The use of a Forster CO-AX press together with a Lee Collet Neck Sizing Die reduces Case Runout to an absolute minimum when reloading for a bolt action rifle. I use a Full Length Sizing Die for every fourth reloading and perform a Neck Sizing right after for precaution. Results are outstanding.
I changed my press for a brand new before figuring out it wasn't the problem. Every press have some play, some more than others but the case runout doesnt come from it. The "play" can even reduce runout by making it possible for everything to self align. I've made some tests, floating shell holder gives better results. That's the same thing for the die, if you put a o-ring under the locking screw and tighten it gently you can improve your concentricity. Dont forget that the fired cases have perfect concentricity until you decide to resize it, so the more you try to force it the more you have some chances to ruin the concentricity.
The ram on the MEC marksman, alone, is worth looking at for an upgrade. The thing’s precision ground and polished! Plus, the MEC accepts the lock and load bushing conversion from Hornady, which is cool if you’re into the breechlock type of quick change dies. I’d love to see you keep the old one and mill it to upgrade it. A heavy phosphor bronze bushing and a mirror polish on the ram would be a sick Lee-menting kinda upgrade.
Talk about perfect timing. I’m loading some 6.5 creedmoor and checking runout on them all. Right at 1 thou is what I’m getting with Hornady brass, neck sized with Lee collet die. Call me crazy but I get great run out with Lee dies. With my RCBS dies I get much worse run out. I personally like the lock nut they use with the rubber in them. I’m excited you got the MEC coming. In my opinion it’s with load just as good as the Co-ax. In fortune cookies test it actual had less run out than the Co ax. Both are great presses. I’m running a Rock chucker and a Lee. I keep a universal de capping die in the lee and I size and seat with the Rock chucker. I’m going to add a MEC soon just for the heck of it. Can’t wait to see the MEC on your channel. That Lee would make a great de capping press or some other dedicated task press.
Just starting getting into this, the only reloading for the last 30 years was just enough for hunting. My press is a Lee that came in a "kit" for 99.00 back in the early 90s. Needless to say I do have some movement in the ram...don't have a gauge to know how bad. Also some of the brass new out of the box was at .005 - .007 (worst case). Most were around .002 - .0035, so may be looking at a neck wall trimmer. Anyway, thanks for this video
I have very little use on the same press... and it moves quite a bit by hand, so indicating it isn't necessary . I recently bought a FA coax. A RCBS RC1 coming as I speak, and has a reputation of being tight and concentric
Vaughn precision. I have a very old Lee c style press that has even more for/aft play at top of stroke. I emailed Lee about it and got the reply below. I'm not 100% convinced by their reply though. How did the mec affect these run-out measurements? Answer from Lee: The amount of play you measured (.043") is not of any consequence. The shell holder, by design, has the ability to move in the press ram and the case, again by design, is able to move around in the shell holder. This allows the case adjust itself to properly align with the die as it enters the die.
I saw this and had to check my Lee press. It's the same way n it's not even past 500rds. The RCBS rockchucker right next to it has 0 play at it's as old as me
Great info Curt. I just bought a new press as well. A Lyman all American 8 turret. I have been using a 1970's RCBS RockChucker for almost 20 years. Can't wait to see how the MEC works for you. Walter
I almost ordered a new RCBS, but some of the newer reviews aren’t looking so hot. Seems like the QC has taken a dive. I sure hope the MEC is all its cracked up to be on the internet or I just blew a bunch of cash for nothing!
Fortune Cookie 45 LC did runout & Die/ Press Alignment testing on his presses. He tested his Lee Classic, Old RCBS, MEC, & Forester Co-Ax. The videos show alignment issues with the Lee & RCBS machines that were solved by the MEC & Forester. It was odd how the runout was very close. I am not sure at what distance runout of the amount 'A' becomes significant at range 'B'. This would be great information. If you shoot under XXX yards perhaps you are worrying about nothing.
