We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More \u203a<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Determining the best reloading press is harder than you might think. First off, people reload for different reasons and have different expectations. What suits the casual reloader who wants to craft a couple dozen rounds for a deer rifle each year is worlds apart from the needs of the hardcore handgunner who is trying to get in thousands of trigger pulls in the most economical manner possible. Even in the narrower realm of reloading for precision rifle you have divergent goals \u2014 and specialized equipment to match. The way a benchrest shooter reloads is vastly different from how someone like me who shoots ELR and practical field \u201csniper\u201d style matches makes precision rifle ammo.<\/p>\n So, you can understand why the answer to what\u2019s the best reloading press is: It depends. Part of what also determines the best reloading press for someone is their budget and technical savvy, in addition to their specific ammunition requirements.<\/p>\n Units in the Best Reloading Press Test<\/strong><\/p>\n For this test I focused on metallic centerfire reloading for handguns and rifles. We\u2019ll cover the gamut of the best reloading presses for shotgunners at another time. (Though if you want to look at a drool-worthy setup for shotgunning, check out this review of the Dillon SL 900<\/a>.)<\/p>\n To test these presses I, of course, did a bunch of reloading with them. The biggest line of demarcation in this review was between those units I have years (and sometimes decades) of experience with, and those that are new to me.<\/p>\n To keep the test manageable, I limited the number of presses I included. The truth is that there aren\u2019t many reloading presses that flat-out stink. Any press that\u2019s endured for a long time (hello, Rock Chucker<\/a>) you can purchase with a high degree of confidence.<\/p>\n In terms of my specific protocol, I put each press through a gamut of uses. I loaded centerfire rifle cartridges in different classes based on case length. In the \u201cshort\u201d category that included .223 Rem. and 6mm GT<\/a>, for medium-length cartridges I did 6.5 Creedmoor<\/a> and .308 Win., and in the longer category I did 6.5 PRC<\/a>, .300 PRC, and .300 Norma Mag. For handgun ammunition I stuck with loading 9mm.<\/p>\n I resized and decapped brass; primed the brass; seated bullets; and, in some cases, performed extra processes with neck mandrels, expander dies, and the like.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve included both in this roundup, especially since I personally gravitate toward progressive reloading presses for their ability to crank out lots of ammo. That said, if you\u2019re new to the reloading game, a progressive press is not the way to go. Even for experienced reloaders they are complicated and often frustrating.<\/p>\n Among the best advice I got when I started reloading was to keep it simple and just focus on making good ammunition. Don\u2019t worry about volume. Don\u2019t focus on advanced techniques. Simply stick to the basics and craft good ammo. And for that, a single-stage press is your friend. A great resource for someone starting out is this review of the best reloading kits<\/a>.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tSee It<\/a><\/p>\n<\/section>\n If I tried to tell you how many rounds I\u2019ve loaded on my Forster Co-Ax I\u2019d be guessing \u2014 but it is many, many thousands. I\u2019ve run one for nearly two decades and it is my go-to press for resizing precision rifle brass.<\/p>\n At first blush you wouldn\u2019t think this press capable of resizing brass as precisely as it does. There is a fair bit of slop and play in the design. The linkages rattle a bit. The slot that holds the dies induces some wiggle. And in lieu of a traditional shell holder, the press has universal jaws that slide in and pinch the base of the case as it travels up and into the die \u2014 yet another moving part.<\/p>\n But all that slop \u2014 though I hesitate to use that word because it sounds like a negative \u2014 is intentional and helps the press self-align consistently with each stroke of the handle. (In fact, the term Co-Ax refers to the co-axial design of the press and the relationship between how the die is held on one end and how the brass is held on the other.)<\/p>\n When resizing and bumping the shoulders of my 6 GT brass, for instance, about 80 percent of the brass measures the same to the thousandth, while 15 percent might be .001 inches out, plus or minus. The remaining five percent is never more than .002 inches out. That\u2019s great consistency, even for ELR work.<\/p>\n Other single-stage reloading presses are capable of similar consistency, but where the Forster Co-Ax really shines is with its speed.