Which Press?

[pig ranch deadeye]

I have an RCBS Rock Chucker and it is not bad. I am interested in your opinions on presses, so I have three questions to the forum:
(1) Which is the best press of all, and why?
(2) Which is the best for the money?
(3) Does the choice of press have any effect on the quality of the resulting ammunition?

 

[nksmfamjp]

First, the search function works very well on here and we seem to talk about single stage presses.

Second, if you like Gavin Toobe, he has a good review on YouTube and his website ultimatereloade.com

Third, I have the MEC Marksman. It is a great press at a reasonable price. I was reloading rifle ammo on a lock n load AP. Works ok, but it is not nearly as stiff and that affects consistently. I went to the LNL single stage. Good, but I was having some small stiffness issues and it felt sloppy. The MEC fixed all that.

 

[cape cove]

I would think that if you now have a RCBS RC this is all you need. In my experience I have found that quality dies have a greater effect on good ammo than does the press, provided the press is in decent shape. JMO

 

[Orange Dust]

Check out area 419 and their new press. If cost is an issue don't even look at it.

 

[LDHunter]

Best? Forster Co-Ax.... But finding one for sale is nearly impossible lately.

Best value? Too subjective to answer but what you already own is a great press so that one...

 

[pig ranch deadeye]

I have always enjoyed my Rock Chucker...

 

[WildBillG]

In the Ultimate Reloader review of presses the Rock Chuckers came in second. Now second is really first because first went to a 1500 euro press. That second was extremely close at that. Sorry to all th Co Ax guys it was like fifth.

 

[zzchipster]

Dillon 550. Can't beat it. Forester for single stage.

 

[pig ranch deadeye]

I would think that if you now have a RCBS RC this is all you need. In my experience I have found that quality dies have a greater effect on good ammo than does the press, provided the press is in decent shape. JMO

Are Forester dies the best? They have a great reputation. I usually buy RCBS.

 

[LDHunter]

It's a matter of opinion which are the "best"....

Forster are certainly one of the best. Their Ultimate Seating Die is my hands down favorite seating die and a favorite of a lot of competitors.

 

[338weatherby]

I just went through this same process to make a decision on a new press. Lots of good ones, and opinions out there. Listen to the posts and pick what you want out of the top presses. They have their differences but I think are all top notch. I went with the MEC Marksman because of the open front, good capacity for bigger cases, and liked the mount that you can get for it. It was also available and a good price. So far, I really like it. Super smooth.

 

[nksmfamjp]

Are Forester dies the best? They have a great reputation. I usually buy RCBS.

There are lots of best...Forster are quite good.

 

[pig ranch deadeye]

MEC Marksman also sounds like a good one. I am already set with my Rock Chucker, but if I were to buy a second one that might be the one.

 

[Another Casual]

Rock chucker for precision, I have a Hornady AP I use for 223 and 9mm bulk stuff.