There are many different types of presses on the market today, and many different options to choose from. In this guide, we’ll take a look at the best progressive reloading presses and explain what you need to look out for in a good progressive reloading press.
At A Glance: Our Top 5 Best Reloading Presses Of [current_date format=Y]
The right press can help you save money on ammunition and with practice can help your whole shooting experience. Whether you’re just starting out or you’re a more seasoned shooter, progressive reloading presses have something for everyone.
With this in mind, let’s take a look at some of the different progressive reloading presses available and what you need to look for if you’re looking to make a purchase.
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What Is The Best Progressive Reloading Press?
The top-performing progressive reloading press is the LEE PRECISION Classic Turret Press Kit. Not only does this package contain just the turret press, but also all the accessories you need to get started with reloading. Lee is a very reputable company, so you’re in safe hands if you decide to go with this press.
This particular press is suitable for beginners, and it comes with a full instruction manual to get you started on how to set up and use the press. If you’re experienced with reloading, then this press is simple to set up, and you can get using it in no time at all.
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[amazon link=”B07ZWNSL7G” title =”LEE PRECISION Classic Turret Press”]
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The Lee Precision Classic Turret Press can operate at near progressive speed. The turret allows you to switch cartridges in seconds and in experienced hands can reload up to 250 turret rounds in an hour, and the turret features solid steel linkage.
This turret is great if you shoot a lot of rounds, and manual reloading not only saves you money on buying bullets but gives you the chance to customize your bullets; however you want to use them.
The press has four holes available for each process that the bullets have to go through. The first step in the turret press is to resize the case, the next step is to put into the new primers, and this turret press can use both small and large primers, depending on the type of ammo you’re using.
[amazon box=”B07ZWNSL7G”]The third and most critical step is adding the gunpowder; you should make sure when using the press that you’re using the right amount of gunpowder to go with the type of bullet you’re using. The final step is to place your projectile onto its seat, and you’ll want to make sure it fits well when doing this. On the press, you’ll find that the base is very strong as it’s made from solid cast iron.
The lever on the turret press is made from hardwood, and it feels comfortable in your hand when you pull it down. The whole process of using the turret press is very smooth. It’s one of the best turret presses for beginners as it’s easy to set up, so if you’re looking to use a turret press for the first time, then the Lee Precision Classic Turret Press is a great place to start.
Lee has included die sets and cartridges with the press, so you have everything you need to get started included with the press.
Pros and Cons of Lee Reloading Press
✔ The turret press is easy to use and comes with a complete manual
✔ Made from high-quality materials so it’s built to last
✔ When you’re comfortable with the press you can reload a lot of turret rounds at a fast pace
✔ The base is made from solid cast iron
✗ The round wooden ball on the lever is not very comfortable after producing a lot of rounds
✗ The base can sometimes come loose if not screwed in properly
[amazon link=”B000PD01NS” title =”The Best Value Progressive Reload Press: Hornady 095100″]
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If you’re looking for an auto-progressive reloading system for quickly switching dies and loading other calibers, then the Hornady 09100 Lock-N-Load could be for you. The Hornady is a five-station reloading press that gives one loaded round with each pull of the handle.
The first step in the press will resize the case and eject the spent primer if you have one in there, the next step is to push forward on the handle when you’re at the priming station to seat the primer.
[amazon box=”B000PD01NS”]After the primer is seated, you can pull back on the handle, and the gunpowder will come through. The fourth step is where the powder kop is used, and you’ll have to attach a bullet to the case, and the bullet is seated. There is an extra station on the press, but this doesn’t do anything.
The EZject system then kicks the case right out into the tray/hopper that you’re using. It’s a very simple process which makes the Hornady reloading press very easy and efficient to use. Once you’ve got the hang of it, you can really push out bullets very quickly. It’s also very easy to change your dies so you can change them if necessary.
Hornady includes a large hopper with the press, so you don’t need to worry about purchasing one separately. The machine is very reliable; the priming system is easy to use and more reliable than other turret presses.
