The most accurate Single stage press (recommendations)

[21shooter]

Hi, What is your preference-single stage press , Why?
Thanks, John
www.21stcenturyshooting.com

 

[Geronimo Jim]

Bonanza Co-Ax. Die and shellholder both move for good alignment.

 

[BoydAllen]

Like a lot of things, it depends, but since I do most of my loading at the range these days, I would say that my favorite press is my Harrell's combo. It packs well, has plenty of leverage, has a killer clamp, and saves me the trouble, and space of packing my arbor press.

For home use, I have set up my Rockchucker with a lock-n-load conversion bushing, but have yet to try it out. I think that I will like it when I do, but that has yet to happen.

 

[wooger]

I like the features that the co ax has; quick change dies, self alignment, no shell holder etc.

 

[bozo699]

John,
I agree with Boyd,...it may depend on what your doing, for heavy resizing or forming I like my rockchucker or my big Redding, for seating I prefer out of all my presses and I have several is the cheap little rcbs partner, I cut the handle way down and I have a real good feel of what is happening, although I usually use a arbor press for seating, but many of my hunting chambering I still use 14X7/8 threaded dies, I believe now that I am going to start shooting a 6ppc some I will buy the Harrels combo like Boyd has,......unless your going to put one on the market John,...hint,..hint,..LOL
Wayne.

 

[Chuckhunter]

Like Boyd says, it depends where you're going to be doing most of your loading. Loading at home, I use a Bonanza Co-Ax for all of the reasons previously stated. When I load at the range, (most of the time for me), I use a little RCBS partner press and a straight line seater with an arbor press. If you use a seating die like the Redding competition, the arbor press would not be needed.. I have seen the Harrell press and it really is a slick setup.

 

[FroggyOne2]

I have been using an old Pacifica press for years, you know.. the kind that leans back a bit, but I find myself wanting another press, even though i have the runout issues figured out on this press and make some very very accurate ammo on it. I feel that as I have now progressed to more tools and toys to improve my verticale dispersion. I feel the need for another press that is upright. I wonder if i should get a Co-Ax press or just another press to point bullets on. My mind is going round and round on this issue. I have thought about a Harrell single stage press, or should I spring for a the Co-Ax press, but if I do that, I would have to be forced to move the older press out of the way and make it my main press for everything, meaning I would have to go about resetting all of my dies and everything.. re-learning the feel on that press. I seat my primers on my press as well.. I have really learned the feel on that press, having used it now for 14 years. I guess, really, I am afraid of change.

 

[artbosco]

What is your preference-single stage press. Why?

The Forster CO-AX. Snap-in and snap-out die changing, spent primer catcher, dual floating guide rods that ensure alignment, three times the mechanical advantage of a "C" press, shell holder jaws designed to float with the die, and the acceptance of any standard 7/8" X 14 reloading dies.

 

[Jay Christopherson]

Redding T-7 turret press. It's a heavy, solid beast. It absolutely does not move, even on hard over-cam operations like shoulder bumping. I like being able to have 2 or 3 calibers mounted up so I don't have to swap out dies and re-zero them. I use a C-clamp to mount it to the bench at home and at the range, although if it had a built-in clamping system (that could accomodate a a decent width bench) that would be ideal.

 

[bozo699]

What is your preference-single stage press. Why?

The Forster CO-AX. Snap-in and snap-out die changing, spent primer catcher, dual floating guide rods that ensure alignment, three times the mechanical advantage of a "C" press, shell holder jaws designed to float with the die, and the acceptance of any standard 7/8" X 14 reloading dies.

I have to agree with outdoorsman and others that this is a outstanding press, I actually forgot I owned one. A buddy of mine wanted to get into reloading so I loaned him enough stuff to get started, he ordered a complete RCBS reloading kit and has since returned almost everything but the press, he set the rockchucker up but I never see a die in it,....I may have to buy me another
There was a thread about a year or so ago about presses and one of our forum members had 2 coax presses set up, large and small shell holders
Wayne.

FroggyOne2,
Seams like every time I see a setup for making bullets there press is angled like your pacific press, maybe you should keep your press for your bullet projects and buy a new press for reloading, just a thought? I have 4 presses setup in my room and sometimes wished I had four more of them.

John,
If I only had room for one of my standard die presses I think I would keep my modified Redding T-7 Turret press but that.s not what this thread is about, so I guess it would have to be my Redding Big Boss II or my new RCBS Rockchucker,..WHY? because there both big enough to reload anything from .22 Hornet to .460 WBY yet if you install the short handle you have pretty good feel of what you are doing, but you have to realize I load in that range if I were only competing and was shooting 22ppc-.308 Winchester I would buy the Harrell's single stage .308 press,..Why?...it's light, portable, precise, and affordable or I would buy the Harrell's combo press it's still a single stage press with the added benefit of being able to use in line seating dies but it's a $100 more. so I guess you would have to be more specific as to what you would be using it for John to give you a more precise answer.
Wayne.

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

Redding T-7 turret press. It's a heavy, solid beast. It absolutely does not move, even on hard over-cam operations like shoulder bumping. I like being able to have 2 or 3 calibers mounted up so I don't have to swap out dies and re-zero them. I use a C-clamp to mount it to the bench at home and at the range, although if it had a built-in clamping system (that could accomodate a a decent width bench) that would be ideal.

I totally agree with this review and my setup is similar, with the C-clamp in my little loading area.

I used an RCBS Jr for about 28 years, then I bought the T7. I let it sit in the corner for several months and then one day I decided to install it. After a few hours of fiddling and adjusting my dies, I now have 3 calibers installed, .223 and .308 as well as .45ACP. This press is a dream come true. It is incredibly smooth and it has a lot of camming power. Having my rifle calibers mounted on the press, just needing one quick twist to put a specific die in action is great. I don't need to worry about having the dies locked down the same everytime, this is a plus for consistency.

When I need to mount a special die, like a Sinclair mandrel, I simply pull out the .45ACP expander die and have at it.

This is one impressive press. (pardon the pun.)

 

[jonbearman]

My vote goes to the rockchucker,it is strong and simple to use and you can load some mighty fine ammo with one.The newer rockchucker supreme is even better as you can do 338 lapua or any other longer cartridges. Rcbs has the best no BS warranty if something goes wrong.I have an old rcbs jr and it isnt as nice as the rockchucker but ot is strong as he double hockey sticks. You just cant beat rcbs or reddings presses.

 

[boogershooter]

Boyd wrote a pretty good review/description on the combo press in here somewhere.

 

[wvuredneck09]

hard to beat the coax, gets my vote, also love my hornady progressive though, and my rockchucker, just like guns every press has its benefits. Why have one when you can have multiple for different things?