C Press recommendations?

beenthere · May 26, 2005, 08:58 PM

I've been using a C-H C press for 40 years. It's time for a new one. Not interested in a Dillon or other expensive because they cost half a months pension check. I used to see a lot of ads in Shotgun News etc but those seem to have gone away. Anybody have a recommendation for a $100 or less press?

StrikeEagle · May 26, 2005, 09:32 PM

I'd get the RCBS Partner Single Stage.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...eitemid=403729

It's $56 at Midway.

BTW, if you REALLY want to do this on the cheap, Lee makes a Single Stage press for less than $20... again at Midway. Like all Lee stuff, I'm sure it's serviceable, though I've never used this particular press:

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...eitemid=807734

mtnboomer · May 27, 2005, 03:29 AM

Go with the Lee Challenger "O" press. Cheap, but sturdy and a lifetime warranty. http://www.leeprecision.com/

Ruger4570 · May 27, 2005, 08:21 AM

I have an old CH press that my Dad gave me for a birthday around 1962 +/-. It still is tight and works great. It will work long after I stop working. I have used Lee products and find them anywhere from ok to great. I picked up one of their cheap single stage presses one time to knock out primers. It works fine, but as you might expect it is no heavy weight and is no way as well built as the RCBS stuff. Then again, how much can you expect to get for $20.00 +/-. I poped for the money and got a RCBS Rockchucker and like it just fine, unfortunatly it is more than your $100.00 limit. Good luck

Poygan · May 27, 2005, 02:30 PM

Watch e-bay for the RCBS Rockchucker. BTW, is the C&H worn out? I bought one in the 60s and still have it. In fact, I'm not sure why I quit using it and bought a Rockchucker....

LHB1 · May 27, 2005, 03:43 PM

Hi BeenThere,
I've been there too. Started serious reloading in 1964 with a C-H three station H press. Made the mistake of letting a friend talk me into selling it to him. It was later stolen.

Best two single station press choices today in my opinion are the:
1) RCBS Rock Chucker ($99.99 from Midway)
2) Hornady LNL Classic ($108 from Midway)

Both are great presses. You should hope to live long enough to wear either of them out.

Good shooting and be safe.
LB

ps: Would not recommend the RCBS Partner as it is more light duty. For the difference go, with the heavier RCBS or Hornady press and never have to replace your press again.

rwilson452 · May 27, 2005, 10:34 PM

If you look around you might be able to find one of the new Lee Classic Cast presses for under a $100. I bought one last month. It's all steel and iron. I can't picture wearing that puppy out unless you did massive amounts .50BMG. A long throw but the lever is adjustable so if you don't need the leverage you can choke it up. People complain Lee presses are too light. This one for sure isn't.

Smokey Joe · May 30, 2005, 10:48 AM

Gun shows, e-bay, Gunbroker.com and the like, and even some sptg. gds. stores occasionally have used single-stage heavy duty presses. Go heavy duty (RCBS rockchucker is the gold standard, but each of the reloading equip. manufacturers makes one similar, and any of them will--as pointed out above, outlast you.)

Sgl. stage reloading presses are one of those lovely uncomplicated things where if they are right it's obvious, and if something is wrong, that is also obvious, and you can tell the difference with a couple minutes of careful examination.

A used press will cost you well under your C-note limit.

farmall · May 30, 2005, 10:08 PM

Look for an older Pacific Multi-Power. They are about the same as the Hornady 007. Better leverage than a Rock Chucker and I bought mine used for $20 about 5 years ago. Takes standard shellholders and all parts still available from Hornady.

Sturm · May 30, 2005, 11:38 PM

Beenthere, you know there are good ones to choose from and I going to sound arrogant because I am convinced the best one under $100 is the one I own, just like everyone else. If you're not going to load .50 Cal, I think I have the best Single Stage made and I researched quite a bit and considered a Progressive since I had been through several presses at that point. I went for the REDDING Boss because I just couldn't let go of the Top-Dead-Center feature, which is a very heavy roll pin that runs horizontally thru the press. Top of Ramstroke is stopped consistently at the same point time after time. Had mine since 98 and I just don't think there is better. There is no bushing like the Rockchucker that you can remove to convert to semi-progressive or adapt to Hornady Lock-N-Load. No matter, I use REDDING DIES mostly, anyway. I do not use any competition seating dies and yet my OAL tolerances are +/- .001" Rifle and Pistol. It is not as big as the Ultra-Mag, but I have no problems with rifle cases and the largest I reload are all .30-06 class, so hence , the advisement on .50 Cal, Since your an older hand than I am at this, I doubt your agonizing over the potential loss of that feature!

May 26, 2005, 08:58 PM	#1
beenthere Senior Member Join Date: November 16, 2004 Location: NE Indiana Posts: 460	C Press recommendations? I've been using a C-H C press for 40 years. It's time for a new one. Not interested in a Dillon or other expensive because they cost half a months pension check. I used to see a lot of ads in Shotgun News etc but those seem to have gone away. Anybody have a recommendation for a $100 or less press? __________________ The weak, and those unwilling to make the struggle, soon resign their liberties for the protection of powerful men or paid armies; they begin by being protected, they end by being subjected. Louis L'Amour

May 27, 2005, 03:29 AM	#3
mtnboomer Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2004 Location: Oklahoma by birth. America by the grace of God. Posts: 635	Go with the Lee Challenger "O" press. Cheap, but sturdy and a lifetime warranty. http://www.leeprecision.com/ __________________ Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati (If all else fails - play dead!) Support the Second Amendment. Join the NRA > http://www.nra.org < Oklahoma State & Big 12 - #1 GO POKES!!!!!

