Gearing up ....... again. Press advice please

[Nomo4me]

I'm wanting to gear up for reloading .222, .204, 308 and maybe others. No pistol rounds are anticipated. I anticipate shooting 50 - 200 rounds per month though that could spike just before ground squirrel or PD season.

I've ruled out a progressive press as I'd like a more simple machine and don't need the volume oriented production.

I once owned a Pacific,hornady) press which functioned fine but I did find the repetitiveness of the single stage machine to be tedious.

I like the look of the Redding T-7 Turret press but don't know if the turret feature would make reloading a faster process for me - maybe in terms of time saved in die changeouts??


I have no reloading gear at present so am tempted by the thought of ordering Redding's Big Boss Pro Pak deluxe kit, http://www.redding-reloading.com/pages/bosspropak.html ), to save money on all the accessories then adding the T-7 press as a separate purchase and selling or keeping the Big Boss press if it might be handy to have a second press for whatever task.

Thoughts ?????

The other press I like is the Forster Co-ax, but would then have to buy all the accessories ala carte. I'd prefer a really high quality kit to simplify the purchasing process.

I do want to buy high quality gear so I only have to buy it once. But I don't shoot competitively and I'm not the type who is going to spend uber dollars on the very finest benchrest dies and other $$$$$$$$ esoterica.

Sincere thanks for some help with this decision.

Mike
Salt Lake City

 

[Winchester69]

Redding and Forster make better equipment than the others. Question is, is the kit really a better buy? If you use all of it, it maybe. But, will the powder measure serve you with your powders? Also, Redding kits don't provide the margin of savings that some kits do. I would encourage you to individually select your equipment. However, I can't fault you for being expedient.

The Redding turret press is very popular, but, as you recognize, it may not be a great labor saver if you have to change out some of the dies frequently. An additional turret may alleviate such a problem. Another approach would be to use the Hornady LnL bushings with the Big Boss to expedite changeover. The Forster press also allows for quick die changes.

I'll suggest that you pick a press,whichever most appeals to you) and add the RCBS ChargeMaster Combo. It will eliminate the powder measure, trickler and scale. Choose a case trimmer,Wilson), hand-held priming tool,Lee or RCBS) and accessories from Sinclair. You'll be way ahead of what any kit will provide. Redding or Forster dies will complete the package.

 

[infantrytrophy]

Die change-outs are very quick with the Forster Co-ax press. You just snap the dies into a machined slot. It helps to use their lock rings, which you can buy by the dozen. Using the Co-ax press and Redding and Forster dies, I have made several thousand rounds exclusively for match competition and have been very pleased. This somewhat depends on the quality of the brass used, but my loaded rounds have very low runout and are accurate.

There are a couple of tricks you will learn that help. You need to clean and re-lube the universal caseholder jaws when you first get the press, a trivial task.

Also check out Hornady's LNL bushings. You don't need these with the Forster Co-ax, but they would probably result in very quick die changes with other brands of presses.

Quick die changes speed up the reloading process, especially when you are just starting with a new caliber and are making numerous adjustments.

Randy Sikes

 

[tome]

all what accessories ? the co-ax comes with the shell holder..unless you load 45-70 up that's the only one you need..i found you dodnt need Forster rings, unless you you use lee dies )..the only thing you need are the bolts to mount it..super press..i have a turret..the heads all rock some

 

[Nomo4me]

I like the suggestion of the chargemaster. I had wrongly assumed it was a gimmick but would love to simplify my bench top and it would surely speed up the process.
I'm thinking I will do the T-7 press and budget for an extra head and possibly more if my list of calibers grows so that I can just leave the dies screwed in place. I know the Co-ax is an amazing machine but I'm more drawn to the Redding design and the various user reviews seem to be overwhelmingly positive.

Is there any reason to believe that accuracy will be compromised if I go with Redding's Slide Bar priming gizmo that mounts on the T-7 ?

Redding and Forster make better equipment than the others. Question is, is the kit really a better buy? If you use all of it, it maybe. But, will the powder measure serve you with your powders? Also, Redding kits don't provide the margin of savings that some kits do. I would encourage you to individually select your equipment. However, I can't fault you for being expedient.

The Redding turret press is very popular, but, as you recognize, it may not be a great labor saver if you have to change out some of the dies frequently. An additional turret may alleviate such a problem. Another approach would be to use the Hornady LnL bushings with the Big Boss to expedite changeover. The Forster press also allows for quick die changes.

I'll suggest that you pick a press,whichever most appeals to you) and add the RCBS ChargeMaster Combo. It will eliminate the powder measure, trickler and scale. Choose a case trimmer,Wilson), hand-held priming tool,Lee or RCBS) and accessories from Sinclair. You'll be way ahead of what any kit will provide. Redding or Forster dies will complete the package.

 

[Winchester69]

The RCBS ChargeMaster Combo is quickly becoming the standard hardware for achieving uniform charges regardless of the powder being used. Mechanical powder measures are simply not capable of providing such a level of performance. The other option is hand weighing the individual charges.

My own feeling regarding presses is that it's an individual's attraction to simplicity or complexity. I like the simpler designs that Redding offers. The supposed tolerance in the turret head is compensated for in the press's design. It won't influence the quality of your ammo.

