Redding Question

[CEDaytonaRydr]

I was looking at getting a Redding single stage press but I'm not sure which is the best for my purposes. There appears to be three in the "Boss" series; Boss, Big Boss and Big Boss 2.

I went to the redding website and it's not very helpful. What are the differences between the three and what's the best option for a beginning reloader, to do mainly .44 Mag, 30/30 and maybe .30-06?

[XDRoX]

Any of the 3 will do what you need. I'm not sure the differences either, but my guess is the more expensive they get the better built they get. From the pictures they all look pretty nice and well made. I'd go with the Big Boss or Big Boss II. Really can't go wrong with any of their SS presses.

You may want to buy it here. All in stock, $5 shipping and no tax:

http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/16319

Boss:

Big Boss:

Big Boss II:

[Black_Talon]

Big Boss and Big Boss II are mechanically/functionally the same, but the Big Boss II has it's spent primer collection system routed through the middle of the ram, instead of out the side. This is so friggen great I can't even begin to put it into words. Typical "out the side" used primer collection systems leave you with spent primers all over the floor, and the abrasive burned primer dust all over your ram and press. Big Boss II puts all the spent primers and filthy dust down the middle of the ram and out a rubber tube, into the collection method of your choice. WIN!!!!!

[Bill Steele]

Boss vs Big Boss

It has been a while since I was shopping for a press, but I looked at Redding pretty closely before I got my last one.

I am not 100% on this, but I think the difference between the Boss and Big Boss is the size of the frame (and the stroke length of the ram) and also that the Big Boss supports die bushings while the Boss model uses screw in dies only. Some people really like the quick change ability of the die bushing setup, others (normally people that use locking rings on their dies) don't care about that feature. Based on Black Talon's feedback, it sounds like the Big Boss II might be the one you want if you are going to spend the money for the Big Boss features.

I don't need one, so I won't buy a new one, but if a T7 Turret ever comes along used for an affordable price, I will buy it just because I think they are such a stout cool piece.

All the Redding stuff I have ever owned (which is not much, just a couple rifle die sets and a powder trickler) has been first rate.

[CEDaytonaRydr]

Big Boss II puts all the spent primers and filthy dust down the middle of the ram and out a rubber tube, into the collection method of your choice. WIN!!!!!

That is cool!

Is this the only press with that collection method? I like that idea..

[Bill Steele]

That is cool!

Is this the only press with that collection method? I like that idea..

My Lee classic turret press has this primer collection setup as well. Another benefit of this kind of setup is if you want to pop a primer out, you can take the tube off and when the decapping pins pops the primer, it falls right into your waiting hand.

[gorblimey]

I am a sucker for Redding and a fine single stage. That said, I have no reservations about recommending the Lee Classic Cast, especially when paired with the Hornady Lock-n-Load bushings (IOW, the standard version of the press, not the one that comes with Lee's own quick change bushings).

[Twinspool]

Forster Co-ax. That is all.