Once the Iron press is tuned (which is aggravating) I think it's one of the best single stages on the market (in my opinion). I love the fact that Frankford Arsenal exist and offers quality reloading equipment at affordable prices. Hornady and Frankford Arsenal both have a big presence in my reloading room.
Mine as well, I own three AP presses, Iron Press, Their big case prep center, trimmers, concentricity tool, scales, comparators....very long list from Hornady and I am one of the admins in the Hornady AP group on FaceBook. I see things for what they are, brand doesn't matter.
Agree .. except for the cord part. The cord/wall wart isn't a biggie to me. I've already got a plethora of cords and by using my own, I don't come up short on distance or have three miles of cord snaking around the top of my bench.
I've read of several people complaining about the noise from the bearings. It's good to see/hear that for this form of bearing system the noise is normal. I admit to being a press hoarder. I've lost count how many I have. I have no interest in the lighting feature, nor do I have any need for or place to put another press of any type, still I want to try one of these. Thanks for the informative review.
If on press priming is somthing you really want, Lee and Lyman both have on top of press options. Lyman used to have one with a feeder as well though I am not finding it online at present.
Myself personally I have no use for priming on a single stage press, if I am on one of my single stage presses I am most likely loading precision rifle rounds and using my FA hand primer so I can adjust me seating depth where I want it. I bought the priming system for the Iron press several years ago when I bought my Iron press and have never installed it.
@@bragginrightsprecisionrelo346 Agreed I use either a hand press (lyman top mount was little if any faster ) or the system on my turret (lee) Maybe if one had poor hand strength on top of press could be of use over a hand tool. Lee or other bench mounted would be another choice and they are not all that much more in cost. Space might be a reason as well but not a great one over all.
Your data is probably flawed for the run-out on the loads due to the seater needing the bullet centered repeatedly. Use a higher quality bullet seater, rcbs matchmaster, Whidden, or Forster and then you can check actual concentricity. Otherwise good video content on the two presses!
Bought the FA F-1 a week ago. Will be returning it in exchange for the MEC Marksman. Received the F-1 and found the spent primer catch assembly (plastic) cross-threaded. Have been trying for five consecutive days to reach FA customer service to get a replacement assembly. Have tried every option they offer to reach them. No return calls or responses of any sort. While they may have been responsive in the past, those days appear to be gone. So is my business.
Why should Frankford arsenal be too concerned with customer complaints that are not the manufacturers fault though? I would imagine they'd give top priority to complaints that are valid to manufacturers defects etc. Running around the net leaving poor reviews because you cross threaded your bottle hastily installing it incorrectly is poor showmanship. The press is shipped with two primer disposal pieces neither of which are preinstalled.
@@hercules1073 not sure where you got your intel, but it's off mark. You made a lot of assumptions and took some liberties. If you don't know what you're talking about, maybe it's best not to say anything???
@@josephwhite733 I got my intel from ordering the press. It is shipped with both primer disposal attachments in their own compartment in the top of the box. Every unboxing video shows exactly the same thing as well. I know from actual experience how the press is packed and shipped and I know from experience that it's imported Chinese garbage that will not hold up to hard use. I really liked the design and ease of use, but it won't last very long as I wore it out in short order and was mainly loading 12 ga. brass and plastics on it. I won't betray my countrymen/women again, but rather will do research and make certain my American brothers and sisters are working in American shops on American soil to produce the things on my reloading bench...even if it's a proven item. I'm not going to contribute to overseas manufacturing of products that have always been known as mainly American production. The companies that move offshore to produce this stuff don't deserve success and furthermore the people actually producing it would be put in prison for life if caught using it and they don't deserve the satisfaction of economical growth at the expense of the Americans pocketbook and dimples in our economy.
Conspiracy theorists are going to do what they do best no matter what shirt someone wears lol I don't think there is a brand out there I don't own multiple items from.
I love conspiracy theriosts lol my channel is not monetized, my videos and opinions are my own. I am one of the main administrators for the Hornady AP group with 14k members and own 3 Hornady ap presses, the Iron press, a Lee single stage which like most was my first entry level press too many years ago to want to remember lol A Lee app press which I did a video on praising it, I'm a business that designs and manufactures accessories for reloading presses and you can't make accessories without owning the press in the first place. If I didn't like something about the iron press it's merited...nice try though.
I have no experience with either of these presses. The video evidence speaks for itself. I like the RCBS RockChucker, but the Lee Classic Cast single stage beats it in most categories.
Most everything is made in China these days including reloading tools even RCBS. I ordered an F1 from Red River Reloading yesterday, one of their warehouses had it on sale for $95.00. I’ll use what I saved on that deal to buy a power cord. Appreciate the review of the press.
