Reloading your gun is a long and arduous process, but a reloading press can do most of the steps necessary to take on your behalf. In this review, we will take a look at ten professional reloading presses from companies such as Lee Precision, Hornady, and Dillon. We will explain how they work well as well as what they have that needs improvement.
Best Reloading Press – Comparison
| IMAGE | NAME | FEATURES | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Hornady 095100 Lock-N-Load |
| Check Price |
 | LEE PRECISION Classic |
| Check Price |
 | RCBS 9356 Rock Chucker |
| Check Price |
10 Best Reloading Press – Reviews
1. Hornady 095100 Lock-N-Load Reloading Press
Hornady has two reloading presses. This one is great for novices, but that is not to say that this is an entry-level reloader. The construction is sturdy and make of high-grade steel, making it a machine that can last a long time. The EZ Ject system is one of the main features from the Lock-N-Load. In any time span, you get more rounds created for your guns. It is designed to effortlessly remove each loaded cartridge without having to do any effort on your end.
The brushing system have five stations, meaning that you can use the right equipment with every stage of the reloading process. In less than five minutes, you can switch from 223 to 45. You can replace cartridges in no time, and you will soon realize that replacing dyes is also easier with the Lock-N-Load.
The case activated powder drop is another useful feature of the Lock-N-Load. This ensures that your reloads are safe, secure and accurate. That this feature does to make sure that the case has already been filled so that it does not get filled more than once. The activated powder drop will also ensure a clean reloading job with little to no mess.
But as you may know, good things cost good money. This is a costly reloading press, and while it does offer a lot of great features, the price tag might make it hard for consumers to take the plunge.
- Loading is made easier.
- Little to no mess made.
- Comes with five stations.
- Is built to last.
- Might be too expensive.
2. LEE PRECISION Classic Turret Press
For a more economical option, Lee’s first reloading press is simple, but it can get the job done just fine. This is made with sturdy construction from solid cast iron.
This reloading press is great for beginners and can teach them well at how to load and create bullets manually. While it requires more effort, you can earn the satisfaction of watching the productivity as it unfolds. Veterans and newcomers alike find this reloading press to be satisfying.
This is a highly versatile reloading press, and it will be comfortable to use, as well. The ball grip is ergonomically built and can be used by right or left-handed people.
As for what changes we would make with this reloading press? The ram is very stiff, and the process is not a very smooth one at that. You can hear it grind as it gets to work, and it is not a pleasant noise to hear.
- Can work with any shell casing.
- Is built to last.
- Is affordable.
- Has a comfortable handle.
- Great for beginners.
- Is very noisy.
3. RCBS 9356 Rock Chucker Supreme Press
RCBS provides a reloading press that is also great for people who are starting out with reloading firearms. This press is made of high quality steel that is made to last you for years. This is ideal for ammunition used for game hunting.
Previous versions of the Rock Chucker Supreme would only allow short, stubby bullets to be made, like shotgun shells. But not the press has been made taller so that longer cartridges can be put together with ease.
The Rock Chucker Supreme is also an upgradable press, that can be converted into a progressive loader with additions such as the RCBS Piggyback 4. On its own, however, it can work just as well and users can easily get used to operating it with flying colors.
This is a press that is easy to assemble and mount to your tabletop or workbench. Setting up it is a breeze, and you can be loading your firearm within mere minutes.
The handle is also a ball bearing that is made of steel. While it may seem uncomfortable, this is a very pleasant handle to use. Right, and left-handed users can operate this reloading press with ease.
The problem with this reloading press is that it makes quite a mess on your workbench. The primer catcher is made to catch used primers, and so far, the one on the Rock Chucker Supreme has yet to do a decent job at that.
- Can work with any shell casing.
- Is built to last.
- Is easy to set up.
- Has a comfortable handle.
- Great for beginners.
- Is messy to use.
4. LEE PRECISION 9-mm Pro 1000 Luger (Multi)
Lee Precision present us with two different reloading presses, the first being the Pro 1000 Luger. This product is proudly made in the USA. This is considered a progressive reloading press that is capable of more than just single stage reloading presses, although it can take some practice in order to use efficiently.
The Pro 1000 Luger is very safe to use, and will only feed primers and powders when there is a case present. You can also set the reloading press to load just one case at a time so that you can reload at your very own pace.
