Author Topic: Learning the Art... (Read 633 times)

TX Devil Doc · « **on:** September 20, 2005, 09:27:25 AM »

I want to learn reloading for rifle and handgun and I am at square 1.
I bought a press; Forster Co-Ax, but nothing else.
Any suggestions on:
Where to find good instruction, if anywhere. I live in Dallas, TX.
Alternatives to class/club instruction if none are available.
What else I need and brands.
What NOT to do.

Thanx!

TxJester

R.W.Dale · « **Reply #1 on:** September 20, 2005, 09:33:24 AM »

Buying a speer or hornady reloading manual would be a good start Both of these manuals give indepth instrustions on reloading processes and techniques.

Questor · « **Reply #2 on:** September 20, 2005, 10:05:50 AM »

That co-ax press is really designed for best quality precision rifle ammo, not for high production. One of the decisions you'll need to make is how much ammo you need and buy your equipment accordingly. I agree with the advice about the Speer or Hornady manual. The instructions are excellent. They don't, however, help you much with that first important step: deciding how much ammo and of what kind you need to make.

TX Devil Doc · « **Reply #3 on:** September 20, 2005, 10:47:40 AM »

I do not range shoot a great deal. I am most interested in optimizing my accuracy in rifle cartridges. I have a Steyr-Mannlicher 7mm-08 that I would like to have re-chambered as an AI. I also have a Steyr-Mannlicher .300 WSM (that I will replace with a .325 WSM when Steyr-Mannlicher offers it). My AR-10 that I use for hogs is also of interest for reloading.

As for hanguns, I have a Kimber Pro Raptor II .45 for personal defense that I take to the range fairly regularly. I also have a Taurus .38 Spl. I carry in my car. These handguns are for short distance and available ammo seems to be sufficient... but who knows after I get the hang of reloading.

I'm not sure I am interested in reloading shotgun shells as the available ammo is also sufficient. Is there an advantage to reloading these?

TxJester

Graybeard · « **Reply #4 on:** September 20, 2005, 11:09:35 AM »

Buying a Co-Ax press as your first or only press is a major mistake in my opinion. You must now use either Forster dies at a far higher cost than anyone else's or buy new replacement locking nuts for each die that is compatible with the Co-Ax press. Either way it costs you more money. Lots more money.

They are nice presses but not for sole use in reloading in my opinion.

TX Devil Doc · « **Reply #5 on:** September 20, 2005, 11:19:09 AM »

I'm not sure I understand what you mean by "They are nice presses but not for sole use in reloading in my opinion".

What would be a better choice for my needs?

TxJester

Zeak · « **Reply #6 on:** September 20, 2005, 11:47:57 AM »

I started out 25+ yrs ago with the RCBS rockchucker kit and haven't changed anything but have added alot of things to it. It came with the Speer manual,powder measure,scale,lube pad and lube, neck brushes and one set of dies and shell holder of choice. It was enough to get started. You will need a trimmer and dail calipers,primer pocket cleaners, chamfering tool also. May have forgot a thing or two but this should get you started. Dies and shell holders for the different calibers. I know there are cheaper kits out there,you will have to make the call. Zeak

Graybeard · « **Reply #7 on:** September 20, 2005, 11:48:48 AM »

I thought I explained it pretty well. Let me try again.

Forster Bonanza Co-Ax presses do not use 7/8-14 threaded dies like all the rest of the presses in the world do. The Forster dies have a specially sized lock nut on the threaded portion of the die. This slips into a snap in holder on the press. This nut is NOT the same size as the one that comes on the dies made by other manufacturers.

So either you must buy Forster dies (good but twice as expensive as most other brands) or you must buy specially sized nuts to replace the ones on other brands of dies in order to use them in the Co-Ax press. This option will add $6 to $10 to the cost of each die set you buy if you do not use Forster dies. IF you do use Forster the cost will be a lot more than that above the cost of other dies.

The press costs more than most others and the dies cost more than most others so to use it to reload costs you far more money than to use other brands. Thus if you do much reloading of different rounds the cost is far higher with the press. For no real advantage that I could see.

R.W.Dale · « **Reply #8 on:** September 20, 2005, 11:54:01 AM »

Quote from: Graybeard

I thought I explained it pretty well. Let me try again.

Forster Bonanza Co-Ax presses do not use 7/8-14 threaded dies like all the rest of the presses in the world do. The Forster dies have a specially sized lock nut on the threaded portion of the die. This slips into a snap in holder on the press. This nut is NOT the same size as the one that comes on the dies made by other manufacturers.

So either you must buy Forster dies (good but twice as expensive as most other brands) or you must buy specially sized nuts to replace the ones on other brands of dies in order to use them in the Co-Ax press. This option will add $6 to $10 to the cost of each die set you buy if you do not use Forster dies. IF you do use Forster the cost will be a lot more than that above the cost of other dies.

The press costs more than most others and the dies cost more than most others so to use it to reload costs you far more money than to use other brands. Thus if you do much reloading of different rounds the cost is far higher with the press. For no real advantage that I could see.

I have watched Jerkface11 use dies with factory locknuts from RCBS,Lee and hornady in his forster press without any problems what so ever in fact after seeing it in action I am thinking of getting rid of my Rockchucker in favor of a Forester.

