Help me start from scratch with a Forster Coax

[middleofnowhere]

https://www.forsterproducts.com/product/co-ax-reloading-press-with-s-jaws/

[TimRB]

Not sure if you're talking about general reloading accessories or just stuff for the Co-Ax. Anyway, I can tell you that the standard shell holder that comes with the Co-Ax will load .308, so you don't need to worry about that, at least. You'll really like your Co-Ax.

Tim

[middleofnowhere]

Thank you Tim, I’m interested in accessories specifically for the Coax press itself, like the jaws, shellholders, etc.

[therealnickb]

[superdave50]

That press seems to be made of unobtainium.

[TimRB]

That press seems to be made of unobtainium.

Yes, I took a quick look and couldn't find any new presses for sale anywhere. I did see a couple used ones on ebay for exorbitant prices ($500-$700). Evidently people even bought those presses at those prices.

Just for fun I went through my old receipts and found the one for my Co-Ax. $181.48 from Midway in August, 2005. Now Midway wants $350 (if/when they come in).

People complain about the price of this press, but I think that if you want a Co-Ax, you should just buy it anyway (if you can). Apparently you will always be able to sell it for what you paid for it (or more) if you decide you don't want it any more.

Tim

[middleofnowhere]

I’ve had several opportunities to buy a coax (new and used) over the last few years and just didn’t for one reason or another. I haven’t really needed a press to this point as I had plenty of ammo for my purposes. By the end of 2021 I will “need” one for sure.

[sacrvrrat]

All I've used so far is a lee turret press with forster dies for 6.8, 308 and 223.
I don't have precision issues. I work up ladders and have found very tight groups for all of them.
My point is simply that its not the car. Its the driver.
You don't need the very best to make great ammo.

[TimRB]

What an odd response.

Yes, he had a question and I did my best to at least partially answer it--completely out of character for Calguns.

Tim

[mtenenhaus]

middleofnowhere, i have a Forster Co-Ax. I've only loaded 6.5 variants and .308 but i can try to answer any specific questions. I'm not an expert but i've been reloading for a few years now. please note, i do all my loading very simply, no electronics or fancy tools but i do strive for accuracy and precision. i still use an old beam balance scale, a simple trickle device and a benchrest type powder dispenser. I have a magnifying glass mounted a few inches in front of the scale that makes it much easier for my aging eye to ensure a precise load.

when i first purchased the press i simultaneously purchased some other accessories...in retrospect i'm not sure it was wise. i think were i to do it over again i should have just mounted the press at a suitable place and height and started to reload...and then if i identified any challenges i would seek out options. i think i overspent a bit of money by not doing so.

rotating/roller handle: when i purchased the Co-Ax i immediately purchased a rotating handle and installed it.... honestly i'm not sure it adds all that much to the feel or quality of the process. I guess a lot depends upon how the press is situated on your bench and your relationship to the press (height, angle etc.). I don't mind it, just not sure it changed all that much for me.

side linkage: again i purchased these and to be honest with you, i have never installed them...it sounded like a good thing to have but honestly my hands fit just fine accessing the press. I ended up giving them to a friend.

I thought of purchasing a new set of quick change jaws....they run around $50 or so...not sure the 5 minutes it takes to reorient the jaws is worth it to me as the included 2 size options suffices for the calibers i reload. you still have to remove the 2 machine screws so turning around the jaws isn't adding all that much extra time to the process. I guess if you have the money and don't have the time....or if you need a specific size that isn't accommodated by the jaws that come with the press it would be helpful.

lighting: i have an articulating light on my bench so i haven't needed found the need for additional sources

I do all my priming on the machine so i haven't purchased a separate priming tool. the machine works fine. slow but fine. i must admit, i'm not all that fond of changing out the size of the priming device (for example, changing out the large rifle priming device for the small rifle priming device). The space afforded for this is tight. Maybe one day i'll purchase a separate priming tool i can dedicate for the primer size i less frequently use.

i use my caliper constantly, i also purchased a Forster datum kit to measure case head to ogive measurements. I purchased a Franklin Arsenal Case Prep Center to clean the primer pocket, size and chamfer the case. It works fine but there are plenty of awesome tools made for these functions as well...some more expensive and perhaps more precise? to date the loads have proven very consistent.

you'll need some way to clean your cases....i use an inexpensive vibrating unit, it's held up fine for quite a few years now. my friend who is a bullseye shooter still uses his old Thumler and he loves it. a screen or a funneled filter is needed to separate out the walnut media.

i make my own case lube using 90% alcohol and lanolin if i can't find the Hornady one shot spray. they both work well for me if i allow enough time for the lube to work...don't rush this step. i just put the cases in an old container, spray a little of the lube and let it sit for 30 minutes while i'm doing something else.

I use a simple universal Lee decapping die to remove large rifle primers (note: the pin is too wide for small rifle primers).

I use the Forster dies and locking rings, they work great, i send Forster a few fired cases and they tailor the dies to the fire formed cases for a very reasonable fee. I remove the expander balls from the dies and use a separate expander die. I think it makes for a better, more consistent round.

You should call Forster to confirm (they're very responsive and easy to talk with) but i recall reading some posts a while back of some people having some trouble fitting very large cases like the 338Lapua in the Forster press while others said it worked fine. You'll likely need larger jaws for this case size as well.

I hope some of this helps

[Cujo]

I use the shorter handle on the Coax. Buy a set of a dozen Forster aluminum die lock rings as well. Those work the best.

[J-cat]

Accessories wise: I use their standard shell holder adapter and inline fabrication kidney shaped links. Believe it, those links increase access and you won’t hit your fingers against the linkage when loading quickly.

I set the dies so that the shell holder stops on the die before the handle goes all the way down. That way any linkage flex is eliminated from the equation.

Also, get some Sinclair stainless lock rings. They are cheap and oversized and fit the slot in the coax like a glove.

[tabascoz28]

Reloading rigs are like golf clubs, there's a lot of hype I think.
Give Tiger a 200 dollar box set and he can probably still play scratch golf.

Someone recently told me once that I needed to understand what makes reloading work and that is my goal for all things. Without that understanding you'll be chasing the wrong problem.

But what is needed to make 5 bullets in the same hole shot requires that you get a great gun to start, a scale that will measure down to .05 grains, bullet comparators, case neck turners, annealing machine and lots of experimentation. I won't be competing anytime soon so I'm not going to spend the money for all that equipment and process and just work on me, once I get decent groups from all my loads.

[middleofnowhere]

I read it as
I reloaded with poor results
I sold that equipment
I want to reloading again and would like some help.
I am buying very expensive reloading equipment.

To me, saying he needs this or that for his new set up is putting the cart before the horse.
I was trying to help with his original issue, poor reloading results.

I was confused whether I needed different jaws, shell holders, etc. I know a lot of guys here use the coax so I wanted the straight scoop

[TimRB]

I was confused whether I needed different jaws, shell holders, etc.

I had the same question when I bought my press and actually called the factory to find out. The little clamping Co-Ax shell holder is very clever and well thought-out. There are videos out there that can show you how it works. So far I have loaded .308, 30-06, 9mm, and .223 with it.

FWIW, I'm not too crazy about the on-press priming system. It works very well, and I have it adjusted to use as a backup, but it's a lot of hand/arm motion for a very simple job. I use a handheld tool.

Tim