<\/p>\n The shell holder\u2019s pinching jaws grab the rim of the case and center the brass for you meaning you don\u2019t have to guide the case into a narrow slot the way you have to on other presses. Likewise, when you lower the press the jaws let go of the brass making it easy to grab and swap in a new piece. This alone saves many seconds per cycle.<\/p>\n Like many fans of the Forster, I have a bin of brass that needs resizing on one side of the press and an empty receptacle on the other. Once you get into the flow, the decapping and resizing goes quickly.<\/p>\n The mechanical advantage of the press is remarkable too \u2014 and this also contributes to the system\u2019s speed. The stroke to actuate the press is compact but nearly effortless. Even when resizing larger cartridges, like the .300 Win. Mag. or 300 PRC, the Co-Ax doesn\u2019t need to be muscled.<\/p>\n Swapping dies is another area where the Co-Ax is blazing fast. The lock ring on the die \u2014 Forster makes their own \u2014 slips into the slot on the front of the press and is retained by a simple set screw. With a bit of practice, you switch dies in seconds.<\/p>\n Setting up the dies for correct shoulder bump takes a bit of fiddling and experience to get right. Unlike traditional presses you don\u2019t bottom out the Co-Ax on a shell holder to establish a baseline.<\/p>\n Spent primers drop through a tube into a clear plastic jar. The jar is a bit fragile, so you might end up replacing it at some point, and it is the only element of the press I\u2019d consider weak.<\/p>\n The press also primes brass though it is a little awkward and not a function I personally use.<\/p>\n But overall this fabulous machine is fast, precise, intuitive and easy to run, and a great value as a long-term and reliable investment.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tSee It<\/a><\/p>\n<\/section>\n This is another press that\u2019s been a mainstay of my reloading room for decades. As for many reloaders, the Redding T-7<\/a> was the first premium press I purchased. The beauty of this press is its speed and precision. No other mainstream press is its equal in this regard.<\/p>\n The rotating turret on top lets you mount up to seven dies \u2014 enough for two or three different cartridges, or for adding specialized dies to perform specialized operations on your brass.<\/p>\n For instance, I\u2019ll often place a resizing die in one station but remove the expander button from the decapping rod. In the station next to it I\u2019ll place a neck expander die. I\u2019ll resized and decap the brass with one cycle of the press, then rotate the turret to the next die and size the inside of the neck with the next cycle. I can perform both operations in the same time it takes to read this sentence.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n (The reason for doing that is because I\u2019m generally not a fan of pulling the expander ball up through the brass \u2014 it can pull the shoulder up, messing with your shoulder bump and head space. I\u2019d rather use a dedicated carbide expander mandrel to size the inside of the neck on the downstroke, because it offers better control over neck constriction and yields more consistent results.)<\/p>\n That\u2019s just one example of how you can use the T-7. For reloading handgun ammunition the rotating turret lets you resize, prime, and bell the case neck quickly, and then after adding powder the seating and crimping can be done in a split second.<\/p>\n One thing to know about this press is that with any resizing operation you want solid contact between the shell holder and sizing die. It\u2019s critical that you get a good cam-over when you lower the handle to the bottom of the stroke. That\u2019s because the turret head is designed to tilt ever so slightly to get square to the shell holder.<\/p>\n What this means is that to control your shoulder bump you don\u2019t want to back the sizing die off, as is sometimes recommended. Instead, get the appropriate Competiton Shellholder Set<\/a> from Redding to precisely set the shoulder bump.<\/p>\n I haven\u2019t used the press\u2019s automatic priming feature in years. I typically prime my brass with either the Primal Right CPS<\/a>, or the RCBS Automatic Priming Tool<\/a> that I\u2019ve augmented with Holland\u2019s excellent Perfect Primer Seater<\/a> adapter unit. Both those allow for fast priming while controlling primer seating depth. That said, the priming system on the Redding T-7 is more than adequate.<\/p>\n New this year is a tool head that can accommodate Redding\u2019s 1-inch dies, which they just released. I\u2019ve only run a few pieces of brass through my 6.5 PRC die but I like the results I\u2019ve seen so far.<\/p>\n The larger-diameter dies provide more support, and are stronger than, traditional 7\/8-inch dies and therefore should deliver better results. Yet another reason to consider this press.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tSee It<\/a><\/p>\n<\/section>\n How excited were precision rifle nerds for the arrival of the Area 419 Zero press? Imagine an arena full of seventh grade girls when Taylor Swift walks on stage and you\u2019ll get the idea.