Your two videos are the most educational videos that I have seen on this press. Thank you for spending your precious time to address some important points.
You are a great speaker and great teacher of reloading. Your experience shows. I would not hesitate to choose the Forster press for reloading but only after watching your video. Thank you.
Have used the predecessor Bonanza press for about 50 years and many thousands of rounds, both pistol an rifle, with great success. Best system for precision ammunition.
I am VERY impressed with the quality of your videos. You are well spoken and a natural teacher, I am subscribing. Keep at it and you will have 100,000+ subscribers before you know it.
Just setup my Forester this afternoon. Getting ready to deprime my .44 brass, put them through the wet tumbler a second time to clean primer pockets & then start loading some coated cast 240 gr bullets. Your videos are easier than reading the instruction pages that came with the press, keep them coming. Thanks
Hi Rex. Thanks for such a great in-depth reviews of the Forster press. I'm new to reloading and have been looking at every press in the market to make a decision and you have helped me make it! - many thanks and look forward to seeing more updates from you.
Thank you for taking the time to share your discovery ...I watched both videos several times and I could not get this press out of my mind. It was similar to continually humming "It's a small world" after visiting Disney Land. I fixed the itch and my new Forster should be here this Saturday. I am just a hobbyist reloader who loves quality tools. I plan to use the Forster to decap and resize (9mm & 223/5.56) and then reload on my trusty Dillon 550B. Thank you again sir.
Both of these Forster Coax videos were terrific. Thanks. I'm just getting started in reloading, bought this press because it was so highly rated, and your videos answered a whole lot of my questions. Really appreciate it.
Just back from the range where my .44 reloads put together on my Forster press performed flawlessly. Using the Lee 4 die setup & your videos made the whole process a lot smoother than I thought it would be, setting up the crimp still has me measuring to be sure its applied correctly but all in all a fun day, thanks
Thanks a lot for all the detail. It’s obvious that you have A lot of enthusiasm about something that you know to be of good quality. I think you’re also Proving that something can be done efficiently with this press.
Thank you for the great video. My great grandfather designed and made the Bonanza coax press then sold the company to Forster. I have a few of the coax press as well as the prototype. Keep up the good work my friend.
Wow! I feel like I'm talking to Irad, the great-grandson of Adam. Your ancestor did us all a great service when he designed that press. Thanks for your comment.
Thanks for your video Rex great job I really enjoyed it. I've been reloading since the early 70's starting out with a C-H C press from the 50's. I've had a number of different presses since then but once I got my Dillon 550 I did all of my loading on that including my precision target ammo which it did a surprisingly good job with. I wanted to make the very best competition ammo I could though so I got myself a Co-Ax a couple of years ago then proceeded to stop competing...ugh! I did use it a couple of times after my purchase but since it's been two years I thought a TH-cam review of it's operation was in order. Doing a search found your video which perfectly met my needs. Your a natural teacher and speaker and I hope you've done other videos,thanks again.
Thanks very much for the information on the Forester press. I have never seen one in person I now understand why I should have one on my reloading bench.
Mr. Roach, thank you so much for these videos on the Forster. I've been consdiering one and your videos have convinced me to do so. Thank you for your efforts!
Thank you, sir! If you were not an educator previously in life, society is worse for it. Your videos are educational, informative and very enjoyable. Thank you so much! (just finished the 300 winmag one :))
Congrats on a great video. I've had a Forester press since the 80's. Sold 2 Rock Chuckers and a Lee since then and wouldn't want any of them back. I have purchased a Dillon 550 but only because of volume needs. Love my Forester press. Most loads coming out of it have .0015 runout or less. Keep up the nice work.
Terrific video. Really enjoyable. I've been reloading for over 40 years. I've used almost all the main brands of presses. For the last 8-10 years, I've been reloading strictly handgun on a Dillon 550.I only recently broke out my Co-Ax press again and started loading 7MM-08. I had forgotten how well this press works. In fact, I much prefer loading on it as opposed to the Dillon. This is by far the best single stage press I've ever used. Great piece of equipment.
+Gary O'Neal Thanks much for your comments. It's so good to have a truly experienced person validate what I've been saying. Opinions are fine, but opinions based on experience are the best.
This is just so good ! I return to it every once in a while when I've forgotten a "trick" - such as, I forgot that there was the locator tool for aligning the case primer pocket, when using the case primer seater. THANK YOU
Rex, just so your viewers don't have a similar problem, when using the priming system for a few years I started to have problems with the seating depth and that soft feel as the seating process finished. I messed around with slightly screwing in and out the seating cup to no avail. Then I noticed that one of the bolts holding the primer system case holding assembly had come loose. The ones that bolt into the twin rams. Once tightened all was right in the world again.
Excellent point. I suppose this really applies to all reloading equipment - if things are held together with threaded fasteners, they should always be snug. It's a great idea to check out your gear from stem to stern every once in a while and look for wear and/or loose connections. For me, I sometimes forget to really snug the locking nut on a die adjustment and get about 100 rounds into a session only to discover the die is out of kilter. It's maybe the #1 rule of reloading - PAY ATTENTION
Very nice video. Thanks for producing it. I bought my Co-Ax pres after watching your first excellent video. One tip I have already found on my new coax that might help with your .45-70 case being a bit sticky coming in & out is that the cone-shaped pin that pushes the jaws open screws in from the bottom, and you can control how much the jaws open by screwing that threaded pin in a bit more from the bottom of the frame. Also, another feature you didn't mention that I really like is that, when the handle is in the up, stored position, it is cammed up and over the top, so it won't fall back down for you to bump into, as is the case with some other presses.
You'll find it has very high leverage, so sizing those big straight cartridges is pretty easy. Let us know what you think after you've had some seat time with it.
Rex Roach I am currently using a Hornady Classic and Autopress. They are very good machines but after watching your videos I believe this is a better design. I am loading 45/70 and 45/120. I hope the yoke will clear the 120. Will let you know.
osbornephoto1955 I think the yoke will easily clear over the top of the die. Any problem will be with seating a 500+ grain bullet in the 45-120 case. As with almost all presses, it will be close.
Hi. Several years back this woman was going out of the reloading world for spiritual reasons? BUT she sold me the whole set-up. The Forster Co - Ax- press. with all the nuts & bolts & accessories. I still do not fully compreheld the entire process & until now there were not very many videos on You Tube explaining the process from the very beginning. Now that I have stumbled upon your videos I really do think I will be able to manufacture my own ammo. So, thank you sir. I Subed, Liked, and I am ready and eager to learn.; Thank You very much. Sincerely, JAMES.
Buzz Clark Well, Buzz, you have just made my day. I'm always thrilled when another good person joins our merry band of handloaders. If your collection of reloading tools includes anything you're not familiar with, let me know. I'm looking for subjects for videos.
Just received my new co ax press today, it is every bit as good as you said. I am amazed at how fast I can size pistol cases, thanks for the great videos, look forward to more
Anders Hallberg thank you. I will repeat I have NO CONNECTION with Forster but I will say you will be glad you bought it when you use it the first time.
I enjoyed both your videos. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and knowledge. I just bought my CO-AX press after watch your videos. I'm sure I did the right decision.
I've really enjoyed your videos on the co-ax press, very informative. You have explained a lot of positives about the press that I was not aware of, thanks.
This is my first time watching your videos. Very well done. Learned a couple of things I didn't know. One, the shear strength of aluminum (understand about different alloy formulations). Thanks. Two, Forster presses. Haven't heard about them before. Going to check it out. So, thanks again.
I have watched a couple of your videos and I agree with others that commend you for your production value and natural teaching ability. Why anyone would give this a thumbs down is a complete mystery to me. Keep up the good work!
I know this video is older, but the end, when you were talking about the forces being applied, it reminded very much of my best friend and shooting buddy who is a retired engineer, he too speaks with the same passion when he hears... statements that are not well thought out.
@@RexRoach i took delivery of my co ax press about a week ago, watching this video i convinced myself to pull the trigger and buy it. I actually made the order the day i made my original comment, but had to wait for a stock refresh as these seem to be hard to find. So far its been terrific, I truly am very pleased with its performance. Your videos on this press were very detailed, clear, and concise. I now have 5 presses, and i fear i may have a problem.
@@jimmysp4des229 You won't be unhappy with this press ever. If everyone who reloads had bought this press first, the disease of anotherpressitis would not be rampant. Nah, the iron deficiency syndrome would be just as strong. Oh, and by the way, if you reload handgun calibers on your new press, I urge you to get the short operating handle. In fact, you can use the short handle for just about everything except full length resizing of rifle cartridges.
@@RexRoach coincidentally, after loading about 50 rounds of ammo with the co ax, I was thinking "I wish I had bought this press first" I mainly shoot and reload ammo for my various revolvers, so I will take your advice and order the short handle today. Thanks for the tip.
Love it! very easy to follow sometimes its hard to hear for a non US citizen, but yor voice, tempo, and presentation is perfect.I hope Forrester watching this! Iam looking for a replacement of my RCII.
How wonderfully nice of you. I notice that many of the comments come from folks outside the U.S. Maybe that's the reason. What country are you in, Erik?
Thanks for the Forster Press videos! I have and old (really old)Texan 3 stage that I believe I'm going to replace with the Forster. Your videos reinforced what I liked about the press! Thanks for posting them!
Thanks for such an enlighjtening video. I have a Co-Ax on order from Midway and have never even seen one up close. My old Hornady single-stage press is just that: old, and since I am ready to make a move up, I chose the Co-Ax....mainly because of its ease of use, but probably more for its reputation for producing cartridges with minimal case/bullet runout, resulting in optimum concentricity. I won't receive the press from Midway until about a month from now due to their being backordered. Again, thanks for sharing your information. Much appreciated!
+Hotstixlix I noticed that MidWay had them on sale the other day. I know what you mean about not seeing one before buying. I bought mine totally on reputation (plus seeing one on TV used by the Army marksmen).
I enjoyed both your videos. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and knowledge. I am also a fan of the 357 sig. There aren't very many videos showing that cartridge.
Forster should be thanking you for these vids. After much searching I decided on getting the Co-ax as my single stage to compliment my Dillon XL650. I am just waiting to hear from them to make sure their largest jaws will be able to fit .577-450 martini henry.
+Maciej Cho As a worst case solution, you can get Forster's shell holder adaptor which allows you to use your "regular" shell holder. I have one and it works fine. I needed it to hold the extended "ram" for pushing .40 S&W and such cases through a Redding Rx die.
will the co-ax even accept the dies for the 577-450 arent they bigger and threaded 1-1 14x12? I dont know, but i dont think so. Correct me If I am wrong and I hope so because i am awaiting a 577 Snider and may have a possible chance picking up a used Co-ax.
Fenrir You've raised a good point. I was not familiar with the 577-450 Martini Henry, but it seems the dies of choice come from Lee and they have the 1-1/4x12 threads. I can't see any way to practically use the Co-Ax. The die will not even enter the slot, so shell holder questions are moot.
+Rex Roach Yeah i have to see want to pick up a co-ax so badly and this video helped a lot, but i need a new press who i can use the 577 dies and the Rcbs shotshell die also. Think I just have to buy the co-ax any way cant justify the price for a new one right now, but its hard to resist a good deal. Great video by the way
+Rex Roach Thanks a lot it will be great fun, but it is a Snider Enfield in 577 Snider i am awaiting , but dont you worry the Martini henry is probably next on the list:-)
I love your videos and your first one on the Forster Co Ax was what prompted me to buy one. Great stuff. However, about 16 minutes into your update video I started to get a headache. Mathematical formulas and PSI and lions and tigers and bears....Oh My. Again, great videos. Keep 'em coming.
