14 Reloading Presses Compared: the BIG Single-Stage Shootout

[@WestDesertShooter]

Wow! I hope people can appreciate just how much work, time and thought was put into this video! The custom tools to measure and compare, the ways you decided to have direct comparisons and tests is a true testament to how dedicated Gavin is. Great video brother this was awesome, now comes the difficult part of choosing one....

[@chris3383]

I bought my Lee 50 cal press 2 weeks to early dang it!!! The only reason I got it was for the bigger thread pattern for the neck only 338 die now I know many others have that pattern too if you remove the bushing....

[@MrFedericoFellini]

Chris

[@danielsalach1234]

@@chris3383 Iv got a old Hurder its in good shape its very heavy.

[@frankserra6709]

Tonight...I bought the Redding Big Boss 2 Pro Reloading Kit for < $400. I thought, at these turbulent Times... Why not, get into reloading. NOW, if I can only find bullets,primers,& POWDER...Really appreciated the MOST through evaluation of the majority if not all single stage presses for at least this novice to hand loading. THANK YOU..

[@Da0utcastDragon]

it's his job. it's just a show and he probably has a crew helping him.

[@barrychouinard4019]

You deserve some type of award for putting the most preparation time into a single video. Appreciate all the detail you've gathered and put out there for us. For 40 years I've had just one single stage press on my bench that has never left me wanting more. Your research suggests there is good reason for my being content! Thanks Gavin.

[@brucemcmillan8750]

bought my Rockchucker in 1975 has been on many benches since the 1st day, it loads 55 different calibers and has never once let me think about any other press, i think I still have the bill of sale

[@Bacnow]

Wow! Gavin has been creating great reloading KZbin videos for a decade! Yet, his presentation and content always seems fresh and informative! No One! And I mean No One, is working this hard to keep us up to date like this guy! Thanks for all your effort, bud! This beer 🍺 is for you!

[@Ultimatereloader]

Bacnow Thanks!!!!!

[@hardball107]

All I have to say is I've owned a Rock Chucker since the early very 80's. It has supplied ammo thru 30 years of National Match shooting, IPSC & PPS, hunting & plinking loads and is now turning out rounds for my PRS endeavor's including suppling all my friends and relatives with ammo in our current shortage. I can't come close to estimating how many rounds have passed thru that press but let's average it at 2000 rounds a year and subtract 10,000 in case anyone thinks I'm full of it. When I started shooting PRS I considered replacing it so being an engineer I broke out my measuring tools. I primarily concentrated on bore alignment, squareness and ram runout because there is plenty of float in the shell holder. Long story short at full ram extension there was only .0006 (6 ten thousandth's) runout in the ram. Squareness and alignment was spot on, less than .001" which was easily compensated for by the shell holder and I pulled out some loaded ammo and checked the runout in the ogive of the bullet. Most fell within .002" which I found to be variations in neck thickness of the brass and at least half of that was just over .001". I keep her clean and well lubed and needless to say I believe she will continue to crank out ammo for me for the rest of my years. Quality and performance like that speaks for itself.

[@lagoonrd4173]

I found one owned by old war vet that was sitting on the ground rusted solid… the old lady said 10$ ??? I took the offer and it’s my primary reloading press , after cleaning and reassembly …. Redding loader is sitting idle …. Might be in my mind but the Rcbs old dog has mojo and I don’t want to mess with that….. found was a yard sale and saw it laying on the ground of garage

[@HockeyDad6631]

After I ditched my Rockchucker for a Forster Co-ax about 20 years ago, reloading went from something I had to do, to something I wanted to do. Nothing wrong with the Rockchucker, but it's a basic tool that isn't particularly user friendly. Don't get me wrong, I loaded a ton of ammo on that old green machine, but I sure was much happier once I upgraded. I passed the old press onto a newbie that was just getting started who has put it to good use, and you couldn't pay me to go back.

