Press question - which Forster or Redding

[Tomcat]

Trying to decide which press to get started in reloading. For now, I am only planning on reloading for .308.

Is a turret press like the T7 a good decision because you can set up the dies and just more the turret?

Or, when using a Forster Co Ax you have to run all the rounds though one station - resizing and depriming, then setup a new station and run them all through again?


Is a turret press an advantage?

 

[ChadTRG42]

Re: Press question - which Forster or Redding

Exactly. On the T7, you never have to remove the dies, and can keep you same settings. I do think the T7 is faster and easier for this reason. But, you have guys that swear by the coax press too. So, it's a Chevy/Ford question. I prefer the T7 (and Dodge trucks!)

 

[jrob300]

Re: Press question - which Forster or Redding

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ChadTRG42</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I prefer the T7 (and Dodge trucks!) </div></div>

Chad, sorry to hear about your Dodge problem.

The first step is... "Hi. My name is Chad. I like Dodge trucks..."

OK, seriously... do you find the T7 accurate enough for critical operations such as bumping shoulders and seating to within <.001 variance. I always thought a turret would be very cool for mounting all the dies I have at once, but was worried about repeatability.

John

 

[MinorDamage]

Re: Press question - which Forster or Redding

Tomcat,

I have never used the redding, but own the CoAx. Once the lock rings are tightened down on the die, you won't lose your settings. It is a quick snap in/snap out change for dies. The CoAx has a floating shell holder that better centers the case in the die. Admittedly, I don't have anything to compare it to when it comes to runout.

I understand the advantage of a progressive press, but fail to see any huge advantages in a turret over a single stage...especially one as good as the CoAx. You will pull the handle the same number of times and changing dies in the CoAx takes as little time as flipping the head around on a turret press.

Josh

 

[427Cobra]

Re: Press question - which Forster or Redding

A T7 may be a cunt hair faster, notice I said may to go from one die to another, but a Co-Ax has 3 times the mechanical advantage of any other press, no shell holders required, you can prime cases with it, in the end both presses are more than you'll need for one caliber, try before you buy, the T7 is more of a traditional press, the Co-Ax is an out of the box design that works great, you can't go wrong with either

 

[ChadTRG42]

Re: Press question - which Forster or Redding

The T7 is a solid press. It weighs a ton, and will size anything that you can fit in the press opening. When you get the T7, you'll understand. The turret is very tight and very repeatable. I had the same worries before I got it. Then I mounted it and used it. It's all I use now for all my hunting and match ammo. The only thing I don't load on it is 40 S&W and 223 bulk ammo, and that's mainly personal ammo. I use the Redding Big Boss for my larger stuff, like 408 Chey-Tac stuff. I keep my Lee Auto Prime II on it for priming all the time. I'll keep some comp seaters in place, and it's easy to change out dies.

 

[Tomcat]

Re: Press question - which Forster or Redding

Guys thanks for the replies, that is what I needed to know - if there was an accuracy loss in moving the turret around, and if I had to recalibrate the dies each time I put them in the Forster.

Chad - what setup do you use for your 223 bulk / plinking ?

 

[billf]

Re: Press question - which Forster or Redding

Thanks for starting this thread, and the answers above.

I am going through the exact same process right now to get started reloading... figuring out all the parts & pieces I am going to order in the next few days, and the Forster keeps coming to the top based on all reviews, videos, etc. I keep reading more and more and delaying the purchase, but I think it is time to just pull the trigger and order something.

Tomcat - good luck in getting everything together, it sounds like we are starting at the same time

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Press question - which Forster or Redding

For a beginner, the important thing is getting started. Anything that postpones that is counterproductive. Expensive presses can do that, and really, it takes a handloader awhile before they can reap the advantages of superior gear.

That said, my one and only ever press has been a Dillon RL550B. The toolheads allow set and forget die adjustment, as do other brands, like the Lok-n-Load, etc.

Truly, it's not 'forget'; but it also isn't a matter of setting up the dies over and over every time you change calibers, either.

As I say to many startup folks, go by easy steps up front, upgrade as the actual need applies.

