Resized 6x47 brass won't chamber

[John Russell]

There is one thing about a Forester Co-ax press that no-one seems to want to talk about. It isn't solid, it WILL stretch when you try to form cases. I tried making 6mm SLR cases from .243 cases and the press would not make those with any consistency and that's a pretty easy resizing operation. I had to tear down the whole setup and put it in my Rockchucker to get the brass to reform with consistent results. If you have another press move your resizing operation to it and you'll get better results. A Co-ax may be good for straight ammo but it ain't worth beans for any kind of serious resizing operation.

I agree.

It's not a "conspiracy", but there is a cult like attitude about it.

I have three single stage presses - My main one is a ~30 pound C-H "Champion" which is a brute and will crush a RockChucker like a cat toy, for lunch - and I have a nice clean RockChucker (not the Supreme), and I have a Hornady 50 BMG press. I love tough presses.

I friend loaned me a Forster press to try, convinced that I would get rid of two of my three presses.
I thought it was "OK" for regular loading, but I did not like that the dies did not lock down in place (but that is the main feature of the press), I did not like the priming arangment, using a bullet puller with it sucks, and other little things about it were irritating - I am not saying it is a bad press - it is just another option.

But what I have found is the Forster Co-ax press owners will not accept that there are either design flaws, or compromises - if you talk to them, "EVERYTHING" about it is perfect. If you have problem with it, it is because you don't know how to reload a case.

Well, it ain't perfect. It is one of many options out there - if it fits your loading style, then it is great, but if it doesn;t, then it is not so good... and if you are a wildcatter or experimenter, it is a poor choice of a press.

 

[savagedasher]

No conspiracy Richard. I bought a Co-ax expecting it to fully replace my Rockchucker. One of the first things I tried to do on it was to reform .243 brass into 6mm SLR. This involves pushing the shoulder back a little and changing the angle to make the neck longer. My brass would not chamber after resizing. Measured the shoulder and it wasn't pushing it back far enough so I set the die to where it was pressing into the shell holder. Still didn't work so I blamed the die. Took a few thousands off the bottom of the die and it still wouldn't push the shoulder back far enough. If I used a large amount of Imperial sizing lube I could get it back far enough but also got dents in the case from too much lube. So thought I'd try it in the Rockchucker and found I was pushing the shoulder back way too much. After resetting the die and using RCBS case lube I had no more issues resizing the brass. This is the same issue that the OP is having sizing his 6.5 x 47 to 6 x 47. The press just isn't as stiff as other presses due to the design.

I have 2 coaxes pressed and load thousands of rounds a year . Both size ever case I have tryed . The difference between the two is .003 in die settings. The 6 dashers I have the head space is .001 difference . But till i changed my dies to work in The presses I couldn't get the proper head space Annealing of the cases very the amout of pressure needed to head space . When I anneal I keep separate by the number of Fireing. The anneal case can he shot 2 times with just neck sizeing . I then have a die I use the doesn't size the neck smaller then Then .2695 but bumps the shoulder .
Before I bump the shoulder I size the 1/2 the neck for the neck tension The case and half if the neck . Always is the same . Custom dies work . Knowing your press and how to set it up is all that it takes to make great loads . Separating brass by hardness or number of fireing is paramount . Larry

 

[Milo 2.0]

It's got to be the base, I'd bet by screwing his die down, he's over bumped his shoulder, (if it's possible to move a shoulder)lol
To the op, I have a die to fix this and will gladly send it to you if you'll return it. One of the easiest ways to determine if it is the case base is to measure it, if it measures over .470" about an 1/8" above the rim, the last chamber may have been big.

 

[Richard Jones]

No conspiracy Richard. I bought a Co-ax expecting it to fully replace my Rockchucker. One of the first things I tried to do on it was to reform .243 brass into 6mm SLR. This involves pushing the shoulder back a little and changing the angle to make the neck longer. My brass would not chamber after resizing. Measured the shoulder and it wasn't pushing it back far enough so I set the die to where it was pressing into the shell holder. Still didn't work so I blamed the die. Took a few thousands off the bottom of the die and it still wouldn't push the shoulder back far enough. If I used a large amount of Imperial sizing lube I could get it back far enough but also got dents in the case from too much lube. So thought I'd try it in the Rockchucker and found I was pushing the shoulder back way too much. After resetting the die and using RCBS case lube I had no more issues resizing the brass. This is the same issue that the OP is having sizing his 6.5 x 47 to 6 x 47 with his Co-ax. The press just isn't as stiff as other presses due to the design.

Mine was a bit tongue in cheek there, but I hear you. I have not encountered those problems with mine. Forming 17M4, 6-284, 270, 308, 222, etc. Sorry yours didn't work for you. I modded mine to use standard shellholders, could that be the difference? Dunno.......but I'm not helping the OP.........

 

[kshan]

call Harrell's Precision http://www.harrellsprec.com/
they make custom dies for $75.

 

[dkhunt14]

OK, my bad, I see now after re-reading the first post that he is using Forester dies but doesn't say he's using a Forester press.

It says he is using a coax press, which is Forster. I had to read it twice before I saw it. MATT

 

[Richard Jones]

But what I have found is the Forster Co-ax press owners will not accept that there are either design flaws, or compromises - if you talk to them, "EVERYTHING" about it is perfect. If you have problem with it, it is because you don't know how to reload a case.

