I have decided on either a lee classic cast press or a Redding big boss press ? should i pay a bit extra and get the big boss ? which one is better before i hand over the $ thanks for any advice

See here:

http://www.corbins.com/prcsp-1.htm



And Here:

http://www.redding-reloading.com/pages/ultramag.html

heavier is better, so get the redding big boss press. i own one now bought it after the lee press broke. it weights a bit more, but it seems easier to size cases with it. seems to work fine

Paul, do you mean you actually broke a Lee Classic Cast press? They are pretty massive, so that had to be an incredible amount of pressure! I would have thought ONLY a Redding Ultra-Mag would have been stronger.

Would you please tell us what, where and how it broke?

Hi Tankhunter,

I thought I would contribute to your post, being the owner of the Lee Classic cast press. I am amazed by the quality and value of this press. I've reloaded about 600 rounds of 375 H&H since I've had it and it keeps producing great rounds. It has plenty of room to work with the bigger cases, a huge ram. Primers end up in a tube under the ram. It has a bushing insert to let you switch from regular dies to the 50BMG dies if you wish to do so. For the money, its a steal!!! The Redding big boss is a fantastic press, but much more expansive. If I had the choice, I would go with the Lee Classic Cast press. Be aware people, this is not a challenger press!!!

By the way Paul from nz, could you tell us how you managed to brake a Classic Cast? Just curious.

Regards,

Maurice

P.S. I added a few pictures I took tonight while sizing some new 375H&H brass...

quote:

Originally posted by Jim C. <><:
Paul, do you mean you actually broke a Lee Classic Cast press? They are pretty massive, so that had to be an incredible amount of pressure! I would have thought ONLY a Redding Ultra-Mag would have been stronger.

Would you please tell us what, where and how it broke?

no no it was only a challanger press, the cheapest one of the lot. it broke where the handle goes into a cast peice that attachs to the ram of the press. you can turn that part of it around and it works just the same. although i did load some bloody accurate loads out of that press! some of my best.


braking a classic cast press would probably require a bit more force! but who is surpised the challanger press broke?

The Classic Cast press gets my vote too!!

http://www.midwayusa.com/midwayusa/applications/eproduc...ews?productid=317831

http://www.surplusrifle.com/reviews/leepress/index.asp

I use and highly recommend the Forster Co-Ax press. The best designed, best built, single stage press available.

Andy

The Forster Co-Ax is one heck of a good press. The Marines at the Quantico "loading shack" switched over to one back in the 90s when they were at the peak of getting the most out of the M-14. It was used to make truck loads of super accurate ammo.

GVA

quote:

I use and highly recommend the Forster Co-Ax press. The best designed, best built, single stage press available.

Er....Uh? Can you be more specific?

tankhunter, are you talking large bore like 45-70, 458lott, OR 50BMG?

For 308 and 45-70, I like my RCBS.
If I was doing 50BMG, I think I would need something a little bigger.

No doubt about the Forster Co-Ax being top-grade. The Co-Ax will load .416 Rigby using the extra large jaws but the window is tight and the camming force is max.

I chose the RCBS AmmoMaster2 for the larger (more surface area to size) cartridges.

quote:

Originally posted by Macifej:

quote:

I use and highly recommend the Forster Co-Ax press. The best designed, best built, single stage press available.

Er....Uh? Can you be more specific?

Sure. Start with the linkage. Unlike traditional presses, the co-ax avoids putting the fulcrum on one end of a ram supported by one bearing. The co-ax ram is supported between two (actually four) bearings, and the fulcrum is on the press frame, not the ram, resulting in much less lateral pressure on the ram (and none at the all-important top of the ram's stroke), and a better ability to resist that pressure.

Next, the shell holder: automatic & universal. Sure you have to swap ends or maybe even jaws for some cartridges, but for most of them, the jaws that come with the press work great.

Next, the die holding system. Easy pop in and out, without a wrench or extra cost inserts per die. The die also floats to self-align with the cartridge.

Next, the spent primer handling system. Now there are several other presses that offer similar fool-proof, 100% capture of spent primers and debris, but co-ax had it before any of them.

