Any hood reloading press reviews?

[JFrank]

That’s a thing of Beauty

 

[farmerjohn]

Yes they are. I know he is going to have a red and a black one also.

 

[TrxR]

Farmerjohn: any idea on the pricepoint of those?

 

[Mikemci]

$600, without the dies.

 

[farmerjohn]

Farmerjohn: any idea on the pricepoint of those?

To my personal knowledge I don't think he has announced it, but with the tolerances he's holding and the .0007 clicks on the sizing die it is running into expense. I feel like it will be the most accurate press on the market...

 

[SGK]

So:

- one needs new click sizing dies or regular dies fit into a 'JLC type insert' for clicks? What if one already has click adjustable dies?
- why 7/10ths versus a round number when a bump of 1-2 thou is commonly recommended? ie. the precision below a thou isn't needed
- can it handle 308 and bigger?

Dusty mentioned inability to handle tall micrometer dies as a shortcoming of the Forster Coax yet it handles these easily.

How does the design act as an arbor press as well? Looks like a regular seating die.

Does that just leave "go in a drawer"? How many people unbolt and rebolt their press each use?

An apparent advantage of the Forster is not having to purchase shell holders. Here one does.
And what about the 'free floating' arguments?

I'm merely curious as to why this is better.

Are the ones from Bullet Central no longer available?

It sure looks nice.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

So:

- one needs new click sizing dies or regular dies fit into a 'JLC type insert' for clicks? What if one already has click adjustable dies?
- why 7/10ths versus a round number when a bump of 1-2 thou is commonly recommended? ie. the precision below a thou isn't needed
- can it handle 308 and bigger?

Dusty mentioned inability to handle tall micrometer dies as a shortcoming of the Forster Coax yet it handles these easily.

How does the design act as an arbor press as well? Looks like a regular seating die.

Does that just leave "go in a drawer"? How many people unbolt and rebolt their press each use?

An apparent advantage of the Forster is not having to purchase shell holders. Here one does.
And what about the 'free floating' arguments?

I'm merely curious as to why this is better.

Are the ones from Bullet Central no longer available?

It sure looks nice.

The press with the arbor style on the side is not shown. Most shortrange br shooters use screw in dies to seat so theyre offered either way.

 

[farmerjohn]

Will have to get some pictures to show you the reason for the.0007 clicks, and answer the rest of the questions. All fair questions by the way, but it is not built to compeat with a coax. It's a specialized press just for the accuracy game, as for the shell holders almost everyone turns holders for thickness to use with dies like those in the picture which are Billy Stevens. With the press in perfectly alignment, the shell holder milled perfectly flat and the dies which are perfectly machined it makes it easier to load straight shells. As for bolting it down I use "C" clamps at a match to clamp it to my portable bench and it goes flat into my drawer of my shooting chest to and from the matches. About to forget the rest of the questions but will reread it and try to get pictures tomorrow...
John

 

[Shooter13]

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.

Yes ye' ol' turd! You wouldn't sell me just one!!! LOL

 

[Alex Wheeler]

The Hood design is an o-frame with solid back. Very little flex. This is why an aluminum press has better shoulder bump consistency than an iron coax. And the coax is my most used press. The only change Id make would be to eliminate the little cut out on the left side between the arbor and main sections to stiffen it even more.

 

[JimPag]

Yes ye' ol' turd! You wouldn't sell me just one!!! LOL

Can't Frankie. I have 9 different caliber dies set up in 9 different single stage presses so I don't have to mess with die adjustments. Sorry Buddy, LOL.

 

[DJB]

I purchased an older Hood press, and tried to resize some 6 Dasher multi fired brass. It did not take long to realize that resizing dasher brass with this little press was taking a lot more effort to resize brass, then bigger presses. I have 2 Harrell's presses, and they take some extra effort to resize Dasher but not as much as the Hood. Not sure why so many shooters like this little Hood press considering how much more effort it takes to resize brass. It is a well made little press, and takes up little room in my shooting box. I use imperial die lube, and bag balm before resizing. Tried a few others but kept going back to these two. Worried about carpal tunnel or nerve damage if I keep using these smaller presses. Just not sure why the Hood is recommended for larger brass then the 6PPC? Doug

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I purchased an older Hood press, and tried to resize some 6 Dasher multi fired brass. It did not take long to realize that resizing dasher brass with this little press was taking a lot more effort to resize brass, then bigger presses. I have 2 Harrell's presses, and they take some extra effort to resize Dasher but not as much as the Hood. Not sure why so many shooters like this little Hood press considering how much more effort it takes to resize brass. It is a well made little press, and takes up little room in my shooting box. I use imperial die lube, and bag balm before resizing. Tried a few others but kept going back to these two. Worried about carpal tunnel or nerve damage if I keep using these smaller presses. Just not sure why the Hood is recommended for larger brass then the 6PPC? Doug

Its made for the ppc and to have minimal sizing dies made to fit your chamber

 

[DJB]

Thanks Dusty......Just kind of surprised to hear some saying it works fine for the BR, and Dasher cases, knowing how much more effort it takes while resizing these two cases.

 

[butchlambert]

Thanks Dusty......Just kind of surprised to hear some saying it works fine for the BR, and Dasher cases, knowing how much more effort it takes while resizing these two cases.

My Hood works great with my BRs. My dies are set for my chambers and I use carbide neck bushings.
I do have a custom handle on mine.

 

[DJB]

Butch.....My dies are also set up for each chamber, while using carbide bushings. Thought a lot about a custom handle to make things easier. Thanks

 

[butchlambert]

Scott Hunter made a limited run several years ago. It is a tad longer, but has a nice round knob that is most comfortable.