What press would you buy for reloading 270 through 375 H&H rounds for hunting.

Thanks, John

You'll get all sorts of answers on this one, with a heavy dose of Rockchuckers thrown in - probably some Lees and Reddings too.

I like my Forster Co-Ax - loads very straight ammo, and is absolutely luxurious to operate.

FWIW - mike

I don't think you can go wrong with RCBS Rockchucker or Redding Boss/Big Boss in a single stage press.

Forster Co-Ax!!!

RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme

are sea bee yes.....any more questions?

Owned them all, given away all but my Co-Ax, and will not be buying any more.

There's really not much difference for normal sizing and seating in any of the presses. All are serviceable, even the Lee aluminum frame models. The biggest issue is the opening of the frame for your .375. Some presses are inadequate for a cartridge with a L.O.A. of 3.6" (example, the orginal RCBS Jr.), so check that out first.

If you intend to do a lot of reloading and possibly case forming and want a press to last for years, then one of the "big boy" cast iron presses with compound leverage is what you want. If you plan to load a few boxes a year for just a couple of calibers, then the Lee O press will do just as good a job.

My suggestion: Look for a used press, they can be a bargain.

Old Bonanza or Forster Coaxial press. You don't have to fool with shellholders and only adjust the dies once per caliber. Also, I have better concentricity with this press than any conventional presses. However it doesn't have quite as much room when loading the .375 H&H, usually use a Rockchucker for them and the .416 Rigby.

I have the RCBS press mentioned and still do use it for some task. About a year ago I looked into a new press and ended up purchasing a Forester Co-Ax. Like the others here noted above it is by far the best press I have seen or used. I am more than pleased with its operation and results.

I also load the big Weatherby 378 based cases and 416 Rigby and it works fine for me...but purchase the LS plate if going to the larger base calibers.

The Forster press will work with the big calibers, there just isn't quite as large an opening to work through. For me the lack of shellholders to change is a plus, so I don't want to change the base plate for my one .416 Rigby. With the really accurate rifles (under .400 groups) the Bonanza press will improve the concentricity and accuracy of my ammo.

I found an old Lyman EZY-LOADER a while back and love it. So old Lyman tech support can't ID it without going to one of their oldtimers on the floor--apparently 1950's but has original paint unmarked and is built like a tank. Must have sat in a basement for most of those 50 years.

Nice part about this press is it has 2 die stations so you can size 2 cartridges at a time. Only bad part is you have to get a custom shellholder made by your gunsmith (he did 2 for $25 by welding a cylinders to 2 shellholders and then drilling out a hole in the cylinder) or you have to order an adapter from Lyman (about the same price). Personally I like the custom ones made by my gunsmith.

Of course this is silly by today's standards for most, but I'm a very happy camper.

The point, of course, is that buying a used tank might be better than buying a new Cavalier.

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Thank You for all the replys a CO-AX it will be...

John

John, you won't be disappointed, it is a "Merc" of a press - just wait till you operate it, you'll know what I mean.

I found I enjoyed using the press a LOT more after I got the optional short handle for it. Not only does it make the press feel a bunch more nimble, but it also has a ball grip - and I find those a lot more comfortable than the simple rubber covered straight grips. I have kept the long handle just in case I ever needed the extra leverage, but have not used it since I replaced it with the short handle. Changing handles is a matter of seconds.

Second thing, depending on the cases you intend to load, you might need a second jaw size (.22 Hornet, .45/70 etc).

Furthermore, the only thing I'm not so keen about on this press is having to switch the jaws around. I do like the jaws better than regular shell holders, they just don't switch around so easily. Part of what I worry about is loosing (pooiiinngg) the springs that hold the jaws together. I ordered an extra set of springs, just for peace of mind. Thankfully I have not had to use them yet.

Finally, remember that not all die-lock-rings are created equal. Some work well in the Co-Ax, others less so. I have made a habit of getting Forster die lock rings for all my dies, but I think other rings work as well (e.g. Hornady). Switching dies is a breeze, though.

Good luck with your new toy.

- mike