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Which Press
Hi
I'm going to start reloading so which press , Started thinking about a Lee one , but people I've talked to in the know say to look at rcb rock press , I still like the Lee for one you can buy the stand for it and the importers shop is only 10 miles way , and the price , what presses do you use and why , it will 'only' be loading .223 -
6 Replies
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RCBS Rockchucker is the “old standby”.
Redding and Forster make nice presses, also.
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Going to go to the shooting show here in England mid February ,at the moment Rcbs rock press is looking good , then I'll need every think else , I could get it all in a kit ? But I have been advised not to because one might make good presses another might make better scales for example
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A lot of the guys like RCBS kits, but I agree, you'll probably upgrade at some time.
That said, the Rockchucker press, and RCBS Chargemaster Combo, along with Redding dies will put you in the right direction. I like the Redding Type “S” Match dies.
For a loooong time, years, I used a good scale (RCBS Chargemaster 1500), good powder measure (Harrels), and trickled powder out of a 7MM Rem Mag case. I just recently added the Chargemaster dispenser, and wish I would have had it years ago. That's why I say-get the Chargemaster combo.
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I use Hornady equipment, (press and most of my dies), and like it just fine. That being said I have not come up with anything I would describe as a “match grade load”, I usually quit tinkering once I get sub-MOA, and have never fired a 5 shot cloverleaf. I certainly don't blame the equipment for that. My best load to date comes in 0.75-0.80″ consistently. I think you can probably get that kind of accuracy out of any brand of equipment with enough tinkering.
Lee put out a press that was aluminum, instead of cast iron, that apparently would develop cracks in the frame over time. That may very well be the lowest price press on the market and possibly the one you're looking at. I have a hard time believing that it would crack with light usage, but if you plan on loading thousands of rounds a year it might be worth it to go with an iron press. Aluminum will work-harden with repeated stress, which will lead to cracking, but I still suspect cracked units were misused in some way.
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Hi
Thanks for the reply's if anybody has the time could you list all the other things I'm going to need to do a top reload , I'll only be reloading maybe a hundred or so at a time so only need the single press , I'd prefer to get a list off people on here rather than a sales man that's just after my £(I'm in England) ,I'm after a setup to do a good job not necessary a cheap job , also it doesn't have to be all the same manufacture , its to reload .223 at 100m if that makes a differance
List so far
RCBs rock chucker pressBeam scales (RCBS 5-0-2)
primer pocket reamer (maker ?)
throat brush (maker ?)
powder measures (maker ?)
match dies (forster)
powder trickler (maker ?)
throat chamfer tool (maker ?)
primer hole deburrer (maker ?)
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Welcome to the addiction …
for most all of the items tou have listed RCBS should do as nicely for you just getting started as they have for me after a good 15 years or more of use . To save a few dollars you might try e-bay and get some of those items used as they dont really wear out anyway . If you get the neck brush it has a threaded handle and will accept a primer pocket reamer but I would recommend their swager accessory that fits on the press . Easier and less chance of having the pockets end up a little loose . Their flash hole deburr tool works very nicely . Their neck deburr and champfer tool has been copied by Lyman and others and will do the job for small volume loading . Their powder trickler as well as the uni-flow powder measure are fine as well . You may want to consider a hand priming tool and here again RCBS has a good one . The only non average tool I recommend would be the Redding competition bullet seater dies . Bullet seating has been the one operation that has been the hardest for me to duplicate from one loading to another and one bullet lot to another . These dies are worth the extra exspense . You are starting on a very rewarding hobby and I wish you all the best .
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