Decision on a press ... Forster, T-7, Summit?
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wiiawiwb
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Maybe I'm confused but isn't the video you linked for the Dillion 550b (RL 550) not the BL 550. You are correct that there are a gazillion videos about the 550b. I could only find one or two that showed the BL550.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=risKd6tknJo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=risKd6tknJo
BCRider
Member
For the little extra over the BL I'd just go for the full on 550. Items not needed for short run jobs can be simply deactivated or removed. Yet when I want to use them they can be re-connected or put back on the press.
All in all it doesn't make a whole lot of sense at that price point.
All in all it doesn't make a whole lot of sense at that price point.
JimKirk
Member
Seems that many who make commits against the Co-Ax ...have never really ever used one...
No, I am the one confused,
That said, the BL550 is the same as the RL 550 without the powder measure and primer unit which apparently you can add for a lot more money.I am not a Smurf supporter so that is all I can say. They probably do not advertise them or many do not have them as the pretty models cost to much for that press, Why have a BL when you can have the RL??
I have a BL550 because I did not want to spend the money for an RL550 and then pitch the priming system and the Dillon powder measure.
I use a Redding 10-X with a Hornady case activated powder drop system on the BL550 and prime by hand off the press.
While I prefer auto indexing presses, I bought the BL550 for its manual index for controlling cartridges that routinely fling powder on my other, auto indexing presses.
The BL550 still does not replace my single stage press. There are a number of specialized tasks just not suited for the BL550 and are done well on a single stage press.
Being a Co-Ax user I'm sorry to say you are clueless on Co-Ax depriming & priming.Priming is priming. I don't see how the Co-Ax squishes a primer in any better or more effectively than anything else. The primer only goes in so far which is dictated by the primer pocket in the brass. To me, the Co-Ax priming looks awkward in that your working space is between the forks on the handle and have to touch/place each individual primer.
In thousands of rounds loaded using my hand primer tool, I haven't experienced the 'issues' that the Co-Ax claims to be better at - ie flipped primers, crushing of primers, etc. Seems to me like the marketing guys had a list of everything that could go wrong with priming and then said 'ours doesn't have those problems.' Guess what? most priming methods don't have those problems either
Really? Prove me wrong with something other than regurgitated marketing nonsense that tells me its better. Instead, show me its better.
Does your ammo shoot better than mine due to the priming method? Prove it. (I find this laughable)
Do you have any documented proof of results that the Co-Ax priming resulted in measurable better ammo? Probably not.
I could be wrong on how awkward it looks to use, I'll give ya that.
Glad you like your Co-Ax and placing each primer one at time. Not for me and I still say it doesn't matter unless you are a super benchrest competition shooter who is concerned with such minutia. If you are, more power to ya. If not, jumping on a thread and saying someone is clueless without providing ANY kind of supporting evidence is not terribly helpful.
JonB, I am sorry for being an a**hole toward you, my friends say I'm a nice a**hole if that helps.
Not marketing hype, I'm an owner and user. Here are a couple links covering the press & priming system in detail.
Forster CoAx Press Review 13:58
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEzVZe7f6G0
Forster Co-Ax Update 18:26
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4c9ZFsSgyeA
His experience pretty much says all I would say.
For the Op sake, for the OPs sake only and why there are not many videos on it. If one adds the powder and primer it is then a RL was all I was saying. Again, I am not a Blue Kool Aid guy
cheygriz
member
Just get a Dillon 550B and be done with it,
As fsr as the single stage presses go, you can't go wrong with snyrthong msde by Redding.
I prefer the Ultramag, but there's nothing wrong with the T-7 or even the less e3xpensive Boss
As fsr as the single stage presses go, you can't go wrong with snyrthong msde by Redding.
I prefer the Ultramag, but there's nothing wrong with the T-7 or even the less e3xpensive Boss
Onewolf
Member
I reload 98% for rifle rounds and I use a T-7. I use an RCBS universal primer for priming all my brass (actually I have two RCBS primers so I don't have to switch between large and small primer config). I like the T-7 because I can keep 2-3 calibers ready to go on a turret and I have 3 T-7 turrets so dies for all of my rifle calibers are convenient to access/use.
I batch process reloading operations so I could use a single stage press, but I like the convenience of the turret.
I batch process reloading operations so I could use a single stage press, but I like the convenience of the turret.
gojones
Member
I have three single stage presses. The Forester Co-Ax, the RCBS supreme Rock Chucker, and a 1970's vintage Rock Chucker. The Co-Ax is my favorite and is used for rifle. However it cannot handle some dies like the collet die for the 300 Win Mag or my RCBS bullet puller die. The Rock Chucker can handle those and anything else I throw at it. Except for the Co-Ax, we may be splitting hairs. Single Stage presses today are top notch. Anything Redding, RCBS, or Lyman makes are top notch. I have no experience with the Lee but everybody seems to start with a Lee and then move up.
I looked really hard at every single stage (SS) press on the market when looking for something to compliment my progressive press.gojones said:
There was no doubt in my mine that the finest SS was the Co-Ax, but my budget wouldn't let me stretch that far (2X). While most folks were recommending the RCBS RC, the hidden value buy in the mid-range SS presses is the Lee Classic Cast. It does everything the RC does and adds superior spent primer handling...plus it is easily adaptable to the Hornady LNL bushings
Toprudder
Member
Just to be clear for everyone, he is talking about the NON-BREECHLOCK classic cast press.
The breechlock version is a cast iron copy of the Challenger press, which includes the poor spent primer handling.
I didn't know this, thanks for the info.
I might have been more clear.
The above is correct. I am referring to the Lee Classic Cast Single Stage press without the Breechlock bushings.
The Classic Cast press funnels the spent primers down through the ram to exit out a tube which can be directed into the trash or other container.
The Breechlock version allows spent primers to jump out the side of the ram and into an open (square) funnel which is then routes out the bottom of the frame. Spent primers will sometimes bounce out of the funnel and debris is scattered about on the frame
The above is correct. I am referring to the Lee Classic Cast Single Stage press without the Breechlock bushings.
The Classic Cast press funnels the spent primers down through the ram to exit out a tube which can be directed into the trash or other container.
The Breechlock version allows spent primers to jump out the side of the ram and into an open (square) funnel which is then routes out the bottom of the frame. Spent primers will sometimes bounce out of the funnel and debris is scattered about on the frame
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wiiawiwb
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I finally decided on the Forster Co Ax and ordered it. It was its precision and attention to detail that won me over in the final analysis. I probably won't use all of its horsepower reloading just handgun rounds but that's ok. I;ve got it if I need it.
There is no doubt that the Redding T-7 would have been an awesome press. The openness and access of the T-7 was a real positive feature but I think by having the Co Ax press turned slightly to my left will help to open it up if that becomes an issue. I could also order the inward-curved side linkage if needed.
Thanks for everyone's help. You guys are the best!!!
There is no doubt that the Redding T-7 would have been an awesome press. The openness and access of the T-7 was a real positive feature but I think by having the Co Ax press turned slightly to my left will help to open it up if that becomes an issue. I could also order the inward-curved side linkage if needed.
Thanks for everyone's help. You guys are the best!!!
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