Favorite Press

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richhodg66

Well-Known Member
Most of my loading is on my old Rockchucker. The plan is to set up a long enough work bench to mount up some of these vintage presses I have, maybe I'll change my mind about which is best, the Rockchucker has a few shortcomings I've noticed the past few years.

I got a bargain on a Forster Co-ax a few years ago, have it set uop and have used it and I still can't warm to it, just seems weird and awkward. Everybody swears by them, and no denying it is very well made and innovative. I probably need to make myself use it until I get used to it, I'm sure that's it. Just too used to a conventional press, my mind won't let me like the Co-ax.
 
JonB

JonB

Halcyon member
Lee Classic Turret.
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But my opinion isn't worth much, since I've rarely used anything else.
Besides having bought and sold most all other Lee Presses[cuz they paled in comparison to the Classic], I've had a couple Herter's "C" presses, and CH "H" sgl press.
Never had a RCBS, or Lyman, or Dylan, or Forster, or Redding, or Hollywood, or anything else.
 
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richhodg66

Well-Known Member
I was in Scheel's yesterday, looked at that new RCBS Summit, pretty neat. That new Rebel they have is certainly impressive.

The Rockchucker is pretty darn good, I wish RCBS had seen to make a third bolt hole at the rear of the press, just two bolts means it tends to have some flex up from the rear. Guess I could figure something out and I probably will.

One gripe I have with it is it spits the spent primers all over the county left to its own devices. I've kind of learned to put my left thump in front of the ram to deflect them into the spent primer cup but even that loses a few.

If I were to buy a brand new press today, it would likely be that biggest one Lee makes that will handle .50 BMG. Never used one, but Lee put some rather innovative design thought into it, and it sure looks solid enough to handle any task.

A while back, I got one of the Redding Ultramags which needs some clean up and probably a repaint. I then lucked into a C&H Chamion for next to nothing, so as far as big, insanely stong presses go, I'm covered when I get around to setting them up.
 
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BudHyett

Active Member
Three different in current usage:
  • Principal - Forster-Appelt Bonanza: Four decades of good usage. A friend bought one and reduced his flyers using this press and benchrest seater dies, therefore I followed suit.
  • Specialty - RCBS JR: Over a half-century of good duty. Used for .45-70 black powder loading plus NOE straight-line sizing. The ram is slightly worn from years of loading.
  • Large volume - Dillon 550B: Pistol reloading.
Before Dillon entered the market, I had a Lyman turret press that was a slight improvement over a single stage press for volume. When Dillon had an established reputation, I bought the 550B for the ability to use existing dies.
 
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CWLONGSHOT

CWLONGSHOT

Well-Known Member
I said I had a Big Boss Redding. I did not I had a Ultra Mag. For sone reason I confuse those two presses?!? Anyhow great solid press I just didn't like the placement of those bars.

I was not surprised to read all the Rock Chucker votes. After all, its the Chevy truck of reloading presses. Does most everything.

So I pulled out mine and afixed it back on the bench.

IMG_8334.jpeg

CW
 
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richhodg66

Well-Known Member
"I was not surprised to read all the Rock Chucker votes. After all, its the Chevy truck of reloading presses."

Except that it's reliable, made in America not China, and RCBS doesn't have to take 40 billion dollar taxpayer bailouts to stay afloat due to their incompetence because they"re "too big to fail".

Sorry, still a very sore point with me. I'll walk before I ever use a General Motors product.
 
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Petrol & Powder

Well-Known Member
richhodg66 said:
..........One gripe I have with it is it spits the spent primers all over the county left to its own devices. I've kind of learned to put my left thump in front of the ram to deflect them into the spent primer cup but even that loses a few. ............
Click to expand...
One of the features of the RCBS Rebel is the ram is hollow with a port near the lower back side of the ram. You just place a trash can or bucket under the press, and it will catch every spent primer.

I purchased a Rebel press a few years ago and I've been very impressed. It appears to be the Rock Crusher 2.0.

In theory, it should be stronger than the Rock Crusher due to its slightly larger casting (thicker cross sections of the "O" frame) and the greater tensile strength of the plate steel arms.
Rebel .jpg
 
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richhodg66

Well-Known Member
Looks like RCBS still only went with two bolt points. I'm sure it's an excellent press. Truthfully, I have my own likes and dislikes about everything, but in general, a guy can't go wrong with RCBS ANYTHING. They are consistently very good with everything they make.
 
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richhodg66

Well-Known Member
I'm just beginning to dabble with a Lyman All American. I wanted it because it is desinged to mount away from the edge of the bench and would allow it to work better on a portable grinder stand from Harbor freight. That's my theory anyway. Still remains to be seen.
 
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300BLK

Well-Known Member
I started reloading on a Bonanza CoAx and a Bair (think Pacific 155) back in the early '70s. The CoAx combined with their benchrest seating dies worked well other than priming on the press. The CoAx "universal" shell holders aren't. They make or made several sets of jaw plates for them. It drops primers into a plastic jar, so no mess. In the later '80s I bought a Dillon 550 and then won a Rockchucker as a door prize at a USPSA State Match. I've since bought a Lyman Spartan and a couple of RCBS JRs for not much.

I use the 550 for bulk handgun cartridges exclusively. The Rockchucker gets used for anything that needs lots of leverage, and one of the Jrs gets used for easier stuff. Complain about the RC spitting primers, the the Jr LEAKS them through the ram!....but I use it anyway. The Spartan and other Jr are "spares", another 550 is on the bench, and the CoAx is gone. That old Bair is like a Cadillac compared to a Mec Jr.
 
Pressman

Pressman

Active Member
Another vote for the Rockchucker, either 1st gen or the RCll. Another favorite and one that I gave lots of use is the 2A (not A2).
However, my bench now has an A4 bolted to it for resizing. Why, because I own it. For light tasks I use a 1959 Redding. It's well suited to case expanding and bullet seating.
As I write this, I have a Hollywood Junior in place of the Redding. I wanted to try iy and see how well its peculiar design really works at reloading 9mm. So far I am less than impressed.
Later I will be mounting a 1951 RCBS for the same reason.
 
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