Co-Ax (Frankford Arsenal / Forster) Vs RockChucker for 2021!

[Mike Lum]

After reading a year old thread here about a user asking weather to go with a RCBS RockChucker or Forster Co-Ax, was Interesting how many are saying go with the Co-Ax. Wonder, how many have watched Gavintobe's 14 press comparison and reviewed the result chart and final analysis. How many of you would change your oppinion after seeing these results over a year later?

Fourteen Reloading Presses Compared: Single-Stage Shootout

Clearly shows the Rockchucker having more consistent results than many of the other presses, in fact among the top 3.

Forster Co-Ax actually had the worst result of all 14 presses in Tip TIR, and was beaten in all 7 performance categories by RCBS aside from peak sizing force.

Personally I was looking to upgrade my Lee Challenger (one of worst on chart) to a Co-Ax setup but after checking availability up here and finding nobody with Forster in stock (Even Hirsch has none), saw Cabela's with both the Frankford Armoury Co-Ax press and the Rockchucker for $100 less even. Prazipress and Area 419 Zero press would be my obvious choices if money was no issue, sadly it's not.

Will be honest, was dead set on the Frankfort Armoury Co-Ax until I saw the mediocre test results vs the RockChucker.
I was sold on the mechanical (or should we say marketing) concept of the 2 guides adding stability and consistency to the ram's movement, same with the concept of a floating die... but after looking at these numbers it seems neither have improvement at all on final measurement over a traditional style press..

I suspect that those on the Co-Ax side are leaning that way for purely ease of use (die swaps ie).
Still going in for the RockChucker later on this week unless someone can convince me otherwise!

 

[PopCharlie]

I like the Forster co-ax press. I use it with Forster BR full length sizing dies. I set the die up per the instructions, but I polish the expander ball. I use a ball that is the same size as the bullet. ( bullet is .264, I use a .264 ball that I have polished.) I also find the "sweet spot" for the decapping assembly. I turn the decapping assembly slightly until I find the position which produces the lowest, most consistent run out on the case necks. I usually get .0005 or less TIR on sized cases.

PopCharlie

 

[Shrek]

I had a Rockchucker supreme and now own a Forster CO-AX. I couldn’t be happier with my CO-AX. I was checking some 6.5 saum rounds I had loaded last night. Checking them just short of the ogive I got .0003-.0005 on all of them. Mititoyu .0005 dial indicator. That’s under a half thousandth total runout. I don’t know how much better I could do or need. Whiddon dies and a Foster/Bonanza CO-AX. Die changes are literally a snap with the CO-AX.
Not sure where the Rockchucker is made these days but at one point they were using Chinese castings. That alone is enough for me to never buy their equipment again.

 

[Mike Lum]

...
Not sure where the Rockchucker is made these days but at one point they were using Chinese castings. That alone is enough for me to never buy their equipment again.

Frankford product is 100% China.. RCBS claims USA made. Unfortunately the fact that its made in USA is a liability at this point if you are ordering out of Country.. none of the 2 Forster distributors in the country have had any in stock since Covid no new shipments. I was lucky to get last micrometre seating die in 6.5 before they sold out of that too..

The micrometre seater only had to go from one side of the country to the other and that cost almost $30 for a $120 component the weight of a seating die.
The fees associated with package delivery order of that weight on something like a reloading press cross continent, just to have it held ransom by the federal gov. crooks for untold additional Customs/Duty fees eliminates Forster as an option I am afraid.

They Just don't have the distribution up here, and likely the best thing that can be said for them IMO is that the product is good enough you just don't find them for sale used, everyone keeps it.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

After reading a year old thread here about a user asking weather to go with a RCBS RockChucker or Forster Co-Ax, was Interesting how many are saying go with the Co-Ax. Wonder, how many have watched Gavintobe's 14 press comparison and reviewed the result chart and final analysis. How many of you would change your oppinion after seeing these results over a year later?

Fourteen Reloading Presses Compared: Single-Stage Shootout

Clearly shows the Rockchucker having more consistent results than many of the other presses, in fact among the top 3.

Forster Co-Ax actually had the worst result of all 14 presses in Tip TIR, and was beaten in all 7 performance categories by RCBS aside from peak sizing force.

Personally I was looking to upgrade my Lee Challenger (one of worst on chart) to a Co-Ax setup but after checking availability up here and finding nobody with Forster in stock (Even Hirsch has none), saw Cabela's with both the Frankford Armoury Co-Ax press and the Rockchucker for $100 less even. Prazipress and Area 419 Zero press would be my obvious choices if money was no issue, sadly it's not.

Will be honest, was dead set on the Frankfort Armoury Co-Ax until I saw the mediocre test results vs the RockChucker.
I was sold on the mechanical (or should we say marketing) concept of the 2 guides adding stability and consistency to the ram's movement, same with the concept of a floating die... but after looking at these numbers it seems neither have improvement at all on final measurement over a traditional style press..

