load press for 357?
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load press for 357?
Folks just after recommendations on a basic but reliable load press for this cartridge. I am returning to the shooting sports after a long break. I once used RCBS rockchucker to load big game rifles but that press and the rifles are long gone. I have some lee 38sp dies on hand which I believe will handle both cartridges and they are the only calibres I am likely to load these days. I only need single stage, I'm in no hurry to get the job done. Thanks for any suggestions.
- GunnyMack
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Re: load press for 357?
Lee makes a very affordable single stage, although the one I got a few years ago seems to be much lighter that the one a buddy had years ago...
Just about any on the name brand presses on the market will do fine.
Reach out to Sixgun, he wheels & deals often, is a real good guy and won't steer you wrong if he has a 'spare' press!
Just about any on the name brand presses on the market will do fine.
Reach out to Sixgun, he wheels & deals often, is a real good guy and won't steer you wrong if he has a 'spare' press!
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- ollogger
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Re: load press for 357?
The Lee press is hard to beat for the money, mine has done over 50,000 rounds, from 25-20 to 45-70
Did have to rebuild it one time after sticking a 300 H&H case, man did that pull hard, did 150 38 & 357 over the weekend
Brad
Did have to rebuild it one time after sticking a 300 H&H case, man did that pull hard, did 150 38 & 357 over the weekend
Brad
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Re: load press for 357?
It sorta depends on what your budget and future plans are. If you KNOW you're not going to load anything BUT .38Spl, from now 'til the end of time... and can't afford the best... then buy the Lee press. Or, look around on EBay or Craig's List, various reloading & shooting forums and see what's available on the "used" market. You might be very surprised. Several years ago, I bought a very lightly used Dillon 550B set up to load .38Spl/.357Mag for $200. I've read of others getting similar bargains.
Griff,
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There is a fine line between hobby & obsession!
AND... I'm over it!!
No I ain't ready, but let's do it anyway!
Re: load press for 357?
I own several reloading presses. A couple LEE's and a couple of the old Lyman 'Spartans'....My very favorite is a LEE 'Classic' I bought from Midway a few years ago.
I will say that the Lee Classic is not the cheapest press on the market...and that the main reason I bought it was that it would take 1 1/4" dies to handle some rather large cartridges. It will also handle the normal size 7/8" dies and I really appreciate it's large throat and long lever. None of those features would be needed for simply making a few .38 Special reloads. However the big LEE press is just so much handier for convenient reloading than smaller presses.
LEE also makes some really inexpensive alloy framed presses for entry level reloading...I really don't recommend those or any of the cheaper aluminum C-style presses. although they will work. Whatever you buy get a cast-iron press...
I will say that the Lee Classic is not the cheapest press on the market...and that the main reason I bought it was that it would take 1 1/4" dies to handle some rather large cartridges. It will also handle the normal size 7/8" dies and I really appreciate it's large throat and long lever. None of those features would be needed for simply making a few .38 Special reloads. However the big LEE press is just so much handier for convenient reloading than smaller presses.
LEE also makes some really inexpensive alloy framed presses for entry level reloading...I really don't recommend those or any of the cheaper aluminum C-style presses. although they will work. Whatever you buy get a cast-iron press...
Re: load press for 357?
I use a Lee Classic Turret Press for pistol and rifle up to .308. I get a separate turret for each caliber that I load, which allows me to setup each die set the way I need it and not have to muck around with adjustments. My dad runs a Lee CT press and loads a ton of .38 and .45 on his. They are a very good value, IMO.
- AJMD429
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Re: load press for 357?
Me too. Inexpensive and reliable. I use their 'Pro' disk-type measure (better than their regular model) and charges are fast and reliable.
I like their factory crimp rifle dies, but for 'pistol' the configuration is different and I don't like those as much - HOWEVER - they will sell the 'pistol-caliber levergun' Factory Crimp dies in "rifle" configuration as well if you special order them, and it is only $5.00 more or so.
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"first do no harm" - gun control LAWS lead to far more deaths than 'easy access' ever could.
Want REAL change? . . . . . "Boortz/Nugent in 2012 . . . ! "
- marlinman93
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Re: load press for 357?
RCBS Jr. would be a great choice, and if you look at local gun shows I see them often for around $25-$30 used.
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Re: load press for 357?
Very happy with my Hornady "lock n load" single stage press.
Rumble.com/ hickock45
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Re: load press for 357?
A grandson in Texas has two Dillons now he still uses his Lee press a lot. I have a C&H C press that I got in 1960. It does all of my loading as good as any on the market, it's old but so am I.
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Re: load press for 357?
We often use our Lee 3 hole turret press, with interchangeable turrets, but I feel the turret could have less slop in it. Were I to do it again, I'd get instead one of their "breech lock" designs. One can fasten a bushing to a die and then quickly insert it to the same depth each time using the interrupted threads on the bushing. I think Hornady has a similar system.
For just .38 and .357, I'd consider Lee's less expensive C frame, but the O frame will be more versatile and perhaps easier to get the cartridge in and out.
For just .38 and .357, I'd consider Lee's less expensive C frame, but the O frame will be more versatile and perhaps easier to get the cartridge in and out.
- AJMD429
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Re: load press for 357?
These used to be the cheapest out there, but are still relatively inexpensive ($26.09 at MidwayUSA.com).
