Die lock rings...

B

bjm42

New member
Setting up Forster Co-Ax press. Manual strongly suggests using Forster lock rings (no surprise). The rationale is that the Forster rings are a more "forgiving" hardness, thus less wear potential to the press die ring slot.
My Hornady lock rings fit the same; but I do wonder about the hardness difference. I am inclined to follow the Forster manual, even though their rings are expensive. Appreciate thoughts.
 
Just about all lock rings are 7/8" - 14 thread. Forester if I recall correctly uses a cross bolt type affair to secure (lock) the locking ring. Each manufacturer has their own gimmick and different people like different styles for their own reasons. I use a variety of different ones and they all get the job done. Really never mattered much since I set my dies up each time anyway.

Ron
 
In the whole scheme of things they aren't that expensive. It's not like they are going to wear out anytime soon. (Or ever) You can get a dozen for a decent price. I reload 8 different calibers and have Forster on most of them. I think the rest are Redding, they are fine too.
 
bjm42 said:
Manual strongly suggests using Forster lock rings (no surprise). The rationale is that the Forster rings are a more "forgiving" hardness, thus less wear potential to the press die ring slot.
Click to expand...

You saw that in the manual? My manual suggests using Forster rings, but doesn't say anything about them being "forgiving" or wearing out the die ring slot. I use Forster, Redding and Hornady rings with my Co-ax. I can't imagine any of them wearing out the press.
 
I've fought those RCBS lock rings for years trying to set my dies for quick install. I use Forster when I want to set a die and forget it, seems like they tighten down and lock up perfectly...
I know other brands work also, but when I use those dudes I have confidence my die is set where it was left last time.
 
I'm using Sinclair steel split lock rings, also with the 7/8 x 1/8 O- Ring. It works fine for me on a single stage press.
 
Most of my dies, Hornady and RCBS, fit the slot of my Co-Ax fine. The Forster die lock rings are a perfect fit for the Co-Ax. I bought a pack of 10 Forster lock rings made of aluminum. The steel lock rings are not going to wear the slot.
 
I have replaced all my lock rings with Foster Lock Rings, but only found out later that the RCBS Lock Rings works better where you setup the Die for a permanent position like in Progressive Presses. It can then be tightened with a special spanner from RCBS.
 
I'm not at all familiar with Forster equipment, but I have trouble with the idea that any press can wear out from using the wrong hardness lock ring.
 
TimSr

It won't, unless you load eleventy bazillion rounds, there is a slight movement of the die as the cases self align as they are processed, VERY slight.
 
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