First reloading press- single stage??

[WildRose]

Vortex!,
I have that press and use it for sizing. I decap and seat on another press. I've had zero problems with it and combined with other components it consistently gives me handloads with .002 or less TIR. I bought the optional mounting plate accessory to compliment it. The other presses mentioned are great presses....this is just my 2 cents on the Lee. Also, check out the MEC Marksman.

Funny, that's how I started off "progressive reloading".

I just kept on picking up cheap used single stage presses at garage sales till I had five of them setting around and went from one to the next.

 

[Deputy819]

Works out pretty well. Maybe one day I'll get a Redding T7 or something and speed things up a little.

 

[Vortex!]

Thanks for all the help folks. The reason I'm getting into reloading is because I have a 270 that I just can't get to group well at all. I've been wanting to for a while but now I'm finally getting stuff together to start.

 

[Kmccord]

Thanks for all the help folks. The reason I'm getting into reloading is because I have a 270 that I just can't get to group well at all. I've been wanting to for a while but now I'm finally getting stuff together to start.

Vortex, what are you seeing in your groups? I have a 270 win and the 130gr silver tip by Winchester ammo always gave me a very small group at 100yds, however, Remington ammo never shot worth a crap out of my rifle, it was always all over the place. My rifle is a Winchester M70 Lightweight Carbine, 20" barrel, it was my first deer rifle I purchased when I was 18, it has taken lots of deer and Coyotes.

 

[Vortex!]

1.5 inch groups with hornady superformance 140 sst. 1.75 inch group with ppu 130 and Remington core lokts 130. All at 100 yrds with Thompson center compass. It does have a free floated barrel and a good scope.

 

[J E Custom]

I strongly recommend spending a little extra and getting the Rock Chucker Supreme.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/513567/rcbs-rock-chucker-supreme-single-stage-press

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/937051/rcbs-rock-chucker-supreme-master-single-stage-press-kit

+1

I started with a RCBS junior about 55 years ago and soon found it lacking in power for the large cases, so I bought the Rock Chucker and used it for over 50 years and loaded tons of good ammo on it. so that would be my recommendation for someone to start with.

After getting all of the tools to try and load the best ammo i can, I recently bought a foster Co Ax press. But for the realy big cartridges I will continue to use the Rock Chucker Supreme .

This press will last a lifetime. I am sure there are other presses that are good, but this is the one I have had many years of good service with.

J E CUSTOM

 

[gohring3006]

+1

I started with a RCBS junior about 55 years ago and soon found it lacking in power for the large cases, so I bought the Rock Chucker and used it for over 50 years and loaded tons of good ammo on it. so that would be my recommendation for someone to start with.

After getting all of the tools to try and load the best ammo i can, I recently bought a foster Co Ax press. But for the realy big cartridges I will continue to use the Rock Chucker Supreme .

This press will last a lifetime. I am sure there are other presses that are good, but this is the one I have had many years of good service with.

J E CUSTOM

I do the same thing with my RockChucker and CO-AX combo. I load all the cartridges up to belted mag on the CO-AX, and Lapua on RockChucker. Mainly because it's a pain to switch shell holder plates on the CO-AX.

 

[Vortex!]

As of now I'm planning on only loading for 270 since the others do so well with factory ammo. Right now I don't have a bunch of money to throw around because I have some other unexpected costs at the time. The kit that mudrunner is recommending sure is appealing though. I might just have to bite the bullet and go with it.

 

[Kmccord]

The only thing I don't like about single stage presses is having to set the dies up for each stage of reloading. I use a Turret press and with a turn off the Turret, don't have to start back over on set up once it has been set. I think the Redding T7 would be a good choice and the Lyman would be another one to look at. I am sure you know, but next big expense is your powder thrower, you want electric thrower and scales or you want the old lever thrower with a balance beam?

 

[J E Custom]

As of now I'm planning on only loading for 270 since the others do so well with factory ammo. Right now I don't have a bunch of money to throw around because I have some other unexpected costs at the time. The kit that mudrunner is recommending sure is appealing though. I might just have to bite the bullet and go with it.

You can buy just the press if you have all of the other tools needed to reload. If not then the kit is a very good way to go and a savings when you price the other needed items.

J E CUSTOM

 

[gohring3006]

I'm in the Rockchucker camp, but I can't discount the Lee Classic cast. You can get that kit quite a bit cheaper, and I promise it works just as well.
Don't confuse the lee challenger with the classic cast. Two very different presses. The classic cast is so robust that its set up so you can reload 50 BMG just by removing the standard die collar.

 

[FURMAN]

I would step up a few dollars and get the Rock Chucker. I have a few Lee's, and Rock Chucker, and a CO-AX. I wish I would have bought the Co-Ax a long time ago it is so much easier when reloading many different cartridges. The RC is on sale at Brownell's with free shipping and if you get an Active Junky account you will get another 4% off.
https://www.brownells.com/reloading...sses/rockchucker-supreme-press-prod38027.aspx

 

[gohring3006]

One more thing I've noticed, is my Chinese Rockchucker is not as well made as my father in laws US made Rockchucker from the 70s. Not really a deal breaker for me, but the Lee is US made from railroad rails I believe.

 

[Vortex!]

The only thing I don't like about single stage presses is having to set the dies up for each stage of reloading. I use a Turret press and with a turn off the Turret, don't have to start back over on set up once it has been set. I think the Redding T7 would be a good choice and the Lyman would be another one to look at. I am sure you know, but next big expense is your powder thrower, you want electric thrower and scales or you want the old lever thrower with a balance beam?

Electric would be nice but wouldn't have to be.