Well all, was looking at things today and need some new dies for guns I need to shoot more but don't load for yet. I realized that the RCBS Junior press that is older than me and has had thousands of rounds loaded is no longer going to cut it, just not enough room for the big round.

Just wondering what presses ya'll liked and had good experience with? Probably going to stay single stage for now, because of the step-up in price with the progressives.

thanks

Red

Dago Red... I have several presses at home here. One I am realy starting to like is the newest one, a Redding T-7 turrent press. Midway has them on sale for this month I think for about 175$. You can set up for several calibers on it, and according to my measurements, it is a strait press. I am not sure if you saw my post on the "rock chucker", but I have a NIB rock chucker for sale, hasnt been used at all. I havent decided on the price yet but send me a PM or email if you are interested.

I have, and can recommend, the Forster Co-Ax

If anyone has never considered the attitude of the different companies to make their choice, should check out dillon's president's response to rumors.

http://dillonprecision.com/rl1050.cfm?dyn=1&

I was very impressed at the passion that Mike Dillon put in his letter to clarify his customer support. When I get to Germany and get my permits and stuff, I will spend the $800 or so for the big blue press for pistol reloading. I think I will stay single stage for my rifle loading, because I don't want to tumble live ammo.

I have Lee Presses, two of them, and have had no problem. I do not reload thousands of rounds a week, so it's no big deal. Reloading for the .44 Mag is kind of mundane, but once I get the blue press, it will be like doing shotgun shells in the MEC.

I have been using a Lyman chrusher and O-mag for the last 20 years and like them. I really like the 4 1/2 inch opening for loading the larger H&H and Wby type mags.I believe the new RCBS has been lengthened to match the Lyman's 4 1/2 inch opening. If you do any amount of case forming the Redding Boss deserves a close look. As already mentioned the forester Co-ax is a very good press. Only knock against it is the handle will not clear some of the tall micrometer adjustment type seating dies.

I have a Lyman T-Mag. Its a great press lots of room.A RCBS Rock Chucker, Great press but to small for any thing longer than the 30-06, 7mm rem mag length cartridges. And a Lee anniversary press. It does a fine job for me, especially for the price. It is mounted on a board so I can take it to the range or what have you. It is aluminum and light. Makes for a nice little set up.

But I would trade them all for a Forster Co-Ax. That is one fine machine.

Shawn

I've never liked Lee presses, BUT.. they have a new CAST IRON O press out for a very reasonable price. I think they are calling it the "Lee Classic Press". This will be my next single stage press. I could use it now but my bench is too crowded as it is. Someone gimme $200K so I can build a 2500 sq ft reloading room with 500 sq ft of living quarters off to the side somewhere.

Ian

If you load a lot of different calibers, the Bonanza/Forster coaxial press is the ticket. You don't end up spending all your time adjusting dies, looking for shellholders, etc.

I'll catch some flame for this, but I own one of those new "Lee Classic Cast" presses, and it's the best press I've ever used in 25+ years of reloading. It has a large opening, is strong cast iron, has a great priming system, has a reversable, adjustable handle, a spent priming system that catches EVERY primer, is as tight as they come, and costs $55. You won't be sorry with this Lee press. It even has a removable bushing that allows 1-1/4" die use, even though I've never seen such dies. Oh, and the spent primers go out through the hollow ram where all the dirt and grit is kept off the outside of the ram, where it can wear the mechanism. It is truly very well engineered.

Forster Co-Ax....No question about it. Best single stage press for accuracy.

I have two RCBS presses and have had great results with them....the new Rockchucker supreme is supposed to be enlarged to handle the new long cartridges....the Forster Co-Ax is great EXCEPT that the long micrometer type dies won't work in the press......IF I were going to buy a new press and wanted the strongest for all uses I would look at the Redding Ultra Mag...the top mounted leverage of the press is extra nice.....but with 5 presses currently I can't quite figure out how to justify number 6?.....good luck and good shooting-loading!!!!

HI,


I am also looking at a different reloading press. I have a Dillon 550, but want a single stage press for rifles.I am either going to get the Big Bose or the Forster co-ax.As for the handle being to long on the co-ax they sell a shorter handle, the question which one would be the better one ??.Kev

Any of you guys that keep saying the competition micrometer dies won't work in a Forster Co-ax, PLEASE identify which ones!!

I have a Co-ax, and Redding micrometer dies up to 300 Win Mag, as well as several Forster micrometer dies. They ALL work. ALL Forster micrometer dies work. They are just a tad over 5" OAL. I've never found ANY die, even Redding, that didn't work. All I keep hearing is they don't work but NEVER anyone who identifies the one that won't. The Mickey Mouse Hornady micrometer add-on IS too long to work in there. It's over 6" long. There is enough room for dies with an OAL of 5 7/8" or less, to work in there and that covers most all dies.

I got the lee classic cast press from cabelas for around 55 bucks, As far as I can tell its every bit as good as a chucker supreme for half the cost.

Amen stinkers, I have two, and want to buy a few more. I want to use an exchange board, and set my dies for each caliber. Just pull the board with 2 presses of the shelf, fasten it in place, and start loading.