Replies

• Linefinder Posts: 7,856 Senior Member

  May 2022 #2

  Never used a Forster press, but I have a couple pieces of their smaller equipment. Top-notch quality, that's for sure.
  
  Mike

  "Walking away seems to be a lost art form."
  N454casull
  

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• 41magnut Posts: 1,306 Senior Member

  May 2022 #3

  I have had mine for 1.5 -2 years now.
  
  It is used for my match ammo (308W & 6.5 CM)
  
  I like press overall & appreciate not having to worry with shell holders, maybe a small considerations, but I find it handy.
  
  Shortly after acquiring mine I stocked up on the Forster die lock rings, and bought a short handle. I probably could have just cut the std handle down, but decided to save it.
   
  Since I don't form brass or anything requiring more than average force, the short handle works great.
  I will advise that case lube is your friend, the jaws of the Forster don't appear to have quite as much holding as a general shell holder. Yes, sadly I speak from experience. 
  
  I bought the higher model of Inline Manufacturing mount for mind, since I like having the works just short of eye level. The one you appear to be getting looks like it would worked just fine or perhaps even better since the arc of the handle wouldn't be as large as you complete a stroke. I should have bought the Inline Man. quick change head(s) from the get go, but live and learn. I added the QC mounting system later and while I don't swap presses etc around much, it is handy when I want to do so, & ultimately saves bench space.
  
  I still use my old Lee Classic for de-priming, bullet pulling, & loading some cartridges that I don't load
  very often, and in smaller numbers.
  
  I have become some what a Forster fan boy, and acquired several other of their reloading products mostly dies. 
  
  I think you will be pleased with your acquisition and if not I expect you could sell it, which is something not easily done with reloading equipment.
  
  
  

  "The .30-06 is never a mistake." Townsend Whelen :iwo:

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• JKP Posts: 2,767 Senior Member

  May 2022 #4

  Thanks, good stuff. I did order the high mount.
  
  You mention buying the Forster die lock rings - is that optional? I have heard most any manufacturer's dies will fit. Did you get them for more consistency?
  
  

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• Ernie Bishop Posts: 8,606 Senior Member

  May 2022 #5

  Good press.

  Dan and I both use them.
  

  Ernie
  
  "The Un-Tactical"

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• Jay Posts: 4,629 Senior Member

  May 2022 #6

  I highly recommend the Inline Fab mount. Especially with the quick change base if you have the need to mount several presses but bench space is a problem. I have the tall base and my Dillon Sqaure Deal B, 550 and RCBS presses all on quick change bases as well as a blank quick change plate for a vise. Also have the wall hanger to hang my presses on the wall when I’m not using them. 

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• Jay Posts: 4,629 Senior Member

  May 2022 edited May 2022 #7

  
  

  
  

  When I first started using Inline mounts, I had one set up dedicated to a Square Deal B and one with a quick change mount with another square deal B and my RCBS. I ended up selling the SDB with the dedicated mount, bought a 550 and a quick change plate and now run all my presses on one mount. The SDB is set up with multiple tool heads for large primer and the 550 with multiple tool heads for small primer. So no messing with changing out primer feed parts. I use my RCBS for rifle loads. That base makes it super easy to swap presses for what I’m loading at any given time. 

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• 41magnut Posts: 1,306 Senior Member

  May 2022 #8

  JKP said:

  Thanks, good stuff. I did order the high mount.
  
  You mention buying the Forster die lock rings - is that optional? I have heard most any manufacturer's dies will fit. Did you get them for more consistency?
  
  

  If memory serves, I read/heard/saw in print/ had a vision, that use of the Forster was preferable, so I purchased 4 extra for a couple of favorite cartridge die sets.
  
  Is this necessary, I can't say yes, or no, as I ordered everything and set it up in the beginning.  
  
  Consistency in my match ammo was my goal, when I purchased the co-ax press and upgraded my dies with Forster FL and bullet seating dies.
  
   
  
  
  

  "The .30-06 is never a mistake." Townsend Whelen :iwo:

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• JKP Posts: 2,767 Senior Member

  May 2022 #9

  Thanks. I already bought twelve more of the Forster lock rings as I quickly saw the value in using their rings. 

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• Zee Posts: 28,369 Senior Member

  May 2022 #10

  I have use one since I started reloading. Absolutely LOvE mine!!  I load for over 50 cartridges and it’s a breeze!  Especially for straight wall cartridges where I have to use 3 dies. 

  
  

  It’s a dream to use. 

  
  

  While I prefer Forster Lock Rings, the next best thing I’ve found and used (I’ve tried them all) are Hornady Lock Rings. A little more play than Forster. But, less than anyone else. 

  "To Hell with efficiency, it's performance we want!" - Elmer Keith
  

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• JKP Posts: 2,767 Senior Member

  May 2022 edited May 2022 #11

  Agreed on the Hornady lock rings. I replaced the ring on my Hornady 6 CM die and didn't note much difference. 

  
  

  RCBS rings on the other hand have all kinds of slop. 

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• breamfisher Posts: 14,103 Senior Member

  May 2022 #12

  Lee has the best lock ring setup.  All the rest of y'all are wrong.

  Meh.

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