Single stage presses?

[tonyjr]

Citizen One
Don't edit - very few go back and reread . .
Just post again = quoting .

[Paul_R]

I always primed off the press until I discovered slide bar primer feeder. I couldn't live without it now.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/805529/redding-slide-bar-automatic-primer-feeder-system

Single Stage...

Redding Big Boss 2.

My 1978 Rock Chucker has never let me down and is still in service. However, for a new Beginner, .223, resizing thousands of same....yea, real sure BB2 has eclipsed the Rock Chucker. I wouldn't be buying any packages of any kind for sure.

And prime off your press.

[Citizen One]

Well, here's the "budget-friendly" list of the bare minimum equipment I think a novice would need to get into reloading 223, without driving their head through the wall in frustration. This is slightly different than my original list. You might get some snooty looks about the fit and finish but anyone will admit it's at least functional.

• Lee Challenger Breech Lock Single Stage Press Kit
• RCBS X-Die 2-Die Set 223 Remington
• Lee Quick Trim Die 223 Remington
• Lee Breech Lock Quick Change Bushings Pack of 2
• L.E. Wilson Case Length Headspace Gauge 223 Remington
• Imperial wax
• (Optional) Hornady Lock-N-Load Headspace Gauge 5 Bushing Set with Comparator
• (Optional) Frankford Arsenal Powder Trickler

Total: $229.95 (or $287.43 optional)

This covers everything except case tumbling/cleaning. Powder thrower is a bit junk, scale is mechanical, frame is aluminum. But it should be the bare minimum in terms of SAFETY features. Ideally they'd use a electronic scale, or at least give a powder trickler so you can throw weak charges into the scale and correct later.

[tonyjr]

Paul R
This only works on a few reddings . I would like to find a better one than the Lee hand , but havn't yet .

[nedro]

Well, here's the "budget-friendly" list of the bare minimum equipment I think a novice would need to get into reloading 223, without driving their head through the wall in frustration. This is slightly different than my original list. You might get some snooty looks about the fit and finish but anyone will admit it's at least functional.

• Lee Challenger Breech Lock Single Stage Press Kit
• RCBS X-Die 2-Die Set 223 Remington
• Lee Quick Trim Die 223 Remington
• Lee Breech Lock Quick Change Bushings Pack of 2
• L.E. Wilson Case Length Headspace Gauge 223 Remington
• Imperial wax
• (Optional) Hornady Lock-N-Load Headspace Gauge 5 Bushing Set with Comparator
• (Optional) Frankford Arsenal Powder Trickler

Total: $229.95 (or $287.43 optional)

This covers everything except case tumbling/cleaning. Powder thrower is a bit junk, scale is mechanical, frame is aluminum. But it should be the bare minimum in terms of SAFETY features. Ideally they'd use a electronic scale, or at least give a powder trickler so you can throw weak charges into the scale and correct later.

Any reloaders that use quick change bushings are not precision.
I'm not saying that they are not very good presses. I'm only saying that they are not a precision press. They have slop in them which causes problems when shoulder bumping.

Someone was also asking about a small and or portable bench station for reloading.
I have found that the easiest way for me was to purchase (well I already had one) a piece of 3/4" or 1" A/C plywood and cut it to the dimensions of whatever small table you may have.

Then go out and buy as many of these that you will need for mounting the press, primer, powder feed, and whatever else you might need for you station.

https://www.grainger.com/category/t-nuts-for-wood/nuts/fasteners/ecatalog/N-c2n?searchRedirect=Fasteners

Trace out all of your equipment onto the plywood (you don't have to separate them all as you don't always use everything at all times. But it does make it more convenient if you do). Drill your holes and install the nuts on the back side (You could even place a drop of Elmers on the nut flanges but not needed).

Once you test out the holes with the pieces you are installing, you simply clamp the plywood to your table. I used these (but my set had 4 6" clamps).

http://www.homedepot.com/p/BESSEY-Clutch-Clamp-Set-4-Piece-GSCC4PK/205086977

When done, simply remove items from plywood and stow away.
Remove the plywood from the table and nobody would ever know you did any reloading.

[nedro]

Oh ya,
Dies make a difference.
I have a set of lee precision dies for .223
And a set of Forster dies for 6.8SPCII

They are night and day.

