Reloader comparisons

Bubba Jr.

February 06, 2009 09:43

Are there any books or magazines that compare the features, quality, and ease of use on reloading presses? I subscribe to Gun tests Magazine for my gun info, but I haven't found anything similar for reloading presses and kits.

Thanks for your help,
Joe

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  RCrosby

  February 06, 2009 10:20

  Not that I know of. Best bet is to give us a thumbnail picture of what your needs are (metallic, shotgun, handgun, rifle, high volume, low volume, extreme precision, etc.) and you'll be flooded with great info from people with lots of experience with the equipment on your "maybe" list.

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  Bubba Jr.

  February 06, 2009 10:33

  quote:Originally posted by RCrosby
  Not that I know of. Best bet is to give us a thumbnail picture of what your needs are (metallic, shotgun, handgun, rifle, high volume, low volume, extreme precision, etc.) and you'll be flooded with great info from people with lots of experience with the equipment on your "maybe" list.
  
  
  Thanks, I intend to reload .32 ACP, 9mm, .40 S&W, possibly .380 and eventually 12ga (w/a shotgun press[:D]). I would expect it to be low volume production. I am mainly looking to get into reloading for the pleasure and not really for the cost savings.

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  m113103

  February 06, 2009 10:52

  It is up to you what you buy. The biggest difference is in the quality of the press and how much compound leverage that it has. When you are young and strong a lower amount of leverage is ok. When you start doing case forming or a lot of streight walled cases you will appreciate the benefit of a higher amount of leverage. The next thing is how accurate do you want your loads to be. A small diameter single ram is not as accurate as a larger one or a duel. IMO if yo single stage and want the best look no farther than a co-ax. If you do case forming then the rock chucker will do. If volumn reloading is your thing then match your volumn against the press price. You can't do high volumn on a less expenseive press. Also progressive presses won't docase forming.

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  HandLoad

  February 06, 2009 14:27

  Another believer of the Co-Ax system here...I got mine used for a great price, back when it was still called a "Bonanza" press. Every press has its adherents. This one has a "Universal" shellholder that grabs most shells without having to change to the "Proper" shellholder - saves you some bux, and muss changing for each caliber (You do have to flip the appropriate part to change between big and small), but then you have to buy a special set of rings to use standard dies. You could get by with one or two rings, but if you are like me, you end up buying one for each die.
  
  Advantages of Co-Ax are: very precise shell/bullet and shell/die alignment - makes for more accurate loads. Very robust construction. Ambidextrous. Simple. Good advantage for difficult calibers. Swapping calibers/dies is really simple,quick and slick. You can spend nearly zero time setting up (after your first time).
  
  DISadvantages: The special rings needed, mentioned above. The primer seating assembly/arragnement is pretty poor. (I use a Hand Prime device) Finger access around where you place the components is restricted when compared to most other presses-(Not a problem for this fat-fingered fellow). A little more costly, but not too bad.
  
  I have loaded on Many other presses, and this one suits me. Your mileage may vary.
  
  For pistol calibers that I shoot a lot, I have a Dillon Square Deal B (It is their cheapest Progressive press) I love it and their Customer Service. I run it all the time, doing 500-1000 rounds at a whack. If/when you need to go to a progressive, it is a good one for a limited list of cartridges, and nearly impossible to adapt/change to a die set that Dillon doesn't make for it.
  
  My $0.02

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  budman46

  February 15, 2009 05:47

  bubba jr.
  
  i find the members of forum such as this and others to be the best source of information on everthing shooting related...it will become obvious that everybody has favorites, prejudices and preconceived notions, but a pattern will emerge to help you to make a choice...
  
  in time, you'll probably acquire more than one press...for what it's worth, i have 3 dillons, an rcbs chucker, lyman orange crush, and lee classic cast turret...if i'm about to reload in a marathon session, i'll use a dillon, otherwise i use the lee...my chucker and orange crush handle case-forming and bullet-pulling chores.
  
  wecome to the ranks...
  
  budman

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