Overall, it’s a press that comes highly recommended, and as long as you take care of it, it will last for years to come.
Pros and Cons of Hornady Reloading PRess
✔ The press is easy to set up and use
✔ Gives consistent high-quality results
✔ Made from high-quality equipment
✗ No dies included with the Hornady
✗ A little bit more expensive than some of the other presses on the market
✗ May not be suitable for beginners
[amazon link=”B008M5TSCG” title =”The Top Performer: LEE PRECISION Classic Kit”]
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If you’re a beginner and looking for an easy way to get into reloading, then buying a complete kit is a great way to go. The Lee Precision Classic Turret Press Kit includes everything you need to get started in your reloading adventure.
Alongside the turret press, in this pack, you’ll find a multitude of different accessories, the first one to look out for is the Lee safety scale. This scale will allow you to measure how much gun-powder you want to use.
[amazon box=”B008M5TSCG”]Getting the right amount of powder can be crucial, so take care when using the scale. Inside the kit, you’ll also find some case prep tools, which include a case cutter, a lock stud for the trimmer, and a primer pocket cleaner.
Also included is a tube of Lee case sizing lube and last but not least a copy of the Modern Reloading Second Edition, which contains data covering 167 cartridges with over 28,000 loads. Of course, the classic turret press is included, and there are full instruction manuals to help you with set up.
Overall, the Lee Precision Classic Turret Press Kit has everything you need if you’re looking to get started with reloading.
Lee produces high-quality equipment and is a reputable brand. If you decide to invest in a piece of their equipment, you can be sure that it’s built to last, and this is important if you’re going to be spending money on something new or getting into a new hobby.
Pros and Cons
✔ Plenty of accessories included with the kit to get you started with reloading
✔ A full copy of the Modern Reloading Second Edition is included which has a lot of information about reloading
✔ Lee is a very reputable company meaning the kit is well made and of high-quality
✗ The scale is very manual to use and it can be easy to make a mistake, so an electric scale might be a better option
✗ You may need to research how to use all parts of the kit to make sure you’re comfortable using the press
[amazon link=”B000N8LJ22″ title =”The Budget Option: RCBS 9356 Rock Chucker”]
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The best budget progressive reload press we looked at is the RCBS 9356 Rock Chucker Supreme Press. The press features a durable cast iron cast construction, which gives it outstanding strength and versatility.
The ambidextrous O-Frame design makes the rock chucker easy to use. The press is fitted with a 4.25-inch loading window, which accounts for the longer cartridges, which makes reloading more efficient.
The handle on the press is of a good size; it feels comfortable and moves in a smooth motion. You also have a selection over which die’s you can use as the press can hold more than one die.
[amazon box=”B000N8LJ22″]The priming arm is set up in a simple manner and can be changed to fit on the left or right-hand side, depending on your preference. It’s set up just as you’d find on any single stage press, it comes with large and small priming cups, and these are easy to change out on your own. At the bottom of the arm, you’ll find an indexing nut that can be used to tighten the arm on the press.
The press itself is very easy to use. RCBS has done a great job of not over complicating this press, which makes it very user friendly and suitable for beginner use.
Pros and Cons
✔ Strength and versatility
✔ Extremely smooth operation
✔ Ambidextrous design
✔ American made
✔ Price
✗ Depriming setup
✗ RCBS only includes one primer arm assembly
[amazon link=”B00T9YKW60″ title =”RCBS 9354 RC Supreme Master Kit”]
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The RCBS 9354 RC Supreme Master Kit comes with everything you need to get started with reloading. As well as the press, the kit comes with an M500 mechanical scale, a hand priming tool, a uniflow powder measure, a universal case load block, a .17-60 debur tool, a hex key set, a case lube kit, and a powder funnel.
When you first open the kit, you’ll find the loading block, which is where you’ll be able to put your shells, and the block can hold numerous different sizes. Also included with the kit is the Nosler reloading manual, which contains everything you need to know about reloading. You’ll also find an instruction manual included, which contains information on how to set up the press.
