what are the best presses on the market today?

C

cdn shooter

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As the title probably implies, I'm in the market for a new press. Looking for opinions on new models as I've heard some of the tried and true are now outsourced crap. Money isn't going to be considered for this one, hopefully I can find one I that will outlast me.
 
cdn shooter said:
As the title probably implies, I'm in the market for a new press. Looking for opinions on new models as I've heard some of the tried and true are now outsourced crap. Money isn't going to be considered for this one, hopefully I can find one I that will outlast me.
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Can't go wrong with a Rockchucker.
 
Their are others I like as well, Dillon for progressive, Redding Big Boss, Redding Ultra-mag, RCBS Rockchucker(this one I'm on the fence), I have 2 and use them but they are not the new ones that are rumored to be Chinese and that would be a deal killer for me.
 
The new Rockchuckers are junk, sorry. They're now made in China and half of the ones I have seen have terrible play in the ram. Here are some videos I took of one:

http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b...essive Slop/?action=view&current=P1040807.mp4
http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b...essive Slop/?action=view&current=P1040808.mp4
http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b...essive Slop/?action=view&current=P1040805.mp4

That's find if your goal is just to make a round that goes "bang!", but the press in those videos is useless for any kind of precision work. Follow Ben's advice and get the CO-AX if you want the best.
 
My primary single stage press is the Forster Co-Ax [Mine is still stamped "Bonanza", lol]
The very best of the best IMHO.
I have had mine for a very long time, and it continues to produce top quality ammo.
You will never regret buying this press.
Eagleye.
 
RCBS pre-China Rockchucker, Redding, or Lyman. The price of the Co-Ax is way too expensive for the value/perfomance received, IMHO.
 
Ultra-Mag

It took me a while to settle on a press as a new reloader, but with the help of a benchrest shooter and some like minded friends we all settled on Redding Ultra-Mags.

The press is front loading, which I love vs. having to come into it from the side like the rockchucker for instance. It's a preference thing...

It is big enough to accomodate a 50 BMG if I one day decided to get into that game, and allows me to easily load my .300 WM, .308, 22-250 etc. The long ram has lots of leverage to make sizing a one handed job, and it is solid as a rock!

It even works for me with pistol rounds, because for the amount I shoot it's all I'll ever need.
 
Shootshellz said:
RCBS pre-China Rockchucker, Redding, or Lyman. The price of the Co-Ax is way too expensive for the value/perfomance received, IMHO.
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I hate to tell you but Lyman Orange Crusher now is made in China too. Co-Ax is one of the best press you can buy but considering the price it's not a good value. IMHO the best new press for the little money you pay is Lee Clasic Cast withhout a doubt, still made in good old USA. There is a ton of good used older presses out there that can be bought for cents on the dollar and that would be my way of gathering reloading equipment while starting reloading.
 
If i was buying another i`d likely get the Co-ax, my Lyman orange crusher works well though. I`ve got a Hornady progessive sitting waiting for some parts, picked it up used missing some pieces. We`ll see if it can do the job i got it for.
 
I have access to all brands of presses including the arbor ones.

I use the Lee Breech Lock challenger press. Yes, my toggle link has cracked but has functioned this way for several years and thousands of rds.

I love the inserts for quick change and the press does exactly what I want.

For heavy duty sizing, the new Classic Cast with inserts would be my choice.

I sell a fair number of Coax too.

Jerry
 
Those who say that the Co-Ax is too pricey for the value you get have obviously not had one for 30 years. lol.
Mine has paid for itself many times over, and I have not had to replace a single component on that press, ever!!
How many rounds I have loaded on it is anybody's guess, but it is well up in the tens of thousands.
I highly value the universal shellholder design, the quick change die feature and the self aligning capabilities of the Co-Ax.
Since I never prime on any press, that is a non-issue.
Additionally, no spent primers lost on the floor. [best primer recovery system out there]
Regards, Eagleye.
 
The design of the Co-Ax makes it far better suited for precision loading. The problem with most of the other presses is that the location of the handle on the toggle introduces torque when force is applied. This is the reason the ram "kicks" in my videos when the toggle bar cams over. They could reduce the effect by moving the handle to the center, instead of having it off to the side. But, they would never decouple it the way the design of the Co-Ax does. The way the dies and shell case float also help reduce misalignment with the dies.
 
Mystic Precision said:
I have access to all brands of presses including the arbor ones.

I use the Lee Breech Lock challenger press. Yes, my toggle link has cracked but has functioned this way for several years and thousands of rds.

I love the inserts for quick change and the press does exactly what I want.

For heavy duty sizing, the new Classic Cast with inserts would be my choice.

I sell a fair number of Coax too.

Jerry
Click to expand...

Sounds like a great unbiased, endorsement for the lowly Lee press, from a person of extremely high credibility as well.
 
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