Rock Chucker vs Forster Co-Ax press

[Oklahoma Jim]

Other than the ease of changing dies and shell holders, what are the advantages of the Forster over the RCBS?

 

[Straightshooter1]

Other than the ease of changing dies and shell holders, what are the advantages of the Forster over the RCBS?

It's not unusual for presses that use various shell holders, there can be issues in getting the die set up for a shoulder bump one is after. I've never had that kind of issue with the Co-Ax. IMHO, the Rock Chucker is a good press. But over all, I rate the Co-Ax higher.

If you haven't see this review yet, take a gander and check out the data that goes along with the video:

 

[drop_point]

Other than the ease of changing dies and shell holders, what are the advantages of the Forster over the RCBS?

Dies matter more than presses. I much prefer an RC on a stand to the action of the Co-Ax.

 

[Cecil S.]

I have grown to 3 single stage presses. 2 RCBS and a Co-Ax. Each has a purpose but the Co-Ax is my finisher.

 

[JSH]

For heavy work the RC sees the work.
FYI some dies may not fit in the coax.
I have both on the bench.

 

[Bat Rastard]

My RC is my decapper and muscle for forming.
My CoAx is where I load.
Theoretically, the floating die on the CoAx should load straighter ammo. I can't quantify that with data, but I feel like I am trying.

 

[3Ackleys]

I have both plus a progressive and a K&M arbor. I use the CO/AX more than the others.

 

[60723]

I have both. I size everything on the RCBS. Have seated with both as well as an arbor press. Runout same with all 3.

 

[LHSmith]

With the Coax -how does one tweak the die to get PRECISE shoulder bump? I use die shims on the RC's and Redding presses to get consistent, repeatable sized brass to 0.001" measurements. For competition a Coax would not work for me as I find the trial and error method of constantly turning the die adjustment nut unreliable to zero in on the desired number.

 

[shoot4fun]

For the most part my CO-Ax does it all. I do have a RC Supreme and a Redding UtraMag press as well.
The RC I currently have set up for a sizing die that I use for only one cartridge. The Redding UtraMag has tremendous leverage and is my go-to for things like 200 Win Mag, 300 NM and 338LM. I also use it for bullet pointing, as the open front design makes the task easier with my big hands.

 

[Chris Edmondson]

I added a few parts to my Redding 6.5 Creedmoor body die that helps with converging to the shoulder bump faster than trial and error. The die is inside threaded metric M14-1.5, the added parts are an M14-1.5 bolt, M14-1.5 nut, and a 1/2" ID fender washer.

The assembly looks like this:


The fender washer lines up OD-wise with the lock ring, more or less, lending a suitable place for caliper jaws, looks like this:


Rotate the lock ring until target is reached:


Like many things in the reloading world, it's not perfect, but I find it helpful, and it's cheap .

 

[Cecil S.]

I added a few parts to my Redding 6.5 Creedmoor body die that helps with converging to the shoulder bump faster than trial and error. The die is inside threaded metric M14-1.5, the added parts are an M14-1.5 bolt, M14-1.5 nut, and a 1/2" ID fender washer.

The assembly looks like this:
View attachment 1507609

The fender washer lines up OD-wise with the lock ring, more or less, lending a suitable place for caliper jaws, looks like this:
View attachment 1507610

Rotate the lock ring until target is reached:
View attachment 1507612

Like many things in the reloading world, it's not perfect, but I find it helpful, and it's cheap .

NICE!

 

[GWY]

Buy a calibrated die ring from Forster for $15.

Accu-Ring Die Lock Ring – Forster Products

Accu-Ring Die Lock Ring $ 14.50 Original price was: $14.50. $ 10.88 Current price is: $10.88. Accu-Ring Die Lock Ring quantity Add to cart SKU

www.forsterproducts.com

 

[DShortt]

I like the Hornady die lock rings. Takes some tweaking to get it set but once you do, there it is.

 

[Oklahoma Jim]

It's not unusual for presses that use various shell holders, there can be issues in getting the die set up for a shoulder bump one is after. I've never had that kind of issue with the Co-Ax. IMHO, the Rock Chucker is a good press. But over all, I rate the Co-Ax higher.

If you haven't see this review yet, take a gander and check out the data that goes along with the video:

Thanks for the video link! It had a lot of interesting information.

 

[TheCZKid]

On my loading table I have a Forster Co-Ax, and a Hornady LNL single stage, and the Hornady LNL progressive press for pistol and maybe plinking 223 loading. The Forster is what I use for most of my precision work, like final sizing of cases, loading, and bullet seating work. But for heavier cases, like 30-06, I use the single stage Hornady, which is very similar to the Rock Chucker. The Co-Ax is easy to use, because the cartridge jaws center the cases in the press easily, so that's faster on most of my loading compared to the shell holders. However, the cut-out area up top for the dies in the Co-Ax is sometimes not large enough in diameter to fit every die, like some K&M mandrel housings, with the top knurling, they just won't fit. And if I use my RCBS collet bullet puller it spins, I can't clamp on the bullets because it just spins the whole die, where the die is locked in place in my single press.

 

[danny]

I have and use the Co-Ax. I also have a Lee Classic Cast and would choose that over a Rock Chucker.

Danny

 

[chromatica]

I get very good results from my CoAx (actually its the precursor Bonanza). Part of my workflow employs Sinclair Stainless Steel die rings together with a Wilson full length bushing die. The Sinclair die ring is an interference fit for the CoAx. The steel composition allows less flex than the Forster aluminum die rings. Once I adjust the shoulder setback, I lock the ring and forget it. I routinely get runout < .001.

 

[Tesoro]

Co-Ax Bonanza + hornady rings, old sinclair arbor + wilson seater dies and Harrels c-press for everything else. 21C decapper. K&M for necks plus all the other gadgets. I dont load for big cartridges, if I did > 1970-80's rock chucker to fill in the blank.

 

[Shinbone]

I started reloading using my Dad's Rockchucker, but when it came time to buy my own set-up, I went with two Forster Co-Ax's and a MEC Marksman. I load in small batches and am very happy with both types of presses, with the Co-Ax's getting the bulk of the work because it is so quick and easy to change dies. The S-jaws do away with needing a bunch of shell holders, which is another convenience. I prime with a hand primer and seat with an arbor press, so the Co-Ax's are primarily used for sizing, for which they work very well. I mostly use the SAC Solo-Loc rings on the Co-Ax's.

The Prazipress is a beautiful machine and is intriguing, but I don't think I would see a difference on the target for such an expense and I'd hate to lose the easy-change-die capability. Although, working with high quality tools can be its own reward.

Solo-Loc Ring

The Solo-Loc Ring secures your dies with precision-made durability, ensuring consistent alignment for optimal reloading performance every time.

shortactioncustoms.com