Greg

 

[ChadTRG42]

Re: Press question - which Forster or Redding

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tomcat</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Chad - what setup do you use for your 223 bulk / plinking? </div></div>
Dillon 650 for 223 and 40. If your just starting out, you can't go wrong with a standard single stage. But if you want to buy once and cry once, get a T7.

 

[427Cobra]

Re: Press question - which Forster or Redding

With the Co-Ax once the dies are set you can forget about checking them, I load 40 45 223 260 308 and 30-06 on my press, and to keep from buying Forster lock rings for each caliber I buy Hornady dies, except for 260 and 308, the Hornady lock rings work perfect in the Co-Ax, and a long time ago 9H said to just use the small opening jaws for everything, so I never have to swap the jaws around to load 223/40 then swap for 45 260 308 30-06, I am saving up for a Dillon 650 to load pistol and 223, the Co-Ax will be used just for bolt actions and my M1 Garande.

 

[bignada]

Re: Press question - which Forster or Redding

Redding Ultra-Mag if you form cases, load large capacity magnums or just want to own the best single-stage ever made.

Instead of a turret press, look at the Dillon 550B
Dillon is a great tool, comes with a very capable powder measure and makes great ammunition.

 

[patriotoutlaw]

Re: Press question - which Forster or Redding

I love my Forster.

 

[Fuzzball]

Re: Press question - which Forster or Redding

Every press on the market works fine and has its rabid fans for various reasons, all true. Pick a guy you think is most like you and buy what he likes. Otherwise it really won't make much difference so far as the quality of ammo that can be made on it goes.

 

[Silverbullet2]

Re: Press question - which Forster or Redding

I got started with a used RCBS, loaded a crap to of ammo on that one. Bought a Redding Boss, and loved it. Very nice gear. I moved about a year ago, and had a huge Man Cave to down size. I now have one Redding T-7, and is a very nice press. You can buy additional turrets to put all your dies on if you wish. I don't think you will make better ammo with one press over the other, all things being equal. It's the nut behind it pulling the handle. JPG

 

[johndoe]

Re: Press question - which Forster or Redding

You have it narrowed down to two of the most repeatable presses
on the market. It would be a tuff call me I lime them both equally.
I am a reloading press horder. I have 5 pressesnright now that I don't
have room on my bench to mount and I still want more. Good luck in
in decision Its a win win situation.

 

[polish handgunner]

Re: Press question - which Forster or Redding

I have a RCBS Rockchucker, a Dillon 550B, and a Redding T7 purchassed in that order.

They all serve me well.

 

[42769vette]

Re: Press question - which Forster or Redding

i got my forster in the mail last night. i was using a lee classic. i did some loading this morning and dont know how i lived with the lee as long as i did. i could not be happier

 

[fncannon]

Re: Press question - which Forster or Redding

I've been loading on my Co-Ax for 43 years with no complaints (except that there isn't one made for .50BMG). The rest of my ammo is loaded on a Lee Classic Cast (the fifty) or the Hornady AP for everything the Dillon 550B used to handle (or not).

 

[planalpha]

Re: Press question - which Forster or Redding

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 42769vette</div><div class="ubbcode-body">i got my forster in the mail last night. i was using a lee classic. i did some loading this morning and dont know how i lived with the lee as long as i did. i could not be happier</div></div>
Dammit vette! I was just thinking that my Lee was serving me well and had talked myself out of the Forester. Now I want it again.

 

[mdmp5]

Re: Press question - which Forster or Redding

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jrob300</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ChadTRG42</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I prefer the T7 (and Dodge trucks!) </div></div>

Chad, sorry to hear about your Dodge problem.

The first step is... "Hi. My name is Chad. I like Dodge trucks..."

OK, seriously... do you find the T7 accurate enough for critical operations such as bumping shoulders and seating to within <.001 variance. I always thought a turret would be very cool for mounting all the dies I have at once, but was worried about repeatability.
John</div></div>

Don't worry about repeatability with the T7. All you have to do is be sure to use a good over-cam. Then the competition shellholders will take care of the rest for you. I would highly recommend the instant indicator to measure shoulder bump and seating depth. I have one for each of my rifle calibers. The con of the T7 is that anything 300WM and above, the round must be removed before turning the turret, which slows the process a bit. But it is still much faster than a traditional single stage.