This press is easy to set up and clamps to a workbench or a table with a lip with no fuss involved. The frame is made of cast aluminum, polymer, and steel.
This reloading press comes with a limited-time manufacturer’s warranty. If this product were to break down on its own within the first two years of ownership, you can be eligible for a free replacement.
The problem with this reloading press from Lee Precision is that at times, this press can also fail to prime properly, leaving a bunch of powder on your table. This is somewhat messy to clean, and having to take care of it on your own might be time-consuming. Another thing to keep in mind is that this press can only accept three-holed turrets, giving you limitations right out of the box.
- Is easy to set up.
- Is made in the USA.
- Is built to last.
- Harder to use.
- Is messy to use.
- Only accepts three-holed turrets.
5. Lyman 7040781 Reloading Press T-Mag Turret
The next reloading press is brought to you by Lyman. They have a nifty press that is strong and stable, made of high-iron and coated with silver powder. After years of use, do not expect any rust to appear. This reloading press also comes with an ambidextrous handle, making it easy to operate no matter which hand of yours that you use. It can be assembled on either side of the reloading press.
No grand modifications are necessary if you are looking to change bullets of different calibers. You can use this to load any bullets into their respective firearms. The type of guns that work best with this press, however, are pistols and handguns.
This reloading press also has a six-station turret head. This means that you can make more bullets in the same amount of time as the typical reloading press. As you work on the ammo, the turret will manage to hold different forms of the die. The turrets are easily interchangeable, as well.
Furthermore, this press is easy to mount on top of a workbench, with operations being as stable and smooth as possible, thanks to its compound leverage. This press definitely feels like a professional machine that expert gun owners would use.
While it does accept the crafting of various types of ammunition, you will find a degree of difficulty in loading a rifle or a long gun with this reloading press. With all the parts that are moving, you will need to find a way for the rifle bullets to still be crafted while just loading them into their chamber or cartridge manually.
- Is built to last.
- Can work with any shell casing.
- Is very stable.
- Comes with six stations.
- Harder working with rifles.
6. Hornady 085001 Lock-N-Load Classic
The second reloading press from Hornady is the Lock-N-Load Classic. The Classic is a nice reloading press for beginners, as well as veteran reloaders that want to be in total control over the whole process of making their own ammunition.
You get easy access to the cartridge, all thanks to the solid cast frame with unique angling. With better access to your cartridges, you get better visibility, reliability, and accuracy.
The Classic features a quick-change bushing system that aligns the die and shell holder perfectly so that you know every bullet you craft is no laughing matter. Creating and crafting bullets have never been simpler and easier. Loading the primer is also easy with the Classic. The self-aligning primer arm makes it so that you can prime without having to make several key adjustments to the reloading press, first.
Replacing the die is also easy, and you can do so to easily work on other types of ammo from other guns that you might own or sell. With this in mind, this makes the Classic a very versatile reloading press.
While dies and primers tend to become included with these reloading press, this one comes with neither. If you are looking to use this reloading press right out of the box, you will be in for a surprise and will have to supply or buy your own primers and dies.
- Easy to switch primers and dies.
- Loading bullets are fail-proof.
- Has a comfortable handle.
- Great for beginners.
- Does not include primers or dies.
7. RCBS Summit Single Stage Reloading Press
RCBS’ second reloading press looks rather simple but professionally made. You are guaranteed to made quality ammunition from your first attempt to your one-thousandth. This is another reloading press that is made in the United States.
This reloading press sports a cast-iron frame, in addition to a two-inch ram, making the press as a whole especially stable and secure. While it looks rather simple, it will be very capable of supporting a lot of weight as you operate it. Furthermore, all standard dies will be able to work without any problems.
The handle is a comfortable and ambidextrous one, with a ball bearing at the end. Like the other handled presses, this one can be for left or right-handed users. With the way that it is crafted, you can continue to make ammo for long periods of time without stopping.
Unlike other bench presses that clamp the lip of the table or workbench, this press is to be mounted right on top, so that it never has a chance of moving or coming undone. This can be considered a portable reloading press, and you can mount it to a strong board in order to get the best of both worlds.
The problem with this reloading press is that the handle is brittle. While it does encourage you to keep operating, you can make short work of the handle if you do not be careful with what you are doing. You can install a stronger handle, sure, but you would expect the handle that it comes with to be enough for the job.