[@johnnyhuego8392]

What primers do u prefer to use for .308 win? Any specifics. With the primeaggedon going on I'm trying to be sure I get the right s$%#

[@johnnyhuego8392]

​@HockeyDad6631 I'm tempted to get one. I got it rounded down to either the rockchucker or the co ax

[@Alen725]

​@@lagoonrd4173You ditched better press for some broken (rusting on something as precise as press basically means its broken) randomly found junk? You are crazy.

[@rudolphferdinand3634]

It is three years later. After watching your review of 14 reloading presses, I purchased the RCBS Summit reloading press. I went one step further by buying Hornady's Lock-N-Load Die Bushing 3-pack kit making die change over KISS! The RCBS Summit press is GREAT!

[@mattchilders3123]

The absolute best video I've ever viewed on reloading engineering specs.

[@SouthernOutfitter]

I'm just getting into reloading and wow so much to take in I really appreciate what you do brother!!!

[@CaptnBB]

Thank You! I picked up an RCBS Summit because of the information you gave in the video and the Full Story. Works perfect and is much better then my other press.

[@tomharrell1954]

What an absolutely insane amount of work, expense and time. Great job! I am a competitive bench rest shooter and plinking shooter and anything that goes bang shooter. Hell I shoot rubber bands too. I love reloading. I have made ammo since 15 years old and I am 65. The plethora of tools is a blessing for us, but it is confusing even for me! I have several of the old Star reloaders as my primary tools. This needed to be done so badly. Thanks for a great job! Great analysis! So many people don’t understand reloading at all. They surly are mesmerized by all the equipment. Your recommendations tell people that good ammo can be made with all the presses. And match grade can be made with most of them. I think this will be the definitive reloading tooling video!

[@paulwatterson5992]

Agree ... This is a monumental contribution to the reloading community. Many thank you's to all your hard work, and analytical approach to your analysis.

[@Ultimatereloader]

Thanks Paul- it was SOOOOO much work, I'm so happy that people are getting a lot out of it :)

[@paulwatterson5992]

@@Ultimatereloader Take a rest you deserve it :-)

[@tomjackson5049]

Your finest work to date. Thank you for all your time and effort.

[@brucer81]

Incredible! Your attention to detail is amazing. You engineering background is very evident. If ever there was a case of too many choices this is it. It’s almost as bad as choosing a rifle scope. You obviously enjoy what you do. I’m happy to be the recipient of your extremely comprehensive effort and hard work. Thank you.

[@Ultimatereloader]

Thanks so much Bruce!!!

[@donaldpowers8331]

Great job and a lot of work putting this together. I have had my old Bonanza since 1972, it has been consistent for near 50 years. Probably reloaded 9-10,000 rounds. Still right on the money. RCBS dies, bench rest and hunting calibres, it does them all. Again, great video.

[@dewayneswilley703]

18:22 18:23 18:24

[@Rocksinhed]

Thank you for the AMAZINGLY detailed video. I was taught Benchrest shooting/reloading by a gentleman with knowledge like yourself. We try to reload to the level of psychosis. This video is so detailed that anyone can understand the tolerances of these presses ... The time you took for this video is greatly appreciated.

[@Jeff_Seely]

There needs to be another Academy Award category for Best Reloading Product Showcase/Shootout (wouldn't the libs go nuts for that one?!). Gavin, thank you for all of the money spent and incredible effort and thought that went into this masterpiece! I watched it twice 😁. I am favoring the RCBS Supreme, but it is clear through this video that there are a few machines that are extremely good alternatives; each for their own reasons. I know that I weigh in pretty late, but I just wanted to say 'good job'!

[@olsparkywisenheimer8239]

Great video. I've been loading for almost 30 years and i still watched the whole video! 😁

[@MrHuntermikey]

Wow the work that went into this test is incredible. The best reload channel on the web easily. Thanks Gavin

[@BP_Aviation]

A lot of hard work put into this one, thanks for all the great information!

[@blongfel]

So much you do for us re-loaders! Thanks so much!

[@Ultimatereloader]

You are welcome, glad you are finding these resources useful :)

[@iiparachuteregiment8800]

147k subscribers only, with all the hard work you do, you should be over a million long time ago.

