Forster Co-ax Press...............

[Mark204]

I'm kicking around the idea of buying a Forster Co-Ax, I've read a ton of reviews....probably 98% stating its a top notch press. I was hoping to get some feedback from owners here. What are the pro's and what are the cons? I like the idea of a floating shell holder and die, but does it really make a difference down range vs. a "O" press?

Also, what else would I need to purchase to load .204 through 35 Rem?


As always thanks for your input.

Mark

 

[brantfredrickson]

I love sliding the dies in and out. I forget how great it is until I use my O ring style press. Even with the breach lock adapters, it is not as nice. The high value low cost press Lee press did the job but not as well as the Co-ax. And once your spend the money, its water over the dam.

 

[Rem06]

I been using one for a long time! I LOVE IT! I will be using it forever. no way I will ever sell it.

 

[mikehotel]

yep, what they said

 

[GrocMax]

The only operation it ain't very good at is bullet pulling with a screw to tighten collet style bullet puller, handle interferes, cam lock you're OK.

 

[Shynloco]

Mark 204,
I don't own or use a Forster Co-AX press, but like you, have heard they are very very good presses. But like what other press manufacturers push as a grand feature, is the idea of a "floating" shell holder. What many are unaware of, is that you can take just about any single stage press, remove the cotter lock pin that holds the shell holder in place, and replace the cotter pin with a rubber gourmet "O" ring that can be bought in varying sizes at you local hardware store in the toilet repair section. With the "O" ring, it holds the shell holder in place, while allowing it to "float" or slightly move and act as a self centering device. I say that not to knock or speak badly of the Forster Co-Ax. But only to advise others using a single stage press that they can very CHEAPLY covert their press to add a "floating" shell holder feature to their present press. That "floating"feature alone produces better concentricity in the casings they resize. Personally, I used two Harrell presses and a Redding Big Boss that I've put "O" rings on the shell holders and all three produce excellent concentricity/runout when the die is true as well. Eve the best of presses can't help runout when the die used is bad.

Good luck and have fun with that new Forester if you decide to buy. I don't believe you can go wrong if you buy one. Others have proven they are a good press.

Alex

 

[jepp2]

What are the pro's and what are the cons?

Pro's: everything listed above, + no primer "dirt" on your press or primers on the floor when depriming. The hole below the case, tube and jar to catch the spent primer in is first class.

Con's: Changing the jaws you have to be careful to have the spring in the proper position, it can be lost. There is a stronger aftermarket jaw holder that eliminates this issue if you need it. I found the long handle kind of in the way, so I went with the shorter handle.

I don't resize on mine, I do that in a Redding Big Boss press. Only reason why is I like the way I have my dies set up with the O-ring, and the power of the Big Boss. But I also don't prime on the Forster either.

My suggestion would be find a good price on a new one, take care of it, and you will be able to sell it for more than you paid for it, when you are finished needing it.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

The Coax is an excellent press. I really like how fast it is for swapping dies and how slick the S-jaws work. I have the short handle on my Coax and would recommend that to anyone. Also make sure you buy a bunch of forster rings to put on all your threaded dies. You can use dies with other lock rings, but larger Forster rings definitely fit the the press better.

I really like my T7 too which is a little more convenient if I don't have to swap turrets. Seems to make ammo every bit as accurate as any of my other presses, standard, turret, coax, or arbor. I'm finding myself leaning to the T7 a little more these days just because I can have 3 sets of dies set up in each turret and leave them in there. The 7th turret hole is nice because I can set it up with either a decapping die or powder charge die with a measure on top. The T7 auto priming arm attachment is much faster and convenient than the Coax as well.

 

[hoz53]

I'm kicking around the idea of buying a Forster Co-Ax, I've read a ton of reviews....probably 98% stating its a top notch press. I was hoping to get some feedback from owners here. What are the pro's and what are the cons? I like the idea of a floating shell holder and die, but does it really make a difference down range vs. a "O" press?

Also, what else would I need to purchase to load .204 through 35 Rem?


As always thanks for your input.

Mark

pros: I like the quick change of dies. I dont want to go back to screw in style. i like the spent primer system to.

cons: to go from 308 base to 223 you have to change the shell holder jaws and it takes a few minutes. also easy to lose the springs in the shell plate.
some people like to use die shim washers to adjust their seating die and the coax really doesnt work for that.

 

[hoz53]

The Coax is an excellent press. I really like how fast it is for swapping dies and how slick the S-jaws work. I have the short handle on my Coax and would recommend that to anyone. Also make sure you buy a bunch of forster rings to put on all your threaded dies. You can use dies with other lock rings, but larger Forster rings definitely fit the the press better.

I really like my T7 too which is a little more convenient if I don't have to swap turrets. Seems to make ammo every bit as accurate as any of my other presses, standard, turret, coax, or arbor. I'm finding myself leaning to the T7 a little more these days just because I can have 3 sets of dies set up in each turret and leave them in there. The 7th turret hole is nice because I can set it up with either a decapping die or powder charge die with a measure on top. The T7 auto priming arm attachment is much faster and convenient than the Coax as well.

i never liked turrets but i have been trying to warm to a T7. For me i just cant see why i should spend rhe money on one. The difference between turning the turret to a different die and swapping a die in my coax(s) is only a few seconds. That is not enough to make a T7 worth it to me but mabie there is something else im not aware of that would.

