Author Topic: 2 press question (Read 1118 times)

Scibaer · « **on:** December 28, 2007, 03:08:46 AM »

i was tossing the idea around of buying another press. it this common to have 2 presses on a reloading bench ? are there inherent problems with this ?
for the cost of a press , it may be easier to buy another one and have 2 then to have to swap out dies all the time. that was my thinking anyhow

burntmuch · « **Reply #1 on:** December 28, 2007, 03:11:10 AM »

Glenn You may want to look into a turret press. I bought a used lyman turret press here, Ive got 3 calibers set , Just turn the turret & your all set for the next caliber.

Hairtrigger · « **Reply #2 on:** December 28, 2007, 03:19:45 AM »

I started reloading 23+ years ago on a progressive press. about 5 years ago I bought another of the same press as to set one up for small primers the other large. Changing primer arms is quite simple but the second press sure does help

Savage · « **Reply #3 on:** December 28, 2007, 04:59:06 AM »

I've got a progressive set up for my high volume pistol, and a Lee Classic Turret press set up to load everything else. With the turret it takes about three minutes to change calibers if I have to reset the powder measure. This setup works great for me.
Savage

Questor · « **Reply #4 on:** December 28, 2007, 05:26:17 AM »

Scibaer:

I think you would feel a need for a second press if you really needed one. A second might be handy, but then again, unless you have a definite application for the second press, you probably won't benefit from it. A very common use for a second press is to have one set up permanently for a particular favorite cartridge, and the second press is used for everything else. In my case, a progressive press is for the favorite and the single stage is for everything else.

iiranger · « **Reply #5 on:** December 28, 2007, 06:44:40 AM »

Once, Herters for sure, there was a press with two holes and rams and... C press. Then there was/is Hollywood with the 3 die holes on cross bars in an "H" press... A LOT of options... Not to mention the current multiplicity of "turret presses" ...

I couldn't tell you how many presses I have. Bought a couple to get the FREE Lee loading manual. (Now I need to sell the press(s) I didn't need...) LEE hand press or Lyman Acculine is fun in front of boob tube for sizing or knocking out primers or... And if you want max feel seating bullets... Not to mention the Lyman 310 tools (nut cracker)... yes, I have the bushings so i can use the slim dies in ordinary presses...

As said, many will have a press per caliber... Bottom line? What is your situation. You have the room? Your budget permits? Wife can live with it? If it suits you, "go for it." Otherwise... You will find something to spend the money on (ha, ha). HAPPY HOLIDAYS. Happy trails. Enjoy.

KN · « **Reply #6 on:** December 28, 2007, 09:50:17 AM »

I use a Forester Co-Ax press for my single stage needs. Dies pop in, pop out. And stay "set" unless you need to adjust them. I absolutly love this press. KN

beemanbeme · « **Reply #7 on:** December 28, 2007, 10:30:58 AM »

I have three single stage presses and don't see anything wrong with it. 1 is set up for small primers, 1 is set up for large primers and 1 is set up exclusively for a XR-100 in .223 I have.
I have all three presses mounted on "extension boards" made of 1" plywood so the press will sit past the edge of the table by about 3". They are mounted on the table with fender washers and wing nuts. All of the holes match. And they match a set of holes in a table that's in the utility room in the house so if it's too cold to work in the shed, I can move into the house. I guess C clamps would work too if all I had was the kitchen table.

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #8 on:** December 28, 2007, 10:34:38 AM »

Quote from: iiranger on December 28, 2007, 06:44:40 AM

Once, Herters for sure, there was a press with two holes and rams and... C press. Then there was/is Hollywood with the 3 die holes on cross bars in an "H" press... A LOT of options... Not to mention the current multiplicity of "turret presses" ...

I couldn't tell you how many presses I have. Bought a couple to get the FREE Lee loading manual. (Now I need to sell the press(s) I didn't need...) LEE hand press or Lyman Acculine is fun in front of boob tube for sizing or knocking out primers or... And if you want max feel seating bullets... Not to mention the Lyman 310 tools (nut cracker)... yes, I have the bushings so i can use the slim dies in ordinary presses...

As said, many will have a press per caliber... Bottom line? What is your situation. You have the room? Your budget permits? Wife can live with it? If it suits you, "go for it." Otherwise... You will find something to spend the money on (ha, ha). HAPPY HOLIDAYS. Happy trails. Enjoy.

