Coax press, yes or no?
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Ronin
Distinguished Member
I have four presses (Dillon, rcbs, harrel, k & m)
I have issues resizing 275 Rigby brass (7x57) on the conventional presses (I’ve yet to find a shell holder that accommodates 7/57 brass - and have them all but none fit)
I could resolve by buying arbour press dies from Wilson
Or simply get my friend with a Co Ax (Forster) to use my dies and re size
That’s a huge benefit to the Forster with the sliding jaw arrangement
I have issues resizing 275 Rigby brass (7x57) on the conventional presses (I’ve yet to find a shell holder that accommodates 7/57 brass - and have them all but none fit)
I could resolve by buying arbour press dies from Wilson
Or simply get my friend with a Co Ax (Forster) to use my dies and re size
That’s a huge benefit to the Forster with the sliding jaw arrangement
paul o'
Well-Known Member
For me its a yes oh Yes!
I have the co-ax and pal has the Frankford A both built like tanks more so in the F.A , he's came with a light fitted i'd have to buy mine if needed ! I also have ordered the new but didt fit the taller yoke handle assy for tall die's ( did't need it even with the 300prs .) still sitting under the bench.
Both give good results best thing I have found is the auto centre shell holder on the Forster it just holds the case better than any of the standard type shell holders! that can when you have a tight case end up with a stuck case in the die due to the case rim/head getting ripped out of the shell holder !.
I have the co-ax and pal has the Frankford A both built like tanks more so in the F.A , he's came with a light fitted i'd have to buy mine if needed ! I also have ordered the new but didt fit the taller yoke handle assy for tall die's ( did't need it even with the 300prs .) still sitting under the bench.
Both give good results best thing I have found is the auto centre shell holder on the Forster it just holds the case better than any of the standard type shell holders! that can when you have a tight case end up with a stuck case in the die due to the case rim/head getting ripped out of the shell holder !.
Jura
Well-Known Member
I have this #7 shell holder; think it might be a Redding because of the knurl. It fits all my presses and various 275 Rigby / 7x57 brass including my latest batch of RWS
Ronin
Distinguished Member
I havent the Redding shell holder but have three other brands purporting to be for 7/57
None fit the RWS brass I have
turner.jc1
Well-Known Member
The co-ax has a reputation for a reason. it’s very good. buy once cry once. It’ll be all you ever need.
One on top of two
Well-Known Member
Had mine for a few years now , love it .
crow juice
Well-Known Member
First , I should say I wanted one for many years and I have no experience with them . However, as with all Forester Products I am sure it is of excellent quality. The reason I don't have one is the over head leaver to actuate the press and the universal shell holder jaws.
Every time I start thinking about a coax I just feel like pulling the lever down will not be as comfortable as pushing down on my Rock Chucker lever.Additionally, I much prefer a shell holder to the universal jaws. In fairness I haven't tried the jaws but my experience with other things that have " universal" fit just hasn't been good. On my standard press I have removed the spring that holds the shell holders in place allowing my shell holder to "float". Run-out on my ammo is typically around. .002". Which is good enough for me.
Currently, I am using a Rock Chucker, RCBS A2, RCBS Jr , Redding Boss , and a T7.
As far a koolness nothing looks as kool as a Coax mounted to a bench.
i stopped using my RCBS hand primer for small cases for the same reason. I still use it for .308, but have a Frankford one for .223.
I have had a Forster Co-Ax for about 14 years now. It’s a great powerful press and the jaws make producing ammunition very fast. I knock the completed round into a bin I position below the press. Although not too far below.
The arm is comfortable to lower l, I do have the short arm with ball. But the standard arm was just as comfortable and in hindsight the short arm really not needed.
However it’s situated in my detached garage. I tend to use my hand press for everything as currently I am not producing huge amounts of ammunition as target shooting has taken a back seat.
The $1 million dollar question being would I swap to a co-ax if I already had a large cast press. The answer is no.
Even the very basic Lee press I got in the anniversary set produced ammo goo enough for me to shoot in the .1’s all be it the rifle was a custom 6mmbr made by @Ronin but also consistently in the .3/.4 in a tikka T3 .308 factory rifle and my 7-08.
If I really wanted something fancy now I would be going for one of the Turbon presses. They just look like precision engineering where as the Co-Ax looks like cast iron junk from the last century
The arm is comfortable to lower l, I do have the short arm with ball. But the standard arm was just as comfortable and in hindsight the short arm really not needed.
However it’s situated in my detached garage. I tend to use my hand press for everything as currently I am not producing huge amounts of ammunition as target shooting has taken a back seat.
The $1 million dollar question being would I swap to a co-ax if I already had a large cast press. The answer is no.
Even the very basic Lee press I got in the anniversary set produced ammo goo enough for me to shoot in the .1’s all be it the rifle was a custom 6mmbr made by @Ronin but also consistently in the .3/.4 in a tikka T3 .308 factory rifle and my 7-08.
If I really wanted something fancy now I would be going for one of the Turbon presses. They just look like precision engineering where as the Co-Ax looks like cast iron junk from the last century
Malxwal
Well-Known Member
Question for me is, are there tangible improvements in consistency using the more expensive pressed over my cheap Lee Breech Lock ? I have often considered moving to a more upmarket press, is it worth it. Bear in mind I do chase accuracy, I'm not happy with "cloverleaf", especially in rifles for target.
