Looking to get into reloading.

[bnewt3]

A little background: the only reloading I have done is shotshell on a Lee Load-All II. I mostly want to reload as a hobby. I will be loading 6.5 CM mostly for match/LR (some 308 for hunting) but nothing too serious or high volume, I doubt I'll do any pistol loading. I plan on this being the only press I get.

I'm a Lefty so I want either a coax press(such as M-Press, or Forster), or one I can swap to Lefty (such as Rockchucker, Summit, or Rebel)

I like the idea of the universal shell holder of the M Press, and I like the idea of a hard stop vs camover but with no experience, I have no idea if those really matter or not.

Thanks for lending your experience.

 

[TaperPin]

Most of what companies say about their press being better than a simple O frame like the Rockchucker, whatever Hornady calls theirs, or Redding calls theirs, is just mumbo jumbo to sell what they make.

What does make a huge difference with a single stage press is how easy it is to cycle from your reloading bench and seat. Reach way up in the air 1,000 times to cycle the M-press or one like it and you’d want to stand up, or get a different press. A heavy duty press is overkill for most things short of case forming, so the long heavy handle is over kill and you might like a shorter lightweight one, or a lighter weight press altogether. Extra long stroke presses like the extra heavy Redding waste a lot of the stroke if you’re only loading short cartridges.

Another type that used to be popular are the C presses. The Lyman would be any easy to use new model, almost the only new C press. Old Pacific presses (Pacific was purchased by Hornady) still work well and are dirt cheap. The little Sinclair press is for short action cases.

The Rockchucker is a safe bet that works for everything, but maybe other lefties will chime in if it’s well suited for left hand use.

All the new presses are pretty good so in many ways you can’t go wrong.

 

[wildernessrimfab]

The Coax is awesome because swapping out dies for different processes is quick and repeatable. You can get every die set up with a lock ring and never need to adjust anything once you have the lock rings in the approporate locations for a desired load/chamber.

 

[bnewt3]

The Coax is awesome because swapping out dies for different processes is quick and repeatable. You can get every die set up with a lock ring and never need to adjust anything once you have the lock rings in the approporate locations for a desired load/chamber.

Looks like both Coax I listed are that way.

 

[ChrisAU]

I just got a Forster Coax as my first press and I love it. Read enough into the differences between the Frankford and Forster and you'll get the Forster if $ isn't a big factor. I added an LED light to it and it is the bee's knees.

 

[fraz01]

Mec Marksman is worth a look also.

 

[wildernessrimfab]

Looks like both Coax I listed are that way.

Sorry for not being specific. The Forster is my recommendation 1000%.
Its been out for decades with basically the same design. The minor additional cost over the Rockchucker is easily made up by the time savings of quick die swaps without adjustment.

Compared to the Frankford press, forster lock rings are commonly avialable in local shops.
The Frankford M coax may be fine but it hasnt been around for decades.

 

[Harvey_NW]

Mec Marksman is worth a look also.

I 2nd this. If I upgrade presses this will likely be the one. Using the clamp lock ring on Hornady dies once set has been repeatable and really a non issue to just unscrew and swap dies. Or you could install the Lock-N-Load bushing if you wanted quick change.

Steer clear of the Frankford M-press, they're notorious for pulling the universal shellholder plates up or the threads out of the hold down screw holes, and CS is reportedly trash.

 

[Lawnboi]

The mec is a good press for a good price

 

[jfk69]

The Rockchucker is rock solid, been looking on mine for 30 years. But the Forster Coax is a wishlist item. I could use both.

 

[AkMtnRunner]

Why not a turret press like the Redding T7? You can leave dies set up precisely and consistently for several cartridges. Makes the whole process a breeze.

 

[wind gypsy]

I personally wouldn’t want a single stage if there wasn’t a good aftermarket shell kicker/ejector option. It makes a big difference in speed.

 

[bnewt3]

Why not a turret press like the Redding T7? You can leave dies set up precisely and consistently for several cartridges. Makes the whole process a breeze.

Seems to me that quick change bushings and the block/collar setup with the coax style presses gives you essentially the same thing as a turret. Maybe I'm missing something.

 

[BBob]

Lee Classic Cast

 

[sniper20]

I honestly don't think you can go wrong with just about any press. I have used Hornady press, Lyman press, RCBS and Lee press. The Lee is the cheapest, but it did everything I needed. I prefer my Lyman to my old Lee because it feels more secure/solid.

I would say look at how much you are going to be using it... If you are going to be doing the 308/6.5 Creedmoor, you are going to be using the same shell holder for both, so no need to swap that. If you want a bushing system, Lee and Hornady offer that. Otherwise most others offer a standard screw in style. Other than a few seconds difference in swapping dies, it's dealer choice.

I personally would recommend the Lee due to the cheaper cost and will do anything you need it to. Upgrade later when the bug bites you hard enough... and it will...