i need another opinion on this press - The Firearms Forum

socalfamous87 · 12-01-2011, 02:49 AM

$30 for a rcbs jr!!!!!!! what am i walking into? what do i need to be worried about? a guy said $30 and its mine and i figured i cant go wrong. any suggestions?

X Ring · 12-01-2011, 04:59 AM

Check for excessive slop at the top of the stroke, and that the shaft moves up and down smoothly. If it checks OK buy it, disassemble, steel wool the metal parts and sand blast the painted parts, repaint and it is like new.

Bindernut · 12-01-2011, 06:25 AM

Yup, check for slop on the ram when it's at the top of it's stroke.

It's missing the spent primer catch tray but you can still get them (the ReloaderSpecial is the same size frame as the JR)
Here's one Bing Shopping search. $15 from Gander Mountain.

With a new tray, you're looking at around $45-50 dollars for a used press. Maybe a little higher than I would pay considering the rust, but it is a good solid press that will do everything up to .30-06 length...once you get into the longer magnum cases it can be a little cramped.

howlnmad · 12-01-2011, 11:04 AM

Like the others have said, if the ram doesn't show excessive play, some elbow grease and paint will make that a nice single stage starter press. I'd give the $30 for it.

cpttango30 · 12-01-2011, 12:09 PM

$30 for that Heck yeah. If it were me it would already be mounted on my bench.

You can get a new ram for $20 to $40 from RCBS maybe less.

socalfamous87 · 12-01-2011, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bindernut

Yup, check for slop on the ram when it's at the top of it's stroke.

It's missing the spent primer catch tray but you can still get them (the ReloaderSpecial is the same size frame as the JR)
Here's one Bing Shopping search. $15 from Gander Mountain.

With a new tray, you're looking at around $45-50 dollars for a used press. Maybe a little higher than I would pay considering the rust, but it is a good solid press that will do everything up to .30-06 length...once you get into the longer magnum cases it can be a little cramped.

and without it the primers would jusst drop on the floor?

howlnmad · 12-01-2011, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by socalfamous87

and without it the primers would jusst drop on the floor?

The floor and your bench. It is usable without the spent primer cup.

Bindernut · 12-01-2011, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by socalfamous87

and without it the primers would jusst drop on the floor?

Yeah, they drop out the slot in the bottom of the ram and scatter all over the floor.
It is usable without the tray though too...or you could cobble one together out of a Cool-Whip or margarine tub (poor man's Tupperware

). Don't ask me how I know that...

That press in it's current form, the Reloader Special 5, is available for around $100 new.
BUT...if the literature is correct, they're now made with an aluminum frame instead of cast iron. That's another good reason to go after that used press.

Bindernut · 12-01-2011, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpttango30

$30 for that Heck yeah. If it were me it would already be mounted on my bench.

You can get a new ram for $20 to $40 from RCBS maybe less.

With the Partner and JR/RS family of presses it's not so much the ram that you have to worry about getting sloppy. Usually the hole in the frame will wear before the ram does.
But that said, I've only seen one JR/RS that was fiddled out...and I don't think it had ever seen an oil can when the guy was using it. It had darn near 1/16" of slop in the ram at the top of the stroke!

RandyP · 12-01-2011, 02:52 PM

A brand spankin' new Lee 50th Anniv breech lock single stage complete kit goes for $82 from Factory Sales.

If you are interested in the challenge of restoring a semi-antique press back into useful service? $30 sounds fine by me.

312shooter · 12-01-2011, 04:55 PM

Great deal, easy to restore! Buy evaporust and rust oleum emerald green paint and you will be looking like this ... http://www.thefirearmsforum.com/showthread.php?t=80415

howlnmad · 12-01-2011, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandyP

A brand spankin' new Lee 50th Anniv breech lock single stage complete kit goes for $82 from Factory Sales.

If you are interested in the challenge of restoring a semi-antique press back into useful service? $30 sounds fine by me.

You did see his other thread that turned into a bashing rainbow war, didn't you?

socalfamous87 · 12-01-2011, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by howlnmad

You did see his other thread that turned into a bashing rainbow war, didn't you?

Lol!!!!!!

socalfamous87 · 12-01-2011, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 312shooter

Great deal, easy to restore! Buy evaporust and rust oleum emerald green paint and you will be looking like this ... http://www.thefirearmsforum.com/showthread.php?t=80415

How about a blue paint? Ha

howlnmad · 12-01-2011, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by socalfamous87

How about a blue paint? Ha

Only if it goes on a red press that comes from Wisconsin. Bwah ha ha.

mikld · 12-02-2011, 02:24 PM

I don't think yer gonna find that quality of a press much cheaper. Yep, ram slop can be a problem, but if you're starting to reload, the play in the ram won't affect your reloads unless you're doing some bench rest competition...

