RCBS Reloader Special 5 Press Review: Best Use and Limits
By Amis Thains Updated 5 min read
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On this page (6 sections)
You are hunting for a cheap entry-level press but worried the RCBS Reloader Special 5 is just a step below the Rebel or worse than a Hornady. This page gives you a straight answer on where it wins and where it fails, so you buy the right tool for your brass.
In short: The RCBS Reloader Special 5 is a budget single-stage press with a C-frame that works best for straight-walled handgun cartridges. It lacks the stiffness and primer catcher of heavier presses, making it a poor choice for high-pressure rifle calibers. If you are reloading .38 Special or 9mm, it is a solid, proven tool.
Quick picks
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The RCBS Special 5 is a proven, budget-friendly single stage press that handles pistol brass with minimal setup.
The 3-die set lets you decap, resize, and seat straight-walled cases in the Special 5 without extra hardware.
The RCBS 6-Station Turret lets you keep multiple calibers loaded on the same press, saving space over multiple single stages.
Best for handgun-only beginners: RCBS Reloader Special 5
The RCBS Reloader Special 5 is a single-stage press built for straight-walled handgun cartridges. It suits you if you are reloading .38 Special, .357 Magnum, or 9mm and want a compact, affordable entry point. The open C-frame design lets you see the entire die stack, which helps you learn proper case-to-die timing without hidden misalignments. It helps to understand press comparison guide before going further.
This press uses a standard compound linkage. It is strong enough for pistol brass but lacks the lateral stiffness of an O-frame. For high-volume handgun sessions, the small 8-inch by 10-inch base keeps your bench clear.
The main drawback is the absence of a primer catcher. Spent primers fall on your work surface, so you will spend time sweeping them away after each session.
- Who it suits: Beginners and high-volume pistol reloaders.
- What it fixes: Cheap entry into reloading with a proven RCBS build.
- Who should skip it: Shooters reloading .308 Winchester, .30-06, or other high-pressure rifle cases.
Pro tip: Secure the press to your bench using the mounting holes on the base. The frame is light and will shift if you push hard on the handle.
The Special 5 is the core product for this specific use case.
- A solid press built for sizing, seating, and full‑length work.
- UNIQUE UP‑STROKE DESIGN: The case stays put while the die moves down, giving you a
Essential for straight-walled cases: RCBS 38 Special/357 Magnum 3-Die Set
You cannot run the RCBS Reloader Special 5 without a die set. The RCBS 38 Special/.357 Magnum 3-Die Set is the natural match for this press. It handles decapping, resizing, and bullet seating in three strokes. This set works well because straight-walled cases have forgiving dimensions and do not require the tight concentricity of rifle resizing.
The decapper in this set is critical for removing primers from revolver cases. You must set the decapper to just kiss the case head and back off a quarter turn. Setting it too tight can round the primer pocket, which makes future priming difficult.
This die set fits standard .531-inch and .88-inch shellholders, which the Special 5 supports out of the box. There is more on features of the hornady breech in a separate guide.
- Best for: Reloaders shooting .38 Special, .357 Magnum, .38 Special +P, and .357 +P.
- Key strength: Simple three-die workflow that matches the Special 5’s single-stage layout.
Safety first: Never use the press to force a stuck bullet. If a case jams, back out the ram immediately. Forcing it can break the linkage or the die.
This die set completes the reloading station for the most common handgun calibers.
Check price on AmazonAlternative for multiple calibers: RCBS 6-Station Turret Press
If you plan to reload more than two or three calibers, the RCBS 6-Station Turret Press is a better fit than the Special 5. It uses a cast-iron build and a turret head that keeps dies aligned.
You can keep 6-Station Turret Press set up for different cases and swap between them by rotating the head. This eliminates the need to disassemble and reset a single-stage press for every new cartridge.
The turret includes a positive die alignment system with a detent. This keeps the chosen station locked in place during operation. For the handgun reloader who shoots 9mm, .38 Special, and .357 Magnum regularly, the turret saves time.
However, it is a larger investment than the Special 5. If you only shoot one or two handgun calibers, the single-stage Special 5 is the more economical choice.
- Best for: Reloaders who want to keep multiple calibers ready on one bench.
- Key strength: Cast iron stability and turret convenience for multi-caliber loads.
The turret press solves the calibration switching problem that the Special 5 cannot handle efficiently.
- Run it one case at a time or keep dies set up on the turret.
- Heavy frame and turret head stay solid under load.
How to choose: Special 5 vs. Rebel vs. Hornady
The RCBS Reloader Special 5 sits at the bottom of the press stack. It is lighter and simpler than the RCBS Rebel or the Hornady One Shot. Choose the Special 5 if your primary goal is budget and simplicity for pistol ammo. We cover our notes on chucker 5 review in a guide of its own.
Choose the Rebel if you reload rifle brass and want a heavier O-frame with a built-in primer catcher. Choose the Hornady One Shot if you prefer a different brand ecosystem or need specific Hornady die compatibility.
| Press | Best For | Key Strength | Main Drawback |
|---|---|---|---|
| RCBS Reloader Special 5 | Budget handgun reloading | Low cost, compact C-frame | No primer catcher, light frame |
| RCBS Rebel | Rifle and heavy duty pistol | O-frame stiffness, primer catcher | Larger footprint, higher cost |
| Hornady One Shot | Brand preference, simple reloading | Solid build, easy to find | Less rigid than RCBS Rebel |
- Frame type: C-frame (Special 5) allows visibility but has more lateral flex than O-frame (Rebel).
- Primer handling: Special 5 has no catcher; Rebel and Hornady models often include one.
- Caliber range: Special 5 is best for straight-walled; Rebel handles bottlenecked rifle cases better.
Pro tip: If you reload .308 Winchester, skip the Special 5. The C-frame is not stiff enough for the heavy resizing forces of bottlenecked rifle cases.
The bottom line
Buy the RCBS Reloader Special 5 if you are a beginner or a dedicated handgun reloader who wants a cheap, proven tool. Skip it if you reload high-pressure rifle cartridges or hate cleaning up primers by hand. In that case, the RCBS Rebel or a heavier O-frame press is the right next step.
Frequently asked questions
Is the RCBS Reloader Special 5 a good reloading press?
Yes, for its specific niche. It is excellent for beginner and pistol reloading. It is not a precision tool for long rifle cartridges. If your goal is basic handgun ammo, it performs very well.
What is the difference between the RCBS Rebel and Reloader Special 5?
The Rebel has a heavier O-frame and a built-in primer catcher. The Special 5 has a lighter C-frame and no catcher. The Rebel is better for precision and cleanliness; the Special 5 is better for budget and compactness.
Can I reload .308 on the RCBS Special 5?
You can, but you will not get the tightest tolerances. The C-frame is not stiff enough for heavy resizing. For .308, you will get better results on a heavier press like the Rebel or a progressive.
Which is better, the RCBS Junior or the Special 5?
The Special 5. The Junior is a very basic, entry-level frame with less leverage. The Special 5 has a better linkage and a larger base. If you can afford the Special 5, skip the Junior.
RCBS Special 5 press vs Hornady: which should I buy?
The Special 5 is generally lighter and cheaper than the Hornady One Shot. Choose the Special 5 if you want a compact RCBS ecosystem. Choose the Hornady if you prefer their brand or need a slightly heavier frame in a budget price point.