Reloading press

[Professor]

I'm thinking of getting a new reloading press that will be use for .223 to 3006. I already have Hornady and RCBS. I'm looking at Forster, will it make more accurate ammo than my current tools or just the same. Your suggestion/s and opinion will be greatly appreciated

 

[bheadboy]

unless you are considering bench comp or 600-1000yd comp, i would not bother

Bob

 

[Alex Wheeler]

It will not make more accurate ammo. But, I do prefer to use the forster over other presses for its ergonomics.

 

[BoydAllen]

Better ammo is more a matter of the dies than the press. How straight is your ammo? Do you have a concentricity gauge? One thing that I have done recently, that has been a definite upgrade, is to put a Lock-N-Load insert in my Rockchucker.

 

[Chuckhunter]

I have a Forster and love it but with that being said, if you already have an RCBS, try putting an O-Ring under your die and remove the spring that holds the shell holder and replace it with a snug fitting O-Ring. By doing this it gives the shell holder and die a little room to move and self align, just as the Forster does. I do this with an RCBS Partner press that I take to the range and it will make ammo, comparable to my Co-Ax.

 

[infantrytrophy]

The Forster Co-Ax press is capable of making very accurate ammo, as are the other two presses that you mentioned.

There are a few features of the Forster press that many people like. The most important to me is that the dies snap in and out instantly. Instead of screwing the die into a threaded hole, the lock ring of the die snaps into a milled slot. This makes for very quick die changes - when you are adjusting the die, for example, or when doing sequential instead of repetitive tasks. The universal shellholder works well - you don't have to buy separate shellholders for each caliber. The design of the shellholder and the slot holding the die allows the die to "float" slightly in the horizontal plane. This is supposed to make the die self-align with the case, making ammo with very little or no run-out. Finally, the decapped primer drops directly into a closed tube system, preventing primer residue from fouling the press. Even though the press is very robust and has enough leverage for tough sizing jobs, the operation is very smooth and provides good "feel" for delicate jobs.

If your Hornady press has the quick-change bushings like the Hornady LNL AP (progressive) press, this bushing system also allows for quick die installation and changes, equivalent to the Forster setup.

Randy

 

[Clod-NC]

Hi all

Professor,for what I've come to gather about presses,and considering your quest,MHO is that if you're after a single stage press,and you want something serious and solid for your bucks,well conceived,US made,reliable and powerful"a Mack truck with power steering"they say,then don't overlook the Lee classic cast,it's the less expensive of all but it will work fine and smooth,quickchange die system(like the Hornady),biggest ram in the industry(1"1/8),primer disposal through the ram,solid cast iron construction,controllable leverage force and angle,easy to install,hard to beat for less than $100.Of course,the Co Ax is considered as the Rolls Royce of the category,but then again if you can't afford that money,the Lee Classic cast is a serious choice.....Just my 2 cents.

 

[Scott Harris]

My experience with several presses, Harrells, Redding, Lee, Dillon, has been that any press can produce outstanding ammo. I doubt you will see any difference with a Forster versus your RCBS. This is especially true if you float your dies. Some things matter and some things don't: most presses out there are real good. As a case in point, my Dillon produces ammo with minimal runout...just like my Harrells and Redding did before.

 

[Professor]

Thanks everyone for your ideas and information. Yes, I believe dies have more influence on accuracy and I have some custom and semi-custom dies. I was just thinking, may be I might be able to squeeze a little bit more since I intend to use it on bench comp from 300 to 600 yards in a 6br BR rifle. All the other rigs and accessories for reloading can be considered of excellent grade or quality by BR standard and the performance of the rifle and ammo on target paper is very satisfactory. As mentioned just hoping for a little bit more. Thanks again in advance for your inputs.

Sincerely,

Professor

 

[Clod-NC]

Hi again Professor
Well,good to know what you intend to use it for,and then since it's tough and lightweight enough for this kind of use,try the Lee Challenger press,it's sturdy,precise and solid,I've used one(and still do) as my main tool for a while on a 1"5 thick board that I secure with presses and it's smooth as silk,and only $75 or$80 at FS reloading.com..Of course there are many others out there,probably(I'm not too sure about that) better mechanically speaking,but I doubt you can get those for the same money.Good luck with your quest.

 

[stretch308]

Clod-NC 1+ for the Lee. I have the classic cast turret and would repeat your comment. To second most of the responses I feel the dies trump the press and to add pay close attention to your technique and cadence.

 

[bythebook]

Over the last 40+ years I have used Lee, Lyman, 2 RCBS, and for the last 4 or so years the Forster Co-Ax. When I got the Co-Ax I was having a lot of trouble sizing big cases because of previous spine injuries and with the setup of the Co-Ax linkage it enabled me to keep loading. I usually load 50 to 100 cases at a time with a lot less pain later.

 

[Leaddog]

I agree with Boyd. Perfect ammo is more a product of good dies than the press. I've often thought about getting a Co-Ax, but when I use a concentric gauge, my ammo always has less than .0005 ( 1/2 of one thousandth ) on the case body, neck, and ogive. No need to change. I use Redding S FL Dies with a rubber O ring between the die and press (Rockchucker). I load for the .308 and anneal after each firing.