I used one in 44 Mag for many years to load great ammo. https://leeprecision.com/lee-loader-357-mag.html
I would usually load 50 to 100 at time, but sometimes just a cylinder-full. The dipper was just fine for a load of 2400 powder (for the 44 Mag).
I used one in 44 Mag for many years to load great ammo. https://leeprecision.com/lee-loader-357-mag.html
I would usually load 50 to 100 at time, but sometimes just a cylinder-full. The dipper was just fine for a load of 2400 powder (for the 44 Mag).
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Doctors for Sensible Gun Laws
"first do no harm" - gun control LAWS lead to far more deaths than 'easy access' ever could.
Want REAL change? . . . . . "Boortz/Nugent in 2012 . . . ! "
"first do no harm" - gun control LAWS lead to far more deaths than 'easy access' ever could.
Want REAL change? . . . . . "Boortz/Nugent in 2012 . . . ! "
- Sixgun
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Re: load press for 357?
I like that Gunny guy even though he is from N.J....yea....I'll give him a kickback.
How about this...an RCBS JR. press, 38 Spl. dies, 150 empty once fired 38 Spl. brass, Lee loading manual, shellholder, powder funnel, like new RCBS powder measure, loading block and 100 Winchester 140 gr. Jacketed bullets.
This stuff is hardly used....people get into this stuff, drink some beer and smoke some pot and their priorities change.....then the phone calls come to me
I just got in four Mec 600 jr. presses and eight barrels for Remington 870, 1100, and a couple of Browning A-5 Belgium barrels....I love it when guys need play/drug/beer money, 30 sets of dies..(new)......
Anyway, I pass on the savings to my pals here on leverguns but it depends on who you are . I don't do no e-bay stuff or play on other boards....life is too short to spread myself around the globe.
Oh! The price.....press, dies, powder measure, funnel, block, shellholder, manual, brass, bullets, -----$200 shipped...
-----6
This is Miss Apple....price? You ain't got enough money
How about this...an RCBS JR. press, 38 Spl. dies, 150 empty once fired 38 Spl. brass, Lee loading manual, shellholder, powder funnel, like new RCBS powder measure, loading block and 100 Winchester 140 gr. Jacketed bullets.
This stuff is hardly used....people get into this stuff, drink some beer and smoke some pot and their priorities change.....then the phone calls come to me
I just got in four Mec 600 jr. presses and eight barrels for Remington 870, 1100, and a couple of Browning A-5 Belgium barrels....I love it when guys need play/drug/beer money, 30 sets of dies..(new)......
Anyway, I pass on the savings to my pals here on leverguns but it depends on who you are . I don't do no e-bay stuff or play on other boards....life is too short to spread myself around the globe.
Oh! The price.....press, dies, powder measure, funnel, block, shellholder, manual, brass, bullets, -----$200 shipped...
-----6
This is Miss Apple....price? You ain't got enough money
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Re: load press for 357?
The little dog would go better on a fly tying bench. I see a nose in the middle of all that streamer material.
Re: load press for 357?
She looks like a black shih tzu????
An chance I am right!
In any case nice dog!!!
An chance I am right!
In any case nice dog!!!
Re: load press for 357?
Any of the cast iron presses used would be ideal. Unless they've
been abused, they last through tens (maybe hundreds!) of thousands of rounds.
Look around in the want ads in your area. I once got an
entire Lyman Orange Crusher press outfit - powder measure,
scale, press, etc. for about $80. Had been used once.
20+ years later it still works like new.
Don't look askance at a progressive Dillon either if the price is right.
I got my Square Deal that way. It had 4 dies sets, too!
-Stretch
been abused, they last through tens (maybe hundreds!) of thousands of rounds.
Look around in the want ads in your area. I once got an
entire Lyman Orange Crusher press outfit - powder measure,
scale, press, etc. for about $80. Had been used once.
20+ years later it still works like new.
Don't look askance at a progressive Dillon either if the price is right.
I got my Square Deal that way. It had 4 dies sets, too!
-Stretch
Re: load press for 357?
The only thing about buying sight unseen is you can get a press that has been abused or just plain worn out. I got a heavy duty, cast iron C-H press from ebay. Paid $13.00 for it. Sounds nice huh? But when it was delivered, the ram/frame wear was excessive (at full stroke the ram would wobble about 3/16"). I kept it but learned to guide the case into the dies...
Mike
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I've learned how to stand on my own two knees...
Vocatus atque non vocatus, Deus aderit...
I've learned how to stand on my own two knees...
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Re: load press for 357?
I am still using the RCBS Rock Chucker I bought in 1974, I cant tell you how many hundreds of thousands of strokes it's made, I am a very avid shooter. It is still going strong without any detectable wear or loosening up.
You can pick up all sorts of good cast iron presses on fleabay or at yard sales, etc, local internet classifieds are another source. Keep your eyes peeled, there are great bargains to be had.
You can pick up all sorts of good cast iron presses on fleabay or at yard sales, etc, local internet classifieds are another source. Keep your eyes peeled, there are great bargains to be had.
Re: load press for 357?
Thanks for the replies and suggestions folks. Also to sixgun. I actually went and put money down for a Lee classic cast after the first few replies. Its a bit overkill but I can probably load for my brother as well, and a few other folk around me with bigger calibres. Thanks again, great community here!