Precision Reloading tools #4: Forster Co-Ax press
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The Forster Co-Ax press is one of the best presses for precision reloading available. It uses self opening and centering jaws to hold the case instead of a shell holder. The reloading dies slide in and out allowing quick change of reloading dies. The handle of the Forster Co-Ax is centered, making it an ambidextrous press.
I actually have and still use this press back when it was a bonanza co-ax press. After using different presses over the years I always go back to it even still today. I bought this press back in the 80’s when I was 15. Great content !!
Good review of the co-ax. I replaced the primer container on mine with a clear vynil tube from the hardware store. The primer container was in the way of a drawer below the press. Another benefit is that the tube (it's about 3 feet long) goes straight into the trash can, so I don't have to bother emptying it.
Bought my Bonanza CoAx back in 72’. Primer seating is different. Everything else looks the same. Well except Forster paints theirs pretty red. No complaints in 47 years with my first and only press. Press was 72.00. Bonanza Bench rest dies normally 25.00 were 15.00 if you bought the press at the same time. What a deal lol.
lol just paid $429 bucks for mine 😢
I went out on a limb and bought a Coax after watching this video (I feel so smart for doing so). I saw that a shorter handle is available for "light work". I just drilled the handle mount through (3/4" D). I now can adjust it between full length rifle sizing and pistol bullet seating with an allen wrench.
I should clarify there are bullet pullers that work fine with the Co-Ax, just not any that have a "handle" that depends on the die remaining stationary to easily operate. The advantage of a floating die makes such pullers cumbersome, although I can still use them slowly. Get a cheap Lee press to do pulling and similar tasks and use the Co-Ax for the main stuff.
One other comment, if you use Lee collet neck dies, you may find the Co-Ax shell holder hard to use. Either grind the base of a shell holder to fit the jaws or get the standard shell holder adapter from Forster.
At 10 minutes, you hear the primers drop from the tube. Large primers can build up, and can block the tube. Enough to cause you to bend your decapping rod. When using my Co-Ax, I listen or watch for the primer to drop every time. Don't do what I did, and have to replace a bent rod. :-)
I bought one about 10 years ago and really like it for precision. Even my hunting handgun Ammo improved accuracy a bit.
1:11 "I'll make another video on making your own die ring & why I did it." So, where is it?
Buy the forester die rings now they’re good easy to adjust
This press has been one of the greatest upgrades to my reloading setup.
ditto - just moved to a Area419 ZERO but this press was great
I also would like to know how you made your die rings and why.
Hey Erik, did you ever do a video on making your lock collars for your dies and the coax press?
I had to laugh when you showed your container of use primers...I do the same thing. Very well done video. I'm getting one to replace my Lee.
Just ordered most of my reloading gear. I've never reloaded. I ordered this press, sounds like most people are fans. Thanks for the info
Update on your experience:)
I would like to see a video on reloading 9mm Luger with this press. Particularly focussing on what jaws to use and what Forster Dies to use.
Excellent video. I've been casually researching presses so I can upgrade my current setup and this is very helpful info.
Know this is an older video but curious if you still feel this press is still as good? I currently run a RCBS Rock Chucker but always willing to upgrade my equipment if i get better productivity and more importantly better loads via better sized cases. Thanks!
Same here. I have a rock chucker and it’s been really good for 12 years or so and looking for something new to try out.
Erik, I have a CoAx and Forster FL die with expander ball. I’m trying to bump the shoulder back .002 and I’m getting between .0015-.003. With 70% of the cases at .002. Wondering if this is what I can expect without annealing brass or if I need to fix something. I’ve tried more lube, less lube, holding 5sec at top etc. any insight would be much appreciated!
Your die might be bottoming out on the shell holder itself? Or maybe the case hasn't stretched out enough?
Yes sir very nice press I’ll still stick to my Rock/Chucker for know
I wonder if it still is, considered one of the best ever for precision reloading.
It is. I use mine over every other single stage. Even cancelled my order for a Zero
Did you think at the time of this video you would be a SWN CHAMPION !!!! Congrats my friend
No I did not. Ironically, all the SWN ammo was prepped on this press. 😱
Thank you for sharing this! Mounted one to my bench today:)
Erik, thanks for the video, I'm getting interested in reloading mostly 9mm and 30-30. I'm not a high volume shooter and had narrowed the choice to Redding T7, after watching this video I'm not so sure. Any advice?
97jsousa I used to have the T7 and like the Forster better. The T7 head will flex and I did not like that at all.
Nice press but I cannot imagine putting primers in with that setup
hey Eric I was in the class you and Don Put on for Bayou Rifles around this time last year. Was just wondering if you could put a video up about setting up your full length resizeing dies.
I like the Co-Ax a lot, but, it's not perfect, it has it's quirks. I don't use the primer station, I prefer hand primers. I had two rimmed cartridges it didn't work well with, one of them, 450-400NE, the maximum jaw opening was too small for that size rim, Forster will tell you that up front though. There are many other tools that have issues with that one. The other was an issue with rim thickness on a 218Bee, as the variances on the rim thickness can cause issues with the jaw clearances, even thin ones are a bit thick, they stick when the jaw opens, thick ones have to be knocked out. Still a good press in my book though.