Great video. The reason for using the aluminium lock ring that Forster recommends is that it won't wear away the slot on the Co-Ax press like a steel lock rings will - any wear is on the lock ring and not the steel of the press itself.
Rex, You should be getting paid big money from Forster! This was an excellent demonstration video showing the good points of the Co- Ax press, I really like your approach to the very awkward access of this press, setting the press at an angle will certainly address some of the shortcomings of the design, I will try that on my set up, next time I reload some little cartridges. I think the size of the calibers you mention well illustrates the problem I have with this design, which I admit is very good for small calibers, but I cannot find any way to load 45/120 on it, or 475 No2 NE, or 577NE, perhaps you can advise me. The 4 threads in aluminium is more of a durability issue, that I am sure you have solved by using a steel lock ring, I will get some right away. The primer seating, well I think your video shows the problem, even your manual dexterity has not convinced me on that, a hand held is the easy answer. Many thanks for this update! Chris.
looking to get into reloading for my S&W 629 6.5" barrel & noticed your video. First time reviewing this Foster & it looks real interesting. Like your setup for the holding bins on the side of the press, nice job. Thanks
I'll be curious to learn how lenient Forster is with replacement parts. I expect they'll be generous with swapping old/broken for new. Let us know, and thanks much for commenting.
Forster Coax is great. I use mine to de-prime and resize (that way, spent primers N-E-V-E-R fall on the floor). Then, I do the rest of the reloading operations on my Dillon 550!
Just watched both videos on the Forster Coax press.. very well done from every aspect!! Thanks for the good videos!! I'm subscribed now, will look forward to more from ya! P.S. It's obvious you are a veteran handloader; a suggestion for future videos would be caliber specific tips/tricks/tribal knowledge that you have learned over the years.
Thanks for the Follow Up Video! Put the Coax somewhere in the Back of my Head, but based on your Videos will reconsider it when I'm going to buy a new Press.
Great videos, Thank you. Have been looking into reloading for a little while and have found very few videos with as much information and simplified information that someone new to world of reloading can understand. So i would like to congratulate you on a job well done. I had narrow my presses option down to either the Forster co-ax or the Redding t7, after watching your review i decided to go with Forster. Only to find that they are really hard to get here in Australia, still searching.
thanks for the great videos!I often load the .308win with this fine press. To get a precisely seating depth i srew in the seating die, until it touches the Shell holder + so many turns and a little bit more so that the die ring touches the upper side of the die ring groove from the press. So i get a max. variation of +/- 0,02mm in seating depth. I bought the orig. Forster die rings for all of my dies, because for me they fit best. You don´t have to be afraid of the shearing forces in the alu threads -> the Shell holder fixing plate gives up first. There is a guy on TH-cam who sells reinforced plates for those who already need one.I hope you could understand my poor austrian-englisch :)
+Christian Arbeiter I promise your English is a billion times better than my German. Your points that precise seating depths are routine with the Co-Ax and there is nothing to fear in regard to the strength of the die lock threads are exactly what I was trying to say in the video. Vielen Dank und die besten Wünsche für das Jahr 2016.
I have long wanted to use a headspace "go" gauge to set the height of a resizing die. My problem is that one of my hand-loaded cartridges might end up being fired in any one of several rifles. In theory, a cartridge sized to the SAAMI standard would fit any properly reamed rifle except that it would be 0.003 inches too long. Cases appear to sit on the top of the lifting plate on a Forster Coax press. I am thinking of sitting a "go" gauge on this plate and setting the resize die to fit the gauge. Then, because I use standard 7/8 X 14 threaded dies, I could shorten my resizing die by 0.003 inches by removing the gauge and applying a clockwise 15 degree rotation to the die. I wonder if this will work.
Outstanding reviews! I will be buy a Forster Press with a big reason being your reviews. Seems like you have been doing this for a while and if you say its good i believe it. Now just to find a deal on one. haha Thanks!
One additional asset, if I may. I have never stuck a case with the Forster press. Not that I shouldn't have, I make mistakes too. But the case always came out of the die with more pressure on the handle. With the design, more pressure can be applied, this is shown by the less force required to size a case than with other presses. The longer handle and applied geometry. But also, with the unique case holder there is nearly 360 degrees of hold on the case, unlike standard case holders with much less. That is unless, you fail to change the case holder for larger cases. I noticed this on my first nearly stuck case. I have ordered spare jaws in the event a jaw bends in such an instance, but that has never happened to me yet. I have little problem with spare parts for my most used tools. A light application of way oil on the columns keeps it running smoothly also. Just my two cents.
Albert, that is an extremely valuable bit of information that I failed to include in the video. Yes, the jaws COMPLETELY ENCIRCLE the shell and that really increases your odds of successfully extracting a stuck case. People don't realize how much leverage this press design has because it looks "small."
@@RexRoach Glad to help. Just adding what I have found and like about the Forster. I have had 2 friends come over to use some tools of mine, they both now own Forster presses. After 40 years as an Industrial Mechanic, I have learned the price of well built tools are usually worth it.
Great video, Rex. You are definitely very knowledgeable and one of the more experienced reloaders. I'd love to have a Co-Ax, but I've been using my Rockchucker for thirty some odd years now, and even if I broke it tomorrow, I know that RCBS will repair or replace it free of charge. btw...The Forster priming system looks really cool, but by far a better system is the RCBS APS bench priming system. No need to touch a primer once they're in the loading strips, you get a primed case with each stroke of the handle, and it's adjustable for seating depth, so (just as with the Forster) it guarantees consistent seating depth every time. The best $90 I've spent on my bench.
Thank you for your kind remarks. Let me say I LOVE MY ROCKCHUCKER! And you are spot on when you point out the GREAT customer service from RCBS. They honor their products for the lifetime of the product. It's almost beyond belief this day and age. You are also correct in your praise of the RCBS bench priming tool. I have never used the APS strips, but the tool is the same when it comes to punching in the primer, and I agree it's the best "production" primer you can get. Fast, extremely reliable and accurate. I've never seen the APS primers for sale in any of the gun shops I frequent, including a few large ones in B'ham, although they may have been there and I missed them (don't see what you're not looking for, doncha know?). It's such an attractive method, I've often considered getting one of those loaders to roll my own, but I'm just so used to my traditional priming methods, it's hard to get motivated. FYI, I use a vibrator tool that quickly fills the priming tubes for the RCBS (or any other) priming tool. Takes about 45 seconds to dump the primers and fill a tube. Hard to beat that. It's called the Frankford Arsenal Vibra-Prime.
Rex Roach Thanks for the reply, as it's cool to see an older video with the uploader still tracking comments. Yeah, I've seen the Vibraprime in action, a really cool idea once set up. I sprung for the strip loader for my APS, so I just buy primers normally packaged and load my own strips that way. Once you get the hang of it, it's pretty easy to use it. One funny bit of experience learned from trial and error on my part is that I was having all kinds of trouble initially with the APS bench system, with it jamming and failing to load. I had it mounted to a cutoff 2x4 so that I could C-clamp it to my bench because of the limited space there, and I figured out that the problem was that I had failed to clamp it firmly enough to prevent it from flexing upward a fraction of an inch, which (of course) caused the primers to slide off the priming ram enough to go off center. Once I just snugged down the C-clamps enough to prevent flexing, it works 100% of the time, with the only speed limitation being how fast I can swap out cases. I love my RCBS equipment, but I admit that I still lust after that Forster Co-Ax. Keep up the great videos, which I have to admit you do a great job on with your lighting and camera work, and that's before mentioning the great detail you go into on them.
I love the exchanges I have in the comments with great viewers like you. Most people probably don't read these comments (because, frankly, on many sites the comments are hostile and worthless), but more's the pity because there's been a great deal of good, additional information posted about the subjects in my videos. Case in point: your comments about the clamping issues. Thanks again!
Yep, I have to buy that press. I currently use a Lee, and it irritates me, that I have to put a degree of slack, into the equation. Another x factor is the amount of force used, at the bottom of the stroke. Different amount of force, yeald different result. I want to eliminate such variables, and the Co-Ax, seem to be the answer. I agree with Erik the swede. Your videos are pleasant to watch, and your presentation are perfect. Greetings from Norway.
Glad to have more Scandinavian viewers. One of my high school classmates has lived in Norway since the 1970's. Her husband is a retired airline pilot. She lives in Sandane, I think.
I would like to use this press to load the .577/.450 Martini Henry. The Bertram brass for the M-H has a rim diameter of 0.740.” Would the Co-Ax accommodate this large rim? It looks like the priming jaws are reversible to accommodate different rim thicknesses? Thanks Keep up the great videos! 👍
The standard jaws will not open that wide, I'm almost certain. Forster has a set of jaws called LS (large/small) to handle most extremely large or small cases. I know it works well with .45-70 or .30-30, but I can't say about your .577/.450 Martini Henry. My advice is to contact Forster and ask them. If those jaws won't work, you can always get the adapter which allows the use of any "standard" shell holder from RCBS, Lyman, Redding, Hornady, etc.
What is that semi-bottlenecked pistol size case you showed at 14:00 and at around the beginning? It doesn't look like a .357 SIG would with a sharper shoulder.
That is beautiful quality equipment I love the way the dies slide in and out,,I’ll have to make do with my lee budget equipment sadly, although I’ve had good results.
I really like this video, and the first one you made about this press. I went out to my local gun store, and they actually had one in stock, so I bought it. It is different to set up your dies though. And I am new at reloading. So if you could post a video of how to set up the dies for seating a pistol round I would appreciate it. Thank you for this video, I really like my new press.
Rex, I used my cup of coffee time this morning to watch (research) TH-cam videos about the Hornady Cam Lok bullet puller and I think that it just might be the ticket to use with the Forster co ax press. I will place the Hornady Cam Lok puller on order with Brownells this weekend and then report back with the results. Hardy
I wonder how hard it would be to rig up a little finger spring to flick the finished cartridges off the holder at the bottom of each stroke. That, or an arm on a cam, with like a helical coil spring.
Hey Rex, another great video, i think that the press is an excellent design, and i want one, the first time i saw one it was in a movie i was watching and i thought wow thats a wierd looking movie prop, but later saw one the guy was making match ammo and the floating die or self centering design just hit me as being perfect, and as far as people worring about stripping aluminum die locks.....well they must lack common sense, like a guy told me one time, i was gonna wear my barrel out using a bronze brush! haha thanks for a great review.
Most of the time when Hollywood shows someone making ammo, that someone is a serial killer at the very least. Glad you liked the video. Thanks for the comment, and keep scrubbing that barrel.
This is the report back on using the Horady Cam Lok Bullet Puller with this press. There is also an existing video by ReloadingandShooting using the RCBS bullet puller with this press. My Hornady Cam Lok puller arrived yesterday with one 9mm collet and the 223 collet still enroute. This morning I installed the Hornady puller into the Forster press and set it up exactly according to the Hornady instructions. The puller is sensitive to how it is set up and it takes a little practice and feel to make good looking landings. I pulled 60 9mm 115 gr RN bullets and 3 Hornady 115 gr XTP without any issues. There is plenty of room to operate the puller handle. This puller is a keeper.
Nicely done videos, very informative. I'm still new to reloading & I'm just beginning in shooting for accuracy beyond 100 yards. I have a Hornady LnL progressive press presently, as I like to shoot/plink with several different pistol calibers. I take it that where accuracy is concerned, the repeatability that comes from a single stage press can't or usually isn't matched by a progressive press. Assuming that's true, is the Forster CoAx press cost really justifiable over other, longer established SS press designs, such as the Rock Chucker or Lee or Hornady designs, which are less expensive?
I think those who vote "yes" with their wallets would think it justified. Not so for everyone else. Rest assured, great ammo has been loaded with presses of all makes.
