I was giving some thought to replacing my current single stage press with a Forster Co-Ac, should they ever become available. I was wondering though, are they really that much better than the old Rock Chucker? I really take my time loading each round, so speed is not an issue with me. I know that their leverage is far greater. Beyond that are they really worth replacing the Rock Chucker with one though. Just looking for some thoughts on this.
Forster Co-Ax Press, Is It Really That Much Better
- Thread starter Timon
- Start date
Clancy
Silver $$ Contributor
I don’t believe they are. If my press evercracked or something, I might buy one, but I’m certainly not selling for the sake of a perceived upgrade.
Now, the rage is the zero press. It is odd to me that the 2 most highly regarded presses are one where everything wiggles and one where nothing does.
If I reloaded very large cartridges or semi auto fired 308, I might appreciate the extra strength, but a 6 BR or 6.5x47 flows like water through a good die in my old chucker.
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Geronimo Jim
Gold $$ Contributor
Yes
Clancy
Silver $$ Contributor
Obviously….
The funny part to me is how droves were so quick to change sides when the Zero came out, which does the opposite.
What I like about the co-ax press is that, once the dies is adjusted, you tighten the lock ring and you're done. I use mine for full length sizing my brass for 3 different rifles.
The rock chucker is a great press. I replaced a Redding Boss because it was flexing at the top of the stroke, causing a lot of inconsistencies when sizing brass.
PopCharlie
The rock chucker is a great press. I replaced a Redding Boss because it was flexing at the top of the stroke, causing a lot of inconsistencies when sizing brass.
PopCharlie
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Jager
Gold $$ Contributor
I used my Rock Chucker for decades. Loved that press. Still love it. It sits only a few feet away from the Co-Ax. But it hardly ever gets used.
The Co-Ax is special in ways I can't really describe. Like the first time you gaze through a Nightforce Benchrest scope, or put your finger to a Jewell trigger, or slide a blade along a hard Arkansas... it just feels right.
That said, I think the press we use matters a whole lot less than a bunch of other stuff.
The Co-Ax is special in ways I can't really describe. Like the first time you gaze through a Nightforce Benchrest scope, or put your finger to a Jewell trigger, or slide a blade along a hard Arkansas... it just feels right.
That said, I think the press we use matters a whole lot less than a bunch of other stuff.
Clancy
Silver $$ Contributor
I think as long as they make good ammo, then they’re a good press. We culled a press my buddy bought new due to some alignment issues. It was one of the cheaper RCBS models, I can’t remember which??
I don’t know what it is, but my friend Joe has the best press I’ve ever used or seen. It’s some old antique Redding. It feels great and makes some incredible ammo. Just got lucky I guess.
Straightshooter1
Gold $$ Contributor
Doesn't it really depend on how you define "better"? When you say speed is not an issue, speed at what are you referring?
If one is only interested in terms of quality of the cartridge that can be produced, I don't feel there's really and difference or advantage of one over the other.
I have a Co-Ax and there's several attributes I like (like the leverage you mention) and the one I really like most is the speed for changing dies. It's not so much at getting 50, 100 or 200 cases prepped . . . it's when I'm testing or experimenting with a case or two and/or changing calibers where I'm adjusting and changing out a couple of dies in a short period of time that the Co-Ax makes it a pleasure to use rather than an ordeal. I like grabbing a die, popping it in, use it, then pull it out and pop another die in and ready to go. This is where I feel the Co-Ax is "better".
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I have a Forster and Big Boss 2. I had a RC before these and gave it to my son when he wanted to handload. I see no difference at all in accuracy or quality of my loaded ammunition. IMO, the dies are more important. I have a Redding seater that induces runout and tested it between my presses. No difference in runout between the presses. YMMV
After graduating "up" from the small Lee press to a Rock Chucker I am very pleased with mine. Only thing I had to do other than mounting it to my bench was to place some shims underneath the front of it to level it up so the cases would stand straight up and not lean a bit to the front. I think this may have been an issue with my bench not completely being level from front to back. See pic below.
Attachments
6BRA
Gold $$ Contributor
midway had these within the last 48 hours
I thought we were discussing the fairer sex.
The Co-Ax is a very nice press. Its design for control of dirty, spent primers is dead simple and elegant.
That said, I wouldn't rush out and overspend for one in the current environment. See if you can fondle a friend's before you buy one though.
The Forster collet bullet puller works fine in my Co-Ax.
6BRA
Gold $$ Contributor
mine is a hornady ....I believe it is too tall for the handle to come over...I know for sure the Redding instant indictator dial guage wont allow the press handle over it.
I have a coax and a chucker. I use the coax primarily. They make the same quality ammo but it’s just so nice to be able to instantly swap dies in the coax and it has a good feel to it while bumping with a full length sizer.
TheCZKid
Silver $$ Contributor
I got the Co-Ax at a gun show for $75 last year, so I HAD to get it!
I have been using a Hornady LNL progressive for pistol ammo or bulk loaded .223, and then got the single stage for more precision loading of rifle ammo.
So after I got the Forster I replaced the single stage with the Co-Ax, and within an hour needed to use my RCBS collet bullet puller... which has a spinning handle on top. I had a bullet too deep by mistake, and that won't work on the Forster.
So I had to then re-mount my Hornady single stage next to the Co-Ax to use it again. I like the RCBS collet system and have all the sizes I need, so I don't plan on replacing those.
I also use a Lee case trimmer on my 17 Hornet cases, with the spinning handle on top. That also will not work on the Forster, as the wishbone arms are in the way.
So, I have found restrictions for dies and certain uses in the Forster. I like having two presses to prep brass right next to each other now. I'll do some things in the Hornady, and try to do the final loads in the Co-Ax if it works.
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