Portable Press Opinions Sought

S

SmallBoreBuyer

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Given the overall cost of the sport, even the middle and upper middle reloading presses, dies, etc., are not that expensive in “benchrest dollars.”

I currently have no reloading gear and the idea of a portable setup appeals greatly, as I am in a somewhat transitional phase of my life.

The lighter, more portable options appear to be:

A. Harrell’s Compact
B. Harrell’s Combo
C. Harrell’s Turret
D. JJ Machine/Dodd
E. Hood Single Ram
F. Hood Double Ram
G. RCBS Partner

My current understanding:

A, D, E, and G would require an arbor press or other additional equipment.

B and F could use a hand seater.

C and F could use a threaded seater.

I am wondering if there has been a press in this market that has emerged as the go-to, or is it pretty much a preference and/or budget spectrum?

TIA
 
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Can't says there's a go-to press in BR, but I'm very very pleased with my Harrell's Compact. I already had an Arbor press when I bought mine...otherwise I may have gone with their combo.

-Lee
www.singleactions.com
 
I have all but two of those listed here and will throw in another......the Lee handpress, "The Nutcracker"

http://ads.midwayusa.com/product/65...Lee-_-650614&gclid=CJCFmZ6x4dECFYmKfgoduEEHdw

If you're pressed for room these are the smallest and will easily load BR quality ammo. I started using a 'Tong Tool' back when I was loading with Wilson Dies and then moved to a Lee handpress for reloading in the varmint patch, "minimalist varminting" where I could carry the stuff for 500 rds in my pockets and fanny pack. I later tested the Lee against others in reloading BR quality rounds using fitted dies and found it perfectly adequate. I am able to test against presses like the 50lb Hollywood and the RCBS Big Max (both long out of print)

Just remember, whilst cool looking toys are FUN, they absolutely WILL NOT make better BR rounds than the cheapest of the cheap press......

Altho it's handy, you do not need an arbor press
 
alinwa said:
I have all but two of those listed here and will throw in another......the Lee handpress, "The Nutcracker"

http://ads.midwayusa.com/product/65...Lee-_-650614&gclid=CJCFmZ6x4dECFYmKfgoduEEHdw

If you're pressed for room these are the smallest and will easily load BR quality ammo. I started using a 'Tong Tool' back when I was loading with Wilson Dies and then moved to a Lee handpress for reloading in the varmint patch, "minimalist varminting" where I could carry the stuff for 500 rds in my pockets and fanny pack. I later tested the Lee against others in reloading BR quality rounds using fitted dies and found it perfectly adequate. I am able to test against presses like the 50lb Hollywood and the RCBS Big Max (both long out of print)

Just remember, whilst cool looking toys are FUN, they absolutely WILL NOT make better BR rounds than the cheapest of the cheap press......

Altho it's handy, you do not need an arbor press
Click to expand...

Of the listed presses that you own, which do you find the easiest/most satisfying to own (not sure I could brook the nutcracker, sweet though it may be.)
 
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SmallBoreBuyer said:
Of the listed presses that you own, which do you find the easiest/most satisfying to own (not sure I could borok the nutcracker, sweet though it may be.)
Click to expand...

Easy....the Harrell's combo. Elegant is the only word with which to describe it.

Add a couple packs of Skip's Die Shims and you're in business..... or use a sizing adjustment cam although this does drop it from "elegant" to "wikkid cool"


BTW everything you've ever read about "cam over" is pure uneducated BS (same with "press alignment" and "press flex" and "touch the shellholder" and "spin and resize" and "press break-in" and ON and ON and ON ad infinitum.....)

A press

And fitted dies

And proper setup

Equals perfect ammo
 
at least I THINK it's the "combo"......it's the liddle flat guy with a milled out cave to se'tcher case in and an arbor press on the side
 
Well see here's the thing.......I'm an idiot. You confused me with the listings in your post cuz I know my favorite small press is a COMBO but your Hood's are listed as (E and F) single rams.....ya' got me

I got the two confused. I Have The Harrell's Combo with the PMA Micro-adjuster and while it's COOL, it's not as ELEGANT as the Hood. PERTIER, just not a functionally elegant. And it's the HARRELL'S that make 4 different presses including a single-ram flat cutout version...and has the flared out hannle....

My original 20yr-old Hood is set up in my range box with a swing out bracket and it has an adjuster that sets on top (would set on top) but I never use it. I use die shims....

So let me restate........my favorite small press is the HOOD

DOUBLE ram....

With the red plasti-dip handle all tucked up flush...
 
SmallBoreBuyer said:
That's the Combo!

Have you used a Hood press? If so, what do you prefer about the Combo?
Click to expand...

The Harrell's is a knock-off of the Hood - Charlie is a clever rascal, deserving credit for a GREAT idea!:cool:;) Mine is one of the first batch of the dual threaded versions, made by Scott Crawford - very nice. :D RG
 
GENTLEMEN,
what range of cartridge lengths do the presses handle ?

something the new kid might need to know.

thanks
 
The combo press was, I believe, primarily designed for the short range benchrest crowd, which uses cartridges that are generally on the short side. I have one, that stays set up for my 6PPCs. If someone wanted to be able to cover a greater range of cartridge lengths, there is one more option, the Harrell's turret press. I also have one of those. With the two hole turret, it packs flat. I modified mine with a custom pivot washer that has a stepped bottom, and I keep a T handle Allen wrench in the cap screw that tightens it when I am using the press. This allows me to take all of the clearance out between the turret and the press frame. Generally I have not favored turret presses for the most critical use, but this one is so precisely made that it is not an issue. I have checked the concentricity of cases sized on it and the combo and they are both good to go.
 
Hood stores in less space
Harrells is stronger and has better mechanical advantage. Handle more comfortable to use.
 
My pick is the Harrel's Combo Press

I personally have been using the Harrel's Combo press for years. I know fellow shooters that have similar Hood presses and they like them a lot as well. I like this one over the Hood because if you choose to use it both at the range and on your bench at home, I like the more robust handle on the Harrel's. It is a well made press and has served me well. You probably can't go wrong with either brand.
 
".............or is it pretty much a preference and/or budget spectrum?"

Yes....you can pick that up if you digest the entire thread.
 
This guy served me well since my benchrest days in the 80s. It fits perfectly inside a GI ammo can. In fact back then everything I needed to load on the range was all in the ammo can.

Not my idea, I copied it from an old hand in benchrest in Austin. His was made with wood. Fairly cheap to build.
 

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Boyd Allen said:
The combo press was, I believe, primarily designed for the short range benchrest crowd, which uses cartridges that are generally on the short side. I have one, that stays set up for my 6PPCs. If someone wanted to be able to cover a greater range of cartridge lengths, there is one more option, the Harrell's turret press. I also have one of those. With the two hole turret, it packs flat. I modified mine with a custom pivot washer that has a stepped bottom, and I keep a T handle Allen wrench in the cap screw that tightens it when I am using the press. This allows me to take all of the clearance out between the turret and the press frame. Generally I have not favored turret presses for the most critical use, but this one is so precisely made that it is not an issue. I have checked the concentricity of cases sized on it and the combo and they are both good to go.
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Boyd,

How do you find the spent primer handling with the Harrell's turret?

Can you share any pictures of the washer setup?

Thanks,

John
 
I have seen two of the RCBS partner presses that were a bit undersized in the 7/8x14 thread.
Dies would screw in, but it took some effort. Other than that they were nice & inexpensive.
Chasing the threads with a proper sized tap would cure the problem.

Regards,
Ron
 
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