Single Stage Reloading Press

[ffbsm85]

I can't decide what press to get. I'm just starting reloading. I'll primarily be reloading .223 and 9mm, then maybe .45. I want a single stage. Also not interested in kits as I want to get my own "accessories". I'm leaning toward the RCBS Special-5. Oh also, I'm gonna be putting on a portable reloading table if that makes any difference in my selection. I can't decide. Help me!!

[EmmaGoldman]

Just starting with those calibers, I'd get the bottom of the line Lee. You'll probably move to a progressive sooner than you think and there's nothing wrong with the cheap little press. Heavier presses are only at an advantage for bigger cases.

For portability, consider the Lee hand press too.

I've been reloading seriously for years and the only thing I like better is my antique Pacific.

[ffbsm85]

Just starting with those calibers, I'd get the bottom of the line Lee. You'll probably move to a progressive sooner than you think and there's nothing wrong with the cheap little press. Heavier presses are only at an advantage for bigger cases.

For portability, consider the Lee hand press too.

I've been reloading seriously for years and the only thing I like better is my antique Pacific.

Thanks I didn't think about that.

[XDRoX]

Forster is the nicest but costs over $250 dollars:


Next up are the Rock Chucker and The LNL. Both are under $150 and pretty similar. I'd give the RC a slight advantage for it's beefiness.



Lyman makes one for around $130, but I'm not that impressed with it. Terrible play and over cam IMO.


Redding makes one for just over $150, but I have no experience with it.


And then there are the less expensive ones, like the Special-5 and the Lee's.

Any of these would work. I would argue that you want to get the best one you can afford. Even though you will probably outgrow it and move to a progressive, you will always have the single stage on your bench for odds and ends. I have two single stages mounted on the bench right now and they get a ton of use. So I'd advise picking up the Rock Chucker or the LNL, they will last you forever. If you don't have a lot to spend, then the cheapest SS I would buy is the Lee Classic Cast for under $100.

[odysseus]

I know people, especially one who is always doing something, whom have had the Rock Chucker for decades of service. Damn things are SOLID.

[XDRoX]

I know people, especially one who is always doing something, whom have had the Rock Chucker for decades of service. Damn things are SOLID.

I agree. I have one from the 70's mounted right now and it still works great. I have another brand new one in the box that will get mounted when I remodel my reloading room.

[Bill Steele]

I would recommend what I just bought (figures, right?).

I would recommend a Lee Classic Turret (about $85). It gives you all the control advantages of a single stage (run it without the auto index at first and you have a single stage press), but allows you to step up the volume when you get comfortable with the loads you want to do. I would also buy Lee dies as they are a great value for the money.

I would buy a Lee Auto Disk Pro for the powder drop, a Lee Safety Prime, Lee powder drop riser (so the Safety Prime works on the press), an RCBS Beam Scale (like a 502/505), a Lyman Powder Funnel, one of those inertia bullet pullers (and get the proper collets to go with it), read the Tumbler thread for good ideas on a Tumbler, I think the Hornaday Digital Mic is on sale at Midway right now, good deal.

The best prices on Lee stuff can be found here: https://factorysales.com/html/company.html

In any case, good luck.

[gunboat]

There is a nice older press for sale in the classifieds -- $20 you can easily load the cartridges you listed - It is almost impossible to wear out a press with normal use.
just use the search option in ammo and reloading --
It is not mine -

[TimRB]

I can't decide. Help me!!

My advice would be to completely ignore price. Whatever press you get, from cheepie to Cadillac, is going to last for the rest of your life and beyond, so you might as well get whatever you want. In ten years you won't remember what you paid, anyway.

Tim

[TERRYGER]

y6ou can get a lee pro 1000 delievered toyour house for around $150.00.

it is every easy to use progressive and will do all you need at beginner and even more.

when you get a rockchukker or lee single with all the attachments you will be into it for that much anyway. your 3 sets of dies alone will be $90.

single stage is great for loading a few rifle rounds here and there but when it comes to pistol, you won't be able to keep up.

just a thought.

[LGB Loader]

Too bad you don't live closer to me, I have an older model Lee Challenger press that I could let you borrow for a while to see if the Hand loading bug bites. Some like it, some don't. I think you will find the process interesting and enhancing to the performance of your firearms.
I would not waste my time with a Lee hand press. I had one to try out and left it at a range the first time out. You want a mounted press and I highly suggest a Lee Classic Cast single stage. If name brands are important to you, I have a RCBS Rockchucker I was gifted by my God Father (Uncle Joe) that loaded literally tens of thousands of rounds. I also really like the Redding presses. Hornady makes a good one as well as Lyman. Forster Co-Ax is also very cool. Then you could get into the Sinclairs and other custom style...

I quess it depends how complex and expensive you want to make it.

LOL...

LGB

[bjl333]

+ RCBS Rockchucker!! Still loading since 1980.

[ffbsm85]

Quick question: The RCBS Primer Pocket Swager Combo will fit in any press right?

[Thatguy80]

I was in your same shoes a year ago and did lots of homework.

I ended up going with the RCBS Rock Chucker to load 45acp and 9mm and eventually started doing .223 as well.

I do a lot of shooting (500+) rounds a month and am looking to upgrade to probably a Dillon RL550 soon for the pistol rounds and keep the RCBS for anything I make in rifle caliber.

Also, if your going to be doing pistol I recommend carbide dies. You wont have to deal with messy lube!!!

Hope this helps!!

[tujungatoes]

I have an RCBS rockchucker. It's a good solid press, but really any of the current SS presses will perform well for you. In general Lee makes a good product. You can't beat them in the bang for the buck department.

Quick question: The RCBS Primer Pocket Swager Combo will fit in any press right?

on my older lee 3 hole turret press, it requires a shim under the case stripper. Other than that, yes it should work on any press that takes standard shell holders.