 

[savagedasher]

pros: I like the quick change of dies. I dont want to go back to screw in style. i like the spent primer system to.

cons: to go from 308 base to 223 you have to change the shell holder jaws and it takes a few minutes. also easy to lose the springs in the shell plate.
some people like to use die shim washers to adjust their seating die and the coax really doesnt work for that.

I just loaded some hunting loads
222 223 and 308 I didn't change nothing
with shell holder .All the shell holder does when I load is remove the case after sizeing with good lube it never has been a problem.
I don't use a handle when loading. Larry

 

[Ledd Slinger]

i never liked turrets but i have been trying to warm to a T7. For me i just cant see why i should spend rhe money on one. The difference between turning the turret to a different die and swapping a die in my coax(s) is only a few seconds. That is not enough to make a T7 worth it to me but mabie there is something else im not aware of that would.

Yeah I owned my T7 for a year and a half, maybe two years, before I finally started using it this year. Even had it bolted on the bench ready to go between my RCBS RC and Coax the whole time. Finally set some dies up on it a couple months ago and to tell you the truth, I really like it. Its definitely faster than the Coax. The auto primer arm attachment is also much better than the PIA system the Coax uses. The T7 makes priming very fast and easy after sizing. I hate hand primers. Havent used them in years. The T7 priming arm is right there ready to rock with 90+ primers in the feeder tube. Just pull the spring loaded handle back to received a primer and push it forward under the shell holder and prime the case. Piece of cake.

I like the spent primer dispenser on the T7 better too. It's just a flexible clear rubber tube with a plug on the end. When it gets full, just put a trash can under it and pop the plug. Or pop the tube off the press and turn it upside down in the garbage. Cleaned and done. The Coax can start sticking primers in the skinny metal tube it uses if you dont clean it every once in a while. Never understood why they made that tube so dang skinny?...

I never put the dies back in their boxes once they are on the turret. They just stay in the turret ready to go all the time. For hunting season, I am keeping 3 sets of hunting rifle dies on one turret ready to go all season. When hunting season is over, I plan on setting up another 2 turrets with various varmint rifles and powder measure on top of charging dies in the 7th holes that I will use in preparation for for spring gophers and prairie dogs. I also have the Redding Turret stacker tower to keep everything organized. Of course I always have my RCBS and Coax if I need to do some quick work with other rifles not set up on the turrets. Then some rifles use custom chambered Wilson seaters on the 21st Gen II arbor so I'll always have a need for an arbor. I'm going to keep using the T7 for a while and streamline my process using it as best I can. I still love my Coax, but Im finding that the T7 is more convenient for me.

So the only REAL advantage I see with my coax is the quick die change for dies I don't put in T7 turrets.

 

[6xcshooter]

I've had 1 since they were Bonanza Press been 35 years or so works great never a problem. I have 2 now ,the bonanza and forster. Set them up side by side 1 for large case and 1 for small cases. If you want to, you can get the shell holder adapter so you don't need to change the jaws. After 35 years the Bonanza works perfect. Wouldn't have anything else myself. Had thousands of rounds through them. get one and be happy forever.

 

[RW]

I also have had one for 35 years or so and is also a bonanza and I didn't even know what it was all about when I got as I got it used with a bunch of other bonanza reloading products in the deal and was using a RCBS press at the time. I did have a issue with it using redding seating die with the micrometer adjustment on the seater die but it was just close in the yoke area. Other than that I have loaded a lot of cases with and love it! Ron

 

[ireload2]

For the cost of a Co-Ax you can buy a much more useful and rugged press by buying a used but excellent condition RCBS A2 press or if you are lucky an A4. Both of these presses will easily perform forming and swaging operations that would wreck the Co-Ax. Even the Lee Classic Cast will handle heavier tasks such as .50 BMG.
The Co-Ax is a light weight design that is differentiated by mostly by marginal value gimmicks. It is ok for a simple reloader to FL size and seat bullets but if you want to do heavy duty case forming, case head swaging or bullet swaging it is not going to be up to that heavy duty use. Case head swaging capable splitting reloading dies would push a sizer die through the lock ring of a Co-Ax.

The so called advantages of the Co-Ax amounts to
1. Disposal of primers when many other presses dispose of primers the same way
2. A floating shell holder - Most shell holders do not fit the case head that closely so the floating factor is all in the marketer's imagination. Clarence Purdie's company Bonanza designed that maybe 40 years ago and it was for most of that time ignored by the reloading world. Ever try Wilson inline dies? If you really think floating is important just skip the shell holder and use Wilson dies.
3. Slip in dies using the lock ring. Heavy duty use would probably break the die lock rings so this is a negative in my experience. The threaded die body is much stronger. Any misalignment of the lock ring will tilt the die when the end load of sizing is applied.

