Forester Co Ax press

[salmonchaser]

I’m contemplating picking up a new press. I’ve had my current press since high school, graduated in 74. I will keep the old one for range days so I can work on a load kind of thing while the rifle cools. That’s my argument at least.
Looking at different presses the Co Ax is interesting. I know a few here have one, is it worth the extra money? Any other suggestions?

 

[truck driver]

Wish I had bought one when I was younger but then for what I do the RCBS R2 does a good job for me.
One thing is sure is that you will get a proven performer if you decide on buying one.

 

[SJB358]

I have had my COAX since about 2006 or so. Somewhere in there, and like if a lot Don. It’s really nice not having to mess with shellholders and it is also nice not spinning dies in and out. Once my dies are set, they slide in and out at exactly the same spot as the time before.

I don’t know that it’s any better than a number of presses but it works great for me. I also have a Redding T7 on the bench I use a lot. If I wanted another besides the coax I’d look at a Redding Ultramag I guess. I will say I don’t pull bullets with the coax since the leverage isn’t the same as a standard press, but it’s not a big deal since I have the T7 to do that if needed.

 

[JD338]

I love mine. As stated, no shell holders, set and forget die adjustment, swap dies in a couple seconds and the camming force is second to none.
I think it's worth it.

JD338

 

[Guy Miner]

The Co-Ax offers an advantage of both the case head and the sizing & seating dies being able to "float" just a bit, theoretically producing "straighter" ammunition for better accuracy.

I do know that I used the Co-Ax press and a set of Forster "honed" dies to build the most accurate ammo I've ever loaded. It was for a heavy-barreled 223 bolt action and wow... Best groups I've ever shot!

Guy

 

[TackDriver284]

I started off with a RCBS press when I was a newbie, had it for about 25 years until I got the Redding Big Boss. I heard good things about the Co Ax with its free floating system. Co Ax would be my next press if I were to seek a new press.

 

[DrMike]

I've owned several RCBS presses, a Redding T7, and two Forster Co-Ax presses. If restricted to one press, it would be a Co-Ax. It is that good.

 

[salmonchaser]

Thanks guys I’m ordering a co ax today.

 

[DrMike]

Good move, Don. You won't regret this.

 

[JD338]

Thanks guys I’m ordering a co ax today.

Buy once, cry once and be done.
Good decision Don. You're gonna love it.

JD338

 

[grry10]

I purchased my Co-Ax (Bonanza) press in 1965. Forster later acquired them. This press has been used to load tens of thousands of rounds and still loads extremely accurate ammunition (no signs of any play). Forster continues to support my original press and has incorporated several upgrades to it since acquiring the product. If you do any kind of case forming I don't think you can purchase a better product.

 

[Dr. Vette]

The only thing I don't use my Co-Ax for is removing bullets with a collet, and using a Willis collet die on some brass. That's it. For those purposes I have a plain RCBS press on a small stand off to the side.

 

[salmonchaser]

The only thing I don't use my Co-Ax for is removing bullets with a collet, and using a Willis collet die on some brass. That's it. For those purposes I have a plain RCBS press on a small stand off to the side.

Good tip that Willis die takes a lot of force.

 

[salmonchaser]

I’ve loaded a couple of boxes of 7x57, 300 HH and sized one box of 338 Jarrett. The press got here Monday afternoon and I haven’t had much time to use it because we sanded off all the old stain from our cedar siding and we are now staining the front of the house. Sanding and staining the front of the house is one of the dumbest things I’ve ever done.

Buying this press is probably the best reloading investment I’ve ever made and I’ve been reloading since about 1967!

 

[CurrentTX]

I purchased the short-throw handle and side bins from Inline Fabrication for the Co-Ax. You'll be happy with it! Mine needed some breaking in and was a little rough at first, but now it's very smooth, making the work easy.