Shopping for a new reloading press can be as frustrating as shopping for a new computer. After days, or even weeks, of researching options and pondering your choices you may not feel like you are any closer to making a decision than you were when you started.
Like computers, reloading presses come in a range of options from the simple to sophisticated, with each press having its own strengths and weaknesses. Buying a reloading press can be a major commitment, as the more money you invest the more you will be “married” to your reloading system. This is why it is important to understand and consider all the factors when buying a new press.
Best Single-Stage Reloading Press: RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme
One of the most reliable reloading presses on the market, the RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme is the best choice when it comes to a single-stage reloading presses. The Rock Chucker Supreme has is a sturdy O-frame design that provides support around its entire body. The large frame offers plenty of clearance, so it can handle cartridges up to four inches in length, making it a great choice for most types of rifle ammo.
Additionally, the Rock Chucker Supreme has an ambidextrous handle that works just as well for the left-handed reloader as it does for a right-handed person, allowing both to switch hands as needed during the reloading process. This is an important feature that many single-stage reloading presses don’t offer. The Rock Chucker Supreme is small enough that it doesn’t require much space, making it a great choice if you need a press to take along on trips.
Both the press handle and the lever are made of high-strength steel to deal with the constant pressure caused by working the handle, providing years of dependable service. The ball-shaped handle provides a comfortable grip, an important feature on a single-stage press, as you have to work the lever multiple times for each case as you go through the reloading process.
Most single-stage reloading presses do not offer a priming option, requiring the primer to be inserted in the case by hand or with a separate tool. However, the Rock Chucker Supreme provides the ability to prime both large and small cases with an included priming arm, making you less dependent on other tools. The primer arm is easy to attached and detach and a primer catcher is also included, eliminating the hassle of having to pick up spent primers off the floor.
As far as dependability, RCBS has been producing quality reloading presses for over 50 years and their products have all been tried and tested. The company is renowned for having top-quality products and great customer service, making the brand popular with reloaders for many years.
Best Turret Reloading Press: Lee Classic 4-Hole Turret Press
The Lee Classic Four-Hole turret press is considered an outstanding buy for reloaders who need to produce more ammo than what the single-stage press design can manage. The Lee Classic Four-Hole is the perfect press for most reloaders, as it can produce much more ammo in an hour than any single-stage press and won’t put as big a crimp in the budget as a progressive press would.
As turret presses are, in general, a great compromise between the single-stage and progressive presses, the Lee Classic Four-Hole press can complete all of the stages in the reloading process. As with most turret presses, the Lee Four-Hole Classic offers auto indexing, meaning you won’t need to manually rotate the turret plate, so the dies move to the next stage in the reloading process automatically when you pull the handle.
The Lee Classic Four-Hole press offers more than ample room to accommodate different length cases, so reloading different calibers is easy while giving you plenty of space to easily get your hands in and out of the press to change dies quickly. This makes the Lee Classic Four-Hole more versatile than most other turret-style presses, allowing you to reload practically any rifle or handgun caliber.
Other important features of the Lee Classic Four-Hole press are the priming system and a spent-primer catcher that keeps your workstation neat and tidy. The Lee’s long stroke makes it breeze to apply enough force through all its functions to complete all reloading tasks with ease, including crimping the cases.
The Lee Classic Four-Hole press is built with strong and reliable materials designed to last a lifetime, while still being one of the most competitively-priced turret presses on the market. The turret itself is made from cast iron, resulting in maintained accuracy and a long life.
Best Progressive Reloading Press: Hornady Lock N Load AP Reloading Press
Progressive presses are simply the fastest way to produce 500 plus reloads in an hour, and the Hornady Lock N Load AP reloading press offers perhaps the most impressive host of features in the progressive reloading-press class.
AP stands for “Auto Progressive,” with the Lock N Load having an automatic-indexing feature that automatically rotates the die holder throughout every stage of the reloading process as you pull on the lever. This translates into a lot less hand work for reloading cases and a faster overall operation. The Hornady Lock N Load provides a quick-change die system that allows you to swap out dies with a simple twist. The Lock N Load also maintains specific adjustments in each die set, so that once you have the dies set up the settings stay fixed, so no further adjustments are needed.
The Lock N Load can hold more cases than most other progressive presses, saving you from constantly having to empty the tray, allowing you to focus on the reloading process. The Lock N Load also has an EZject system, cycling all of your reloaded casing into a hopper, so the cases don’t end up scattered across the floor or your work area.
The press has a case-activated powder drop feature designed to not release powder if there isn’t a case waiting to be filled. Aside from safety purposes, the powder-drop feature removes virtually any possibility of wasted gun powder.
Overall, the Hornady Lock N Load AP reloading press provides all of the necessary features and accessories that are needed to begin reloading your cases. Lee provides stellar customer service and one of the best product guarantees in the industry. Not that you will most like need either, as Lee products are almost indestructible.
There are three types of reloading presses: single stage, turret and progressive. To help you make the best possible decision, that will work best for you, here is what you need to know when buying a reloading press and the best choices in each category:
Single-Stage Reloading Press
The single-stage is the simplest of the three types of presses, operating with a “single” die and case at a time. While the single-stage press is the least expensive, least complicated and has the highest precision of the three types of presses, it is also the slowest. This means reloading with the single-stage press requires the greatest investment of your time. You must change dies for every stage in the reloading process and can only work on one case at a time. Typically, shooters who chose a single-stage press are just learning reloading or only reload a few rounds a year. Typically, you should chose a single-stage press if you:
● Primarily load small amounts of ammunition.
● Are on tight budget.
● Place accuracy ahead of time.
Turret Reloading Press
As the name implies, this press includes a turret plate that can hold all the dies required for reloading one specific caliber. This means the press can work through the complete process of reloading one round without having to change dies at every step, as with the single-stage press. This obviously makes the turret press faster, and some models have an “auto-indexing” feature where the turret rotates to proceed to the next function. Many reloaders think the turret press is the best all-around reloading press, offering the best compromise between the single-stage presses and the more complicated progressive presses. Typically, you should chose a turret press if you:
● Load both rifle and handgun ammo.
● Place accuracy and attention to detail above speed.
● Have a little more money to spend and want more speed than a single stage.
Progressive Reloading Press
If you regularly need to load hundreds or rounds of ammo in a short time you will want to spring for a progressive-style reloading press. A progressive press can hold all of the dies needed to reload a particular caliber, like the turret press, but can also work on multiple casing simultaneously, with each pull of the lever. However, this kind of sophistication comes at a price, with progressive presses being the most expensive. Also, if you decide to buy a progressive press, you will have to spend a good amount of money every time you add a new caliber to your reloading system. Typically, you should chose a progressive press if you:
● Shoot large quantities of ammo.
● Load both rifle and handgun ammo.
● Have more money than time.
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