Difference in presses???

[wisconsinteacher]

Is there any difference in the ammo produced from different presses? I have a Lee but would moving to an RCBS or Hornady press make my ammo more consistent? Right now I am able to get my ammo to within +/- .002" when seating bullets. Is the die more of an issue than the press?

 

[DrMike]

Is the die more of an issue than the press?

Yes. You can make fine ammunition on any of the dies or with any of the presses.

 

[truck driver]

You can make quality ammo on all of them. The heavier bigger presses allow you to do more things easier like swagging bullets and sizing brass to form other calibers with less effort.
If your looking to make bench rest quality ammo you may have to step up to micrometer seating dies, interior and exterior neck turning equipment, weigh each case and bullet to make all things equal if that's your bag go for it.

 

[Oldtrader3]

I have only used one press for my entire life of loading (50 years). I think die quality is more important.

 

[tim629]

Not sure if it's the bullets or the die but so far all of my 280AI loads have come out within .001 using Nosler bullets & a Redding die. RCBS die for the .243 is giving me results within a range of probably .003 if I recall correctly but that was also older sierra bullets so maybe not the consistency of today's machines?

 

[SJB358]

I loaded all my stuff on an RCBS Partner for a long time. Upgraded to a Forster just cause I wanted to, I am not sure it has made more accurate ammo, but it is easier to use..

 

[jimbires]

first let me ask if these are heavily compressed powder loads ? if they are try running them through the seating die again the next day . I ran into this with a very compressed load that was actually pushing the bullet back out a little after they sat . after I ran them through the seating die the next day they would stay at my desired length . if these are not compressed loads , I'd say the problem with cartridge length varying is caused by the bullet , not your press or die . a seating die does not , or shouldn't , push on the tip of the bullet to seat it , it pushes on the ogive . if you would use a measuring tool that measures off the bullet ogive your ammo length will be much more consistent , since this is where the die should contact the bullet . measuring cartridge length off the bullet tip is only important for magazine fit .we should measure from the cartridge base to the bullet ogive since this is the measurement that is important for bullet jump . bullet length from tip to ogive can vary more than a few thousandths in any box of bullets .

 

[tjen]

My first attemp to load the 358win was with varget and about two grains under max the powder was so compressed the OCL would grow even with the Lee Factory crimp. 2380fps was all I could get with varget with a 200gr SP. Now H4895 worked fine and so dose TAC and not compressed either.

Never found out if it was the batch of powder or Win brass but there was not enough room. Varget the usefull powder I could not use.


Presses??? Rock Chucker Supreme or Big Boss II. And I can change out a die in 2-3 seconds so whats with the added bushings Hornady and LEE are useing??

 

[AzDak42]

Each press has it's own quirks but they can all make good ammo.

Of all the variables in the equation, there are other items that make a lot more tangible difference. Quality of the bullet and seating depth seem to be king. After that, you can argue that it's the dies, brass prep and accuracy in powder weight. Somewhere in there is primer selection... After all those, the press may make the list.

 

[sask boy]

I actually use 2 presses 1 for resizing (Forster Co-AX) & a RCBS (Rockchucker) for seating the bullets.
I have also used the Lee press and in my opinion the Forster is the outright winner hands down :wink:!

Blessings,
Dan