Forster Co-Ax Reloading Press on Sale

[Dirtlaw]

There are some presses that are even more precise, but I am tempted. Pros and Cons please.

[heavyhaulin818]

If you are okay with loading ammo slow I say go for it! I have two, one is still in the box unopened because I enjoy the one on my bench so much. Once my dies were set, I loaded 39 rounds of .44 mag in about 15 minutes...about the time I would have waited on the phone waiting to hear from a salesperson if they did/did not have any .44. Of course, my brass was already deprimed, wet tumbled. All I did was size, bell, seat, and crimp. The biggest pro to me is how easy the Hornady Custom Grade dies work with the Forster’s “floating” characteristics. Some people have stated they have issues with alignment on other presses because of Hornady’s “squared” belling feature. Die changes are effortless, it has more than enough leverage for stubborn cases, no clunky noises, small footprint, easy to keep clean, the red so looks good, plus the model just has a cool name Co-Ax B-5...sounds tacticool IMO. I would recommend getting the large S-jaw plate just in case, with it on mine I can load from .38 special to 45-70 government. How many times would you have to swap shell holders on a competing press?

Negs: Some lock rings are too thick to slide into the Forster so do your research. Depending on your taste or preference, you may not like the priming on the Forster which is just a personal thing and not a true fault of the press...works as intended for me and is one less tool to carry when I go camping. Not sure if your longer caliber dies will clear the handle since it does ride over your dies but up to .338 Lapua I am good. I would also opt for a more secure primer catch bottle since the threads on the one included don’t seem to hold very well if moving/bumping the press.

On important thing to keep an eye/ear out for is to empty your spent primer bottle regularly or just start on empty each time because you’ll get to a point where you won’t hear if primers are sliding down the tube and you can then plug it up.

To aid me in becoming more efficient in reloading with this single stage I purchased a Frankford Arsenal Intellidropper Electronic Powder Dispenser. I will say that that alone cut my reloading time by nearly 50%.

The loading of those 39 rounds took me about 15 minutes, however, I did take my time prior setting up my dies and warming up/calibrating my dispenser.

My rounds are true as far as I can tell and consistent, I am happy to have my Foresters and will continue using them.

I am a light shooter and for loading a few hundred rounds a month...this press is all I need.

And yes, that is my Forster clamped to the bed of my pick up this past weekend at Panoche Hills...I did a little reloading while there.

Hope this helps a bit.

[Dirtlaw]

I do priming as a separate step on hand devices, so priming is not an issue. I don't want to be a drunken sailor buying everything in sight, but on the other and I want to enjoy the rest of my life. Handloading gives me pleasure.

[Spanky8601]

For precision the Forester is excellent. Just go with the Forester lock rings.

[hambam105]

I asked the same question for ~2 years. The answer is you will never know until you try it. Worse case is
you use it re-sell it for half of initial purchase price if you're not happy.

The guys who did deliver articulated answers also owned Redding T-7. They also said the T-7 was faster.

[heavyhaulin818]

I looked at the T-7 but it supposedly has some slop so I passed on it. There is always going to be bigger, better, faster. All depends on your goals and your budget.

[smoothy8500]

Originally Posted by hambam105

The guys who did deliver articulated answers also owned Redding T-7. They also said the T-7 was faster.

Granted I don't own a turret-style press, but I do load for several different calibers. Just how "slow" is it to thread in a different die vs turn the turret? Heck, the Forster there's no threading the die, pop it in.

[kcstott]

while the forester is a good press. I'm not a fan of the case holder. There are aftermarket options for the press that fix these issues but for the money they are asking it should have already been taken care of.

Save your money, Buy a rock Chucker supreme and be done, and in a few years you can sell it and make money off it.
If you are willing to live with the minor issues the case holder has on the Forster go for it. the only thing bad is the cost.

[kcstott]

Originally Posted by hambam105

I asked the same question for ~2 years. The answer is you will never know until you try it. Worse case is
you use it re-sell it for half of initial purchase price if you're not happy.

The guys who did deliver articulated answers also owned Redding T-7. They also said the T-7 was faster.

Forsters only sell for half price when the guy selling it doesn't know what he has, These things are in such limited production I've seen used ones sell for as much to a lot more then new prices. Some seem to think these are the magic press that just solves all the issues. it's all hype.

[JagerDog]

Originally Posted by heavyhaulin818

I looked at the T-7 but it supposedly has some slop so I passed on it. There is always going to be bigger, better, faster. All depends on your goals and your budget.

