Frankford Arsenal F1 press review and comparison to RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme

[@sfcmac336]

Been reloading for 55 years, have owned Lyman, Lee, and Dillon, sold all but my 550 & 650. You've sold me on the F1 for my interest in precision shooting. It's in the mail!

[@kevinhullinger8743]

How’s thing going with the new press?

[@sfcmac336]

@@kevinhullinger8743 I've never enjoyed a single stage press as much as I do this one. Progressive presses like the 650 & 550 are great for high volume loading like when I was a USPSA shooter and for lots of plinking 223 stuff. But for precision rifle shooting you need more control and that is what I get with the F1.

[@kevinhullinger8743]

@@sfcmac336 awesome, thank you for the reply.

[@theaveragereloader7222]

Was just thinking I probably need to do an update video probably have over 1500 rounds loaded on it. It’s doing well and the noise with the ram and the feel has definitely quite down as well

[@Planeiron]

I quit with runout a few yrs ago, it doesn't rhyme with me, good bullets, good powder, good barrels, and good glass in the 45x range so you can see your .125 or .250 movements Great Vid👍👍👍👍👍👍🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯

[@cw2a]

Looking snazy!! Looks like lotsa room on this one! ❤

[@davecollins6113]

First reasonable test on the FA I've run across, being a new press, suspected that would be about the result,. Have to admit, they priced it to sell. Wondering if the ram brgs are replaceable if necc., and how it handles a stuck case ( there are those folk who do that out there, you seem unlikely to do it), as their M press can somewhat self destruct doing that. Who knows on the expander issue there, may just have been something in the shellholder socket. Personally, I like floating shellholders, have two presses with them.

[@jayjudd6518]

Impressive studio or work shop. I’ve read that your shell holder should be what the die manufacturer is. I’m not as fortunate as you to have so many higher items in my arsenal. One thing I suggest you get is a primer pocket gauge so you can tell what cases are getting sloppy pockets. Like your video as I need a press. I do 6 BR on a Savage action so I can change barrels as I have 3.

[@jamespollard1670]

Either press will make accurate ammo , IMO . It has more to do with the guy pulling the handle and him choosing the right load .

[@neilis2405]

I've got the RCBS Rockchucker Supreme already and am thinking about getting the Frankford Arsenal just for the primer disposal system. Other than that I'm fine with the RCBS and had considered going to their Rebel press which has the through-ram primer system but this looks like a better deal.

[@theaveragereloader7222]

That was the selling point for me as well.

[@jolebole-yt]

I have been using a Lee Single Stage Challenger for my bolt action 6.5 and 308 and with a stock Tikka T3 barrel and action I can get .25 moa with no wind. I always wondered if I need to invest into a RCBS or other more modern exp presses, but will I get any benefit out of it? Your test shows that if you use the same dies and loading process you will end up with almost if not identical results.

[@timothyosborne8285]

Well, I don't know about RCBS vs FA. But I will say that the .003 bump did better than the .006 bump did. Unfortunately, the moment that you allowed that to happen, the press comparison ended.

[@garrytalley8009]

Interesting video. I see you are not really an average reloader by any means. You have a lot of pricey stuff I kind of wish I had myself, not that it would make my loads any better, but it is more precision related like your powder measure. I think both presses will turn out equal ammo. The group test showed nothing with two different 5 shot groups. I have shot many groups with ammo and each group is just that a group. It would take multiple groups and averaging to make any real determination. But honestly just one bullet separates those two groups and it's nothing to have a flyer. BTW I will be purchasing a F-1 press for my farm to work loads. I have a range there. I have other presses at home for volume loading. I did enjoy your video; it was informative in the fact it honestly did not show any real significant advantage one over the other unless someone thought that group was proof of anything of which it really was not.

[@theaveragereloader7222]

I started this channel when I had not a lot of pricey stuff just helps to upgrade as the years go by. There is a lot more higher end stuff than what I got besides the v4 AutoTrickler. That was a big chunk of change spent for automating my process but my process lacks big every where else for automating.

[@hercules1073]

I have all brands of shellholders and this press prefers Lyman shellholders. I don't know if it's due to Lyman's having a larger diameter than any other brand or not, but that's what I think makes this press prefer them.

[@theaveragereloader7222]

Thank you for this information I will order some to see if it helps!

[@hercules1073]

@@theaveragereloader7222 They fit mine tight with no wobble or movement. All the others like RCBS, LEE, Hornady, Redding are basically the same dimensions externally and have wobble. Lyman shell holders are larger in diameter and have less height or at least visually they don't look as tall, but I've never measured them, regardless they're larger in diameter. They'll work with any press, but really shine in my F1... if I recall correctly they wouldn't work with the RCBS hand priming tool though. I'm really liking this press! I'm currently using it with the breechlock system to bulge bust and size bullets and for 12 ga. shotshells. I have large series die sets for brass and plastic/paper shells and this press has excellent clearance to use them.

[@-the1b4u-]

What is the bolt pattern on the FA F-1 press, from center to center? I was needing to know if i have the room on my mount before ordering this rig. Much appreciated

[@crs8958]

Second group was only better because you got the jitters out on the first group.

[@theaveragereloader7222]

It’s possible I will say conditions sucked as the sun was at my 2 o’clock shining right at me

[@davidbhyss]

I'll still go with the RCBS, made in the U S of A!!!

[@-the1b4u-]

Your right hand is changing runout readings on rcbs test so to be fair 😅

[@johanneslaxell6641]

I my humble opinion: turning those cartridges that way by hand introduce runout. As I don't know for sure how that tester works I just say in general: it would be better for repeatable results to turn the cartridge by the black ball, as doing it touching the cartridge introduce lateral motion aswell as circular motion.

[@brycedunscomb57]

Made in CHINA!!!!!