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Co-AX, RCBS Or Redding T7?
- Thread starter Steve_O
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The ZERO Reloading Press
Note: Dust covers were included free of charge with the initial batch of presses, sold in Summer 2020. To add one of these USA Made, high-quality covers to your ZERO order, head >> HERE << As the quality and precision of reloading equipment has advanced in the last few years (AMP Annealers...
www.area419.com
Buy this.
You will have the best precision loading press available. You will not wear it out. If you can keep your grandchildren from being brainwashed socialists, they will inherit it and keep using it.
That is all.
./
The ZERO Reloading Press
Note: Dust covers were included free of charge with the initial batch of presses, sold in Summer 2020. To add one of these USA Made, high-quality covers to your ZERO order, head >> HERE << As the quality and precision of reloading equipment has advanced in the last few years (AMP Annealers...
Buy this.
You will have the best precision loading press available. You will not wear it out. If you can keep your grandchildren from being brainwashed socialists, they will inherit it and keep using it.
That is all.
./
I did just see a video on the 419 and it looks badass. But just question myself if I need a $1000 plus single stage?
I have been running a COAX for the last 7 years and am very happy. I also have the RCBS Ammo Master II for 375on up and i like that press as well. The nice thing with the COAX no shell holder as uses a jaw system. I did get the short handle so i have both long and short.
I have several of the ones mentioned above. I think the Dillon 650 should be considered, even if you use it as a single stage at first. Mine is great for rifle case processing. Huge time saver. Add a case feeder and it's unbeatable for speed, even for simple things like priming cases.
D
Deleted member 113831
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A Co-ax is a great 2nd press, I have been using one for almost 20 years.
However, it is an inadequate only press. There some operations and applications that it sucks at, like primer pocket swaging, bullet pulling, universal decapping, removing stuck cases, using bulge busting push through dies...etc. Changing the jaws from large to small for 223 is also a pain in the ass.
I have a Co-ax and 2 Dillons and I still use my Lee and RCBS "O" presses just as much.
However, it is an inadequate only press. There some operations and applications that it sucks at, like primer pocket swaging, bullet pulling, universal decapping, removing stuck cases, using bulge busting push through dies...etc. Changing the jaws from large to small for 223 is also a pain in the ass.
I have a Co-ax and 2 Dillons and I still use my Lee and RCBS "O" presses just as much.
I actually looked at the 550C. This will be my first press so I just don’t know what I need to know what I want If that makes sense. I just hear about most using a single stage press so that’s what I figured I needed.
D
Deleted member 113831
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Any of the heavy cast "O" presses by Lyman, RCBS, Lee, Hornady, or Redding.
At least the above ones hold their value well. Any should be good enough to start. Try one and sell it if you hate it. More likely, you will have several before it's over with. You can't go wrong with any Dillon. I just like the size of the 650/750 for rifle case processing.
here's a video in use:
here's a video in use:
I have a CoAx that I use as my primary press for decapping, resizing, and seating, and a Hornady LnL single stage for things like bullet pulling, swaging, and using things like the Larry Willis die.
Nonetheless, I am eyeing the A419 Zero pretty hard....
Nonetheless, I am eyeing the A419 Zero pretty hard....
Understood.
If you want production, go with some flavor of big blue. If you want precision, go with this one. I agree that $1K is a bit pricey but there is a shit ton of "aficionados" on this forum that have way more than $1K tied up in just their powder dispensers.
FWIW, I still load a good bit of rifle stuff on the same RCBS Jr. press that I bought when I was 14yrs old. (Date of manufacture stamped into the top of it is 1974.) I have missed a lot of shots over the years but can't lay any at the feet of the reloading equipment used.
Whatever you get, make it fun and make it something you will feel good about owning.
./
Need? No.
It's a very well made press, with some nice features. It's certainly a luxury item for the reloading room.
If you have a bunch of money and want to splurge, then it seems like a nice and fun luxury item to enjoy in the reloading room. Need, absolutely not.
I don't have any of the other presses, I have a Forster Co-ax and I'm really happy with it.
This.
The first press should something that works and you can orient yourself with to get to know what you want.
Getting a 419 is just daft, no matter how much money you've got to spare.