May 27, 2005, 10:34 PM	#7
rwilson452 Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2004 Location: Tioga co. PA Posts: 2,647	presses for under $100 If you look around you might be able to find one of the new Lee Classic Cast presses for under a $100. I bought one last month. It's all steel and iron. I can't picture wearing that puppy out unless you did massive amounts .50BMG. A long throw but the lever is adjustable so if you don't need the leverage you can choke it up. People complain Lee presses are too light. This one for sure isn't.

May 30, 2005, 10:48 AM	#8
Smokey Joe Senior Member Join Date: July 14, 2001 Location: State of Confusion Posts: 2,106	Go used! Gun shows, e-bay, Gunbroker.com and the like, and even some sptg. gds. stores occasionally have used single-stage heavy duty presses. Go heavy duty (RCBS rockchucker is the gold standard, but each of the reloading equip. manufacturers makes one similar, and any of them will--as pointed out above, outlast you.) Sgl. stage reloading presses are one of those lovely uncomplicated things where if they are right it's obvious, and if something is wrong, that is also obvious, and you can tell the difference with a couple minutes of careful examination. A used press will cost you well under your C-note limit. __________________ God Bless America --Smokey Joe Last edited by Smokey Joe; May 30, 2005 at 10:49 AM. Reason: The usual--had another thought.

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May 26, 2005, 09:32 PM	#2
StrikeEagle Senior Member Join Date: June 29, 2004 Posts: 264	I'd get the RCBS Partner Single Stage. http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...eitemid=403729 It's $56 at Midway. BTW, if you REALLY want to do this on the cheap, Lee makes a Single Stage press for less than $20... again at Midway. Like all Lee stuff, I'm sure it's serviceable, though I've never used this particular press: http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...eitemid=807734

May 27, 2005, 08:21 AM	#4
Ruger4570 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2005 Location: Rochester, New York Posts: 2,136	I have an old CH press that my Dad gave me for a birthday around 1962 +/-. It still is tight and works great. It will work long after I stop working. I have used Lee products and find them anywhere from ok to great. I picked up one of their cheap single stage presses one time to knock out primers. It works fine, but as you might expect it is no heavy weight and is no way as well built as the RCBS stuff. Then again, how much can you expect to get for $20.00 +/-. I poped for the money and got a RCBS Rockchucker and like it just fine, unfortunatly it is more than your $100.00 limit. Good luck

May 27, 2005, 02:30 PM	#5
Poygan Senior Member Join Date: August 28, 2004 Posts: 125	Watch e-bay for the RCBS Rockchucker. BTW, is the C&H worn out? I bought one in the 60s and still have it. In fact, I'm not sure why I quit using it and bought a Rockchucker....

May 27, 2005, 03:43 PM	#6
LHB1 Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,545	Hi BeenThere, I've been there too. Started serious reloading in 1964 with a C-H three station H press. Made the mistake of letting a friend talk me into selling it to him. It was later stolen. Best two single station press choices today in my opinion are the: 1) RCBS Rock Chucker ($99.99 from Midway) 2) Hornady LNL Classic ($108 from Midway) Both are great presses. You should hope to live long enough to wear either of them out. Good shooting and be safe. LB ps: Would not recommend the RCBS Partner as it is more light duty. For the difference go, with the heavier RCBS or Hornady press and never have to replace your press again.

May 30, 2005, 10:08 PM	#9
farmall Senior Member Join Date: December 7, 2004 Location: Beatrice Nebraska Posts: 613	Look for an older Pacific Multi-Power. They are about the same as the Hornady 007. Better leverage than a Rock Chucker and I bought mine used for $20 about 5 years ago. Takes standard shellholders and all parts still available from Hornady.

May 30, 2005, 11:38 PM	#10
Sturm Junior member Join Date: March 2, 2005 Location: Central Texas Posts: 584	Beenthere, you know there are good ones to choose from and I going to sound arrogant because I am convinced the best one under $100 is the one I own, just like everyone else. If you're not going to load .50 Cal, I think I have the best Single Stage made and I researched quite a bit and considered a Progressive since I had been through several presses at that point. I went for the REDDING Boss because I just couldn't let go of the Top-Dead-Center feature, which is a very heavy roll pin that runs horizontally thru the press. Top of Ramstroke is stopped consistently at the same point time after time. Had mine since 98 and I just don't think there is better. There is no bushing like the Rockchucker that you can remove to convert to semi-progressive or adapt to Hornady Lock-N-Load. No matter, I use REDDING DIES mostly, anyway. I do not use any competition seating dies and yet my OAL tolerances are +/- .001" Rifle and Pistol. It is not as big as the Ultra-Mag, but I have no problems with rifle cases and the largest I reload are all .30-06 class, so hence , the advisement on .50 Cal, Since your an older hand than I am at this, I doubt your agonizing over the potential loss of that feature!