RCBS Rockchucker Supreme vs. Forster Co-Ax

[marchboom]

Damoncall , As for the price criticism , in the scheme of the money we all spend on our hobby the extra $150ish spread over a lifetime of shooting is a meaningless cost. If a $150 spent once in a lifetime is an obstacle then you really can’t afford to shoot.

I agree. Way too many handloaders fail to amortize the cost of their equipment over the long haul. Spread out over 40-60 years and the cost is hardly nothing. Refrain from buying those $6 lattes for a few months and you'll have the money to get the equipment that you want but didn't want to spend the money for. Once you buy the equipment that will last your lifetime (at least) then you can start buying the lattes again. It's all about priorities.

Lattes are temporary. Quality loading equipment is forever.

 

[JRS]

Are you sure about that? The gold colored links on mine are cast, which would be fine except they rub a little sometimes and gives off what looks like cast iron dust. But I agree that they work very well. I have one where the mounting holes are about 1/8” from where they should be. Not the end of the world, but kind of shoddy. I’m not much of a fan of the wooden ball handle either. I replaced mine with a billiard ball.

Mine are cadmium plated steel, as is the handle steel. Same as they've always been.

 

[danny]

I'm toying with the idea of replacing my Co-Ax with an RCBS Rockchucker Supreme.
Pro's and con's of doing so?
Fire away gents.

I have a Forster Co-ax and love it. I would not go back to another press after using it. I have, and have used a Lee Classic Cast before my Co-Ax. I might suggest looking at the Lee Classic Cast over a Rockchucker, if you don't get a Co-Ax. The Classic Cast is a very beefy press that is accurately built, every bit as good as a new RockChucker and (if you care...I don't), American Made. It is probably cheaper than the Rockchucker.

Danny

 

[dcali]

Mine are cadmium plated steel, as is the handle steel. Same as they've always been.

Huh. Mine are definitely castings.

 

[JSH]

If we get all anal on the RC, get a magnetic base and a dial indicator, you will probably throw them all away and get wilson inline arbor dies.

 

[danny]

I'm confused on the O ring part why would you want your Die to to not be locked down?

Because you want to have to adjust the die settings each and every time you install the dies into the press.

Danny

 

[JRS]

Huh. Mine are definitely castings.

"Ridgid cast iron construction with all steel linkage".

 

[dcali]

"Ridgid cast iron construction with all steel linkage".

It may be steel of some sort but it’s definitely cast. I broke one. It looks like cast iron of some sort on the inside. It is absolutely not machined bar stock.

 

[Shrek]

Edit: In fact, the Classic Cast is used by some of our boutique bullet makers to hand swage those beauties they produce.

This is what I understand also. They’re the straightest right out of the box. I own a lot of Lee products because they plain work. Collet neck dies in particular and if I couldn’t have a Co-Ax for some reason I’d be using a classic cast press.

 

[Shrek]

It allows the die to 'float' somewhat You're better off with a bit of slop in the ram

This is the reason for me and I found it to be unsatisfactory.

 

[Depart123]

I have 2 Lee Classic Cast presses. Neither of them have cast linkage, and the quality of the casting is much better quality than the casting of my Rockchucker's, of which I have 3, two of which are the old originals with the light green wrinkle finish paint job.

Edit: In fact, the Classic Cast is used by some of our boutique bullet makers to hand swage those beauties they produce.

Good to know, I ordered one yesterday. I had been looking about for a press with a larger load window for my 338AX.

I was about ready to buy a Redding Big Boss II when I realized that the LEE has the room I need. As an additional plus, the spent primers come out through the bottom of the ram into a collection tube. $117 was too good to pass on.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Because you want to have to adjust the die settings each and every time you install the dies into the press.

Danny

I always like humor sneaked into these threads.

 

[wkdickinson]

I'm confused on the O ring part why would you want your Die to to not be locked down?

Its' a half-ass way to make you die "floating" - like a Co-AX

 

[Ares]

Adding the O-ring is a headache every time you wanna change a die because of the obvious repeatability issues by not snugging it completely up.
And making dies 'float' is just a bad remedy for having poorly constructed parts to begin with.
but then again at 100-150 $ and the amount of material included you can only expect so much of a press.

There's also the option of buying a precisely made press to begin with.
Ground shellholders and lock rings, and well made dies and you will not want anything to 'float'.

A Co-Ax is good for what it is, a 'economical way to maybe get better concentricity then the other of the shelf press.
The primer dispense is nice, but plenty of presses that does that well except the Rockchucker which makes it a mess.
The issue with the CO-AX is that it doesnt fit all types of dies, only works with some types of lock rings. Cant use larger 1 1/4-12 dies and larger.
There's some fiddling changing its case holder with the springs
And there is limited access, and space to load some of the bigger cartidges.

Had a Co-Ax, had a Rockchucker, And they're both sold off by now.

 

[Ccrider]

So what are you sing Ares?

 

[Macropod]

Never had an issue with having to readjust the die using O rings under a seating die or LCD.

Amazing how well an index mark on the lock ring and the top of the press creates absolute repeatability..

 

[Fotheringill]

If you want spent primers going onto your floor, don't get a Rockchucker OR get an add on from "The German" for about $25.00. It works.

 

[WindSurgeon]

Just try Forster dies in your RC. I did not see a difference between the two presses in terms of run out or on target accuracy. The Forster handle seem awkward to me, but I did like not having to screw the die down every time I changed dies. Also I have the little primer catching cup velcro'd to the RC so the primers don't end up all over the carpet.

 

[PatMiles]

GOOD GAWDAMIGHTY what have I started!!!

 

[WillyTP]

What’s a latte?