I have purchased almost all of my stuff on ebay and every single item has been factory sealed and brand new.
Forster dies are affordable on ebay.
Lee dies are ridiculously affordable on ebay.
If you are going to get a premium die set, don't waist you money on almost premium, just get the Forsters. My sizing die for 6.8 was $42 and the ultra micrometer seater was $75. I also got a lee universal de-capper and Lee factory crimp.

You could get the entire set of lee pacesetters for under $35, but like I said; It's a night and day difference.

[Citizen One]

Any reloaders that use quick change bushings are not precision. I'm not saying that they are not very good presses. I'm only saying that they are not a precision press. They have slop in them which causes problems when shoulder bumping.

Well, I was anticipating the press frame itself would have some stretch as well, since the Lees are aluminum. Not immediately apparent, but as you point out when working with .005" thou tolerances, it becomes evident. I hoped to accommodate for this via measurement/lash takeup. As long as it's consistent it can be accounted for. (The wobble, however, cannot.)

Someone was also asking about a small and or portable bench station for reloading.

Thanks for that tip! I definitely will look into doing that with a Black and Decker workbench, if I go with a mounted press. Even Craftsman has a good, solid table for $35.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-workstation/p-00922284000P

Dies make a difference. I have a set of lee precision dies for .223 And a set of Forster dies for 6.8SPCII. They are night and day.

If you are going to get a premium die set, don't waist you money on almost premium, just get the Forsters.

I was under the impression only the Forsters "Ultra" kit was the decent one. I haven't heard anything particularly good nor bad about their "Benchrest" series. That is why I linked only their "Ultra" seating die, and the RCBS "X-die".

Speaking of precision, someone earlier mentioned the hand press may actually be better for that than a single stage since you can feel the bullet seating (and/or crimping). With that in mind, I redid the list towards a literal "hand-load" option. And this meets my space requirements as well. Mind if I ask your opinion on this latest list for a 223 semiauto? Any additions/changes?

• Lee Breech Lock Hand Press Kit
• RCBS X-Die 2-Die Set 223 Remington
• RCBS Shellholder #10 (17 Remington, 204 Ruger, 223 Remington)
• Lee Breech Lock Quick Change Bushings Pack of 2
• Lee Quick Trim Die 223 Remington
• Lee Deluxe Quick Trim Case Trimmer
• Lee Primer Pocket Cleaner
• Imperial Case Sizing Wax 2 oz
• Lyman Pocket Touch 1500 Digital Scale Kit 1500 Grain Capacity (<- this is important, it can be trickled)
• Frankford Arsenal Powder Trickler (<- skip the powder throw, trickle straight into the scale)
• L.E. Wilson Case Length Headspace Gauge 223 Remington (<- for safety)

Total: $228.09

This kit would be significantly less labor intensive than the kit offerings I see from Lee and RCBS. (Well, given what it is, anyway.) The trimmer does internal and external neck chamfering at the same time. It can be adjusted unlike most others to trim the necessary amount for the X-die. The digital scale is worlds better than analog. The X-die means I will never will have to trim the cases later. The Go-NoGo gauge greatly simplifies final headspace safety check for a semiauto. (Compared to something like the Hornady caliper gauges.) The Lee locking bushings, as slack as they may be, means I can set-and-forget the dies. Plus the hand-press doubles as a hand-primer in ergonomics.

I might wait a bit for if any of the above goes on sale. Even a Forster "Ultra" seating die would increase the cost of the above by 35% ($80). So I think what I've listed might be what I'll go with to dip my foot into reloading. And if I like it, every piece of equipment I listed is worth keeping or reusing in a single-stage bench press or progressive.

[NorCalFocus]

Any reloaders that use quick change bushings are not precision.
I'm not saying that they are not very good presses. I'm only saying that they are not a precision press. They have slop in them which causes problems when shoulder bumping.

Yet the Forster Co-Ax is based on a floating die design??? Its a common practice for guys to use a rubber O ring on their dies to create a floating die. But your claiming that a bushing system doesn't work the same way???

Not saying your wrong, but from everything I've ever read and seen your info isn't jiving.

[NorCalFocus]

Well, I was anticipating the press frame itself would have some stretch as well, since the Lees are aluminum. Not immediately apparent, but as you point out when working with .005" thou tolerances, it becomes evident. I hoped to accommodate for this via measurement/lash takeup. As long as it's consistent it can be accounted for. (The wobble, however, cannot.)