Originally Posted by smoothy8500

Granted I don't own a turret-style press, but I do load for several different calibers. Just how "slow" is it to thread in a different die vs turn the turret? Heck, the Forster there's no threading the die, pop it in.

Don't have a Co-Ax, but do have a T7.

Don't know where this "slop" is.

The T7 is really nice when you have an "oops" and need to back up a step. I find it much better than putting any oopses aside and addressing them one-by-one post session.

[Dirtlaw]

I am re-thinking everything in light of the comments that have been made.

[Mayor McRifle]

Originally Posted by Dirtlaw

I am re-thinking everything in light of the comments that have been made.

The Forster Co-Ax is one hell of a press. It’s a shame that you might miss out because of a few comments you read from some random strangers on the internet.

[BB-Stacker]

Another fan of the T-7 Turret here. I have a Rock Chucker and an older JR(?) I use for decapping. No slop on my unit and love the multiple set ups I have by purchasing add'l die holders.

[Kwikvette]

Amazing press.

Gave mine away cause no one wanted to buy it.

[hambam105]

I've never met or even heard of any HP shooter giving up on Redding and returning to RCBS for any reason.
And remember what Nancy told you, ''Don't Do Drugs.''

[sigguy552]

The bonanza (now forster) coax is the go to press for precision rifle reloaders for over 50yrs. It is the press I use for all my rifle loading even though I have a progressive press.

[tabascoz28]

Originally Posted by Mayor McRifle

The Forster Co-Ax is one hell of a press. It’s a shame that you might miss out because of a few comments you read from some random strangers on the internet.

Ironic. If only someone had a list of what winning competitors use or empirical testing....

[therealnickb]

Well, no experience here but… I just bought one from a fellow calgunner. So I hope it works well.

[kcstott]

Originally Posted by hambam105

I've never met or even heard of any HP shooter giving up on Redding and returning to RCBS for any reason.
And remember what Nancy told you, ''Don't Do Drugs.''

What discipline of competition? Because the bench rest guys use arbor presses and RCBS older bench mounted stuff, that or they are using Area 419 presses now.

[kcstott]

Originally Posted by Mayor McRifle

The Forster Co-Ax is one hell of a press. It’s a shame that you might miss out because of a few comments you read from some random strangers on the internet.

Originally Posted by tabascoz28

Ironic. If only someone had a list of what winning competitors use or empirical testing....

I got news for you both. It's not the press that makes great ammo. its the operator.

Generally speaking Top F class shooters use two to three presses and they are what ever single stage they happen to have on hand, (could be RCBS, Redding, Forster, Lyman, older Pacific, or Corbin) an automated Dillon and and arbor press. the reason for three presses is for time savings, production running of ammo as precisely controlled as possible.

I know a world champion BR shooter that still has a RCBS A4 yolk style press mounted to his bench that get used nearly every day. Bullets are seated with an arbor press.

[hambam105]

Seeing a BR shooter assembling cartridges on the range is common. But if I should I see a BR shooter
today using rcbs to assemble cartridges on the range...I'm breaking out the camera and get proof.

[Mayor McRifle]

Originally Posted by kcstott

I got news for you both. It's not the press that makes great ammo. its the operator.

LOL. That’s really profound. What’s next? “It’s not the rifle, it’s the shooter”? And yet I don’t know any good shooter who is not particular about his or her equipment.

But thanks for the “news.”

[hambam105]

Area 419 Reloading Presses are now, well, let's just say a bit ordinary.

What you need is a 120mm Prazipress Single Stage Press.

[kcstott]

Originally Posted by Mayor McRifle

LOL. That’s really profound. What’s next? “It’s not the rifle, it’s the shooter”? And yet I don’t know any good shooter who is not particular about his or her equipment.

But thanks for the “news.”

What i'm saying is there is no detriment to the finished cartridge if loading on any press in good working order. All a press really has to have is an accurate ram and a die hole that are in line. everything else is just user comfort.

Back in the day reloading presses could be junk. ram and die mount out of alignment. That's not true with todays presses
There's nothing wrong with Lee, Forster, Lyman, RCBS, Mec. Take your pick and go load.

[valken]

I found a Forster coax press Works really really well for me. I only load match rifle ammunition on it. It makes very precise ammo. For Pistol are use a progressive reloading press. The For any rifle ammo that I’m gonna make I use the Forster. Cons, really slow progress takes forever to make 100 rounds of match ammo. Pros match ammo is precise.

