Any hood reloading press reviews?

[DngBat7]

Wondering if anybody has used a hood benchrest reloading press. I know they are a bit pricy, so I was hoping for a review. Also how the hood may compare to the Harrell’s.

Thanks

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Its like a ford or porsche quality wise. Best press design ever- it will fit in a reloading box drawer

 

[DngBat7]

Its like a ford or porsche quality wise. Best press design ever- it will fit in a reloading box drawer

Thanks Dusty. Ford or Porsche tho?

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Thanks Dusty. Ford or Porsche tho?

Some presses you pull the handle and say “yes, this will get me from point A to point B” and some you pull the handle and say “man thats nice”. Thats the difference

 

[jthor]

Some presses you pull the handle and say “yes, this will get me from point A to point B” and some you pull the handle and say “man thats nice”. Thats the difference

“Man that’s nice” was my response to the Forster Coax.

 

[JFrank]

I can review Harrell’s vs RCBS RS mid size press.
The Harrell’s is light compact and portable, the ram comes to full extension at about 3/4 stroke then the linkage allows the ram to start back down at full stroke. (Cam over so to speak)
This makes it a bit tricky to set headspace, the PMA micro adjustable die lock ring is the way forward for myself. Nicely built Press’
The RCBS is heavier, also taller with a ram that reaches full extension and stays.
Easier to set up the Dies IMO also very smooth with far more leverage, although not quite as stylish or portable my preference is still the mid size RCBS

I’ll keep and use both”

J

 

[duanepa]

Hood press is top shelf. I already have an arbor press, so I opted for the Hood with two threaded holes. Allows me to use micrometer seater vs Wilson type seater.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

“Man that’s nice” was my response to the Forster Coax.

Limited exposure i guess

 

[farmerjohn]

I have an old one that I use for sizing exclusively. Also have and have used Harrell's but like dusty say's there's no comparison. Matt Owen's as in Matt@ ARCO is about ready to start shipping the new style "two holer" i call them, two threaded holes soon. After watching the tolerances he is using i suspect that the new ones will be far better than the old ones. Can't get a picture to load, but you will see them soon.

 

[duanepa]

My Harrells (C shaped press) is adjustable to keep the ram from starting back down after top dead center

 

[RGRobinett]

The Harrell's is a copy of the Hood. Scott Crawford, for a while, made very good clones of the Hood, including a few, somewhat wider, double threaded versions - top drawer. Upon the recommendation of Charlie Hood, I contacted Scott and obtained one of the first double threaded versions. I regret not getting two of them - when I have a new shooter along, I let them use the "Hood", and I use . . . something else.RG

 

[WillyTP]

Once I was able to get an original Hood press, it is one of the few items I won’t ever let go!!! The primer catcher is well thought out and has options for easy modifications, I use an old pill bottle to catch mine. That’s my one big knock on the Harrell’s presses, no thought at all on catching spent primers. Fit and finish on the hood is definitely top shelf quality too!

 

[jthor]

Limited exposure i guess

Hornady, RCBS, Dillon and MEC. Hands done the Coax beats all of their single stage presses.

 

[DngBat7]

O boy. I’ll get the popcorn going

 

[JimPag]

Wondering if anybody has used a hood benchrest reloading press. I know they are a bit pricy, so I was hoping for a review. Also how the hood may compare to the Harrell’s.

Thanks

I have 3 original Hood presses and 2 of the Harrell look a likes. I don't notice any performance difference between them. IMO the Hood's are a little nicer looking. It would be like comparing a Lambo to any old American muscle car. The original question didn't include opinions on Forster Co-Ax's or any other presses single stage presses.

 

[shoot4fun]

Hornady, RCBS, Dillon and MEC. Hands done the Coax beats all of their single stage presses.

I will freely tell anyone the Coax is a great press.
I will not tell anyone it is the "do all and do better" than any other single stage press.
Use a Coax as long as I and do some of the things I ask a press to do. You'll find there are a few things a Coax just can't do. That is why there is always a O-Frame type press mounted on the bench next to the Coax.
PS
The Hood Press is unmatched in its abilities for the benchers shooter, especially when loading at the range.

 

[farmerjohn]

If yli

I will freely tell anyone the Coax is a great press.
I will not tell anyone it is the "do all and do better" than any other single stage press.
Use a Coax as long as I and do some of the things I ask a press to do. You'll find there are a few things a Coax just can't do. That is why there is always a O-Frame type press mounted on the bench next to the Coax.
PS
The Hood Press is unmatched in its abilities for the benchers shooter, especially when loading at the range.

If you like the hood you will love the new one that Matt is building! It's a carbon copy of the original with Charlie's blessings. With the new cnc mills the alignment and tolerances will be better...

 

[arkcomatt]

Thanks John.
As John has stated, I am working on the press with Charlie's blessing.
I am working on a limited first run to make sure everything is working like it should. I expect to have completed presses ready in 6 to 8 weeks.
I will be sure and post when I get the done.

Matt

 

[jthor]

I will freely tell anyone the Coax is a great press.
I will not tell anyone it is the "do all and do better" than any other single stage press.
Use a Coax as long as I and do some of the things I ask a press to do. You'll find there are a few things a Coax just can't do. That is why there is always a O-Frame type press mounted on the bench next to the Coax.
PS
The Hood Press is unmatched in its abilities for the benchers shooter, especially when loading at the range.

I'm not arguing against the Hood one bit. I still have a regular Hornady LNL single stage press for the things the Coax can't do.

 

[shoot4fun]

If yli

If you like the hood you will love the new one that Matt is building! It's a carbon copy of the original with Charlie's blessings. With the new cnc mills the alignment and tolerances will be better...

I have bought some of Matt's gear and I can attest to its quality. Would have no problem buying a press from him.