Best Reloading Press.
One of the best ways to cut ammunition cost is to reload your own ammo. Over the years, the demand for reloading presses has been on the rise. Many gun owners have realized that reloading their own ammunition not only helps them cut ammunition costs by half, but also produces more accurate ammo. While some do it to earn a living, others do it as a hobby.
You’ll need a reloading machine to kick start your reloading journey. The good thing about most reloading presses is that they are easy to use and highly reliable. Before we look at some of the best reloading press kits to choose from, let’s first look at the different types of reloading press.
- Single-stage reloading press. This is the simplest reloading press you’ll ever find. Designed to hold one die at a time, this press has a very rigid frame and is commonly used to reload rifle ammo. You’ll be required to screw the die into an opening at the top, attach the shell holder to the ram which holds the cartridge then push down the lever. The ram will go up and the die will act on the case. In this setup, priming is done separately, however, there are some models that have priming attachment. This reloading press is ideal for beginners and its only downside is that it’s the slowest rounds of production.
- Turret Press. This press is similar to the single-stage press only that it holds several dies at the same time, so you are able to quickly index from one die to the other manually. Some models can auto-index so you don’t have to do it manually. While this press speeds up the reloading process with better indexing ability, it still requires many lever strokes per round. It is the best press for rifle or pistol reloading and a better precision rig for reloading professionals.
- Progressive Reloading Press. Mostly used by pistol and semi-automatic shooters, progressive reloading presses make a full round for every lever cycle. Its shell plate holds several cases at the same time and once the ammo is out, the next shell is ready for the operation. Some are auto-indexing progressive while others require manual indexing. In terms of speed, progressive presses are the fastest in producing multiple rounds per a given time. They are therefore the best for bulk reloading.
Knowing how much ammo you need to reload in a given period of time will help you decide on the reloading press that’s ideal for you. Here are some of the best reloading press to choose from.
1) RCBS 9354 RC Supreme Master Kit
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RCBS 9354 RC Supreme Master Kit is one of the best single-stage presses you’ll find in the market today. This press kit is not only easy to operate but also features an ambidextrous O-frame that makes the whole process better and simple. Its cast-iron body lasts for decades and by weighing just 20 pounds, you can easily set it up at your ideal workspace. The best part about this product is that it comes with everything you need to kick-start your reloading journey no matter your skill level. It’s one of the best reloading press kits for beginners and pros. All the accessories included work well, and apart from the missing dies, this kit is fairly complete. With a 4.25-inch loading window, it makes reloading more efficient and accounts for longer cartridges. Both male and female adults can use this master kit and reload their ammo at the convenience and comfort of their homes. In the package
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2) Hornady Lock-N-Load Classic Reloading Press Kit
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Reloading your own rifle or pistol ammo is made easier thanks to the Hornady Lock-N-Load Classic Reloading Press Kit. This classic kit comes with everything you need to begin reloading the most accurate ammo. Built for speed, this press enables you to easily switch to a new caliber in seconds and immediately begin reloading. The automatic priming gives you hands and trouble-free operation while the angled frame provides easier access to the cartridges. With the Lock N-Load quick-change bushing system, reloading your ammo becomes quick and easy while the EZject system ensures that every cartridge is safely ejected upon completion. The sturdy, rigid frame provides great stability needed for accurate reloading. Also included is a Power-Pac linkage design that makes sizing of the cases easy while also reducing user fatigue. In the Package
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3) Lee Precision Breech Lock Challenger Kit
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4) Lee Precision Breech Lock Challenger Kit
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Made in the USA, this press kit is the strongest and most popular single-stage reloading press. Made of heavy-duty, high-strength materials, this challenger kit is durable and will last for long. It’s highly accurate and easy to use. This makes it ideal for beginners and professionals alike. It also features an ambidextrous O-frame that’s very strong. With a large opening, you get maximum hand clearance and a Breech Lock Quick change die system enables you to instantly change the dies with just a twist of the wrist. Also included is a positive spent catch primer that enables you to place the spent primers directly into the trash can. Definitely one of the best reloading press kits for all purposes. Key Features
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5) Hornady Lock-N-Load AP Press Loader
