Stupid Press Question

[YetiSlayer]

So I have been reloading for about 30 years but still have no single stage press. I bought a Dillon 450 (since upgraded to a 550B) I don't know how many years ago. Lately when reloading using a single stage press, I have been going over to a friends house and using his RCBS AmmoMaster II. However now I am looking at getting a single stage press myself and have been shopping around. I like my buddy's AmmoMaster, and RCBS's new Summit looks interesting, but everyone says that the Forster CoAx is the best press to get.

Question #1: I would mainly use it for loading precision .308, .338LM, .45-70 Black Powder loads and .45-110 Black Powder loads. Is this a good press for these cartridges?

Question #2: At the same time that all this happening, a guy that I work with is looking to start reloading. He and his wife are just pistol shooters now but want to start rifle shooting pretty quickly. He has time so he does not need to start reloading immediately and also cost is less of an issue. Since I am a "buy once, cry once" kind if guy, I am steering him away from the kits and more towards buying the individual pieces one at a time. Additionally I am steering him away from a progressive press and towards a single stage (it is my belief that everyone should learn with a single stage). Is the CoAx good for pistol cartridges as well as rifle?

 

[mdmp5]

I don't think single stage presses are good for pistol, simply because os the amount of labor that must go into pressing out a little pistol round. I cannot fathom sizing and priming 50 pieces of 9mm or 45, setting the brass in a cartridge tray, expanding each one, charging each one, seating and then crimping. Note that you have to change the die on the press for each stage. All that work in about a half hour if you are quick, and all you are left with is enough ammo to last you 3 magazines or so, which you can burn through in a minute. With the dillon, I just crank rounds out until I feel like I have enough. I can muster a few hundred rounds an hour, and I go slow.

I personally don't like the co ax, not because it is a bad press, but because of the design of it. The way the handle travels over the press does not allow me to use my press mounted indicator. Other than that, I think it is a good press, but to call it "the best" is a bold statement. There are a bunch of presses out there that are very good. I happen to be partial to redding, more specifically, the T7 turret.

 

[milo 2.0]

I don't think single stage presses are good for pistol, simply because os the amount of labor that must go into pressing out a little pistol round. I cannot fathom sizing and priming 50 pieces of 9mm or 45, setting the brass in a cartridge tray, expanding each one, charging each one, seating and then crimping. Note that you have to change the die on the press for each stage. All that work in about a half hour if you are quick, and all you are left with is enough ammo to last you 3 magazines or so, which you can burn through in a minute. With the dillon, I just crank rounds out until I feel like I have enough. I can muster a few hundred rounds an hour, and I go slow.

I respectfully have to somewhat disagree with you here. A progressive press just isn't for everyone, and I was one. That didn't stop me from cranking out 4-6K 45acp's during the winter months on a Rock Chucker or T7.
I had a Pro 2000 for 12 years, finally produced 650 223 rds on it, sized and primed before hand because I'd forget to prime cases, and ball powder coming out flasholes really screws things up fast!

A guy can get one hell of a rhythm going on a ss press, key is to do it in steps, and 50 rd trays don't come into play till powder time. 2 gallon painters pails, or boxes are in order. Hell, I'd prime cases at work, up to 2k a day. I'd powder and seat 100 while waking up with coffee before morning shower, 200 sucking down a couple beers before supper, when brass if fully prepped and primed, it's a downhill run.

I wish I had the dexterity to run a Dillon 650, or 1050, I'd buy one tomorrow, but old habits die hard.

 

[Assault116]

I run a dillon 650 and a co-ax. I use the co-ax for all my precision rifle stuff and 380 ACP since I don't shoot it in any volume. I use the 650 for 40 S&W, 45 ACP, 223, & 300 blk

I would recommend the co-ax as it's a great press, there are others out there that are great as well. The thing I really like about the co-ax is the quick change die setup and the ability for the die to "float" a little in the press, especially for the precision rifle stuff. There are drawbacks though, namely it doesn't work for certain things, like the indicator dies, the redding GRX pass through pistol sizing dies, and most of the bullet pointing systems. These things have me considering buying a more traditional style press to add to the bench just for the things I can't do on the Dillon or the Forster. I'm thinking about getting the Redding T7 and setting up those various specialty dies in it so there's no fuss and setup when I want to use them. Also the priming setup on the Co-Ax sucks IMO, it's a gigantic PITA, but IMO a separate priming tool is the way to go anyway. I have the RCBS autoprime and the RCBS hand priming unit.