I suspect that those on the Co-Ax side are leaning that way for purely ease of use (die swaps ie).
Still going in for the RockChucker later on this week unless someone can convince me otherwise!

I have the Coax and the Rock Chucker. I cannot argue the the test results on the RC because mine is also extremely precise and consistent year after year.

I only use the Coax for bullet seating. Honestly the only two reasons I like the Coax is because of quick die changes and the brilliant design of the S-jaws that work on just about every case I reload without having to swap them around or change out shell holders like I do with other presses.

But I would never say that the Coax is a better, more precise or more consistent press than my old Rock Chucker because it simply isn’t true.

Measuring runout is a moot point when comparing presses. Runout is a direct result of the quality of your dies and bullets, not much to do with the quality of your press. If you want to compare a measurement on presses then measure seating depths and case shoulder bump. Now granted you also have to account for shoulder bounce, especially if using cheap brass, and bullet ogive inconsistencies, but I guarantee you there isn’t a press out there that will beat the consistent stroke length that I get with my Rock Chucker. It’s not even worth measuring headspace on Lapua brass that is FL sized in my RC because it’s is so consistent that you’ll be overcome with extreme boredom seeing the same exact number pop up on the caliper every time.

 

[BigBlueandGoldie]

I'm looking for another press and I'm leaning towards a Redding T-7. Always wanted a Co-ax, but for some reason I keep reverting back to the T-7.

 

[Shrek]

I'm looking for another press and I'm leaning towards a Redding T-7. Always wanted a Co-ax, but for some reason I keep reverting back to the T-7.

Do you just want to spend a bunch of money on plates ? You can snap dies in and out of a CO-AX about a fast as you can rotate the plate on a T-7. I set my dies once for my CO-AX just like a T-7 and forget about it until I want to make a change. The little rings for the CO-AX are cheap compared to T-7 plates.

 

[jelenko]

I usually get .0005 or less TIR on sized cases.

Same here.

 

[Cap'n]

The main comparisons in Gavin's analysis that really compares the press design and how well it is built is the weight, max sizing force, and ram slop. The differences in runout and seating measurements are miniscule.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I actually prefer slop in my press rams. Helps to ensure the case aligns with the dies. That is also the whole idea behind the Coax except for it floats the dies.

I’ve heard people getting worried about slop in a RC press ram. Nothing to be worried about because it’s actually a good thing. You just don’t want slop in the vertical motion of the ram. I’ve read of benchrest shooters that will actually turn down the diameter of the RC ram in a lathe to create play in the Ram for good die alignment.

On the T7, I have that press as well. It’s a really good press but there is vertical deflection when FL sizing cases because the turret plate flexes. It’s still pretty consistent, just not quite as precise and consistent as my Rock Chucker. I use the T7 for my varmint rifles. With 7 holes in the turrets I usually outfit them with 2 or 3 sets of dies and a bullet puller or neck expander die for turning. I really like the T7 because there are so many options for set up with the turrets.

 

[BigBlueandGoldie]

Do you just want to spend a bunch of money on plates ? You can snap dies in and out of a CO-AX about a fast as you can rotate the plate on a T-7. I set my dies once for my CO-AX just like a T-7 and forget about it until I want to make a change. The little rings for the CO-AX are cheap compared to T-7 plates.

It's a $40 difference as I'd have to buy all new die rings to work with the Co-Ax. I can also put 3 sets of dies on one plate. I only use maybe 6 sets of dies consistently, so 1 additional turret head would cover me. That's really not the issue; my concern has more to do with the ergonomics and my workflow when reloading. I just don't know how much I would like the overhead throw of the handle, the front loading, and the shell holding system that is different than what I'm accustom to. I load on an old Boss press and it seems to work well for me, but I get tired of screwing dies in and out. I really like the Co-Ax, so it's not a brand loyalty thing (Forster and Redding are among my favorite manufacturers).

 

[Gun Smith]

I had a Forster Co-Ax. I found having to reach up high to pull the handle down
was awkward for me, so I wasn't crazy about it. Just my opinion based on my experience with it.

 

[Mike Lum]

I have the Coax and the Rock Chucker. I cannot argue the the test results on the RC because mine is also extremely precise and consistent year after year...

Thanks all for the detailed replies.
Have you experimented with putting an o-ring under the die nut or lock ring as some others here mention? If so did you keep it there or bin it?

 

[BigBlueandGoldie]

The ever so often referenced Ultimate Reloader test shows that just about any press these days is capable of very accurate ammo. I was more interested in the leverage exerted, capacities, ergonomics, etc., which is what is driving my decision on a new press.

