RCBS vs Redding vs Forster

J

justsomeguy

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So, if you were buying a new press what would you buy.

Rock Chucker Supreme
Redding T-7 Turret
Forster Co Ax

Have not seen a Co Ax but they look cool on You Tube. The T-7 seems a bit tighter mechanically than the RCBS and has the advantage of the turret, but everyone seems to love the Rock Chucker?

Ignoring cost what would you get? I'm doing 223, 308 mainly. I might tinker in some 357 after I saw the price for 357 for my new 686 but have moved away from looking at progressives due to the complexity and the fact I can get commercial re-loaded pistol for pretty good prices.

Thanks.
 
The Forster Co-Ax has a reputation has being the best mass-manufactured single stage press with regards to loaded round final concentricity. A lot of F-Class and Benchrest folks will use such a press when loading from home. The BR crowd will also use arbor presses at the range. Obviously you won't want to use a single stage press for loading lots of rounds in one sitting though, which most folks in F-Class and BR aren't doing anyway.

If you want to reload pistol, seriously consider getting a progressive once you're comfortable with reloading on a single stage press.

If I was going to buy a new single stage press today, it would be the Co-Ax.

-- L.
 
A Dillon will come if I get serious about reloading...right now I'd rather buy bulk commercial reload for pistol.

For now I'm doing 223 and 308, never reloaded other than a few times at a buddies house. Mostly target / silhouette at 100-400 yds....not looking for precision, my gun can outshoot me and will for a while....looking for something in a press that I can grow into. I've been doing bulk 223 but am looking to make a step up from that as a start.
 
What you describe there is what the dillon 550b is made for. I do 223/308/45/9mm in volume, and a couple scattered cals. Many people shooting 1-12 service rifle out to 500m use the same setup. Unless you want to shoot from a bench, I think it is hard to beat. Even then I know guys heavily into f-class that use a 550b.

If you find that the 550b is the limiter to your progress in non-supported shooting, I'd like to meet you. ;)
 
Was seriously looking at a dillon 650, and will probably get one in 1-2 yrs if my pistol consumption keeps up. My "mentors" have told me to stick to a single stage / turret to start learning, and you will always need a single even if you get into a progressive down the road I've been told. Looked at the 550 but figured if I was going to get a Dillon I'd wait and go for the big boys 650/1050.
 
Eventually your bench will end up like this.


Was myself debating 550B vs 650 and didnt think the added extras of the 650 were worth it for me, and I did finally pick up the CoAx last month :O
Nothing wrong with the 550B, that is if you do not mind having only 4 stations. And the CoAx, well it is true what they say about it ;)

I'm sure you do understand progressive presses can be used "ala" single stage, you just screw one die in...
 
I own a Co-Ax and Dillon 650. I use the 650 exclusively for semi-auto handgun rounds. Pistol (357, 454 and 460) are loaded in a Sinclair single stage and all of my rifle including 6BR, 6.5x47 and 338LM are loaded with the Co-Ax. Anything larger than 338LM is loaded in a Corbin.

I would suggest that you will be quite happy with a Co-Ax.
 
Unless you want something progressive, def. the Co-ax, and this is from a guy that used to swear by the Rockchucker, until I tried the Co-ax.
 
Knowing now, what I didn't know then I would get the co-ax for my rifle loading. Honestly though, at this point I see no real reason to abandon my rockchucker in favor of a Forster. Maybe some day.
 
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