Forster Co-Ax Press, Is It Really That Much Better

[SeabeeKen]

Yes, co-ax is a joy to use. Certain things wont work in a co-ax. Bullet puller/Instant indicators. Have a rockchucker on stand bye. Coax floats die and shellhoder plate floats...you will love it.

Forster makes an excellent collet puller that works perfectly in the coax

Bullet Pullers – Forster Products

Select the model based on handloading press. BP1010,UP1010

www.forsterproducts.com

 

[Straightshooter1]

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.

Yeah, there are certain die restrictions . . . but that can be said for any press, huh???

The Hornady Cam Lock Bullet Puller works very well in my Co-Ax and I use it pretty often as I can remove bullets quickly with no real damage to the bullets (just got to set it up just right so no damage is done):

 

[skeeljc]

You should really take a hard look at the MEC Marksman.

 

[Timon]

Thanks so much guys. It seems like the Forster is a really nice press, likely with some real advantages. I think that if I can find one at a good price, that I will pick one up. The prices seem so inflated right now however. So, I guess I’ll keep my eye on them. Thank you so much everyone for your valuable information.

 

[Rick300]

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.

I'm afraid of breaking the jaws with a collet bullet puller so if I seat a bullet too deep then a few taps with an inertia puller does the trick and then re-seat to desired length.

 

[shoot4fun]

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.

Better than RCBS Rock Chucker in a lot of ways but you will still have certain things that just work better on the RC. I have two CO-Ax, a Hornady L&L single-stage and at Rock Chucker. I've verified much closer to zero runout with the Co-Ax (mostly under .001) over any of my other presses and I really appreciate the versatility of the CO-Ax shell plate jaws. In the beginning I worried about the floating dies and jaws v. locked in shell holder but the worry was unfounded.
My original CO-Ax is mounted on a Inline mount. The LNL press was bolted to the bench. When I picked up the second CO-Ax I mounted it with the Inline mount with changeable plates so I can go back and forth easily with the RCBS.

 

[bsekf]

Which one costs the most, it has to be the best. Don't have or seen one, but I hear the Lee Cast Iron press is pretty good. But if I was starting over, I would look long and hard at the Co-Ax.

 

[Liven The Dream]

Well never had a Foster Co-ax . I know they have limits and a Ton of Fans.
I started with a Rock Chucker 35-40 years ago .
Never had a problem and Shot NRA Service Rifle .
Loaded 2000 to 2500 rounds a year .
Had a few other Press During those years so as not to keep changing Dies .
Fast Forward: MEC Marksman and Redding Big Boss 2 .
I did a little Polish and Fit to the Redding.
I have no limits with these Press.
I shot F/ Open these days , quality Ammo is very important.
I can turn out rounds that amazes me .
What are you loading for may impact the equipment you need ?

 

[jobhopper66]

You should really take a hard look at the MEC Marksman.

I really think the Mec Marksman is one of the most overlooked presses on the market. These presses are smooth as glass and built like a tank.

 

[skeeljc]

I own a RCBS Rockchucker, RCBS Reloader Special, RCBS Summit and a MEC Marksman. The MEC Marksman is my go-to press for sizing. I use the RCBS Summit for de-priming. The other two sit in the cabinet and gather dust. I seat bullets with a 21st Century arbor press.

 

[cem]

My own take on the meaning of "that much better" is to say no. I do say a little better. Rock Chucker has been through a number of generations - mine was a first generation with a padded aluminum primer catcher and a vast improvement on the Lyman 310 I started with but was sold when I needed the money and was not in a position to shoot or handload - and the CoAx has changed some since the days it was brown. Mine is a second generation for a little extra allowance for extra length with micrometer dies that stick up a good ways. Current production has even more room under the handle at the top of its stroke. Today's CoAx is at least third generation. Elmer Keith once wrote - at least once but he did tend to repeat himself as he held firm opinions - that the Hollywood Universal Turret was the best and for 1-1/2 die threads it may be. Mine is mostly decoration until domed primers come back. It's a cliche to answer questions with a question but I'd ask what the Rockchucker won't do for you that a CoAx might? In my case I can answer make me smile.