It certainly should not get worse (ha, ha). All kidding aside, the press is an important factor in making quality ammo, but there are many other things to get right as well. For a lot of us, myself included, the weak link in the chain is that which pulls the trigger.
Yes, same here. My next efforts are toward trigger discipline. Rainy day here now, so reloading with the new press is on the list for today. I really like your videos..keep up the good work!
I'd like to join the chorus of voices praising your videos. Beautiful voice and clear, concise instructions. I spent in excess of 20 years in the educational system and you put the professors to shame. Ok, the $64,000 question. Through my research and your videos it appears as though Forster is head and shoulders above the competition. Although I'm torn between this and a progressive press, I lean toward the Forester just because of the quality. Do you agree that it is the best press on the market? I would be reloading 6.5 creadmore with some .44 mag thrown in. Your opinion would be invaluable to me.
Dusty, I'm usually reluctant to use the term "best" when talking about products. It's a pretty subjective thing, but in this case I'm OK with saying the Forster Co-Ax is the best single-stage press on the market. There are others which are equally well-made, so the tipping difference is the unique design of the Co-Ax. I think most everyone who uses this press quickly reaches the conclusion that its design makes it their favorite. Good progressive presses have a major part to play in reloading and they are all about -volume-. If you burn through hundreds or thousands of rounds per week, you NEED a progressive press. Actually if you're burning thousands of rounds per week, you need a sponsor. Have you ever noticed that so many people have two, three, four and more progressive presses set up in their reloading operation? Get one and you'll quickly find out that they require a lot of fine-tuning to get running smoothly. Once you've dialed in the magic settings, you'll find yourself quite reluctant to break it all down in order to switch to another caliber. Yes, most progressives offer some sort of quick-change part that eliminates a lot of the time and labor, but even at that, it can make you yearn hard for a machine for each caliber that you shoot in volume. The two calibers you mention are two that I would normally associate with single-stage reloading. The 6.5 CM is usually fired in a precision target rifle at great distances. This requires ultra-careful reloading and often involves the use of high-end precision tools. I don't doubt someone somewhere has loaded good 6.5 CM ammo with a progressive press, but I'd wager most of the people shooting out to 1,000 yards and beyond are using single stage setups and even hand tools. I bought my S&W Model 29 .44 Magnum in 1974, I think. I added a couple more over the years and I can say I've had more fun experimenting with that cartridge than any other. I've tried all manner of bullet and powder combinations including an awful lot of cast bullets I made from scrounged metal, wheel weights and more recently, "store-bought" alloy. One thing I can say with great certainty is the words "load development" and "progressive press" are rarely found in the same sentence. I would strongly urge you to buy a Forster Co-Ax or any other high-quality single-stage press to begin your reloading endeavors. It's much more versatile and will have you making top quality ammo so much quicker than you will with any good progressive press. If you find yourself shooting a few hundred rounds of the same ammo each week, get yourself a good progressive press for that caliber and enjoy. Thanks for joining the discussion.
If you havent all ready. Its usually good to start with a single stage. If you you get where its something you want to do as an on going hobby you will want both a single stage & progressive press
There is one cartridge the jaws will not handle, the 450-400NE, it has the largest rim of the works for a rimmed cartridge. I called Forster to check that before I bought it, and it was them who told me that. I tried it once, the jaws just won't quite do it, it will start, but won't go all the way. There are a few other products out there that won't handle it, either.
The press is a bit hard to find in stock. I went through 6-7 suppliers (the usual suspects like Brownells and MidSouth), and MidwayUSA was the only one that had one yesterday.
Matthew, I believe this has usually been the case for many years. I'd like to think it reflects the time and care that Forster puts into making these. In reality, it's probably some penny-pinching financial officer that keeps a tight fist on production.
Hi Rex, A have a question/concern about the co-ax press which i don't think you have addressed in your (awesome) videos yet. My concern about the otherwise clever design of the press is in how the die is aligned with the linear motion of the case. When the case goes into the die, the case gets aligned left/right by the die position and the die gets aligned front/back by the case. They will find each other no matter what. But how is it secured that the center axis of the die is not tilted to the center axis of the case? I mean, when the die is floating in the open frame, it is up to the lock ring (and the slot in the frame) to secure the axial alignment. If the thread in the lock ring is not perpendicular to its top face, I think the die will start to tilt when the case forces the die upwards and thereby create some unwanted tension and concentric problems. How precise can the lock ring be and what about play/clearance there is in the thread between die and lock ring? What are your thoughts on this aspect? Best regards!
+Søren Frisk Mortensen That's a good question, Søren. My first thought is that the Co-Ax would be no better or worse than any press where the dies are threaded in. If there is axial tilt in the die thread, the die will be tilted in a conventional press or the Co-Ax. The case is supported and pushed by the ram, so the perpendicularity of the base of the case to the vertical axis of the case is important. On the Co-Ax, it's probably a good idea to select die lock rings that have good flat outside surfaces where it bears against the press slot, and threads that are axially aligned. But I expect all of them easily meet that need. This thought occurs: for all of the die lock rings, there is a certain amount of vertical play in the Co-Ax slot. That is, all of the rings are less in height than the inside height of the slot, thus all of them are free to move vertically a little bit. Some move almost none and others quite a bit. It might be that an axial alignment can occur between the case and die during that brief initial contact when the die is unrestrained vertically. Of course in very short order, the die will be restrained by the top of the slot and the amount of free play is probably not enough to make any difference. Now, having written all of the above, I have gone back and re-read your post several times. I think the point you are making is that the axial alignment is dependent on the quality of the lock ring. If the ring threads are loose or mis-aligned with the bore, the die will sit in the press at an angle. I agree, but would add that if the same die/ring combo is used on a conventionally threaded press, there is enough play in the die and press threads that the die can be tilted by a bad lock ring. One of the selling points made by Lee in regard to their lock rings is the floating nature of the O-ring design. Instead of a hard metal-to-metal mating between the lock ring and press top, there is a soft mate between the O-ring and press which allows the die a small amount of float, improving alignment with the case. I think it's Glen Zediker in one of his books that champions using O-rings on press rams in place of the heavy wire springs which retain the shell holders, thus allowing the holder to float. Of course this is the whole idea of the Co-Ax press. In general, I think the various manufacturers do such a good job of threading, it is too small of an error to affect the quality of the ammo. However, I would love to hear any thoughts you or anyone else has on how that sort of error might be measured. I suppose the end result of such mis-alignment would be a case that has been tilted on its vertical axis in relation to the base. We could measure the run-out of the base (face, not rim) while rotating the case in a typical run-out fixture. You'd need before and after sizing measurements to see if your press setup is causing the problem.
+Rex Roach Thanks for the reply. I wrote my question in a bit of a hurry and English is not my native language, so I apologize if it was difficult to understand. But my point is exactly, as you phrase, that the axial alignment is dependent on the quality of the lock ring. I have no idea how different die manufactures make their lock rings, but I don't think they are manufactured with the thought that the lock ring could be a direct part of the tolerance chain between case and die. In my daily work I develop mechanical precision equipment, and i have seen plenty of bad elements go out of expensive and modern CNC setups.
Jason Dwyer Probably not. There are two methods of removing primer pocket crimps that I'm aware off. One method, called reaming, cuts the excess metal away. The second method, swaging, re-shapes the mouth of the primer pocket. I think most people prefer the latter method and the Dillon bench tool is the standard bearer. I'm only aware of one tool (RCBS) that uses a press for swaging and, AFAIK, it won't work on the Co-Ax because the swaging punch mounts to the press ram in the same way a shell holder does, i.e. it snaps into place. I picked up a used Dillon years ago at a gun show. Works like a champ and processes very quickly. Here's an excellent article on the subject: squibloads.wordpress.com/reloading/get-the-crimp-out/
Thanks Rex. I thought about a bit after posting. Even if the aligning tool was strong enough (and I reckon it would be). It would probably stay on the case on the return stroke... Thanks for the reply
Jason Dwyer Jason, it's come to my attention there's a $17 accessory you can buy that will allow you to use a standard shell holder on the Co-Ax press. For those special occasions when you need to mount an extended shell holder or, as is the case here, an extended "punch," this thing is just the ticket. MidSouth sells them www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/00070AP1000/Shell-Holder-Adapter-Plate-For-CO-AX-Press- I have one on order. Watch for a "review."
I used to hate the co-ax priming setup but its growing on me. One thing the co-ax is a little deficient in is pulling bullets. Two things help- a) They used to provide a cone screw (is missing on yours, the front hole) that sets the jaw minimum closing distance with the ram up, makes it easier to start a case rim over the jaws when held by a bullet puller. They still have them, but you have to buy it separate. b) Use a cam lock bullet puller aka Hornady. The screw style ala RCBS is difficult to use on the co-ax because of the Y handle.
It came with the press and a quick check of the Forster web site did not reveal the part. If you give them a call or email, they will have what you need.
great follow up. I'm new to reloading (haven't actually begun yet), and was wondering how well the forster could manage volume. watching you do a function and flick that cartridge away made it seem like it definitely could handle pistol (i'll be starting with 9mm and 45 acp) at volume. thanks again for taking the time to do these reviews. what are your thoughts / or have you considered the stand alone primer? you make priming on the press look pretty easy. thanks
Thanks for your comments, Lyle. I often use the priming tool on the Co-Ax when I have 25 or so cartridges to load. Even though you handle the primers one at a time, it's still faster than setting up a bench priming tool and loading the tube(s). Plus, as I have belabored in the videos, the Co-Ax priming tool is superbly accurate. If you think about it, a high-dollar hand priming tool like the magnificent Sinclair or K&M is a one-at-a-time tool where you handle each primer individually. People use those for the quality of the finished product, especially benchrest shooters who will use every possible trick. IMHO you get the same benefits with the Co-Ax primer, so in a way you could consider the press comes with a $100 (or more) priming tool. My personal favorite priming tool for 25+ cartridges is the RCBS bench tool. I also use the Frankford Arsenal Vibra-Prime device for quickly filling the primer tubes. I have the Forster bench priming tool, but prefer the RCBS. Of course like almost all priming tools, it requires more consistency on the part of the operator instead of having the primer position precision built into the design of the machine. Finally I have some advice if you are just beginning to load. Start with a single stage press. It doesn't have to be the Co-Ax, but get a good one and you'll have it forever. I have several progressive presses and they have a great place in the reloading scheme, but I strongly feel everyone should start with a good single stage press. The guy who started me in handloading in 1971 shot about 2000 rounds a week of .45 ACP using bullets he cast and then loaded with an RCBS Rock Chucker. Yes, I know anyone in their right mind today would use a Dillon for that many rounds, but progressives were rare back then and I mention this to show that it certainly can be (and was) done with single stage presses. The single stage will allow you to quickly change calibers and give you much more versatility at lower cost. I also think it's much safer to build ammunition in a "batch" method where you can examine the lot for primer and powder errors, both of which can sneak in on a progressive.
I would second the thought on single stage presses and the RCBS bench primer. The RCBS primer is a bit of a clunker, but it gives a very nice feel and feedback. What do you consider "at volume?" I used an RCBS Rock Chucker for over 20 years to load ~250 rounds a week and it was pretty painless. Once you get the system down it goes very smoothly. I would just size/deprime/flare a bucket of brass, hand prime while watching TV (gives me a chance to inspect each case by feel/vision, then load up until I got bored or was out of something. The press is cheap and very accurate, the shell holders are cheap, die changing takes only a moment, and can reload about anything. Do not worry about some magical primer depth for pistols, just push it in until it is below the rim. The pocket does not need to be cleaned, you do not need to measure its depth or any of time wasting nonsense. If you can feel it being below the rim with your finger, it is deep enough. You should only worry about all the fancy stuff like clean primer pockets, primer depth, neck turning, neck trimming, tumbling (only do it to make them nicer to handle), powder weighing each charge, etc on rifle ammo that is shot purely for accuracy. None of that crap will make any difference for a pistol cartridge, and will not make a difference for most rifle cartridges unless you are a really good shooter. You can take the extra step to gauge all your loaded ammo if you want, but I just ignore it. If the case is too long, the breach won't close, the gun won't fire, no biggie. Pistol brass will almost always split at the mouth when you load the bullet when they stretch to long. A decent trigger will give you far more accuracy than fussing over the ammo.