[@PRACERZ]

BLOODY FANTASTIC EFFORT on your part, greatly appreciated !!

[@cs_yt]

Impressive, and no doubt when someone ask me again "which press should I buy for precision reloading?" I'll send them right here. Thanks for the massive work involved.

[@Ultimatereloader]

THANKS!

[@knutpohl339]

That's an insane and insanely helpful amount of work, awesome. Thank you for it.

[@laatjie]

Very well done covering a wide range of presses. Can’t wait to dig into the report. Thanks for doing this Gavin

[@PatriotPaulUSA]

Kissing bug crawling on the ball mic stand begins at 21.52 Seroiusly the most awesome video I have waited 5 yrs for one like this! I am finally ordering my press and ancillary equipment ! Thanks Sooo Much Gavin! Subbed for life!

[@ryanbowers7510]

I made popcorn for this!

[@Ultimatereloader]

Awesome

[@May0r0fp0undtwn]

Just watched this video an ordered my first press. Thank you for the work you put in!

[@mattr3438]

Thank you for all the hard work you put into this. I am brand new to reloading and this has helped me narrow it down.

[@PJ-si2po]

Like always you go extremely deeply in your reviews and again precisely mesure and analyse, I did not know witch press I was going to get, I will get the RCBS Summit Thanks for the good video and all the work put into it as a professional

[@hardybirch3630]

Extraordinary, preparation was well beyond expectations and extremely well thought out......spell binding and suspenseful waiting to see the data results. This is a new standard of excellence in making comparisons between reloading presses. Thank you very much.

[@Ultimatereloader]

Wow, thanks for the feedback, I appreciate it!

[@rickbranka671]

WOW !!!! I'm going to purchase my 3rd press (2nd singe stage) which I will use for 6.5 creedmore, and I appreciate the detail you give with each review !!!! All said and done, I'm going with the Redding Big Boss II. I enjoy all of your video's Dude....you Rock !!!

[@conservativesniperhunter7439]

Excellent review, a lot of thought and hard work went into this video, I’m sure every reloader that rolls their own ammo greatly appreciates your effort in bringing us this review. Hopefully one day you might look at reviewing Turret presses . Cheers 🥂 🍻

[@alaskanohio]

Gavin, I have been waiting for this video since you first mentioned it. Let me say this, You did not disappoint. Wonderful job on this video.

[@Ultimatereloader]

THANKS!!!

[@RoloTomase]

The content was fantastic + the overall audio/video quality, lighting, and the lens camera combo you used was amazing. The overall time it took you to produce the final cut must have been considerable. Whoever did your editing gets a thumbs up also. Learned a lot to look for in single stage press reloading.

[@Ultimatereloader]

Thanks Rolo- I think I have about 100 hours into it, and I did all of the editing myself, I need to learn how to delegate more... :)

[@Friedbrain11]

You are an excellent tester and I appreciate what you have accomplished here. It will be a huge help in my choosing a reloading press.

[@PhalanxArms]

Man, one hell of a video. I can only imagine how much work it took to put this together. Well done!

[@charredskeleton]

I respect how much work and resorces that you've put into this. This video is truly a service. Thank you and your group!

[@BrianClarkpharmd]

You’re doing awesome work sir. Keep it coming!

[@chrisbaugh2737]

WOW You are OCD. In the very best way possible. Thank you so very much. I always look forward to your wonderful reviews. Thank you again so much for your hard work and dedication to our craft.

[@MyBacktrail]

Wow, totally nerded out but that's not a bad thing. Lots of comprehensive work went into this, and it will be very valuable for new reloaders or people choosing their first new press. Very imPRESSive ;)

[@alexallen5633]

Thanks for the information, chossing a single stage press is a daunting task. This video will help people for years to come.

[@Ultimatereloader]

Great, thanks for the feedback Alex, just what I was hoping for!

[@danielselby8001]

Got the rcbs rock chucker supreme after watching this vid thanks good job 👍

[@Ultimatereloader]

Good deal, great press!

[@joemarquez5513]

Excellent video and comparison, exactly what I've been looking for. Thank you!

