Which Reloading press?

[TX65]

I own four presses and have owned many more

Harrell's single stage and turret presses are my favorite. well made and compact. I use the turret presses at home for resizing and bullet seats. If I am loading at the range, I bring a Harrell's single stage press out. You can clamp the Harrell's presses right to workbench or table. When at the range, I clamp the rest to a 2"x2"x36" piece of wood which I clamp to a bench with vise grip quick clamps.

I have a Redding Ultramag that I keep around for large cases

 

[McKinneyMike]

I also own a Forster CoAx press and can not say enough good about it. The fact that I don't need all the shell holders is enough of a reason for me, but the self aligning part of the operation is also a plus. I also like the slide in and out tool free changing of the dies. I also like the way that the Forster collects spent primers in a cup that I can empty when needed, but others offer this feature too.

Some prefer to have the lower operating point of the traditional O presses, but I really like the leverage advantage of the Forster for resizing brass. They will all make great ammo though. Buy a quality press and learn how to use it to its full capabilities. If you do buy a Forster though, be sure to use their locking rings! I can not tell you why, but they do work best with the press.

Try out a few and see what fits you loading style if you have friends or other shooters in the area. They will definitely give you the pluses of each type and brand

 

[RonAKA]

RonAKA,
I think the big seller on them is;
#1- no shell holders to deal with.
#2- Everything self aligns, so runout is reduced.
#3- once you set your die up there is no messing around, slide in and out.
#4- they look kinda weird so it give's your buddies something to ask you silly questions about while there in your loading room.
Wayne.

Thanks Wayne. You got me on #4 already!

 

[bozo699]

RonAKA,
I think the big seller on them is;
#1- no shell holders to deal with.
#2- Everything self aligns, so runout is reduced.
#3- once you set your die up there is no messing around, slide in and out.
#4- they look kinda weird so it give's your buddies something to ask you silly questions about while there in your loading room.
Wayne.

Thanks Wayne. You got me on #4 already!

LOL
Wayne. ;D

 

[artbosco]

What would say are the advantages of the Forester Co-Axel over another solid press like say the Lee Classic Cast?

Forster's view or read response. I like the video.

View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Udpyl7zBJfo&NR=1

Co-Ax ® Press, model B3, supplied with "S" jaws. No need to complicate the reloading process. Our Co-Ax® Press keeps it simple while still delivering famous Forster precision. The Forster Co-Ax® Loading Press comes with several unique features that help make it truly one of a kind, including:

1) Snap-in and snap-out die changing. You can actually change from sizer die to seater die in two seconds!

2) A positive spent primer catcher system which passes all spent primers and dirty carbon through a tube and into a container. That helps keep all working parts free of dirt and abrasives

3) Dual floating guide rods to help ensure perfect alignment

4) Because there is absolutely no torque on the head of the Co-Ax® Press, long life is the rule rather than the exception. Due to the design of the linkage and pivots, all forces are in equilibrium whether the press is at maximum work load or at rest

5) Our Co-Ax® Press has three times the mechanical advantage of an ordinary "C" press. It's so effortless, full length sizing can actually be accomplished by operating the handle of the press with the little finger! There's no pain but plenty of gain

6) The Co-Ax® Press delivers perfect alignment of the die and the case because the shell holder jaws are designed to float with the die, thereby permitting the case to center precisely in the die

7) With no frame supports or swinging primer arms to interfere or cause an obstruction, the Co-Ax® Press provides plenty of elbow room for both right handed or left handed operators

8) The Co-Ax® Press accepts any standard 7/8" X 14 reloading die, some with existing locking rings. We recommend Forster Cross Bolt Locking Rings

9) The unique top priming device seats primers to factory specifications. The seater is always at right angles to the case head. Primers will not flip or tip. They will be seated straight, level and at a uniform distance below the case head. Primers cannot be crushed, nor will they protrude from the case head and cause premature firing

10) The top of the stroke provides a rock solid stop for consistency.

 

[RonAKA]

OK, it sounds good. After a career of maintaining things, and doing the investigation to find causes of failure, I'm a big fan of simplicity, big, and strong. You know those wood and wire mouse traps with the big V (Victor), I still use them. I have switched from cheese to peanut butter for bait as it stays "fresh" longer.

It seems the reloading press steals the show as the key performer in the reloading chain. My thoughts are that the dies are more critical performers, and a good die in one of many presses will work very well depending on the size of the case.

I think the key to successful accurate reloading is knowledge, and primarily what are you doing to size the case so it will fit your chamber, and give your bullets a good non canted start to their trip down the barrel. There are actually quite a few different ways to size a case and seat the bullet. I'm still learning, and I don't think equipment is limiting factor.

 

[bozo699]

OK, it sounds good. After a career of maintaining things, and doing the investigation to find causes of failure, I'm a big fan of simplicity, big, and strong. You know those wood and wire mouse traps with the big V (Victor), I still use them. I have switched from cheese to peanut butter for bait as it stays "fresh" longer.

It seems the reloading press steals the show as the key performer in the reloading chain. My thoughts are that the dies are more critical performers, and a good die in one of many presses will work very well depending on the size of the case.

I think the key to successful accurate reloading is knowledge, and primarily what are you doing to size the case so it will fit your chamber, and give your bullets a good non canted start to their trip down the barrel. There are actually quite a few different ways to size a case and seat the bullet. I'm still learning, and I don't think equipment is limiting factor.

Absolutely spot on IMHO
Wayne.

 

[minnesota]

how many of you use redding presses? have any of you gone from rcbs to redding? I have rockchucker supreme, and a hornady progressive.

 

[TX65]

My first press was a Redding Ultramag which I still have. Great working on large cases and when doing case forming.

 

[jonbearman]

I have a rockchucker first and foremost and I have a dillon rl550b that loads very accurate ammo with little to no run out.I want a co-ax and will buy one in the near future because of the floating jaws and easy die replacement. You can go nuts trying to buy just the right one to use.However if you buy good quality first you wont have to keep upgrading till you get it right..You get what you pay for,so dont buy the cheapy and dont spend a million dollars either.Just extrapolate the imfo given here and make an imformed purchase.With what I know now I would go with the newer forester co-ax and be done with it. You can always buy the lee classic turret later as they work and they are strong.

 

[bozo699]

how many of you use redding presses? have any of you gone from rcbs to redding? I have rockchucker supreme, and a hornady progressive.

minnesota,
I have a redding T7 turret press, I think it is one if not the best press I have ever owned.
Wayne.

 

[40X Guy]

Forster Coax press gets my vote. Since I bought mine 6 months ago, my groups have shrunk and I love the feature of leaving the Forster lockrings on the die and just slide then in when you need them. I still have my trusty Rockchucker on my bench also, its going on 18 years old.

Frank