Is the FORSTERS CO-AX B3 an acceptable beginners press?

[Bagelthief]

I want to take the advice of many members on here and buy a single stage to start out with. I often hear people saying they had their beginnings with a single, and while they often advanced to a progressive later on, they still used/use the single to perfect loads or produce high precision ammunition. I have heard this is the best single stage press, and I believe in only buying things only once.

So, what are some opinions concerning this press in general? Is it as good and "precise" as 'they' say it is? How about for a beginner?

THANKS!!

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=00070028271

[big jon]

if you intend to load great rifle ammo you can not go wrong with this press. however if it is only pistol ammo you want to load you can get away much cheeper and use the savings for other stuff...

[XDRoX]

Ya, you really don't need something that expensive. Chances are you would never wear out any of the big name single stage presses. They're all built like tanks. I would consider these. These are all way cheaper than the Forster. I also believe in buying things once, but IMO all these will last a life time and load great rounds. I personally own the Lyman and the RCBS. The RCBS is a little nicer but for the cost difference the Lyman wins. If you really feel you have to spend more then get the Redding, but $240 for a Forster is
Plus, you realize you're going to have to spend like another $200 on accessories, right?
You should really just get a kit package, that'll save you a ton of money. Most of these also come in kits. With most $300 kits you get like $500 worth of stuff that you need anyways.

Lee Classic Cast $85


Hornady $132


Lyman Crusher 2 $116


RCBS Rock Chucker $130


Redding Big Boss $146

[TimRB]

To answer your question, I would say yes, the Co-Ax is perfectly suitable for beginners. It was, in fact, my first press, and will, no doubt, be the only press I ever own. I load for rifle only.

On the cost thing... True, the Co-Ax is more expensive than most of the other presses, but if you really want one, why not buy it anyway? In a year or two you will have forgotten how much you spent on it, or how much you could have saved by buying something else. By the same token, you will enjoy it every time you pull the handle.

Tim

[ireload]

I would go with a kit from RCBS for example. For $305 you get the press, trimmer, powder dispenser, scale, etc. You can't go wrong with RCBS, LEE, Honardy, Lyman. You can't go wrong with Forster either but for $240 just for the press with nothing else then press kits would be a good way to go.

[Bagelthief]

Some very good responses so far. I definitely see the advantages of going the "kit" way, and just getting an RCBS with everything I need.

I am a young guy still (20), but one day down the road (read: when I have lots of extra cash lying around) I want to attempt long range precision shooting. My dream rifle would be a .338 Lapua Magnum from AI. I really want to buy with the future in mind, hence why im considering the Forster. Im not so much worried about "wearing out" any quality single stage press on the market, my main concern is can the RCBS load ammo with as tight of tolerances as the Forster?

One point that is worrying me about the Forster is people keep mentioning it excels at loading rifle cartridges. Im assuming this is because of large amount of clearance the press has. Will the B3 load pistol ammo as well, or no not at all?

I plan on loading .223 primarily, and .40 S&W too.

BTW: Im not really concerned about saving money...as the saying goes, "a poor man can only afford to buy quality."

Thanks!!

[wildcard]

If you see yourself doing precision rifle down the road, you can't go wrong with the Co-Ax. It's a great press. I reload everything from .40S&W to .338 Lapua on it.

[TimRB]

The defining feature of the Co-Ax press is that the dies fit into it rather loosely. This sounds bizarre, I know, but understand that sizing and bullet seating are well-controlled while the die is free to align itself to the brass during the operation. (Hence "Co-Ax") The dies snap in and out of the press, and it really does work just that fast. If you use a Forster Benchrest seater (I think Redding makes a similar one) the bullet will be even better aligned with the case during seating.

I have heard (and I have no way to confirm this) that more NRA high power competition shooters use the Co-Ax than any other press. Just remember, whatever press you buy is going to be so well built that it will last a lifetime, and probably your kids and grandkids, too, so you might as well get whatever you want.

If you get a Co-Ax, do yourself a favor and buy a handheld priming tool. The press-mounted one works just fine, but is a lot of bother. I bought a Lee Autoprime for under twenty bucks and never looked back.

Tim