Used reloading press worth it?

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Used reloading press worth it?

Post by Carter » 25 Sep 2013, 1:39 pm

I'm looking to get into reloading and like the title suggests, I'm wondering if a used reloading press is worth getting?

I'd just been looking at a regular single stage press setup, nothing fancy.

There's no shortage of used presses on ebay where I can save myself about $150 it or so on a reloading press (a few hundred if I got a whole kit).

Am I likely to encounter and problem buying this second hand? Either with a press only or with a kit?

I guess a press is pretty robust and should be all good even if it's second hand?

Cheers.
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Re: Used reloading press worth it?

Post by Norton » 25 Sep 2013, 2:52 pm

Carter wrote:I guess a press is pretty robust and should be all good even if it's second hand?


Yes, a single stage press is pretty hardy. I think you'd be right buying from someone who has a good rep rating.

As long as working the press is smooth and tight you shouldn't have a problem.
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Re: Used reloading press worth it?

Post by ebr love » 25 Sep 2013, 2:57 pm

mmm, you can buy a whole reloading kit for $500 (without a trimmer)

It will last you a life time, personally I'd buy a new one if it's only a matter of saving $200 or so?
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Re: Used reloading press worth it?

Post by Igoe » 26 Sep 2013, 6:39 am

ebr love wrote:It will last you a life time, personally I'd buy a new one if it's only a matter of saving $200 or so?

I agree. I bought the RCBS Rockchucker kit for about $500, and love it. But there are kits from other manufacturers for $200-250 brand new that will have everything you need to get started except dies.
Why would you bother with secondhand?

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Re: Used reloading press worth it?

Post by Lorgar » 26 Sep 2013, 7:29 am

Igoe wrote:I bought the RCBS Rockchucker kit for about $500, and love it.
...
Why would you bother with secondhand?


I've got the same. Personally, I wouldn't bother with second hand either.
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Re: Used reloading press worth it?

Post by SendIt » 26 Sep 2013, 8:56 pm

To save $200 or so compared to a new kit? I say no.
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Re: Used reloading press worth it?

Post by Igoe » 27 Sep 2013, 8:01 am

Abela's had a sale a while back on Smart Reloader O-frame presses for $45. I got one to set up as a dedicated press for decapping (universal decapping die) and for bullet pulling. It has its own version of the quick change Hornady Lock-n-Load die bushings. They have the complete kit for just over $250.
The quality is a long way from my Rockchucker, but for a cheap way to get started, it is alright. Doubt anyone could tell the difference in the ammo it would produce.

Or you could get a brand new Lee kit for not much more than $200.

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Re: Used reloading press worth it?

Post by Aster » 27 Sep 2013, 9:10 am

Igoe wrote:Doubt anyone could tell the difference in the ammo it would produce.


Waiting for comments from the snobby F-Class crowd for this, lol.
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Re: Used reloading press worth it?

Post by Warrigul » 27 Sep 2013, 11:08 am

Aster wrote:
Igoe wrote:Doubt anyone could tell the difference in the ammo it would produce.


Waiting for comments from the snobby F-Class crowd for this, lol.


True I am only loading .223 and .308 for target wortk not any of the fancy calibres but my LEE anniversary press kit , dies and winchester cases have dusted off more than one redding/forster/lapua brass user in the past...

But some still keep saying LEE are rubbish??
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Re: Used reloading press worth it?

Post by SendIt » 27 Sep 2013, 12:35 pm

Warrigul wrote:True I am only loading .223 and .308 for target wortk not any of the fancy calibres but my LEE anniversary press kit , dies and winchester cases have dusted off more than one redding/forster/lapua brass user in the past...

But some still keep saying LEE are rubbish??


Tonnes of people are using Lee hardware with good results. If it's working for you, don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
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Re: Used reloading press worth it?

Post by Blackened » 27 Sep 2013, 12:40 pm

Warrigul wrote:But some still keep saying LEE are rubbish?


People will always have their opinions on different brands, well-founded or otherwise...

Some love Lee, hate RCBS.
Love RCBS, hate Redding.
Love Redding, hate Lee.
And round and round it goes...

SendIt is on the money. If what you're using ain't broke, don't fix it.
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