Advice for a new press

[RICK SMITH]

MEC.

 

[RCE1]

CoAx

 

[Kracken McGraw]

https://www.brownells.com/the-trigg...w-2025-custom-builds/shot-show-2026-coverage/
Kind of interesting video on the new Hornady Lock-n-Load Pro press.

 

[Fire Dog]

Thanks everyone for the replies.
I want to point out that my rifle's chamber is quite narrow, and I can't resize the case simply by making firm contact between the shell holder and the die;
I have to screw the die in quite tightly.

The problem I'm having with the press is that when I press firmly on the lever, the piston flexes.
I measured this with a dial gauge.

That issue is not a press problem but a die problem…
If your brass will not size enough to chamber you need to find out why and where…
Blacken a sized case with a Texta, chamber and see where the contact points are.
It may just be that you are not able to bump the case shoulder enough, that can be fixed by taking a few thousand off the end of the die {I did one on a belt sander as I do not have a lathe} If the case is not being sized in the body then you may need to get a small base die to get more “squeeze” on the body.
I have and advocate a Co-Ax {mine is an original Bonanza} and since I prime by hand and not on the press, the mentioned issue with it’s priming system is not an issue. BTW: The Bonanza had shell holder type priming setup rather than the one Foster now uses on their version… They bought up Bonanza years ago and still the parts are interchangeable aside from the priming system.
I do recommend getting the InLine curved side links or the ones that Foster has copied as they give better access to the platen/die area.

 

[Bora72]

Rock Chucker here for 40 plus years.

By the way, what is a narrow chamber. Streets are narrow.

And What is the piston you reference, the press ram?

Yes, the "piston" are the ram.
The chamber are short, my head space of fired case a the datum (Hornady .375 gauge) are 1.471"

Press model ?? Turret or single? Redding website shows both.

The press is a Redding The Boss.

Sound like you’re trying for more squeeze on press to brass case and your standing on the press handle casing ram to deflect.

I don't usually use this much force to resize a case. I accidentally noticed that with the piston in the raised position, if I apply pressure to it, it moves.
The same thing happens when I press the lever; the piston flexes to the side.

Maybe you have a problem with the shell holder or the die being to thick or to long. You should have some clearance between the ram and shell holder for the case squeeze that you want.

I don't think it's a problem with the die or the shell holder itself; I think it's due to the chamber being the minimum CIP size (6.5x47 Lapua).
So, to get enough headspace to close the bolt without any effort, I have to screw the die in and aim for a minimum camover...

My press has 0.068” of space(air gap) between the ram and the sizing die for my headspace setting.

In my case, if I set the die with these tolerances I can't scale the headspace measurement.

Help us out with a little more information, maybe we can save you some $$$$.$$ and you then become a paying member for all great information these guys have put, and they do putout.

To measure the headspace of a fired case, I use a Hornady comparator mounted on a Mitutoyo digital caliper.
To measure the case during resizing, I insert it into the rifle and try to close the bolt until it drops down on its own.
I removed the extractor pin from the bolt.

I use Forster dies (full honed .286 and neck) and Redding dies (body).

I mainly use Redding shell holders, but I also have RCBS shell holders.

Hope you finger it out. Reddings presses are good. Best of luck to you.

I'm sure that with your help I will succeed.

p.s.: sorry to all for my bad english..

 

[Bora72]

The piston flexes?!?!? All presses flex, I know the frames do. There’s always some slack in linkages.

Yes it bends laterally

 

[Bora72]

Which Redding press you using?

Comparing
Rock chucker
T7
Big boss ii
Mec
Zero

All were equal in terms of concentricity and shoulder bump.

Redding The Boss

 

[Bora72]

Save some money and grind/sand or lathe the top of the shell holder back. I believe you can order shell holders with less height as well. Can also trim the face of the die in same manner with same results.
If your chamber is short this will require more setback than you are currently capable of causing either cam over or to much press contact between the die and shell plate.

I might try sanding the top of the shell holder to try to reduce the gap between the case head and the die.
I'd like some ideas on how to hold the shell holder in the milling vice without it slipping off or getting damaged.
Yes, the chamber is short, but we can also measure the other parts of the case that are resized and could hinder insertion into the chamber.
Unfortunately, I don't have any fired cases.

If your chamber is tight and you are binding on the actual chamber its possibly at the base which will require a small base die.

I don't think it's narrow, I misspoke, it's short on headspace.

 

[Bora72]

As has been stated, the press isn’t the issue. Once the shell holder comes into firm comtact with the die, sizing is done. No amount of smashing, forcing, crushing by the press is going to size it further.

If it were me the next step is determine what part of the case isn’t being sized enough to chamber easily. It may just be a matter of sanding a few thousandths off the top of the shell holder to allow the case to go slightly further into the die. Maybe you need a small base dies. More info and discussion will flush that out but a new press isn’t the solution

I included the detail about resizing to try to explain why I have to squeeze the shell holder onto the die much more than usual, but I think this just created confusion.

I have no problem resizing the case at the end; I just need to tighten the die more and get a tighter shell holder/die fit.

 

[Bora72]

R

You need a set of these: https://www.midwayusa.com/product/101253343

These will let you bump the shoulder more with your existing press.

As mentioned, you can also remove the top of your current shell plate. Or you can have the bottom of your die machined off to give more sizing opportunity (I'd recommend taking it to a machinist if that is what you do).

I'd also examine how you are lubing the cases for resizing. If you don't lube properly, the case can and will stick to the die (especially if the base of the case is blown out) and not size 100%, it will spring back. Finally are you annealing your cases? If they have been fired a bunch, they may need to be annealed to size properly.

