Forster coax vs Redding T-7 Turret press

[Mark M.]

Hey guys, I currently have the Forster coax press will there be any advantage disadvantage if I was to switch over to a redding t - 7 turret press, I don't do a whole lot of shooting but I have a semi-auto 6.5 Grendel, bolt 223 and 17 hornet, sure would like your thoughts and comments thanks for your time fellas.

 

[tcoz]

Sorry, I don’t know anything about the Forster other than to say that I’ve always been intrigued by it. I use a T-7 and it’s a great press, a real beast and it puts out some great ammo.
Anecdotally, I’ve also noticed that quite a few of the seemingly more knowledgeable YouTube video guys use the T-7.

 

[dminn1]

Hey guys, I currently have the Forster coax press will there be any advantage disadvantage if I was to switch over to a redding t - 7 turret press, I don't do a whole lot of shooting but I have a semi-auto 6.5 Grendel, bolt 223 and 17 hornet, sure would like your thoughts and comments thanks for your time fellas.

I currently run a T-7 and a Lee Classic Cast. The T-7 is a very solid setup that I use mainly for the convenience of being able to keep 3 sets of rifle dies set up in the turret at all times. I use the 7th hole to run a Lee Auto Disc powder dispenser. If you like the idea of not having to set up your dies when switching calibers the T-7 has a lot to offer.

 

[dminn1]

Hey guys, I currently have the Forster coax press will there be any advantage disadvantage if I was to switch over to a redding t - 7 turret press, I don't do a whole lot of shooting but I have a semi-auto 6.5 Grendel, bolt 223 and 17 hornet, sure would like your thoughts and comments thanks for your time fellas.

I currently run a T-7 and a Lee Classic Cast. The T-7 is a very solid setup that I use mainly for the convenience of being able to keep 3 sets of rifle dies set up in the turret at all times. I use the 7th hole to run a Lee Auto Disc powder dispenser. If you like the idea of not having to set up your dies when switching calibers the T-7 has a lot to offer.

 

[1shot]

I have both and they serve totally different purposes for me. The T-7 is used for heavy work like necking up or down, expanding necks prior to turning, etc. The co-ax does all my de-priming and loading for my match ammo. Both do the tasks I have assigned them very well.
Thanks,

Lloyd

 

[muleman69]

I have had a t-7 for years now ,well made beefey press.I have extra turrets so switching calibers is a snap, no more adjusting dies .Can't cut the forester as I have not owned one but do give the T-7 a 10+ rating

 

[Milo 2.0]

I have both, I'll take the coax any day for what I call quality ammo. Actually I have 2 coax's, size on one, seat on the other.
I keep the T7 to size saum brass and bulk load 223 ammo where the open design and shellholder system is faster, and pull bullets, I'm a pro at that.

 

[Depart123]

Keep them both, you will need them.

 

[Barlow]

I have had a t-7 for years now ,well made beefey press.I have extra turrets so switching calibers is a snap, no more adjusting dies .Can't cut the forester as I have not owned one but do give the T-7 a 10+ rating

Ditto! Barlow

 

[3Ackleys]

I have the Coax (and a RCBS RC) and have used the T7 both very good. i love the coax but I load 20 different cartridges. For you loading for 3 cartridges you could have all your dies on the t7

 

[marchboom]

Although I don't have a T-7 I do have a Lyman turret press and it works well. It was my first press. I recently acquired a Co-Ax press and I love it. This would be my first press if I was starting over. I came really close to buying the T-7 when the Co-Ax came along. The only downside to the T-7 is the cost of the shell plates. Over $70. Although both presses have reputations for producing great cartridges, you will hear a little more praise for the Co-Ax.

 

[Mark M.]

Thanks guys I appreciate all the information and your time to put it on this form

 

[msinc]

If you "adjust" full length resize dies by setting it so the press cams over and that is how you load {not too worried about a little sized case length variance} then yeah, the T-7 shines. If you adjust size dies to resize to a specific measured headspace like plus zero or minus two {+.000"/-.002"} then you will still have to adjust dies each time you reload. If you are trying to size to a certain length you will find that the T-7 may not be much of an advantage as far as "set 'em up once and go". This is because of spring back variances due to different case hardness levels. You might be able to overcome this by annealing cases every time, but I wasn't able to. Not knocking the T-7 press by no means, it is a first rate unit and very well made, but as far as set and forget to hit a specific size...you might want to forget that that is ever going to happen with the T-7 or any other press. It all sounds like a great idea, but there's just too much variance in brass case hardness or softness.
In a way I guess the Co-ax is kind of in the same boat...it all seems like a great idea too....until you get one.

 

[Shrek]

Once set the dies snap in and out of the Co-Ax in a second. There’s no advantage to the T-7 in time as long as you’re doing one thing to brass in a batch at a time. Disadvantage to the T-7 is that plates are expensive and to change cartridges you need to change plates if it’s not set in the plate you currently have on the T-7. I set whatever dies I need next to my Co-Ax and it only takes a moment to change dies for a new operation. The only extra cost is the die locking rings. I bought a huge bag of rings and the cost was pretty cheap in bulk.

 

[perry42]

I have an older Lyman Spartan turret press, a Dillon 550, and a Lee Classic iron press. The Lyman is used for load development, the Dillon for match loading (quantity). The Lee for any heavy duty requirements (I used an aftermarket tool that sized the flash holes in my 45-70 and 45-90 cases to the same size). My match loads are measured using a O'haus 10-10, seating, and crimping done on the Dillon as I have 10 tool heads set and ready to install along with the required cartridge base plate.


perry42