Reloading press question.

B

Big Shurl

Guest
Guys I've been doing rimfire benchrest for a few years but I'm brand new to the centerfire benchrest game. I'm about to buy my first reloading press. My question is will this 137.00 press work as well (be as precise if that matters) as the sinclair that cost more than twice the dollars. If they're is a better press out there please let me know. I don't want to buy a press and then realize I should have spent the extra money. Should I get a press that is a combo with an arbor like the Harrel?

137.00
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285.00
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Big Shurl that 137.00 press will load just as precise ammo as the other. I really love the Harrell, Hood, Dunrud "jewelry presses" but the RCBS will do ya fine work.

There is absolutely no difference regarding accuracy/quality of loaded rounds IMO.

al
 
RCBC Partner

IMHO

The best press out there for the money is a RCBS Partner. I've seen a bunch of them at the matches and have never had any problems.....$77.99 :)



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Ditto on the Harrell's but if your looking to save a few bucks, you can get the job done with the RCBS Partner press. It will be a little easier to tote around and you can mount it to any table with a couple of "C" Clamps. If you get the Harrells it is less to carry to the range as it full length resizes and you can use a wilson seating die, in other words no arbor press needed.
 
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I started out last year in BR.. I have a RCBS Rock Chucker. I am still using it.

If I could have my way again, I would get the Hood or Harrell press. It will do everything for BR work. Plus its fits in your toolbox. No big or bulky presses to lug around.

Also if I am not mistaken, I think it will press up to a 308 cartridge.
 
DanK said:
I started out last year in BR.. I have a RCBS Rock Chucker. I am still using it.

If I could have my way again, I would get the Hood or Harrell press. It will do everything for BR work. Plus its fits in your toolbox. No big or bulky presses to lug around.

Also if I am not mistaken, I think it will press up to a 308 cartridge.
Click to expand...

I've recently used a Hood for .243/308/6.5X47L cases and even for a bunch of WSM loads but they're a bitofa' pain for this length case when using long bullets. I've never tried -06 length cases.

al
 
The partner will work fine for the 6.5x.284 as long as you have a good set of matched dies (which is what you need anyway). Use imperial sizing die wax for full length resizing.


Hovis
 
For that particular case, I would look at an RCBS JR. I have had one for years along with my Hood press. I use the Hood for PPC. The other for everything else.
The JR. isn't expensive but a sturdy "O" frame device. Call Bob White at "Shooters Corner". He has about everything, good used stuff and reasonable. No need to buy new with his inventory.
Also a great guy to deal with.
 
For now or in the future...

Big Shurl said:
Guys I've been doing rimfire benchrest for a few years but I'm brand new to the centerfire benchrest game. I'm about to buy my first reloading press. My question is will this 137.00 press work as well (be as precise if that matters) as the sinclair that cost more than twice the dollars.


For now or in the future, the RCBS press in your picture will be your best bet. It is powerful, accurate, and reasonably priced.

virg
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What you think you gain with a more accurate press proves to be wrong. I made the mistake of buying a Harrell and selling off my Partner. Buy the Partner and save a ton of money and get more accurate ammo. The secret is in the dies, don't make the mistake of screwing them down tight. All that slop in the Partner is a blessing in hiding. If you look, you can find a long winded thread on this same subject some years ago, that pulled in all kinds of people making tests. Do some research before jumping in with both feet, thinking you have gained a great deal. Tests just prove the opposite.
 
Shurl ...

Big Shurl said:
Guys I've been doing rimfire benchrest for a few years but I'm brand new to the centerfire benchrest game. I'm about to buy my first reloading press. My question is will this 137.00 press work as well (be as precise if that matters) as the sinclair that cost more than twice the dollars. If they're is a better press out there please let me know. I don't want to buy a press and then realize I should have spent the extra money. Should I get a press that is a combo with an arbor like the Harrel?

137.00
6821_7777_large.jpg


285.00
09-850-l.jpg
Click to expand...

I own an RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme press, sold 3 RCBS Partner presses, and am now a new owner of the Forster CO-AX Single Stage press. If I had to do it all over again, the Forster would have been my ONLY press. It's fun, very easy to use, and has a lot of leverage. Here's the owner's manual if you'd like to check out the features in detail: http://www.forsterproducts.com/client_images/catalog19938/pages/files/Co-Ax_Reloading_Press.pdf. I purchased mine for $217.99 at MidwayUSA during a sale last November. Art :)
 
Big Al said:
What you think you gain with a more accurate press proves to be wrong. I made the mistake of buying a Harrell and selling off my Partner. Buy the Partner and save a ton of money and get more accurate ammo. The secret is in the dies, don't make the mistake of screwing them down tight. All that slop in the Partner is a blessing in hiding. If you look, you can find a long winded thread on this same subject some years ago, that pulled in all kinds of people making tests. Do some research before jumping in with both feet, thinking you have gained a great deal. Tests just prove the opposite.
Click to expand...

Finally some advice that's going to save me money. Thanks very much. I will take your advice. It's not to often you get some advice, especially in this arena that says the less expensive way is the better way.


Originally posted by ABINTX
I own an RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme press, sold 3 RCBS Partner presses, and am now a new owner of the Forster CO-AX Single Stage press. If I had to do it all over again, the Forster would have been my ONLY press. It's fun, very easy to use, and has a lot of leverage. Here's the owner's manual if you'd like to check out the features in detail: http://www.forsterproducts.com/clien...ding_Press.pdf. I purchased mine for $217.99 at MidwayUSA during a sale last November. Art
Click to expand...

Thats owner's manual was a big help also. It says it has floating guide rods which if I am understanding would lend credence to the slop being a blessing. Snap in dies sounds good to and the primer catcher.
 
Presses and run out

When I got into serious F-Class long range target shooting I thought I had THE setup - RCBS RockChucker and RCBS dies. The results were OK for a rooky, but not what I had hoped for. I started checking run out of the loaded rounds and was NOT HAPPY. I was shooting 308, 30-06 and a little 223. Some of the 223 rounds would even show a wobble when rolled across my reloading bench - that far out of round. So I started checking my equipment and loading techniques.

I bought a set of the RCBS Competition dies that come in a wooden box - no luck here either in resolving the out of round issue. I then checked the press and noted the ram was loose - well it had been used for 40+ years. I called RCBS and RCBS replaced the ram and it is now tight - NO CHARGE, thank you RCBS. But still the run out was not good.

I then bought a Forster Co-Ax press with their die lock rings after researching the problem as well as sets of Redding Competition Collet Dies. Problem solved. Now the run out is very minimal and my on target results at 600 yards an 1000 yards are MUCH BETTER. I then bought a K&M neck turning tool to clean up the neck walls to get more uniformity in neck concentricity and still better results.

During this time I also listened and read a lot about precision loading which helped also, but the Forster press was THE problem solver.

Just my experiences and thoughts,

George
 
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