Thank you so much for this information, I'll be contacting RCBS tomorrow. I just got my setup a few months ago and my runout is anywhere between .002 to .01 depending on how the machine decides to make it for me each pull :| So I either have a faulty press or I just got the lower quality one and I get what I get.. :| The kit I bought was the RCBS Explorer.
I love my CO-AX. Glad I am not looking for one now as seems they have been out of stock for some time. I thought about the mec when I was upgrading, but Cabelas had them on sale and in stock. I really like it, but some can't get past the floating die design. Interested to see how the MEC works out for you long term.
I have the MEC and really like it. The old RCII seems very obstructed now that I have all that room up front to put in and take out the cases. Run-out on the brass has been excellent. When resizing quality brass ( Peterson or Lapua) it's around .001 +- .0005.
Wouldnt the wobble in the ram kinda act like a floating shellholder though? Ive thought about this before and i thought it would help center the cases in the dies
Dusty Bowhunter due to the ram stroke, the ram is shoved forward at top stroke. It had to do with the linkage and mechanical force from the ram linkage to ram body.
@@vaughnprecision The pivot pin that the ram rides on my ultimatly be what is really worn out the most, it would allow the ram to be forced against one or more sides of the press hole it rides up and down on wearing it away with every stroke.
I just ran into a similar problem with my 6.5 creedmoor reloads. Run out is way off. Visible wobble. My question. Are these even safe to shoot or should i pull them and reform?
ours is the same i load the ram with wheel bearing grease = get 2 3 thousands that way.it is heavy enough to be a really good press but the run out kills it.
you would be good one to explain the difference between runout & concentricity pretend we have a grade 5 education and use hand sketches to help explain
the Lee press with it's quick change is bad juju.... just the quick change has a lot of movement, I use a old rock chucker my runout is .0003 to .001. but I have found different dies to cause runout in the neck after sizing and the bullet after seating, Wilson seater dies are nice only if your sizing die is up to snuff, point is check them all I had a Lyman crusher that was sloppy but it made str cases and str loaded rounds with good dies and a str chamber job
plane iron I installed a couple different lock rings, attempting the process of elimination. With that much slop in the press I’m 99% sure that’s the cause. I’ll know this week when I get the MEC here and set up.
One , it looks like we are related. Lol Second, thanks for this video. Starting to see this with my RCBS RC Supreme, but not quiet as drastic. Considering COAX, Mec, or Redding Ultra Mag.
243 Outdoors I was hoping the Lee would last a little longer, guess not.... I suspect it could be inferior Cast iron. The MEC has a higher quality cast so I’m hoping it last much longer. I think I need to design a press with a bearing system that the ram can run on.!
Echo and the Bunnymen it’s been getting a little loose over the past 6 months. Didn’t realize the ram got that sloppy until I noticed my runout getting worse.
So are you measuring your care at several locations along its length, or only at the next? What steps do you perform to ensure you die is set into the press to be 100 percent coax to the line of the threads in the press itself. like you discovered your ram having too much slop your press may be out of alignment where the die screws into the press itself. When you mount your new press and get ready to screw in your first resizing die, use a lubricated case that has no to very little runout rammed into the die, seated into the shell holder, before you lock the die to the press. Therefore, you align the die to the ram/shell holder. At factories they will use a specially made headspace gauge to do this step.
The cast body in the press was enlarged causing the ram slop. I measured this in several areas and it became clear what the issue was. I took the press apart and measured the ram and body to verify. After replacing the press, problem solved.!
I’ve used several things, Rem oil, Tetra grease, Lucus etc.... I think part of the issue is the carbon and crap gets on the ram during depriming and causes additional wear on the ram and body, very abrasive junk! I also try not to over-lube so that stuff doesn’t stick to the oil, I use just a film coating
I use the same CLP that I use in my guns. My Lee BreechLock Challenger is only a little over a year old, too soon to know how it holds up. A Redding T7 is on my wish list.
Well I think your ram is wornout but this can be replaced by lee for less than $30. No need to buy a new press. If your ram support is wornout you need to replace the body of the press - about $50. If both parts are wornout replace both. Still cheaper than the $200+ MEC.