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Hornady Lock-N-Load AP Press Loader is a high-performance reloading press and one of the best reloading press kits for both professionals and reloading beginners. Built to last, this press loader is equipped with a wide range of high-quality features at a reasonably affordable price. Featuring the most user-friendly, patented quick tool change technology, this progressive press is easy to use and produces the most accurate ammo ever. With it, you can easily load anything from pistols to Magnum rifle cartridges. Best of all is that this press loads up to 500 rounds per hour. Furthermore, it features a five-station quick-change bushing system that gives you the quickest cartridge changeover. For your own convenience, there is a case-activated powder drop that only dispenses a powder charge when the cartridge case is present while the EZject system ensures that every cartridge is safely ejected upon completion without any adjustments. With just a single pull of the handle, you’ll notice that there is a huge difference between this high-performance reloading press and other ordinary kits. In the Package
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6) Lyman 7726500 Brass Smith, Ideal C-Frame Press
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With the Lyman 7726500 Brass Smith reloading press, you’ll notice that you don’t have to spend a fortune to own a quality reloading press. Made in the USA, this press is perfect for both reloading beginners and experienced ones alike. Built on a true-strength platform, this press kit is sturdy and very durable. Its compact design occupies a very minimal workspace. Made of cast iron, this press is a heavyweight performer available in a lightweight package. Its ambidextrous design makes it easy to operate with minimal adjustments needed. Designed to handle all pistols calibers and rifle cartridges up to 3.7” long, this press also accepts all standard 7/8”x14 dies and standard shell holders as well. Key Features
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7) RCBS 9356 Rock Chucker Supreme Press
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Last but not least is the RCBS 9356 Rock Chucker Supreme Press. This is a heavy-duty reloading press with outstanding strength and versatility meant to increase your efficiency with every reload. Made of the highest quality materials, this product is extremely sturdy and durable. It’s easy to use and perfect for beginners as well as professionals. Specially designed for heavy-duty reloading, this press has a handle made of steel with a comfortable ball-type handle grip. The press frame provides 4inches of ram-bearing surface to strongly support the one-inch diameter main ram. With the addition of the piggyback-4, this press can be easily upgradable to a progressive loader and increase the number of rounds produced per hour. Key Features
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Factors to Consider when Choosing the Best Reloading Press Kits
Here are some of the important factors to be considered when buying a reloading press.
- Press capability
Reloading press kits offer different press abilities in terms of output per hour rate. You are supposed to go for the kit that fits your reloading production based on your reloading skills and expertise. These press kits are made differently. While some models have the ability to load both handguns and rifles others can only load only one of the two. If you own multiple weapons, look for a reloading press kit that is capable of loading cartridges of all the weapons that you own.
- Volume of production
It is also important that you evaluate your reloading experience and then compare it with how much ammunition you plan to produce. This will help you have an easy reloading time. For a beginner, start with small ammo production and then progress as you gain experience. A progressive press has the ability to produce thousands of rounds per hour and is best suited for heavy reloaders. On the other hand, average shooters, reloading beginners or intermediate reloaders will do better with a turret press. Turret press reloading press kits are capable of producing around 100-500 rounds per hour with less practice time.
- Quality
Quality always comes first when it comes to choosing a reloading press. With the market offering a multitude of reloading presses to choose from, deciding to go with the highest quality kit available might not be the best option for you. Since not everybody needs to load high quantities of match grade .50bmg ammo, chances are that you will just be fine with a kit that’s affordable and simple to use. However, avoid cheap models as they might fail to function as required. Make sure that you get a press kit built to last so as to have great value for your money
- Priming solution.
Don’t forget to check on the prime and priming solutions when buying a reloading press kit. You can buy the prime or priming solution separately if it doesn’t come with the press. For your own convenience, it is advisable that you look for a reloading press that comes with its own prime or priming solution.
Best Reloading Press Kits FAQs
- Which is better, reloaded ammo or factory ammo?
Reloaded ammo. With the demand for ammo being on the rise, factory ammo can be inconsistent. However, reloading your own ammo produces better, highly accurate, and consistent ammunition.
- What do I need to start reloading my own ammunition?
First, you’ll need a quality reloading kit and knowledge of your caliber’s primer options. While reloading is an extensive and strenuous process, with practice and patience, you’ll learn how to do it and it might turn out to be your next hobby.
- Which kind of press should I get?
This will greatly depend on your reloading skills and expertise as well as the volume of ammo needed. To reload more than 250 rounds weekly, a progressive press will be ideal. On the other hand, if you plan on reloading fewer rounds go for a turret press.
Conclusion
With the market offering a broad range of reloading presses to choose from, there is something for everyone. While reloading is an extensive and strenuous process, with practice and patience, you’ll learn how to do it and it might turn out to be your next hobby. All of the reloading presses listed above are quality and we hope that you will love them too.
See Also: Best Reloading Manuals/Handbooks