Forster Co-Ax Press

[danny]

Not sure what some folks are talking about with changing shell holders on the Coax unless they are using the shell holder adapter and not the S jaws???

I have the standard shell holder adapter, but I've never had a reason to use it.

My S jaws have remained untouched since i bought the press years ago and they work on everything from my 20 Ackley Hornet on up to cases with .532" Magnum rims and everything between (PPC rims, .473" rims, .378" rims, etc...)

As an example, Hornet cases us the LS Jaws, small opening, .223 cases use the S Jaws, small end, .30-06 uses the S Jaws, large end. That's what we are talking about with changing Shell Holder Jaws. The Forster site has information on which jaw set and the correct end of the jaw that fits a case.

Danny

 

[Richard Coody]

As an example, Hornet cases us the LS Jaws, small opening, .223 cases use the S Jaws, small end, .30-06 uses the S Jaws, large end. That's what we are talking about with changing Shell Holder Jaws. The Forster site has information on which jaw set and the correct end of the jaw that fits a case.

Danny

Need to study those jaws. Make sure they are oriented with the right.surface up. Make sure the base plate is oriented correctly. Make sure those springs don't go flying. Simple once you figure it out but study the orientation carefully the first time you disasemble it. This is the voice of experience.

I really like mine and i own a 40+ year old rockchucker, a little partner, a harrell combo and a 21st century hydro press. That co-ax loads rounds as concentric as any i can produce with any other equipment.

 

[Hasbeen1945]

I used a Jr or Rockchucker for over 45 years. I bought a CO-AX last year. I like that the primer residue ends up contained in a jar. The priming feature seems to be dead on also. There is several utube videos on the press you might find helpful.

 

[Matt in Virginia]

TL;DR Get the forster coax. You don't need it but you must have it.

fwiw,
Saw this post and had to delete the other. Far too verbose. Buy the press. You know you want to. Most folks who ask for advice are looking for an accomplice more than an advice. If you don't like it sell it in a year and call it experience. Hard situation to lose in... imho.

Regards, Matt.

 

[David247]

We are so spoiled. There are so many good presses and othe equipment that we have access to these days. Ive had rock chuckers, a coax, several Dillons... they are all excellent but there are things that we can still find to complain about. I put a Mr Bullet feeder on my 650 and have at times cranked out 300 9mm in 15 minutes. Then there are times that it makes me grind my teeth. All in all, get what you think you are going to like and learn how to make it work for you. Most of them are probably better than the guy pulling the handle, at least in my case anyway. Get the best you can afford an cry once. BTW, I love my Coax!

 

[Ledd Slinger]

As an example, Hornet cases us the LS Jaws, small opening, .223 cases use the S Jaws, small end, .30-06 uses the S Jaws, large end. That's what we are talking about with changing Shell Holder Jaws. The Forster site has information on which jaw set and the correct end of the jaw that fits a case.

Danny

I read that in the press manual a long time back, but I've never had to swap them around. Whichever way it is I have them set works on everything.

 

[spife7980]

I cant speak to it being any better but I can speak to my liking the hell out of it. Its clean sweet and simple.

 

[Mr Underbridge]

Whoever said that shims dont work work with the coax, thanks for sharing that is news to me. I have been using shims just fine, put them on top of the die not the bottom same principle.
I like the press since once I set the lock rings I dont ever have to worry about it, just pop the dies in and out no zero hassle.
That is the reason I got the co-ax. As far as runout? I think as long as you have a good quality press you should be good.
Dies, how much and when and what you size matters much more.

 

[marcusp323]

I have owned lots of presses, (still have quite a few), but the 3 Co-Ax get used the most by far. I'm lazy & don't like swapping jaws, so I just bought multiples when I got a good deal. Have one set up for 223 type cases, one for most others, & one strictly for 45-70 & 45-90. I mounted each on a Dillon 650 Strong Mount with an aluminum plate so I can just clamp them to my bench when needed, then store underneath when not. They serve me well.
Mark

 

[danny]

I read that in the press manual a long time back, but I've never had to swap them around. Whichever way it is I have them set works on everything.

