Honest real world feedback on which loading press

[AZlongrangehunting]

Hey guys I'm sure this has been talked about thousands of times... but now it's my turn haha for a 7mm rem mag btw

I'm looking for feedback given your personal experiences with loading presses. The primary purpose of my loads are for precision long range hunting.

I really like the Redding T7 turret press but I'm torn between it and the Forster co-ax.... I know I see a million people claiming the coax is the end all be all of presses maintaining true concentric necks etc

I've seen various competition shooters using the redding T7 and even some claim the lee classic turret is better due to it doesnt have a center hub it locks by the turret housing... well I have one and visually by the eye.. It just doesnt seem mechanically possible to have a true neck/case with the given movement of the turret to the shell holder... I have a Redding competition die set with micros and redding competition shell holders... I've thought about removing the spring for the shell holder and putting an o ring on the holder as people have claimed was a smarter and better option than other ideas like turning the ram shaft....

So I'm looking for a press that truly is worth my time and I'm honestly looking to see if people have yielded great results with other presses such as the redding t7 or the lyman with the 8 die turret which has an adjustment to stop play in the turret

I'm not looking for this is what I used never had a problem it reloads fine... they all do...
I'd like to gear the conversations towards I have consistently yielded hand loads that by measuring have been up to par

So let's hear it I dont care what they are I'd like to know what absolutely works best for you and if you have direct feedback on the presses I've named

 

[gpo1956]

If you have the money, The COAX and the T7 are great. I don't like loading 7 Mags on the COAX though. The rim seemed to hang in the jaws quite a bit and also, the clearance with a Forster Bench Rest is a little cramped. Other than that and with smaller cases it was joy to use. I also have the T7 and really like it, especially with the larger cases. Honestly, I don't think there is a lot of difference between them and the regular single stage presses like the Rockchucker, Hornady, Lyman or Reddings. If I were starting out today, knowing what I know now, I'd buy the T7 and not look back.

 

[jd9770]

I use a T-7. I load from 22 Hornet up to 338 lapua with it. And some pistol as well. It produces in my opinion, very good ammo, that is consistent from one loading session to the next.

 

[Dumptruck]

I don't have have either of them but I've used a lot of different presses over the years and right now my rock chucker ll makes good ammo and there is no problem loading mag calibers. But like you I have been think about the co-ax and MEC marksman. Good luck with your post I will be following along. Maybe this post will help me decide.

 

[Dcoll]

I was in the same situation about 2 years ago and decided on the T-7 and Redding dies. I have been very pleased with all the Redding equipment and customer service. When I was first starting out and had questions, their customer service was great and they answered all my questions. The first cartridge I reloaded for was a 7mm STW. First rounds I reloaded shot 3 shot groups that I could cover with a dime at 100 yards. You can produce super accurate loads with the T-7 and Redding dies. If I had to do it over again, I wouldn't change a thing. Go with the T-7 and don't look back.

 

[gohring3006]

I've got a CO-AX and Rockchucker.
I find myself using my Rockchucker for everything.
Once you perfect your technique, the precision advantages that comes from the CO-AX disappears. CO-AX is a nice press though.

 

[Rifleman97]

I've got two lees and a rock chucker. I have one Lee turret press with my 30-06 stuff in it (i shoot 30-06 more than anything else) then a Lee classic for seating, and the rock chucker for sizing. That way I can set up everything at the beginning and not have to change dies in the middle of the reloading process, without dealing with a turret. Just size, clean primer pocket, prime, add powder charge, go to the next press to seat the bullet, and then on to the next casing.

They all work pretty much the same, I've never had any issues with any of them, the only difference being the Rock chucker I have is smoother than the Lee's, but I wouldn't expect anything else for the price difference.

If you can afford the Co-Ax, go for it. But personally, I'd say either the rock chucker or lee turret (because switching dies just by rotating the turret is actually really handy in my opinion)

 

[MudRunner2005]

For precision loading, single-stage is the only way to go. I really enjoy my RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme IV.

 

[dok7mm]

I use a T-7, Co-Ax, Redding Big Boss and a RockChucker + a cheap Lee for depriming only. The first four will all produce good ammo. If I was starting over I'd probably go with the T-7, as the Co-Ax is hard to find right now.

 

[1bamashooter]

I size on a Harrells press and seat on a 21st century hydro press.

 

[bigngreen]

I really, really, really like my Co-ax, I prefer it over the T-7 and Rockchucker, the T7 really makes some good ammo easy but I got tired of swapping heads out cause I change what I'm loading so much, the Co-ax I set the die once and rally, swap dies in seconds. It's a little short once I get to a stretched out 28 Nosler but it's still workable and I prefer it, it does need a little tweak to run mag case heads easier but not a problem. I actually get really good results with the on board priming tool on the Co-ax.

 

[AZlongrangehunting]

I really, really, really like my Co-ax, I prefer it over the T-7 and Rockchucker, the T7 really makes some good ammo easy but I got tired of swapping heads out cause I change what I'm loading so much, the Co-ax I set the die once and rally, swap dies in seconds. It's a little short once I get to a stretched out 28 Nosler but it's still workable and I prefer it, it does need a little tweak to run mag case heads easier but not a problem. I actually get really good results with the on board priming tool on the Co-ax.

What little tweak for the mags? Are you meaning handle pressure? Or something else