What is the general consensus on the SAC Nexus press?

[DngBat7]

I was just wondering what the general consensus on the SAC Nexus press is? Now that it has been out for a while, an I’m sure some are using it on here, just wanted to hear some feedback. Not necessarily looking to get one, but I find it to be an intriguing press and really wanted to know what type of precision it delivers. Especially case to case headspace variance.

 

[David Christian]

It is awesome. Extremely true and easy to swap out dies. SAC makes great stuff. Highly recommend.

 

[BarnDweller]

I just purchased one a month ago and I really like it. I have a few presses. I had been using my AREA419 Zero press and it had worked find for many things but I could not get any sizing dies for 25 Creedmoor or 6 ARC. I purchased some Short Action Dies but was having problems with keeping my head space consistent after sizing. I have a friend that I really trust and he told me sometimes people have problems with the Zero press and some dies. He suggested I try a Nexus press. I did and its working great for me. I think its just going to work best if a person uses a die in the press made by the company that made the die if possible. I have some fantastic dies from Area419 and they work perfect in my Zero press. Their M-Dies are fantastic!

 

[JackWolfKnives]

Have sized and seated a few thousand rounds on mine with SAC dies, I don't think a single stage press can be any better.

 

[istalker2]

The question is how to handle 2 different rifles, same caliber but a different reamer and therefore a different chamber for the optimal shoulder set back??? How to adjust the die in the press in a way that you can reproduce the result between different work sessions for the 2 different rifles and different should bump requirements?? My problem is that there is no need that the die is always touching the shellholder, because the stopper is the reference for the final end position of the press (SAC presentation: Less shoulder bump: screw it out; More shoulder bump: Screw it in), but than your die is "hanging in the air" you have no reference point - it is optimized for 1 specific chamber/rifle. My conclusion would be that for the best consistent result for 2 rifles, same caliber but different shoulder bump I should use 2 dies??? Or working with shims to "measure" the position of the die??

 

[Wally270]

I've been using mind a couple of years now. I tried a bunch of other presses. This one checks all the boxes for me. I highly recommend it.

 

[9146gt]

The question is how to handle 2 different rifles, same caliber but a different reamer and therefore a different chamber for the optimal shoulder set back??? How to adjust the die in the press in a way that you can reproduce the result between different work sessions for the 2 different rifles and different should bump requirements?? My problem is that there is no need that the die is always touching the shellholder, because the stopper is the reference for the final end position of the press (SAC presentation: Less shoulder bump: screw it out; More shoulder bump: Screw it in), but than your die is "hanging in the air" you have no reference point - it is optimized for 1 specific chamber/rifle. My conclusion would be that for the best consistent result for 2 rifles, same caliber but different shoulder bump I should use 2 dies??? Or working with shims to "measure" the position of the die??

If only using one die you can measure from the bottom of the die to the bottom of the lock ring to get your height (shoulder bump) difference between rifles.

 

[Wally270]

The question is how to handle 2 different rifles, same caliber but a different reamer and therefore a different chamber for the optimal shoulder set back??? How to adjust the die in the press in a way that you can reproduce the result between different work sessions for the 2 different rifles and different should bump requirements?? My problem is that there is no need that the die is always touching the shellholder, because the stopper is the reference for the final end position of the press (SAC presentation: Less shoulder bump: screw it out; More shoulder bump: Screw it in), but than your die is "hanging in the air" you have no reference point - it is optimized for 1 specific chamber/rifle. My conclusion would be that for the best consistent result for 2 rifles, same caliber but different shoulder bump I should use 2 dies??? Or working with shims to "measure" the position of the die??

If your are loading for 2 different chambers of the same cartridge, I agree the best answer would be to have 2 different dies. I use the SAC solo-loc rings. These have .002" reference marks. Admittedly they are a little crude, but they have helped me when I have had to make minor adjustments for different chambers. However, I found it better just to have separate dies. One for my 6br, and one for my wife's 6br. I hope this answers your question a bit better.

Like I said, I have tried more presses than I care to admit. I have sold most of them. The Nexus press is all I use now, but I'm not what would be considered a high volume loader. Good luck and shoot straight.

Steve

 

[Fire Dog]

I was just wondering what the general consensus on the SAC Nexus press is? Now that it has been out for a while, an I’m sure some are using it on here, just wanted to hear some feedback. Not necessarily looking to get one, but I find it to be an intriguing press and really wanted to know what type of precision it delivers. Especially case to case headspace variance.

I’ve been using mine now for the past 5oords and have found that once the die was set the shoulder bump varied only by .0005” at most… Ahead of my Bonanza {now owned by Foster & sold as their Co-Ax} but with the same ease of changing dies but a step up in consistency.

 

[209jones]

Dare say if I were to buy one, I'd probably like it, a lot. With all the scrutiny over the bump aside, I do wonder if anyone has actually managed to figure out, if it has actually made a difference downrange, something that is actually attributable to the press? Granted, there is a peace of mind that you have pretty much controlled a variable as best you can, is valuable, to the extent that it's a question you are not worrying about anymore, but, does it really extend further than that?

 

[Timon]

Dare say if I were to buy one, I'd probably like it, a lot. With all the scrutiny over the bump aside, I do wonder if anyone has actually managed to figure out, if it has actually made a difference downrange, something that is actually attributable to the press? Granted, there is a peace of mind that you have pretty much controlled a variable as best you can, is valuable, to the extent that it's a question you are not worrying about anymore, but, does it really extend further than that?

