Looking for a New Press

[gsg5pk]

If the biggest case that you gonna use in this press, I would suggest Harrel Precision.

 

[Endyo]

There was a write up between different presses and their results on bullet runout using the same dies. The Forester produced slightly better results. If I recall it was 0.001"0.0015" improvement over the cheaper presses.

I bought a Co-Ax and shipped it off before opening it. I'm fine with my RCBS for now.

That money was spent in other areas that have made results on paper.

 

[danny]

Danny, Your explanation of the simplicity and advantages the Forster Co-Ax press has were very well done. Hope to see more of your video's in the future.

I have a Redding T7, Forster Co-Ax and a RCBS Rock.

If I had to use only one press it would be the Forster Co-Ax , it's a great press!

JBO,
Thanks for the comment. I wish I had skill enough to do a great video like those. I found those on YouTube when I was trying to decide whether or not I should buy a Co-Ax. Those videos were enough to convince me that this was a good press for my needs.

Danny

 

[LHSmith]

Guys, kind of a takeoff on this subject but how do you know when a press is wore out? I've had my Pacific 007 since the late 70's and although it's got a little side to side slop in the linkage it still loads straight ammo and results show on paper.

Thanks, John.

Like a fine wine, presses get better with age.....slop is good, it prevents the press from influencing the cases entry into the die....the die is where straight ammo is created.

 

[LHSmith]

IMHO, it is not a good choice if you want portability so that you can take it to the range and load there. Too heavy and too many parts that could get lost changing out shell holder plates and primer seating parts. Lastly it's not compatible with 1-1/2" dia. dies -i.e. 50 BMG or Warner Customs.

 

[Bully]

I don't shoot matches and have no need to take a press to the range. I also don't currently load any 50, so that's not really an isssue. Most presses won't handle that round either.

 

[LHSmith]

I don't shoot matches and have no need to take a press to the range. I also don't currently load any 50, so that's not really an isssue. Most presses won't handle that round either.

Actually a lot of the bigger presses will accept 1-1/2" dies.

 

[Bully]

Forster should be here Monday.

I will update with pics and initial impressions in a new thread. To say that I'm excited would be an understatement. it's an odd ball for sure, but given the advice I've gotten from some that I trust I feel like I'll be very happy with it.

Now, on to a ChargeMaster...

C

 

[danny]

Forster should be here Monday.

I will update with pics and initial impressions in a new thread. To say that I'm excited would be an understatement. it's an odd ball for sure, but given the advice I've gotten from some that I trust I feel like I'll be very happy with it.

Now, on to a ChargeMaster...

C

As a fellow Co-Ax user that enjoys his press, I will be looking forward to your first impressions and pictures.

Danny

 

[hogan]

Nothing better than the Redding Ultra Mag, unless you go progressive and then Dillon is the best choice...

Really need the power of the Ultra Mag if you do any large case forming. The spent primer disposal is also excellent.

 

[Changeling]

I use a Pacific/Hornady, absolutely love it!

 

[Bully]

SOOOooooooooo...

My Forster got here this afternoon. To say I am thrilled would be an understatement.

I ordered the B3 from Graf's along with the shorter handle. It was a couple of bucks cheaper, I assume because they are phasing it out and replacing it with the B4. Much to my surprise and delight, my box is marked B4 from Forster. I know that the changes are minimal however the larger drop tube does seem very nice and handy.

The press is, in a word, a BEAST. I got it out of the packaging, got myself situated and started working on setting up my dies. The die set up is a bit different but I did manage to make some reasonably nice plinking ammo and will be working up to loading my 6.5x47L in the next week or so.

Did I mention that it's a beast? I had a few cases that must have been shy a bit of lubrication. The press jaws pulled them free with nary a groan. With the shorter handle. Once I got everything set, the reputability is very nice. I really like the spring loaded jaws and the extremely fast die changes.

For the moment I am very happy with it. It is like a new car so I know I will discover some stuff that I don't love over my time with it. But for right now, life is good.

Thanks for following along on my little journey.

 

[danny]

SOOOooooooooo...

My Forster got here this afternoon. To say I am thrilled would be an understatement.

I ordered the B3 from Graf's along with the shorter handle. It was a couple of bucks cheaper, I assume because they are phasing it out and replacing it with the B4. Much to my surprise and delight, my box is marked B4 from Forster. I know that the changes are minimal however the larger drop tube does seem very nice and handy.

The press is, in a word, a BEAST. I got it out of the packaging, got myself situated and started working on setting up my dies. The die set up is a bit different but I did manage to make some reasonably nice plinking ammo and will be working up to loading my 6.5x47L in the next week or so.

Did I mention that it's a beast? I had a few cases that must have been shy a bit of lubrication. The press jaws pulled them free with nary a groan. With the shorter handle. Once I got everything set, the reputability is very nice. I really like the spring loaded jaws and the extremely fast die changes.

For the moment I am very happy with it. It is like a new car so I know I will discover some stuff that I don't love over my time with it. But for right now, life is good.

Thanks for following along on my little journey.

Since you have the short handle assembly, could I trouble you to take a measurement of the installed handle for me? I have a spare ball bored for the tube diameter and just need to buy the handle tube. I want to duplicate a factory length short handle. If you could measure the length of the installed handle assembly from the end of the red handle casting where the visible portion of the tube begins, to the end of the ball, that would really be wonderful and handy.

Here is a nice review of the Co-Ax vs. the Rockchucker Supreme and the RCBS Summit press that my friend had sent to me last night. It is interesting because two presses you had considered are included in the review.

http://www.targetshooter.co.uk/?p=1750

Good luck with the press, enjoy,

Danny

 

[Bully]

Will do

 

[danny]

Will do

I saw the B4 in a video. The paint is a lot nicer than on the B3.

Danny

 

[JimPag]

Nothing better than the Redding Ultra Mag, unless you go progressive and then Dillon is the best choice...

Really need the power of the Ultra Mag if you do any large case forming. The spent primer disposal is also excellent.

Seems that me and you are the only 2 who have an Ultra Mag, in fact I have 2 of them. I had a Forster Co-Ax at one time, it's a nice press, but the Ultra Mag by far is a better press the way the linkage is set up. A Rockchucker isn't even in the same league as an Ultra Mag.

 

[JRS]

If that's the largest cartridges you are going to load for, buy the Crawford double and be done with it If you are going to load or form larger cases, the Lee Classic Cast is the ticket. The axial and radial alignment on these two presses is superior to all others.

 

[argrendel]

Topher,

Co-ax and Chargemaster? Great set up! I've had my Co-ax for many years. The Chargemaster is the way to go, for me. Very impressed. You can usually find them on sale for $289.

 

[chromatica]

Thanks Danny.

What other operations would I not be able to do on a CoAx? I only ask as I just simply make ammo for me. I don't find myself having to pull bullets often, thankfully. When I do have to pull, I just use my inertia puller.

Lee has a die for trimming cases in the press itself. I use a Lee Classic Cast press to size my brass and then to trim it using the Lee Quick Trim system. Then I use a Forster Co-ax (Bonanza actually from the old days) for seating and crimping. I have heard that the Co-ax press makes the most concentric ammo to be found. I use the Lee press for sizing because it has more leverage than the Forster.

 

[quartermaster]

another coax vote