I think the RCBS makes a great first press. I’m still using the rock chucker I’ve had since I was a teenager (25 years) and a JR 2 that I inherited that’s from the late 60’s. Affordable, reliable, more than adequate. And you can always upgrade as needed in the future.
I think the co-ax is a fine first and only press. I dont have issues bullet pulling or decapping (its the best decapping system imo with its cup). I dont shoot shit brass so I dont swage pockets so I guess consider that if you do. Ive also never stuck a case wiht it so if you choose to not lube the brass I guess I would avoid it. Id also avoid all presses in that case lol. I have a pva push through base sizer but its the .460 bushing size instead of .467 thats my issue, not the press. Changing jaws is as difficult as undoing 2 screws and putting them back in.
I use an Ammomaster 2 press as I used to do 50bmg. It's a single stage that gets used for 6br and .338lm. I like the long arm added leverage. I have others, but this is my go to.
One warning, it adds up quickly - since you don't have a press, you probably don't have the rest like a powder dispenser(s), priming tools, SS tumbler, case gauges, etc.
One warning, it adds up quickly - since you don't have a press, you probably don't have the rest like a powder dispenser(s), priming tools, SS tumbler, case gauges, etc.
I’m extremely happy with my Lyman 8 station turret press. Ammo made from it isn’t giving anything up down range accuracy wise to any other press.
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Deleted member 113831
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So, for bullet pulling you have no issues with the handle getting in the way...tells me you don't use a press mounted bullet puller.
You don't have trouble with universal decapping...so with a floating die, you manage to hit that 0.062" hole every fucking time without breaking the decapping pin...bullshit.
You don't swage because you don't shoot shit brass...well la di fucking da...lots of us want to shoot free range pick up brass.
So changing jaws is as simple as loosening 2 screws...I suppose you've never had the spring shoot off ti parts unknown either.
GTFO with that shit.
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Deleted member 113831
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Turret presses will do anything an "O" press will do, but they are really handy if you are only loading for a couple of calibers and can keep them permanently mounted.
Down side is that if you want to load more calibers, then you have to unscrew them anyway or buy more turrets (which you have to swap out.) Turret presses are heavier and bigger and cost more, but still a solid choice for first press.
Look up Ultimate Reloader press review it is a long but good review of a bunch of single stage presses. I still use my 30+ year old Rock Crusher and 2 550's. The old Rock Crusher started to feel loose a few years ago, contacted RCBS, I paid shipping to them, they rebuilt it with new bushings and sent it back no change. Got to love their warranty.
I stick a wrench in the slot along side the lock ring and my RCBS puller doesn’t spin and works fine.
I’ve never broken a pin in either the Redding or the lee decapper. I’ve never lost the spring, slide it off onto your hand and it doesn’t go anywhere.
It’s all pretty easy really. He would be hard pressed to find a better choice if fits his budget and can find one. I wouldnt not get something else though, I just wouldnt deter him from getting a coax, I dont regret getting mine.
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An "O" press with 1-1/4 -12 opening with 7/8-14 bushing is nice if you have an interest in using Hornady's lock and load bushings down the road.
Quick to change out and not loose your die setting. Redding Big Boss II is the one I use but I think any big name cast iron (RCBS, Redding, Lyman, Hornady) press will serve you well. I have had both starter kit RCBS and an Aluminum Lee in the past and they will serve you fine for most tasks.
The Rock Chucker will work with the Hornady bushings.
www.midwayusa.com
Quick to change out and not loose your die setting. Redding Big Boss II is the one I use but I think any big name cast iron (RCBS, Redding, Lyman, Hornady) press will serve you well. I have had both starter kit RCBS and an Aluminum Lee in the past and they will serve you fine for most tasks.
The Rock Chucker will work with the Hornady bushings.
Hornady Lock-N-Load Press Die Conversion Bushing Kit
The Hornady Lock-N-Load Press and Die Conversion Bushing Kit is a great accessory for your reloading press. Simply insert the Lock-N-Load conversion...
www.midwayusa.com
This is coming from someone that has fallen out of love with the CoAx.
- I use a Hornady bullet puller in my CoAx and it works ok. Not great but OK.
- I have no problem with decapping (see below).
