Zero press Gen2

[John Glidewell]

You knew it would eventually happen. But is it enough improvement from Gen1 to switch?

The ZERO Gen 2 Reloading Press

NOTE: DUE TO HIGH DEMAND, EXPECT UP TO 5 DAYS OF PROCESSING TIME.

www.area419.com

 

[Maurygold]

No way I’d switch. I cam over my sizing die so I have no idea why I’d need stronger linkage. It’s by and far already the smoothest press I’ve ever owned and I don’t know why an improvement there would matter. The detent for primers might be cool but I have no idea why I’d need it - the tray has never moved even with swapping on my inline fabric. And I put my torque wrench in the hole in my inline fab.

It’s cool they’re continuing to improve but there’s no reason to upgrade I can see.

 

[tbk5]

If one were buying new today, Gen 1 or Gen 2? I currently use an older Hornady single stage. I am looking for a turret style for precision rifle reloading (Redding T7 or Zero). I don't (up to now) use the press for primers.

 

[DairyDictator]

I have one coming because I'm really dumb and like shiny objects. 20% off coupon doesn't hurt either. Let's see if Midway honors it.

 

[Herb Stoner]

No way I’d switch. I cam over my sizing die so I have no idea why I’d need stronger linkage. It’s by and far already the smoothest press I’ve ever owned and I don’t know why an improvement there would matter. The detent for primers might be cool but I have no idea why I’d need it - the tray has never moved even with swapping on my inline fabric. And I put my torque wrench in the hole in my inline fab.

It’s cool they’re continuing to improve but there’s no reason to upgrade I can see.

I obviously haven’t used a gen 2 but this is pretty much my view as well. It’s already rock solid with very strong linkage and extremely smooth. I decap on a Dillon with a case feeder and prime on a CPS so no opinion on the detent for the little primer tray.

 

[C130]

I have one arriving Thursday, bought directly from Area 419 last Friday. I thought about buying the Gen 1 and saving some money but a couple places I looked at were already sold out of the Gen1. I'm sure I could have easily found one but just went with the new version. It'll be my first press, new to reloading.

 

[Southpaw357]

On Gen 2, the ram now goes up and then back down a little at the end of the stroke, correct? This is what they are calling cam-over? What is the perceived benefit if this?

 

[DairyDictator]

On Gen 2, the ram now goes up and then back down a little at the end of the stroke, correct? This is what they are calling cam-over? What is the perceived benefit if this?

Correct. I believe in the video they said it will drop about .001" at the upper end of the stroke.
The benefit of this is when your shell holder isn't making contact with the bottom of the die. It's really difficult to make the ram stop in the perfect position every single time. The stops at the bottom of the stroke always have a little give to them, or you can get some dust on it. If you have contact between the die and the shell plate, the die actually sets the base position which is reached before the end of the stroke, negating the need for cam over. This is why they strongly recommended shell holder contact on the gen 1. Most presses have a "cam over" so the maximum height of the ram is achieved before the bottom of the stroke, meaning that stop point is far less critical and the max height is more consistent. This is a lot more important if you float your dies.

 

[Southpaw357]

Correct. I believe in the video they said it will drop about .001" at the upper end of the stroke.
The benefit of this is when your shell holder isn't making contact with the bottom of the die. It's really difficult to make the ram stop in the perfect position every single time. The stops at the bottom of the stroke always have a little give to them, or you can get some dust on it. If you have contact between the die and the shell plate, the die actually sets the base position which is reached before the end of the stroke, negating the need for cam over. This is why they strongly recommended shell holder contact on the gen 1. Most presses have a "cam over" so the maximum height of the ram is achieved before the bottom of the stroke, meaning that stop point is far less critical and the max height is more consistent. This is a lot more important if you float your dies.

I understand now, thank you!

 

[W6SPK]

Primer tray detention and the tool slot are nice little additions, but not worth upgrading in my opinion.

 

[JB.IC]

Insecurities from FOMO are about the only reason to upgrade.

 

[avidflyer]

Correct. I believe in the video they said it will drop about .001" at the upper end of the stroke.
The benefit of this is when your shell holder isn't making contact with the bottom of the die. It's really difficult to make the ram stop in the perfect position every single time. The stops at the bottom of the stroke always have a little give to them, or you can get some dust on it. If you have contact between the die and the shell plate, the die actually sets the base position which is reached before the end of the stroke, negating the need for cam over. This is why they strongly recommended shell holder contact on the gen 1. Most presses have a "cam over" so the maximum height of the ram is achieved before the bottom of the stroke, meaning that stop point is far less critical and the max height is more consistent. This is a lot more important if you float your dies.

At least on mine, with SAC dies if they touch the shell plate, I get almost 75k of sizing past where I need to be. Been debating about putting they die in the lathe.

 

[DairyDictator]

At least on mine, with SAC dies if they touch the shell plate, I get almost 75k of sizing past where I need to be. Been debating about putting they die in the lathe.

As in .075" bump? Damn that sounds like an out of spec die or an out of spec chamber.

 

[GenericBadGuy]

It feels a bit like the Gen 2 was really intended to help set a new, higher MSRP. I'm sure they will discontinue the Gen 1, meaning the new base price would rise from $1275 to $1400.

The incremental improvements I think are nice but not worth selling my Gen 1 that I paid $1100 for to buy a Gen 2 at $1400+tax.

 

[Marine52]

At least on mine, with SAC dies if they touch the shell plate, I get almost 75k of sizing past where I need to be. Been debating about putting they die in the lathe.

If you’re getting 0.075” excess shoulder bump over your goal (with firm die-to-shellholder contact), you definitely don’t want to trim your die with a lathe. That will make matters worse. Your die is out of spec. You can back the die out ‘til you find the correct shoulder bump but it’s likely the case will not get sized correctly at the base .200 line.