I would suggest maybe 500 rounds or more at one sitting to be "at volume." You are spot on about the value of overthinking and overdoing as regards pistol ammo. I was using pistol brass for the demo, but honestly would never use the press for priming pistol ammo. Mostly I was impressed with the consistency of the priming function. Thanks for your insightful comments.
Rex Roach This is really sound advise, I think that until I started to shoot handguns I really did not need anything with more volume capacity than a single stage press, after all I could not shoot more than around 30 times a session with most of my rifles( 475NE, 577NE etc) but when I shoot 45 Colt 100 rounds goes in no time, that said I much prefer the peace of mind that loading 5 Gr of powder into the case by hand gives, over the unseen automatic measure you get with the higher volume reloading techniques.Just look at how many guns are blown up with an overcharge.
Great question, Lance. The answer is yes. You'll need the Shell Holder Adapter Plate #AP1000. I have RCBS Competition Dies in .222 and .22-250. The little tall shell holder goes up inside the dies and it works perfectly with the Co-Ax press with that adapter. Also the Co-Ax handle will easily clear over the top of the die. I have those plus some Redding dies with tall bodies and micrometer adjustment knobs at the top and the handle goes over all of them. By the way, that shell holder adapter plate will allow you to use any common post-type shell holder from RCBS, Redding, Lyman, Hornady, etc. Another time I use it is with a Redding shell holder set that lets you fine-tune headspace when sizing.
Rex thanks. I use these dies for seating only as I mentioned. The 30 cal works perfectly for all 30 cal rounds. I too Load for 222. Would you happen to have a photo of that all set up? Is there any way to get around using the adapter or even needing it? I guess my concern with the shell holder was over concentricity and the fact that it negates the floating shell holder concept. However, most concentricity is achieved in case sizing correct? I suppose if I have any runout in the finished case I can correct that with the Hornady concentricity tool.
@@lanceschul, here are some photos of the Co-Ax set up with the adaptor plate and the .22-250 RCBS Competition Die. I can't think of any other solution for using that special, skinny, tall RCBS shell holder other than the adaptor. As to the concentricity issue, if you leave the screws slightly loose, the adaptor is free to move slightly in any lateral direction. I've not tried it that way, but I would guess a drop of "mild" Lock-Tite would keep the screws in place. A half-turn loose is all you'd need. Here's a link to the photos: www.flickr.com/photos/68176327@N08/albums/72157704701212181
Rex Roach thank you sir. I suppose if the case is sized properly with the floating attributes the seating will go smoothly. Thank you for the time you spent posting photos. I think this press will work just fine with that adapter. Many thanks!
Rex, I want to get into reloading very badly and I have been researching every different manufacturer and types of presses, which appear to be the most popular ones I can find info, reviews, etc. on. I just watched both of your videos (very well done I would add) on the Forster Co-Ax and based on the great features that you have pointed out and the fact that it appears built like a beast, I'm 100% sure that this is the press I want. Before I pull the trigger on it though I wanted to ask your opinion on something. Besides which manufacturer's press I wanted I am also somewhat perplexed regarding the style of press. i.e. single stage, turret or progressive to get. For the most part I will only be reloading 9mm and .223 and eventually maybe .308 and 300 WM. If I get the Co-Ax single stage will I be able to get the correct dies and accessories for it to be able to reload all of these calibers and more importantly do you think this single stage press is the best way to go for a new reloaded over a turret or progressive? I sincerely apologize for intruding and asking so many open questions, but based on watching quite a few of your videos, you seem like a very personable and wise Man and I would value your input and opinion! Thank you very much Rex and thank you as well for the great videos.
Hello Thomas and thanks for your inquiry. I would advise anyone starting out in reloading to start with a single stage press or a turret. A turret press is normally operated like a single stage in that you will complete one operation on ALL the cartridges before moving to the next step. In other words, a turret is not a "poor man's" progressive where you can size/decap - expand/prime - charge with powder - seat bullet - crimp in a sequence on a single cartridge. Yes, you CAN do that, but you'll find it more feasible to, for example, size and deprime ALL the cases before moving on to the next steps. I really like a turret press because all of your dies and powder measure can be set for the loading session and if you need to go back for any reason and repeat some steps, it's a quick matter of turning the turret. Likewise, the Forster press allows for almost as quick changes between dies. Granted, you can't mount a powder measure on it, but I've always operated my measure from a separate setup with any reloading. As to dies and accessories, the Co-Ax uses standard dies so any brand will work. Of course you can't use hand dies like the Wilson, but that's the whole point of that die, isn't it. Truth be tole, you may be able to use more dies with the Co-Ax than any other press because the dies are mounted with the lock rings that slide into the groove. Therefore, in theory, you could use something like the old Lyman "nutcracker" dies which are smaller than standard modern dies, but it would simply be a matter of getting a nut for the die that's large enough to fit the press. Now I didn't say that's a good idea, just that there may be more possibilities with the Co-Ax than with others. As to turret presses, you can find them from Redding, RCBS and Lyman. I have several presses from both Redding & RCBS and a lot of Lyman products. However I don't have a turret press from any of them. The Lyman is attractive because it has 8 stations which would allow you to fill it with dies for two calibers without a problem. Furthermore, you can buy extra turrets for all of these and the Lyman is a bit less expensive. The Redding 7-station would probably be perfect for a couple of calibers and I can say my Redding press is a magnificent beast. I've probably had more RCBS presses and equipment than all the others combined, but the 6 hole turret puts me off a bit, as if it's almost enough. Working with a single station (or turret) press creates a more focused environment. You are only doing one thing at a time so your concentration can be razor sharp on that. If an operation "feels" funny, chances are there's something wrong and you can sort out that bad apple right then and there. With a progressive, so many things are going on at one time, your attention is spread out all over the place. If anything goes wrong, and it will, it takes a lot more effort to "clean up" and restart. Believe me, I know the appeal of the progressive press--I have five of them. In their place, they are fantastic. I still marvel at seeing raw brass go in one end and a finished round drop out the other end with each pull of the handle. But these presses are harsh mistresses. They require a lot of fine tuning and care, and once you have one running smoothly, you'll be loathe to change it over to another caliber until you've loaded several thousand rounds of whatever to justify the whole thing. My advice is to get the Co-Ax (and AGAIN, I HAVE NO CONNECTION WITH FORSTER or any other manufacturer) and be secure in knowing you have the best single stage press you can get (in many/most people's opinion). Buy good dies. My advice here to go visit several on-line forums to learn what people are having best luck with, especially for rifle. Take a look at Glen Zediker's reloading books, especially for the .223 and .308. His writing style is charmingly quirky and sometimes a bit twisty to read, but his advice is top notch and he will introduce you to a world of knowledge about ammunition and the making thereof. Oh, get a subscription to Handloader magazine, by all means. I've been subscribing since 1980 and have every issue which I often go back to.
Interesting thought. As far as I know, Forster doesn't make parts to swage primer pockets with this press, but given the design it would be simple to make a punch that would work on there. The leverage of the press is at a maximum then. It would be difficult to make it adjustable, but that might not be an issue. Anyone with lathe skills could take an off-the-shelf punch from someone like Dillon, cut it down, thread it and that would be that. Of course getting the length right would be the trick. There's not much room underneath the block that carries the empty case for a locking nut, hence my earlier statement about difficulty of adjustment. I suppose a test model could be made to screw in until the operation is correct, note the final dimensions and then make a shouldered part that would screw down firmly as does the primer pocket punch part Forster makes. Well that little bit of thinking out loud was a good way to start the morning.
Great video I’m looking at getting a co ax. I appreciate the time you’ve taken to make these videos thanks.
Glad you enjoyed it and thank you for commenting.
Doesn't get much easer to listen to than this, very informative what a gent.
This video must be the best, in depth, thorough look at a high end reloading tool that I've seen.
Thank You Rex.
Well, thank you, Mickey. You are most generous with your praise. Glad you enjoyed the video, and thanks for sharing it.
Your two videos are the most educational videos that I have seen on this press. Thank you for spending your precious time to address some important points.
Thank you for taking YOUR time to tell me. Much appreciated.
Outstanding overview. Thank you Rex.
You are a great speaker and great teacher of reloading. Your experience shows. I would not hesitate to choose the Forster press for reloading but only after watching your video. Thank you.
Bruce, thank you for one of the nicest comments ever.
A very well done video. You have a very engaging voice. Keep up the good content.
Have used the predecessor Bonanza press for about 50 years and many thousands of rounds, both pistol an rifle, with great success. Best system for precision ammunition.
I am VERY impressed with the quality of your videos. You are well spoken and a natural teacher, I am subscribing. Keep at it and you will have 100,000+ subscribers before you know it.
Now you've just scared me to death!
+novaman68 Yes, he is a NATURAL born Speaker, not sure why he doesnt know that already.. very easy to listen to and very informative video..
Jeff from Jersey Thank you so very much, Jeff.
Just setup my Forester this afternoon. Getting ready to deprime my .44 brass, put them through the wet tumbler a second time to clean primer pockets & then start loading some coated cast 240 gr bullets. Your videos are easier than reading the instruction pages that came with the press, keep them coming. Thanks
Fun! Thanks for sharing, best of luck with your reloading, and thanks for the nice things you said.
Hi Rex. Thanks for such a great in-depth reviews of the Forster press. I'm new to reloading and have been looking at every press in the market to make a decision and you have helped me make it! - many thanks and look forward to seeing more updates from you.
Welcome to our wonderful hobby. I'm glad you're thinking in terms of quality purchases. It will pay big dividends in the long run.
I didn't know about this press and ended up with something else. This is the press for those who want to make some accurate ammo.
Thank you for taking the time to share your discovery ...I watched both videos several times and I could not get this press out of my mind. It was similar to continually humming "It's a small world" after visiting Disney Land. I fixed the itch and my new Forster should be here this Saturday. I am just a hobbyist reloader who loves quality tools. I plan to use the Forster to decap and resize (9mm & 223/5.56) and then reload on my trusty Dillon 550B. Thank you again sir.
+Hardy Birch As one hobbyist reloader to another, you are very welcome. Thanks for commenting.
I enjoyed this video. I now know that I need the optional shell holder. I didn’t really care for the hands during the entire swap.
Thanks for the follow up. I have become very interested in the Forster Co-Ax Press.
Both of these Forster Coax videos were terrific. Thanks. I'm just getting started in reloading, bought this press because it was so highly rated, and your videos answered a whole lot of my questions. Really appreciate it.
Both your videos on the Forster press are the best I have seen on reloading presses. Thank you very much.
Just back from the range where my .44 reloads put together on my Forster press performed flawlessly. Using the Lee 4 die setup & your videos made the whole process a lot smoother than I thought it would be, setting up the crimp still has me measuring to be sure its applied correctly but all in all a fun day, thanks
Outstanding. I got to spend Saturday with one of my sons, so I know what you mean by a fun day.
Great videos (I watched both).... you've convinced me, after 41 years of RCBS, to go Forster!
