Strongest Reloading Press

fiddler

fiddler

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Location
Edmonton
I've been looking at getting a new press. My very old RCBS has been a nice press for many decades but I'm finding its starting to have a bit of play from wear and tear, and consequently varies its seating depending on how hard I push. Its been a good press and its time for something new with a better cam system and sturdier build.


I want a press for only rifle loading and not looking for a "kit". What is the strongest press you guys have used? for the guys who have used more than one press.

* Key point here: for the Guys that have actually used more than one press*
 
My loading bench wears an old CH 3 station press, a Forster Co-ax, A Lee Classic Cast, an RCBS Ammomaster, and a Dillon 550.
The Dillon is a semi-progressive and is really well made, very strong.
The Lee ( and I'm really not a Lee fan ) is a very strong and very well made press having proven its worth by easily handling 50 BMG.
The Ammomaster is the biggest and strongest of my presses also easily working with 50 BMG, but the linkage has more play.
The Forster is a very precise and sturdy press but has the smallest opening of all my presses, so I use it for standard length cartridges only.
My old CH has a huge opening and is really well made and I'm certain will out live me.
 
Yup, Forster Co-ax, the new ones are made to accommodate much larger cases followed by the Redding Ultra-Mag and the RCBS Ammomaster.
 
Here is a question for the owners of the newer Co-ax presses.... how big is the opening ?..... on my older Co-ax it measures 3.365" adequate for most average cartridges but not enough for larger cases such as 45-120, 338 Lapua, 404 J.
Mine also doesn't have enough clearance above the press for the yoke to clear any of my Vickerman seating dies, nor will some fit in the die slot.
Obviously the newer Forster must be somewhat larger ?
 
Mine measures 4" from the jaws to the top and the yoke clears my Vickerman seating dies, I don't believe that i have tried to load the 45/100 Sharps on it yet, remember the orig. press was meant for benchrest loading.
 
Fiddler: Is your RCBS press a Junior or a Rockchucker? I can't imagine ever wearing out a Rockchucker. Anyhow, send whatever press you own back to RCBS; they will take care of any issues you have. Excellent customer service.
 
WSS carries them on the web, kid in the store in Edm didn't know what I was talking about last summer and they didn't have them in the computer or on the shelf. A week later I was in Cgy and they had them on the shelf but by then I had bought my Redding T7.......had one a few weeks ago when I was there last.
 
Fiddler: Is your RCBS press a Junior or a Rockchucker? I can't imagine ever wearing out a Rockchucker.
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My Rockchucker is over 30 years old, and is still in excellent condition. If you lube the ram and linkages now and then, I can't imagine ever wearing it out.
 
I bought a little RCBS Junior more than 30 years ago and used it exclusively for half of that; then I added an Lyman Orange Crusher to make sizing a bit easier.

I still use (and prefer) the little RCBS for neck sizing and seating, right through .375 H&H. It doesn't show any signs of wear yet. The bigger Lyman does make sizing larger cartridges easier, but I've never felt was as precise. The 'camming-over-center' design takes away the 'feel' - I find it irritating, and difficult to set up with collet dies.
 
I recently got my Forester Co-AX from Reloaders.ca

444shooter said:
Where did you guys get your co-ax press from? I have a Redding Boss and nothing wrong with it, but the co-ax looks good.
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Hi..

I recently, within the last year, got a new Forester Co-Ax press from Reloaders.ca a site sponsor.. Had to wait a bit.. about a month but he got it for me.. No problems.. Email him.. I am sure he will be able to help you...

RDG
 
Shootshellz said:
Fiddler: Is your RCBS press a Junior or a Rockchucker? I can't imagine ever wearing out a Rockchucker. Anyhow, send whatever press you own back to RCBS; they will take care of any issues you have. Excellent customer service.
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I'm not sure the model of my RCBS press, but I'll make a trek through the snow to the shop today and have a look at it.

I think its a good press for seating and will continue to use it, it just has a bit of play and inconsistency from force. I want a second press with the newer cam system where I don't feel like I'm going to rip it off the bench when resizing larger bullets like 300 mag. If I'm going to get a second press anyway, I might as well get one thats been heavier built.
 
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