- The only on press swaging system I think is worth using is the Dillon 1050. All the rest are garbage. I use a Dillon Super Swage. I have several on press swaging systems and no longer use them.
- The automatic jaws are a horrible design. They cause seating depth issues, excessive run out, and misalignment with dies that need perfect alignment. I switched to fixed shell holder conversion and it resolved nearly all alignment problems.
To the OP, I'd buy a RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme. The Forster CoAx does have some rather distinct idiosyncrasies unless you only plan to shoot a single cartridge that fits perfectly in the middle of the auto jaws operating range (like 308).
The Co-ax does have it's nuances, for me they are not deal breakers.
I've broken a couple of decapping pins, some of the time has certainly been by user error, and I'm sure others because the pin didn't find the flash hole.
I can see why changing out the jaws would be annoying, its not the most well thought out system if you are swapping back and forth between jaw sizes. I believe you can buy individual plates that retain the jaws and the spring, so you can get plates for each jaw size and it's an easy two screw swap out without having to worry about jumping springs.
It's not a big enough deal for me to have more then one press, or a different press. I've learned to live with the nuances and they don't bother me. But I can see how it would be annoying for others, and how those who do a bunch of reloading and have some spare cash would invest in multiple fit-for-purpose presses for different roles.
Spending money on a good powder thrower, like the autotrickler, will pay way more dividends then on a $1000+ dollar press. There's much more to spend money on then just a press, as you point out...
If you value time over money go to a Dillon 550C (for rifle reloading; if you have any plans on pistol reloading in volume step up to the Dillon 750). With a few modifications (locking tool heads and floating dies) a 550 just as precise as the Forester but significantly faster. If you don't have the cash or have plenty of time on your hands then go with whatever single stage tickles you fancy.
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Deleted member 113831
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Looking back at my post, I was a little harsh. I apologize for that brother. You add a lot to this forum and I was in a dick mood.
Those are my real experiences but it is OK if we disagree.
I'm not what you'd call a high volume reloader, but in probably a thousand or so decapping operations, I haven't broken a pin yet. There have been times when I probably could have broken the pin had I been running the handle hard (read: the brass had off-center flash holes), but being... I don't know if "gentle" is the right word... has allowed me to stop pushing on the press handle in time to keep the pin from breaking/bending.
I mostly use a Lee Universal decapping die if it makes any difference (I had to purchase a Redding universal decapping die when the Lee wouldn't swallow 338 LM-Improved cases).
I've watched quite a few of his videos - no more. He's never tested a product he didn't like or didn't perform as advertised.
The Dillon 550 is really no slower than the 650/750 unless you add automatic case feeder and/or bullet feeder. Depending on how you prime, need to take that time into account as well. Where the 650/750 may have a potential advantage, IMO, is with more die positions. Some people feel the need, some don't.
I have two 550s, one for large primers and one for small, with tool heads set up for each caliber I reload. I also have a RCBS Jr under the bench for times when a 550 may not be set up to do something specific.
Dillon 550 or Redding T7 would be my choice, with extra tool heads/turrets so you don't have to change out a die after you get it set.
My first press was a Dillon 550b, closely followed by a Redding Big Boss 2.
I still run the the 550 for 9mm & pdog 223 Ammo & the Redding for precision stuff.
the 550 series is what I’d choose if I could only have one press. Fully capable of precision work but also can quickly bang out bulk pistol & rifle Ammo.
Side note: whatever press you get, buy a good light kit for it. Best upgrade IMO
I still run the the 550 for 9mm & pdog 223 Ammo & the Redding for precision stuff.
the 550 series is what I’d choose if I could only have one press. Fully capable of precision work but also can quickly bang out bulk pistol & rifle Ammo.
Side note: whatever press you get, buy a good light kit for it. Best upgrade IMO
Right now I have four presses set up (two Dillon 550s, a T7, and a CoAx. An Ultra Mag still boxed since we moved to this house because there are fewer ranges to stretch out a .338 Lapua to its potential).
The Redding is nice to switch between just a few calibers since you store the dies on-board the turret and you only need to swap shell holders.
The CoAx can be very fast if you're doing sizing, de-capping, and bullet seating in bulk quantities.
