I don't need capacity or rock crushing power, I am fl sizing 6br and 223. Which one will load the straightest ammo?
Forster co-ax vs. Redding big boss 2
- Thread starter rain164845
- Start date
jonbearman
I live in new york state,how unfortunate !
What is so bad with the rock crusher,been loading on one for nearly 30 years. The coax is a fine press but it is expensive and so is the boss.Try the co-ax if you like and I will give you 40.00 for your old press as long as it has nothing wrong with it.
PS: A rockcrusher with good dies will make lots of straight ammo.It is a toss up really.The others you mentioned have more mechanical advantage.
PS: A rockcrusher with good dies will make lots of straight ammo.It is a toss up really.The others you mentioned have more mechanical advantage.
kinda like everything else. If you get a CoAx you will see what you have been missing for a long time. So smooth and easy to use. No shell holders and set dies once forget it. Don't have to get shims either. Set your die once and if you need to bump more just adjust die. Takes as much time as using shims.
Can size 223 brass with two fingers. My consistency in shoulder bump and seating has improved since I switched from the Lee classic press.
Primers fall into a catch jar and no mess gets onto the press.
plus you can take CoAx to range and just use 1 C-clamp and go to sizing/seating. Don't have to make custom set up for the other presses
Can size 223 brass with two fingers. My consistency in shoulder bump and seating has improved since I switched from the Lee classic press.
Primers fall into a catch jar and no mess gets onto the press.
plus you can take CoAx to range and just use 1 C-clamp and go to sizing/seating. Don't have to make custom set up for the other presses
BigDMT
Love my Forster, but my RCBS still has it's place.
One of my favorite things about the Forster is the S jaws. Probably one of the best designs ever brought into existence. Especially when using a Universal decapping die. Just set the case and forget it. Always perfectly centered on the decapping pin.
The quick die changing ability is my second favorite. Everything about the Forster is made with precision in mind while providing maximum convenience to the serious hand loader.
The only bad thing I can say about the Forster is I wish the primer drop tube diameter was a little wider. Sometimes large primers get hung up, but it's an easy fix.
As for straight ammo. Most of the current BR world record breaking shooters have a Forster in their inventory for one task or another when producing their precision ammo. Read the article about James O'Hara on the front Home page of this site. The Forster helped him set a pile of records at 1K IBS last year.
As for the Redding Boss... If you've used one standard press where you have to thread the dies in, you've used them all. Great quality, but nothing of an improvement with design over the every day run of the mill RCBS or LEE Classic press.
One of my favorite things about the Forster is the S jaws. Probably one of the best designs ever brought into existence. Especially when using a Universal decapping die. Just set the case and forget it. Always perfectly centered on the decapping pin.
The quick die changing ability is my second favorite. Everything about the Forster is made with precision in mind while providing maximum convenience to the serious hand loader.
The only bad thing I can say about the Forster is I wish the primer drop tube diameter was a little wider. Sometimes large primers get hung up, but it's an easy fix.
As for straight ammo. Most of the current BR world record breaking shooters have a Forster in their inventory for one task or another when producing their precision ammo. Read the article about James O'Hara on the front Home page of this site. The Forster helped him set a pile of records at 1K IBS last year.
As for the Redding Boss... If you've used one standard press where you have to thread the dies in, you've used them all. Great quality, but nothing of an improvement with design over the every day run of the mill RCBS or LEE Classic press.
Another vote for the Forester I have 8 press if various size and shape can't believe I waited fourth years to get one!!!!!
I think possibly more important to me is a consistent positive stop for consistent shoulder bump. Does either have an advantage?
BigDMT
I would still buy the Forster Co-ax, but also purchase the standard shell holder adapter. Everything about the Forster is consistent, but the S-jaws don't let you get quite deep enough on the case. Just depends on how far you want to bump the shoulder and how you set up your barrel's chamber. The options on the Forster are endless and it has adapters that allow for every advantage of any other press plus much more.
