jepp2
Gold $$ Contributor
Currently out of stock at Brownells. Might consider Cabelas http://www.cabelas.com/product/shoo...16280/forster-co-ax-press/741213.uts?slotId=0
In stock at $319.99 but they have 10% off with free shipping fairly often.
So if you were starting to precision reload from scratch...
- Thread starter TerryH
- Start date
Currently out of stock at Brownells. Might consider Cabelas http://www.cabelas.com/product/shoo...16280/forster-co-ax-press/741213.uts?slotId=0
In stock at $319.99 but they have 10% off with free shipping fairly often.
dcali
Bullet Maker
My thoughts from a few years back. Not much I would change today. http://bisonballistics.com/articles/beginner-s-guide-to-reloading-equipment
DirtySteve
Gold $$ Contributor
Well, sorry, but that is destined to repeat itself so you might just as well do it and get it over with....go ahead and order a Forster Co-Ax press now. Get the thing in, set it up and load one round on it.....and then immediately sell it. Don't worry about the money...there are plenty of folks out there that feel like they cannot live without one, you will get just about all of your money back pretty quickly!!! You might even make a few dollars if they are out of stock!!
Don't bother wasting time testing with it, we have all already done it, and if honest about will tell you that there is no advantage to this device at all.....but, like all of us, you just have to get one in your hands and see, otherwise you will go thru life wondering what it would be like to own one and reload on it.
Once you put this behind you it's time to really get started. Best of luck to you and good shooting!!!!
hoz53
Gold $$ Contributor
you dont need a shell holder with a coax--i have 2 coax's- i like them but i wouldnt want a coax as my only press- id buy a single stage like a rock chucker to start--i didnt see a trimmer on the list you can go cheap with a lee or get a wilson -dont bother with the other manual ones. dont need to spend that on lube kit just get some imperial lube and use your fingers- dont need a dandy trickler- buy a cheaper one you turn by hand--you need a way to measure shoulder bump- get a hornady or sinclair and a dial caliper. its worth it to spend 100 on a mitutoyo--if youre going to turn neck you need a tube type mic- i think km has the one with offset mandrel-- --if you buy the single stage press you will need the shell holder
I'll agree with the trimmer and lube advice above. I use a Wilson with micrometer. Hard to beat that one. I also switched from the RCBS pad to Unique wax. I'll never go back to a sticky liquid based lube again.
To be honest, I used a 7mm Mag case (with spent primer) with my fingers to trickle powder (and still do if I'm only doing a couple of cases) until I bought a Dandy battery operated one. If you're doing a number of cases, it's awesome!
I picked up a Lyman case prep station on sale and that takes care of all the primer pocket and neck work that needs to be done.
I also use a RCBS ball micrometer with an inexpensive stand from Amazon for measuring necks. something three times the cost would be more accurate, but I don't think you can shoot the difference.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012936822/rcbs-vernier-ball-micrometer-1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NFZ31NU/?tag=accuratescom-20
To be honest, I used a 7mm Mag case (with spent primer) with my fingers to trickle powder (and still do if I'm only doing a couple of cases) until I bought a Dandy battery operated one. If you're doing a number of cases, it's awesome!
I picked up a Lyman case prep station on sale and that takes care of all the primer pocket and neck work that needs to be done.
I also use a RCBS ball micrometer with an inexpensive stand from Amazon for measuring necks. something three times the cost would be more accurate, but I don't think you can shoot the difference.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012936822/rcbs-vernier-ball-micrometer-1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NFZ31NU/?tag=accuratescom-20
We certainly dove right down that rabbit hole.
I would still go with cheap at the outset and discard and replace as I get my feet wet up to at least the ankles.
As a side note- I noticed $0 for the RCBS bullet puller. I don't know if there are presses it will not work with, but beware Amazon. $40 is high for this item.
Just throwing this out there- For $50/year, Brownell's will ship ground for no charge. It could be an eight day haul, but there is no charge. Otherwise, check the major on line retailers for their free shipping days (many, many) and discount codes.
There are truly a gazillion products out there and each one is duplicated by at least three manufacturers, i.e. K&M turner may feel good to me, but maybe not to you. We are getting into esoteric and personal preferences in this thread, I.e. brand X flash hole cleaner and shaper. Something as simple as the handle not feeling right make you toss that $30 for another one that feels better.
On the whole prep thing- there are at least 30 factors that will either detract or add to the quality of the anticipated results and it will be a bitch to figure out which one of these is messing up your shots from load, to neck tension to shoulder bump to seating depth to inside and outside chamfer to OAL to ogive to base measurement to primer choice to primer seating depth to temperature, humidity and WIND while you are loading (except for wind) and for shooting, going then to carbon and copper build up in the receiver and the barrel, general rifle hygiene, scope mounts including rings, tightening of these, inch pounds of pressure on your receiver screws. Brand of cleaners size and composition of patches, rods and jags. These are just the ones that are off the top of my head. Just as an aside, go to various sites for Lyman, Lee and powder and bullet manufacturers and look at the start and max loads for a particular powder for your caliber and twist (if applicable) and tell me if they are all the same. It is not a Grand Canyon sized spread of data, but it is pretty inconsistent from one site to another.