<\/p>\n The Area 419 Zero is a gorgeous piece of work, both to look at and to operate. It exudes quality and precision, so it is little wonder that it produces excellent results.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve been using one since they were introduced, mostly for crafting ELR competition<\/a> loads. Most of my lever pulls have been with the .300 Norma Mag. and .300 PRC.<\/p>\n Without getting too deep into the weeds, let me say that the Zero Press is the best press I\u2019ve ever used. It is so smooth, gives such great feedback, and is so consistent that I can\u2019t imagine anyone who gets one not being satisfied with the results.<\/p>\n There is one caveat I need to include though. I had issues resizing brass with standard 7\/8-inch dies with the press. When I ran the ram, it would tend to bind up and stick. But for bullet seating, running neck mandrels and other processes it was perfect.<\/p>\n Fortunately, Area 419 has a fix for this. It is their M-Series sizing die, which is part of the Zero Press ecosystem, and is a work of art. It is a 1 1\/4-inch sizing die that has a micrometer adjustment on top to precisely control shoulder bump. (New Zero Presses ship with the 8-station turret that includes four 1 1\/4-inch and four 7\/8-inch die locations. You can also get a nine-station turret for just 7\/8-inch dies.)<\/p>\n The first time I tried the M-Series dies I was blown away. They are so easy to use and work so well that it almost feels like cheating. The lineup of M-Series dies is growing<\/a>, but still somewhat limited. Chances are, however, if the Zero press appeals to you that the cartridges you shoot are on the list.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s the other thing: Like tickets to see T-Swift, buying a Zero press and M-series dies is a spendy proposition. There\u2019s no getting around the fact that it is a significant investment. But if creating precise handloads for your rifle is a priority I doubt you\u2019d regret it.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tSee It<\/a><\/p>\n<\/section>\n Dillon is the foremost producer of progressive presses and has many options in their lineup. The Dillon XL750 is one of their newest presses and replaced their well-known XL650. The machines are similar in many respects, but the XL750 was created in part to address concerns about the XL650\u2019s priming system.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve got both machines and have loaded thousands of rounds of ammunition on my XL650, mostly for precision rifle competitions. Currently, my XL750 is set up for .223 Rem. to make training ammunition for precision rifle.<\/p>\n It does a great job in that capacity. The automatic case feeder, which I highly recommend, is basically bomb proof, and everything else on it works like a charm. Mostly, I\u2019m running new brass through mine, hitting the necks with an expander mandrel to smooth them out. I\u2019m also using the unit to prime the brass, which it does during the forward push on the handle.<\/p>\n You have two routes to follow in terms of dispensing powder. You can either use the included volumetric powder measure or go with a high-speed powder dispenser set up next to the machine, like the RCBS Matchmaster.<\/p>\n The Matchmaster is obviously slower, but more precise, letting you control your powder charges to plus-or-minus a single kernel of powder. The included measure is much faster, not as accurate, but still does a great job helping you craft quality ammunition.<\/p>\n The base price of the XL750 is $739 bucks, but you can trick it out with a lot of add-ons to improve performance. The Casefeeder adds $300 to the unit and is probably the most common (and useful) upgrade. The Powdercheck, for another $100, can be a smart option too, particularly if you\u2019re cranking out handgun ammo.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tSee It<\/a><\/p>\n<\/section>\n The Apex 10 is the entry-level model press in the Mark 7 lineup but make no mistake \u2014 this is not a press for first-time reloaders. This 10-stage progressive press is a powerful and well-designed machine that can keep up with whatever volume of shooting you engage in, but it requires a fair bit of reloading experience to set up and tune.<\/p>\n The happy place for this press is churning out hundreds (or even thousands) of rounds of pistol ammo an hour, but it can be used (as mine is) to make high quality rifle ammunition too.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve got mine set up to make 6.5 Creedmoor ammo, which I shoot by the pallet each year. I\u2019m making rounds with new and once-fired brass and the Apex 10 does a great job with both.<\/p>\n Operating the machine is a pleasure. The Apex 10 is machined like a Swiss watch. Each pull of the handle is smooth and gives great tactile feedback. It also provides plenty of mechanical advantage so that having the press perform a number of operations at once isn\u2019t fatiguing.