-
Having trouble using the site?
Contact support
New Reloading Press
- Thread starter Scott058
- Start date
Re: New Reloading Press
Wish I could help have a Dillon 550B and a 30 year old RCBS that works great?
Anyone else?????
Wish I could help have a Dillon 550B and a 30 year old RCBS that works great?
Anyone else?????
Re: New Reloading Press
Forster Co-Ax is great single stage press. I have one and am very happy with it. You can get them at a good price from Adam Bauer a site sponsor here on the Hide.
Forster Co-Ax is great single stage press. I have one and am very happy with it. You can get them at a good price from Adam Bauer a site sponsor here on the Hide.
Re: New Reloading Press
I'd recommend reading this thread that's right next to yours too.
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1059165&page=1
I'd recommend reading this thread that's right next to yours too.
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1059165&page=1
Re: New Reloading Press
I was looking at this on U Tube. You are right. I'd put my money on this one because of the two rams and the floating shell plate.
I was looking at this on U Tube. You are right. I'd put my money on this one because of the two rams and the floating shell plate.
Re: New Reloading Press
Lock, Stock & Barrel has a sale on some of the reloading equipment.
www.lockstock.com/prodinfo.asp?number=FR028271
Notice that it's out of stock.
Lock, Stock & Barrel has a sale on some of the reloading equipment.
www.lockstock.com/prodinfo.asp?number=FR028271
Notice that it's out of stock.
Re: New Reloading Press
Just another vote for the co-ax. Its the first and only press I've owned, but have used others, including an old Ponsness/Warren single stage that my grandpa used....ALOT and still sits in his reloading room and was offered to me when I was researching presses.
Just another vote for the co-ax. Its the first and only press I've owned, but have used others, including an old Ponsness/Warren single stage that my grandpa used....ALOT and still sits in his reloading room and was offered to me when I was researching presses.
Re: New Reloading Press
"The forster has a floating shell plate the insures perfect alignment every time."
And that's a good thing.
Fact is, I don't think any press has a leg up on making quality ammo, that's a loader skill thing. I often read (and chuckle) comments about how "tight" s certain press ram fit is. As the Forster proves, a bit of slack that allows cases to shift and enter the dies properly is an asset that rigid rams don't permit!
Okay, presses in general; all presses of a general type/design are, on average, fully equal in both effectivness and durability, no more. Many laud my RCBS Rock Chucker for it's durability but that's done without any evidence that it lasts any longer, or is in any way better, than others of its type!
The CoAx is a very good press - if not actually superior overall - because of its shell holder AND the great mechanical leverage that makes work easier at the expense of a longer lever throw. Unfortunately that center mounted lever demands the loader stand further to the side of his press than I care for.
The CoAx's "snap-in, snap-out" die retaining system is good IF you think screwing dies in and out takes an inordinate amount of time (I don't). BUT, it does that at the added expenise of having to use Forster's thick lock rings on all dies, at least IF you don't like seeing a die push up and down as you work.
IF I bought a new single station press tomorrow it would be a Lee "Classic Cast" (all steel) tool. It's big, strong, powerfull and has great lever adjustment features. It's spent primer catcher works very much like the CoAx ... meaning it's MUCH better than my old RC II! The Classic Cast was designed to be build on CNC machinery so it's very well aligned even though it's the least expensive of its type.
"The forster has a floating shell plate the insures perfect alignment every time."
And that's a good thing.
Fact is, I don't think any press has a leg up on making quality ammo, that's a loader skill thing. I often read (and chuckle) comments about how "tight" s certain press ram fit is. As the Forster proves, a bit of slack that allows cases to shift and enter the dies properly is an asset that rigid rams don't permit!
Okay, presses in general; all presses of a general type/design are, on average, fully equal in both effectivness and durability, no more. Many laud my RCBS Rock Chucker for it's durability but that's done without any evidence that it lasts any longer, or is in any way better, than others of its type!