 

[Bamban]

When I was helping AMU in their SDM classes at Benning, they gave us a tour of their reloading room. At that time I saw a bunch of Coaxial presses being used to seat bullets on long line ammo. They could have any press they want I would assume, but there must be some features they like about the CoAx presses.

 

[6xcshooter]

For the cost of a Co-Ax you can buy a much more useful and rugged press by buying a used but excellent condition RCBS A2 press or if you are lucky an A4. Both of these presses will easily perform forming and swaging operations that would wreck the Co-Ax. Even the Lee Classic Cast will handle heavier tasks such as .50 BMG.
The Co-Ax is a light weight design that is differentiated by mostly by marginal value gimmicks. It is ok for a simple reloader to FL size and seat bullets but if you want to do heavy duty case forming, case head swaging or bullet swaging it is not going to be up to that heavy duty use. Case head swaging capable splitting reloading dies would push a sizer die through the lock ring of a Co-Ax.

The so called advantages of the Co-Ax amounts to
1. Disposal of primers when many other presses dispose of primers the same way
2. A floating shell holder - Most shell holders do not fit the case head that closely so the floating factor is all in the marketer's imagination. Clarence Purdie's company Bonanza designed that maybe 40 years ago and it was for most of that time ignored by the reloading world. Ever try Wilson inline dies? If you really think floating is important just skip the shell holder and use Wilson dies.
3. Slip in dies using the lock ring. Heavy duty use would probably break the die lock rings so this is a negative in my experience. The threaded die body is much stronger. Any misalignment of the lock ring will tilt the die when the end load of sizing is applied.

the co-ax press was never designed to do the things you talk about. I get great bullet alignment with this press. let's face it if you want accurate and precise loaded ammo the co-ax is the way to go. If you want to swag bullets and load .50 cals get a different press. like I said I been using it for over 35 years (had rcbs press and lee presses ) I can't find anything better for the kind of reloading I do.

 

[savagedasher]

For the cost of a Co-Ax you can buy a much more useful and rugged press by buying a used but excellent condition RCBS A2 press or if you are lucky an A4. Both of these presses will easily perform forming and swaging operations that would wreck the Co-Ax. Even the Lee Classic Cast will handle heavier tasks such as .50 BMG.
The Co-Ax is a light weight design that is differentiated by mostly by marginal value gimmicks. It is ok for a simple reloader to FL size and seat bullets but if you want to do heavy duty case forming, case head swaging or bullet swaging it is not going to be up to that heavy duty use. Case head swaging capable splitting reloading dies would push a sizer die through the lock ring of a Co-Ax.

The so called advantages of the Co-Ax amounts to
1. Disposal of primers when many other presses dispose of primers the same way
2. A floating shell holder - Most shell holders do not fit the case head that closely so the floating factor is all in the mar

the co-ax press was never designed to do the things you talk about. I get great bullet alignment with this press. let's face it if you want accurate and precise loaded ammo the co-ax is the way to go. If you want to swag bullets and load .50 cals get a different press. like I said I been using it for over 35 years (had rcbs press and lee presses ) I can't find anything better for the kind of reloading I do.

keter's imagination. Clarence Purdie's company Bonanza designed that maybe 40 years ago and it was for most of that time ignored by the reloading world. Ever try Wilson inline dies? If you really think floating is important just skip the shell holder and use Wilson dies.
3. Slip in dies using the lock ring. Heavy duty use would probably break the die lock rings so this is a negative in my experience. The threaded die body is much stronger. Any misalignment of the lock ring will tilt the die when the end load of sizing is applie

When I was helping AMU in their SDM classes at Benning, they gave us a tour of their reloading room. At that time I saw a bunch of Coaxial presses being used to seat bullets on long line ammo. They could have any press they want I would assume, but there must be some features they like about the CoAx presses.

the co-ax press was never designed to do the things you talk about. I get great bullet alignment with this press. let's face it if you want accurate and precise loaded ammo the co-ax is the way to go. If you want to swag bullets and load .50 cals get a different press. like I said I been using it for over 35 years (had rcbs press and lee presses ) I can't find anything better for the kind of reloading I do.

the co-ax press was never designed to do the things you talk about. I get great bullet alignment with this press. let's face it if you want accurate and precise loaded ammo the co-ax is the way to go. If you want to swag bullets and load .50 cals get a different press. like I said I been using it for over 35 years (had rcbs press and lee presses ) I can't find anything better for the kind of reloading I do.

I load 22 Hornets and 06 and many others sure would want a A 4 for myself. I like the dead stop primer seating also. Larry

 

[msinc]

It is truly the "Colt Python" of the reloading presses.....sorry folks, but I just don't see what all the hype is about. You read all the "it's the greatest press in the world" and go buy one, get it and if you are honest about it are left saying {but only to yourself} "I'll rave on about it, but tell me one more time why I bought this thing and what is it supposed to be doing for me??????"
It's made well and Forester has excellent customer service, but so does every other press maker. The way people rave about them reminds me of a circus gimmick....just like new Python owners.....nobody wants to admit that for their time and money they got taken.

 

[savagedasher]

I will pay shipping on all The giveaways .
Larry