Installing Your New Reloading Press
How do you mount a reloading press? What’s the best way to set up a press? Any tips setting up a specific press, like the RCBS Rock Chucker? If you have these questions, read on to learn how to set up and securely mount your press.
From choosing the right location on your bench to using the right hardware, we’ll cover everything you need to get reloading.
Reloading Press Overview
The reloading press is the foundation of the reloading process. This piece of equipment is critical for reloading and is a multi-purpose item. It is mainly used for sizing cases, decapping spent cases, expanding cases and bullet seating, but can also be used for priming, powder dispensing, checking your powder charge with a die, lubing your case with a die, or feeding a bullet.
The first step of mounting a press is selecting the right press to fit your reloading needs. Then, installation and placement is critical to ensure a safe and enjoyable reloading experience.
From choosing the right location on your bench to using the right hardware, we’ll cover everything you need to get reloading.
RCBS Press Line Up
Single Stage: Partner Press, Summit Press, Ammomaster-2 and Rock Chucker Supreme
Turret: RCBS Turret Press
Progressive: Pro Chucker 7
For an in-depth review of each press, the different styles of reloading press, and tips on choosing the right fit for your reloading process, check out this article.
Things to Consider
Workbench/Reloading Bench
You will need a bench that is solid, stable and durable. Resizing cartridge cases is a critical step in the reloading process and one which will require the most load applied to the press handle. Since sizing requires a significant amount of force to be applied to the Press Handle, approximately 50-70 lbs., it will require a bench durable enough to handle this type of loading. In most cases, presses are mounted towards the edge of the bench, as shown below, and the end of the press handle, when being used, will extend out approximately 12-20”, depending on which press is being used, from edge of bench at its furthest point, so allowing for adequate clearance is necessary.
Bench Height
When reloading if you prefer to sit or stand, or do both, determine the correct bench height needed. Having an adjustable bench is a nice feature, but you can find the optimal bench height that will allow you to sit or stand during reloading. Keep in mind when the handle of the press is in its lowest position will be approximately 12-17” below the press mounting surface.
If using a Summit Press the long handle will be approximately 4.5” below the press mounting surface and if using the short handle, it will be approximately 1.25” above press mounting surface at its lowest point.
Preferred bench height, if mounting press directly to bench top and not using a Press Riser Stand, is 36-40” and using an adjustable chair our barstool that is approximately 26-28” tall, will allow for comfortable reloading while sitting. If using a press riser, this height would need to increase of course, but it really comes down to a handloader’s preference and comfort.
Bench Top
Should be no less than 1” in thickness, ideally bench top is 1.25” thick or more. You can find a good hardwood butcher block top that is 1.5” thick at your local home improvement center, or look for a dedicated workbench with a countertop at least this thick.
Bench Base
Solid base design that won’t flex or move during use is ideal. Any Heavy-Duty workbench offered at your favorite home improvement or hardware store will be more than adequate for reloading.
Installing Reloading Press to Bench
Preference is to mount the Press, especially if used for sizing on the ends of the bench or near the end of the bench, where the legs are, as this is where the bench has more structural integrity and rigidity. Again, this is user preference as anywhere on the bench, pictured, is acceptable.
If your bench has some movement during case sizing, consider weighing it down or brace the bench with a sandbag or similar heavy object. You could also bolt your bench into the wall or floor. Whatever method, keep your bench rock solid.
Mounting Options
All presses can be mounted directly to the workbench; however, if the workbench is multi-purpose and is intended to be used for jobs other than reloading, the RCBS Accessory Base Plate-3 is a nice option. The Accessory Base Plate is permanently mounted to the workbench, using four woodscrews. This allows the Reloader to mount the press, as well as other RCBS products, directly to the Base Plate during the reloading session. When reloading session is complete the Press and/or other product can be removed, to clear workbench for other projects.
Mounting Hardware
All RCBS Single Stage and Progressive presses can be secured to a bench top using 3/8-16 Bolts, the bolt should be long enough to pass through the press and completely through the mounting surface or bench top and support a 3/8” Washer on top, between the bolt head and the press casting and on the bottom between the bottom of mounting surface and a 3/8-16 Nut. The Partner Press is secured in the same manner; however, ¼-20 Bolts and Nuts will be used, along with ¼” washers. The Ammomaster, Pro Chucker Press and Partner Press require three sets of mounting hardware, while the Rock Chucker Supreme Press, Summit Press and Turret press require two sets of mounting hardware.
Mounting hardware is not included with any of the presses – since RCBS has no way of knowing the thickness of your mounting surface. However, if using the Accessory Base Plate-3, all mounting hardware is included.
Press Function
After mounting your press, make sure there is adequate clearance and that the Press handle can rotate through the entire range of motion without obstruction. The main reason for an obstruction is if the press is not positioned to the edge of the workbench and the handle will contact the edge of the bench, thus not allowing the Ram or Die Plate (Summit Press) to operate through its full range of motion. If this occurs, simply move the press out towards the edge of the bench ensuring the handle will rotate through full range of motion without any obstruction.
Press Set Up
Once you have successfully mounted your RCBS press to the Reloading Bench, follow the product instructions included with each press to complete the necessary set up.
When starting the reloading process refer to the Die Instructions, that come with each Die Set, for proper set up and die use.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right Reloading Bench is key to having a safe, successful and efficient reloading experience. As mentioned previously, most home improvement centers or hardware stores offer heavy duty workbenches that are more than sufficient to be used for reloading. There are lower cost light duty benches out there that can be used, but modifications would be necessary to prevent damage to these lesser workbenches. Custom benches can also be fabricated but strongly recommend following the guidelines previously mentioned to ensure your custom bench will support the loading that it will undergo.
Invest in the right workbench, configure the bench which best suits your reloading process, and let precision guide your handloading success.
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