Battle of the Single Stage Press

dylanvb

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Mar 13, 2019
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Whats up Rokslide.
I have been looking into getting a single stage press for a while now and after looking and doing some research I'm at a stand still. In your opinion what single stage press is the best and why?
 

tdhanses

WKR
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Sep 26, 2018
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I can’t say what is the best, haven’t used them all but the best I have owned is the MEC Marksman. Super stable and built like a tank, produces very straight loads. There are some good videos of it on you tube. Have only had mine 3 months or a tad longer but I don’t see ever replacing it.
 

XLR

WKR
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May 24, 2018
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Grand Junction, CO
Forster Co-Ax Press is amazing. As mentioned above everyone will have opinions on different presses. The Co-Ax is great because of how the case head is held and centers with ease. Many other small features that shooters will enjoy but this is my favorite!!
 

WestexSBK

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Nov 25, 2018
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154
The Co-ax is in deed nice. The reasons I don’t like it are personal.

I use a Redding Big-boss 2 and have no complaints. It has loaded thousands of match quality rounds. I use it for decapping and sizing. For bullet seating I use a KM arbor press for seating
 

tdhanses

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Sep 26, 2018
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The Co-ax is in deed nice. The reasons I don’t like it are personal.

I use a Redding Big-boss 2 and have no complaints. It has loaded thousands of match quality rounds. I use it for decapping and sizing. For bullet seating I use a KM arbor press for seating

I do the exact same in my reloading.
 
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dylanvb

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Mar 13, 2019
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For those of you who have used a co-ax and prefer another press why is that?
 
Joined
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have several including an rcbs summit, they all work. So does my dillon 550 with a single stage shell holder installed and a one hole die holder installed. It has one of the strongest ram/frames going. When done loading single stage can go right back to pistol reloading as a progressive.
 

WestexSBK

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Nov 25, 2018
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I prefer to have my dies threaded into the press. I use a lock ring made by PMA that allows me to adjust shoulder bump with a micrometer and do not want to give that up. It’s too valuable when forming wildcats. In my mind it would be a pain with the coax.

What about the Forster intrigues you? They are twice the cost of a standard O press. That kind of extra dough buys a lot of stuff that may benifit you more in the long run.

For those of you who have used a co-ax and prefer another press why is that?
 

WestexSBK

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Nov 25, 2018
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Do not take my opinion offensive. I’m all for you buying the coax if that’s what you desire. Reloading equipment is definitely a buy once cry once hobby
 

Dos XX

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Dec 29, 2018
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Redding Big Boss II here as well. It will handle most anything you can throw at it. It's easy to think you won't ever be shooting large size cases. Next thing you know, you are building a 300 Norma Mag or something.

It was the 1st press I ever bought. I now have two of them.
 

Yotekiller

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May 12, 2016
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Idaho
Any of the single stage presses can produce good results. I use a rcbs rockchucker. I am a fan of the Hornady lock and load die system. I changed out the bushing in my press to use them. Once I find a load for a gun I never have to readjust a die. Consistent results.
 
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dylanvb

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Mar 13, 2019
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211
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No CO
I prefer to have my dies threaded into the press. I use a lock ring made by PMA that allows me to adjust shoulder bump with a micrometer and do not want to give that up. It’s too valuable when forming wildcats. In my mind it would be a pain with the coax.

What about the Forster intrigues you? They are twice the cost of a standard O press. That kind of extra dough buys a lot of stuff that may benifit you more in the long run.
Honestly it doesn't I just see a lot of guys run it and swear it's the best and it made me wonder if the extra money is worth it. I think the same way as you, the extra money can go towards more important things.
 

rayporter

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Jul 3, 2014
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arkansas or ohio
the pma lock ring that adjusts dies is a sweet gizzie to have.

I have a carstensen clicker on my hood press and love it too, I loaded hundreds of rounds with this set up last week at a match. few reloaders will have a use for the hood - but if you do it is sweet.

the lock and load system has its merits. I change out between a small base die and a bullet puller often on a lee press that I keep set on my portable loading table right beside the hood.

I have 2 lyman c presses that do get the heavy stuff.

https://bulletcentral.com/product/hood-double-ram-press-with-jlc-insert/
 
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dylanvb

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Mar 13, 2019
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the pma lock ring that adjusts dies is a sweet gizzie to have.

I have a carstensen clicker on my hood press and love it too, I loaded hundreds of rounds with this set up last week at a match. few reloaders will have a use for the hood - but if you do it is sweet.

the lock and load system has its merits. I change out between a small base die and a bullet puller often on a lee press that I keep set on my portable loading table right beside the hood.

I have 2 lyman c presses that do get the heavy stuff.

https://bulletcentral.com/product/hood-double-ram-press-with-jlc-insert/
That's a pricey press and starting out I don't think i would need something like that. When i get more comfortable in my reloading abilities I might look into this.
 
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