Well, it ain't perfect. It is one of many options out there - if it fits your loading style, then it is great, but if it doesn;t, then it is not so good... and if you are a wildcatter or experimenter, it is a poor choice of a press.

I own a Co-Ax, an RCBS, a Lee, a Dillon and a Harrells. All of them serve different functions, none of them are perfect, nor are any of yours or anyones. So your statement about "coax owners" is false. It's just a press. My Dillon has loaded an untold amount of USPSA ammo over the years, and it works great for that, but I would never form any ammo with it. Does that make it bad? Either way, I don't believe the OP's issue is press related. I'm sure plenty of folks do what he's trying to do on a coax without problems.

 

[savagedasher]

I own a Co-Ax, an RCBS, a Lee, a Dillon and a Harrells. All of them serve different functions, none of them are perfect, nor are any of yours or anyones. So your statement about "coax owners" is false. It's just a press. My Dillon has loaded an untold amount of USPSA ammo over the years, and it works great for that, but I would never form any ammo with it. Does that make it bad? Either way, I don't believe the OP's issue is press related. I'm sure plenty of folks do what he's trying to do on a coax without problems.

I feel he has a problem with dies and his new chamber.
If the chamber was set tight . His dies isn't letting him push the shoulder back . To find the problem Shim a case and size it and see if it closes . If that cures the problem then trim the die . Larry

 

[Delfuego]

Somebody loan him a small base die!

 

[kshan]

he can also use a 30-06 FL die body to squeeze the base to test if it is the base. If it is base to shoulder, shorten your shell holder by 0.015. 21st century shooting did make shell holders that were 0.110 from base to top of shell holder while all the others were 0.125-0.130 base top of shell holder. I have their 6ppc and 6BR shell holders, solved my 6ppc inability to bump the shoulder enough, could hardly close the bolt. Might call them and see if they could supply one or two.
Another option for base to shoulder is to get a Whidden sizing die as they are made short to allow lots of shoulder bump room.
Either one of the above you can crush your brass, as I did.
A 6mmppc.com Accugauge, use it with a Wilson case gauge does a great job measuring base to shoulder reliably since the Wilson case gauge acts like a chamber, you can also use your seating died with the Accugauge. It works great on my Dasher, I know exactly how much to bump each rifle.
so many options.

 

[savagedasher]

Somebody loan him a small base die!

I never have seen that happen without haveing the case sticking in the chamber . Not saying your not wrong. I would try a shim under the case head and shove the shoulder back . If that worked I would shorten the sizeing did . Larry

 

[ShootDots]

I have been reading this thread and everyone has a way to "fix" this problem. I am sure many if not most would work. But if you are going to spend the money on a new die set up, why not just solve the "problem" by purchasing some NEW 6.5 x 47 brass. That would definitely fix the problem and you would not have to get any new dies! Just a thought..

 

[savagedasher]

I have been reading this thread and everyone has a way to "fix" this problem. I am sure many if not most would work. But if you are going to spend the money on a new die set up, why not just solve the "problem" by purchasing some NEW 6.5 x 47 brass. That would definitely fix the problem and you would not have to get any new dies! Just a thought..

Like your thinking till the new cases streach then what . My dasher dies were too long with my press that is the same as his. Turn .003 off and the problem was solved. All he has to do to check is shim one case and re size . Probably two pieces of painters tape would work. Larry

 

[CacheCropp]

I had a chance tonight to mark up a few cases with a sharpie and run them into the chamber. Looks like the bottom of the cases must be swollen some because that was where they were hitting. They measured 0.465-0.468.

So next chance I get I'll work on resizing the bottom half.

 

[swd]

You'll probably need to have a small base die made.

 

[Eddie Harren]

I had a chance tonight to mark up a few cases with a sharpie and run them into the chamber. Looks like the bottom of the cases must be swollen some because that was where they were hitting. They measured 0.465-0.468.

So next chance I get I'll work on resizing the bottom half.

Don't forget to make a shim and cut your die off! Better'n the funny papers.

 

[John Russell]

You'll probably need to have a small base die made.

Before spending a bunch on a custom die, try a 45 ACP sizing die. They will size the only base very well.

 

[DHD]

I had a chance tonight to mark up a few cases with a sharpie and run them into the chamber. Looks like the bottom of the cases must be swollen some because that was where they were hitting. They measured 0.465-0.468.

So next chance I get I'll work on resizing the bottom half.

Yep, been reading it too and seeing lots of fixes. Before you spend the money on a die to fix used brass, buy new brass. Price the small base dies, 45 acp die, etc etc and not knowing for sure if that will fix every piece of your used brass, and then price a box of new brass.

You're gonna do what youre gonna do, but if that brass you have is too large in your chamber because of the base, where else did it stretch? Lord knows I don't like to throw out any brass with the headstamp "Lapua", but just how aggravated do you want to be?

Glad you found your problem and then let us know.

 

[bsekf]

I have had that problem and run my cases into a 444 Marlin die, it must be a little small because it always fixes my problem. Have those fat cases been run with "hot" loads. Failure of the base to "spring back" is a sign of pressure. Happens all the time with Contenders and Encores.

Bill

 

[Cool Tool]

I have been reading this thread and everyone has a way to "fix" this problem. I am sure many if not most would work. But if you are going to spend the money on a new die set up, why not just solve the "problem" by purchasing some NEW 6.5 x 47 brass. That would definitely fix the problem and you would not have to get any new dies! Just a thought..

A very good point thanks I was waiting for that.