Thanks a lot for all the detail. It’s obvious that you have A lot of enthusiasm about something that you know to be of good quality. I think you’re also Proving that something can be done efficiently with this press.
Thank you for the great video. My great grandfather designed and made the Bonanza coax press then sold the company to Forster. I have a few of the coax press as well as the prototype. Keep up the good work my friend.
Wow! I feel like I'm talking to Irad, the great-grandson of Adam. Your ancestor did us all a great service when he designed that press. Thanks for your comment.
I can listen to you all day.
Thanks for your video Rex great job I really enjoyed it. I've been reloading since the early 70's starting out with a C-H C press from the 50's. I've had a number of different presses since then but once I got my Dillon 550 I did all of my loading on that including my precision target ammo which it did a surprisingly good job with. I wanted to make the very best competition ammo I could though so I got myself a Co-Ax a couple of years ago then proceeded to stop competing...ugh! I did use it a couple of times after my purchase but since it's been two years I thought a TH-cam review of it's operation was in order. Doing a search found your video which perfectly met my needs. Your a natural teacher and speaker and I hope you've done other videos,thanks again.
Thanks for the encouragement. I have done a few other videos including a previous video on the CoAx.
@@RexRoach Yep watched that too. Also well done thanks.
Thanks very much for the information on the Forester press. I have never seen one in person I now understand why I should have one on my reloading bench.
I would love to see a coyote that had been shot with a .338 Rem Ultra Mag.
Rex Roach 180 Accubonds turns them into pieces much like a HV .224 and a prairie dog.
A true varmint shooter.
Mr. Roach, thank you so much for these videos on the Forster. I've been consdiering one and your videos have convinced me to do so. Thank you for your efforts!
You're quite welcome. It's a fabulous hobby and I'm glad you're part of it.
Thank you, sir! If you were not an educator previously in life, society is worse for it. Your videos are educational, informative and very enjoyable. Thank you so much! (just finished the 300 winmag one :))
I guess I found my calling late in life. Thank you for the encouragement.
Nice job explaining the press. If I were to start reloading today and did not have a reloader I would buy this one.
Rex did you work at WTVY Dothan,
Congrats on a great video. I've had a Forester press since the 80's. Sold 2 Rock Chuckers and a Lee since then and wouldn't want any of them back. I have purchased a Dillon 550 but only because of volume needs. Love my Forester press. Most loads coming out of it have .0015 runout or less. Keep up the nice work.
Thank you very much. It's always good to have independent validation of what I've been saying.
What loads are you getting that kind of runout "most of the time" with and where are you measuring "run out"?
Terrific video. Really enjoyable. I've been reloading for over 40 years. I've used almost all the main brands of presses. For the last 8-10 years, I've been reloading strictly handgun on a Dillon 550.I only recently broke out my Co-Ax press again and started loading 7MM-08. I had forgotten how well this press works. In fact, I much prefer loading on it as opposed to the Dillon. This is by far the best single stage press I've ever used. Great piece of equipment.
+Gary O'Neal Thanks much for your comments. It's so good to have a truly experienced person validate what I've been saying. Opinions are fine, but opinions based on experience are the best.
This is just so good ! I return to it every once in a while when I've forgotten a "trick" - such as, I forgot that there was the locator tool for aligning the case primer pocket, when using the case primer seater. THANK YOU
Nice job! Very good camera work and clear explanation of the workings of the Co Ax.
Glad you enjoyed it, Garth.
Rex, just so your viewers don't have a similar problem, when using the priming system for a few years I started to have problems with the seating depth and that soft feel as the seating process finished. I messed around with slightly screwing in and out the seating cup to no avail. Then I noticed that one of the bolts holding the primer system case holding assembly had come loose. The ones that bolt into the twin rams. Once tightened all was right in the world again.
Excellent point. I suppose this really applies to all reloading equipment - if things are held together with threaded fasteners, they should always be snug. It's a great idea to check out your gear from stem to stern every once in a while and look for wear and/or loose connections.
For me, I sometimes forget to really snug the locking nut on a die adjustment and get about 100 rounds into a session only to discover the die is out of kilter.
It's maybe the #1 rule of reloading - PAY ATTENTION
Nice work Rex, clear and simple.
Very nice video. Thanks for producing it. I bought my Co-Ax pres after watching your first excellent video. One tip I have already found on my new coax that might help with your .45-70 case being a bit sticky coming in & out is that the cone-shaped pin that pushes the jaws open screws in from the bottom, and you can control how much the jaws open by screwing that threaded pin in a bit more from the bottom of the frame. Also, another feature you didn't mention that I really like is that, when the handle is in the up, stored position, it is cammed up and over the top, so it won't fall back down for you to bump into, as is the case with some other presses.
I am buying this press because of your first video. You answered my questions on this video about 45/70.
You'll find it has very high leverage, so sizing those big straight cartridges is pretty easy. Let us know what you think after you've had some seat time with it.
Rex Roach I am currently using a Hornady Classic and Autopress. They are very good machines but after watching your videos I believe this is a better design. I am loading 45/70 and 45/120. I hope the yoke will clear the 120. Will let you know.
osbornephoto1955 I think the yoke will easily clear over the top of the die. Any problem will be with seating a 500+ grain bullet in the 45-120 case. As with almost all presses, it will be close.
Great follow up video, well done, very helpful.
Hi. Several years back this woman was going out of the reloading world for spiritual reasons? BUT she sold me the whole set-up. The Forster Co - Ax- press. with all the nuts & bolts & accessories. I still do not fully compreheld the entire process & until now there were not very many videos on You Tube explaining the process from the very beginning. Now that I have stumbled upon your videos I really do think I will be able to manufacture my own ammo. So, thank you sir. I Subed, Liked, and I am ready and eager to learn.; Thank You very much. Sincerely, JAMES.
Buzz Clark Well, Buzz, you have just made my day. I'm always thrilled when another good person joins our merry band of handloaders. If your collection of reloading tools includes anything you're not familiar with, let me know. I'm looking for subjects for videos.
Just received my new co ax press today, it is every bit as good as you said. I am amazed at how fast I can size pistol cases, thanks for the great videos, look forward to more
Robin England Thanks so much for sharing with us.
I love watching your videos! Very well spoken, very well thought out, and very informative. I look forward to watching more of them.
I appreciate that very much. Thanks.
I am so impressed with your mathematical skills and metalugical knowledge, that I think I will go out and buy myself that Forster press myself.
Anders Hallberg thank you. I will repeat I have NO CONNECTION with Forster but I will say you will be glad you bought it when you use it the first time.
I enjoyed both your videos. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and knowledge. I just bought my CO-AX press after watch your videos. I'm sure I did the right decision.
I've never regretted buying any truly good tools.
I've really enjoyed your videos on the co-ax press, very informative. You have explained a lot of positives about the press that I was not aware of, thanks.
Thank you very much.
This is my first time watching your videos. Very well done. Learned a couple of things I didn't know. One, the shear strength of aluminum (understand about different alloy formulations). Thanks. Two, Forster presses. Haven't heard about them before. Going to check it out. So, thanks again.
I have watched a couple of your videos and I agree with others that commend you for your production value and natural teaching ability. Why anyone would give this a thumbs down is a complete mystery to me. Keep up the good work!
Thumbs down? There's just no accounting for taste, is there. But thank you very much for your nice comment.
I know this video is older, but the end, when you were talking about the forces being applied, it reminded very much of my best friend and shooting buddy who is a retired engineer, he too speaks with the same passion when he hears... statements that are not well thought out.
Thanks for your comment, and that was a very nice way of calling out...mistakes.
@@RexRoach i took delivery of my co ax press about a week ago, watching this video i convinced myself to pull the trigger and buy it. I actually made the order the day i made my original comment, but had to wait for a stock refresh as these seem to be hard to find.
So far its been terrific, I truly am very pleased with its performance.
Your videos on this press were very detailed, clear, and concise.
I now have 5 presses, and i fear i may have a problem.
@@jimmysp4des229 You won't be unhappy with this press ever. If everyone who reloads had bought this press first, the disease of anotherpressitis would not be rampant.
Nah, the iron deficiency syndrome would be just as strong. Oh, and by the way, if you reload handgun calibers on your new press, I urge you to get the short operating handle. In fact, you can use the short handle for just about everything except full length resizing of rifle cartridges.
@@RexRoach coincidentally, after loading about 50 rounds of ammo with the co ax, I was thinking "I wish I had bought this press first"
I mainly shoot and reload ammo for my various revolvers, so I will take your advice and order the short handle today.
Thanks for the tip.
Love it! very easy to follow sometimes its hard to hear for a non US citizen, but yor voice, tempo, and presentation is perfect.I hope Forrester watching this! Iam looking for a replacement of my RCII.
How wonderfully nice of you. I notice that many of the comments come from folks outside the U.S. Maybe that's the reason. What country are you in, Erik?
+Rex Roach I am from Sweden, looking forward to se more from you
+Rex Roach I am from Sweden, looking forward to se more from you
Tack så mycket.
Thanks for the Forster Press videos! I have and old (really old)Texan 3 stage that I believe I'm going to replace with the Forster. Your videos reinforced what I liked about the press! Thanks for posting them!
+Mark Manes So good to hear from seasoned reloaders. I appreciate your support.
Thanks for such an enlighjtening video. I have a Co-Ax on order from Midway and have never even seen one up close. My old Hornady single-stage press is just that: old, and since I am ready to make a move up, I chose the Co-Ax....mainly because of its ease of use, but probably more for its reputation for producing cartridges with minimal case/bullet runout, resulting in optimum concentricity. I won't receive the press from Midway until about a month from now due to their being backordered. Again, thanks for sharing your information. Much appreciated!
+Hotstixlix I noticed that MidWay had them on sale the other day. I know what you mean about not seeing one before buying. I bought mine totally on reputation (plus seeing one on TV used by the Army marksmen).
I enjoyed both your videos. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and knowledge. I am also a fan of the 357 sig. There aren't very many videos showing that cartridge.
Thank you for commenting, Jamie. I hope to do a range report on the 357 Sig.
@@RexRoach
My email is:
joliver65@yahoo.com
Have you ever been associated with Deeprock water well drills
Forster should be thanking you for these vids. After much searching I decided on getting the Co-ax as my single stage to compliment my Dillon XL650. I am just waiting to hear from them to make sure their largest jaws will be able to fit .577-450 martini henry.
+Maciej Cho As a worst case solution, you can get Forster's shell holder adaptor which allows you to use your "regular" shell holder. I have one and it works fine. I needed it to hold the extended "ram" for pushing .40 S&W and such cases through a Redding Rx die.
will the co-ax even accept the dies for the 577-450 arent they bigger and threaded 1-1 14x12? I dont know, but i dont think so. Correct me If I am wrong and I hope so because i am awaiting a 577 Snider and may have a possible chance picking up a used Co-ax.
Fenrir You've raised a good point. I was not familiar with the 577-450 Martini Henry, but it seems the dies of choice come from Lee and they have the 1-1/4x12 threads. I can't see any way to practically use the Co-Ax. The die will not even enter the slot, so shell holder questions are moot.
+Rex Roach Yeah i have to see want to pick up a co-ax so badly and this video helped a lot, but i need a new press who i can use the 577 dies and the Rcbs shotshell die also. Think I just have to buy the co-ax any way cant justify the price for a new one right now, but its hard to resist a good deal. Great video by the way
+Rex Roach Thanks a lot it will be great fun, but it is a Snider Enfield in 577 Snider i am awaiting , but dont you worry the Martini henry is probably next on the list:-)
Thank you for a comprehensive report.
I love your videos and your first one on the Forster Co Ax was what prompted me to buy one. Great stuff. However, about 16 minutes into your update video I started to get a headache. Mathematical formulas and PSI and lions and tigers and bears....Oh My. Again, great videos. Keep 'em coming.