Erik, I notice there are two holes in the press below the jaws. One is unused and the other one has the jaw opening screw. With the placement of the unused hole, it looks as if a second jaw opening screw could be added. This may provide a slightly more level contact with the case when locking up. Have you done anything with this unused hole below the jaws?
M Jones I have not done anything with the third hole. I find that mine works well enough as it is.
Did you ever make that die ring video you mentioned in this video?
I got a stuck case in this thing and I just gave up for awhile trying to get the die and stuck case out.
Thanks for the video, Eric :)
Hi Erik, I am going to buy my first reloading press and would like to know what your choice will be between the RCBS rockchucker, RCBS turret press and the Forster Co Ax press.
Thank you.
@Erik should I Deprime, and size my cases before cleaning them in a tumbler?
I have the frankford arsenal version of this and love it!
I love this press. Thank you
Almost 6 yrs later Eric, is it still a good thing?
Yes
Great info!! Thanks for sharing gonna order one of these so I don’t have to tear down my apex 10 so often. I really like this which change on the dies. I know this is an old video. Is there a newer quick change die press out yet that’s better?
I inherited my Dad's Bonanza press. I know nothing about reloading but want to get started reloading with the press. I didn't get his dies. What dies do I need?
Great video Erik, I have this press also and love it. I wish you'd stop showing me the custom items you make four your equipment as I want those die rings you made. They look to be a much better fit then ones you purchase.
Joseph Marwitz There was another reason why I made that one, I will get into it in one of my videos.
Hi Erik. Like your work!! Very interested as to why you made you own die rings??
Erik- Did you find that this press, as opposed to the conventional ones , helped to reduce or eliminate case/neck runout? I'm really struggling with excessive run out with my Lyman All American 8 Turret press.
Is this still the press you use, or would you recommend another press today?
That’s the best neck sizing press ever
just love my Forster press
thanks for videos
Thys from south africa
Good video and pretty good lighting, I have the Forster also and for most things it is great. Bullet pulling is the only place where it is lacking since my RCBS puller needs clearance for the arm. I use my old pacific 007 press for mundane operations like bullet pulling. Great lighting for most part but Inline Fabrications sells an led lighting system for the Co-Ax that brightens up the loading area perfectly.
ericbc7 I think you may find the Lyman primer seater that fits on a single stage press a much better method of seating primers than the "Rube Goldburg" system that Forster uses on this press, it is difficult to imagine more awkward system as it is almost inaccessible behind all the rods and levers of the mechanism, also it will not take large diameter cartridge rims, without heavy modification, (.577 NE for example), I suppose I could say the same about the awkward access to the front of the press as well, and the fact that you cannot reload long cartridges on this press, even though it has excellent power, but some people tolerate it, it does have a very nice paint job though
Englishman French Who do you work for?
***** I am a retired design engineer, so have no bias except towards good design.
How do you use the 357 die with the added ring?
Hey eric! Why you gotta have all the best tools for everything 😂 btw what's your view of the 270 win or 280 Remington? If you had to choose which way would you go?
Excellent video!
Nice press
How many thousands are you setting the shoulders back when you full length size?
~.002"
Erik I’m in the market for a new press and was settling on a Forster, then saw the Area 419 zero press. Interested to know if you’ve used the Zero press if you have any thoughts on Forster Co-Ax vs the Zero?
I have never used a zero press.
Forster is what I have and works well.
@@ErikCortina 😊
Does it ”cam over?
What die is that? Who makes it?
For precision rifle reloading... Would you prefer the Co-Ax or a 550B?
Yuanmei no answer for that question lol
IS THIS STILL THE BEST PRESS IN YOUR OPINION
Yes
Hi great video, how is is for accuracy of bullet seating??
I have never used it for bullet seating, but giving the "floating" characteristics of this press, I would assume it would seat bullets with very low runout.
Thanks Erik, I've been talking to some other F-class shooters over here and the opinion is they are very, very good
Erik Cortina Although this is a very rigid press, it only works on small cartridges despite it's built in /designed power, having the floating die station will only work with a precision made die, it is the die that gives a good concentric cartridge, please refer to "Fortune Cookie 45" to see this in action.
Erik Cortina what do you seat bullets with?
Id be happy with that press.
Mine says bonanza, great press
Yep. My Bonanza is a B-1. No spent primer catch and the primer seating uses a regular shell holder. Still looks new and I only paid $50 for it.
Erik,
Question on your case lube. Did I see you lubing the necks in this video?
Thanks and great video series
Jim Carr Yes, I lube the entire case because I full length size my brass every time.
that would take me forever i load thousands of rounds a year
+M Ford It has to do with your accuracy requirements. I shoot 1,000 yard competition for score (F-Class), so we also shoots thousands of rounds a year, but they all must be perfect to be competitive.
I have a Dillon 650 measures pretty accurate and no I don't shoot a thousand yards I I shoot 3 - 400 but anyway good luck on your competition
hey Eric I was in the class you and Don Put on for Bayou Rifles around this time last year. Was just wondering if you could put a video up about setting up your full length resizeing dies.