Cheers,
Toby

Redding Competition Shell Holder set move the shouder away from the die, not for my case.

 

[Bora72]

inquiring minds want to know what cartridge you load for pls.

Sorry, 6,5x47 Lapua

 

[Bora72]

https://www.brownells.com/the-trigg...w-2025-custom-builds/shot-show-2026-coverage/
Kind of interesting video on the new Hornady Lock-n-Load Pro press.

Please tell me the item, I'can't open Brownells USA link from Italy

 

[Bat Rastard]

I own all 3 of the presses you are considering. All 3 of them are great, you can’t go wrong with any of them.
Ranking them by my preference:
Coax
Mec
Rockchucker

I’m actually considering adding a 2nd Coax to my bench. I’m too lazy to switch the jaws.

That being said, I think if you grind a little off of your dies, the press you have will do the work you need done.
I have ground several sets of dies to get them where they needed to be.

 

[tovaert]

An experienced shooter/reloader advised men to buy the Co-Ax. Mine is worth more (used) than I paid for it. Be patient and watch for sales. Not fast, but makes very consistent rounds. It's also great for sizing. I also use it to size/deprime pistol brass. There are a couple of things I don't like about it, but all minor. Some of these have aftermarket fixes.

 

[Webster]

Thanks everyone for the replies.
I want to point out that my rifle's chamber is quite narrow, and I can't resize the case simply by making firm contact between the shell holder and the die;
I have to screw the die in quite tightly.

The problem I'm having with the press is that when I press firmly on the lever, the piston flexes.
I measured this with a dial gauge.

Describe the rifle. Is it a factory barrel. I doubt there is aanything wrong with the press. All the press does is push the case into the die. The press has unlimited travel to simply push the case into the die. Your assuming you have a tight chamber. I'm sure the manufacturer uses chambering reamers made to SAAMI spec.

Did you have the barrel chambered by an amatuer gunsmith? If so maybe the reamer was run in to far causing the shoulder to be blown forward a little to much so the die won't work. If you have a bump guage measure the distance on a new factory case and one fired in your gun. This will tell you if the shoulder got blow forward to much. Keep in mind factory brass is sized on the small side of the SAAMI spec so it will fit in any rifle. Not sure how you interpret the number you get. Does new unfired factory brass chamber easily?

 

[64Rambler]

If you know your chamber is short, you either need to trim the bottom of the die a few thousandths (most risky), or get a set of negative shell holders (preferred, less expensive than messing up the die). I took a set of Derraco comp shell holders and ground them all down to the "zero" level (0.125"), then I pulled the zero and ground the rest another -0.0006", pulled one, ground the remaining another 0.0006", pulled one... until done. You need a good surface grinder for this, but when done it will work with all your dies - yes, you said you only load one caliber, but...

The chamber are short

 

[SSL]

Yes, the "piston" are the ram.
The chamber are short, my head space of fired case a the datum (Hornady .375 gauge) are 1.471"


The press is a Redding The Boss.


I don't usually use this much force to resize a case. I accidentally noticed that with the piston in the raised position, if I apply pressure to it, it moves.
The same thing happens when I press the lever; the piston flexes to the side.


I don't think it's a problem with the die or the shell holder itself; I think it's due to the chamber being the minimum CIP size (6.5x47 Lapua).
So, to get enough headspace to close the bolt without any effort, I have to screw the die in and aim for a minimum camover...


In my case, if I set the die with these tolerances I can't scale the headspace measurement.


To measure the headspace of a fired case, I use a Hornady comparator mounted on a Mitutoyo digital caliper.
To measure the case during resizing, I insert it into the rifle and try to close the bolt until it drops down on its own.
I removed the extractor pin from the bolt.

I use Forster dies (full honed .286 and neck) and Redding dies (body).

I mainly use Redding shell holders, but I also have RCBS shell holders.


I'm sure that with your help I will succeed.

p.s.: sorry to all for my bad english..

Don't worry about your English...at least you speak it! Most of us can't speak more than one language...and some barely that.

 

[nakneker]

Been using a Rock Chucker for 42+ years, tried a Co-Ax, currently have a zero press Gen 1 but find myself loading on the RC 90% of the time. Dillon 750 for bulk loading 223 & 9mm. I’ve had the same press since I started, I also have a spare for the day mine has an issue if that day ever comes. That being said I think all three of the presses you mentioned would do you a good job and the advice that’s been given my remedy the issue you are having.

 

[linebaugh]

I might try sanding the top of the shell holder to try to reduce the gap between the case head and the die.
I'd like some ideas on how to hold the shell holder in the milling vice without it slipping off or getting damaged.
Yes, the chamber is short, but we can also measure the other parts of the case that are resized and could hinder insertion into the chamber.
Unfortunately, I don't have any fired cases.


I don't think it's narrow, I misspoke, it's short on headspace.

If it's a shoulder bump issue you will have to trim the top of the shell holder or bottom of die. A new press wont make any difference as you are already mating the die to the shell holder. A belt sander, a piece of sand paper and your fingers for down pressure or even a grinder will work. You will only need to take the thickness of 2 pieces of paper off to get things to work and it doesnt need to be square.
Nothing says you need to kiss the die with the shell holder so having a bit of clearance wont bother a thing.
If you have the same problem after taking some off your shell holder its either a base diameter issue or a trim/neck length issue. Or you are seating bullets into the rifling.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Please tell me the item, I'can't open Brownells USA link from Italy

Hornady Lock n Load Pro. Supposedly they have upgraded this Pro model with tighter tolerance and some brass bushings in the linkage + a grease zert and a groove in the ram for the grease to travel.