New Area 419 ZERO M-series sizing die

[wildcat3d]

I have their aluminum powder cup for the auto throw & auto trickler setup, and the damn handle is held in place with a single tiny hex head screw that is constantly coming loose. Forgive me for not being the biggest fan. View attachment 1392881

Dave

Me too, I finally just took the handle off. and even Loctite worked loose after awhile. But it is a beautiful cup.

 

[Shooter13]

It's certainly a premium product, but does what no other die on the market does, so for those that want the features it's going to make life better.

I do understand that you are coming out with products for the wildcatters, is that correct? Will this just be the insert for that die? Would this be another instance where we send three fired cases in to have the insert fitted to our case? EDIT: I see this has been answered

 

[Shooter13]

Here's a video by Gavin (and Craig) which goes into a bit more of a deep dive into the new M-Series die.

Impressive bit of engineering, for sure.

My gunsmith has a Zero Press and I was quite impressed with it. I may own one someday. In the meantime, my guess is that current Zero owners will be the primary audience.

If Area419 ever makes the die in .30 BR - my primary competitive caliber - I may explore its benefits.

I watched this a couple of days ago, good info

 

[muleystalker]

The PMA one is nice as well.

The PMA one does work good for some, I have a couple I am going to sell because they don't work too good on a Turret Press.

 

[LVLAaron]

For the money it makes a whole lot more sense to have a sizer made for your specific chamber.

However, I like the design and appreciate the innovation. It drives others to improve their products as well.

 

[dcali]

here's a common sense question. When the case is enclosed in a FL sizing die that is a press fit is it not ? So how does "press flex" bend the neck when it is completely enclosed by the die. Some of you must be wearing blue tights with a big red S on the chest to be bending that cast iron press and steel die every sizing

Anyway just sized a bunch of 6 ARC before lunch , thinking of this thread I checked the shoulder bump on 15. All were less than .0005 difference measured with a Starrett mechanical caliper. They were sized with a Lee Turret press

People might be surprised how little force is required to size a case. I was working out the math for some bullet making presses, and it's much less than I would have guessed. If you're bending a press meaningfully, you're doing something very strange.

That said, unbalanced lube application can do some weird stuff, as can grossly out of square presses (the load from the ram should be going squarely through the die, not at an angle to the die axis). The age old floating shell holder should take care of this, but you never know. Nothing is ever perfect. If the load of the sizing is forced down one side of the case, you'll get asymmetrical results.

But I agree. Normal, non-defective gear used properly should not create a problem you can fix with money. The dies are designed like they are for a reason - to avoid having to hold expensive tolerances on presses or the dies themselves.

Lee makes good stuff, if a little rough around the edges.

 

[Dave M.]

Have you contacted Area 419 for resolution?

I have not.

 

[Dave M.]

Me too, I finally just took the handle off. and even Loctite worked loose after awhile. But it is a beautiful cup.

I agree. It’s a great looking cup but clearly if both our our cups did the same thing there is either a design flaw or a manufacturing tolerances issue. The location of the screw is rather difficult to access in the current location. I tried red loctite as well to no avail. I never contacted them about a replacement because my assessment was that the vast majority of these cups must have the same issue. Honestly, I think welding it would be the best solution but I don’t have that capability. Did you ever get a solution for your cup? Or contact 419?? I have not done either.
Dave

 

[wildcat3d]

I agree. It’s a great looking cup but clearly if both our our cups did the same thing there is either a design flaw or a manufacturing tolerances issue. The location of the screw is rather difficult to access in the current location. I tried red loctite as well to no avail. I never contacted them about a replacement because my assessment was that the vast majority of these cups must have the same issue. Honestly, I think welding it would be the best solution but I don’t have that capability. Did you ever get a solution for your cup? Or contact 419?? I have not done either.
Dave

Sadly no, still using it without the handle, little less of a pain, instead of it twisting at a bad time, well for me anyway.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I agree. It’s a great looking cup but clearly if both our our cups did the same thing there is either a design flaw or a manufacturing tolerances issue. The location of the screw is rather difficult to access in the current location. I tried red loctite as well to no avail. I never contacted them about a replacement because my assessment was that the vast majority of these cups must have the same issue. Honestly, I think welding it would be the best solution but I don’t have that capability. Did you ever get a solution for your cup? Or contact 419?? I have not done either.
Dave

The powder funnel kit has issues too. It will knock a case over with the weight so you gotta use the funnel without the handle

 

[1shot]

Im floored

Is it because of the mason jar?? LOL

 

[dcali]

Machining tools out of bar stock that could easily be injection molded plastic or sheet metal is basically making jewelry. It's not about the function, it's about the aesthetics.

 

[Dgd6mm]

Bling in the reloading room. What's the world coming too?

 

[LVLAaron]

If you like using something, you'll use it more. Fancy tools are nice.

 

[NiteQwill]

I agree. It’s a great looking cup but clearly if both our our cups did the same thing there is either a design flaw or a manufacturing tolerances issue. The location of the screw is rather difficult to access in the current location. I tried red loctite as well to no avail. I never contacted them about a replacement because my assessment was that the vast majority of these cups must have the same issue. Honestly, I think welding it would be the best solution but I don’t have that capability. Did you ever get a solution for your cup? Or contact 419?? I have not done either.
Dave

I own three Area419 cups without issues for years.

Contact Area419 and they will set you straight without hesitation. I had an issue that was my fault for a different product, they sent me a new one same day.

 

[NiteQwill]

The powder funnel kit has issues too. It will knock a case over with the weight so you gotta use the funnel without the handle

Newer funnel kits not longer have the handle due to this reason IIRC.

 

[Dave M.]

I own three Area419 cups without issues for years.

Contact Area419 and they will set you straight without hesitation. I had an issue that was my fault for a different product, they sent me a new one same day.

I will try this week. They were apparently closed last week.

 

[LVLAaron]

Now that I’ve seen the pricing…. God speed and good luck.

 

[ctrickett]

As an owner of 2 Zero presses and many Auto Trickle up grades AREA 419 is top quality and I have had no issues. There claims of more consistent ammo with the ZERO press is true.....I've seen the difference.
That said, I don't think an adjustable shoulder bump is that important.....my gun smith is usually .0005 variation from barrel to barrel, so I'm not adjusting this aspect enough to warrant it. Another aspect is the 1 1/4" die, I'm all 7/8".....not gonna drop $500 + another head.....and then not have all my dies on one head that I use

 

[LVLAaron]

Many presses have a 1-1/4 thread (Rock chucker / MEC off the top of my head) they have an insert you need to remove.

But... 650 for a die is nuts.