The suggestion of a hand-held priming tool was made simply for it being the most popular design. Any type of tool will serve. I can see the Redding press-mounted tool eliminating a step in the loading process.

The Sinclair catalog will introduce you to a number of tools and gauges that most suppliers don't catalog. Their caliber-specific loading blocks and Satern funnels are definitely worthwhile. If you're interested in primer-pocket uniforming and flash-hole de-burring tools, theirs are the best available. For a VLD chamfer, the Lyman tool is less aggressive than the higher dollar choices.

In standard die sets, Forster's have advantages over the others, particularly the seating die. It has an alignment sleeve like the competition seaters.

You'll also need a caliper,less expensive is okay) and Imperial Sizing Wax. Do you have manuals?

 

[Nomo4me]

Dies were going to be my next question so I'm glad you mentioned the Forsters. I do have a new unused pair of older RCBS dies in .222 but will need to purchase them in .308, 204 and 223. I've seen Redding dies strongly recommended as superior,don't know why) and was going to go with that brand.
Would the Forsters likely yield a measurable difference in Accuracy?

Also, we need to build me a reloading setup. Here's what I'm looking at presently:

T-7 Press with extra plates
Chargemaster combo
XXX Brand Case Trimmer - I'll buy used @ $20 then upgrade later
I have dial calipers
I have micrometer
Tumbler - Lyman 1200? Frankford Arsenal?,I need a small footprint and don't need large capacity)

Nickle and dime stuff:
- Dies
- Trays
- Funnels
- Lube
- Tumber media,lyman?
- Deburr tool

What am I missing?

 

[Winchester69]

Both Redding and Forster dies have better quality and finish than RCBS and others. The differences in these two have to do with design. Redding produces bushing dies. This style works the brass less and doesn't employ,typically) an expander. The expander can distort the necks and be a source of run-out. Forster is a standard design employing the expander. However, the button is mounted high on the stem and floats, reducing the tendency to distort necks. The other difference is in the sleeve in the sizing dies. It is there to cause the bullet to align with the brass case during seating, again minimizing run-out. The Redding micrometer die is so furnished, as are both of the Forster seaters. Unless you're experimenting with different bullet designs and distance from the lands, a micrometer has less application, especially if your loads are confined to magazine length. For standard die sets, I would suggest the Forster. Redding's standard dies don't offer any specific features. The standard Forster seater combined with the Redding FL bushing sizer is an economic combination for those interested in bushing dies. Forster has introduced a bushing neck-sizing die that will also bump the shoulder; eventually the cases will need full-length sizing.

Another popular piece is the Lee collet neck-sizing die. It when coupled with a body die,Redding or RCBS) and a good seating die is a popular combination for reloading for no-turn chambers. The Lee die will have its issues and can benefit from some extra attention.

 

[RJinTexas]

I own and use three presses a Dillon 550B, RCBS Rock Crusher and a Redding T7 all have their uses. For volume reloading it hard to beat the Dillon when I need to crank out enough loads for five day p-dog shoot it can't be beat, when case forming I turn to the RCBS it hard to beat the solid feel of what going on. I just acquired a new T7 last year, you can put two 3 die sets or three 2 dies set on the press head and you still have a place to put in a universal depriming die or a Hornady bullet puller. So if I could just have one I'd give the T7 the nod. I agree the Wilson/Sinclair accessorized trimmer and the RCBS Charge Master Combo are both great reloading tools.

Good luck
RJ

 

[NRV]

I have had very good luck with a Lee Classic Cast Iron press using the Hornady LNL bushings. The bushings make die changing a non-issue as well as allowing the dies to self-align when the case is inserted. With this setup I get the same run out as my good friend using a Co-Ax. Just a thought.

I agree with the Forster seater dies, they are as good as Reddings, and $30 cheaper. For the small price difference, I buy the Ultra Mic ones when available, so adjusting depth is a breeze.

My only other suggestion would be to consider a concentricity guage, so you can check and see how well your set up is working.

Hope this helps some,
Michael

 

[Nomo4me]

Thanks for the replies. I like what I'm hearing. I've also added an RCBS Trim Mate case prep station to the list as it sounds like a timesaver.

 

[Winchester69]

The process determines the results. Your determination of what results you wish to achieve and then what tools will achieve it in an expedient fashion is what reloading is all about. Design the process and then support it. You seem to be well on your way. Price cannot be the primary determinant, and you don't seem to be making that mistake. Too few people starting out understand the simple concept. We initially have a set of precepts that may or not be well-founded, and then pursue a path that doesn't necessarily satisfy our goals. The more we learn and apply what we learn, the closer we stay to a path that fulfills our aspirations.

 

[Nomo4me]

Well, I bit on this: http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=7812602&cat=379&lpid=&s=1

Includes quite a bit more stuff than listed here. Reloading was the last of the guy's gun stuff to clear out so we agreed on a price and he started pulling stuff out of everywhere and we tossed it all in my car. He wanted it all gone.
He pulled so much extra stuff out that I reached into my wallet and gave him an additional $50 so I wouldn't feel like I robbed him.

Now I gotta learn how to use it all. Youtube here I come.1