Sounds like I'm better off swapping the jaws or else making my MEC a dedicated 223 press.
Thanks for the information!
Assuming you mean Forster, not MEC. Although they're both red.
Some people do change their jaws to the conventional shell holders, failing to realize that it gives up some of the free floating advantage of the Forster press.
Swapping between the standard and small jaws is not all that difficult, once you figure it out. (It seems that, a lot like re-assembling Ruger .22 pistols, a lot of people never do figure it out.) A couple tips:
- Find some sort of spacer to prop up the floating head of the press, just enough so the tapered pin doesn't hold the jaws open. This can be as simple as a spare lug nut or piece of 45 Auto brass.
- Don't compress that little spring to remove each jaw. Just slide the other jaw back slightly (compressing the spring for that one) and carefully lift out the loose jaw, flip it around, and put it back. This prevents the common problem of having those springs fly off into the dark corners of your shop.
I've been using my Forster for about 20 years now, and do end up swapping the jaws frequently. It's no big deal, and honestly those jaws are one of the best features of that press. I don't recommend removing them.
