Favorite presses

[mwhite49]

I have been looking for a Bair or Pacific D press. What I like is the fact that the whole opening is facing forward with no press sides in the way. I missed one on ebay awhile back. These in the Bair mofel sold for a higher price thsn the Bonanza coax, which was 68.00, Bair was 86.00 or so.207532

[salpal48]

I would say Good Luck in finding One. Or Good Luck finding One Cheap on Ebay. Plan On Bidding High to win.

[mwhite49]

The last one on ebay sold for 199.50 on 8-30-17

[EDG]

The front opening is good for visibility but is not good for hands to access. Have a RCCBS A4BIg Max with a much larger opening and it is not as accessible to your hands as a Rock Chucker. or an A2.

[flashhole]

My Ultramags have good access. I'm impressed every time I use them.

I think my next press will be the RCBS Jr. I hope to copy the bullet sizing setup one of the other members did with the upside down mounting. The Jr. is the only press I have seen with the 90 degree handle mount option.

[Skunk1]

I like my rock chucker. It's good enough for me. Always wanted one of those Bairs but the price they command is what keeps me from getting one. I have an old herters 234 turret press that is so overbuilt, I don't think you can wear it out. More room for hands with a turret 1" or more thick. Even have the primer feed that fits on the die to prime on the press. Don't currently have it set up but trying to figure out where to put it on the bench. It's big.

[country gent]

The access is one reason I like my Bonanza Co Ax. It gives a lot of room for inserting removing cases along with some other nice features. Give them a look see.

[jmorris]

I agree with EDG, open front is good for the eyes but hands tend to come in from the sides so they are not blocking our view of what we are trying to get them to do.

The link arms from the co-ax being a good example as folks have made U and C shaped replacements to help give better access.

If you want both view and access, look at the new Hornady iron press, Mec marksman or any number of the C presses than have the support(s) behind the shell holder vs beside them.

[brass410]

I'm with EDG, with a big max, big opening good visibility but awkward for big hands.

[LeonCarr]

Redding T-7

IMO the best combination of strength, speed and precision, and no press sides in the way.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

[rbuck351]

Lyman AA. Mine is about 50 years old and still works like new. Wide open for big hands with nothing in the way.

[Binky]

I have been looking at the new MEC press. Haven't seen one in person, just the vids. Down side is there is no primer system but I don't prime at the press. Like I said, I have been looking. Probably will end there as the Chucker I have been using for 40 years will probably last another 140 years.

[flashhole]

Black is not a good color for the MEC press. I think it is he!! bent for stout but black just seems impractical to me.

[JMax]

A second vote for Redding T-7

[mwhite49]

Redding T7 are very nice. Thanks to all for thd comments. I love my rockchucker. It's old but in good condition. I have 2 Bonanza coax presses. And a Dillon 550. Redding t7 is something I have been looking at.

[LUBEDUDE]

Black is not a good color for the MEC press. I think it is he!! bent for stout but black just seems impractical to me.

Black is BEAUTIFUL!

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[mwhite49]

Hey Lubedude, how does tbe Texan compare to the Hollywood turret press?

[starmac]

All the while reading this thread, I was thinking if you want access, the Hollywood is king. Then I get to the end and lubedude has spoken. lol

[flashhole]

I'm not a fan of Hollywood gear. I think there are much better designs available. That being said, I can understand the attraction to a big chunk of iron. Sort of like the Tool Time guy. Uooohhh Uooohhh, more iron, more iron.

[historicfirearms]

I love my Hollywood senior for access. My co-ax is stout but just seems awkward. That said, my rockchucker is easy access and stout.

[Eddie Southgate]

All American or Tru Line Jr . I got 1 AA and 5 Tru Lines + a Hornady single + a Rockchucker + 2 C&H's and some form of huge RCBS progressive and a Lee or two . AA is the most used for rifle stuff and the Tru Lines do .22 Hornet , .218 Bee and pistol stuff .

Eddie

[mwhite49]

I'm a pretty good machinist but no machine. But if i had one i would build a beefier Coax press with all kinds of clearance. I just like that design. I alsk like turret presses and have a nice all american. Maybe someday I'll get lucky and find a used t7 in my price range.