- Is built to last.
- Can work with any shell casing.
- Is very stable.
- Is considered portable.
- Is made in the USA.
- Can be used in rapid succession.
- The handle is brittle.
8. LEE PRECISION Shotshell Reloading Press
The final reloading press from Lee Precision is known as the Load For All II. It has an old-fashioned, retro look to it, but many experts claim that it works really well. The Load For All II comes in 12, 16 and 20-gauge versions. This one is the 20-gauge version.
This is a fairly easy to use reloading press that can be used by both gun novices and veterans. It is specifically designed for people who like to make their ammo rather casually and not get technical with lots of details. It is still very effective with what it does.
The Load For All II can make up to two hundred shells in an hour, which is very impressive. You can use this machine to make and sell your own ammunition if you run a gun store.
While it’s not technically a portable machine, the Free For All II weighs just two pounds and can be easily carried from one place to the next without any problem. You’d come to expect that an effective reloading press would be heavy, but that is definitely not the case, here.
Furthermore, this is an affordable reloader. It might not have a killer feature to really draw you in, but what it does, it does very well.
The one flaw that this reloading press has, however, is that it is made of plastic. Yes, the reason why it is so light is that it skips bulk metal entirely so that they can use cheaper materials. With that in mind, this is not a sturdy looking reloading press.
- Great for beginners.
- Is affordable.
- Is lightweight.
- Can be used in rapid succession.
- Is of questionable quality.
9. Dillon Precision 16944 XL 650 9mm Progressive
The next reloading press is brought to us by Dillon. This is a very complex machine, and you really need to know what you are doing in order to operate it. However, it excels most of the other reloading presses by far in this review.
Dillon’s reloading press works like a factory machine, it can feed bullet automatically and comes with a motor so that it can create ammo all on its own. It can create in between 500 to 800 rounds in an hour.
This reloading press has five different stations: Depriming, powder drop, powder check, seating and crimping. You know that all of your bullets will be made with little to no mistakes.
. When you buy it, you will get a warranty that stays in effect until you no longer own it. This is sort of a bold move to make as a business, but one that is still a great thing to have for a consumer, nonetheless.
The asking price for Dillon’s first reloading press is a pretty penny. If your budget is not that big, it is understandable if you are not willing to take the plunge and get this reloading press, if it is not the one that you need the most. Furthermore, there are other pieces of equipment that you need for great results and a safe operation, such as dies, a strong mount, a wrench holder and a roller handle.
- Can make bullets automatically.
- Loading bullets are fail-proof.
- Little to no mess made.
- Comes with five stations.
- Is built to last.
- Can be used in rapid succession.
- Costs a lot of money.
- Requires extra parts.
- Not for beginners.
10. Dillon Square Deal B Reloading Press
The last reloading press that we will be reviewing is very similar to the previous press from Dillon. It is also very complex and ideal for passionate and productive ammunition makers. This too is an expensive freeloading press, but slightly more affordable than the 16944 XL.
This reloading press has four different stations: Depriming, powder drop, seating, and crimping. The powder check station is not present.
This reloading press is capable of creating around 300 to 500 rounds in an hour. It is not as efficient and productive as the other Dillon reloading press, but it is still capable of creating ammunition automatically.
The Deal B also features a “no BS” a warranty. If the reloading press were to break down after years and years of use, that is one thing that the warranty does not cover.
The problem with this reloading press is that it can only create ammunition for handguns and pistols. If you are looking to make rifle bullets with this product, you will be disappointed because it cannot do that. On the bright side, you have not required any additional parts, though you can also include a mount and a tray, sold separately.
- Can make bullets automatically.
- Is built to last.
- Loading bullets are fail-proof.
- Can be used in rapid succession.
- Costs a lot of money.
Final Verdict:
The best reloading drill press for you to buy is none other than the Dillon Square Deal B Reloading Press. If you want a good, professional reloading press that is at a price that is not too far out of your reach, you will not find one better than this one made by Dillon.
Because this is an automatic press, bullets can be made on its own without the assistance of a human being. Plus, these bullets are made at a very swift rate, making for a lot of work done in very little time. While this press only accepts bullets for small firearms such as handguns, handguns are the most popular type of gun that Americans own. Buy the Dillon Square Deal B Reloading Press and spare yourself the time and effort in making bullets.
