In search of new precision reloading press

[Dave M.]

Not sure I am in full agreement with the new press idea and not sure what you are trying to fix. All of you numbers are better than average. I like the cam over for sizing. You know it is there and it doesn't change.

Try an arbor press for fun and some Wilson dies.

I have bought and sold 5 or 6 presses in the last few years and none of them are magic. Learned something from each one.

This is the type of feedback I need from guys that are prob far more accomplished than I am at reloading. I’m a perfectionist and I’m always looking for the perfectly formed consistent ammo. I use the arbor press and Wilson seating die with my 6.5CM and I also track the seating force. I may get a set for the 6 Dasher

 

[Murray Brook]

In my experience with run-out I have found that the press has much less of an effect than does the dies. Good dies and proper sizing and seating procedure are a must. JMO

 

[Dave M.]

So far I have only shot Mid Range 500 yards, My improvement started showing up when I started using the 120 FXI and an Arbor Press. Maybe I am also reading the wind and shooting better too.

Arbor press for seating? Or sizing?? I know my ES and SD will get better once the new scale is in place, the hornady L-n-L scale I use now is horrible. I feel it’s +/-0.1 to 0.13 on its best day which is horrible.

 

[Dave M.]

Upgrading your press (unless something is *really* wrong with your current one) will not gain you any additional points at your next match.

Your post would indicate you feel like your ammo isn't as consistent as it could be; what makes you say that? How is it not consistent?

The TIR seems too large after sizing on some pieces. Not sure why only on some pieces and not all. But mostly I’m a perfectionist and I prob won’t be happy until I can make 100pcs of tourney ammo that are all identical (Lol).

 

[Straightshooter1]

I really like the co-ax but a few shooters I know told me it may be more internet hype then actual ease of use like other have. I do like it though.

What I like about it most is its ease of use. Being able to quickly slip in a die and then out really nice when loading for more than one caliber or simply trying something out on a single practice case.

It's an eye opener when one looks at comparison data presented like this:

Fourteen Reloading Presses Compared: Single-Stage Shootout – Page 15 – Ultimate Reloader

ultimatereloader.com

 

[jimmymac]

Love a good press discussion. Like @damoncali I use a Partner press for my PPC and 30BR loading at the range and at home. I have a perfectly good RC sitting here that never gets used because my dies are set up for the Partner.

I realize this is swimming upstream for many, but this inexpensive little press works well. My variation in shoulder bump is minimal enough that I can live with it. The seater dies with my arbor press closes the loop. No issues. Not rocket surgery.

 

[MikeMcCasland]

The TIR seems too large after sizing on some pieces. Not sure why only on some pieces and not all. But mostly I’m a perfectionist and I prob won’t be happy until I can make 100pcs of tourney ammo that are all identical (Lol).

TIR is a function of the dies. It's more than likely not your press. If you have a couple that come out with a little more runout, it's probably more related to the bushing or lube getting up into the bushing area.

I can also tell you I shoot a lot of 1,000 yard F-Class. I used to worry about run-out. I would actually sort my rounds based on it. Eventually I stopped doing it when my rounds with .010 of bullet runout would go into the same group as the ones with .0005

Just trying to save you some time.

Edit: That's not to say a new press wouldn't be nice to have. It's just extremely unlikely to result in better performance on target. I do want one of those Prazi presses.

 

[dcali]

Bottom line is that if the threads on the press are perpendicular to the face of the ram/shellholder, you're good. The shellholders allow the case to float for this reason. There are some very nice, expensive presses out there with super high tolerances and beautiful machining. There may even be some benefits to the precise fit and finish (better feel, for example, or just that they're awesome to use and look at). But they're not going to line the case up with the die any better. The die does that all by itself.

 

[DiffEQ]

I really like the co-ax but a few shooters I know told me it may be more internet hype then actual ease of use like other have.

Spoken like they have never used a Co-Ax. Have they?
The Co-Ax *is* the easiest press I have used. Like all the others, it does have quirks you learn and adapt to produce your best ammo. For example, I do like Hornady Locking rings, but they are not acceptable in the CoAx. Forster rings are the best, and I'd guess they designed it around their ring design.
There are other adjustments you can make on the press that make it smoother, such as adjusting the spreader needle for the case holder jaws.

 

[marchboom]

I have a Co-Ax press and it is the best press I've ever owned. That being said, a good friend (and excellent shooter) gave me a Harrell press and it is a VERY close second to the Co-Ax. The Harrell's quality and workmanship is excellent. It is in use whenever I load for precision.

 

[jimmymac]

Do coax presses work with die shims or a die adjuster like the PMA tool that easily adjust for fine tuning of shoulder bump?

If the answer is no, then it is of no value to me.

 

[RegionRat]

I know my ES and SD will get better once the new scale is in place, the hornady L-n-L scale I use now is horrible. I feel it’s +/-0.1 to 0.13 on its best day which is horrible.

The TIR seems too large after sizing on some pieces. Not sure why only on some pieces and not all. But mostly I’m a perfectionist and I prob won’t be happy until I can make 100pcs of tourney ammo that are all identical (Lol).

