Case Forming With A Forester Co-Ax Press?

[Seaweed02]

Is the Forester Co-Ax press good for forming cases? I want to go from 30.06 brass, and form it down to 8mm Mauser. Has anyone ever done that? I did a search but couldn't find any info on it. Thanks in advance.

[Fjold]

It will work fine, that's not that tough of a forming issue.

[Seaweed02]

Thanks brother

It will work fine, that's not that tough of a forming issue.

Thanks Fjold. I had a Redding Big Boss 2 press, but when I got this Forester Co-Ax Press I decided to sell the Big Boss and buy a Redding T-7 Turret Press instead. But before I could do that I spent the money on a Trim It that was offered in a group buy. So now I am waiting to buy my T-7 Press, and don't want to mess up my Co-Ax press trying to push it too hard. I went ahead and ordered an RCBS Trim and Form Die from Midway. It was only $35 so I'll try it out on the Forester when I get it. Thanks again.

[manny]

Just make sure you anneal the shoulder and neck before hand otherwise you could end up with splits. I did a video on it, Check it out here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2QunpZ9eGQ&list=UUmK9-8rOjgNmf8ybzxOy-AA

I went from .270 to 8mm, you can also go .270 to 30-06 or 7mm to 30-06 OR 8mm.

[Seaweed02]

Cool Video.

Just make sure you anneal the shoulder and neck before hand otherwise you could end up with splits. I did a video on it, Check it out here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2QunpZ9eGQ&list=UUmK9-8rOjgNmf8ybzxOy-AA

I went from .270 to 8mm, you can also go .270 to 30-06 or 7mm to 30-06 OR 8mm.

Thanks Manny, That is a cool video. Just what I want to do also, and I didn't know about annealing the brass before hand. I'll follow those steps, except that I bought a RCBS Trim and Form Die 8x57mm Mauser from 30.06. What did that little saw cost you?

[manny]

That was a harbor freight Chi-com special, got it a few years ago. I think it was around 35-40 bucks if I remember correctly.
Otherwise you can just use any brass trimmer, takes a bit longer than using the chop saw though.

[OverUnderClays]

Thanks Manny, That is a cool video. Just what I want to do also, and I didn't know about annealing the brass before hand. I'll follow those steps, except that I bought a RCBS Trim and Form Die 8x57mm Mauser from 30.06. What did that little saw cost you?

You should anneal the brass prior to forming. That way the brass won't be work hardened, thus the brass having a shorter service life.

I would have used an O-shaped press, but the Forster should do fine.

[Dark Mod]

The Co-Ax generates a LOT of leverage, more than you would think from just looking at it, you should be just fine.

[Seaweed02]

OK

Thanks everyone. It is good to know that I can do this reforming with the Co-Ax press. And thanks for the tips and steps involved. I had bought what I thought were once fired 30-06 brass cases that had been picked up from some firing range. They were shipped to me in a flat rate box and I just put it up on the shelf in my garage. Today I opened the box and discovered that they are all either brand new Norma 30-06 cases, or once fired Norma cases that had been completely processed. I don't know if I want to make 8mm Mauser rounds out of those cases. What do you guys think?

[manny]

You may want to see if you can have someone make a longer handle for better leverage. I made one for my RCII and it greatly helps with swaging, forming ect.

If the cases are Norma I wouldn't do it, but thats me. You can find .30-06 or 270 brass for a fair price to turn into 8mm. Check out the classifieds for a couple of different gun boards, you'll find what you need.

If your loading for one rifle your cases will be fireformed, then they'll probably last a while, i'd say at least 10 times if you just neck size with a mild charge.

[Seaweed02]

Can you explain?

You may want to see if you can have someone make a longer handle for better leverage. I made one for my RCII and it greatly helps with swaging, forming ect.

If the cases are Norma I wouldn't do it, but thats me. You can find .30-06 or 270 brass for a fair price to turn into 8mm. Check out the classifieds for a couple of different gun boards, you'll find what you need.

If your loading for one rifle your cases will be fireformed, then they'll probably last a while, i'd say at least 10 times if you just neck size with a mild charge.

Manny, can you tell me why you wouldn't use the Norma? is it too thick? Or is there some other reason why it would not be good for forming into 8mm Mauser?

[ar15barrels]

Is the Forester Co-Ax press good for forming cases?

Yes.
It's a very strong press.

[Gasman]

when I got this Forester Co-Ax Press I decided to sell the Big Boss and buy a Redding T-7 Turret Press instead.

Why would you get a T-7 when you have a Co-Ax (and I have/had both)?