Now, with all those advantages, there are some caveats:

Lock rings are limited to Forster or Hornady, but those are the best two lock rings anyway. Even before I got my co-ax, all my dies (multiple brands) were wearing Hornady lock rings.

The over-the-top handle limits the use of very long dies, most notably Hornady seating dies with the optional micrometer head. I've heard that RCBS competition (windowed) micrometer seating dies work fine, and Redding Competition seating dies work too. Of course, Forster micrometer seating dies work great as well. Also, powder measures will not work on the co-ax, nor will screw-type collet bullet pullers. The Hornady cam-lock works for rifle cartridges, but I have not been able to use mine with 45 colt, due to the position of the handle when the top of the cartridge enters the puller. Forster superfast collet pullers work fine, but are limited in caliber choice.

Some cartridges (e.g. 25acp) do not work with either of the automatic shell holder jaws, but Forster sells an adapter for use with standard (or extended) shell holders.

The RCBS primer pocket swaging kit will not work on the co-ax (or several other presses for that matter), but the CH4D one will.

Hope this helps,

Andy

The Co-Ax definately has some superior features. Have you tried to full length resize a 700 Nitro or BMG case with one? I have not, so like to hear your thoughts. Additionally, what is the largest die thread size which can be used?

"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."

Curious and mostly false statement on the Forster Website. Likely written by the guy in charge of marketing and not the guy who designed the thing. Cool press for sure though!

Thanks

All good presses, my press of choice for 45-70 up to .577" is the Redding Ultramag.

DDunn just 500a2 and 577 NE

quote:

Originally posted by Macifej:
The Co-Ax definately has some superior features. Have you tried to full length resize a 700 Nitro or BMG case with one? I have not, so like to hear your thoughts. Additionally, what is the largest die thread size which can be used?

"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."

Curious and mostly false statement on the Forster Website. Likely written by the guy in charge of marketing and not the guy who designed the thing. Cool press for sure though!

Thanks

Nope. Not sure about 700 NE, dies are probably too big. The BMG is out too. The co-ax is limited to 7/8 dies.

I guess it depends on what the OP's definition of big bore is. Anything up to 458 lott, or 416 rigby (both easily qualify in most circles as big bore) would be doable on a co-ax. As long as you're not limited by stroke length or die size, it doesn't get any better than a co-ax.

Yep, there's a bit of marketspeak in that statement. What I think they were trying to say is that since the fulcrum is on the press head (where the die is), there is no force (ok, the force of holding the fulcrum in one place, transferred to the bench is still there) on the head/frame opposing the die/cartridge, since the linkage is between there and the ram. Similar to the redding ultramag, but the ultramag still suffers from excessive lateral forces on the ram the same as any other O-frame press.

Andy

I think they were meaning torque tangential to the axis of the die on the press head. True enough. It's really a platen type press which works fine but can't by it's nature develop relatively large forces.

If I need more force than a co-ax provides, I'm going hydraulic on a corbin!

Andy

Good idea but big money.

I have and use a Redding Ultra Mag, Forster CO-AX, Rock Chucker, Redding T-7 in the single stage variety.

The Ultra Mag will handle Nitro Express type cartridges just fine.

The CO-AX is really designed for Small to medium size cartridges when you want the best accuracy possible.

I forget the name, but there is a monster press made in Australia. Somebody on the OZ/NZ section can tell you more.

For production work on big bore ammo, or when a lot of heavy duty resizing will be needed, it would be a Corbin or equivalent.

It mainly depends on your volume.

LD

I am disappointed!

No "Rock Chucker" comment?

I understand its clearance is not the biggest one, but how about durability? Any concerns there?