Very true. Numbers are a big no-no in video. It's really impossible to follow math presented verbally.
Thank you very much for this excellent video Rex! Greetings from Bavaria! :)
We had a beautiful vacation in Bavaria several years ago. Spectacular part of the world.
couldn't agree more!
Love my forster. great video
Great video. The reason for using the aluminium lock ring that Forster recommends is that it won't wear away the slot on the Co-Ax press like a steel lock rings will - any wear is on the lock ring and not the steel of the press itself.
Excellent information. Wish I had thought of that. Thanks for commenting.
Very nice introduction to the Bonanza CO-AX press and how to use it.
Very nice of you to take time to say so. Thank you!
Rex, You should be getting paid big money from Forster! This was an excellent demonstration video showing the good points of the Co- Ax press, I really like your approach to the very awkward access of this press, setting the press at an angle will certainly address some of the shortcomings of the design, I will try that on my set up, next time I reload some little cartridges.
I think the size of the calibers you mention well illustrates the problem I have with this design, which I admit is very good for small calibers, but I cannot find any way to load 45/120 on it, or 475 No2 NE, or 577NE, perhaps you can advise me. The 4 threads in aluminium is more of a durability issue, that I am sure you have solved by using a steel lock ring, I will get some right away. The primer seating, well I think your video shows the problem, even your manual dexterity has not convinced me on that, a hand held is the easy answer. Many thanks for this update! Chris.
Thanks much, my Anglo-Franco friend. Also, mounting it lower than other presses yields easier-on-the-back results.
looking to get into reloading for my S&W 629 6.5" barrel & noticed your video. First time reviewing this Foster & it looks real interesting. Like your setup for the holding bins on the side of the press, nice job. Thanks
Thank you. If you plan to reload for handguns, be sure to get the short handle. Revolvers are the perfect guns for reloading.
Absolutely excellent video, good video and commentary. I have a Co Ax that I inherited from you brother and need to replace a few parts so will do so.
I'll be curious to learn how lenient Forster is with replacement parts. I expect they'll be generous with swapping old/broken for new. Let us know, and thanks much for commenting.
Forster Coax is great. I use mine to de-prime and resize (that way, spent primers N-E-V-E-R fall on the floor). Then, I do the rest of the reloading operations on my Dillon 550!
What a great video, thanks for taking the time to put it together.
Thank you, Mick, for taking the time to comment. Very kind. Greatly appreciated.
Just watched both videos on the Forster Coax press.. very well done from every aspect!! Thanks for the good videos!! I'm subscribed now, will look forward to more from ya!
P.S. It's obvious you are a veteran handloader; a suggestion for future videos would be caliber specific tips/tricks/tribal knowledge that you have learned over the years.
Thanks for the Follow Up Video! Put the Coax somewhere in the Back of my Head, but based on your Videos will reconsider it when I'm going to buy a new Press.
Great videos, Thank you.
Have been looking into reloading for a little while and have found very few videos with as much information and simplified information that someone new to world of reloading can understand. So i would like to congratulate you on a job well done.
I had narrow my presses option down to either the Forster co-ax or the Redding t7, after watching your review i decided to go with Forster.
Only to find that they are really hard to get here in Australia, still searching.
thanks for the great videos!I often load the .308win with this fine press. To get a precisely seating depth i srew in the seating die, until it touches the Shell holder + so many turns and a little bit more so that the die ring touches the upper side of the die ring groove from the press. So i get a max. variation of +/- 0,02mm in seating depth. I bought the orig. Forster die rings for all of my dies, because for me they fit best. You don´t have to be afraid of the shearing forces in the alu threads -> the Shell holder fixing plate gives up first. There is a guy on TH-cam who sells reinforced plates for those who already need one.I hope you could understand my poor austrian-englisch :)
+Christian Arbeiter I promise your English is a billion times better than my German. Your points that precise seating depths are routine with the Co-Ax and there is nothing to fear in regard to the strength of the die lock threads are exactly what I was trying to say in the video. Vielen Dank und die besten Wünsche für das Jahr 2016.
I have long wanted to use a headspace "go" gauge to set the height of a resizing die. My problem is that one of my hand-loaded cartridges might end up being fired in any one of several rifles. In theory, a cartridge sized to the SAAMI standard would fit any properly reamed rifle except that it would be 0.003 inches too long. Cases appear to sit on the top of the lifting plate on a Forster Coax press. I am thinking of sitting a "go" gauge on this plate and setting the resize die to fit the gauge. Then, because I use standard 7/8 X 14 threaded dies, I could shorten my resizing die by 0.003 inches by removing the gauge and applying a clockwise 15 degree rotation to the die. I wonder if this will work.
Thanks for the great review.
Rex, you crack me up. Thanks for the videos.
+velvetsnout My sense of humor doesn't do that to most people, so I'm very grateful. Your "handle" cracks me up.
Outstanding reviews! I will be buy a Forster Press with a big reason being your reviews. Seems like you have been doing this for a while and if you say its good i believe it. Now just to find a deal on one. haha Thanks!
I've been handloading since 1971. I learn new things about this endeavor almost every day. Good luck with your quest.
One additional asset, if I may. I have never stuck a case with the Forster press. Not that I shouldn't have, I make mistakes too. But the case always came out of the die with more pressure on the handle. With the design, more pressure can be applied, this is shown by the less force required to size a case than with other presses. The longer handle and applied geometry. But also, with the unique case holder there is nearly 360 degrees of hold on the case, unlike standard case holders with much less. That is unless, you fail to change the case holder for larger cases. I noticed this on my first nearly stuck case. I have ordered spare jaws in the event a jaw bends in such an instance, but that has never happened to me yet. I have little problem with spare parts for my most used tools. A light application of way oil on the columns keeps it running smoothly also. Just my two cents.
Albert, that is an extremely valuable bit of information that I failed to include in the video. Yes, the jaws COMPLETELY ENCIRCLE the shell and that really increases your odds of successfully extracting a stuck case. People don't realize how much leverage this press design has because it looks "small."
@@RexRoach Glad to help. Just adding what I have found and like about the Forster. I have had 2 friends come over to use some tools of mine, they both now own Forster presses. After 40 years as an Industrial Mechanic, I have learned the price of well built tools are usually worth it.
@@6handicap604 Thanks so much!
Great video, Rex.
You are definitely very knowledgeable and one of the more experienced reloaders.
I'd love to have a Co-Ax, but I've been using my Rockchucker for thirty some odd years now, and even if I broke it tomorrow, I know that RCBS will repair or replace it free of charge.
btw...The Forster priming system looks really cool, but by far a better system is the RCBS APS bench priming system.
No need to touch a primer once they're in the loading strips, you get a primed case with each stroke of the handle, and it's adjustable for seating depth, so (just as with the Forster) it guarantees consistent seating depth every time.
The best $90 I've spent on my bench.
Thank you for your kind remarks. Let me say I LOVE MY ROCKCHUCKER! And you are spot on when you point out the GREAT customer service from RCBS. They honor their products for the lifetime of the product. It's almost beyond belief this day and age.
You are also correct in your praise of the RCBS bench priming tool. I have never used the APS strips, but the tool is the same when it comes to punching in the primer, and I agree it's the best "production" primer you can get. Fast, extremely reliable and accurate.
I've never seen the APS primers for sale in any of the gun shops I frequent, including a few large ones in B'ham, although they may have been there and I missed them (don't see what you're not looking for, doncha know?). It's such an attractive method, I've often considered getting one of those loaders to roll my own, but I'm just so used to my traditional priming methods, it's hard to get motivated.
FYI, I use a vibrator tool that quickly fills the priming tubes for the RCBS (or any other) priming tool. Takes about 45 seconds to dump the primers and fill a tube. Hard to beat that. It's called the Frankford Arsenal Vibra-Prime.
Rex Roach
Thanks for the reply, as it's cool to see an older video with the uploader still tracking comments.
Yeah, I've seen the Vibraprime in action, a really cool idea once set up.
I sprung for the strip loader for my APS, so I just buy primers normally packaged and load my own strips that way.
Once you get the hang of it, it's pretty easy to use it.
One funny bit of experience learned from trial and error on my part is that I was having all kinds of trouble initially with the APS bench system, with it jamming and failing to load.
I had it mounted to a cutoff 2x4 so that I could C-clamp it to my bench because of the limited space there, and I figured out that the problem was that I had failed to clamp it firmly enough to prevent it from flexing upward a fraction of an inch, which (of course) caused the primers to slide off the priming ram enough to go off center.
Once I just snugged down the C-clamps enough to prevent flexing, it works 100% of the time, with the only speed limitation being how fast I can swap out cases.
I love my RCBS equipment, but I admit that I still lust after that Forster Co-Ax.
Keep up the great videos, which I have to admit you do a great job on with your lighting and camera work, and that's before mentioning the great detail you go into on them.
I love the exchanges I have in the comments with great viewers like you. Most people probably don't read these comments (because, frankly, on many sites the comments are hostile and worthless), but more's the pity because there's been a great deal of good, additional information posted about the subjects in my videos.
Case in point: your comments about the clamping issues. Thanks again!
Yep, I have to buy that press. I currently use a Lee, and it irritates me, that I have to put a degree of slack, into the equation. Another x factor is the amount of force used, at the bottom of the stroke. Different amount of force, yeald different result. I want to eliminate such variables, and the Co-Ax, seem to be the answer.
I agree with Erik the swede. Your videos are pleasant to watch, and your presentation are perfect. Greetings from Norway.
Glad to have more Scandinavian viewers. One of my high school classmates has lived in Norway since the 1970's. Her husband is a retired airline pilot. She lives in Sandane, I think.
Thank you for a great video!!!!!!
Awesome video. Just the facts mam. Math doesn't lie. I will be getting this press largely due to your videos on it.
You won't regret it. I predict the more you use it, the more you will appreciate it.
Absolutely superb video. Same comments I made regarding the first one apply.
I would like to use this press to load the .577/.450 Martini Henry. The Bertram brass for the M-H has a rim diameter of 0.740.” Would the Co-Ax accommodate this large rim?
It looks like the priming jaws are reversible to accommodate different rim thicknesses? Thanks
Keep up the great videos! 👍
The standard jaws will not open that wide, I'm almost certain. Forster has a set of jaws called LS (large/small) to handle most extremely large or small cases. I know it works well with .45-70 or .30-30, but I can't say about your .577/.450 Martini Henry. My advice is to contact Forster and ask them. If those jaws won't work, you can always get the adapter which allows the use of any "standard" shell holder from RCBS, Lyman, Redding, Hornady, etc.
What is that semi-bottlenecked pistol size case you showed at 14:00 and at around the beginning? It doesn't look like a .357 SIG would with a sharper shoulder.
It's definitely a .357 Sig.
It's right there on the headstamp.Thank you.
That is beautiful quality equipment I love the way the dies slide in and out,,I’ll have to make do with my lee budget equipment sadly, although I’ve had good results.
I really like this video, and the first one you made about this press. I went out to my local gun store, and they actually had one in stock, so I bought it. It is different to set up your dies though. And I am new at reloading. So if you could post a video of how to set up the dies for seating a pistol round I would appreciate it. Thank you for this video, I really like my new press.
Rex, I used my cup of coffee time this morning to watch (research) TH-cam videos about the Hornady Cam Lok bullet puller and I think that it just might be the ticket to use with the Forster co ax press. I will place the Hornady Cam Lok puller on order with Brownells this weekend and then report back with the results. Hardy
+Hardy Birch Excellent! I look forward to learning about it from you. Thanks, Hardy.
Great video. Thanks for all of the info..
