Will a Forster Co-Ax result in better ammo?

[Snowwolfe]

Consider myself a pretty experienced reloader having doing it since I was 12 and am now 56 but have always used RCBS single stage presses. Current press is a Ammo Master because I load for several really long cartridges. Like the press but it has a very large handle travel stroke and decided to buy another press for handgun ammo and small rifle rounds. Decided to buy a RCBS Partner press but am now second guessing my decision as it is not mounted yet.

Recently purchased a Savage LRVP in 6mm Norma and purchased some Lapua brass and bushing sizing dies with the micrometer seater. This is the first rifle ever purchased where accuracy is my prime and only concern. Sort of my first attempt into the BR world so to speak.

Now onto the question at hand, do you folks think the Forster Co-Ax press would result in more accurate ammo for my rifles? Would it make a good "second" press for loading handgun ammo (44 mag & S&W 500)? Price really isnt an issue between the Co-Ax and the RCBS Partner press.

 

[Laurie]

It might, but in any event you'd find the Co-Ax a joy to use. This press often does produce ammunition with less runout than that assembled on many O-frame presses, but whether you'd see enough of a difference from an Ammomaster to warrant a change is another matter. With the little BR case and bushing dies you should certainly get excellent results, and you'd find it one of the easiest smoothest operators in the business. One tip - get the optional short handle - all you need for the BR case and handgun cartridges, more handy, and gives more feel too.

I'm not sure about as a second press for handgun ammo - it is a single stage press, so it depends on the volumes you load. With the snap-in/out die facility and easy adjustment of the universal automatic shellholder, it would certainly save you time and effort over a conventional single-stage press such as your Ammomaster since you're not having to screw dies in and out for each of the three loading steps. Obviously, it's not as quick though as loading this ammmo on a multi-stage press setup.

Laurie

 

[Mikem]

That question would be hard to answer, it might, but I don't know of any tests comparing accuracy produced by the two. But one things for sure, it will soon become your number one go to press. If you do pop for one, get the short handle option.
Just moving the handle and ram up and down and feeling the smooth as glass movement will convince you, its not a mistake, I just wish I had done it sooner.
I have a Co-Ax, RCBS and Lyman T-Mag presses, and only use the Co-Ax, and have been reloading myself for 44 years.
Its also an easy switch with that new rifle to a BR caliber.
M.

 

[Winchester69]

The key to press accuracy is alignment, and, if there's a loose ram/bore fit, the alignment is compromised. Further, if there is ram play, with an O-frame design the farther the ram is extended the greater the maximum deviation in alignment. The Co-Ax has its pair of guide rods for the full length of its travel, giving consistent alignment. This design is an advantage only when compared to a press having loose ram fit.

In the end, there is the matter of appeal. Either design can serve well. The Co-Ax has several unique features in addition to the complexity of its design. The ergonomics are also a consideration, typically most comfortably used from a standing position. You only need to determine what design appeals to you; how will you best be satisfied. I prefer the simpler design myself and don't need to make the additional investment to attain self-satisfaction, which I found in the previously mentioned Redding Boss and its cast-iron construction.

 

[Snowwolfe]

Decided to return the Partner press and try the Forster. Unfortunately most online wholesalers are out of stock till next month but in no rush.
The Ammomaster is still needed to load the big ones such as my 9,3x74R and 450 NE but I just wanted to have the experience of trying something different as I only owned RCBS presses up till now.
Anything else I should order in addition to the short handle? Some online reviews say dies with older style locking rings will not fit the press properly and recommend getting some Hornady Tru-Lock rings. T or F?

 

[Steve Blair]

The Co-Ax is a fine choice. I, too, just passed my 56th birthday and have been reloading since 20. My Forster has resulted in better, more consistent ammunition and less runout. The only upgrades that I recommend are the excellent Sinclair lock rings for any dies whose rings do not fit the Co-Ax.

 

[Mikem]

About options, besides the short Handel that you will use sitting down quite well. I also got the standard shell holder option, its cheap, and when I'm not changing caliber I like it better than the automatic holder. I don't use the top priming setup, rather a hand unit, but have done that for years before the Co-Ax. I also removed the cup primer catcher and put a clear vinyl hose running down to an old powder jug, you wont have to empty that for a long time.
I think you made a wise decision, and let us know what you think after a few hundred rounds.
M.

 

[Rust]

If the centerline of the ram and the threaded die hole are machined on the same centerline, then the quality of your loaded ammo is more dependant on the quality of the dies than anything else. Pick a quality press with the features you'd like.

I've been using the same Rockchucker for decades with no need to change, but if I were to buy a new press it would likely be a Redding because I like the way it handles spent primers.

 

[Mikem]

I don't have a Redding press, but whats so good about how they handle spent primers? How can it be better than the Co-Ax, you never see or touch them, they just disappear into its jar, a jug on the floor or even a trash can, its your choice.
M.

