Rcbs or hornady or forster ?????

[Golf battery 1,223]

So im looking for a single stage press to load 308 223 and 300 wm. My concerns are seating primers properly to correct depth and resizing. From reviews ive read the rcbs supreme has issues with the primer decapping and the ease of repriming or lack of ease. The hornady actually has better reviews. What are your thoughts from people that own these presses. Oh and while im at it. Seating dies for these calibers. I see these gold medal dies with incremental adjustments. Are they worth it?

 

Much appreciated.

[Pizza Bob 1,488]

Most single stage presses don't have adjustable depth primer seating - I'd look for an individual priming tool, that includes that feature, to accomplish that task. Since I've been out of the game for years I'm not sure such a tool exists, but I'm sure others will chime in.

 

As for the bullet seating dies with micrometer adjustments, worthwhile only if you intend to load different bullets and you want to be able to repeat your depth adjustments.

 

Adios,

 

Pizza Bob

[GRIZ 3,369]

I've use RCBS priming press or hand primer for about 40 years. I treat priming as a separate operation. Priming on the reloading press doesn't give you enough feel. Never had any issues with seating depth.

[Schrödinger's cat 87]

Just letting you know that you may want to also look at the Forster Co-Ax press.

[Pizza Bob 1,488]

Just letting you know that you may want to also look at the Forster Co-Ax press.

 

Most definitely - best single stage press out there.

[Shoot! 0]

My opinion is go with the Hornady. I have a RCBS my friend has a Hornady. The package he got for the price came with way more things and the Lock N Load system is so good that I wound up upgrading my RCBS with the Hornady fitting.

 

If you can swing the money of course just go with CoAx and be done. I just don't think it's worth the price tag if you don't know if you'll stick to reloading.

[Old School 611]

OK my snobbery attitude exposed !!!

 

In a single stage press, other than extreme bench rest, RCBS is the only way to go. Smoother and better leverage / feel.

 

Griz is right on the money.  All the big boys use a hand primer. And make sure you clean the primer pockets if you're serious.

 

Micrometer bullet seating die? I don't know how exacting you want to be and how much you are willing to develope your loads. If you are shooting precision and are going to really play with "COL" (it's not really that) you may want one. Though I've done some nice work without one.  I use them in both my precision rifles and it makes life easier. I'm not going to give you a reloading lesson but I guess you know COL is all BS and only for fitting in magazines.  The real dimension you are concerned with is orgive to case head so, buy a comparitor and find a way to measure your chamber.

[Golf battery 1,223]

I currently use a hornady progressive for everything. I just purchased the coal gauge from hornady to measure from the ogive to give me my seating depth. I just want more precise loads and that is why im looking for a single stage. The forster has now sparked my interest. Tell me more. So hand priming is the way to go?

[302w 83]

I'm the second generation using my Rock Chucker FWIW. It skipped my dad and went to me, so technically I'm the third generation on it.

 

I prime on the press. I don't have issues with primer depth as IMHO I have a good feel.

 

I have the gold metal or whatever it's called micrometer dies from RCBS. My COAL varies somewhat wildly. Honestly except for initial setup and feeding through the window there isn't any advantage. One disadvantage I have is I can't use my case kicker.

[T Bill 649]

Case gauges are worth the investment. Have never had a problem since.  Gets the dies on the mark every time.

[Old School 611]

Check this out... a press comparison

 

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2015/11/reloading-press-comparison-rock-chucker-vs-co-ax-vs-summit/

[RichP 115]

I have both the Hornady progressive and single stage presses, and absolutely love the Lock-n-Load bushings. If I were in the market for a new single stage, it would definitely be the new Hornady Iron Press, which just came out.

I can't give a review of it, but it seems to be at least comparable to a Forster.

I will say that Hornady's customer service is the best that I've ever experienced.

[sof 0]

No love for Redding?

[Golf battery 1,223]

Went to cabelas today. I bought the rcbs summit press. I had a 20$ off coupon. 5 percent vet discount and 3 percent cabelas black card visa discount. It ran me about 165$. I like the forster idea but i went the regular style with shell plates.

[Golf battery 1,223]

Also. Ive been checking my primer depth and its been pretty consistent with the lnl. 4.5 if remember correctly.

[Bully 749]

I know you picked up a press however I just have to say my CoAx showed up yesterday.

 

It's love.

 

Good luck with your endeavors.