Thank you Sir for the info
I wonder how hard it would be to rig up a little finger spring to flick the finished cartridges off the holder at the bottom of each stroke. That, or an arm on a cam, with like a helical coil spring.
Got one of these and love it
Hey Rex, another great video, i think that the press is an excellent design, and i want one, the first time i saw one it was in a movie i was watching and i thought wow thats a wierd looking movie prop, but later saw one the guy was making match ammo and the floating die or self centering design just hit me as being perfect, and as far as people worring about stripping aluminum die locks.....well they must lack common sense, like a guy told me one time, i was gonna wear my barrel out using a bronze brush! haha thanks for a great review.
Most of the time when Hollywood shows someone making ammo, that someone is a serial killer at the very least. Glad you liked the video. Thanks for the comment, and keep scrubbing that barrel.
I got the Frankford arsenal coax and i really like it
This is the report back on using the Horady Cam Lok Bullet Puller with this press. There is also an existing video by ReloadingandShooting using the RCBS bullet puller with this press. My Hornady Cam Lok puller arrived yesterday with one 9mm collet and the 223 collet still enroute. This morning I installed the Hornady puller into the Forster press and set it up exactly according to the Hornady instructions. The puller is sensitive to how it is set up and it takes a little practice and feel to make good looking landings. I pulled 60 9mm 115 gr RN bullets and 3 Hornady 115 gr XTP without any issues. There is plenty of room to operate the puller handle. This puller is a keeper.
+Hardy Birch Outstanding! A thousand thanks for sharing this, Hardy. I had a strong feeling this Hornady puller would be a winner.
Nicely done videos, very informative.
I'm still new to reloading & I'm just beginning in shooting for accuracy beyond 100 yards. I have a Hornady LnL progressive press presently, as I like to shoot/plink with several different pistol calibers.
I take it that where accuracy is concerned, the repeatability that comes from a single stage press can't or usually isn't matched by a progressive press. Assuming that's true, is the Forster CoAx press cost really justifiable over other, longer established SS press designs, such as the Rock Chucker or Lee or Hornady designs, which are less expensive?
I think those who vote "yes" with their wallets would think it justified. Not so for everyone else. Rest assured, great ammo has been loaded with presses of all makes.
I ordered a Co-Ax today. Perhaps my .223 Remington group size will improve soon...
It certainly should not get worse (ha, ha). All kidding aside, the press is an important factor in making quality ammo, but there are many other things to get right as well. For a lot of us, myself included, the weak link in the chain is that which pulls the trigger.
Yes, same here. My next efforts are toward trigger discipline. Rainy day here now, so reloading with the new press is on the list for today.
I really like your videos..keep up the good work!
Thank you so much, Robin.
I'd like to join the chorus of voices praising your videos. Beautiful voice and clear, concise instructions. I spent in excess of 20 years in the educational system and you put the professors to shame. Ok, the $64,000 question. Through my research and your videos it appears as though Forster is head and shoulders above the competition. Although I'm torn between this and a progressive press, I lean toward the Forester just because of the quality. Do you agree that it is the best press on the market? I would be reloading 6.5 creadmore with some .44 mag thrown in. Your opinion would be invaluable to me.
Dusty, I'm usually reluctant to use the term "best" when talking about products. It's a pretty subjective thing, but in this case I'm OK with saying the Forster Co-Ax is the best single-stage press on the market. There are others which are equally well-made, so the tipping difference is the unique design of the Co-Ax. I think most everyone who uses this press quickly reaches the conclusion that its design makes it their favorite.
Good progressive presses have a major part to play in reloading and they are all about -volume-. If you burn through hundreds or thousands of rounds per week, you NEED a progressive press. Actually if you're burning thousands of rounds per week, you need a sponsor.
Have you ever noticed that so many people have two, three, four and more progressive presses set up in their reloading operation? Get one and you'll quickly find out that they require a lot of fine-tuning to get running smoothly. Once you've dialed in the magic settings, you'll find yourself quite reluctant to break it all down in order to switch to another caliber. Yes, most progressives offer some sort of quick-change part that eliminates a lot of the time and labor, but even at that, it can make you yearn hard for a machine for each caliber that you shoot in volume.
The two calibers you mention are two that I would normally associate with single-stage reloading. The 6.5 CM is usually fired in a precision target rifle at great distances. This requires ultra-careful reloading and often involves the use of high-end precision tools. I don't doubt someone somewhere has loaded good 6.5 CM ammo with a progressive press, but I'd wager most of the people shooting out to 1,000 yards and beyond are using single stage setups and even hand tools.
I bought my S&W Model 29 .44 Magnum in 1974, I think. I added a couple more over the years and I can say I've had more fun experimenting with that cartridge than any other. I've tried all manner of bullet and powder combinations including an awful lot of cast bullets I made from scrounged metal, wheel weights and more recently, "store-bought" alloy. One thing I can say with great certainty is the words "load development" and "progressive press" are rarely found in the same sentence.
I would strongly urge you to buy a Forster Co-Ax or any other high-quality single-stage press to begin your reloading endeavors. It's much more versatile and will have you making top quality ammo so much quicker than you will with any good progressive press.
If you find yourself shooting a few hundred rounds of the same ammo each week, get yourself a good progressive press for that caliber and enjoy.
Thanks for joining the discussion.
Rex Roach
Many thanks. Great info.
If you havent all ready. Its usually good to start with a single stage. If you you get where its something you want to do as an on going hobby you will want both a single stage & progressive press
There is one cartridge the jaws will not handle, the 450-400NE, it has the largest rim of the works for a rimmed cartridge. I called Forster to check that before I bought it, and it was them who told me that. I tried it once, the jaws just won't quite do it, it will start, but won't go all the way. There are a few other products out there that won't handle it, either.
Good to know the limitations of the press. Thanks for sharing.
Do you prefer the Forster over the Redding T7?
Have just bought one, thanks.
Excellent! Please let us know how you like it after you've had a chance to wring it out.
The press is a bit hard to find in stock. I went through 6-7 suppliers (the usual suspects like Brownells and MidSouth), and MidwayUSA was the only one that had one yesterday.
Matthew, I believe this has usually been the case for many years. I'd like to think it reflects the time and care that Forster puts into making these. In reality, it's probably some penny-pinching financial officer that keeps a tight fist on production.
@@RexRoach I just finished my first run of .45 on the Forster, and I couldn't be happier. Worth every nickel.
@@packtray6569 Music to my ears, Matthew. Enjoy that machine for the rest of your life. And may your grandchildren have the wisdom to thank you.
Hi Rex,
A have a question/concern about the co-ax press which i don't think you have addressed in your (awesome) videos yet.
My concern about the otherwise clever design of the press is in how the die is aligned with the linear motion of the case. When the case goes into the die, the case gets aligned left/right by the die position and the die gets aligned front/back by the case. They will find each other no matter what. But how is it secured that the center axis of the die is not tilted to the center axis of the case? I mean, when the die is floating in the open frame, it is up to the lock ring (and the slot in the frame) to secure the axial alignment. If the thread in the lock ring is not perpendicular to its top face, I think the die will start to tilt when the case forces the die upwards and thereby create some unwanted tension and concentric problems. How precise can the lock ring be and what about play/clearance there is in the thread between die and lock ring?
What are your thoughts on this aspect?
Best regards!
+Søren Frisk Mortensen That's a good question, Søren. My first thought is that the Co-Ax would be no better or worse than any press where the dies are threaded in. If there is axial tilt in the die thread, the die will be tilted in a conventional press or the Co-Ax. The case is supported and pushed by the ram, so the perpendicularity of the base of the case to the vertical axis of the case is important.
On the Co-Ax, it's probably a good idea to select die lock rings that have good flat outside surfaces where it bears against the press slot, and threads that are axially aligned. But I expect all of them easily meet that need.
This thought occurs: for all of the die lock rings, there is a certain amount of vertical play in the Co-Ax slot. That is, all of the rings are less in height than the inside height of the slot, thus all of them are free to move vertically a little bit. Some move almost none and others quite a bit. It might be that an axial alignment can occur between the case and die during that brief initial contact when the die is unrestrained vertically.
Of course in very short order, the die will be restrained by the top of the slot and the amount of free play is probably not enough to make any difference.
Now, having written all of the above, I have gone back and re-read your post several times. I think the point you are making is that the axial alignment is dependent on the quality of the lock ring. If the ring threads are loose or mis-aligned with the bore, the die will sit in the press at an angle. I agree, but would add that if the same die/ring combo is used on a conventionally threaded press, there is enough play in the die and press threads that the die can be tilted by a bad lock ring.
One of the selling points made by Lee in regard to their lock rings is the floating nature of the O-ring design. Instead of a hard metal-to-metal mating between the lock ring and press top, there is a soft mate between the O-ring and press which allows the die a small amount of float, improving alignment with the case. I think it's Glen Zediker in one of his books that champions using O-rings on press rams in place of the heavy wire springs which retain the shell holders, thus allowing the holder to float.
Of course this is the whole idea of the Co-Ax press.
In general, I think the various manufacturers do such a good job of threading, it is too small of an error to affect the quality of the ammo. However, I would love to hear any thoughts you or anyone else has on how that sort of error might be measured. I suppose the end result of such mis-alignment would be a case that has been tilted on its vertical axis in relation to the base. We could measure the run-out of the base (face, not rim) while rotating the case in a typical run-out fixture. You'd need before and after sizing measurements to see if your press setup is causing the problem.
+Rex Roach Thanks for the reply. I wrote my question in a bit of a hurry and English is not my native language, so I apologize if it was difficult to understand.
But my point is exactly, as you phrase, that the axial alignment is dependent on the quality of the lock ring. I have no idea how different die manufactures make their lock rings, but I don't think they are manufactured with the thought that the lock ring could be a direct part of the tolerance chain between case and die. In my daily work I develop mechanical precision equipment, and i have seen plenty of bad elements go out of expensive and modern CNC setups.
Just a quick question...? Could you use the tool to set up the cases for priming to remove primer pocket crimps from ex military brass...?
Jason Dwyer Probably not. There are two methods of removing primer pocket crimps that I'm aware off. One method, called reaming, cuts the excess metal away. The second method, swaging, re-shapes the mouth of the primer pocket. I think most people prefer the latter method and the Dillon bench tool is the standard bearer.
I'm only aware of one tool (RCBS) that uses a press for swaging and, AFAIK, it won't work on the Co-Ax because the swaging punch mounts to the press ram in the same way a shell holder does, i.e. it snaps into place.
I picked up a used Dillon years ago at a gun show. Works like a champ and processes very quickly.
Here's an excellent article on the subject: squibloads.wordpress.com/reloading/get-the-crimp-out/
Thanks Rex. I thought about a bit after posting. Even if the aligning tool was strong enough (and I reckon it would be). It would probably stay on the case on the return stroke... Thanks for the reply
Jason Dwyer Jason, it's come to my attention there's a $17 accessory you can buy that will allow you to use a standard shell holder on the Co-Ax press. For those special occasions when you need to mount an extended shell holder or, as is the case here, an extended "punch," this thing is just the ticket.
MidSouth sells them www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/00070AP1000/Shell-Holder-Adapter-Plate-For-CO-AX-Press-
I have one on order. Watch for a "review."
Excellent. Thanks for the reply. Will be waiting eagerly for the review. Got my Press on order from BRT Shooter Supply in Australia
I used to hate the co-ax priming setup but its growing on me. One thing the co-ax is a little deficient in is pulling bullets. Two things help-
a) They used to provide a cone screw (is missing on yours, the front hole) that sets the jaw minimum closing distance with the ram up, makes it easier to start a case rim over the jaws when held by a bullet puller. They still have them, but you have to buy it separate.
b) Use a cam lock bullet puller aka Hornady. The screw style ala RCBS is difficult to use on the co-ax because of the Y handle.