I would like to know this also. SAC makes incredible stuff and I have no doubt the Nexus press falls in that category. My question is, what will it do for me that my RCBS Rebel, is not already doing? I run a Micron sizing dies, with SAC bushings on my Rebel press and see next to no runout. I then use an arbor press for seating. So I guess, other than the SAC “wow” factor, which the Nexus definitely has, how will it improve my rounds downrange? That’s my big question. I would love to buy one, but thus far, I just have not seen a reason to abandon my Rebel press.

Scott

 

[nakneker]

I would like to know this also. SAC makes incredible stuff and I have no doubt the Nexus press falls in that category. My question is, what will it do for me that my RCBS Rebel, is not already doing? I run a Micron sizing dies, with SAC bushings on my Rebel press and see next to no runout. I then use an arbor press for seating. So I guess, other than the SAC “wow” factor, which the Nexus definitely has, how will it improve my rounds downrange? That’s my big question. I would love to buy one, but thus far, I just have not seen a reason to abandon my Rebel press.

Scott

You have no reason to change if your Rebel is getting it done in that fashion. I’ve been using my Rock Chucker for 3 decades and get solid results but I still enjoy trying new things. Tried a Co-ax for awhile, nice press. I currently have a 419 Gen 1 just to give it a try but I still use my RC the majority of the time.

SAC is a quality company, thinking outside the box. I use a few of his dies, his dies and bushings get very high marks. Not the cheapest by any means but I’d love to try his press. Never been disappointed with anything I’ve tried from SAC.

So what do you gain? Doesn’t sound like much but it always fun to try new things. We are spoiled with the explosion of new offering in reloading equipment.

To each his own.

 

[Timon]

You have no reason to change if your Rebel is getting it done in that fashion. I’ve been using my Rock Chucker for 3 decades and get solid results but I still enjoy trying new things. Tried a Co-ax for awhile, nice press. I currently have a 419 Gen 1 just to give it a try but I still use my RC the majority of the time.

SAC is a quality company, thinking outside the box. I use a few of his dies, his dies and bushings get very high marks. Not the cheapest by any means but I’d love to try his press. Never been disappointed with anything I’ve tried from SAC.

So what do you gain? Doesn’t sound like much but it always fun to try new things. We are spoiled with the explosion of new offering in reloading equipment.

To each his own.

I agree, I love to buy and play with new tools. I had to just order a barrel and I’m on the wait list for a Neo-X rest. Guess you have to pick and choose toys.

 

[Wally270]

A good friend of mine placed 13th at the varmint for score nationals several years ago. He has been a great mentor to me. One of the things he always says is "If you pick up enough pennies, eventually you will have a dollar."

I have tried many things over the years. Some I have kept, some have went away. As far as presses, I have tried an older RCBS, 5 Reddings, an Area 419, Mec, a Forster Co-Ax, and 4 Dillons. I still have one Redding, the MEC, and a Dillon 550C, but the Nexus is all I use.

As far as being able to tell any difference on paper, I don't have the time to shoot a large enough sample size to be able to justify the difference in the presses, or for that matter, many of the other reloading tools I have tried. I mainly look for a smooth work flow, convenience, and if the quality of the finished product suits my needs. If I have a quality finished product, determined by measurements, then I figure the results at the range are determined by how well I can drive the rifle.

Good luck shoot straight,
Steve

 

[DaveTooley]

This makes die adjustment easy.
https://www.pmatool.com/pma-micro-die-adjuster-pro/

 

[jimmymac]

This makes die adjustment easy.
https://www.pmatool.com/pma-micro-die-adjuster-pro/

Exactly. This one is just fine also. https://www.pmatool.com/pma-micro-die-adjuster-w-thumb-screw-upgrade/

My application is Benchrest. All these set it and forget it guys must not shoot as much as me. With the number of firings my brass goes through, set it and forget it is impossible. If you like your reloading simple and easy, the PMA die adjuster on just about any single stage press is all it takes. Carry on!

 

[FarmallSM]

The question is how to handle 2 different rifles, same caliber but a different reamer and therefore a different chamber for the optimal shoulder set back??? How to adjust the die in the press in a way that you can reproduce the result between different work sessions for the 2 different rifles and different should bump requirements?? My problem is that there is no need that the die is always touching the shellholder, because the stopper is the reference for the final end position of the press (SAC presentation: Less shoulder bump: screw it out; More shoulder bump: Screw it in), but than your die is "hanging in the air" you have no reference point - it is optimized for 1 specific chamber/rifle. My conclusion would be that for the best consistent result for 2 rifles, same caliber but different shoulder bump I should use 2 dies??? Or working with shims to "measure" the position of the die??

I have dedicated dies for individual rifles. It just easier. I bought a Sinclair reloading shim kit. It “works” but not as easy as a dedicated die.
SAC equipment is excellent! I have several of their tools/dies etc. I just can’t wrap my mind around that kind of money for a press, I didn’t buy it.
I’m running a RCBS RC4, an RCBS turret and a Dillon 550C. All produce perfect results. I found I had to get my processes consistent to get my brass consistent. The press was never the issue.