Thanks for that tip! I definitely will look into doing that with a Black and Decker workbench, if I go with a mounted press. Even Craftsman has a good, solid table for $35.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-workstation/p-00922284000P

I was under the impression only the Forsters "Ultra" kit was the decent one. I haven't heard anything particularly good nor bad about their "Benchrest" series. That is why I linked only their "Ultra" seating die, and the RCBS "X-die".

Speaking of precision, someone earlier mentioned the hand press may actually be better for that than a single stage since you can feel the bullet seating (and/or crimping). With that in mind, I redid the list towards a literal "hand-load" option. And this meets my space requirements as well. Mind if I ask your opinion on this latest list for a 223 semiauto? Any additions/changes?

• Lee Breech Lock Hand Press Kit
• RCBS X-Die 2-Die Set 223 Remington
• RCBS Shellholder #10 (17 Remington, 204 Ruger, 223 Remington)
• Lee Breech Lock Quick Change Bushings Pack of 2
• Lee Quick Trim Die 223 Remington
• Lee Deluxe Quick Trim Case Trimmer
• Lee Primer Pocket Cleaner
• Imperial Case Sizing Wax 2 oz
• Lyman Pocket Touch 1500 Digital Scale Kit 1500 Grain Capacity (<- this is important, it can be trickled)
• Frankford Arsenal Powder Trickler (<- skip the powder throw, trickle straight into the scale)
• L.E. Wilson Case Length Headspace Gauge 223 Remington (<- for safety)

Total: $228.09

This kit would be significantly less labor intensive than the kit offerings I see from Lee and RCBS. (Well, given what it is, anyway.) The trimmer does internal and external neck chamfering at the same time. It can be adjusted unlike most others to trim the necessary amount for the X-die. The digital scale is worlds better than analog. The X-die means I will never will have to trim the cases later. The Go-NoGo gauge greatly simplifies final headspace safety check for a semiauto. (Compared to something like the Hornady caliper gauges.) The Lee locking bushings, as slack as they may be, means I can set-and-forget the dies. Plus the hand-press doubles as a hand-primer in ergonomics.

I might wait a bit for if any of the above goes on sale. Even a Forster "Ultra" seating die would increase the cost of the above by 35% ($80). So I think what I've listed might be what I'll go with to dip my foot into reloading. And if I like it, every piece of equipment I listed is worth keeping or reusing in a single-stage bench press or progressive.

I have a set of Forster Benchrest dies for my .308. They are flipping fantastic. The huge difference is the chamber style seating die and the postioning of the expander ball on their sizing die. Both are designed to offer much straight cases and loaded ammo.

[longrange1]

I have a set of Forster Benchrest dies for my .308. They are flipping fantastic. The huge difference is the chamber style seating die and the postioning of the expander ball on their sizing die. Both are designed to offer much straight cases and loaded ammo.

if you like the forster dies try a set of whidden dies...i love forsters but whidden is a few steps above.

[NorCalFocus]

if you like the forster dies try a set of whidden dies...i love forsters but whidden is a few steps above.

I've heard. I know a few others that swear by them. But I just got my Forsters in November. I'm going to but them to work a little longer before changing again.

[longrange1]

Yet the Forster Co-Ax is based on a floating die design??? Its a common practice for guys to use a rubber O ring on their dies to create a floating die. But your claiming that a bushing system doesn't work the same way???

Not saying your wrong, but from everything I've ever read and seen your info isn't jiving.

i know this dont make sense but i had the same issues when i was using the hornady bushings in my redding big boss 2...inconsistent seating depths and shoulders...i blamed the redding dies and bought a set of forsters and same issues....got rid of the bushings and the seating and shoulder bump issues stopped.

[longrange1]

I've heard. I know a few others that swear by them. But I just got my Forsters in November. I'm going to but them to work a little longer before changing again.

yeah at least get them broke first LOL!

[jmitchell]

i know this dont make sense but i had the same issues when i was using the hornady bushings in my redding big boss 2...inconsistent seating depths and shoulders...i blamed the redding dies and bought a set of forsters and same issues....got rid of the bushings and the seating and shoulder bump issues stopped.

The multidimensional slop in the Hornady bushings are not the same as the two dimensions of floating in the Co-Ax.

[nedro]

yeah at least get them broke first LOL!

We talking about dies, or the people buying them?