Stalker-of-the-deer
Well-Known Member
It's the best thing I've purchased along with their dies, it's absolutely a step up.
It makes sizing seating and priming effortless.
The floating jaw and die set up works great aswell, seems to keep my brass alot more concentric. Weather it makes a difference or not I don't know.
It's nice that I can load 243,308 and 300 win mag without messing with shell holders.
But for absolute ease of use and quality they can't be beaten. Only downside is cost and availability as they are made to order in batches I am led to belive over in the states.
Once you have one you won't look back
It makes sizing seating and priming effortless.
The floating jaw and die set up works great aswell, seems to keep my brass alot more concentric. Weather it makes a difference or not I don't know.
It's nice that I can load 243,308 and 300 win mag without messing with shell holders.
But for absolute ease of use and quality they can't be beaten. Only downside is cost and availability as they are made to order in batches I am led to belive over in the states.
Once you have one you won't look back
Bavarianbrit
Well-Known Member
The Turban 120mm is now selling at 810,00€ plus shipping here in Germany.I have had a Forster Co-Ax for about 14 years now. It’s a great powerful press and the jaws make producing ammunition very fast. I knock the completed round into a bin I position below the press. Although not too far below.
The arm is comfortable to lower l, I do have the short arm with ball. But the standard arm was just as comfortable and in hindsight the short arm really not needed.
However it’s situated in my detached garage. I tend to use my hand press for everything as currently I am not producing huge amounts of ammunition as target shooting has taken a back seat.
The $1 million dollar question being would I swap to a co-ax if I already had a large cast press. The answer is no.
Even the very basic Lee press I got in the anniversary set produced ammo goo enough for me to shoot in the .1’s all be it the rifle was a custom 6mmbr made by @Ronin but also consistently in the .3/.4 in a tikka T3 .308 factory rifle and my 7-08.
If I really wanted something fancy now I would be going for one of the Turbon presses. They just look like precision engineering where as the Co-Ax looks like cast iron junk from the last century
In the case of delivering to a non-EU country, there can be charged extra tolls, taxes and fees.
Packaging costs will be charged separately.
LeftHandGuy
Well-Known Member
I have an older one - it's "Bonanza" branded rather than Forster, and it's missing some bits (small primer assembly, "baby food jar" primer catcher), but it's big enough to reload 375 H&H without modification. Since I use other equipment for priming and de-priming I really cannot complain about it.
I don't know if my ammunition is more accurate than with my previous press - I'm not nearly good enough of a shot! But it certainly isn't less, and it's far and away the most ergonomically pleasant press I've used. Equally good for left or right handers...
I don't know if my ammunition is more accurate than with my previous press - I'm not nearly good enough of a shot! But it certainly isn't less, and it's far and away the most ergonomically pleasant press I've used. Equally good for left or right handers...
I'm a fan of the Co-Ax, so much so that I have two of them, one bought used on SD. (One has the universal shellholder jaws permanently switched to their 'small' (223 etc case-head diameter); the other turned to suit 0.473" - 0.550" case-heads. Quicker to swap presses than dismantling the shellholder and turning the sprung plates with the risk of losing the springs.)
Here's a comparative test I ran in 2015 using three makes of fired 7X57 cases on the Co-Ax, then new RCBS 'Summit' and current Rockchucker Supreme presses. Note all prices quoted are from 2015 and are a mite (!) higher now.
I was very taken with the Rockchucker for heavy duty full-length sizing, and can see why it's such a favourite even after so many years. For bullet seating, decapping, and sizing smaller cartridges especially if fired in tight chambers, the Co-Ax is a 'winner'. If like me, you load multiple cartridge models, the Co-Ax design is a huge plus with the universal shellholder and snap-in die holder. Throw in Forster's superb dies, especially with the Ultra Seater and its micrometer top if loading multiple bullet models, and very good results are the norm.
Three Way Press Test by Laurie Holland
Here's a comparative test I ran in 2015 using three makes of fired 7X57 cases on the Co-Ax, then new RCBS 'Summit' and current Rockchucker Supreme presses. Note all prices quoted are from 2015 and are a mite (!) higher now.
I was very taken with the Rockchucker for heavy duty full-length sizing, and can see why it's such a favourite even after so many years. For bullet seating, decapping, and sizing smaller cartridges especially if fired in tight chambers, the Co-Ax is a 'winner'. If like me, you load multiple cartridge models, the Co-Ax design is a huge plus with the universal shellholder and snap-in die holder. Throw in Forster's superb dies, especially with the Ultra Seater and its micrometer top if loading multiple bullet models, and very good results are the norm.
Three Way Press Test by Laurie Holland
I use the RCBS no 3 for 7x57 and no problems.
LeftHandGuy
Well-Known Member
I think the issue is specific to RWS 7X57 brass.
All other 7X57 seems to have an identical case head to 30/06 and all the other cases that copied the original 7.65 Mauser.
crow juice
Well-Known Member
That is an excellent article Laurie. That would be good reading for anybody looking at new presses.
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