 

[209jones]

Had a Rockchucker for the last 40 yrs, like it a lot, primer disposal is its only main fault, now, they have the Rebel to take care of that. Had a Co-Ax for about 9 yrs now, there was one thing I knew it wouldn't do going in, when I bought it, hazards of universal jaws, always a limitaion on anything "universal". That cartridge wouldn't work with their shellholder adaptor either. I was surprised, even though I likely shouldn't have been, that rim thickness can be an issue, doesn't matter if u use new or old style jaws.. Was thinking of adding the curved linkages, they make sense, but, aren't really necessary. I think that the die mount setup is still far superior to an FA, so are the jaws, and the QC. No beefs with it really.
That said, I just picked up a MEC Marksman to try out, liked the floating shellholder, primer disposal to start with, and I thought MEC had enough experience at building a press to make sure it was a good one. And I am not at all disappointed with it, they did it right, it is really smooth to operate. I doubt if anyone would at all be disappointed with one. Certainly smoother than the old Rockchucker is.
If you have the patience to wait for a Co-Ax though, go for it, you'll be happy.

 

[NV_Dmax]

My Neil Jones dies don’t work in the Forster coax

 

[jimmymac]

Will a PMA die adjuster or Whidden click adjust lock ring work in a Coax?

 

[wkdickinson]

I'm afraid of breaking the jaws with a collet bullet puller so if I seat a bullet too deep then a few taps with an inertia puller does the trick and then re-seat to desired length.

I have a Lyman Turret press on my bench that I keep all of those specialty dies/tools (bullet puller, decapping die, mandrel neck sizer, etc.) mounted in, so my COAX is only used for sizing and seating.

 

[lotech]

There are a couple of things you can't do with a Co-Ax or that you can do better with another single-stage press, but for 98% of handloading, they work very well. I've used one for about forty years for rifle cartridges, but still have my '60s Texan Turret for handgun cartridges, though the Co-Ax should work fine for these. I haven't formed brass in a long time, since before I got a Co-Ax, so can't comment on how well a Co-Ax works for this chore, but it should be OK.

I always keep an RCBS Big Max or Redding Ultra Mag mounted on my bench for chores like using a primer pocket swager or file-type trim dies.

 

[Shinbone]

There are lots of good presses that will produce great ammo. When set up properly with good dies, these other presses do just as well as the Co-Ax for making straight cartridges.

IMHO, the best benefit of the Co-Ax is the built-in ability to quickly change dies. Once a die is set up, changing it takes just a second or two. Quick die changes are a major convenience, especially if you have just one press. The universal shell holder is also another convenience.

And, I have never had a problem using a collet style bullet puller with my Co-Ax, which has the modern taller yoke.

JMHO

 

[sparky123321]

I currently have a Hornady AP, Lee Classic Cast, Forster Co-Ax and an arbor press with Wilson dies sitting on my reloading table.

I have always to considered the Arbor Press and Wilson hand dies as the Gold Standard for my long-range precision BR or Varmint ammo. I will say though that there are times that the Forster Co-Ax with quality sizing and seating dies has produced similar, and a few times even better, neck concentricity and less bullet runout than the Wilson hand dies. These were measured results using a Sinclair Concentricity/Runout gauge I referring to.

BTW I only use the Hornady AP for my bulk handgun and AR ammo. Ammo for my Stag Model 6 AR is loaded with the hand dies or the Co-Ax. The Lee Classic Cast is really only used for forming cases, neck sizing up or down, pulling bullets and sometimes decapping.

Long story short, I absolutely do not regret spending the additional $$$ on my Forster Co-Ax press and I've owned well over a dozen different presses over the decades.

 

[Beiruty]

I have been using Hornady Single Stage Press with no complaint. It has quick bushing change. So, it is as fast as changing the dies on the coax. I am not sure if it would make of less of concentric ammo than any other press.
I do rotate the the case while seating the bullet and I use dry graphite lube too.

 

[Clancy]

Nothing against Forster at all. I love their dies and the press seems nice…..

But, exactly how long is it taking you guys to change dies in a threaded press? If that’s the big selling point, I’ve got 2 seconds to unscrew a die lol.