It sounds like you suspect your press is horrible. I'm not clear on what that +/- 0.10 - 0.13 dimension means.

Too much TIR is a more clear issue provided your testing of that TIR correlates to missed points. It isn't impossible that the press contributes to the TIR, but it is far more likely it is your dies and set-up rather than the press.

I'm also not sure what the other shooters were meaning when they were critical of cam-over? Can you shed some light on those aspects of your post and how your issues are connected to cam-over?

 

[Dave M.]

What I like about it most is its ease of use. Being able to quickly slip in a die in and then out really nice when loading for more than one caliber or simply trying something out on a single practice case.

It's an eye opener when one looks at comparison data presented like this:

Fourteen Reloading Presses Compared: Single-Stage Shootout – Page 15 – Ultimate Reloader

ultimatereloader.com

View attachment 1267159

View attachment 1267160

Lol. Love it. I can’t tell you how much time I’ve spent pouring over these exact charts and this single stage press shootout site. Really great article.
Dave

 

[Dave M.]

It sounds like you suspect your press is horrible. I'm not clear on what that +/- 0.10 - 0.13 dimension means.

Too much TIR is a more clear issue provided your testing of that TIR correlates to missed points. It isn't impossible that the press contributes to the TIR, but it is far more likely it is your dies and set-up rather than the press.

I'm also not sure what the other shooters were meaning when they were critical of cam-over? Can you shed some light on those aspects of your post and how your issues are connected to cam-over?

Sorry those were in reference to my poor performing LnL scale. While targeting a 33gr charge weight, I can put the same exact pan on and off the scale and get anywhere from 32.8-33.1

 

[Dave M.]

It sounds like you suspect your press is horrible. I'm not clear on what that +/- 0.10 - 0.13 dimension means.

Too much TIR is a more clear issue provided your testing of that TIR correlates to missed points. It isn't impossible that the press contributes to the TIR, but it is far more likely it is your dies and set-up rather than the press.

I'm also not sure what the other shooters were meaning when they were critical of cam-over? Can you shed some light on those aspects of your post and how your issues are connected to cam-over?

Other champion shooters and I assume fantastic reloaders have told me that I would be better served with a hard stop press instead of a cam over design. I’m not sure what their reasoning is exactly but several have told me this.

 

[marchboom]

Do coax presses work with die shims or a die adjuster like the PMA tool that easily adjust for fine tuning of shoulder bump?

If the answer is no, then it is of no value to me.

I guess you could use a shim but I don't know why you would want to. Just adjust the die for the amount of bump you want. Lock down the die ring and never adjust it again.

 

[wkdickinson]

Spoken like they have never used a Co-Ax. Have they?
The Co-Ax *is* the easiest press I have used. Like all the others, it does have quirks you learn and adapt to produce your best ammo. For example, I do like Hornady Locking rings, but they are not acceptable in the CoAx. Forster rings are the best, and I'd guess they designed it around their ring design.
There are other adjustments you can make on the press that make it smoother, such as adjusting the spreader needle for the case holder jaws.

I agree, I think there are two kinds of people who comment negatively on the COAX press - those who have never used one and those that have never used one, but read about them. About 20 years ago I bit the bullet, ponied up the money and purchased one new. I personally don't like reloading, but I have to say the COAX has almost made reloading enjoyable. It is effortless and a joy to use.

One of the biggest things I like about the COAX is only having to adjust the dies once, you lock the ring down and forgetting about it - swap dies back and forth and never adjust anything. Precision-wise, I am not going to say it makes better loaded ammo than other quality presses, but given all of the self-aligning features, it certainly should, assuming everything else is as it should be.

I will also tell you. I used an RCBS Rock Chucker for many years (which worked fine) before the COAX, I've had 3 different Lee models and I currently have a Lyman T-mag that I use for utility work (decapping, collect bullet pulling and one-off stuff). None come close to the COAX for performance and ease of use.

 

[jimmymac]

I guess you could use a shim but I don't know why you would want to. Just adjust the die for the amount of bump you want. Lock down the die ring and never adjust it again.

That doesn’t work for my application. I need to make small adjustments on a regular basis. Trying to move a die .001 with a lock ring is a waste of my time.

 

[Straightshooter1]

That doesn’t work for my application. I need to make small adjustments on a regular basis. Trying to move a die .001 with a lock ring is a waste of my time.

If time and adjustment is that important, then Whidden Gunworks has a solution. . . even for the Co-Ax :

Universal Click Adjustable Lock Ring - Whidden Gunworks

Universal Click Adjustable Lock Ring Recently we introduced our Click Adjustable Sizing Die and it has met with great success. We have received a flood of

www.whiddengunworks.com

 

[jimmymac]

If time and adjustment is that important, then Whidden Gunworks has a solution. . . even for the Co-Ax :

Universal Click Adjustable Lock Ring - Whidden Gunworks

Universal Click Adjustable Lock Ring Recently we introduced our Click Adjustable Sizing Die and it has met with great success. We have received a flood of

www.whiddengunworks.com

Thanks. It’s not as much about the time as it is ease of adjustment. Good to know there is a solution for a press of that design because fiddling with lock rings is not of great interest to me.