Opinions Saught

[aqualung]

Hi Guys,

Just what it says above. I am looking for opinions on where to go next with my reloading press.

I have several factory rifles, all shoot very well. All are using my own reloads, I don't shoot factory ammo, as it is simply too expensive here.

2 of my next 3 rifles will be custom rifles with minimum SAAMI spec chambers, and I am hoping for very good accuracy out of them. I'm specifying "minimum SAAMI spec for no neck turning"

Now, this is where you lot come in....

I reload 7 or 8 different calibres, and tend to 'batch' reload.
I am presently using an old Lee press that I have had for close on 25 years. The ammo it produces is still good, but I am getting variances in COAL. This may be due to how I have the press mounted. I am thinking of upgrading the press to a Forster Co-Axial press, but am open to suggestions.

If I go with a progressive press, will I still be able to produce the same level of accuracy as with the Forster?
The ammo I manufacture is well capable of 0.5MOA and better at present, so I will be looking to better that level of performance.

I do some of the benchrest case prep, but not all.

Basically Guys, will I be compromising the accuracy of my new custom guns with the set-up I have at present, and should I go for the Forster, or something else??

Remember, all shades of opinion feed an open mind, so put your 2c worth in!

Neil

 

[flashhole]

Re: Opinions Saught

I recommend the Lee Classic Turret. I load 45-70, 25-06, 7mm Rem Mag, 223, 221 Fireball and 40 S&W with excellent results. The press is really well made and turrets are inexpensive. Plenty of clearance for large cartridges and you have the option of removing the turret indexer for single stage operation.

 

[427Cobra]

Re: Opinions Saught

Forster Co-Ax, no shell holders, floating jaws instead, snap in snap out die changes with no loss of adjustment, 2-3 times the mechanical advantage versus any other press, superior spent primer retention, I reload 9mm 40SW 45acp .223 .260 .308 and .30-06 on mine.

 

[former naval person]

Re: Opinions Saught

Forster.

 

[aqualung]

Re: Opinions Saught

Thanks Guys.

Currently reloading;
.223 .243 .260 7mm-08 .308 .300WM
Using a combination of Hornady (7mm-08) RCBS and Redding (seating) dies

Coming soon;
6.5CM .22-250 and another .260.
The 6.5CM and .260 are custom.

All the rest are factory, but I have been VERY lucky, as they are all shooters!

Keep the ideas coming chaps. Many thanks to you all.

N

 

[jagged77]

Re: Opinions Saught

I load for a similar number of calibres and most are precision LR rifle mostly in large-ish batch qtys. I've had the forester press for a couple of years now an wouldn't go back to my old rock chucker for anything. Got the best deal through Tim Hannam, get the short handle and buy plenty of extra lock rings.

 

[Unknown]

Re: Opinions Saught

I have Forster, and Redding dies for a number of very different cartridges, and both give great results if I set them up properly. The Forster die for my 6.5 Grendel seems to have the seater stem set very, VERY deeply into the die head. It works fine, it just bothers me that the seater stem is barely long enough to properly engage the lock ring.

 

[turbo54]

Re: Opinions Saught

I load precision rifle ammo on a progressive machine, but I weigh charges.

I laugh at those folks that think they must load on a single stage to get quality ammo.

I am an F class "master" in FTR, if that indicates anything to you.

 

[George63]

Re: Opinions Saught

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: turbo54</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I load precision rifle ammo on a progressive machine, but I weigh charges.
</div></div>

how are you working that?

size and prime on the progressive, remove for powder and reinsert - or pouring your weighed charges while on the progressive?

 

[turbo54]

Re: Opinions Saught

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: George63</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: turbo54</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I load precision rifle ammo on a progressive machine, but I weigh charges.
</div></div>

how are you working that?

size and prime on the progressive, remove for powder and reinsert - <span style="font-weight: bold">or pouring your weighed charges while on the progressive? </span></div></div>

Yep.

 

[Fuzzball]

Re: Opinions Saught

<span style="font-style: italic">"...using an old Lee press that I have had for close on 25 years. The ammo it produces is still good, but I am getting variances in COAL. This may be due to how I have the press mounted. I am thinking of upgrading the press to a Forster Co-Axial press,.."</span>

If you want a new press, by all means get it. But if you think you're OAL variations are due to your press (or dies) you're likely mistaken. Such variations are usually due to inconsistant press operation, not press mounting, and the Co-Ax is not imune to inconsistant operation. Your present mechanical leverage is obviously sufficent so that's not at issue either. And no amount of precision charge weighing is going to improve your seating consistancy.

 

[aqualung]

Re: Opinions Saught

Turbo,

My Mate Dodger finished 2nd in the UK F-Class Championship last season, after leading all season! I take most of my reloading advice from him. He doesn't have kids, which means he has a lot more free time (and money) than me. So I am interested in the possibility of going down the progressive route. I was thinking about a Dillon 550.

N

 

[aqualung]

Re: Opinions Saught

Fuzzball,

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Fuzzball</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><span style="font-style: italic">"...using an old Lee press that I have had for close on 25 years. The ammo it produces is still good, but I am getting variances in COAL. This may be due to how I have the press mounted. I am thinking of upgrading the press to a Forster Co-Axial press,.."</span>

If you want a new press, by all means get it. But if you think you're OAL variations are due to your press (or dies) you're likely mistaken. Such variations are usually due to inconsistant press operation, not press mounting, and the Co-Ax is not imune to inconsistant operation. Your present mechanical leverage is obviously sufficent so that's not at issue either. And no amount of precision charge weighing is going to improve your seating consistancy. </div></div>

Well, I consider my arse well and truly spanked!

Actually, you don't know the reloading set up I have, nor have you watched my technique, so you're not technically qualified to comment upon my reloading technique. Nor did I mention how I charge my cases.
Please re-read my original post, I am seeking opinions on the suitability of <span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-style: italic">RELOADING PRESSES</span></span>. RTFQ

But I accept that you are trying to help. My technique is fine, I KNOW what the issue is, there is some flex in the mounting block the press is attached to.

When I change presses, I will change mounting block, but part of my desire to change is the solidity of the Forster, (Which I have handled, but not actually reloaded on) and the fact that the Lee has been in constant use for close on 25 years. In all that time, and the tens of thousands of rounds that it has produced, there <span style="font-style: italic">HAS</span> to be some wear and tear. Even though I can produce ammo with an average runout of 2thou. Sadly I cant get it better with my current set up.

Furthermore, since I am currently shooting my ammo through FACTORY rifles, with FACTORY chambers, I am not really bothered about a variance of a couple of thou in the COAL.

Now, when I get my custom chambered rifles, the issue changes and I WILL be concerened about variances in the COAL.

My Rem 700 in 7mm-08 easily shoots inside of "Minute of Moose" at ANY sensible range I would engage a living target from. And I'm currently leading (joint first place) my clubs' McQueen B competition with my .243, shooting against custom built F-Class rifles, on F-Class bipods and rests costing many times what my rig cost me. So my reloading is not doing <span style="font-style: italic">too</span> badly.

Any other opinions on presses very welcome, Chaps.

N