[kcstott]

Originally Posted by hambam105

Seeing a BR shooter assembling cartridges on the range is common. But if I should I see a BR shooter
today using rcbs to assemble cartridges on the range...I'm breaking out the camera and get proof.

This is Lou Murdica, he lives up in palm desert area, he is a World champion BR shooter, he holds many national and world titles.
He also has a test tunnel on his property that he contracts out for customers. He's done research for all the big barrel, bullet and powder makers. So i feel they are few with the experience and skill like Lou to be able to speak to accuracy.
Look at his his bench and what will you see.

[Dirtlaw]

Originally Posted by kcstott

This is Lou Murdica, he lives up in palm desert area, he is a World champion BR shooter, he holds many national and world titles.
He also has a test tunnel on his property that he contracts out for customers. He's done research for all the big barrel, bullet and powder makers. So i feel they are few with the experience and skill like Lou to be able to speak to accuracy.
Look at his his bench and what will you see.

What an impressive layout!

[TrappedinCalifornia]

I have both the Rock Chucker and the Forster Co-Ax. Both are excellent presses. Both do their job well. A lot of it depends on the job you're asking it to do.

It's a topic which pops up periodically on this site...

Forster Co-Ax vs RCBS Rock Chucker

Should I replace my Rockchucker with a Forster CO AX?

In the finest Calguns tradition, this merits a "get both" response.

The biggest advantage for me with regard to the Co-Ax is the leverage for resizing rifle cartridges. One piece of advice... get the shorter handle. In some respects, you give up some 'advantage,' but the trade off is worth it to me.

Cartridge alignment is 'better' with the Co-Ax. But, if you're just loading 'fun' ammo, it's not something you'll necessarily notice. Likewise, if you aren't using precision dies or a 'properly sized' Lock Ring (some brands seem to present a bit of 'variance' vis a vis the Co-Ax) it can also impact things. In that sense, I'd go ahead and stock up on the Cross Bolt Die Lock Rings.

Priming is consistent with the Co-Ax, but I do most of my priming either with the RCBS Automatic Priming Tool or the RCBS Hand Priming Tool. It's nice to have an effective backup, but priming on the Co-Ax isn't my first choice, first option.

The 'universal' shell holder is a 'questioned' (as opposed to a questionable) part. It works. But, it does involve a bit more than the 'standard' shell holders when needing to flip the plate. It's not a major inconvenience; but, as I said, it's not necessarily a no-brainer by comparison.

I don't use the Co-Ax for handgun cartridges. The Rock Chucker does most of those. The RCBS Partner Press that I've had since they first came out or the Lee Hand Press allow for more 'mobile' reloading. The Co-Ax always seems like overkill, to me, when it comes to handgun cartridges.

In short, the Co-Ax would never replace my Rock Chucker. However, the Co-Ax nicely compliments my Rock Chucker.

[smoothy8500]

Originally Posted by kcstott

This is Lou Murdica, he lives up in palm desert area, he is a World champion BR shooter, he holds many national and world titles.

Both kcstott and I have had a few opportunities to shoot with Lou Murdica at Santa Margarita Gun Club events in the past. Phenomenal shooter and I'm sure his reloading expertise and skills aren't entirely dependent on equipment, but on attention to detail.

[kcstott]

Originally Posted by Dirtlaw

What an impressive layout!

He's as old as my Father and he's been winning since the mid 80's I don't know when he got into serious shooting but it was somewhere in the late 70's to early 80's. The cool thing is he's the most kind and generous person you will ever run into. He'll walk you through any issue. One year at Nationals in Phoenix a team that flew in didn't have their rifles as the airline screwed up. Lou has a second house in Phoenix so he just drove home, picked up four or five rifles and ammo came back and handed them to the team free of charge. I've had the great privilege to be a guest at his table. He's just a tremendous asset to the shooting sports. If you've used Hodgdon data good chance that's Lou's data

[hambam105]

Agree on the personality of the man. Whom, by the way, is not on the range, KCScott.

[kcstott]

Originally Posted by hambam105

Agree on the personality of the man. Whom, by the way, is not on the range, KCScott.

I'm wondering what you could ever mean?

In this photo from left to right is Mike jones SMGC LR director, Walter Lange US Rifle team member, Lou Murdica, The man, the myth, the legend himself, And my fat arse who is somehow allowed to stand in the shadow of these great shooters. We won the team match that year with my daughter named as coach. See if you only knew how to be humble there Hambam105 instead of thinking you know everything and your perception of the world is the reality of everyone. Humble yourself. Or at least when you try to call BS be prepared to back it up.




