Forster Co-Ax Model B2

[Seaweed02]

Fellas, there is a local gun shop in my city that has a Forster Co-Ax model B2 in stock. It is brand new, not used, and they want $249 for it. But all of the YouTube videos I have seen show the model B3 press, not the B2 press. I was hoping to find someone with a little experience on this press.

Would I be able to load 30.06, and 7mm Rem Mag on this press? I will also be loading .308 and 8mm Mauser, but I know it will handle that. I just don't know if it has enough clearance for the other two calibers. Thank you.

[TimRB]

Didn't know there are different models of Co-Ax press--evidently I have a B2 model. Anyway, it certainly can load 30-06 using Forster Benchrest dies. I suppose I may have clearance problems if I tried using one of the micrometer dies, but I never have, so YMMV.

Tim

[Seaweed02]

Only Forster Dies?

Didn't know there are different models of Co-Ax press--evidently I have a B2 model. Anyway, it certainly can load 30-06 using Forster Benchrest dies. I suppose I may have clearance problems if I tried using one of the micrometer dies, but I never have, so YMMV.

Tim

Thanks Tim,

So it will load 30.06 but only with Forster dies? Couldn't use Redding, RCBS, or some other brand of dies so long as they aren't micrometer type seating dies? And would that apply to 7mm Rem Mag as well? Or is that pushing it?

[6mmintl]

Just picked up an older one and am loading 11mm Beaumont from 50-90 brass, I see I cannot use large diameter forster or micrometer head dies for seating which is sort of a bummer but so far it works well with std. dies.

Im wondering if I can mill out a larger recess for micrometer head seating dies sometime in the future?

[jimmythebrain]

I reload 30-06 with a Foster Co-Ax press. Plenty of clearance for the rifle case. Very tall dies, like micrometer seater units, may have clearance issues with the press arm as it swings over the top of the press.

I have used the Foster bench rest dies in my press in 223 without any issues.

The Co-Ax gives very consistent seating depth even with standard RCBS, Hornady, Lee, Redding and Lyman dies I have used. You do not have to use Foster dies.

[ShadowX]

I got the B3 model for $219 from Cabelas when they had it for sale (with free shipping). If you wait long enough, the deals come along again. I think the newer version is better with the greater height. You can use it with the hornady bullet puller also.

[armyguy209]

I got the one on sale from Cabelas too. How do you know if it is a B2 ot B3?

[klewan]

I got the one on sale from Cabelas too. How do you know if it is a B2 ot B3?

I was web searching your question, post from 2005? came up about B2 versus B3. So the 3 has been out for quite a while. I'd get the 3, lot of the smaller reloading companies don't carry spare parts when something is 10 years old or older.

[gemoose23]

B2:




B3:

Says Forster and the Yoke to the handle has more clearance. This will only be an issue if you use dies like the Redding With Micrometer Stem for Standard Dies...


I read that Forster Competition dies fit on B2 fine... You can upgrade to a B3 handle through Forster at like 80 bucks. I don't have my notes any more on the B2, I even measured the difference somewhere, but I sold the B2 and re-bought a B3, (it was crazy times on eBay a year ago)

[Seaweed02]

The Box

I got the one on sale from Cabelas too. How do you know if it is a B2 ot B3?

The one in the store here in my city actually says "Model B2" on the box. So if you are getting one brand new, just check the box and it should say what model it is. Same for the ones I have seen on Ebay, Midway USA and other such internet sources. If you buy it used and the box is not available, I don't know how you would tell.

I also had them open it because the box appeared to have been opened, and then taped up again. Sure enough the box was missing the two die lock rings and both primer assemblies/arms. So the price is $249 for the model B2. But after paying taxes, buying the large and small primer assemblies/arms, and the die lock rings, I would probably be looking at the same price as buying a brand new model B3 plus shipping on the internet.

[klewan]

Buy a B3...

[ShadowX]

The price gouging days are over. The demand is not as high as 6 months ago, so the prices will drop. I wouldn't pay $250 for an older model press thats probably used and missing parts.

Forester makes these presses in batches so it will be in stock everywhere when its available again, then it will go out of stock for a few months. If you already have a press and don't need this right away, just wait for when the deals are back. I only use this press for specific cartridges. Most of my work is done on a good old Lee press.

[ShadowX]

On second thought... BUY IT NOW. BUY IT NOW!... and then SELL IT NOW.. SELL IT NOW!!


What a bunch of suckers... Bid up to $559 now..

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bonanza-Forster-Co-ax-Reloading-Press-/190987508947

[Seaweed02]

My goodness!!!!!

On second thought... BUY IT NOW. BUY IT NOW!... and then SELL IT NOW.. SELL IT NOW!!


What a bunch of suckers... Bid up to $559 now..

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bonanza-Fors...-/190987508947

I can't understand why someone would pay that much for it when I found much cheaper ones that are brand new in the box. And that one is clearly marked as a model B1 also, so it is one of the older models.

[ShadowX]

Make sure if you do buy it that it has a box. Sometimes, the older boxes are worth more than the press inside it. I recall people paid up to $2000 for original Apple computer boxes for their apple machine. The payoff was good since a machine with a box was worth $3000 more.