[@RyanMcIntyre]

Gavin thank you for this video!!! You really outdid yourself. This is great information and it's current and relevant. I like that you explained features in addition to performance. Thank you

[@Ultimatereloader]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@kplunk53]

Excellent video. Concise, pertinent information, and well presented. Well done!!!

[@ryanthurman3839]

Best video, answered all my question about single stage press. Ever thought about doing a video turret press

[@fstarockaburns425]

dude seriously - i couldnt imagine there being any other loader vid - great info thanks!

[@TwoFeatherChannel]

Impressive research as always. I did not expect Rock Chucker to be ranked #2.

[@joed2392]

Me too ! But I guess that German engineered $900.00 dollar press had better do something !!!

[@breakintips9896]

Joe D right?!

[@Master...deBater]

@@joed2392: Yeah...I watched this whole thing just to see where the RC Supreme came in. I figured it would place in the top three. I've had mine for about ten years and couldn't be happier!

[@gotjuice7160]

Great methodology in testing, phenomenal review. Keep up the great work

[@Ultimatereloader]

Thanks!

[@fcrum]

It has been almost 2 years since this was posted and I still can't believe 173 people "disliked" it! This was an extreme amount of work! I find that I refer back to this (and other people to it) a lot! Thanks for all you do for the reloading community.

[@TheSuburban15]

I think maybe because it's an overview without a real conclusion.

[@gusloader123]

@@TheSuburban15 His tests were fair and well done. He gave a well-balanced report / review. He posted the written results in a link. It is up to the viewers to pick and buy, not the Y.T. tester / video maker. This was not some 3 am Info-mercial with a paid audience clapping for the newest make-up or frying pan. IF he had made a "real conclusion" as you said, then there would be at least 10 people whining and complaining and crying because he did not tell everyone to buy a Dillon machine.

[@Redbelly357]

I've watched this video five times. Very informative.

[@ewathoughts8476]

I like the Tip TIR tables especially. They show that the best TIRs are not turned in by the highest price presses. The RCBS ones turn in the most consistent TIRs. Careful comparison of all 14 tables will indicate that TIR is controlled by the uniformity of the brass cases more than any of the presses or dies.

[@russdennis7026]

Wow just WOW! You sir are a beast! Thank you for all you do. That was a lot of work and it shows you're a true professional.

[@Ultimatereloader]

Thanks Russ!!!!!!!

[@jameskavney3892]

so happy with my RCBS Summit!!!!

[@Countryboy81]

Nice video! Thanks for your time! I like my RCBS Summit even more now

[@Boon202]

Great job Brother!

[@Ultimatereloader]

Thanks!

[@ElPasoJoe1]

I have reloaded for some 50 years or so. Still use the RCBS Rock Chucker - 2 that my wife and kids gave me. Super press. Never found anything it would not do. Or do well. Thanks for the video and work to put it together...

[@jonathanl2748]

Brother, you’re the reason I bought a Hornady Iron Press! It is an impressive machine. And, of course, I invested in all of the Inline Fabrication products that go with the Iron Press. Life is short, so why not?

[@Ultimatereloader]

GOOD DEAL!!!!! Glad to hear it's all working out for you :)

[@Rotn2]

As someone just starting out into reloading this video was amazingly helpful Thanks

[@Ultimatereloader]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@raptorshootingsystems3379]

After 25 plus years of loading for competition and cartridge design, I have to say I like the RCBS Summit. I have 2 of them, one with long handle and the other with the short handle option. In total, I have 7 presses including Redding, Dillion, RCBS and Harrells.

[@mikebolton3816]

Very informative. Thanks for all the hard work!

[@Ultimatereloader]

Mike Bolton you are welcome!

[@luisrocha8132]

From Portugal. Thank you for your videos. They are all amazing and we can learn a lot. However, I would like to see a specific video charging the caliber 6 mm Norma BR and .308 WIN, from the beginning to the end, made with the best Dies for BR.

[@jasonbeary5771]

Dude you ARE the Ultimate, insane reloader! Just mind-boggling, all that stuff you have.

