Series II all-steel and bronze bearings press

The Series II Press is sold directly to end users by Corbin though mail order and magazine advertising only. It is a hand-built item, with each press machined in the Corbin die-works, assembled and tested individually by the same crew who build Corbin's precision bullet swage dies. It is entirely made in the USA. Some of the unique features of this press include the spring-loaded ball bearing shell holder detent, which does not scrape the shell holders or push them to one side like most of the single coil spring retainers found on other reloading presses today.

The shell holder is pushed up against the top of the slot rather than forced to one side, and rolls over the ball bearing detent when inserted or removed. The ram is made of a chrome moly steel, hardened, centerless ground, and tempered. It travels inside of two inch-long Oilite impregnated bronze bearings, each of which is aligned inside a solid piece of heavy walled hydraulic cylinder stock. This steel tube is pressed into a steel block under tons of force, then precision honed before the bearings are inserted. This maintains a smooth, precise alignment of the ram with extremely long life even under high stress bullet swaging operations. When the press is used for reloading, the margin of safety is vastly greater than the most extreme forces that would be used in case forming or resizing.

Although the press is primarily designed as a sturdy bullet swaging device when used with Corbin's dies, the rationale for a handloader to purchase this press instead of a much weaker, over-the-counter mass production press has three components:

1. The trend toward high volume aluminum frame presses may leave some handloaders without a sufficiently sturdy press for experiments such as case reforming. Heavy pressure operations are not usually recommended in progressives or other presses with "trick" shell holder devices. The Series II press stands ready for any such event that might require more pressure than the expensive progressive press would take.

2. A person just getting into reloading might consider going first class with a very strong single station press that would last a lifetime, rather than progressing through several purchases of lesser machines that would be outgrown, and at the same time be prepared for both reloading and bullet swaging (two activities with one press).

3. The appearance, durability, and quality of a roller bearing, steel press appeal to the sense of pride and value that has become a large factor in modern shooting and handloading sports.

There is satisfaction in owning and using a well-engineered, professionally built product even if a lower priced mass produced tool would do the job. A side-by-side comparison is impressive even from the visual appeal, without considering the superior mechanical design and long life it affords. The Series II press sells directly to the end user for $269.50, and can be exported to most countries where reloading equipment is not prohibited. A 12-inch high bench-top stand with storage shelf is also available for $49.50 for those who like to work standing up or using a tall shop stool.

About The Author:

Mark Harris is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.bearing-n-bearings.com. Keep things running smoothly with ball bearings, roller bearings, ball thrust bearings and tapered bearings.