Area 419 Zero Press

Certainly a really nice looking press.

I like some of the features, like the revolving 9 station top.

I don't understand the extremely tight tolerances, when dies are designed to "float". Perhaps this will create a step change in the industry, where dies are redesigned to work in a zero tolerance high precision system, and perhaps that will create quantifiable differences down range. As it stands right now, this seems like a really well made price with some neat features, which I'm sure is a pleasure to use, but I doubt it will change anything down range.

I'll be curious to hear reviews, and if it actually makes a positive difference that's quantifiable down range. For now I will stay with my Forster Co-ax.
 
Certainly a really nice looking press.

I like some of the features, like the revolving 9 station top.

I don't understand the extremely tight tolerances, when dies are designed to "float". Perhaps this will create a step change in the industry, where dies are redesigned to work in a zero tolerance high precision system, and perhaps that will create quantifiable differences down range. As it stands right now, this seems like a really well made price with some neat features, which I'm sure is a pleasure to use, but I doubt it will change anything down range.

I'll be curious to hear reviews, and if it actually makes a positive difference that's quantifiable down range. For now I will stay with my Forster Co-ax.

My thoughts exactly, trying to justify the expense over my co-ax just ain’t possible...
 
My thoughts exactly, trying to justify the expense over my co-ax just ain’t possible...

It seems like more of a luxury item then one that actually has an impact on performance.

I watched the Ultimate Reloader youtube video on it, and while he measures runout and shoulder bump consistency with that press, there's no scale or comparison to other presses that he's tested to put the numbers into context. I will say that my forster co-ax bumps shoulders to the precision an accuracy the Area419 press does in this video, and I see measuring runout as a waste of time so that I can't compare.

But what really matters is how this all translates into downrange performance, and I'm disappointed to see that he doesn't show any of that. Everything else is ultimately meaningless without this info, and I'm pretty surprised that this Ultimate Reloader doesn't do any down range testing to quantify the gear he's testing in an actual meaningful way.

Anyways, cool press for those that can afford this luxury item, but without any compelling evidence showing that it's going to have a beyond marginal effect on my downrange performance, I don't foresee myself adding this to my reloading room.
 
If I was going to drop $1k+ on a press, it would be one of these German machines...
https://www.turban-cnc.de/heavy-prazipress-140mm
The standard 2 pillar unit would suit me just fine.
IMG_3189-687x1030.jpg
 
They still cant control die quality. So having the best press in the world cant make up for a poor quality set of dies. Half the battle in ordering a custom reamer is hoping that the dies work properly with it. Ill spend my money on better dies that match my reamers over a fancy press.
 
If I was going to drop $1k+ on a press, it would be one of these German machines...
https://www.turban-cnc.de/heavy-prazipress-140mm
The standard 2 pillar unit would suit me just fine.
IMG_3189-687x1030.jpg

I'd have to agree.

I looked at (and was tempted) by the Zero press, but I am unsure how much the turret would be beneficial once dies are set. The Prazi is simple, and simple is good. I am looking into 1 1/4'' dies now, and the Prazi allows for this as well.

The other thing that really annoys me at times with Area 419, is their constant upgrading to new versions. I would assume the MkII of the Zero will be out in a year or two, with "must have" improvements.
 
They still cant control die quality. So having the best press in the world cant make up for a poor quality set of dies. Half the battle in ordering a custom reamer is hoping that the dies work properly with it. Ill spend my money on better dies that match my reamers over a fancy press.

I believe I read somewhere that the owners of Area 419 made this press as a "first step" towards their "zero tolerance reloading".

They implied that more was to come, which I'm assuming means very precise dies, etc. That's when things will get interesting, if they do come to fruition, and that's when we will see if there's any quantifiable merit to the "zero tolerance reloading" premise or not. I'm not sure when the rest of the "zero tolerance reloading" system is supposed to roll out, I don't even know if Area 419 does.

As it stands right now, it's another press that allows the die/shellholder to "float", but one that's nicely made with nice features.
 
For the money you could buy any number of excellent progressives, with a single stage.

Seems to me they are trying to go for speed and precision both. The result would likely be not fast enough for a volume shooter, or precise enough for a long range competitor. Many other companies have versions that try to do both, for much less money. I would personally wait for reviews.

On a side note. While i subscribe to Ultimate reloader, his channel is becoming too much about unboxing and shilling.
 
I believe I read somewhere that the owners of Area 419 made this press as a "first step" towards their "zero tolerance reloading".

They implied that more was to come, which I'm assuming means very precise dies, etc. That's when things will get interesting, if they do come to fruition, and that's when we will see if there's any quantifiable merit to the "zero tolerance reloading" premise or not. I'm not sure when the rest of the "zero tolerance reloading" system is supposed to roll out, I don't even know if Area 419 does.

As it stands right now, it's another press that allows the die/shellholder to "float", but one that's nicely made with nice features.

Well, maybe but convince enough Pro PRS shooters to use one, and I think several have already chimed in; I suspect it will sell.
 
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