Wore out my press!

[prosper]

Wow, I was doing some reloading this evening and noticed that the linkage in my old redding press is totally shot. The pins and holes are oval-shaped... RIP good buddy. This press has been around longer than I have, and was a good, sturdy solid cast-iron unit that must weigh about the same as the moon. It's seen many countless thousands of rounds throughout its life

Time to buy me a new press. I'm thinking the (forester?) co-ax unit, or maybe the sinclair international one Every breakage is an 'upgrade opportunity,' right?

 

[Dmay]

Good choice, I believe, if you go with the Co-Ax..sure like mine.

Once per year, I disassemble my presses, clean all the pins and lube with high pressure grease. Very carefull to put pins back in same hole, same way they came out. Don't know if I'm extending life much, but feel good about it.

 

[hunter64]

I bought my RCBS Rockchuker when I was in Jr. High in the early 70's and it is still going strong. I do basically the same thing as Dmay is doing, grease/oil. I wonder how many rounds I have reloaded with it. I have since bought lots of other Lee/Dillion progressive loaders for pistol but for all my rifle loading I still use the old faithful.

My friend has the Foresters press and loves it, I don't know anyone who has the sinclair unit.
As a side thought for a year I kept track of how many rounds I reloaded and on what machine just to see how much I am shooting and it was an eye opener, I really don't shoot that much, kids and work etc. gets in the way and the prices of components are getting really high. Even the price of lead to make my own bullets is going thru the roof.

 

[Boomer]

A minor word of warning concerning the otherwise excellent Co-axe press. As you know the handle forms a yoke. It seems that with some very long dies - such as Forster's own micrometer seating die, that the yoke may not clear the top of the die.

You could do worse than a new Rock-Chucker, but if you want a stronger press check out Reddings line.

 

[Mudpuppy]

Every breakage is an 'upgrade opportunity,' right?

It's also an opportunity to do some machine work, how about just putting in bushings to get old faithfull back up and running.

 

[prosper]

The steel in the linkage is DAMN HARD!!! I don't have the tools necessary to machine it

 

[444shooter]

Sure love my Redding Big Boss. Looks just like new, and almost 10yrs old.

 

[altagunguy]

Would the press be covered under warranty?

 

[prosper]

I dunno, maybe. It's 30 years old

 

[444shooter]

Redding are lifetime warranty. Maybe worth a call?

 

[Mudpuppy]

The steel in the linkage is DAMN HARD!!! I don't have the tools necessary to machine it

Then just wrap the pins in duct tape and hammer them in!! Duct tape fixes everything

 

[buckbrush]

The Forester-Bonanza Co-ax press will work with all Forester micrometer seating dies. Redding micrometer seating dies for cartridges longer than .308 Win. can be a problem in them.

You can't go wrong with Forester or Redding presses. Both are much better ergonomically and quality wise than a Rockchucker.