 

[Mike Lum]

The ever so often referenced Ultimate Reloader test shows that just about any press these days is capable of very accurate ammo. I was more interested in the leverage exerted, capacities, ergonomics, etc., which is what is driving my decision on a new press.

That's very interesting. I suppose everyone looks for something different for personal preference.
I only reload small batches, but accuracy and consistency is my number one consideration. If I wanted to reload large batches for practice and training 9MM/45 I would have went the Dylan route, some of the reloading channels like John and Eric's even have them set up with a type of autodrive system you don't have to use any leverage at all.

I've made enough mistakes in my manual reloading process, automating it would just make more mistakes faster.

I wouldn't draw the same conclusion from that chart as you came to, as some presses were clearly superior in terms of consistent measurement results. Its hard to believe that a $50 Lee will give the same results as a $900 CNC unit, and indeed the chart did show the differences.


Anyone that has crushed/deformed a 6.5 Nosler Balistic tip using a Lee seating die and found that they only make one generic seating stem will understand you generally get what you pay for.

 

[BigBlueandGoldie]

That's very interesting. I suppose everyone looks for something different for personal preference.
I only reload small batches, but accuracy and consistency is my number one consideration. If I wanted to reload large batches for practice and training 9MM/45 I would have went the Dylan route, some of the reloading channels like John and Eric's even have them set up with a type of autodrive system you don't have to use any leverage at all.

I've made enough mistakes in my manual reloading process, automating it would just make more mistakes faster.

I wouldn't draw the same conclusion from that chart as you came to, as some presses were clearly superior in terms of consistent measurement results. Its hard to believe that a $50 Lee will give the same results as a $900 CNC unit, and indeed the chart did show the differences.


Anyone that has crushed/deformed a 6.5 Nosler Balistic tip using a Lee seating die and found that they only make one generic seating stem will understand you generally get what you pay for.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a believer in you typically get what you pay for, but I probably can't shoot the difference in any of the presses. I think quality dies is more important than the press itself. I do have a Dillon 550 for pistol ammo, but I just don't see how it would be any faster for me for loading precision rifle ammo. I think in order to speed up my work flow my money would be best spent on an electronic scale and autotrickler.

 

[skeeljc]

Don't overlook the MEC Marksman. Very solid and well made (USA too). I own a RCBS Rock Chucker, a RCBS Summit and a MEC Marksman. The MEC Marksman is my go-to press for sizing. I use the Redding shell holders to adjust shoulder bump.

 

[PopCharlie]

It's a $40 difference as I'd have to buy all new die rings to work with the Co-Ax. I can also put 3 sets of dies on one plate. I only use maybe 6 sets of dies consistently, so 1 additional turret head would cover me. That's really not the issue; my concern has more to do with the ergonomics and my workflow when reloading. I just don't know how much I would like the overhead throw of the handle, the front loading, and the shell holding system that is different than what I'm accustom to. I load on an old Boss press and it seems to work well for me, but I get tired of screwing dies in and out. I really like the Co-Ax, so it's not a brand loyalty thing (Forster and Redding are among my favorite manufacturers).

I used a Redding Boss press for about 25 years. The ram developed a bad wobble at the top of the stroke. Enough that I could see it move and shake it with my hand. I could not get consistent anything on that press. That's why I switched to the co-ax. I still use the Boss for decapping at my annealing bench.

PopCharlie

 

[BigBlueandGoldie]

I used a Redding Boss press for about 25 years. The ram developed a bad wobble at the top of the stroke. Enough that I could see it move and shake it with my hand. I could not get consistent anything on that press. That's why I switched to the co-ax. I still use the Boss for decapping at my annealing bench.

PopCharlie

Mine is still in good shape, but I would like to do as you have done and dedicate for decapping. I'd also use it for less frequently loaded ammo that doesn't justify keeping the dies setup on a T-7 turret head. The short stroke is nice and quick, but you begin to feel it struggle sizing brass for larger rounds.

 

[detrio]

I have used an old Rock Chucker II for 15 years and it has served me well loading precise varmint hunting rifle ammo. I saw Frankford Arsenal's online deal https://www.frankfordarsenal.com/sale/ and decided that I would give the Frankford Arsenal Co-Ax press and their digital scale a try. I got the deal plus another 10% off. If I don't like the FA Co-Ax press and their digital scale I can easily sell them and recoup my money. I watched Gavintobe's 14 press comparison and reviewed the result charts and his final analysis. It was interesting data but I would use it as a guide. There's always a chance of errors when measuring in the thousands. Professional shooting champion Erik Cortina uses a Forster Co-Ax press which is one of the reasons I got interested in a Co-Ax press. The Forster Co-Ax press was my first choice because of its reputation and durability but the press is pricey and always on backorder. I do think the FA Co-Ax press has lots of cool features and it's worth paying their online deal price to try it out.