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Press with the highest mechanical advantage?

SSL

SSL

Gold $$ Contributor
Far too many years of abusing my hands is catching up to me. I have (and love) a Lee Cast press, but lately sizing anything bigger than .223 brass is becoming an effort with lingering pain. I can size my .17 Remingtons or .223s for hours with no issue, but from .22/250 on up, my hands soon pay the toll. Oddly, I can load handgun rounds for hours on my Lee LoadMaster without issue too.
My question is this...without breaking the bank (I shoot for pleasure and am not made of money) what single-stage press offers the most output of force for the least input? Not even remotely interested in a debate or pi$$ing match about how horrible this one or that one is, just some hopefully actual experience will weigh in. I figure this bunch has probably tried most everything ever made!
 
SSL said:
Far too many years of abusing my hands is catching up to me. I have (and love) a Lee Cast press, but lately sizing anything bigger than .223 brass is becoming an effort with lingering pain. I can size my .17 Remingtons or .223s for hours with no issue, but from .22/250 on up, my hands soon pay the toll. Oddly, I can load handgun rounds for hours on my Lee LoadMaster without issue too.
My question is this...without breaking the bank (I shoot for pleasure and am not made of money) what single-stage press offers the most output of force for the least input? Not even remotely interested in a debate or pi$$ing match about how horrible this one or that one is, just some hopefully actual experience will weigh in. I figure this bunch has probably tried most everything ever made!
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Try rolling the cases on a pad with a light vis petroleum oil. So, you don't have to buy anything to try it, use your fingers and put a light coat of any petroleum oil you have on the cases. I think you will see less effort than the stuff most reloaders use. I use a synthetic petroleum oil for snow plow hydraulics. Carried by auto Zone. About $8 a qt. Try any petroleum oil you have. Motor oil is a little vicious but it might prove a point. I use very little effort to size Lapua 6BR cases. Petroleum oil has what’s called film strength. That means it forms a layer between 2 sliding surfaces that prevents metal to metal contact. I doubt most lubes guys are using has film strength. It’s just good enough for most sizing.
 
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I was using Imperial sizing die wax for 20 or so years until I tried Ballistic Case Wax after reading about it over on the Sniper's Hide. I bought a tin of it from the gentleman who was praising it no end. Night and day difference. Do a search over on the Hide for Ballistic Case Wax.

www.snipershide.com

Has Anybody Tried Ballistic Case Wax?

Noticed in a recent Youtube video that Erik Cortina posted that he has switched to a new case lube called “Ballistic Case Wax”. Appears to be made in South Africa. Claim to fame seems to be that cases will never get stuck in your dies. That would be nice. Could not find a US distributor. Has...
www.snipershide.com www.snipershide.com

PM Herb Stoner, reply #5, ask if he will sell you a tin.
Might not need to buy another press.

1744243349136.jpeg
 
Thanks for the good ideas. I'll give them a try. Probably should have broke a few less horses and been a little more careful with my hands and wrists when younger. At 75 it isn't going to get any better. Getting old ain't for sissies!
 
Lee cast press is a beast it's over built compared to others.

I'll tell you Hornady unique is some super slick case lube .it's awesome for case forming

So slick and greasy.wax and fairly easy to remove
 
PatMiles said:
I was using Imperial sizing die wax for 20 or so years until I tried Ballistic Case Wax after reading about it over on the Sniper's Hide. I bought a tin of it from the gentleman who was praising it no end. Night and day difference. Do a search over on the Hide for Ballistic Case Wax.

www.snipershide.com

Has Anybody Tried Ballistic Case Wax?

Noticed in a recent Youtube video that Erik Cortina posted that he has switched to a new case lube called “Ballistic Case Wax”. Appears to be made in South Africa. Claim to fame seems to be that cases will never get stuck in your dies. That would be nice. Could not find a US distributor. Has...
www.snipershide.com www.snipershide.com

PM Herb Stoner, reply #5, ask if he will sell you a tin.
Might not need to buy another press.

View attachment 1650801
Click to expand...


Haha buddy of mines wife makes it here in SA, its good stuff you can even use it on leather boots
 
Back to your original question - the Forster COAX press has a great deal of mechanical advantage. I've been using one for about 30 years and love it. Add a rotating handle and it becomes that much easier to use. Expensive compared to many other single-stage presses, but worth every penny in my opinion.
 
50 years of loading. RCBS Rock Chucker, Reeding Big Boss 2 , Lee Cast Iron. New MEC .
With the right case lube #1 Rock Chucker #2 MEC
The First Case a little wetter ?
 
There is a reason that many custom bullet makers use the RCBS Rockchucker. Ive use most of the case lubes out there for sizing and case forming. I have had cases chatter with Redding wax and a few others. I have not tried the ballistic case wax though. To date, the easiest and slickest case lube has been the Royal case and die lube. I have yet to see shoulder dents also and wipes off easy. Comes in aero, jar, and pump spray. To squirts on 100 cases in a bowl shaken up is plenty. Less sizing effort than waxes. Everyone has their own favorite though
 
As other s have suggested an inline roller handle or just a longer handle on your current unit. If I remember correctly it is just a piece of 1/2 round stock with a ball on the end.
 
wkdickinson said:
Back to your original question - the Forster COAX press has a great deal of mechanical advantage. I've been using one for about 30 years and love it. Add a rotating handle and it becomes that much easier to use. Expensive compared to many other single-stage presses, but worth every penny in my opinion.
Click to expand...
That's a thought. Used to live there in Lanark and still only live about 45 miles down the road from them. Might have to drop in and see what they have...assuming they still allow visitors.
 
Take a look at a Ponsness Warren (PW) Metallic II press.
PW is known for high end shotshell loading machines, but the Metallic II is impressive.
Soup
 
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