Advice on Quality Press

[BoydAllen]

A shooting buddy has a couple of Co-Ax presses that he uses for everything. They are excellent, except for one thing, necking up cases like we do when making a 6PPC case from a piece of Lapua .220 Russian brass. In that instance,and no other that I am aware of) the floating feature produces markedly inferior results when compared to a press that holds things in more positive alignment. My Harrell's Combo press is the best that I have for this work, producing better results than my Rockchucker, I think this is true because the Combo has a very close fit on die threads, and the ram bore and top threads seem to be perfectly aligned. In any case, this is not a slam on the Forster, just something to keep in mind.

 

[MoneyWaster]

Thanks for sharing your experiences guys. I'm definately buying the co-ax. It sounds great.

 

[Innovative]

I'm no fan of turret presses for making rifle ammo. I've owned several reloading presses, and I now own a Dillon RL550 and an RCBS Rockchucker. There are several other presses out there that are very good quality, but these are my favorites.

Another handy bit of information about presses ..... whatever press you decide on ..... be sure to mount it on the most SOLID bench you can find, and secure it like a rock. You'll enjoy using it much more when you can 'feel' the press work like it should.

- Innovative

 

[JHardy]

Co-Ax, Co-Ax and Co-Ax. Mount on a 6'x6' steel plate, i.e., the plate is bolted to the bench,receased bolt heads) and the press is mounted on threaded studs set in the plate. You will have a 'rock' steady mount of a precision press that allows the dies to 'float' to center, and you can change dies in just seconds. In fact, you can easily remove the press for a trip to the range. You will never look back.

Just my $.02 as they say.

Good luck,
Jim Hardy

 

[cliffy]

Who sells Co-Ax presses? I've never heard of them till now. I've never regretted buying my single-stage LEE CAST-IRON press for about $80. My original LEE Challenger press,$37.50) caused grief after two years of operation, but LEE massively improved those lower-end problems in the Challenger by going from pot-metal to steel links. I only use single-stage because I balance scale-weight every load for accuracy down-range. I don't trust auto powder throwers. Cliffy

 

[JHardy]

Cliff:

The Co-AX is a 'Forster' product. It has been around for years. Run their WWW and you should get plenty of information.

BTW, I have owned MANY presses, both commercial and custom, and I have never had a press better than a Co-Ax. It is a single stage with the ability to switch dies as quickly as you can advance the turret on a Redding T-7,which is a great press).

Not only does the Co-Ax produce precision loaded rounds, but the footprint on you bench is small. The press is very 'stiff' and strong. The primer catch is the best on the market as is the shell holder. You will love a Co-Ax.

Jim Hardy

 

[cliffy]

I LIKE "LEE." My Cast Iron Lee Single Stage loads all my ammo. I use Lee Dies and factory crimp die. Price aside, Lee stuff works for me. I reload whilst I relax and watch t.v., so speed is of no consequence. This is my evening hobby, so I generally load fifty rounds a night. I generally shoot thirty-five rounds the day after. Being retired has some perks. When my wifey calls me upstairs, all reloading ceases. cliffy

 

[SmokinJoe]

I have, or have had, all the presses discussed except the current Lee. They all have their strengths & deficiencies. I won't try to steer you away from the Forster Co-Ax, but be aware of one thing. The Forster was designed with their dies in mind. I have encountered interference problems with some dies because of their height. I'm thinking that the Redding micrometer seating dies were a problem, but it's been several years. Like the guy above, I would recommend that you find sombody that uses a Co-Ax, and give it a test drive before pluncking down your money. Another press to consider, if you are willing to spend $300 or so, is the Sinclair press. You would need to be using shorter cartridges, of course, but that is one nice piece of equipment if it is suitable. A really nice feature is that the spent primers drop through the ram & out the bottom into your trash can or whatever, so no accumulation of primer residue around the ram. Also, Randy Robinett of BIB Bullets uses the Lee press for some of his bullet making operations & is very pleased with it, so it must be pretty straight & strong. Hope this helps.

 

[Rust]

I use my rather ancient Rockchucker to load all of my 1,000 yard ammunition, but have used inexpensive presses like the Lee Partner to load ammo every bit as good. As German stated, the dies and the quality of the brass are the primary contributors to low runout. Full length resizing of large magnum cases is easier on the 'chucker due to increased mechanical leverage though ;D.

Everyone has their favorites, and most of them can state a concrete reason why they prefer that favorite beyond simply an unsubstantiated "it's better". Durabilty, some feature(s) the competition doesn't have, better leverage for full length resizing large magnum cases etc.

For myself, since I load for a large number of chamberings, I am considering a Redding T-7. With extra tool heads the dies could remain set up and I like the way the tool head can be supported by the back of the frame. But I would use it more like a single stage, decap all the brass at once, size all the brass at once, seat bullets all at once (powder charging in the loading block).