H

No one is going to question the durability of the RockChucker, or larger RockCrusher presses, it's just that Lee's new Classic Cast should be (it will take a few decades to truly see) every bit as durable, and is 2/3 the price of the RCBS products. As the Lee press can also do 50 BMG loading, it should be able to handle any of the big bore cartridges, even the 450 No 2 with its' 3.5" case length.

quote:

Originally posted by Arminius:
I am disappointed!
No "Rock Chucker" comment?
I understand its clearance is not the biggest one, but how about durability? Any concerns there?
H

Nothing wrong w/ the new RC. It's got a larger window thatn the old one. Makes loading the llonger shells much easier. I went to the AmmoMaster a few years ago. Made for the 50BMG, you can load anything on it, even swage bullets & case forming is a breeze, lots of leverage there.

I use the Corbin and the big RCBS, the former for my 500 and 375, and also for buddies 450's, 416's and 505, works great.

BTT

I use a Lee Classic Turret Press for my 500 Jeffery. It worked great as is for my 375 H&H. but I had to have some Lee Turrets drilled and tapped for the larger dies of the Jeffery, but it works great. I'm using RCBS 500 Jeff Dies...
I don't have a photo of the press handy, but you can see my custom turrets with the 500 Jeff dies in them on the bench next to my rifle



Chuck

quote:

Originally posted by tankhunter:
I have decided on either a Lee Classic Cast press or a Redding Big Boss press. Should I pay a bit extra and get the Big Boss? Which one is better before I hand over the $. Thanks for any advice.

Redding makes the best presses. Lee's forte is the least expensive. I was given a Lee Classic Cast; I returned it (with boot) for a Redding and am pleased that I did.

I've read a lot of glowing reports about the Lee Classic Cast press. I guess that it is probably a decent machine based on these reports but other Lee equipement I've used has been cheaply made and usually just adequate for the job.

Redding equipment on the other hand is top-notch. They have a well earned reputation for manufacturing high end equipment. Their presses are made in the US with US castings.

So do you want to buy the high end press from a company that makes mostly low end equipment. Or do you want to pay a little extra to buy the high end press from a company that makes high-end equipment?..............................DJ

Tankhunter, Have you taken note of this one?

http://forums.accuratereloadin.../2511043/m/297102328

Chuck
Yes, but what kind of car is that?

quote:

Originally posted by Oldcoyote:
Chuck
Yes, but what kind of car is that?

Looks like a mid 60`s Buick Riviara from the little I see

I have a Corbin CSP-2 and a RCE Walnut Hill. For reloading big bore I use the Walnut Hill. IMHO betters design for this purpose.

I would buy a Lee Classic Turret Press...as I use.

quote:

Originally posted by Lissauer:
I have a Corbin CSP-2 and a RCE Walnut Hill. For reloading big bore I use the Walnut Hill. IMHO betters design for this purpose.

Nice press but $998? $1497 with a floor stand? OUCH.

Sure looks nice though.................DJ

quote:

Originally posted by BigJakeJ1s:
I use and highly recommend the Forster Co-Ax press. The best designed, best built, single stage press available.

Andy

Great press as I just purchased one myself. But for the big bores (long cases) one needs a press with a bigger "window".
Never used a Redding or Lee for the biggies but have used an RCBS Ammomaster for over a year now and really like it.

quote:

Nice press but $998? $1497 with a floor stand? OUCH.

No the Walnut Hill is $349.00, the CSP2 is $1,000.00

http://rceco.com/MN.asp?pg=products&grp=36

Interesting thread with lots of info but to me, who has never reloaded, it seems that virtually every press on the market has supporters and detractors.

I want to reload only one cartridge - 9.3x74R and I don't know how large a press is needed.

What do I look for in a press if this is what I want to load?

Thank you

Oxon

quote:

Originally posted by Oxon:
Interesting thread with lots of info but to me, who has never reloaded, it seems that virtually every press on the market has supporters and detractors.

I want to reload only one cartridge - 9.3x74R and I don't know how large a press is needed.

What do I look for in a press if this is what I want to load?

Thank you

Oxon

That's a long case with a wide rim which are the 2 reasons that a Co-Ax wouldn't be the first choice. Buy a Redding Ultra-Mag and you'll never want for more with that round. Some of the less expensive presses would work just fine though....................DJ

RCBS AmmoMaster II will give you the most gape and options.