HD Single Stage Press - The Firearms Forum

xzqzq · 12-05-2012, 04:49 AM

I wanted to ask for suggestions regarding a heavy duty, single stage press. I need a press strong enough to reform brass cases, looking at $ 100, used. RCBS Rock Chucker ? Thanks, George

Bindernut · 12-05-2012, 06:15 AM

What caliber do you have in mind?

The Rock Crusher is fine for most all case forming.
Also keep an eye out for the Lyman Crusher (formerly the Orange Crusher if you're shopping used), the Hornady Classics are also the same size and strength class as the Rock Chucker too. Besides those three, pretty much every one of the makers has a press in that size class...even Lee makes a big cast-iron frame press.

If you're forming a really big case, you might need to step up to the RCBS AmmoMaster or similar....but that's definitely not the norm.
A Rock Chucker size press should do pretty much all the case forming that most guys will ever need to do.

stev32k · 12-05-2012, 07:50 AM

I bought a new Lee cast iron single stage for just under $100. It appears to be well made and is very strong. It will handle anything up to and including the 50 caliber. https://fsreloading.com/lee-classic-...ess-90998.html

X Ring · 12-05-2012, 08:35 AM

RCBS Ammomaster, strong enough to reform any brass case, able to load 50BMG, can also be used for bullet swaging.

10 Spot Terminator · 12-05-2012, 10:36 AM

Any of the Herters model 3 series presses. They were overkill in their day and will do the job nicely . I had one as my first press, have a Rock Chukker now and have reformed brass on both. Herters gets the nod here.

woolleyworm · 12-05-2012, 02:17 PM

The RC would get my vote for your price range. The Herters is a good one too, as noted. The linkages on the Lee will not hold up with heavy duty use, they're cheap to replace though. The AmmoMaster would not be in that price range used.
What cases are you resizing? There are 4 generations of RC's and the earlier ones will not handle some of the longer cases.

JLA · 12-05-2012, 07:46 PM

Id go RCBS RC or Lyman T-Mag. Either are next to indestructible

12-05-2012, 04:49 AM	#1
xzqzq Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 13	HD Single Stage Press I wanted to ask for suggestions regarding a heavy duty, single stage press. I need a press strong enough to reform brass cases, looking at $ 100, used. RCBS Rock Chucker ? Thanks, George -->

12-05-2012, 06:15 AM	#2
Bindernut Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: ND, USA Posts: 2,489	Re: HD Single Stage Press What caliber do you have in mind? The Rock Crusher is fine for most all case forming. Also keep an eye out for the Lyman Crusher (formerly the Orange Crusher if you're shopping used), the Hornady Classics are also the same size and strength class as the Rock Chucker too. Besides those three, pretty much every one of the makers has a press in that size class...even Lee makes a big cast-iron frame press. If you're forming a really big case, you might need to step up to the RCBS AmmoMaster or similar....but that's definitely not the norm. A Rock Chucker size press should do pretty much all the case forming that most guys will ever need to do.

12-05-2012, 07:50 AM	#3
stev32k V.I.P. Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Mobile, AL Posts: 411	Re: HD Single Stage Press I bought a new Lee cast iron single stage for just under $100. It appears to be well made and is very strong. It will handle anything up to and including the 50 caliber. https://fsreloading.com/lee-classic-...ess-90998.html

12-05-2012, 08:35 AM	#4
X Ring V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 194	Re: HD Single Stage Press RCBS Ammomaster, strong enough to reform any brass case, able to load 50BMG, can also be used for bullet swaging. __________________ Load More = Shoot More http://s1096.photobucket.com/albums/g327/Wynn3/

12-05-2012, 10:36 AM	#5
10 Spot Terminator V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Redmond Oregon ( middle of state refered to as Central Oregon ) Posts: 82	Re: HD Single Stage Press Any of the Herters model 3 series presses. They were overkill in their day and will do the job nicely . I had one as my first press, have a Rock Chukker now and have reformed brass on both. Herters gets the nod here.

12-05-2012, 02:17 PM	#6
woolleyworm TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SW Fort Worth Contributor Posts: 4,888	Re: HD Single Stage Press The RC would get my vote for your price range. The Herters is a good one too, as noted. The linkages on the Lee will not hold up with heavy duty use, they're cheap to replace though. The AmmoMaster would not be in that price range used. What cases are you resizing? There are 4 generations of RC's and the earlier ones will not handle some of the longer cases. __________________ . What are you gonna do, talk the alien to death? -- (on Sigourney Weaver's worry about Guns in Aliens) "Safety is something that happens between your ears, not something you hold in your hands." "I carry a small gun to compensate for my huge Blue press." .

12-05-2012, 07:46 PM	#7
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,407	Re: HD Single Stage Press Id go RCBS RC or Lyman T-Mag. Either are next to indestructible __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!