 

[Steve Blair]

The Redding press sends the spent primer down through the ram, conceptually similar to the Co-Ax. They are both good systems.

 

[infantrytrophy]

... dies with older style locking rings will not fit the press properly and recommend getting some Hornady Tru-Lock rings. T or F?

The Hornady rings work, but they fit a little looser than the Forster rings. You can get the Forster rings in a 10 or 12-pack to save money. I'm not familiar with the Sinclair rings mentioned above.

Regarding the shorter handle, I use the standard handle for heavy jobs like full-body sizing, or just remove the handle entirely for light jobs like seating bullets or neck-only sizing.

Randy

 

[Mikem]

On my Co-Ax, I have also removed the spring loaded ball that snaps the die in, and holds it to the right side. Now the die can easily move in all four direction, but it never moves after the first case. Just something to try.
The nice thing about the short handle is, it has a large ball handle on the end, unlike the standard handle.
M.

 

[Coach Hunt]

Howdy,

I believe the original question was: "Now onto the question at hand, do you folks think the Forster Co-Ax press would result in more accurate ammo for my rifles?"

I can't speak for others, but I KNOW that mine did result in better ammo. Not only is it a better press than what I was using, but I started learning better techniques at the same time I got the Co-Ax. However, the press was the start of the whole "learning curve."

Hope that helps, and shoot straight.

Coach

 

[okbob51]

I had been using a Lee turret press for 20 odd years. It also has it's pluses but, I recently upgraded to the Co-ax. It is a much smoother press and without the slop of the Lee. I am definitely making better reloads with the Co-ax over the Lee.

 

[gary0529]

Man, we must have a bunch of old guys like me on this site ;D.
I, too, have 45 + years reloading and also purchased a Co-Ax about 3 years ago and have kicked myself repeatedly as to why I waited so long!
Besides being a joy to use, it does produce higher quality ammo in that the run out on my 6mmBR and 338 LM is far better and consistent than I can churn out on the old, venerable RCBS Rock Chucker that I loved and have had for decades.
Now, does the ammo shoot "straighter" -it depends if you gun has the tolerances to use the better, less run out ammunition.
Some of my rifles Absolutely! others I cannot tell.
In any case you will love the unit. It is worth the wait.
Gary

 

[Travelor]

I have been reloading for 55+ years and just a few years ago bought a Co-Ax press as my ammo really sucked runout wise. I was using a RCBS RockChucker press and RCBS Competiton dies as well as Hornady New Dimension dies.

At the same time I bought the Co-Ax I bought Redding Competition neck collet dies. Everything came together and my ammo is on par with anything anyone else can load and my F-Class scores went up as well as my 200 and 300 ayrds groups sizes shrunk.


Love the Forster Co-Ax press and Redding collet dies.

George

 

[BoydAllen]

Interestingly enough, it is the tightness of conventional presses that may be a problem, (if they are not perfectly aligned, from die to shell holder). One of the best Benchrest shooters in Texas uses partner presses that have had their rams turned down slightly to size and seat. This is to let the cases self align with the dies. It is a similar feature of the Forster (done a different way) that is the only reason that one would load straighter ammunition. Don't get me wrong, I have used one, and they are excellent presses, just not designed to be portable, and I load at the range, with a Harrell's Combo that does an excellent job, and is designed for portability. I have checked it against a friend's Co-ax and it is at no disadvantage. If it was, I would go to the trouble to haul the heavier press to the range.

 

[cruft]

better ammo? who can tell. but if there is better produced ammo that with the coax it would need a double blind study, and who would do that? get the short handle with ball, more lock rings, several cans of compressed air to clean lose stuff that's all over the place in small crevaces, and chargemaster powder thrower and inexpensive UPS (this evens out the current). the primer feed at the top is as good as any I've ever tried, save your money on another. I'm partial to forster dies but if I go lower than .22 cal I will go with redding or rcbs, which ever has the loading window on the seater. unless you decide to go with huge cartridges your set. after purchasing this never read another thread on reloading presses as you will never out grow the usefullness of this perfect machine. I have an unused hornady LNL, been meaning to set it up. maybe one day.

 

[Travelor]

Not to hijack the thread but a little info provided me by RCBS.

I have a RockChucker press that I have used for over 40 years. When I started getting serious about my ammo I noticed the ram on the press was pretty loose and the runnout on loaded ammo was so bad you could see it by rolling that ammo on a table top - after all it was 40 years old and had loaded thousands and thousands of rounds. I called RCBS and asked about getting a new ram installed at my expense to tighten it up. The Tech told me that looseness was actually a good thing as it allowed that ammo/dies to self alighn. He ended up giving me a return authorization number and the press was sent back to RCBS and they paid shipping both ways and replaced the ram with one that is much tighter. Way to go RCBS. It still did not load any better ammo.

Merry Christmas,
George

 

[Mikem]

George, maybe Santa will bring you a Co-Ax. If your good.