PLEASE SAVE THE AGGRAVATION AND WHATEVER HAIR ON THE TOP OF YOUR HEAD YOU WISH TO RETAIN AND GO SLOW AND WORK YOUR WAY UP TO A RELOADING SETUP THAT WILL SUIT YOU FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE.
I type this based upon personal experience.
I would still go with cheap at the outset and discard and replace as I get my feet wet up to at least the ankles.
As a side note- I noticed $0 for the RCBS bullet puller. I don't know if there are presses it will not work with, but beware Amazon. $40 is high for this item.
Just throwing this out there- For $50/year, Brownell's will ship ground for no charge. It could be an eight day haul, but there is no charge. Otherwise, check the major on line retailers for their free shipping days (many, many) and discount codes.
There are truly a gazillion products out there and each one is duplicated by at least three manufacturers, i.e. K&M turner may feel good to me, but maybe not to you. We are getting into esoteric and personal preferences in this thread, I.e. brand X flash hole cleaner and shaper. Something as simple as the handle not feeling right make you toss that $30 for another one that feels better.
On the whole prep thing- there are at least 30 factors that will either detract or add to the quality of the anticipated results and it will be a bitch to figure out which one of these is messing up your shots from load, to neck tension to shoulder bump to seating depth to inside and outside chamfer to OAL to ogive to base measurement to primer choice to primer seating depth to temperature, humidity and WIND while you are loading (except for wind) and for shooting, going then to carbon and copper build up in the receiver and the barrel, general rifle hygiene, scope mounts including rings, tightening of these, inch pounds of pressure on your receiver screws. Brand of cleaners size and composition of patches, rods and jags. These are just the ones that are off the top of my head. Just as an aside, go to various sites for Lyman, Lee and powder and bullet manufacturers and look at the start and max loads for a particular powder for your caliber and twist (if applicable) and tell me if they are all the same. It is not a Grand Canyon sized spread of data, but it is pretty inconsistent from one site to another.
PLEASE SAVE THE AGGRAVATION AND WHATEVER HAIR ON THE TOP OF YOUR HEAD YOU WISH TO RETAIN AND GO SLOW AND WORK YOUR WAY UP TO A RELOADING SETUP THAT WILL SUIT YOU FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE.
I type this based upon personal experience.
Co-Ax press is great. You really have to use a conventional press to appreciate a Co-Ax.
I use a Satern funnel. It's matched to the case neck. Won't tip and cause powder to spill.
Deburring tool - get a VLD deburring tool. Makes bullets insertion smoother.
I would spend more for the measure. Everyone has their opinion on which measure is the best. I like the Redding BR-30. Also have an old Saeco. Both are very accurate. Expensive but you only have to buy it once and it's very accurate. I just can't get into plastic measures when it comes to dishing out powder.
The MTM reloading trays are much better in quality and function. Same price too.
I used to use a lube pad but it's too messy for me. Use Hornady One-Shot now. Fast and the inside of the neck gets lubed.
Won't need a shell holder with the Co-Ax.
Just don't buy cheap. Notice I didn't say inexpensive. Reloading equip lasts several life times if cared for. When you amortize the additional cost of buying cheap vs. quality equipment over, say 20 years, it is not worth talking about. And you had quality equipment to work with all those years. If you have to wait another month to afford the part you want, then wait another month.
Notice how easy and accurate woodworking is when you have the proper tools. Table saw is more accurate, miter square keeps cuts accurate, equipment lasts longer, etc. Quality, accurate equipment makes the reloading experience go much better. And when it comes to measuring instruments get good stuff. All it takes is one inaccurate measurement for things to go wrong.
I hope it’s the other unnamed masked man and not me ,now I’m scared
hoz53
Gold $$ Contributor
i have two redding powder measures. i think they are very good. Funny thing is they are hard to sell from my experience so the OP may be able to get a good deal on a used one. as long as you have the scale you can use any kind of scoop to dump your powder on the scale pan while youre waiting to find a good used deal on a powder measure.
PMA neck turner shellholder is awesome along with their neck turner.
http://www.pmatool.com/caseholders-and-drivers-1/
http://www.pmatool.com/pma-neck-turning-tool-model-a-30-degree/
two presses for.sure. co-ax and an arbor press
Cecil S.
Gold $$ Contributor
Hello Richard, "Arbor Press".....is next in my budget. I was trying to keep the OP inside of his $1000.00 cap. In to the rabbit hole we all must go. hahaha
Would like some feedback on the importance of trimming bass for length. Can .001-.003 variance in length be measured on paper at 600+yds? My thought is you are going to have to manage the carbon ring reguardless of the OAL of the brass.
Ben
Come to Redcastle Saturday,,,we can help you spend your money....If you still want to after a day of 15-20 and switching.
Come to Redcastle Saturday,,,we can help you spend your money....If you still want to after a day of 15-20 and switching.
I am planning on being there. I figured that somebody has to come in last and it might as well be me.
keeping that throat clean is important and easy. get you a parker hale jag, boretech C4 and some losso paste. Soak in C4 on a patch, short stroke about.the first 10" of the bore vigorously, then soak a patch in C4 and put a little losso on the patch and repeat. then patch it out. Repeat until patch comes out clean. To really know what is going on buy you the cheap lyman borescope. will tell you all you need to know and probably more than you should.
That sir is no kind of attitude to have!!! 
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