First reloading press- single stage??

Vortex! said:

Electric would be nice but wouldn't have to be.

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RCBS Chargemaster is pretty good or the Chargemaster lite to save a few bucks. A good balance beam scale is always great to have around as well. I use my balance beam scale to verify the electronic scales powder discharger are correct.

Natchez has the Chargemaster Lite on sale for $200 with free shipping. I have not had mine as long as my Chargemaster but my first impression is favorable. If you will be doing any volume reloading at all you will tire of a balance beam very quickly. I personally would not recommend a kit unless you will be doing low volume and do not place precision as a priority. I think I used my kit components about a day before I ordered replacements for everything but the press.

Give the Lee Classic 4 Hole Turret a look see? I have RCBS presses and they currently do other operations. Been using the Lee Turret a couple year now and it makes great ammo, very concentric! It's a large press and I use it in single stage (have all the progressive accessories too). Makes for working with full length magnum cases a breeze, plus the easy change turrets makes multiple cartridge loading quick & simple, because the dies have been setup and ready to go.

Kmccord said:

The only thing I don't like about single stage presses is having to set the dies up for each stage of reloading. I use a Turret press and with a turn off the Turret, don't have to start back over on set up once it has been set. I think the Redding T7 would be a good choice and the Lyman would be another one to look at. I am sure you know, but next big expense is your powder thrower, you want electric thrower and scales or you want the old lever thrower with a balance beam?

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RCBS and Redding dies have set-screws in the lock rings so you can set them, and forget them. That's what I've done with all of mine, and never had any runout issues, as long as you always use them on the same press with the same shell holders.

Also, here's another pro-tip... Buy the proper Shellholders PER SET of dies. Every set of dies I have, has the matching shell holder in it. And that shell holder stays in that set of dies, and does not get moved around, that way I know my press is setup properly with that particular set of dies, and that particular shell holder.

After 20 years and thousands of rounds loaded I still have and use everything in my rockchucker kit

MudRunner2005 said:

I strongly recommend spending a little extra and getting the Rock Chucker Supreme.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/513567/rcbs-rock-chucker-supreme-single-stage-press

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/937051/rcbs-rock-chucker-supreme-master-single-stage-press-kit

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Vortex I started out pretty much same as you, have an older Remington 700 in 270 win. I bought the Rock Chucker Supreme kit, kept watching and caught it on sale with a rebate because didn't have a lot of disposable income. I've tried several different bullets and powders in my 270 and nothing seems to work, to where I'm about ready to have it rebarelled. Other rifles I can shoot clover leaf groups at 100yards. The only thing extra I bought that the kit didn't have was an electronic scale, case trimmer and calipers. Since every charge is measured, I meter powder out of a 30 ml scintillation vial! Old science project feeling. One other good thing is that several die manufacturers will work and if you're cash strapped watch for them on sale as well. Most important thing is load up and have fun! I use it as therapy!

Lee will do great for you, dont be disuaded. Im currently using a T7, but have dillons, rockchuckers, a lee progressive (which i load all my volume pistol on), and even a monstrous herters turret. All are fun to use once you know their limitations. That lee will be great for your uses and if you ever wanna try others, youll have the opportunity. Buy it and enjoy. Im sure youll make great ammo if you use the same inquisitive mind which caused you to ask here to apply yourself to the task. Possibly the combo kit would be a better investment though if you dont have any tools.
Best of luck

Vortex! said:

1.5 inch groups with hornady superformance 140 sst. 1.75 inch group with ppu 130 and Remington core lokts 130. All at 100 yrds with Thompson center compass. It does have a free floated barrel and a good scope.

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Not unusual with Superformance as it generally has a pretty broad spread when it comes to ES.

Try shooting some of their precision Hunter or standard line ammo instead.

A Lee single stage kit will load any cartridge short of a 50bmg or one of it's varients. I have 2 single stage presses on my bench and have loaded everything from 9mm parabelum to 338 ultra with great results. The only thing I have replaced is my scale due to an unexpected expected mishap of my own doing after 10years of service are doing well. As i right I an riding home from Colorado with a 4x4 bull in the ice chest shot with a 300win using handloads put together on my Lee set-up.

I bought my Rockchucker in 1975. A few dozen dyesets from .223 to 450 H&H Express, and thousands of reloads, it still produces benchrest grade ammo. IMO, you should pick one that you are willing to live with for a long time so you won't have to re-adjust the dyes when you change cartridges. I'll pass it, my rifles, and my load data on to my grandsons. I run two Dillon 550's for my handguns that have been in use quite long as well.

Run everything small on Co-ax and all big magnums on Big Boss 2. I have had about every press known to man with exception of a Dillon. Co-ax is hands down my favorite press so far, but that big boss does big caliber stuff with ease. Most single stage presses on the market these days coupled with good dies and correct setup will produce ammo that will normally surpass most peoples shooting capabilities. Best of luck!

I was looking at my available cash at the time and I simply don't have the money for it.( I am planning on a couple years of college so I'm saving up for that. I absolutely detest being in debt so I'm planning on saving up the necessary $1000s for that before going. If I don't spend too much I should be able to do it next fall.) So..... I got the Lee classic loader for $28. I know it's a one way street since these are caliber specific but for now 270 is the only thing I need to reload since the other guns like factory ammo. I will definitely look into the kit that mudrunner suggested but it won't be until after schooling unless I make more money than I think I will.

Good choice. My first press was a RCBS Partner. Single stage 1 at a time. Was a great way to begin to learn. Still have it for collet pulling.