Best reloading press for hunting rounds

[paguy]

Looks like I need to change the title of the thread from best to really good reloading press.

[Stein]

 

If you had a budget in mind, it would probably help get you some more helpful advice.  It's like the "best gun" thread, break out the checkbook and refinance the house.

I haven't added it up, but I think a guy could do some pretty dang good loading for under $1,000 all in.  If you are just looking at making plinking rounds, you could do it for far less.  The trick is figuring out where to spend the money and where to scrimp, a buck here doesn't equal a buck there for sure.

[actionshooter]

Not sure how much an RCBS Rock Chucker goes for these days but Im shooting 1/2 Moa or better on mine.  I don't think a more expensive press is going to shrink that group at all.  Don't get caught up in the hype of crazy expensive presses.

I think the only reason for this stuff might be benchrest shooters... there is nothing wrong with wanting the best but there are more top PRS shooters using Dillon 550 and 650s that most people would believe. 

For a good press that is easy to change calibers and will do it all, look at a Dillon 550.

[paguy]

I have heard good things about the dillon press.

[JimmyHoffa]

Also, price kind of depends on what rounds you load.  Shell holders are interchangeable for certain groups of cartridges--i.e. 250 sav, .22-250, 270 Win, 280 Rem, 30-06 and quite a few others can all use the same holder, like .243, .308, 7-08 can use the same.  If you use popular rounds, you can get dies for pretty good deals.

[Stein]

If I ever upgraded, it would likely be to a Dillon 550, should be a few used on the market once the 419 gets back in stock.  That said, I will likely spend my money on components and gas to the range.  The top dollar presses and automation really shine if you are shooting 100 or more rounds several days a week and I might shoot 100-200 rifle rounds a year for a given caliber.

[actionshooter]

I have heard good things about the dillon press.

I swear by them.... have 3,
The customer service is like no other... I basically wore a 20year old xl650 out, sent it back and they completely rebuilt it for the price of shipping, even put a new powder coat on the frame.

[Magnum_Willys]

This is what I’m currently using and not sure any equipment changes will improve consistency but open to trying more expensive press.   Getting .001 runout or less,  .04 grains load consistency (1/2 kernel)   Seating depth .001 consistency. 

Amp Annealer  $1395
Chargemaster $379
Hornady calipers $50
Hornady concentrity gage - $139
Precision lab fx120i powder scale -$750
Hornady seating depth comparator & OAL length gage - $60.
Rock Chucker Press- $199
Wilson case trimmer - $179
RCBS Hand primer tool- $89
Harvey Deprime tool - $60
Lyman 1200 brass tumbler - $ 63
Lyman case prep station - $157
Total $ 3520

Plus Dies and consumables.

But - with a good barrel and the right load you may duplicate my results with a $50 lee die set, a hammer and a powder dipper !

[Karl Blanchard]

Another vote for the good ol rcbs rock chucker. About the best bang for your buck. Personally use a redding T7 which i would also highly recommend.

[Rat44]

This is what I’m currently using and not sure any equipment changes will improve consistency but open to trying more expensive press.   Getting .001 runout or less,  .04 grains load consistency (1/2 kernel)   Seating depth .001 consistency. 

Amp Annealer  $1395
Chargemaster $379
Hornady calipers $50
Hornady concentrity gage - $139
Precision lab fx120i powder scale -$750
Hornady seating depth comparator & OAL length gage - $60.
Rock Chucker Press- $199
Wilson case trimmer - $179
RCBS Hand primer tool- $89
Harvey Deprime tool - $60
Lyman 1200 brass tumbler - $ 63
Lyman case prep station - $157
Total $ 3520

Plus Dies and consumables.

But - with a good barrel and the right load you may duplicate my results with a $50 lee die set, a hammer and a powder dipper !

Ha,I started with a Lee loader set when I bought my first 44 Mag.
Didnt take me long to get tired of using the mallet.
Moved on to a Rockchucker .

[grimace]

This is what I’m currently using and not sure any equipment changes will improve consistency but open to trying more expensive press.   Getting .001 runout or less,  .04 grains load consistency (1/2 kernel)   Seating depth .001 consistency. 

Amp Annealer  $1395
Chargemaster $379
Hornady calipers $50
Hornady concentrity gage - $139
Precision lab fx120i powder scale -$750
Hornady seating depth comparator & OAL length gage - $60.
Rock Chucker Press- $199
Wilson case trimmer - $179
RCBS Hand primer tool- $89
Harvey Deprime tool - $60
Lyman 1200 brass tumbler - $ 63
Lyman case prep station - $157
Total $ 3520

Plus Dies and consumables.

But - with a good barrel and the right load you may duplicate my results with a $50 lee die set, a hammer and a powder dipper !

I'm curious what features made you go with the AMP, there is a handful of options and prices vary widely. I've been leaning towards the Annie...

G

[Magnum_Willys]

I'm curious what features made you go with the AMP, there is a handful of options and prices vary widely. I've been leaning towards the Annie...

With the Annie you are still messing with tempilaq and tring to figure out if your setting is right.   I may as well stick with the torch for that. 

With Amp you insert first case, it applies a gage pin against both sides of the tip measuring deflection as it heats brass past deformation temperature.  Using This data it computes the annealing setting to use for identical cases.   You can tweak this number up or down if u want.    Caveat:  this number is like 98% repeatable. 

Selection - current Model is the Mark II.  Get that and a $20 pilot for each brass cartridge you will use.  Only option is to add auto feeder for high volume use - if you are annealing hundreds of cases at a time or club use might be interesting. 

[dog]

I’ve been using the Lee cast iron press (single stage) for my hunting loads. I’ve been happy with it. It’s made in USA which I don’t think the rock chucker is any more.

[fly-by]

Not that happy with my Hornady progressive. It's finicky and if you have one stoppage per session there goes your time savings.  Round bushings make no sense and shell plates are expensive for what they are.  Wish I had gone with a high quality turret.

[b23]

I have a couple Redding presses and they've been great but I have friends that like their RCBS Rock Chucker too.  A lot of guys like the Forster Co-Ax press and they definitely have some advantages to them one being their shell holder setup and never having to worry about having the right one is nice as well as dies slip in and out instead of screwing in.  I've used one a fair amount and their a nice press but I'm so used to using my presses they always feel a little odd to me but I'm sure it's something I'd get used to pretty quick if that's all I used.  IMO the short handle is a must have with the Forster Co-Ax press.