Single Stage Reloading Press

The single stage reloading press is perhaps the simplest means with which to assemble ammunition. It is also one of the slowest, most precise, and depending on the brand the most inexpensive press types. A single stage reloading press holds one die in the top of the press body, and uses a ram to raise and lower the cartridges into the die. This style of press usually accepts the standard 7/8” x 14 dies, however, several presses are made to accept the larger dies used with monster cartridges like the 50 BMG.

Single stage reloading presses perform only one function at a time, hence the name. They only hold one die and therefore it is most convenient to reload in batches of 20-50 cartridges doing one step in the reloading process to all the cartridges, then moving on to the next step. It is the inherent slowness, combined with the rock solid build, and the lack of moving parts, that allows these presses to produce some of the most precise ammunition possible.

The basic parts to a single stage reloading press are essentially the same across the board. The parts include:

1. Press Frame

The press frame is the main body of the press. It can be either a “C” shape or an “O” shape. The "C" shape frames, unless found in a very well built press, is weaker than an "O" frame press. This can cause difficulties with consistency of the finished ammunition. Press frames are usually made of cast iron, but some are of much better quality and design.

2. The Ram

The ram is a near 1” solid piece of heavy steel, it goes through base of the frame and connects to the linkages. Most press rams have a slot on the side for a priming lever. That slot will also direct spent primers into the primer catching device. A caliber specific shellholder will clip into the top of the ram, this is where you put the cartridge when you are ready to insert it into a die. The more expensive presses may have larger or stronger rams.

3. The Handle and Linkages

The linkages multiply the forces put on the handle, and connects those forces to the ram. More expensive presses will have stronger linkages. The handle is the piece that the operator actually moves while reloading; move the handle down, the ram goes up.

4. The Primer Catcher

Primer catcher design varies greatly from manufacturer to manufacturer. The Lee presses use a small hole on the side of the press to guide the primers into a clear plastic tube with a cap on it. Many single stage reloading presses guide the primers into a tray that sits on the frame directly beside the ram. The Forster Co-Ax drops the primers into a enclosed bottle below the press. Different design are more effective at holding the primers than others.

Many reloading equipment companies manufacture single stage reloading presses. They range in price from inexpensive ones like the Lee Breech Lock Challenger, to the mid-range Hornady Lock-N-Load and RCBS Rockchucker, all the way up something much more expensive like the Forster Co-Ax and Redding 700 Ultramag. As with most things, and especially with tools, you tend to get what you pay for but you don’t always need the most expensive. The primary differences in the presses are the materials used and the integral strength of the design. The cheaper presses use lower quality die cast metals and the more expensive presses use strong metals like cast iron. The heavy cast iron presses are stronger overall and may last a little bit longer, but many hundreds of thousands of rounds have been loaded through the humble Lee presses. Which single stage reloading press you purchase is a matter of personal preference and your intended purpose.

Lee and Hornady both have unique bushing fittings for holding the dies in certain presses. Lee offers the Breech Lock Challenger press which I currently use and highly recommend, and Hornady offers their line of Lock-N-Load presses. These bushings allow for very quick removal and installation of dies, once the die is set you do not have to readjust the position of it. I’m a big fan of the bushing systems as it makes the reloading process much simpler and therefore faster. To change the dies simply unsnap it, then click in the next one.

The Forster Co-Ax

By far the most unique single stage reloading press is the Forster Co-Ax. Very little about this press is like other single stage presses. The handle for the press is on the top, and is pulled down in front of the press. There are 2 rams instead of just one, and they serve more as guides than rams. It uses the same standard 7/8”X14 dies, however the dies do not thread into the press but instead snap in and are held by the lock collar. This press also does not use the typical shell holders, it instead has two plates that come together and clamp the head of the case when the handle is lowered.

This press offers much greater leverage than a standard press, and they last for a very long time. Many reloaders have been using the Forster Co-Ax for over 30 years. The Forster Co-Ax is by all accounts a very high quality single stage reloading press, and almost the only drawback to it is its price. It typically retails around $250 - $300.

I recently acquired a Forster Co-Ax, and can personally vouch for its strength. The press is well capable of handling anything you want to throw at it. Overall I would say it is the best single stage press I have had the privilege of using. It is very smooth easy to set up.

The press does have a few very minor drawbacks to it though; for example, you can not use a die such as the Lee Auto Prime II for priming. The pimer tray gets in the way of the over the top handle. It is also a much different motion if you are used to using a normal single stage press. These drawbacks are fairly insignificant though in the grand scheme of things, especially given the presses exceptional durability.

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