Forster Co-Ax Clear Micrometer Dies?

[Phil3]

I wish to buy the Forster Co-Ax as my first press,new to reloading), but have read some issues with the arch in the handle clearing tall dies. Will I have that problem with the micrometer type dies, from either Redding or Forster? Biggest caliber would probably be something around 308.

Thank you.

- Phil

 

[Winchester69]

Forster has provided a handle of modified design for several years that clears the micrometers. If you get a used press, the new handle is available for retrofit. I've heard that the replacement part is in the $70 dollar range.

 

[Steve Blair]

Mine clears Redding Competition dies in .30-'06 with room to spare.

 

[Travelor]

Mine clears all my Redding competition dies, BUT it will not clear the Hornady New Dimension dies with the retro fit micrometer seater stems.

 

[Rodbolt]

Get a new press and it will clear the micrometer tops on all caliber dies. The Co-Ax is a great press, wish I would have bought one decades ago. If your shooting club has an account,discounted) with Graf & Sons they have the best price I've found on the Co-Ax.

 

[morpheus]

Works great with .308. Mine also clears my .338 Lapua Magnum Redding competition seater die. I did have to screw down the internal adjustment,with an allen key though the hole in the top of the dial on the die) but it works just fine. I was a bit surprised. If it works with .338 LM, I think that leaves you a lot of room to spare.

 

[infantrytrophy]

My Co-Ax press,bought new 18 months ago) works fine with the Redding Competition seating dies,with micrometer. I use these dies in .223, .30-06 and 6mmBR calibers. There is plenty of clearance.

At least some extra-tall Hornady seating dies with the micrometer top also work. Mine is a 7.5 x 55 Swiss die - Redding does not offer a micrometer die in this caliber. The yoke just barely clears the top of the die, but it works. This die is incredibly tall. A 7.5 x 55 Swiss cartridge is similar in size to a .308.

The Forster micrometer seating dies are very similar in size to the Redding micrometer seating dies, so the Forster dies will work fine, also.

There is one conflict, however. The yoke will not clear the right-angled handle of certain types of collet bullet pullers. Forster now sells a 'universal' collet bullet puller. It works well, and the yoke clears this bullet puller with a wide margin. You tighten or loosen the collet with a wrench, not a fixed handle.

Randy Sikes

 

[Travelor]

Kinda' off topic, but not really that far.

Has anyone found a way to use a Redding Body Die to full length resize cases using their Forster Co-Ax press?

George

 

[Steve Blair]

Travelor: Do you mean using the Redding bumping die in a Co-Ax? I routinely use the third die in the competition set to push back shoulders .002.

 

[Travelor]

Yes, the body die that allows the shoulder to be set back. My die bottoms out against the shell holder assembly way berore it touches the shoulder sof the cases. Sure wish I could use in to set back my shoulders in my Co-Ax press.