reloading press choice??

[shootinjip]

newbie here,
trying to decide between a single stage reloader, or a progressive,
wanting to turn out super-uniform super accurate .308, (shooting out to 1,000 yards)
didn't know if something like a RCBS rock-chucker would be the way to go?
or a RCBS turret to speed things up?
or other

 

['Freak]

I use a de-cap die on an itty bitty $20 Lee, full length or neck size only, depending, on a Big Boss, keep an expander mandrel die setup on a Partner, and seat projectiles on another Partner.

 

[Big Mc]

If want speed, you WILL NOT do well at 1,000 yards. Just my two cents.. Tommy Mc.. Bullet speed yes reloading speed no..

 

[LoganDon]

I had 2 presses (Rockchucker and Redding T-7) and just picked up a 3rd, a used Forrester Co-AX. I've been reloading for over 50 years. If I had it to do over again, I would go with the Forrester or Redding; the big rockchucker is powerful and accurate but you have to screw in every single die, the Redding has 7 stations so I leave 3 calibers set up, but the quick change in the Forrester is my new choice and is produces very accurate varmint loads.

 

[chkunz]

I have seven presses and have been loading for over 50 years, mostly 308. If I could only have one press it would be the T-7. I now load three cartridges, 308, 260 and 223. I have three T-7 presses, one dictated to each cartridge.

 

[zipollini]

For precision work you are going to want to use this for seating your bullets.

http://www.21stcenturyshooting.com/Hydro_Bullet_Seater.php

watch this video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZ2QFq6Dfx4

and you will need this

http://www.lewilson.com/stainlesssteelmicrobulletseater.html

For decapping and sizing a plain old RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme or equivalent will work fine.

 

[NorCalMikie]

Rockchucker is #1 in my book. For seating, I use RCBS Compitition seater dies. I see no need for a progressive press. I've seen to many squib loads from progressive presses. (operatior error)
With a single stage press, every time you get that piece of brass in your hand is one more chance to inspect it for problems.
No need to be in a hurry when it comes to reloading a bomb that's going to be close to your face.

 

[logger3006]

Precision and volume doesn't go together in my book. I use my Forrester COAX for all of my standard case head loads for long range precision, I have a lock n load for my pistol and .223 rounds, mainly because I don't like changing the shell plate over on my coax.

 

[Medic505]

Co-Ax to deprime and size, Wilson seater.

 

[savagedasher]

Co-Ax would be my choice. Larry

 

[Gene66]

IMO the Forrest COAX would be my first choice. I have used the rockchucer for years and it is a good press, But after getting the Forrester COAX the RCBS sets in the corner collecting dust.

 

[Gabe22BR]

I've had good luck with my RCBS Turret. 2 calibers set at the same time. Been 20 yrs. with no problems.

 

[dcali]

You don't want a progressive. The rest is up to your whim, because when it comes down to it, a press is a press. I've loaded match grade ammo on an RCBS partner, and really, there's not much reason to spend more money than that. At some point, you're just buying nice tools because you like them and not because they're tangibly better. That point happens pretty quickly with presses. That said, presses last forever, so get the one you want.

As far as speed goes, swapping out dies doesn't take very long. That's why they have lock rings. Worst case, you'll save yourself 10 minutes to set up your sizing die again. Usually, it's all of 30 seconds. For that reason, I've never seen the appeal of a turret press.

 

[Down South]

Forester Co-Ax press to size then Wilson seater.

 

[NevadaZielmeister]

Forster Co-Ax. It is by far the most precision reloading press out there.

And I agree, you will never be able to reload precision and volume at the same time.

 

[chkunz]

I will give you a different opinion on the Forster (Bonanza) Co-Ax press. Many years ago when I started reloading I started with the simplest most basic press, a Lyman C press. That was all I could afford at the time an it worked well. I looked at the Bonanza Co-Ax and it was of a radically different design and I thought about how great this press must be and eventually I saved the money to buy one. It was like getting into a hot bath, it is not nearly so hot once you get into it. It worked ok and for some things there were advantages but there were also disadvantages. At one time I did a rather extensive study on bullet run out that was published in Precision Shooting Magazine, the data did not show any advantage of run out with the Bonanza over the RCBS and Redding presses. So I concluded that the Bonanza Co-Ax was different but not better and I now use it for depriming only, it is really good for that. I would recommend that the beginner start with a Lyman, RCBS or Redding single station press and then add a Redding T-7 when he can afford it. After that if you would like to try the Bonanza Co-Ax go ahead and see what you think but do not start there.

 

[Danattherock]

I bought the Rock Chucker kit with RCBS 1500 chargemaster and have been very happy with it. Use it for lower volume or accuracy loads. It's made rounds that shot 0.172" so I have a hard time thinking the Rock Chucker is a less than ideal press.

I would focus lots of energy towards your choice of dies and technique personally. Lee or Forster, all have made accurate ammo of course. But die selection, case prep, and technique, that's worth thinking about. Read about two step sizing using a Lee neck collet die first, then a Redding body die. It's where my best results came and is widely known about here.

Have a Dillon 550 I use for high volume 223, 9 mm, 10 mm, and 40. It's great too and my buddy uss his to make 77 SMK loads for his AR that are sub MOA. He competes nationally so if anyone says a progressive won't load accurate ammo, I know otherwise.

But accurate is a relative term. Sub MOA is not accurate to some folks. I'm making 1/4-1/2" loads for my AR with Krieger 20" on my Rock Chucker. Doubt I could replicate that on my Dillon. Just depends on what your goals are and the volume you are shooting.


Dan

 

[Ledd Slinger]

My regular routine with threaded dies is full size with a RCBS Rockchucker and seat bullets with a Forster. Both excellent presses.

I recently added a RCBS Chargemaster to the mix for throwing my powder charges and by the time I size a case and prime it (I don't always clean primer pockets) the charge is ready. Dump the powder in, seat the bullet and done. Can do around 80+ rounds per hour when I get in a good rhythm.

Of course have to use an Arbor press for seating with Wilson type dies.

 

[snert]

I had 2 presses (Rockchucker and Redding T-7) and just picked up a 3rd, a used Forrester Co-AX. I've been reloading for over 50 years. If I had it to do over again, I would go with the Forrester or Redding; the big rockchucker is powerful and accurate but you have to screw in every single die, the Redding has 7 stations so I leave 3 calibers set up, but the quick change in the Forrester is my new choice and is produces very accurate varmint loads.

I love my T7. It has 308 and 22PPC in it right now. Used to use a RCBS Junior press...my first from 1978, and only recently retired it. The T7 now rules

 

[sbhooper]

I am not a bench rest shooter, so 1/2-minute accuracy is super for me. I use a Bair, single stage press that I got when I was 16 years old. The company has been out of business for many years. I think a press is a press for the most part. I agree with the statement that more emphasis needs to be put on dies, than on the press. The only run-out problems that I ever have had, was due to some old crap dies from CH.

I think the choice of presses depends largely on how many bells and whistles you want and how much money you are willing to throw at it. I am never in that much of a hurry to load anyway, as I don't shoot hundreds of rounds all the time.