Should I upgrade?

[InTheWeeds]

I've been running an RCBS Partner Press now for a few years with pretty decent success. It was the first press I ever owned and have used it for reloading everything until a few months ago when I purchased an RCBS Pro 2000. However I still load all my .308 stuff on the Partner. Now that I am pretty hot and heavy into reloading (neck turners, concentricity gauges, blah blah blah..), I am curious if its time for a more robust press. The reason I ask is I just got a Forster BR micrometer die set and it rocks. Im finally able to get dead nuts on OAL everytime. However there is still some variations on the first stroke- I usually have to load long then continue to dial down each stroke to get the OAL I want. Every load takes a different number of tries. Im wondering if this variation is due to play that is coming from my little press?
Im kind of an RCBS whore, so I was looking at the Rockchucker as a replacement, but after trying several Forster products I was thinking about their Co-Ax press as well. Is it necessary or is my press just fine?

 

[vman]

Re: Should I upgrade?

That doesnt sound normal.

Are you seating VLD's? Perhaps the seater stem in the die is not appropriate for the bullet type.

If there is significant play in your single stage press then perhaps it is time to move on. The Rockchucker is a fine replacement, I own one and its great. If you have the coin for a co-ax, I would go that option.

 

[427Cobra]

Re: Should I upgrade?

I use a Partner Press at the range and the Co-Ax at home, the Co-Ax is better in every way except size/wieght, the ammo I make with either is the same downrange, it's just easier with the Co-Ax, not just a little easier but alot easier.

 

[viav13]

Re: Should I upgrade?

If you do decide to go with a Rockchucker, be careful with the new ones. Now that they are made in China I've heard a lot of bad things about them. That goes with all RCBS stuff, not just there presses.

Try and find some used ones on ebay first. Save some money and get better quality.

Also consider a Redding Big Boss II. They are excellent in many ways. I seriously considered one myself before getting the co-ax.

 

[InTheWeeds]

Re: Should I upgrade?

Im mainly loading SMKs and AMAXs. Its definitely an improvement over my old RCBS seater die, but I would just like to get dead on in just one stroke.

 

[Fuzzball]

Re: Should I upgrade?

Two things:

First, if you're measuring your OAL as OAL, meaning from the head to the meplat, you're agonizing over meaningless trivia. Your rifle doesn't care where the tip of a bullet hangs in space, it only cares how much jump it has before hitting the lands. You get that by measuring with a bullet ogive comparitor device and even then a spread of 2-3 thou makes no difference.

Second, no press is likely to make any difference in your OAL since the bullets themselves are probably what's varying. I use an RC but doubt it or a CoAx can do a thing your little Partner isn't already doing very well.

 

[Headgear]

Re: Should I upgrade?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> I use an RC but doubt it or a CoAx can do a thing your little Partner isn't already doing very well.</div></div>

If there is a quality difference in the rounds of each of these, it would take a better rifleman than me for it to show up on the target but the Forster make it a breeze. It is so easy to get case it the jaws and cycle the press over some of the ones with case holders. Also the repeatability of seating the primers is unmatched.

 

[former naval person]

Re: Should I upgrade?

As Fuzzball says. The COA is not the same as the ogive to base measurement because the tips vary so much. Get a comparator and use it to set your OAL. I think you'll find the press has just gotten a whole lot better. JMHO

 

[InTheWeeds]

Re: Should I upgrade?

No, I use a Hornady Comparator, so everything is measured from the ogive.

 

[Victor N TN]

Re: Should I upgrade?

I use my Partner for seating bullets. I don't F/L size anything bigger than 6PPC cases on it. But it's light weight aluminum frame makes it handy for taking to the range and seating bullets when I'm working up a load at the range.

Good luck.