TX Devil Doc · « **Reply #9 on:** September 20, 2005, 12:42:08 PM »

There must be more details I'm unaware of than I first thought... from the Forster website: "The Co-AxÂ® Press accepts any standard 7/8" X 14 reloading die, some with existing locking rings. The Forster cross bolt locking ring will fit any standard 7/8" X 14 dies from most manufacturers".

As for the cost, its not the issue. I have looked into that aspect of my buying decision. What I'm most interested in is attaining the best precision especially with wildcat loads. All that without a great deal of headaches.

Forster seems to make all the necessary tools, but are they the better choices? If not, what would be better?

Thanx for the laundry list, Zeak! I'll give RCBS a look.

TxJester

KN · « **Reply #10 on:** September 20, 2005, 12:43:42 PM »

I recently started using a Forester Co-ax press (Thanks GB), and I love it. Some die set rings will work with the press but you have to be careful since there will be a little more fore/aft play with some rings. I belive the Hornady rings will work but the flat that is machined on them can turn and allow the ring to slip in and out. Also the set screw type rings tend to chew up the treads on the die because you have to over tighten them to get the ring to stay in place. Forester rings are split and thighten around the ring instead of using a set screw. The best thing to do is get the forester rings and be done with it but as GB said it does add cost. Personally I have spent a lot more money on presses I have not liked than I'll ever spend on rings. I suggest keeping the press and eat the extra cost. If your like me you'll like it better than any other single stage press you can buy. Just my $.02. KN

Haywire Haywood · « **Reply #11 on:** September 20, 2005, 01:49:38 PM »

On the surface it appears that cost of equipment isn't going to play a role at all. He's buying Steyr-Mannlicher rifles and Kimber autos. (got a little class envy going on here, pay no attention. :-D :-D )

Ian

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #12 on:** September 20, 2005, 02:33:03 PM »

Sounds like you may want to check out a Sinclair catalog or look them up online. Good stuff way outta my league thou.

jhalcott · « **Reply #13 on:** September 20, 2005, 02:56:17 PM »

You definetly need a scale,and a few loading manuals. I've used the old Lee sets ,ones you used a hammer to do every thing except load powder and a few other presses. They all have good and bad points,BUT they all work!

jerkface11 · « **Reply #14 on:** September 20, 2005, 03:29:40 PM »

Quote from: Graybeard

Buying a Co-Ax press as your first or only press is a major mistake in my opinion. You must now use either Forster dies at a far higher cost than anyone else's or buy new replacement locking nuts for each die that is compatible with the Co-Ax press. Either way it costs you more money. Lots more money.

They are nice presses but not for sole use in reloading in my opinion.

Mine works just fine with lee and rcbs dies though it seems like the rcbs lock rings didn't work but the lee lock rings are a perfect fit. Plus it's the ONLY press i've ever seen that actually keeps the spent primers off the floor. You also don't have to buy shell holders. As for the price of the press it's comparable to the top of the line rcbs and redding presses.

TX Devil Doc · « **Reply #15 on:** September 20, 2005, 05:31:46 PM »

Badnews Bob... Sinclair catalog? What do they have and where can I get one? Thanx for the advice.

TxJester

Mac11700 · « **Reply #16 on:** September 20, 2005, 07:32:30 PM »

For Sinclair...1-800-717-8211

www.sinclairintl.com

Good people...have a-lot of their equipment...all top-notch stuff...

I also suggest using the Forster dies...their benchrest dies are simply some of the best non-custom dies available..If you go with Redding dies...give Bob Merkur at Redding a call...he'll be glad to help you with your reloading questions...you can reach him at 1-607-753-3331 ...

Mac

two slow · « **Reply #17 on:** September 20, 2005, 08:04:58 PM »

The forster co-ax is an excelent press. I use mine for .223 rem. 30-06, and 454 cassul. I mostly use redding competition dies, but also have rcbs, lee, lyman, and forster.
For good begining instructions I liked the lyman reloading manual.
Redding dies have been the best quality of any I have used.

bluebayou · « **Reply #18 on:** September 23, 2005, 08:55:14 PM »

Midwayusa.com's website lets you read others' opinions about items before you buy from Midway or not. Graybeard suggested Hornady dies with the Microjust stems added. I would agree. Redding Competition too expensive. Money is not the issue as you stated, but there is no sense in wasting it. I am new to reloading but I KNOW that the RCBS PowderMaster dispenser and the Powder Pro scale are much easier. Have witnessed the looks on my inlaws' faces. They still use beam scales and tricklers. Email RCBS with questions. They have excellent Customer Service and will provide plenty of info. The Midway website also gives real world experience (from strangers but...) Buy some manuals. I know that I NEED:

Loading blocks
Bench (everyone overlooks, but this is where it starts)
lube
lube pad
case trimmer
tumbler

I bought my stuff at a garage sale. The previous owner competed long range. He used Redding Competition dies, Sinclair neck turner (RCBS makes a 3 way cutter that you should look at), and Stoney Point guages. Too complicated for me, but concentricity and seating depth are what are going to appeal to someone who buys Steyr and Kimber guns.

TX Devil Doc · « **Reply #19 on:** September 25, 2005, 02:02:27 PM »

Thanks a lot bluebayou! That's helpful info.
Also, thanx to Krochus. I ordered the Hornady manuals from Midway.
And to Mac11700 & others. :grin: