 

[CB900F]

Fella's;

I started with an RCBS Jr. several decades ago. The second press I bought was a Dillon RL550B, and that wasn't in this century either. Eventually, my son came into possession of the RCBS & I reloaded everything on the Dillon.

However, I came to realize the advantages of a good single stage & went looking. I found a gentleman who was selling out his reloading equipment in order to pursue the R-V lifestyle. I bought a rockchucker, among several other items, from him.

The rockchucker & the Dillon live side-by-side on the bench co-existing in harmony & I'm a happy camper.

But I can't tell you how much stuff I bought from the guy & what I paid for it, 'cause I want you guys to remain happy campers too.

900F

 

[CMcDermott]

I started on a Forster Co-Ax, and I think everyone should. It has the best design for learning how to do correct primer seating; you have to be very "talanted" to crush a primer while learning the proper "feel" of the primer seating against the back of the primer pocket. It has the most leverage of any single stage press, and it's design keeps bullet runout low.
It does most everything better than any other single stage press, but because of it's design it simply can't do some operations. It doesn't use the standard case holder - so any reforming or bullet pulling operation that requires an extended case holder can't be done. Because of the handle design, some of the very tall micrometer or windowed seating dies don't clear the handle opening (look at the picture in callgoods posting, and imagine a die thats 1-2" taller). It's also one of the most expensive presses at roughly $200 new.

 

[Deanimator]

WHICH SINGLE STAGE PRESS SHOULD I CHOOSE?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ok, here's my situation. I've been reloader for a few years now. I learned from from a wise old man on a single stage press, but I now load on a dillon 550b. When I load match rounds, I use it as a single stage. I'm now in the market for a single stage press, but I don't know which press to buy. I like the RCBS Rockchucker, but I have no first hand experience with it, or any other SSP (single stage press). Could some of you SSP users extend me your toughts and/or experiences? Money is really not a factor, I just want to buy the best SSP for my needs.

I have a Dillon RL550B and an RCBS Rockchucker set up side by side on my reloading bench. They're both great presses.

I reserve the Dillon for my pistol ammunition. If I were loading 5.56x45mm plinking ammo, I'd also use it.

I only shoot rifle at 600 yards. I use the Rockchucker for my 600 yard 7.62x51mm and .30-06 target loads. I trickle and weigh every charge. It's definitely worth the effort, and the low volume keeps the single stage press from being too much of a chore.

You will definitely benefit by having both presses.

 

[Tom C.]

I started with the RCBS Rockchucker 30 yrs. ago. I got a Dillon 450 that has been upgraded to 550 over 20 yrs. ago. I now load everything on the Dillon, including rifle ammo and match ammo for .44 mag when I was shooting silhouette.

 

[ID_shooting]

Big Green Rock Chucker on my bench.

 

[caz223]

I believe that the lee classic cast press and the RCBS presses are about the same, except that the lee press is better because it keeps primers off the floor.
Oh, it's less money, and if you so desire, you can use the hornady bushing system just like with the hornady and RCBS.

I'd also recommend the LEE classic cast turret, if that's your deal.
I'd steer clear of the lee progressives until they make 'classic' models.
Go dillon or hornady for progressives.

So, what's wrong with the 550 for rifles? I've done it with no problems whatsoever.

 

[44and45]

Another vote for the Lee Classic single stage press, it is very strong and can load anything up to .50 caliber MG rounds.

I'm presently using mine as a bullet swager press, but had to aulter the shellholder by shortening it a 1/2 inch. This was done by a mini-lathe of sleaving it.

See picture.

Jim

 

[Don't Tread On Me]

I won't ever buy another Rock Chucker after i found out they were cast in China. I traded my RC IV for a Lee Classic Cast which says cast in USA on the back of the frame and for a Lee cast turrett press.

Yes, a month or 2 ago, in Handloader magazine - they said that the RCBS is made in China.


So much for all the RCBS people constantly bashing Lee.

 

[BIGR]

Get the RCBS Rockchucker. It is a brute of a press that has not failed me for years of handloading.