Here's my daughter at at Nationals.

[LynnJr]

The biggest problem with Lou Murdica is he hangs out with Don "The Cheater" Nielson.
For those that don't know him he is the guy that got Hodgdon to make 8208XBR powder and March scopes made.
The stories are long but the short version is he went to hodgdon with the famous thunderbird powder for his ppc guns and they said to duplicate that powder they would need a 25,000 pound order so he ordered 25,000 pounds.
The rest is history.

[kcstott]

Originally Posted by LynnJr

The biggest problem with Lou Murdica is he hangs out with Don "The Cheater" Nielson.
For those that don't know him he is the guy that got Hodgdon to make 8208XBR powder and March scopes made.
The stories are long but the short version is he went to hodgdon with the famous thunderbird powder for his ppc guns and they said to duplicate that powder they would need a 25,000 pound order so he ordered 25,000 pounds.
The rest is history.

I believe thats the powder that nearly all or actually all the data was developed by Lou in his tunnel. I've heard tid bits of the story over dinner.

[LynnJr]

On the March scopes Lou used to post on benchrest central asking us what we needed.
Lou doesn't speak Japanese so he took Turk Takano to Japan to meet with dion optical and bought the first 100 March scopes.
At the 600 yard nationals he was on my left and after he was through shooting he was calling all my shots.
I was running a 12-42 benchrest from nightforce and couldn't see the 6mm bullet holes.
When I finished I looked through his scope and have been using March scopes since then.
I even have a 5-42 on my 375 cheytac URSA gun.
The cool part of the story is Lou kept 18 scopes for himself and the rest he gave to Kelly's to sell.
He told them to send him the money after they sold the scopes no strings.
His wife Connie shoots well also.

[LynnJr]

And so we stay on topic.
Dirtlaw
The only thing a press does is to push the brass into your dies.
Spend your money on good dies.
A good press is nice and I own several Corbin presses that will turn a copper penny into wire but I have loaded world record setting ammo on a pacific

[hambam105]

Lately I was speaking with a master machinist who really understands the science as well as
the art associated with Reloading. He and LynnJr speak the same language.

So then I asked him why in the world would someone like me with a mechanically flawless 1978
RC would ever go to a different Reloading Press if speed of productively were not a factors?

In about one minute I knew. But for the life of me I cannot explain to others here on the innerweb
what he told me in person.

[kcstott]

Originally Posted by LynnJr

On the March scopes Lou used to post on benchrest central asking us what we needed.
Lou doesn't speak Japanese so he took Turk Takano to Japan to meet with dion optical and bought the first 100 March scopes.
At the 600 yard nationals he was on my left and after he was through shooting he was calling all my shots.
I was running a 12-42 benchrest from nightforce and couldn't see the 6mm bullet holes.
When I finished I looked through his scope and have been using March scopes since then.
I even have a 5-42 on my 375 cheytac URSA gun.
The cool part of the story is Lou kept 18 scopes for himself and the rest he gave to Kelly's to sell.
He told them to send him the money after they sold the scopes no strings.
His wife Connie shoots well also.

Never knew the March scope story. But that sounds exactly like Lou. I did have a chance to take a peak through two of his rifles at 29 Palms a few years ago. It was like HD, He had a 80x Genesis that he was shooting and the other rifle had a High master on it. I think 60X, They just put everything in this country to shame. Leupold looks like Tasco compared to March And I love my Leupold.
When I start building my daughter's next rifle it going to get a March High master on it. That will be the most money I've shelled out of optics ever. But Fun cost money! How much do you want to have?

[kcstott]

Originally Posted by LynnJr

The biggest problem with Lou Murdica is he hangs out with Don "The Cheater" Nielson.
For those that don't know him he is the guy that got Hodgdon to make 8208XBR powder and March scopes made.
The stories are long but the short version is he went to Hodgdon with the famous thunderbird powder for his ppc guns and they said to duplicate that powder they would need a 25,000 pound order so he ordered 25,000 pounds.
The rest is history.

The other thing is it must be nice to have the disposable income to order 25K pounds of powder. I don't care if it was 2007-8ish when powder was $25-$30 a pound. That's still $375K in powder if I swag what wholesale is.

[LynnJr]

More on the powder story.
Lou comes home one day and his son is pouring jugs of powder onto a pie plate and lighting it on fire while it floats in his swimming pool..
I believe his father left him his electrician company and about 3 motor homes to drive to matches.
To keep his dogs comfortable he would put them in his Mercedes tow vehicle with the a/c on while he shoots.