I'd have to do a comparison between the T-7 and 'chucker to determine if the T-7 would inherit 1,000 match ammo chores though.

One thing for sure, you want to check out the press or presses in actual use you are considering before you buy, save yourself some time and money that way. Nothing is cheap if you have to buy it twice. A good press, with a little maintenance, will last a lifetime. Take that into consideration when you look at the price too.

 

[BIGGUNGOBOOM]

I use a RCBS and two Bonanza's one standard model 68 and a CO-AX. the RCBS is great for 90% of all applications, but the CO-AX is the all around 100% press. all BR, and wildcats are loaded on the CO-AX now. all others on the RCBS and Bonanza model 68

 

[cliffy]

Single-Stage presses are meant for die-hard perfectionists. Yes, they are S-L-O-W in loading but can produce some amazingly accuract downrange loads. The Lee Challenger is an Aluminum Lightweight, but has improved-steel lower arm components far superior to the pot-metal crap of a few years ago. Still the Cast Iron Lee Monster Single-Stage Press is a precision force to be reckoned with at any price. I use both the upgraded Challenger and Monster Cast Iron presses. I measure each powder load via a Lyman Balance Scale. I trim cases via a Lyman Acculine, so I'm not entirely LEE oriented. Yet, the LEE Factory Crimp Die is my favorite Lee Product. For pulling bullets, I use only Forster products. Cliffy

 

[infantrytrophy]

The Forster was designed with their dies in mind. I have encountered interference problems with some dies because of their height. I'm thinking that the Redding micrometer seating dies were a problem, but it's been several years...

... Another press to consider, if you are willing to spend $300 or so, is the Sinclair press. .... A really nice feature is that the spent primers drop through the ram & out the bottom into your trash can or whatever, so no accumulation of primer residue around the ram. ...

Regarding the issue of limited space available for tall dies, several years ago Forster redesigned the yoke for the handle. It now clears tall dies, such as the Redding or Forster micrometer seating dies. All of my micrometer seating dies work well, including Redding, Forster (in 30-06) and even the Hornady 7.5 x 55 Swiss die with Hornady's extra-tall micrometer attachment.

All of the Sinclair tools that I have used are first rate, although I have no experience with their press.

The Forster Co-ax press handles the spent primers superbly. The primer drops through a metal tube directly into a collection cup. It's a closed system, so no primer residue is dropped on your press or workbench.

Randy Sikes

 

[SmokinJoe]

Thanks for the info regarding the improved yoke design. My Co-Ax is pretty old. I concur with all the positive comments about this press. Had forgotten the neat primer drop/catch bottle. It's just been too long since I used that press.

 

[Mikem]

I'm also a Forester Co-Ax fan for almost every thing, but also have an RCBS C type and a Lyman T-Mag turret press. The Lyman had to much flex in the die holder plate for me, even with the stop adjusted up tight. So I made an aluminum bar to go between the .250" hole in the front of the press, (that's there to hold the priming arm), up and under the front of the die plate, it must be the right length, so it will get tight when you raise the back flex stop up. It slows down changing dies a bit, but it does take all of the slop out of this press.
I don't use this press much since I got the Forester, but there are a lot of the Lyman turrets out there.
BTW, The short ball handle option for the Forester is great, I use it all the time. I also replaced the primer catch jar with a 1/2" ID vinyl tube, leading down and into the top of an old powder jug, it holds a lot of dead primers.
M.

 

[Skeeter]

I have a Redding Boss and 2 Harrels Presses (Compact and Turret). All seem to load about the same. The compact is great for travel (light and nice clamp) the Harrels turret also loads nice and the press is ultra smooth to operate, but seems like when I really want to dial in I go back to my old Redding. Something about the comfort factor.... I've had it for over 25 years and it still loads terrific rounds. Big ugly and green but love it just the same.

Skeeter

 

[Winchester69]

Big, ugly and green, but love it just the same.

Ugly is in the eye of the beholder.

 

[argrendel]

I also have a Dillon 650 I bought 2 yrs. ago but have not unboxed. I guess I'd rather make quality than quanity for most of my shooting. Brought home a square deal for .45ACP tonight to allow me more pistol time. I hope others jump in. Buy once, you'll be ahead in the long run.
Scott

Don't knock your Dillon press. I have a 550b and load .223,6.5 Grendel, 308, used to load 300 mag, and several pistol cal.
I also have a Co-ax press. I found with good dies, most of my loaded ammo on the dillon press is under .003" of being true. Which is about the same with the Co-ax.
The down side is the powder measure. Finer powders usually meter +/- .2g. If that is close enough I can load around 300 rounds an hour going slow enough to check for problems and weigh an occational powder charge.
If I'm loading under 50 rounds I use the Co-ax. More than that It's Dillon for me.
I am just starting to shoot past 600yds, so things may change as I progress.Terry