[@wassman27]

I always wondered about the RCBS Summit, looked like a great concept and the results show it is a strong contender. Thanks Gavin for this video and your comprehensive report will stand the test of time. But it didnt help my wallet so thanks!?!?!

[@penfold357007]

Excellent video Gavin. Wow! So much effort.

[@lucaswegener2010]

You’re killing me!!! I’ve been waiting on this video forever and you don’t give a top three or top five rating 😭

[@toadamine]

Also didn't include Dillon...

[@21anthem12]

toadamine Dillon makes a single stage?

[@toadamine]

@@21anthem12 yes, and they do all the steps in one pull... Just like the automatic ones...

[@entername9632]

And no overview of the quality of the ammo produced! Why not include that data when you took so much trouble to compile it and ultimately it's the most valuable data of all????????

[@markelliott6259]

@@toadamine Dillon doesnt make a single stage press. This test was specifically for single stage.

[@wildman2894]

Been using rcbs jr. single stage for alot of years and still am i have 3 of them would never change thanks nice video

[@klintonodonnell3318]

This makes me feel even better about my rock chucker. I believe my next press will be another one...

[@sandriszegedi1]

One of the most awesome videos in gun stuff topics! Great job!

[@lancevaughn5337]

Good things come to us that wait! So worth it! Fantastic job! Thank you for all your hard work.

[@brucethecurmudgeon8538]

Well Done! My old Herters C press is still running alongside my much upgraded Dillon 650. The massive Herters press has served me well for 30 plus years but that last press you showed has me thinking of buying it.

[@pauls6526]

Thank you! I am new to reloading. I am still looking for my 1st machine to buy. This helped a lot!

[@elduderoony8171]

Wow! Nice job Gavin. I’m a relative noob but I am a very tool/equipment minded individual and, after doing a bit of research into which press would suit me best, I shelled out (pun intended!) for a Forster Co-Ax. I am very, very happy with the press and now, after watching this review, I’m even happier as it means that my objective take on what would do the job best for me personally was justified. Thanks again for a very worthwhile effort on your part dude. Nice.....

[@Ultimatereloader]

Thanks, and great choice!

[@cfreezy45]

This study will be a benchmark in reloading data for years to come.

[@Ultimatereloader]

Thanks! That's a huge compliment :)

[@skidoc03]

What a wealth of information to get me started. Fantastic job!

[@JimHarmer]

Excellent detail which I really appreciate. Would love to see your top 3 favorites from this. Great data, but it’s hard as a newbie to know from all this info which way to go.

[@shaverlocal]

Very impressive review!

[@BallisticSamFishing]

Gavin I love this. I would love to see next a Scale VS Electric Scale powder/load comparison. Like something that puts the charges thrown and weighed against one another compares Muzzle velocity, SD, & ES. I say this b/c I have went from using the RCBS Charge master back to throwing and my old RCBS 5-10 scale with the roller wheel for the tenths. With the Charge Master my 6.5 Creedmoor loads running Berger bullets and H4350 I was getting SD of 2.5-5.0 which is really good for what I do. Now having not ran the loads weighed out by my scale over my Magneto Speed V3 and loading the very same specs I'm wondering if I'll get the same results. Would be cool to watch. Thanks

[@TheBowdoc1]

You had me at RCBS Summit! LOL!! Great video and only feedback is it would have been nice to have your top 5 presses results at the end as this is a long video. Very very informative though!

[@MsChristianskogland]

I think I have seen this video like 10 times now 😅👍

[@Jedi_Jeff]

I have chosen to start down the path of re-loading. This is by far, the most helpful video and article for beginners as well as long time re-loaders. Thank youfor your hard work. Love this channel.

[@Ultimatereloader]

Thanks Jeff!

[@rcairnut]

wow great job! Now I wonder how my original Rock Chucker from the 1970's stacks up to the new one. and that last press is crazy cool!

[@jonzie1228]

I have a Rockchucker II I bought somewhere around 1982, 1983 and it's still tight and as smooth as it can be. It has loaded thousands of rounds.

