Single Stage Press

[OverInfinite]

I have a Lyman Tmag-2 press, it has the rotating 6 spot turret press. I’ve used it for about 9 years with decent results, but I think it’s time to upgrade. I’ve never used the turret part, always just used one die at a time.
A couple things that I’ve always been frustrated with: the slop in the ram and handle has gotten worse over the years, and that compounded with the cam over design, if you are not careful with pressure you can get quite a bit of variance in shoulder bump and seating depth. I also hand deprime and hand prime already.
I would like a press with little to no frills. Just something to put a die in and get consistent results. Something with a hard stop and smooth operation, here’s the hard part- budget. I would like to stay under the $200 range.
I have no experience with any other presses so any information would help, even if it’s just what presses to stay away from!

 

[Steve300xcw]

I'd grab whatever redding or rcbs I found on sale

 

[mainbeam pursuit2]

Take a look at a Forster Co Ax.

 

[TaperPin]

I have a Lyman Tmag-2 press, it has the rotating 6 spot turret press. I’ve used it for about 9 years with decent results, but I think it’s time to upgrade. I’ve never used the turret part, always just used one die at a time.
A couple things that I’ve always been frustrated with: the slop in the ram and handle has gotten worse over the years, and that compounded with the cam over design, if you are not careful with pressure you can get quite a bit of variance in shoulder bump and seating depth. I also hand deprime and hand prime already.
I would like a press with little to no frills. Just something to put a die in and get consistent results. Something with a hard stop and smooth operation, here’s the hard part- budget. I would like to stay under the $200 range.
I have no experience with any other presses so any information would help, even if it’s just what presses to stay away from!

The Hornady classic O-frame press is about $175, or a RCBS Rock Chucker or Redding O-frame are $225ish.

 

[wind gypsy]

I've used a lee classic cast for the vast majority of my reloading use. I like the primer eject function so I can size/deprime in one step (may not apply to you) and optional aftermarket case kicker functions a little better than how something like a rock chucker is set up in theory. Never used a rock chucker. Should fit within your price range.

 

[Backcast88]

I've been using dads old Hornady press from the early 90's. Works just.

Just about any press from Redding, RCBS, Hornady, etc will meet your needs. Or step up to a Forster Co-Ax or MEC Marksman.

 

[Steve300xcw]

Also its not like you are going to wear one out. At least 99% of the folks out there wont. I wouldnt be scared of a used one.

I've done well buying stuff like that both on ebay and gunbroker

 

[onlybrowning]

Also its not like you are going to wear one out. At least 99% of the folks out there wont. I wouldnt be scared of a used one

Was thinking this as well. Around here, there are a couple shops you could walk into and grab a really dusty one that's been sitting there for years for a very cheap price. RCBS, Redding, Hornady, Lyman, Lee (cast), and others would all be fine.

 

[Steve300xcw]

I've been given them before. I bet he knows somebody with one tucked away.

 

[OverInfinite]

Man, maybe I live in the wrong spot. We have little to no shops around. And I am the only one in my family to reload beside my father in law who has a dillion 650.
Anyone have a lead for one at a good price?

 

[JasonWi]

Forster Co Ax is what I’ve been using for years. It’s simple but repeatable

 

[Wrench]

You will be money ahead to buy the forster coax. You don't need shell holders. Die swaps are instant. You can't make better ammo unless you go arbor dies and the effort is so minimal that I haven't used the handle it comes with.

You give up primer tubes is the only downside......but you gain the possibility to set primer crush.

Trust me....it'll be the best money you can spend on a press.

 

[Steve300xcw]

I want to see these under $200 coax's

 

[Steve300xcw]

Man, maybe I live in the wrong spot. We have little to no shops around. And I am the only one in my family to reload beside my father in law who has a dillion 650.
Anyone have a lead for one at a good price?

I've seen em at yards sales, pawn shops, and gun shops.

I bet your FIL has a single stage tucked away in a corner somewhere. Probly got retired when he got the dillion. Be worth asking about.

Heres an old rockchucker for $148 https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1122263749

$140 https://www.ebay.com/itm/187645085009?_skw=rockchucker&itmmeta=01K86P73PZM2TWMM0Q7376XVG0&hash=item2bb084c551:g:87cAAeSwpHZo66Yx&itmprp=enc:AQAKAAAA0FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1fwwTm7/ILxi1B3VqfxvtMXNApyzfMdxsiWf+J4Z7QdWy4K0bzkI6Ts7HAszZ2LYF62anzvNORTjVrhbIV6RMabq4q/n7a9pDwLF+lEPaGahBdqOYRQiwjY1bpW3HC6W0pHm7JfB+b3AkYLQhaMtOUoKNVaqvLgzq8w6COJ/pQSlJyAIogY2o681hckF27ZSmepw3blBffiNT96l2ish+zPaxw9BHkfUqAPaypdppROFD7Urn9RbK5vFgMtK/qKjPI=|tkp:Bk9SR9S8nNbBZg&LH_ItemCondition=4

Might be worth tossing a bid at this https://www.ebay.com/itm/306559521989?_skw=rockchucker&itmmeta=01K86P73PZQ9WN8Z14MNAQT4TF&hash=item47605f14c5:g:2ewAAeSwS3Jo9oYr&itmprp=enc:AQAKAAAAwFkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1dst1gRFj8i+mqA+9GswNbyLOLtmC7S5ZN7zG0rZ/8VFb8tAaxDkjt/DtK/mmY6Ls5HkDMz7ntnThNL9ck2mOLAbolAFC54UfRF5U7G2RlT5KCuaTnTxlO0pZD+YIJvOUWAWPqNNGlqFkpjfoNYB2c5dtujJN530zNZlcdhUKdiT+wxv769WY1Q/KleC3RsIdn5ixNoTVptUn1dDBH9j57RkiEVJOIxbMZZKhn22yfYLg==|tkp:Bk9SR9K8nNbBZg&LH_ItemCondition=4

Pretty sure I have an extra floating around I'd sell for that. Not sure where its at though

 

[OverInfinite]

Over an hour and a half drive one way, found one on Facebook. $125
I dont think its a supreme since its not ambidextrous, but the linkage and shaft have no wobble, the slightest bit of surface rust at the very bottom of the shaft, but after quite a bit of scrubbing and cleaning, id say that's a win.

 

[Nine Banger]

MEC Marksman.

yup

 

[OverInfinite]

That said, if anyone wants a go at the lyman, let me know. I talked with a couple guys on here and they think it could be a bunch of compounding factors, me not being consistent on pressure after the cam over, not lubing consistently, lack of annealing (i need to anneal after every other reload not 4 or 5 like ive been doing, and dwell time on each press. Either way, a hard stop and consistent die alignment vs a turret head just gives my engineering brain a bit more of a warm and fuzzy feeling, and a fresh start to my process is nice.

 

[TaperPin]

Over an hour and a half drive one way, found one on Facebook. $125
I dont think its a supreme since its not ambidextrous, but the linkage and shaft have no wobble, the slightest bit of surface rust at the very bottom of the shaft, but after quite a bit of scrubbing and cleaning, id say that's a win.
View attachment 954626

Nice!

Hard to go wrong with a Rock Chucker