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Area 419 zero press

longrangebanker

Silver $$ Contributor
I’m looking for people who have upgraded and can give their honest thoughts on the area 419 zero press. I currently have a Redding big boss 2 press, but I’m considering upgrading to the zero press. I don’t mind spending money on quality equipment if the investment is worth it. My questions are:

1. Is it really that more consistent than the big boss or any other quality press?
2. Will/could I see any noticeable difference in group sizing on paper with the new press?

I’m slowly upgrading my reloading equipment with an autotrickler v4 currently on the way. My other purchase I’m going to be doing in the near future is the new amp annealer.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!
 
longrangebanker said:
2. Will/could I see any noticeable difference in group sizing on paper with the new press?
Click to expand...
No.
But if you like it…by all means buy it.
Think of the press like a hammer.
You build a house. The particular hammer you use has nothing to do with finished product. But some hammers just swing nicer than others, and some look nicer.
A necessary tool to build the house but no more than that.
 
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I have used a redding t-7 for years, upgraded it with the Creedmoor head, its nice, but cant say it made anything better. I got the a zero with high expectations. its a beast of a press, but as far as being better than what I had its basically the same. Im not using it as much as the redding, I have the zero set up for my dasher, and im not shooting that as much. I plan on using it more this summer.
I would get the amp first, that you will use and it should help your loads. like m-61 said, the zero is like a luxury item, works well, looks great, if you want one get it, it will work fine, but not necessarily better or a fix all problems.
 
Big boss ii is an awesome press. Even better with inline roller handle for it.

The zero is smooth and nice but end result is no better than the big boss.

The t7 puts out great ammo as well... again with inline roller handle.

I tend to keep sizing dies set up on the zero and either use Wilson chamber seating die or seat on another press. Seating dies are easy to "walk in" to desired seating depth. I don't like adjusting sizing dies as much.

You won't be disappointed in the zero press, but it doesn't do anything better than the big boss.
 
It’s way better than anything out there - the T7 is not even in the same class. There is no slop anywhere - smooth - no press approach it. Just one of the best.
 
nwmnbowhunter said:
Big boss ii is an awesome press. Even better with inline roller handle for it.

The zero is smooth and nice but end result is no better than the big boss.

The t7 puts out great ammo as well... again with inline roller handle.

I tend to keep sizing dies set up on the zero and either use Wilson chamber seating die or seat on another press. Seating dies are easy to "walk in" to desired seating depth. I don't like adjusting sizing dies as much.

You won't be disappointed in the zero press, but it doesn't do anything better than the big boss.
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I would only be using it for sizing and decapping as well....I use a K&M Arbor Press for all my bullet seating with Wilson seaters.
 
Do you have a way of measuring concentricity and shoulder bump on what you are resizing now? If not, I would suggest checking those on your reloaded ammo before investing in a different press and determining what kind of tolerances you are comfortable with. Without means to compare, you won’t know if one is truly better than the other. I agree with the hammer analogy. A press performs a pretty simple operation. Some of them just look better doing it.
 
Boilermaker said:
Do you have a way of measuring concentricity and shoulder bump on what you are resizing now? If not, I would suggest checking those on your reloaded ammo before investing in a different press and determining what kind of tolerances you are comfortable with. Without means to compare, you won’t know if one is truly better than the other. I agree with the hammer analogy. A press performs a pretty simple operation. Some of them just look better doing it.
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I do have a couple shoulder bump gauges I had made from scrap barrels from the same reamer used to chamber my rifle. For other cartridges that I don't compete with, I just use the Hornady Comparator set. I'll prolly be upgrading that in the near future as well. As far as concentricity is concerned, no, I don't have anything to check that.
 
I would think that if you are purchasing the 419 press because you like nice tools ( don't blame you) and can afford it then go ahead, but if you are purchasing it to get more concentric loads then it probably won't happen. Good hand loads lie much more in the dies you use and your procedure than in the press you use. JMO
 
I changed to a Forster Co-AX and that press is really accurate / consistent. I really like that my dies stay exactly as set due to the way they snap in.. so no tweaking when moving back and fort between caliber. I seat bullets with a k&M arbor press and LE Wilson seaters .. once I made that change I dont even check concentrity anymore on loaded rounds. Great quality sizing dies are key. LE Wilson, Whidden, Cortina for me…on my bench. Its not just the press.
 
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longrangebanker said:
I’m looking for people who have upgraded and can give their honest thoughts on the area 419 zero press. I currently have a Redding big boss 2 press, but I’m considering upgrading to the zero press. I don’t mind spending money on quality equipment if the investment is worth it. My questions are:

1. Is it really that more consistent than the big boss or any other quality press?
2. Will/could I see any noticeable difference in group sizing on paper with the new press?

I’m slowly upgrading my reloading equipment with an autotrickler v4 currently on the way. My other purchase I’m going to be doing in the near future is the new amp annealer.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Click to expand...
Unless you have need for a new press I would personally suggest you apply the money to the best possible dies you can buy. Also, consider buying the best possible brass and bullets you can afford. The press will not magically turn so so ammo into a great load. Think of the press like a holding device for the dies. As long as it holds the top and bottom in perfect alignment it is capable of making winning ammo. I have loaded every piece of ammo I’ve ever competed with the same Hornady LNL classic press I started with 20+ years ago, and that ammo has won plenty of matches.

Dave
 
longrangebanker said:
I’m looking for people who have upgraded and can give their honest thoughts on the area 419 zero press. I currently have a Redding big boss 2 press, but I’m considering upgrading to the zero press. I don’t mind spending money on quality equipment if the investment is worth it. My questions are:

1. Is it really that more consistent than the big boss or any other quality press?
2. Will/could I see any noticeable difference in group sizing on paper with the new press?

I’m slowly upgrading my reloading equipment with an autotrickler v4 currently on the way. My other purchase I’m going to be doing in the near future is the new amp annealer.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Click to expand...
I would check with F Class John. He's the man!
 
In my opinion, Zero press can help you reload more consistent loads. BUT is not the cure all for poor reloading practices. Zero press is a huge step up from your Redding you are using now. GREAT press. FYI i have a Area 419, SAC Nexus, AMP press, T-7 upgraded and K&M press. Between Nexus and Zero. I can't really say I have a favorite other than when I am using SAC sizing dies, I usually use the Nexus and when using older sizing style dies aka Redding, I probably already have set up in a Zero turrent ( have several) and leave them alone.
 
I have a Zero press. I don't think it loads better ammo than that I loaded on my RockChucker, but the experience is just nicer. Changing from one station to another and then back again is utterly repeatable. There is no slop, wobble, flex..... it's just a joy to use. Runout is a function of the die. Get sloppy setting up the die and you'll get runout. The Zero won't make magic ammo but you may enjoy making that ammo more.
 
jpjulian said:
I have a Zero press. I don't think it loads better ammo than that I loaded on my RockChucker, but the experience is just nicer. Changing from one station to another and then back again is utterly repeatable. There is no slop, wobble, flex..... it's just a joy to use. Runout is a function of the die. Get sloppy setting up the die and you'll get runout. The Zero won't make magic ammo but you may enjoy making that ammo more.
Click to expand...
This…..it’s just really nice to use.
 
Thanks but i'll stick to my 1970's Forester CoAx, old Sinclair arbor w/Wilson seating dies and the modern 21c hand primer. KISS
 
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