The CoAx is a very good press - if not actually superior overall - because of its shell holder AND the great mechanical leverage that makes work easier at the expense of a longer lever throw. Unfortunately that center mounted lever demands the loader stand further to the side of his press than I care for.
The CoAx's "snap-in, snap-out" die retaining system is good IF you think screwing dies in and out takes an inordinate amount of time (I don't). BUT, it does that at the added expenise of having to use Forster's thick lock rings on all dies, at least IF you don't like seeing a die push up and down as you work.
IF I bought a new single station press tomorrow it would be a Lee "Classic Cast" (all steel) tool. It's big, strong, powerfull and has great lever adjustment features. It's spent primer catcher works very much like the CoAx ... meaning it's MUCH better than my old RC II! The Classic Cast was designed to be build on CNC machinery so it's very well aligned even though it's the least expensive of its type.
Re: New Reloading Press
OK, I have an OLD Pacific multi-power C, o-frame press and a Forster Co-ax. The Pacific was my first press, is very close to a Rockchucker, is VERY sturdy and can handle any grunt work it's given, but I only use it to swage primer pockets since I got my Co-ax.
Co-ax plus points -
- as stated before - floating shellplate gains more consistent sizing and seating
- no ^%(%-ing shellholders to swap between calibers
- a VERY nice "feel" priming station
- snap in/out die swaps in about 1.5 seconds
- more leverage and smooth feel than any new reloader should be allowed access to. It spoils you.
Co-ax minus points -
- it WILL hurt if you pinch your fingers from getting in too much of a hurry
- you need to use the Forster or Redding lock rings, others have too much slop
- micrometer stem on Hornady seating die doesn't fit under handle yoke
OK, I have an OLD Pacific multi-power C, o-frame press and a Forster Co-ax. The Pacific was my first press, is very close to a Rockchucker, is VERY sturdy and can handle any grunt work it's given, but I only use it to swage primer pockets since I got my Co-ax.
Co-ax plus points -
- as stated before - floating shellplate gains more consistent sizing and seating
- no ^%(%-ing shellholders to swap between calibers
- a VERY nice "feel" priming station
- snap in/out die swaps in about 1.5 seconds
- more leverage and smooth feel than any new reloader should be allowed access to. It spoils you.
Co-ax minus points -
- it WILL hurt if you pinch your fingers from getting in too much of a hurry
- you need to use the Forster or Redding lock rings, others have too much slop
- micrometer stem on Hornady seating die doesn't fit under handle yoke
Re: New Reloading Press
I have it on good authority that virtually any press is capable of pinching your fingers if you are in too big of a hurry!
I have successfully used Forster, Hornady and original RCBS cross-bolt lock rings. I have also heard that Lyman's aftermarket cross-bolt lock rings also work (not their OEM set screw rings on their dies). I would not recommend a set-screw lock ring on the Co-Ax, since even if it fits the Co-Ax slot properly, the set screw will almost guarantee the lock ring is not square to the die threads when put under pressure. This may be less of a problem on a standard press where the lock ring get's jammed up against the press threads anyway, but that is not the case with the Co-Ax press: there are no female die threads on the press.
Finally, the current version of the Co-Ax has larger handle yoke to clear virtually any die.
Andy
I have it on good authority that virtually any press is capable of pinching your fingers if you are in too big of a hurry!
I have successfully used Forster, Hornady and original RCBS cross-bolt lock rings. I have also heard that Lyman's aftermarket cross-bolt lock rings also work (not their OEM set screw rings on their dies). I would not recommend a set-screw lock ring on the Co-Ax, since even if it fits the Co-Ax slot properly, the set screw will almost guarantee the lock ring is not square to the die threads when put under pressure. This may be less of a problem on a standard press where the lock ring get's jammed up against the press threads anyway, but that is not the case with the Co-Ax press: there are no female die threads on the press.
Finally, the current version of the Co-Ax has larger handle yoke to clear virtually any die.
Andy