<\/p>\n The included case feeder works flawlessly and feeds brass to the first station perfectly each time. From there the brass progress as follows: a sizing and decapping die; neck mandrel; primer station; powder measure; bullet seater; and into the bin on the front of the machine where it lands with a satisfying \u201cplop.\u201d At some point I\u2019d like to add an automatic bullet feeder to make it run even faster.\u00a0<\/p>\n When getting mine set up I managed to get a primer stuck under the shell plate. I took the machine apart to clear the mishap, and then contacted their technical support because the shell plate wasn\u2019t indexing quite right afterwards.<\/p>\n The tech I spoke with, Jacen Hinkson, was extraordinarily helpful and patient. He not only helped fix the issue, which was minor, but also gave me great insight into the workings of the machine. Know that part of what you pay for when you purchase a complicated press is the company\u2019s technical support.<\/p>\n The $2,500 base price puts the Apex 10 out of reach for many reloaders \u2014 and depending on how far you want to go accessorizing it the final figure can be double or triple that amount \u2014 but this unit is just a step below a commercial-grade ammunition maker.<\/p>\n For the reloader whose shooting requirements, budget, and desire for quality match up with the Apex 10, it is a terrific choice.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tSee It<\/a><\/p>\n<\/section>\n This basic single-stage press provides a ton of quality for the price. It doesn\u2019t have the bells and whistles associated with progressive- and turret-style presses \u2014 but it doesn\u2019t have their shortcomings either.<\/p>\n This is an ideal press for someone getting into reloading. It will let you build your skills and make some damn fine ammo for your rifle or handgun in the process. And the truth is that no matter how experienced and specialized you get with your reloading, you\u2019ll never regret having a good single-stage press on your bench.<\/p>\n The Summit is as simple as it gets. The iron frame has two cutouts for bolts to mount it to your work surface. The long handle can be screwed into either side of the press for ambidextrous operation. And that\u2019s all there is to getting the Summit up and running, other than attaching the primer catch bin with its two fasteners.<\/p>\n The press works by lowering the die onto the brass. The platform the die screws into slides along the 2-inch diameter steel pillar that forms the backbone of the Summit. This leaves the front of the press wide open, making for a convenient work area.<\/p>\n When fully raised the press has 4.5 inches of clearance so it can accommodate longer cartridges with ease.<\/p>\n The handle that comes with the press is long and provides lots of leverage when resizing. But its length makes it a touch awkward. RCBS sells a shorter handle for $18 that will work better (and be more convenient) when seating bullets, especially in any volume.<\/p>\n The press includes a Zerk fitting (a grease nipple) that allows you to keep it properly lubricated for years of use.<\/p>\nHow I Tested the Best Reloading Presses<\/h2>\n
Single-Stage Versus Progressive Reloading Presses<\/h2>\n
Best Reloading Presses: Reviews & Recommendations<\/h2>\n
Best for High-Volume Precision: Forster Co-Ax<\/a><\/h3>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\nKey Features<\/h4>\n
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Most Versatile: Redding T-7 Turret<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/T7-4.jpeg\")
\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\nKey Features<\/h4>\n
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Best High-End Reloading Press: Area 419 Zero<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Area-419-Zero.jpeg\")
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Best for High Volume Reloading (tie): Dillon XL750<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Dillon-XL.jpg\")
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Best for High Volume Reloading (tie): Mark 7 Apex 10<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Best](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Mark-7-Apex-10.jpeg\")
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Mark-7-Apex-10-Detail.jpeg?w=1500\")
Best Reloading Press On a Budget: RCBS Summit<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/RCBS-Summit.jpeg\")
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/RCBS-Summit-Detail.jpeg?w=1500\")
Best Budget Co-Axial Press: Frankford Arsenal M-Press Coaxial<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Frank-M-Press.jpeg\")
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Frank-M-Press-Detail.jpeg?w=1500\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Two-Co-Ax-Presses.jpeg?w=1500\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/T7-Detail.jpeg?w=2000\")