If you are going to buy a Redding press, you might as well save yourself some money and go with RCBC RC or Lee Classic. They will all give you the same ammo if you modify the shell holder notch and the machine the diameter of the ram down a few thou so the sizing die aligns itself correctly. However, the Forster already does this for you by free floating the die, so once again...advantage Forster.
If you are going to be extremely critical about your brass, you should also be concerned with the type of dies you are going to purchase. Obviously the Redding type S is a good sizing die choice, but the Whidden is better.
If you are going to buy a Redding press, you might as well save yourself some money and go with RCBC RC or Lee Classic. They will all give you the same ammo if you modify the shell holder notch and the machine the diameter of the ram down a few thou so the sizing die aligns itself correctly. However, the Forster already does this for you by free floating the die, so once again...advantage Forster.
If you are going to be extremely critical about your brass, you should also be concerned with the type of dies you are going to purchase. Obviously the Redding type S is a good sizing die choice, but the Whidden is better.
Well, I have good dies and brass covered. Jim Borden chambered the rifle and provided a matching custom die. I am using lapua brass. I have been using a Lee aluminum press for years, but I have noticed that at the top of the ram stroke, the ram cock sideways under the pressure of the linkage. So I don't think slop is always positive.
Best money you'll ever spend for a press 8)That there are no presses, with threaded dies that does produce better results the a standard off the mill RCBS, Lee etc is a statement with modifications.
I already have a CO-Ax, and while it does produce very concentric ammunition with good dies, I am anxiously awaiting my newest addition any day now.
The Co-AX can not use any dies but standard 7/8-14 dies.
My favored dies are all 1 1/4 -12 threaded so it does not fit my needs.
Have a Turban CNC press coming within a few days, it's a completely CNC milled press from solid steel, machined to incredibly tight tolerances, extremely solid and the fit and finish is unbelieveable.
Accuracy of the whole stroke length is within 1/100th millimeter
It does cost a good deal of money though.
How it compares against the CO AX will be interesting to see, but i am certain already from what i have found, that it will be my workhorse from the day i get it.
My favored dies if talking factory dies, are from Triebel guntools but the sizers are 1 1/4 -12 threaded, and so can the seaters be if ordered that way.
Redding and Whidden would come further down on my list, although they are good.
Also have a lovely WTC die i'm anxious to get to proper use.
I do use inline dies for seating with a 21st hydro press, so threaded saters do not see much use here.
Bot the press and Triebel dies are produced in Germany so no wonder if most here don't know them.
I already have a CO-Ax, and while it does produce very concentric ammunition with good dies, I am anxiously awaiting my newest addition any day now.
The Co-AX can not use any dies but standard 7/8-14 dies.
My favored dies are all 1 1/4 -12 threaded so it does not fit my needs.
Have a Turban CNC press coming within a few days, it's a completely CNC milled press from solid steel, machined to incredibly tight tolerances, extremely solid and the fit and finish is unbelieveable.
Accuracy of the whole stroke length is within 1/100th millimeter
It does cost a good deal of money though.
How it compares against the CO AX will be interesting to see, but i am certain already from what i have found, that it will be my workhorse from the day i get it.
My favored dies if talking factory dies, are from Triebel guntools but the sizers are 1 1/4 -12 threaded, and so can the seaters be if ordered that way.
Redding and Whidden would come further down on my list, although they are good.
Also have a lovely WTC die i'm anxious to get to proper use.
I do use inline dies for seating with a 21st hydro press, so threaded saters do not see much use here.
Bot the press and Triebel dies are produced in Germany so no wonder if most here don't know them.
I ended up with a harrels press and I really like it so far. My next press will probably be a harrels turret.
watercam
Silver $$ Contributor
Frankly, if you insert an O-ring between the die lock ring and the press you will have a free-floating die that will give you optimal concentricity for peanuts! Try checking your run-out with and without the O-ring and you will be sold no matter what press you own. The bushing dies are king for minimal working of the brass case but even they will benefit from the free-float trick.
O ring on Forster CoAx may be tricky
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.