[@rcairnut]

@@jonzie1228 mine is the org one, first model I think, and I have loaded hundreds of rounds on it every year for over 40 years and it is still chucking along.

[@trashpanda2396]

I was just using my ol chucker the other night wondering if anything was improved on the newer ones or are the old ones made better like most things these days

[@lr22same47]

Fantastic information, thank you!

[@JerryinSEMO]

I would see a press, hear you talk about it and then think,”yeah, that’s the one I want!” Until the next press! LOL Great time to be a reloader , great presses at every price level. Hard to go wrong with any, but think I’m going with the RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme. Thanks for your hard work!

[@Ultimatereloader]

You are welcome Jerry, glad you liked it!

[@robertvarner7392]

Jerry, I have a used RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme for sale. Interested?

[@robertvarner7392]

.

[@alvinwhitehair1567]

@@robertvarner7392 Did you sell it?

[@cornebarnard7962]

I am impressed with the quality of your research and the content of your review of all the single stage Presses. Still running the Lee, reloading 308Win but on to an RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme, will be my first choice for new press for 2019.

[@Ultimatereloader]

Thanks man!

[@latakia77]

I have a fairly broad collection of mechanical reloading scales and mechanical powder measures I would love to do testing like this between them all. Or have you do it. Very good work!

[@Ultimatereloader]

Good idea Glen!

[@dennisholle1005]

Wow very thorough video as always.

[@daleswanson1784]

Been waiting something similar this for years. Thank you. Objective repeatable data that's meaningful thanks to strict testing criteria.

[@airdog99]

Finally! Been waiting for this day since you dropped the tease weeks ago! Thanks Gavin!!!!

[@Ultimatereloader]

Sorry it took so long (perfectionist)

[@airdog99]

@@Ultimatereloader No problem, it was worth the wait... Thanks again!

[@beemerbill1572]

Wow, incredibly thorough review of single-stage presses. Also, per your testing, I now know that I do not need to consider replacing my beloved RCBS Rock Chucker press that I have been using for a long time. The RCBS Summit reminds me of the Star Machine Works Reloaders that a couple of my VERY OLD reloader buddies used.

[@haydenbretton2990]

Excellent video, I really enjoyed the finer points of your reloading. I have been reloading for years, I shoot several same calibre rifles, 303. I did at one time neck size only and not mixing each fire formed case with another. I later gave up this idea and factory resize all my fired cases. After resizing, measuring and trimming I anneal the cases every 5 times fired. I also find beam scales more accurate than battery or electric scales. I also find powder throwers inaccurate too as with the dippers too. Reloading is to each others choice and providing one takes care with powders and powder loads recommended by the manufacture one will avoid accidents. I shoot in the field and on military ranges, I also shoot on our local village range where velocity and energy are limited.

[@36736fps]

Thank you. Very informative and useful, unlike most KZbin stuff. I think non-floating is better than floating because floating parts can misalign if the parts are not machined extremely precisely. The Forster co-ax depends on the die locking ring being machined so the ring flats are exactly 90 degrees to the center-line. I don't like to de-prime in the press due to all the junk that come out. I use a small arbor press with a dedicated de-priming pin.. And I use a hand primer tool because it gives much better feel than in-press priming. Do you have any data or experience that would indicate the lock-n-load bushing produces precision equal to 7/8 x 14 bushings?

[@jayjodoin1194]

I sure do hats off to you and all that create such in depth and great great videos….Thanks

[@knutpohl339]

Btw - how to test for coriolis effect during depriming: just turn your press 180° and see into which container the spent primers fall :D

[@MacroAggressor]

This feels like a troll. More likely your work surface is slightly canted.

[@raywhitehead730]

As usual, outstanding job!

[@tinobooysen7912]

From South Africa, I can verify the Rock Chucker catches spent primers to the right as well...

[@Ultimatereloader]

Haha! Good to know :)

[@SkyShupe]

Incredible with the amount of detail!

[@dahut3614]

I can't even imagine how awkward this would be if they were all mounted on a low bench!

[@dakotaslim]

The Inline Fab stuff is brilliant. Just got my Ultamount last week.