Which Reloading press

If you had your choice and price didn't matter would you get a Rock Chucker or a Forster Co-ax? I would like to hear the pros and cons of both from people who have used them.

Sorry I favor the Pro1000 & Load Master.

The RockChucker is an extremely solid press and can load anything. The Forster is a slightly lighter press but IMO it's a more precise press. I own and use both and I really can't say I like one more than the other although the Forster press just feels better when you use it. It's smooth and easy to use and I like the idea you don't need shell holders with the Co-Ax press. Even though it seems lighter the mechanical advantage of the design makes resizing brass a breeze. Alright, I talked myself into choosing the Co-Ax as my favorite.

Either will serve you well but you will love the Forster Co-Ax press...

I would choose the one that seems most compatible with you, as the user. By that I mean you should examine the way it will mount and where you will need to position yourself to operate it, how the handle throw will work, whether you can easily see the top of the ram from a comfortable operating position, etc.

Choosing a press that solves these ergonomics issues will make more difference than any other factor in the long run. Look at other features only after ruling out any press that makes you sit funny or stand funny or seems in any way awkward to operate.

I need to second Archangels comments. I've owned both but have stayed with the -what was then a Bonanza- Co-Ax for the same reasons he mentioned. I thinkk you'd be hard pressed to find a better single stage press than the Forrester Co-Ax for all around reloading. I can switch from loading .380 to .44 mag without changing out shell holders, and I just slide the unused dies out of the slot and slide the new one in it's place. And it may just be me, but I think I can feel the crimp of the case mouth into a cannelure better with the co-ax. Either one will work perfectly for you as long as you do your part, but for my money, the Co-Ax is better.

I have both on my main reloading bench,

http://www.fototime.com/22B562BD8870656/orig.jpg

and there's some things you can't do on an CO-AX, that you can on a RC, For heavy forming, the RC has a bit more leverage too.

If you are just loading ammo, and NOT forming custom brass, useing a cut off die, swageing bullets or loading the biggest magnums on a regular basis, then the CO-AX is a lot nicer press to use.

DM

I've had my Rockchucker for over 35 years and have never had a complaint.

I too favor the Lee Pro 1000 or the Lee Classic Turret presses for the average shooter reloader. Now if you shot a few hundred rounds a week perhaps the other systems would be better but I'm sure not having too much problem producing good ammo for my shooting needs (100 on average per week) with the less expensive stuff called Lee that does work well.

Thanks to all who replied. I've owned & used a Rock Chucker for around 30 years and can find no fault in it but i've been drooling over the co-ax for some time now. I really can't explain why but I just want one. So I decided to ask to see if there was any good reason not to buy one (other than they are expensive). I have used some Lee equipment and haven't had any problems with any of their products. I just like the design of the Co-ax. Thanks again and I'll probably continue to drool for a while.

Just buy one and add it to your bench too! I DO really like mine, and you will love one too!

DM

Have both a Rockchucker and a Coax and prefer the Coax.

DM~, are you sure that bench is solid enough???
Good grief!

http://www.fototime.com/22B562BD8870656/orig.jpg

Kickin it old school with the RCBS Duo measure and "Dial-O-Grain"

No need to replace the good struff! lol

My bench is solid ash, and here's how i built it, http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=6984862#post6984862

Anyway, i do have other reloading tools too, but this is my main reloading bench that get's used most.

DM

Shagg: Your question can't be answered w/o knowing the calibers and amounts to be loaded.

Those RC presses will out live you and probably the next generation. Because they are a solid "O" design they don't flex at all. If you take fairly good care of them, and don't use them for projects such as seating U joints, they are nearly indestructable.

GS

I own a forester and I love it.

If you take fairly good care of them, and don't use them for projects such as seating U joints, they are nearly indestructible.

Well, if it's not strong enough for U-joints.....

:rolleyes:

I have a Rock Chucker and it is a very nice press. Will have it until the Son steals it.
But to tell the truth... I just ordered a LEE classic cast press. I found my self in need.... Ok well I found my self in WANT of a second single stage press.
I cant find any thing negative about it at all. All the features and strength you need plus a superior system for spent primers than any other single stage I have looked at.

If I was in the market I would get the LEE.... I was and did. Not the breach lock one though. That is not superior in my opinion.

I had my own choice on three different occasions, and all three times, I bought the RCBS GREEN!

My Rock Chucker will be working long after I'm gone. I would buy another one if I ever had to, in a heartbeat.

Have used both of them and you should too before you put your money down. The coax is a really nice press but the ergonomics are really different than many reloading presses. Some people that have tried one are not taken with the swing over action of the coax. I like both of them so I dont have a horse in the race.

It IS really nice that you can put the CO-AX in from the edge of the bench as i did in my bench pict. above. And as you can see, i turned it toward me a bit, too.

DM

My 2 favorites are the Rockchucker and the CH 444H. These get the most use on my bench.

RCBS - rats cats bats skunks. Rock Chuck Bullet Swage. Bullet swaging takes brut force or compound leverage. Most reloaders do not swage bullets anymore but do reform brass from one shape to another. Swaging - bending forming cold metal.

Forester - quality small engine part manufacturing ventured into high quality precision reload tools. In the 60-70s some of the master-fanatic precision shooters opted to use the relatively expensive Forester products. Metallurgy and machining systems have closed the gap less expensive-more expensive.

Have not owned one, but ergonomic C open front seems convenient for typical pistol brass single or multi stage, bullet seating etc. Most O/D shaped presses have a little more finger room at the shell holder.

Hate to hijack the thread, but..

Moptop, I'm thinking hard about buying the CH press. I started out looking for a RC, but somehow ended up at CH's site. Do you have a preference?

"Those RC presses will out live you and probably the next generation. Because they are a solid "O" design they don't flex at all."

l'd sorta like to add a Co-Ax to my collection but can't justify the cost just to get a small increase in leverage and I really don't much care for the Co-Ax's ergonomics anyway. So, guess I'll keep going with my 25 year old Rock Chucker II.

By "those RC presses", I assume you mean the 'Chuckers? Anyway, they are cast iron so they are quite strong but not nearly as rigid as many presume. I have the proper gages to check press spring and tested three under the load of FL sizing .30-06. My RC lifted nearly 3 thou; that's not much but it's not rigid. With the same test, my two little alum alloy Lee "C" presses don't spring enough to actully measure on a 1 thou reading dial indicator.


BUT, IF I had to replace my RC next week I'd get Lee's Classic Cast; it's the better single stage press of it's class, in every respect.