Beginner press question

[firemanjoe]

I apologize if this topic has already been covered.

I am just getting into reloading and I have been going back and forth on what press to get. I am looking at the RCBS rock chucker single stage press, a Lyman crusher II single stage press, or a Lyman t-mag II rotary press. I will be loading .40 S&W, .223, and .308
If anyone has any input, suggestions, or experiences good or bad it would be much appreciated.

[klewan]

Let me be first; Lee Classic Turret. You can use it as a single stage and then put the indexing rod in and use it as a turret. Buy whatever accessories, from whomever you want.

There should be a sticky for all the "buying first press" questions.

[bandook]

Between the three, the Lyman T-MagII turret.

Reason: If you are loading any kind of a semi-auto rounds (especially pistol), the sweet spot is a turret. Single stages take too long to load a couple of hundred rounds and Progressives are expensive/complex for beginners.

Let us know how often you shoot and how much you shoot at each outing and we may be able to help you out a little more... (and maybe suggest some other presses )

Edit: Looks like klewan already posted an alternative... It is probably the best startup option out there - especially for those people who wonder whether shooting is just a passing fad. Worst case you're out a couple of hundred bucks. If you proceed to a progressive, the Lee Classic Turret is still great for the calibers you don't shoot too much.
The additional advantage of the Lee turret is that it is Auto-indexing. I.e. the chances of double charging a case are greatly reduced.

[Rangem4]

I can only speak for the Rockchucker. They have been around for decades as have most brands. You won't break any speed records with the Chucker but it is a very well built press and it's made right here in the USA.

[firemanjoe]

I shoot about 2-3 times a month and each time I go I shoot about 150 rounds of .40 because I have 2 handguns that shoot it, 50-100 rounds of .223 and about 30-50 rounds of .308

[Cowboy T]

If you want only one press on your bench: Lee Classic Turret Press, no question.

For a beginner, I'd suggest an inexpensive single-stage and learn what you're doing. Crawl before you walk. BTW, there are stickies talking about newbie kits already.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=108907

[bandook]

I shoot about 2-3 times a month and each time I go I shoot about 150 rounds of .40 because I have 2 handguns that shoot it, 50-100 rounds of .223 and about 30-50 rounds of .308

500-1000 rounds/month: Turret at a minimum

Actually, you are bordering on Progressive Press volumes, but start with a turret and then move to progressive as you see the need.

In most cases, the cost of the press itself will be dwarfed by the accessories you end up acquiring to load the various calibers, so if cost is a concern, research the ease/cost of changing calibers.

I'd strongly consider the Lee Classic (Not Deluxe) Turret press.

If you do end up moving to progressive, you won't have too much invested in the Lee Press and Turrets (Including priming systems, a Lee Classic Turret with 3 turrets will set you back about $150 - Lyman about $275.)

[bandook]

If you want only one press on your bench: Lee Classic Turret Press, no question.

^^^ This!

Distilled into one sentence.

[Dark Mod]

If i had to pick between those 3, id pick rock chucker. If i had to pick one out of them all it would be the Lee breechlock

[MIAMIbaseballer]

I shoot about 2-3 times a month and each time I go I shoot about 150 rounds of .40 because I have 2 handguns that shoot it, 50-100 rounds of .223 and about 30-50 rounds of .308

That's a decent amount of shooting. You might wanna think about a progressive press unless you're looking to make high quality ammo for the rifles. If you went with something like a Dillon 650... you could load all of this in under an hour...

[Spanky8601]

Let me be first; Lee Classic Turret. You can use it as a single stage and then put the indexing rod in and use it as a turret. Buy whatever accessories, from whomever you want.

There should be a sticky for all the "buying first press" questions.

Another vote here for the Lee Classic turret as your first buy. You can very easily use it as a single stage press or a turret press. Allows you learn the process and then move into production. I can do 100 plus hand gun rounds in an hour no problem.

[Wrangler John]

I used the RCBS "Rock Crusher" press for 37 years, loaded everything on it from 9mm to .45-70, including a lot of wildcat case forming. I still have it, although it is dedicated to hydraulic case forming now. Replaced it with the Redding T-7 turret press which is my main press. Also currently in the inventory are an RCBS Pro 2000 Auto Progressive and an early Hornady L&L Progressive, all used for different purposes. Prior to the Rock Crusher I used an RCBS Jr press for about 20 years.

Here's the truth about presses, they are pretty much the same within a given catagory. I recommend starting with a single stage press. Please note that a manual turret press such as the Redding T-7 is a single stage press where die swapping is unnecessary. The Hornady L&L Classic allows quicker die changes with the bushings, but early in reloading speed is not as important as learning the process and being consistent with technique.

Lee Precision products are good for a starter package, especially the Lee Classic Cast Press and Classic 4 Hole Turret Press. The latter offers economy with good accuracy. I have numerous Lee Precision products in my tool collection. Main thing is to begin slowly, build speed with experience, and reread the manuals twice or more before beginning. Reloading is a entire hobby in itself. Enjoy.

[huckberry668]

I sold my Rock Chucker in favor of Forster Co-Ax. Should've bought one 20 years when I started if someone had told me about it. Look it up, it's the best single stage in my opinion and experience.

[ExtremeX]

My first/starter press was a progressive RCBS Pro 2000 Auto.

Lots of people will say a Progressive is too complicated for a beginner but if you have any sort of mechanical inclination or are a "tinkerer", you should be up and running in no time. I had my press out of the box, setup, dialed in, and made my first batch of .223 rifle ammo finished within the evening.

If the end goal is to get a progressive, I don’t think it’s a bad idea to start there if you think you can handle it.

Now I am looking to add an additional single stage press for other tasks. Once you start, it gets addictive and fun. Take notes, read directions, and check your work.

[novalondon]

LEE, LEE, LEE. Better pricing, uses everybody elses dies if needed and there own die sets are very good and less exspensive than the others out there. Good customer service and fast shipping if ya break something..
single stage is the way to begin and learn on then a move to a progressive model later. The Lee Classic Turret can be used as a single stage and as a simple use progressive style that will load your shooting amount in an hour or so once you have learned the basics.
Don't forget a couple of loading manuals as well. One for each brand of bullet you load is not a bad idea.
Lee sells kits that has a lot of what you will need to get started, scales powder measures, press, dies and so on...
Good luck and most of all be safe in your loading practices. Enjoy !