I've been reloading for over 55 years. Started on a Lyman Orange crush turret top. Got interested in progressive and bought one of the original Lee turret tops back in the early 90's when I started USPSA shooting, upgraded to Dillon 550 then a 650 (sold both the Lyman & Lee). Now in my 70's looking into precision shooting so I wanted a single stage press . . . YOU SOLD ME ON THIS ONE. Thanks, it is in the mail.
I use the Hornady Iron and have no problems with the primers missing the catch tray. The reason that you are having the problem is because you do not have the primer arm in place. Put the primer arm where it is supposed to be and your primers will be directed into the primer cup.
I'm well versed on Hornady products, in the instructions for set up it says *if using the manual priming system* it explains how to install it....then fine prints the priming arm must be down to deflect primers during depriming to direct them. Per their instructions you should only install the priming arm if you want to prime on press which most do not for precision rounds then you shouldn't have to engage the arm just to deprime...there is a point to it all. 😉
@@bragginrightsprecisionrelo346 I do not prime on press. But I do have the priming are installed, just without a priming cup. Without it there is nothing to deflect the spent primes, thus they fall out the back of the ram.
Priming on the press is not my favorite thing, I do not like handling primers one at a time. However, the option saved me some issues when I discovered none of my priming tools would handle a particular cartridge due to rim dia. Have to wait and see how those brgs work out on the F1, but, it will still ba a good starter press for the price they want for it. I don't like some of the FA stuff, but, a lot of it is quite useful or practical. Not a real fan of a fair bit of Hornady product either, their QC is not what it should be for the price, and some of their marketing, is perhaps somewhat suspect, as well..
Love your channel. Also everyone hating on the shirt saying youre a shill, i see the vibe if i got a new press and made a video on it id probably wear their shirt if i had one. Completes the theme!
Shocked that a guy wearing a FA shirt came to the conclusion that the F1 is a better press, also, play in the linkage doesn’t equate to play in the shaft, not sold on your theories
Everyone is entitled to their conspiracy theories 🙄 I own 5 Hornady presses ans admin the Hornady AP group on FB with right at 14k members as well lol But believe what you like. I don't care the brand...things either work better than something else or they don't.
Frankfort Arsenal press is more impressive but the power cable is a disappointment. You could now compare the M-press vs the new Frankfort Arsenal. For all my precision rifles all bullets are seated on my M-press. Thanks for the Ace metal card in my last order. I went to go throw out the box yesterday when I felt something was still in the box. I t was really nice. Thank you again.
I prime on my iron press, It works just like the one on the Lock & Load. I do have four shell plates for the X-10, no press as yet seems to be in short supply.
Love my Iron press, but I do agree the spent primer ejection could be improved. I've primed brass on it, and skipped it, no issues. It would be nice if all of the action is tight, but all I'm worried about is that the column (and shell holder) is smooth and concentric. Is the F1 aluminum, or iron?
@@bragginrightsprecisionrelo346 The F1 is aluminum. Frankford arsenal is very misleading with the advertisement for the press. Columns are steel, but the entire press including the top, base, all the linkages are cast aluminum.
@@hercules1073 after closer inspection you are correct, still doesn't change my evaluation of the press being a great single stage, I own the Hornady Iron Press, Lee Breech Lock Challenger, the Frankford Arsenal M Press and a Hornady Lock N Load Classic and the F1 is my favorite when loading rifle rounds. Thank you for the correction.
@@bragginrightsprecisionrelo346 My son bought me one (F-1) I like it too for what I use it for, but it was a little disappointing to discover everything that mattered was aluminum including the linkage since they advertise it as having a solid steel frame! LEE stopped using aluminum for linkages due to breakage so hopefully the FA design will hold up. F-1 Pre production samples had steel linkage according to photographs. I just think it could have been an awesome press had it been made of cast iron. I still enjoy using it due to the mechanical advantage and access.
Once the Iron press is tuned (which is aggravating) I think it's one of the best single stages on the market (in my opinion). I love the fact that Frankford Arsenal exist and offers quality reloading equipment at affordable prices. Hornady and Frankford Arsenal both have a big presence in my reloading room.
Mine as well, I own three AP presses, Iron Press, Their big case prep center, trimmers, concentricity tool, scales, comparators....very long list from Hornady and I am one of the admins in the Hornady AP group on FaceBook. I see things for what they are, brand doesn't matter.
Agree .. except for the cord part. The cord/wall wart isn't a biggie to me. I've already got a plethora of cords and by using my own, I don't come up short on distance or have three miles of cord snaking around the top of my bench.