[Juan Jose]

One of the first Lee Classic Cast, and my first press ever, an RCBS Reloader Special I bought new around 1982. For 12 gauge, An old MEC 600 Jr I bought out of a guy's PU truck bed in a Factory Outlet parking lot.It was missing some parts but I got it up and running again.

[flashhole]

Eddie, do the AA and Tru Line take the same size dies - 7/8-14?

[LUBEDUDE]

Hey Lubedude, how does tbe Texan compare to the Hollywood turret press?

To me, there is not a huge difference, but the Hollywood is smoother with the larger ram presses and the glide rail system of the Universal HW’s; however, some folks take issue with the upstroke of the Universals.

[LUBEDUDE]

Eddie, do the AA and Tru Line take the same size dies - 7/8-14?

Since no answer yet, please let me reply.

The Truline takes those small “Trueline dies, same as with the Lyman hand held nutcracker design. I’m sorry, but for the life of me I seem to have a mental block and can never remember that thread size.

The AA Lyman Manual Turret press will accept standard 7/8 X 14 dies. I’ve only seen those AA tool heads come in two figurations: 4, 7/8 X 14 holes, or 3, 7/8 X 14 holes with one larger threaded hole to accommodate Lyman shot shell dies and a bushing to accept a 7/8 X 14 die. I don’t remember the size of the large hole, but it is different from the Hollywood 1 1/2 X 12 holes. I’m not sure if it is the same as the Herter’s 1 1/4 (?) X 18.

[flashhole]

Thanks for making that clear.

[kmw1954]

My favorite is the one everyone everywhere hates. Lee Pro 1000. Sorry folks but I'm keeping mine and using as it was designed with the on press priming.

[dragon813gt]

Which ever one I'm currently using. I don't keep presses that I don't like.

[BlackRat]

I love the hollywoods (I have a Senior and an Universal) but I'm forced to add my trusty Dillon 550b.

[MT Chambers]

1 word: Forster Co-ax

[flashhole]

That's two words and one is hyphenated.

[Eddie Southgate]

I think the Tru line dies are 5/8 - 30 .

Eddie

[Wayne Smith]

I think the Tru line dies are 5/8 - 30 .

Eddie
Somehow 5/8 - 28 is stuck in my head. I know it's a unique thread.

[ulav8r]

Somehow 5/8 - 28 is stuck in my head. I know it's a unique thread.

Almost 5/8-30, Actual diameter is slightly under 5/8, per my cloudy memory. EDIT: saved this from somewhere "Small and Large Handles use .609" x 30 (5/8x30)."

[jmorris]

That's two words and one is hyphenated.

Forstercoax?

[garbler]

I wished I had more time on this site with all the experience of this group but I've been overtaken by events. Laying around healing and caught this thread. So forgive the crappy images but here are a few of some of my old reloading crib. I sold off several pressses and pieces but still have a pretty full compliment. A big old Hollywood turret, H- Senior, couple of reliable Lyman All Americans and my two Stars one which is dedicated 38 wadcutter and one 45 Bullseye changed over from an earlier life IPSC grinder.

Regards

208062
208063
208064

[flashhole]

Very nice.

[renegade99]

Maybe it's because I'm 100% ambidextrous, but I don't have any access problems with my Big Max. I also have a Rockchucker and 3 Dillon 650's and a Dillon SL900 and I use the Big Max for almost all my precision loading.

[hornet112]

I have a Rockchucker a 550 Dillon and a T-7. Love the T-7 the most!

[oldhenry]

I have an Ultramag for rifle loading & a 550 Dillon for pistols.

I don't do any rifle shooting since shooting eye surgery, so the Dillon gets all of the attention.

Henry

[varmintpopper]

one of My 60 year old Star presses pumping out some 40 S&Ws

https://youtu.be/1c3Egi8LvdQ

Good Shooting

Lindy

[ulav8r]

one of My 60 year old Star presses pumping out some 40 S&Ws

https://youtu.be/1c3Egi8LvdQ

Good Shooting

Lindy

This video is unavailable.

[dverna]

My first press was a Co-Ax. That was over 40 years ago and I still have it. Even after having over a dozen others, it will stay until the end. I deprime military rifle brass on a Rock Chucker the first time. Prime on an RCBS bench tool or a hand tool. Sizing and Bullet seating operations are still done on the old lady.