If both powder-charging and bullet seating I'll case prep on a single-stage and finish on the Dillon.
Both single stage presses make excellent ammo.
Get a regular cast iron press of any kind as per my quote in my previous post. They are pretty cheap and will be good enough until you've found out your specific needs.
If I needed something to complement my RCBS RCIV and cheap LEE (decaping only) it would be a CO-AX (because I want to try one out) or a Dillon (big one for speedy rifle reloading, 308 and larger).
And as previously stated by others, there is a lot of things that will affect the precision of your rounds more then a good press. Maybe you want to anneal, have precise neck tension, a fast trimmer or a good neck turner.
Maybe you will want a custom chamber in a special cartridge. A no neck turn 6.5CM for 308 cases?
You are about to open a potential can of worms, do it slowly...
I’m not sure I can “school” you, but I started with a RCBS JR when I was 13. I used it until I bought a T7 about 8 years ago. I love my T7 and it has always loaded ammo that shoots better than I can, it’s definitely not the weak link and it’s much faster than a single stage. I didn’t have room for Dillon sized press at the time and the T7 has served me fine. I took my old RCBS powder measure and put a Hornady case activated powder drop mechanism on it, screwed it into my press and it works great, especially with ball powder. I can use it as a manual progressive if loading plinking ammo by starting at the decaping/resizing/new primer die, manually turn to powder drop, manually turn to bullet seating, and bam......one round done. Not as fast as a real progressive, but it works and it’s not hard to get ammo that shoots under 1 MOA for banging steel by loading like this.
Id have to say bullet pulling is no problem w/ the hornady cam-lock, nor could decapping be any easier
Take a look at the 14 press shootout that Ultimate Reloader did a while back. It is pretty good with allot of info.
I bought a MEC Marksman Press to replace an old RCBS partner press that I was using. It handles every thing from small pistole rounds to 338 Lapua. It is opposite to the coax press that has the die floating to allow the case to line up square to it, the MEC has a floating shell holder that lets the case square up with the die.
I bought a MEC Marksman Press to replace an old RCBS partner press that I was using. It handles every thing from small pistole rounds to 338 Lapua. It is opposite to the coax press that has the die floating to allow the case to line up square to it, the MEC has a floating shell holder that lets the case square up with the die.
I have only used my Redding T7 so I have nothing to compare it with. I have 4 turrets so it's extremely convenient having all the dies for my 5 LRP calibers (full length, neck bushing, seater), 5.56, 9mm, and 35 Rem all ready to go at a moments notice. It takes about 45 seconds to swap turrets.
Just starting? Rock chucker and save money for all the accessories and widgets that make life easier. There are cheap upgrades to it that keep the primers from going all over.
CoAx is very nice to use. It is a bit less versatile than others. In addition to what has been mentioned already, the standard case holder jaws will not work with some large magnums, and the press “Y” handle design causes trouble with long magnum dies with micrometer seating stems.
MEC Marksman is my current favorite; sold the CoAx after getting one. More traditional and does not feel as slick, but extremely consistent, versatile, and has a lot of leverage for difficult sizing work.
CoAx is very nice to use. It is a bit less versatile than others. In addition to what has been mentioned already, the standard case holder jaws will not work with some large magnums, and the press “Y” handle design causes trouble with long magnum dies with micrometer seating stems.
MEC Marksman is my current favorite; sold the CoAx after getting one. More traditional and does not feel as slick, but extremely consistent, versatile, and has a lot of leverage for difficult sizing work.
I have a RockChucker, CoAx and 550s that I use for precision ammo.
Anymore, about all I use is the 550. Everything from 17 Mach IV to 338 Lapua.
Anymore, about all I use is the 550. Everything from 17 Mach IV to 338 Lapua.
Find and replace “550” with “650” and I would say the same. I have not seen enough OAL variance, difference on the runout gauge, or difference in SDs, to justify not using a progressive for almost everything aside from tiny lots. Maybe it’s the natural toolhead ‘float’ but the dillons do really well with decent dies.
For starting out, hard to beat one of the rockchucker kits, however.
Ya I completely agree. It is an awesome press. But doing everything you listed is a pain or impossible. I run a redding t7 as well for all other tasks other than reloading
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