[amazon box=”B00T9YKW60″]There’s a lot in this pack, so really you should consider buying it if you’re sure that you’ll be using each piece of equipment. It’s great that there is a lot included as it means your getting good value for money, but if you’re new to reloading, then it may take some to get used to how every piece of the kit works.
When you’re comfortable using the kit, then it really does have everything you need, and it’s much more cost-effective to buy a complete kit than purchase all the parts individually. The kit is quite heavy with all that is included, so be careful when moving it around and make sure you do so safely. The kit also comes with a lifetime warranty, so you’re secure should anything happen to the kit.
Pros and Cons
✔ Lifetime warranty included with the kit
✔ Lot’s of equipment included with the kit
✔ The kit includes everything you need to get started with reloading
✔ A kit is a cost-effective way of getting all the equipment needed for reloading
✗ The scale is a little touchy and an electric scale may be easier to use
✗ The Nosler manual included doesn’t contain much information on pistol loads
What to Look for in a Progressive Reload Press?
One of the first things you want to look out for is the quality of the materials that have been used to build the progressive reloading press. Progressive reload presses due to their expense are usually made from high-quality materials.
Take a look at the material of the base on the reloading press; if it’s made from solid steel or cast iron, then you’ll know that the base is built to last and is durable.
You’ll also want to make sure that the handle on your press is easy to hold and comfortable in your hand, if you’re going to be pulling a handle hundreds of times, then you need it to be comfortable. If the handle is uncomfortable, then you’ll soon grow frustrated with using the press, and the whole process will be unenjoyable.
Kits and Accessories
Another thing to consider is how experienced you are with reloading as a whole. You may have never used a press before, or you may have used a single press. If you’re starting out then, it may be worth considering buying a kit as these contain everything you need to get started with reloading.
This is particularly true if you’re going to need to get used to all of the different parts that come with a kit. Both of the kits we reviewed come with extensive setup guides so you can get accustomed to how they work.
In the long run, it’s far more cost-effective to buy a kit than it is to buy a press individually and then buy the accessories separately, so consider this when you’re making a purchase.
How to Maintain a Progressive Reloading Press
Reloading presses, in general, are built to last, but that doesn’t mean maintenance and care aren’t important. One of the first steps you can take is to make sure the ram is lubed sufficiently.
Most reloading presses come with a tube of lube, so look out for this when you’re deciding which press to go for. Wiping lubricant on the ram and the links and pivots will help to make the whole process of using the press smoother.
Lubricant will also help to stop any dirt or crud from building up in the press; this helps to keep it running smoothly and ensures the press doesn’t become damaged. Make sure you keep an eye on how well your press is feeding primers.
It might be that you need to disassemble the priming system for every couple of thousands of rounds you put through it. By cleaning it, clearing any dust, and keeping it lubricated. By doing this, the priming system will remain in working order.
Alongside the priming system, make sure to keep an eye on the trough or plate that the shells move in and be sure to keep it clear. If you follow these steps, then your reloading press will remain in great shape.
Who Makes the Best Progressive Reloading Presses?
When you begin to look into the market for progressive reloading presses, you’ll soon discover that a few companies dominate the market.
Lee, Hornady, and RCBS are leading brands of reloading presses. Each of these brands has been around for many years, and have displayed their quality by producing top-rated products.
Progressive reloading presses, when made from quality materials, will last for a long time, and purchasing a reloading press should be viewed as an investment, so take your time before deciding which press is best for you.
The Final Round-Up
Deciding which progressive reloading press is best for you is an individual decision to make. This guide should hae given you some insight into the best ones available on the market today, but to decide on which progressive reloading press is best for you will depend on your budget and level of experience with reloading.
If you’re looking for a good place to start then consider picking up the LEE PRECISION Classic Turret Press Kit, it has everything you need to get started with reloading but is also suitable for the experienced shooter.
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