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[cricket1974]

Which press/kit do you all reccomend me starting with. I’m gunna load 300wby mag and 30-378 wby mag

 

[TaperPin]

I’ve loaded the long Weatherby cartridges with an older Rock Chucker but you have to tip the bullets more and it’s annoying. 200 gr bullets are 1.5”ish and your case is 2.8”ish so it’s nice if your press has enough room to not fight it. At least with the RCBS Rebel (discontinued?) and Redding Ultra Mag, their usable stroke length is 4-1/4” and 4-1/8” respectively. (The photo is measuring on top of the shell holder and looks shorter, but it’s a full 4-1/4” stroke and 4-1/2” window) I have the Rebel and while on paper it has 1/8” more stroke than the Ultra Mag I would rather have a more open window to see what’s going on. The rebel requires someone to look to the side of the centered front leg of the press. I knew that going in, but found a used Rebel in new shape for $200 while Ultra Mags are usually twice that.

New Rock Chuckers have a 4” ram stroke, while older ones are shorter.

As for the kit, I like Redding better for most things, but RCBS and Hornady all make good gear. If you don’t have the budget for the Ultra Mag I’d do a Rockchucker Supreme RCBS kit.

 

[cricket1974]

Thank you for the advice and pics I appreciate it very much I have to look into my funds lol to see which way to go

 

[cricket1974]

I see Midwest has the Redding big boss ll on sale almost half off what do you think of that one

 

[TaperPin]

I see

I see Midwest has the Redding big boss ll on sale almost half off what do you think of that one

I see it advertised as having 3.8” ram stroke, which is usable, just keep in mind you’ll put 1/2” of the bullet tip into the die and swing the base onto the case mouth. If the price is right you’ll get a lot of use out of it and it’s a great starter press.

The current Hornady “classic” press also says it’s ram stroke is 3-3/4” so it would be very similar. It’s also well regarded.

There may be other big presses I’m not familiar with, but these from the main big companies are always a safe bet.

 

[TaperPin]

I just read someone saying the Big Boss 2 side to side opening is 1/2” wider and a better angle than the Rock Chucker Supreme which makes a noticeable difference in use.

I thought the Rebel was discontinued, but I guess not.

 

[TaperPin]

Weird stuff pops up when searching for big presses. Way back in the 1980s, Lyman made the O-Mag press, bigger than almost anything available at that time. This one popped up on ebay. The opening is listed as 4-1/2”, but who knows what the ram stroke is, probably 4”.