I've read of several people complaining about the noise from the bearings. It's good to see/hear that for this form of bearing system the noise is normal. I admit to being a press hoarder. I've lost count how many I have. I have no interest in the lighting feature, nor do I have any need for or place to put another press of any type, still I want to try one of these. Thanks for the informative review.
If on press priming is somthing you really want, Lee and Lyman both have on top of press options. Lyman used to have one with a feeder as well though I am not finding it online at present.
Myself personally I have no use for priming on a single stage press, if I am on one of my single stage presses I am most likely loading precision rifle rounds and using my FA hand primer so I can adjust me seating depth where I want it. I bought the priming system for the Iron press several years ago when I bought my Iron press and have never installed it.
@@bragginrightsprecisionrelo346 Agreed I use either a hand press (lyman top mount was little if any faster ) or the system on my turret (lee)
Maybe if one had poor hand strength on top of press could be of use over a hand tool. Lee or other bench mounted would be another choice and they are not all that much more in cost. Space might be a reason as well but not a great one over all.
I rarely use on press priming on a single stage, still I like having the option. It's not a deal breaker though.
Awesome video and nice chatting with you this evening. Awesome products for sale as well. God bless from Texas.
atascosaprepper
Thank you my friend
Your data is probably flawed for the run-out on the loads due to the seater needing the bullet centered repeatedly. Use a higher quality bullet seater, rcbs matchmaster, Whidden, or Forster and then you can check actual concentricity. Otherwise good video content on the two presses!
Bought the FA F-1 a week ago. Will be returning it in exchange for the MEC Marksman. Received the F-1 and found the spent primer catch assembly (plastic) cross-threaded. Have been trying for five consecutive days to reach FA customer service to get a replacement assembly. Have tried every option they offer to reach them. No return calls or responses of any sort. While they may have been responsive in the past, those days appear to be gone. So is my business.
Why should Frankford arsenal be too concerned with customer complaints that are not the manufacturers fault though? I would imagine they'd give top priority to complaints that are valid to manufacturers defects etc. Running around the net leaving poor reviews because you cross threaded your bottle hastily installing it incorrectly is poor showmanship. The press is shipped with two primer disposal pieces neither of which are preinstalled.
@@hercules1073 not sure where you got your intel, but it's off mark. You made a lot of assumptions and took some liberties. If you don't know what you're talking about, maybe it's best not to say anything???
@@josephwhite733 I got my intel from ordering the press. It is shipped with both primer disposal attachments in their own compartment in the top of the box. Every unboxing video shows exactly the same thing as well. I know from actual experience how the press is packed and shipped and I know from experience that it's imported Chinese garbage that will not hold up to hard use. I really liked the design and ease of use, but it won't last very long as I wore it out in short order and was mainly loading 12 ga. brass and plastics on it. I won't betray my countrymen/women again, but rather will do research and make certain my American brothers and sisters are working in American shops on American soil to produce the things on my reloading bench...even if it's a proven item. I'm not going to contribute to overseas manufacturing of products that have always been known as mainly American production. The companies that move offshore to produce this stuff don't deserve success and furthermore the people actually producing it would be put in prison for life if caught using it and they don't deserve the satisfaction of economical growth at the expense of the Americans pocketbook and dimples in our economy.
Wearing the Franklin Arsenal shirt did tend to show bias. That just wasn’t very smart to do. Cheers!
Conspiracy theorists are going to do what they do best no matter what shirt someone wears lol I don't think there is a brand out there I don't own multiple items from.
The one that pays the most wins
I love conspiracy theriosts lol my channel is not monetized, my videos and opinions are my own. I am one of the main administrators for the Hornady AP group with 14k members and own 3 Hornady ap presses, the Iron press, a Lee single stage which like most was my first entry level press too many years ago to want to remember lol A Lee app press which I did a video on praising it, I'm a business that designs and manufactures accessories for reloading presses and you can't make accessories without owning the press in the first place. If I didn't like something about the iron press it's merited...nice try though.
I have no experience with either of these presses. The video evidence speaks for itself. I like the RCBS RockChucker, but the Lee Classic Cast single stage beats it in most categories.
Made in CHINA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And better than the Hornady with better tolerances for less than half the price.
Most everything is made in China these days including reloading tools even RCBS. I ordered an F1 from Red River Reloading yesterday, one of their warehouses had it on sale for $95.00. I’ll use what I saved on that deal to buy a power cord. Appreciate the review of the press.
@@Chock_ful-o-nutsthat's a good buy!, thanks for the site tip...
