Kaveman44
Well-Known Member
i meant the FORSTER Co-Ax or the RCBS Summit!
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Want to get into reloading!
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I don't know enough about any of these choices to give a strong recommendation.
I will say that Forster has a stellar reputation. They made some great stuff way back when that has stood the test of time. I especially remember their mini-lathe for brass prep work - I still use mine today for case trimming. Later on they entered the market of precision reloading dies when they bought Bonanza who invented co-axial dies starting with a seater die with the now famous concentric sliding sleeve. I assume this purchase included the people and expertise because all of their die stuff has been top notch.
That said, I like the in-line capabities of the RCBS Summit. If you end up with in-line dies, this may someday prove to be a wise choice.
I doubt you would go wrong with either one. But I guess I lean toward the Forster myself.
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I read up on the RCBS a bit once you mentioned a possible bargain. Evidently there have been 2 iterations of this press. The first had fewer base screws or something. Make sure you get the latest...otherwise it may have chatter and some looseness that won't lead to extreme accuracy once your capable of it. I did track down the fella yesterday that sells the upgrade mod for the case jaw set up for my Forster Co-Ax. Fella is from Mt.
Just ran across another press that appears to ring the bell. The PraziPress from Germany uses 3 posts and a top plate to maintain precision alignment and according to some reviews it develops more force than any other press. It will set you back almost a grand and take two months to come, but every pro review I've seen says it outperforms everything else out there. VERY TALL CLAIMS given most of the stuff out there produces ammo that shoots better than I do. I still lean toward the Forster, but wanted you to know about the option.
Kaveman44
Well-Known Member
I ended up going with the RCBS summit, figure if I really want to step it up a couple years from now after I've been doing it for a while I can, but I feel like that's really nice press to start with!
I'm sure you will be happy with it. It was one of my top picks for you. Let us all know how you feel about it after you have used it for a while. Don't forget to get really good dies with it. Lots to choose from there too!
Kaveman44
Well-Known Member
I'm gonna get the competition dies from RCBS
Kaveman44
Well-Known Member
What are your thoughts on the RCBS Competition Dies?
I would NEVER recommend anything other than a single stage press for a person who is just starting out reloading. There are numerous critical stages to learn about reloading without having to learn the process of keeping a turret press up and running. I recently bought a Dillon 650XL and I am still having trouble figuring it out, when it is up and running it pumps ammo every time quickly and accurately. However if you have a problem with a powder drop or a primer seating problem, or a bullet depth the press then will pump out defective ammunition just as easily as pumping out good ammunition, and then you have to figure out how to fix it. I find that getting a Dillon back on track can be a challenging task and I have been reloading for 55+ years. Get yourself a good single stage "O" press to start out, something strong, reliable and accurate. I have an RCBS Rockchucker that I have had for many years and thousands of rounds of ammunition to start out with. I believe that Forster Coax makes a good press, however they usually are out of stock when you try to buy one. I mentioned in a previous post on this thread, if you can find someone who is already experienced with reloading, a mentor, it will help you out tremendously.
I use a Lyman primer pocket uniformer, $21 from Brownells. I take the cutter out of the plastic handle and put it into my portable drill to uniform and clean up the primer pockets. The tool is simple to use.
Please don't apologize for asking questions, that his how you will learn. I use an Ohaus 505 powder scale (RCBS powder scale is good too), I've had it for years and still go back to it to check my RCBS Chargemaster. I use an RCBS Competition powder measure. I would like to stress the KISS principle, keep it simple when starting out. If I want accurate I will set my powder measure to drop a charge 1/4 to 1/2 a grain lower than my desired charge, and then trickle charge up to the desired load as I measure the load in the pan of my scale. I bought an RCBS Chargemaster powder measure/dispenser, it is okay however it can act up sometimes too.
An "O" press (RCBS/Forster COAX) will make accurate loads better than a "C" press (LEE BREECH loader/RCBS Summit) or turret press. A "C" press will make accurate ammunition, however when you get into reloading the larger magnum cartridges, the potential for spring in the press is there. An "O" press is supported on both sides of the reloading die, the "C" press is supported on only one side of the reloading die.
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Kaveman44
Well-Known Member
I thought the RCBS summit was an accurate press no?