For your friend, I'd say get a single stage to learn on and start with a caliber that they will shoot in low volume and therefore continue to run on that press (like I do with 380) and learn the process well. Then get a progressive for the high volume stuff.

I'm not a fan of the "kits" as I am not hung up on brand loyalty in any way shape or form for this stuff and many times I mix and match pieces that I like to make my setup the best I can for my needs.

 

[Rattler56]

Single stage, I like my Redding big boss II.

 

[Twoboxer]

. . . Question #1: I would mainly use it for loading precision .308, .338LM, .45-70 Black Powder loads and .45-110 Black Powder loads. Is this a good press for these cartridges?Rockchucker and Co-ax are often touted as the best. I use a Hornady LnL Classic because I like the bushing system . . . which some folks call unnecessary lol. My point is you'll be fine with any of those presses. Watch some videos of each and fall in love with one of them based on your own reaction after seeing them in use.

Question #2: At the same time that all this happening, a guy that I work with is looking to start reloading. He and his wife are just pistol shooters now but want to start rifle shooting pretty quickly. He has time so he does not need to start reloading immediately and also cost is less of an issue. Since I am a "buy once, cry once" kind if guy, I am steering him away from the kits and more towards buying the individual pieces one at a time. Additionally I am steering him away from a progressive press and towards a single stage (it is my belief that everyone should learn with a single stage). Is the CoAx good for pistol cartridges as well as rifle? Since he and his wife are both shooters . . . and since you are near to help . . . if this guy is at all mechanically inclined and is somewhat patient I'd steer him right to a progressive you are familiar with . . . the Dillon 550 (or 650). Assuming he has saved enough brass, he's going to have batch sizes that most people would call tedious to make on a single stage. I also assume his first reaction was to go progressive, and if that's the case he may become doubly dissatisfied with your recommendation of a single stage. If he were already shooting/reloading rifle, I'd advise the single stage first and learning with rifle then buying a progressive for pistol.

If you know the person involved, it's easier to figure out whether they can start with a progressive or whether they shouldn't.

 

[flashhole]

Unless you like blood blisters and pinching your fingers you will get frustrated with the Co-Ax loading long cartridges. You will have to stick the bullet up into the seat die and drop it down onto the top of the case. Akward at best and trying to hold it in alignment when you go to seat it is when you will discover the joy of blood blisters. I like the Lee Classic Cast or the Redding Ultramag, plenty of room for those big cases.

 

[FLIGHT762]

I've used a single stage press for four decades. I started out on a RCBS Rock Chucker, then up graded to a Lyman Orange crusher press that has more top end space when reloading the long magnum rifle cartridges. I'm left handed and the Lyman press was one of the first few presses at the time that allowed the press handle on either side. I'm satisfied with the Lyman, but I do not like the way it tosses the used primers. It bounces used primers out of the tray and tosses them on the floor. I use a hand primer, so press priming isn't a concern.

If I were to upgrade again, I would consider the Lee classic cast press. I have never used one, but it seems to have the features I dislike about my Lyman press. I reload very few handgun cartridges. I was fortunate to have a career for 3 decades that allowed me to shoot factory loaded handgun ammo to my heart's content. Today, I reload some ammo here and there for my .41 Magnum and .357 Magnum pistols on my single stage press, that's all I need, so going to a progressive press isn't necessary for me.

The Lee Classic cast press does not cam over, so I would have to get used to that, but for just over $100.00, I think it would be a good single stage press. Something to look at.

 

[datguy]

I have a Rock Chucker, T-7, Co-Ax and Dillon 550b. I use the 550 for my pistol stuff currently. I really, really wish I would have bought a 650 instead. The case feeder and auto-index are must haves for me for pistol. The other thing you get is the ability to quickly process brass should you want/need to. I bought the Co-Ax to see what all the buzz was about. It's a nice press. I much prefer the Redding T-7 though for rifle stuff. I wouldn't buy any other non-progressive press over the T-7.

 

[Rthur]

Rock chucker on the rifle and Dillon 650 for the pistol. Both work well with a solid technique. With reloading experience either isn't hard to set up and make great ammo.
btw with all the goodies on the 650 you can crank out the pistol ammo.

R