Well, you've been doing it incorrectly, though you've managed to get by so far. Congratulations.

Danny

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Well, you've been doing it incorrectly, though you've managed to get by so far. Congratulations.

Danny

If by 'getting by so far' you mean working perfectly for the last 6 years I've owned the press loading for so many rifles I can't recall, then yes...I suppose have been getting by quite nicely.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Another bit of info for the OP...

The Coax does not work as well with RCBS or Redding die lock rings. They are a little small for the slot. Forster lock rings work the best. If you are going to order the Coax press, it's best to order a pile of Forster lock rings and put them on all of your dies.

 

[danny]

If by 'getting by so far' you mean working perfectly for the last 6 years I've owned the press loading for so many rifles I can't recall, then yes...I suppose have been getting by quite nicely.

"Getting by" is not a kind of virtue.

Danny

 

[Richard Coody]

Another bit of info for the OP...

The Coax does not work as well with RCBS or Redding die lock rings. They are a little small for the slot. Forster lock rings work the best. If you are going to order the Coax press, it's best to order a pile of Forster lock rings and put them on all of your dies.

Yep

I buy the forster lock rings by the dozen and throw.away all those redding lock rings. Set.screw? REALLY!

also over 30 years of.use those steel lock rings might even wear on the co-ax slot.

 

[spife7980]

I use forster rings and on my dies because as stated, they still float but fill the slot better, and use the redding rings on my giraud trimmer inserts as I only ever set them once and just trim to that spec.

 

[hoz53]

I read that in the press manual a long time back, but I've never had to swap them around. Whichever way it is I have them set works on everything.

well youre lucky or something Ledd. ive forgot to change mine at times and sometimes it works and sometimes it pulls the case out of the jaws. the op should figure on having to change jaws to what is recommended for each particular case. and btw i bet you havent tried 45/70 with the jaws u have

 

[hoz53]

Whoever said that shims dont work work with the coax, thanks for sharing that is news to me. I have been using shims just fine, put them on top of the die not the bottom same principle.
I like the press since once I set the lock rings I dont ever have to worry about it, just pop the dies in and out no zero hassle.
That is the reason I got the co-ax. As far as runout? I think as long as you have a good quality press you should be good.
Dies, how much and when and what you size matters much more.

i thought of using shims on top. not much space in the slot but you could set up with thinner lock rings and i know it would work

 

[hoz53]

I have owned lots of presses, (still have quite a few), but the 3 Co-Ax get used the most by far. I'm lazy & don't like swapping jaws, so I just bought multiples when I got a good deal. Have one set up for 223 type cases, one for most others, & one strictly for 45-70 & 45-90. I mounted each on a Dillon 650 Strong Mount with an aluminum plate so I can just clamp them to my bench when needed, then store underneath when not. They serve me well.
Mark

i didnt want to admit it but i have 2 for just this reason. by the time you buy the extra parts to keep another jaw setup handy for $75.00 --id rather put that money toward the 2nd press

 

[cdhbrad]

i didnt want to admit it but i have 2 for just this reason. by the time you buy the extra parts to keep another jaw setup handy for $75.00 --id rather put that money toward the 2nd press

When I got my Co-AX, I also bought the adapter plate to allow the use of the shellholders I already had for each caliber. No problems and takes maybe 30 seconds to change a shellholder which isn't too often as most of what I load uses a .308 shellholder.

 

[Clavius-Walker]

I've been using a Forester for a few years now and have really enjoyed it, the floating die, easy change of dies, no need to mess with shell holders going from ppc to 308 style to magnums, the primer catcher and I set the primer part up for my 338L based cartridges, works better for them than any shellholder in a Lee or Sinclair priming tool.

One question though, what is the big differences in the Forester and the old Bonanza models, I have an opportunity to pick one up for a good price and wondering if the old ones are worth messing with.