What is the tool you use to adjust the primer jaws? I need to get one. Do you have a part number?
It came with the press and a quick check of the Forster web site did not reveal the part. If you give them a call or email, they will have what you need.
great follow up. I'm new to reloading (haven't actually begun yet), and was wondering how well the forster could manage volume. watching you do a function and flick that cartridge away made it seem like it definitely could handle pistol (i'll be starting with 9mm and 45 acp) at volume. thanks again for taking the time to do these reviews.
what are your thoughts / or have you considered the stand alone primer? you make priming on the press look pretty easy.
thanks
Thanks for your comments, Lyle. I often use the priming tool on the Co-Ax when I have 25 or so cartridges to load. Even though you handle the primers one at a time, it's still faster than setting up a bench priming tool and loading the tube(s). Plus, as I have belabored in the videos, the Co-Ax priming tool is superbly accurate.
If you think about it, a high-dollar hand priming tool like the magnificent Sinclair or K&M is a one-at-a-time tool where you handle each primer individually. People use those for the quality of the finished product, especially benchrest shooters who will use every possible trick. IMHO you get the same benefits with the Co-Ax primer, so in a way you could consider the press comes with a $100 (or more) priming tool.
My personal favorite priming tool for 25+ cartridges is the RCBS bench tool. I also use the Frankford Arsenal Vibra-Prime device for quickly filling the primer tubes. I have the Forster bench priming tool, but prefer the RCBS. Of course like almost all priming tools, it requires more consistency on the part of the operator instead of having the primer position precision built into the design of the machine.
Finally I have some advice if you are just beginning to load. Start with a single stage press. It doesn't have to be the Co-Ax, but get a good one and you'll have it forever. I have several progressive presses and they have a great place in the reloading scheme, but I strongly feel everyone should start with a good single stage press. The guy who started me in handloading in 1971 shot about 2000 rounds a week of .45 ACP using bullets he cast and then loaded with an RCBS Rock Chucker. Yes, I know anyone in their right mind today would use a Dillon for that many rounds, but progressives were rare back then and I mention this to show that it certainly can be (and was) done with single stage presses.
The single stage will allow you to quickly change calibers and give you much more versatility at lower cost. I also think it's much safer to build ammunition in a "batch" method where you can examine the lot for primer and powder errors, both of which can sneak in on a progressive.
Rex Roach 2000 rounds a week would certainly be enough for me. thanks very much for the help.
I would second the thought on single stage presses and the RCBS bench primer. The RCBS primer is a bit of a clunker, but it gives a very nice feel and feedback.
What do you consider "at volume?"
I used an RCBS Rock Chucker for over 20 years to load ~250 rounds a week and it was pretty painless. Once you get the system down it goes very smoothly. I would just size/deprime/flare a bucket of brass, hand prime while watching TV (gives me a chance to inspect each case by feel/vision, then load up until I got bored or was out of something. The press is cheap and very accurate, the shell holders are cheap, die changing takes only a moment, and can reload about anything.
Do not worry about some magical primer depth for pistols, just push it in until it is below the rim. The pocket does not need to be cleaned, you do not need to measure its depth or any of time wasting nonsense. If you can feel it being below the rim with your finger, it is deep enough.
You should only worry about all the fancy stuff like clean primer pockets, primer depth, neck turning, neck trimming, tumbling (only do it to make them nicer to handle), powder weighing each charge, etc on rifle ammo that is shot purely for accuracy. None of that crap will make any difference for a pistol cartridge, and will not make a difference for most rifle cartridges unless you are a really good shooter. You can take the extra step to gauge all your loaded ammo if you want, but I just ignore it. If the case is too long, the breach won't close, the gun won't fire, no biggie. Pistol brass will almost always split at the mouth when you load the bullet when they stretch to long.
A decent trigger will give you far more accuracy than fussing over the ammo.
I would suggest maybe 500 rounds or more at one sitting to be "at volume." You are spot on about the value of overthinking and overdoing as regards pistol ammo. I was using pistol brass for the demo, but honestly would never use the press for priming pistol ammo. Mostly I was impressed with the consistency of the priming function. Thanks for your insightful comments.
Rex Roach This is really sound advise, I think that until I started to shoot handguns I really did not need anything with more volume capacity than a single stage press, after all I could not shoot more than around 30 times a session with most of my rifles( 475NE, 577NE etc) but when I shoot 45 Colt 100 rounds goes in no time, that said I much prefer the peace of mind that loading 5 Gr of powder into the case by hand gives, over the unseen automatic measure you get with the higher volume reloading techniques.Just look at how many guns are blown up with an overcharge.
Rex can you use rcbs competition seating dies in this press? Sometimes it requires you to use the tall shell holder which won’t work in the co-ax.
Great question, Lance. The answer is yes. You'll need the Shell Holder Adapter Plate #AP1000. I have RCBS Competition Dies in .222 and .22-250. The little tall shell holder goes up inside the dies and it works perfectly with the Co-Ax press with that adapter. Also the Co-Ax handle will easily clear over the top of the die. I have those plus some Redding dies with tall bodies and micrometer adjustment knobs at the top and the handle goes over all of them.
By the way, that shell holder adapter plate will allow you to use any common post-type shell holder from RCBS, Redding, Lyman, Hornady, etc. Another time I use it is with a Redding shell holder set that lets you fine-tune headspace when sizing.
Rex thanks. I use these dies for seating only as I mentioned. The 30 cal works perfectly for all 30 cal rounds. I too Load for 222. Would you happen to have a photo of that all set up? Is there any way to get around using the adapter or even needing it? I guess my concern with the shell holder was over concentricity and the fact that it negates the floating shell holder concept. However, most concentricity is achieved in case sizing correct? I suppose if I have any runout in the finished case I can correct that with the Hornady concentricity tool.
@@lanceschul, here are some photos of the Co-Ax set up with the adaptor plate and the .22-250 RCBS Competition Die. I can't think of any other solution for using that special, skinny, tall RCBS shell holder other than the adaptor. As to the concentricity issue, if you leave the screws slightly loose, the adaptor is free to move slightly in any lateral direction. I've not tried it that way, but I would guess a drop of "mild" Lock-Tite would keep the screws in place. A half-turn loose is all you'd need.
Here's a link to the photos: www.flickr.com/photos/68176327@N08/albums/72157704701212181
Rex Roach thank you sir. I suppose if the case is sized properly with the floating attributes the seating will go smoothly. Thank you for the time you spent posting photos. I think this press will work just fine with that adapter. Many thanks!
@@lanceschul my pleasure. I'm glad the pictures helped.
How is the bullet concentricity
Rex, I want to get into reloading very badly and I have been researching every different manufacturer and types of presses, which appear to be the most popular ones I can find info, reviews, etc. on. I just watched both of your videos (very well done I would add) on the Forster Co-Ax and based on the great features that you have pointed out and the fact that it appears built like a beast, I'm 100% sure that this is the press I want. Before I pull the trigger on it though I wanted to ask your opinion on something. Besides which manufacturer's press I wanted I am also somewhat perplexed regarding the style of press. i.e. single stage, turret or progressive to get. For the most part I will only be reloading 9mm and .223 and eventually maybe .308 and 300 WM. If I get the Co-Ax single stage will I be able to get the correct dies and accessories for it to be able to reload all of these calibers and more importantly do you think this single stage press is the best way to go for a new reloaded over a turret or progressive? I sincerely apologize for intruding and asking so many open questions, but based on watching quite a few of your videos, you seem like a very personable and wise Man and I would value your input and opinion! Thank you very much Rex and thank you as well for the great videos.
Hello Thomas and thanks for your inquiry. I would advise anyone starting out in reloading to start with a single stage press or a turret. A turret press is normally operated like a single stage in that you will complete one operation on ALL the cartridges before moving to the next step. In other words, a turret is not a "poor man's" progressive where you can size/decap - expand/prime - charge with powder - seat bullet - crimp in a sequence on a single cartridge. Yes, you CAN do that, but you'll find it more feasible to, for example, size and deprime ALL the cases before moving on to the next steps.
I really like a turret press because all of your dies and powder measure can be set for the loading session and if you need to go back for any reason and repeat some steps, it's a quick matter of turning the turret. Likewise, the Forster press allows for almost as quick changes between dies. Granted, you can't mount a powder measure on it, but I've always operated my measure from a separate setup with any reloading.
As to dies and accessories, the Co-Ax uses standard dies so any brand will work. Of course you can't use hand dies like the Wilson, but that's the whole point of that die, isn't it. Truth be tole, you may be able to use more dies with the Co-Ax than any other press because the dies are mounted with the lock rings that slide into the groove. Therefore, in theory, you could use something like the old Lyman "nutcracker" dies which are smaller than standard modern dies, but it would simply be a matter of getting a nut for the die that's large enough to fit the press. Now I didn't say that's a good idea, just that there may be more possibilities with the Co-Ax than with others.
As to turret presses, you can find them from Redding, RCBS and Lyman. I have several presses from both Redding & RCBS and a lot of Lyman products. However I don't have a turret press from any of them. The Lyman is attractive because it has 8 stations which would allow you to fill it with dies for two calibers without a problem. Furthermore, you can buy extra turrets for all of these and the Lyman is a bit less expensive. The Redding 7-station would probably be perfect for a couple of calibers and I can say my Redding press is a magnificent beast. I've probably had more RCBS presses and equipment than all the others combined, but the 6 hole turret puts me off a bit, as if it's almost enough.
Working with a single station (or turret) press creates a more focused environment. You are only doing one thing at a time so your concentration can be razor sharp on that. If an operation "feels" funny, chances are there's something wrong and you can sort out that bad apple right then and there. With a progressive, so many things are going on at one time, your attention is spread out all over the place. If anything goes wrong, and it will, it takes a lot more effort to "clean up" and restart.
Believe me, I know the appeal of the progressive press--I have five of them. In their place, they are fantastic. I still marvel at seeing raw brass go in one end and a finished round drop out the other end with each pull of the handle. But these presses are harsh mistresses. They require a lot of fine tuning and care, and once you have one running smoothly, you'll be loathe to change it over to another caliber until you've loaded several thousand rounds of whatever to justify the whole thing.
My advice is to get the Co-Ax (and AGAIN, I HAVE NO CONNECTION WITH FORSTER or any other manufacturer) and be secure in knowing you have the best single stage press you can get (in many/most people's opinion). Buy good dies. My advice here to go visit several on-line forums to learn what people are having best luck with, especially for rifle. Take a look at Glen Zediker's reloading books, especially for the .223 and .308. His writing style is charmingly quirky and sometimes a bit twisty to read, but his advice is top notch and he will introduce you to a world of knowledge about ammunition and the making thereof.
Oh, get a subscription to Handloader magazine, by all means. I've been subscribing since 1980 and have every issue which I often go back to.
Does the primer indexer also function as a primer pocket swager, by any chance?
Interesting thought. As far as I know, Forster doesn't make parts to swage primer pockets with this press, but given the design it would be simple to make a punch that would work on there. The leverage of the press is at a maximum then. It would be difficult to make it adjustable, but that might not be an issue. Anyone with lathe skills could take an off-the-shelf punch from someone like Dillon, cut it down, thread it and that would be that. Of course getting the length right would be the trick. There's not much room underneath the block that carries the empty case for a locking nut, hence my earlier statement about difficulty of adjustment. I suppose a test model could be made to screw in until the operation is correct, note the final dimensions and then make a shouldered part that would screw down firmly as does the primer pocket punch part Forster makes.
Well that little bit of thinking out loud was a good way to start the morning.