Let me know if you might be selling one. Thanks Dale

Scibaer · « **Reply #9 on:** December 28, 2007, 11:40:53 AM »

well, lets try this again, somehow my post got lost.
i can see the reasoning in all of your responses , good common sense.
space is important for me, money is not such an issue.
i can see where a turret press would be beneficial for mulitple calibers or less changeover, but here's what im thinking about:
does one operation in reloading, exert more wear then another ? does, resizing take more press effort then seating bullets ?
does decapping take very little effort ?
my though is i could get a Lee C press for , say decapping and not have to swap out dies so much.
for the cost of a press, it may be worth my time to get 1 and save some wear and tear and changing out dies all the time
i have the budget, wife is cool with it, but space may be a issue..
but having another press may be worth finding more space..
glenn

stimpylu32 · « **Reply #10 on:** December 28, 2007, 11:48:15 AM »

Glenn

I use the little C press for just de-priming with a Lee uni. de-capping die , works great and does not take up much space , also use it once in awhile to seat wads and compress the Pryodex when doing BP loads in the 45/70 .

Their handy to have but don't try to size 7mm mags with it .

stimpy

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #11 on:** December 28, 2007, 01:56:10 PM »

I had a member give me a Lee C press. I have not received it yet but is it going to be ok for loading for a 243? Also if someone has a chalenger press they want to get rid of let me know. Thanks Dale

Scibaer · « **Reply #12 on:** December 28, 2007, 01:59:59 PM »

Richard,
i was thinking of doing just that. de-capping sould not put much stress at all on the press, same some set up time on the challenger press too.
and i think it would be stong enough to use for .243 as a main press. if i end up loading for that too ( no plans to do so at this time though )
i'm starting to spook my mail lady though , will all the stuff i've been getting, lol ..no stoppin now though..
it sounds like re-sizing takes the most effort then ?
Glenn

lol, you beat me by 2 seconds Dale,.. i believe that the C press would be ok for our .243's , we'll find out for sure soon enough i bet

Tom W. · « **Reply #13 on:** December 28, 2007, 04:15:06 PM »

I have a buddy that has 4 or 5 Dillons in his loading room.

ihuntbucks · « **Reply #14 on:** December 28, 2007, 04:56:28 PM »

I think looking at a turret press would be a good idea.As far as room,how much do you need?I have 6 presses.Two turret,two heavy single stage,one light single for setting primers,and one 12 ga. shot press.All in about 10 feet long.I have no problem with this.Owning several spare turrets would be a plus.If money is no object,man,I jump on a Dillon or two

.........Rick

stimpylu32 · « **Reply #15 on:** December 29, 2007, 03:37:21 AM »

Dale & Glenn

The little c-press will work for 243s ok but will be the idea set up for neck sizing , they are kind of weak for FL sizing on the bigger cases like the 270 - 30/06 . they also work great for pistol rounds like the 357 & 44 mag .

One thing tho , they are not set up to prine with except using the LEE Ram Prime .

http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/browse.cgi?1198938987.3702=/html/catalog/primtool.html

Stimpy

burntmuch · « **Reply #16 on:** December 29, 2007, 03:47:13 AM »

You may want to look into a hand primer. as far as decapping, I still use my lee loader for that

myronman3 · « **Reply #17 on:** December 29, 2007, 04:44:06 AM »

i have two dillons and a lee single stage press for odds and ends, such as pulling bullets or loading my high powered rifle rounds, when i do everything single stage one by one for maximum precision and control.
i highly advise more than one press if a fellow can, it comes in handy more than you would think.

KN · « **Reply #18 on:** December 29, 2007, 09:45:33 AM »

I second stimpylu32, I used one of the Lee C presses for a long time and ended up breaking the casting while sizing 25/06 cases. I knew I was pushing my luck but I loved the open face design of it. That's one reason I opted for the Co-Ax press. The open face design with plenty of strength. KN

Scibaer · « **Reply #19 on:** December 29, 2007, 12:28:15 PM »

let me go look at the co-ax ( forster stuff ) , just for s&g's but i think i'll stick with Lee stuff till i get let down anyhow

BullyDawg19 · « **Reply #20 on:** December 31, 2007, 06:52:57 AM »

i use 3 presses all the time - it speeds things up. i like to reload and dont like to swap dies and i dont like the turret presses that much. i have one for resizing, one for bullet seating, and one for the factory crimp die. once i set it up everything remains the same till i decide to swap. comes in real handy when trying to work up a particular load a few rounds at a time.

Scibaer · « **Reply #21 on:** December 31, 2007, 08:50:43 AM »

yeah Dawg, that is just about what i'm goin do too. i think that sounds like the way to go for me.