Buy it...

accident · 12-03-2011, 02:33 PM

I thought the floor worked good for spent primers until they slide under my feet like marbles before i bust my %##.The cool whip bowl may be worth checking out.Buy the press but you'll likely want to upgrade at least to a turret soon.JOE

American Leader · 12-03-2011, 02:59 PM

Good one howlnmad

where's LD when you need him?

mikld · 12-03-2011, 04:15 PM

My favorite press is an old C-H single stage. Built like that tank everybody's talkin' about and still tight (I've had it about 12 years and I don't know when it was made). It has no primer catcher, but the primers hit the floor within 12" - 14" of each other. I just check where they hit, and put a 5 al. bucket there. Catches 90% of the flying primers. Works for me...

12-01-2011, 02:49 AM	#1
socalfamous87 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 112	i need another opinion on this press $30 for a rcbs jr!!!!!!! what am i walking into? what do i need to be worried about? a guy said $30 and its mine and i figured i cant go wrong. any suggestions? Attached Images -->

12-01-2011, 04:59 AM	#2
X Ring V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 188	Re: i need another opinion on this press Check for excessive slop at the top of the stroke, and that the shaft moves up and down smoothly. If it checks OK buy it, disassemble, steel wool the metal parts and sand blast the painted parts, repaint and it is like new. __________________ Load More = Shoot More http://s1096.photobucket.com/albums/g327/Wynn3/

12-01-2011, 06:25 AM	#3
Bindernut Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: ND, USA Posts: 2,449	Re: i need another opinion on this press Yup, check for slop on the ram when it's at the top of it's stroke. It's missing the spent primer catch tray but you can still get them (the ReloaderSpecial is the same size frame as the JR) Here's one Bing Shopping search. $15 from Gander Mountain. With a new tray, you're looking at around $45-50 dollars for a used press. Maybe a little higher than I would pay considering the rust, but it is a good solid press that will do everything up to .30-06 length...once you get into the longer magnum cases it can be a little cramped.

12-01-2011, 11:04 AM	#4
howlnmad Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Harriman, Tn Contributor Posts: 2,566	Re: i need another opinion on this press Like the others have said, if the ram doesn't show excessive play, some elbow grease and paint will make that a nice single stage starter press. I'd give the $30 for it. __________________

12-01-2011, 12:09 PM	#5
cpttango30 Former Guest Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Stafford, VA Contributor Posts: 3,071	Re: i need another opinion on this press $30 for that Heck yeah. If it were me it would already be mounted on my bench. You can get a new ram for $20 to $40 from RCBS maybe less.

12-01-2011, 02:52 PM	#10
RandyP V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 430	Re: i need another opinion on this press A brand spankin' new Lee 50th Anniv breech lock single stage complete kit goes for $82 from Factory Sales. If you are interested in the challenge of restoring a semi-antique press back into useful service? $30 sounds fine by me. __________________ Lee Anniversary and Lee Classic 4-Hole Turret, presently reloading .380, 7.62 Nagant (32-20), 9mm and 45ACP Last edited by RandyP; 12-01-2011 at 02:53 PM..

12-01-2011, 04:55 PM	#11
312shooter Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 1,148	Re: i need another opinion on this press Great deal, easy to restore! Buy evaporust and rust oleum emerald green paint and you will be looking like this ... http://www.thefirearmsforum.com/showthread.php?t=80415 __________________ "Democracy is based on citizenship- perhaps the greatest gift the United States has given to the world- Power is vested in the people themselves, and government flows from the people" James M Henslin

12-02-2011, 02:24 PM	#16
mikld Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 573	Re: i need another opinion on this press I don't think yer gonna find that quality of a press much cheaper. Yep, ram slop can be a problem, but if you're starting to reload, the play in the ram won't affect your reloads unless you're doing some bench rest competition... Buy it... __________________ My Anchor is holding fast.

12-03-2011, 02:33 PM	#17
accident V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: middle GA Posts: 364	Re: i need another opinion on this press I thought the floor worked good for spent primers until they slide under my feet like marbles before i bust my %##.The cool whip bowl may be worth checking out.Buy the press but you'll likely want to upgrade at least to a turret soon.JOE __________________ "The strongest reason for the people to retain the Right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in Government." Thomas Jefferson

12-03-2011, 02:59 PM	#18
American Leader Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Iowa Contributor Posts: 1,630	Re: i need another opinion on this press Good one howlnmad where's LD when you need him?

12-03-2011, 04:15 PM	#19
mikld Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 573	Re: i need another opinion on this press My favorite press is an old C-H single stage. Built like that tank everybody's talkin' about and still tight (I've had it about 12 years and I don't know when it was made). It has no primer catcher, but the primers hit the floor within 12" - 14" of each other. I just check where they hit, and put a 5 al. bucket there. Catches 90% of the flying primers. Works for me... __________________ My Anchor is holding fast.