Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Considering a Redding Big Boss 2. Any thoughts?

Grew up loading on a Rock Chucker. Sold it awhile back as I wanted a press with a taller window for loading 375 H&H, 458 Lott, and three different cartridges for my double rifles. Bought a RCBS ammomaster and it did a fine job. The doubles are all gone now so this thread put a bug in me to pick up a different press. After reading this thread decided to purchase my first Redding Big Boss II. It will mount on the bench next to the Co-Ax. The Big Boss should do a great job with my recently acquired 6.5-300, 300, and 340 Weatherbys.
I'll most likely sell the Ammomaster as my double rifle days are behind me.

And in that shootout the Rockchucker beat every other press in loading straight ammo except for the bazillion dollar German press, and even then the RC was close.

Holy crap! Just looked at the prices of single stage and turret presses on the websites. Prices have gone up 30% or more recently.

I see Midsouth has the Rebel press on sale for $200. That’s a heavy duty press with a large opening at a good price. Probably won’t see it that low again…

The Rebel has a better spent primer handling system than the RC.

I absolutely despise the RCBS Rock Chucker spent-primer collection. I tried an aftermarket job, and its slightly better, but working with small cartridges, it can be difficult.

Redding still offers the Big Boss press, it and the Big Boss 2 press are completely different. The Big Boss press doesn't have or the capability of using the 1-1/4" die bushing. With the Big Boss 2 its included. Maybe doesn't seem like much of a difference, but if you think you might be using your dies with quick-change die bushings such as Hornady makes, it's all the difference in the world. I have both and leave the Big Boss set up just for decapping. Both are real good presses.

Phil

I have both the RC and the BBII.

If buying just one, it would be the BBII. I already had the RC when I bought the BBII.

I use the BBII for decapping, sizing, the RC for seating and crimping.

They are set up side by side in my shop; I use them both. Don't ask me why, just that they're there and that's the way I use them.

All pistol and small case loading is done on a Dillon 550B. I have tool heads set up with a bunch of different die sets and powder measures. Makes swapping between rounds a lot easier. And the 550B is a lot faster than a single stage set up. I also have a bench mounted RCBS primer seating device that I use for all single stage loading.

DF

Snowwolfe, Check this out: Co-ax Press Increased Access Side Linkages . I use a fair amount of Inline Fabrication accessories and am very happy with all of it. Especially like their quick change press and equipment mounting system, and the wall mounts to store the presses and equipment not presently in use.

I'm still using my 58 y/o Rockchucker and it's still smooth and tight and produces excellent ammo, but don't like its primer handling at all. I use a Lee or the Co-ax for depriming with a universal depriming die, and for priming, a bench-mounted RCBS Automatic Priming tool. I like the Co-ax a lot, especially since upgrading it with the curved side linkages from Inline Fabrication (see link above).

I've got Dillon RL 550B and XL750 progressives for large volume stuff.

Got a friend with a Redding T7 and the original Big Boss and I've used both, and they're very nice presses as well.

Thanks for the tip! Never knew they existed. I found these on Ebay, made by Forester and ordered a set. I like they do not have that small "point" in the middle of the curve and they cost less to boot.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/155573181549

The curved linkage pieces are the cats meow! Thanks for the tip they even existed. Spent 5 minutes installing them and it totally changes the ergonomics of the press. I can now reach in from either side with nothing in the way.
If any of you have the old style straight linkage do yourself a favor and buy the curved pieces.