I've been reloading for over 55 years. Started on a Lyman Orange crush turret top. Got interested in progressive and bought one of the original Lee turret tops back in the early 90's when I started USPSA shooting, upgraded to Dillon 550 then a 650 (sold both the Lyman & Lee). Now in my 70's looking into precision shooting so I wanted a single stage press . . . YOU SOLD ME ON THIS ONE. Thanks, it is in the mail.
I use the Hornady Iron and have no problems with the primers missing the catch tray. The reason that you are having the problem is because you do not have the primer arm in place. Put the primer arm where it is supposed to be and your primers will be directed into the primer cup.
I'm well versed on Hornady products, in the instructions for set up it says *if using the manual priming system* it explains how to install it....then fine prints the priming arm must be down to deflect primers during depriming to direct them. Per their instructions you should only install the priming arm if you want to prime on press which most do not for precision rounds then you shouldn't have to engage the arm just to deprime...there is a point to it all. 😉
@@bragginrightsprecisionrelo346 I do not prime on press. But I do have the priming are installed, just without a priming cup. Without it there is nothing to deflect the spent primes, thus they fall out the back of the ram.
again, thats my entire point why its a bad design@@gregritchie9375
@gregritchie9375 dude definitely seems to be a shill for FA...esp with that shirt..
@@zmbombr Pointing out poor design doesn't make someone a shill. Grow up.
Yeah but with Hornady they'll give you 500 bullets....
You can buy a lot of bullets for the 175.00 savings
Priming on the press is not my favorite thing, I do not like handling primers one at a time. However, the option saved me some issues when I discovered none of my priming tools would handle a particular cartridge due to rim dia. Have to wait and see how those brgs work out on the F1, but, it will still ba a good starter press for the price they want for it. I don't like some of the FA stuff, but, a lot of it is quite useful or practical. Not a real fan of a fair bit of Hornady product either, their QC is not what it should be for the price, and some of their marketing, is perhaps somewhat suspect, as well..
Why offer but don't include that's a deal breaker. Hmmm that's really odd. I here rcbs has a new press.
Love your channel. Also everyone hating on the shirt saying youre a shill, i see the vibe if i got a new press and made a video on it id probably wear their shirt if i had one. Completes the theme!
How long before the F1 has a auto primer setup available?
Shocked that a guy wearing a FA shirt came to the conclusion that the F1 is a better press, also, play in the linkage doesn’t equate to play in the shaft, not sold on your theories
Everyone is entitled to their conspiracy theories 🙄 I own 5 Hornady presses ans admin the Hornady AP group on FB with right at 14k members as well lol But believe what you like. I don't care the brand...things either work better than something else or they don't.
Frankfort Arsenal press is more impressive but the power cable is a disappointment. You could now compare the M-press vs the new Frankfort Arsenal. For all my precision rifles all bullets are seated on my M-press. Thanks for the Ace metal card in my last order. I went to go throw out the box yesterday when I felt something was still in the box. I t was really nice. Thank you again.
Very welcome for the ace card bottle opener
Seating & concentricity testing between the FA F-1 and the K&M Arbor Press (even if you take off the force pack) would be really interesting.
I prime on my iron press, It works just like the one on the Lock & Load. I do have four shell plates for the X-10, no press as yet seems to be in short supply.
They will have a shipment in at mid south shooters very soon
mid south shooters had some today...not sure if they sold out yet
I like your video but don't like the products
Love my Iron press, but I do agree the spent primer ejection could be improved. I've primed brass on it, and skipped it, no issues. It would be nice if all of the action is tight, but all I'm worried about is that the column (and shell holder) is smooth and concentric. Is the F1 aluminum, or iron?
Iron
@@bragginrightsprecisionrelo346 The F1 is aluminum. Frankford arsenal is very misleading with the advertisement for the press. Columns are steel, but the entire press including the top, base, all the linkages are cast aluminum.
@@hercules1073 after closer inspection you are correct, still doesn't change my evaluation of the press being a great single stage, I own the Hornady Iron Press, Lee Breech Lock Challenger, the Frankford Arsenal M Press and a Hornady Lock N Load Classic and the F1 is my favorite when loading rifle rounds. Thank you for the correction.
@@bragginrightsprecisionrelo346 My son bought me one (F-1) I like it too for what I use it for, but it was a little disappointing to discover everything that mattered was aluminum including the linkage since they advertise it as having a solid steel frame! LEE stopped using aluminum for linkages due to breakage so hopefully the FA design will hold up. F-1 Pre production samples had steel linkage according to photographs. I just think it could have been an awesome press had it been made of cast iron. I still enjoy using it due to the mechanical advantage and access.
you have no clue!
Everyone is entitled to their opinion lol
GOOD video, I like what you are doing . SEE YOU AT SHOT