New press opinions

[fmajor]

I went with a Redding Big Boss II for all the recommendations this time around.

I first got into reloading 30yrs ago (circa 1991-1992) and after a couple years went to grad school and needed cash....so all my reloading gear went away.

Before the internet made info so easy to get, I learned from a guy who had a reloading business and he told me what to buy. Started with a RCBS Rock-Chucker 'kit' and bought the then-new RCBS Competition dies (I know they were invented by Bonanza iirc) and the remainder of my gear was all pretty much RCBS.

The Rock-Chucker press was awesome - except for spent primers flying everywhere, I never had a problem with it. The RCBS Uni-Powder measure was okay, RCBS scale was okay.

So, to circle back, just a few weeks ago I began buying reloading gear again!!!

It seems like it is machined "better" (somehow?) and definitely seems a bit heavier than the Rock-Chucker.

I am going to put my bench together hopefully tomorrow but won't get things installed/mounted for a while.

Happy Loading!!!

PS - shop around for the Big Boss II price - I got mine at Midsouth for a good bit less than that....(if I'm allowed to say?).
PSS - just saw you're in (beautiful) Canada.....so US market = extra costs. Sorry.

 

[victor3ranger]

I went with a Redding Big Boss II for all the recommendations this time around.

I first got into reloading 30yrs ago (circa 1991-1992) and after a couple years went to grad school and needed cash....so all my reloading gear went away.

Before the internet made info so easy to get, I learned from a guy who had a reloading business and he told me what to buy. Started with a RCBS Rock-Chucker 'kit' and bought the then-new RCBS Competition dies (I know they were invented by Bonanza iirc) and the remainder of my gear was all pretty much RCBS.

The Rock-Chucker press was awesome - except for spent primers flying everywhere, I never had a problem with it. The RCBS Uni-Powder measure was okay, RCBS scale was okay.

So, to circle back, just a few weeks ago I began buying reloading gear again!!!

It seems like it is machined "better" (somehow?) and definitely seems a bit heavier than the Rock-Chucker.

I am going to put my bench together hopefully tomorrow but won't get things installed/mounted for a while.

Happy Loading!!!

PS - shop around for the Big Boss II price - I got mine at Midsouth for a good bit less than that....(if I'm allowed to say?).

Heck yeah

 

[436]

I'm all in with RCBS Rock Chucker, I've got 50 plus years with them, but I've started using RCBS Summit Press, and really like it now, no my Rock Chucker still gets used. Note: Summit forget the short handle, stay with the long handle. Cheers

 

[Tiny Tim]

It was Gingerman ant it was an RCBS press

Just goes to show that no manufacturer has a perfect product history. Btw, i Should have made it clear in my post that his was a RCBS press instead of allowing others to assume it was a Lee product. Thanks!

 

[MagnumManiac]

I have several presses…now. I started out with a RCBS Partner press, didn't like it much, then a guy at my pistol club told me he had just bought a Dillon and was selling his Rock Chucker, which I bought straight away and sold the Partner press. Used that Rock Chucker for years, now my mate has it. Presently have 2 Reddings and 2 RCBS presses. 2 turret presses and 2 single stage presses, was going to buy the Rebel but chose not to.
Honestly, any single stage press that easily holds a 30-06 length case will do you well…just don't be like me, see new stuff and just have to buy it. The only press I can't justify the money on is the 419, might be good, but is it really worth it?!

Cheers.

 

[340Shooter]

Yes, it would be hard to justify the price of the 419. I'm starting to lean towards the Big Boss II now. I have Redding scales and their 1400 trimmer. Also very well made.

 

[MagnumManiac]

Yes, it would be hard to justify the price of the 419. I'm starting to lean towards the Big Boss II now. I have Redding scales and their 1400 trimmer. Also very well made.

Have the Big Boss and Big Boss II, great presses I mainly use for forming my wildcat cases with.
Since closing my shop, have not used either in 2 years now.

Cheers.

 

[dnb86]

Rock chuckers are good. Older Rock chuckers are better but the MEC and Forster Coax are superior. I went with a MEC once I upgraded from a rock chucker and Man are they smooth and I'm getting better concentricity with the floating shell holder as well and a big + for being made in USA

 

[MtPockets]

Which model MEC?

 

[dnb86]

Which model MEC?

Marksman

 

[MtPockets]

I'll check them out.

Thank you.

 

[kiwikid]

Back in the mid seventies I started reloading with a RCBS Junior press that produced good ammo.
About 15 years ago I upgraded to a Foster Co-Ax press and my concentricity improved greatly. I had no need, I thought for the Junior so I gave it to a good friend.
When I purchased a Redding Instant Indicator for my 6.5-284 I found it wouldn't fit in the Co-Ax press so I bought a Redding Boss press and I am impressed how well made it is.
One of these days I might have to shout myself a German Prazipress.

 

[44-40]

Forester Co-Ax is the one I'm most fond of, I have a RCBS rockchucker, Lee, hornady, (had a Lyman turrent, another RCBS, I gave those 2 to my son.)
Large RCBS for 50BMG, and 4 progressive presses, 2 Hornady and 2 Dillion presses. And an arbor press with dies.
The Forester Co-Ax gets the most use...super fast in and out die changes, great for case forming, and experimental case work. More fun to use, plus super leverage. Two universal shell holders S & L take just about all the cartridges you'd likely use. But the slower RCBS rockchucker is a good press also especially of long magnum cartridges are in the future.

 

[FEENIX]

As a new re loader. I am starting to feel I made a poor choice in my purchase of the Lyman All American t-8 turret press. I do wish I would have inquired on here before purchasing. It's not that the press is bad, IMO. (But then my experience with a press is very limited.) I just don't hear anyone on hear recommending it. The only issue I have with it was the primer tube being bent due to packaging & shipping. But I do priming off the press so it was no big deal. I have also read the bushing may need to be replaced after some considerable usage. Other than that I have read nothing bad. I am not big on the orange color.

There is nothing wrong with your choice of press. I, too, have a Lyman - older version (6 turrets); I guess that You indicated you are a new reloader, believe me, this is not going to be your last. Most of us have multiple presses. Enjoy the learning process.