Forster Co-ax press: Good or not?

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megsjockey

Well-Known Member
I've been reloading my own ammo for about twenty-five years now and my original, cheap as chips, 'O' framed, Lee press is beginning to get a bit worn, and frankly, it's a faff changing dies all the time now that I reload quite a few different cartridges (I started off just reloading one calibre, .270win, but now I reload five).

I fancy the look of the Forster co-ax press even though it does cost a bit. The way I see it even if I don't have decades left to live, my family are into shooting and reloading too so it should get plenty use, no matter what, so the price isn't really an issue.

What are peoples views on here, regarding this press?

Or, could I buy something better?
 
Thanks for your response bewsher500. I've actually seen that review and others already. When do you ever see a bad review online, that doesn't look like it comes from someone slightly nutty and with a grudge? :) I'm also acquainted with the lock'n'load system. I was really hoping someone who actually uses, or used, the Co-ax press might have some sage words for me. I noted one that was offered for sale on here recently got snapped up p.d.q. i.e. within minutes of the ad being posted (I know because I missed it and I pm'd the guy within about ten minutes of the add going up, not fast enough) Should I take that as a good sign? Have you tried the Forster press at all bewsher500?
 
Alantoo said:
I did not know the Forster press so did a search and this came up which may help your decision making...or help reduce frustration and improve it if you go for one...

RSI - Loading Bench Projects

Alan
Click to expand...

Interesting aspect I hadn't considered. I can see that another solution might be a different 'shooting-bench' style reloading bench profile. That might help i.e. an L shaped reloading bench that places your work to whichever side of you/the press that suits your 'handedness' but leaves you sat in front of the press.
 
I have two Forster Co-Ax. Excellent equipment. Extremely powerful leverage.
The draw back, if any, is that you must outfit your die sets with Forster lock rings for proper use.~Muir

PS: As to the modifications. Not sure what he is saying about the 'geometry' of the press being altered with regard to the linkage but that handle will never hold up on long tern use. The Forsters have a grub screw that holds the handle in place. When used in a straight line, it works well. When the handle is off set, there will be a radial torque on that screw and the handle will loosen and rotate. The truth is that you can make the handle very short. A friend of mine has a short handle stem with a billiard ball on the end so he isn't side stepping the handle. The linkage is so strong he can still small-base resize without a problem.
 
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Good! Thanks for this Muir. Reading back some previous threads I had already noted you were something of a fan. Interesting too what you say about the lock-rings. Are the Forster ones you have alloy or steel? I've got a few Hornady steel lock-rings myself, which I heard one reviewer saying he actually favours. Should I take it that you don't share this view !?
 
""I have two Forster Co-Ax. Excellent equipment. Extremely powerful leverage.
The draw back, if any, is that you must outfit your die sets with Forster lock rings for proper use.~Muir""


Can they not be used with conventional die lock rings - Hornady for example?
Ed
 
I got one second hand with the intention to sell on - I still have it and it is used more than my Dillons - I wouldn't part with it.
 
Sauer90 said:
I bought a new one then sold it, bought a T7 far, far happier now!
Click to expand...

Nice press the Redding T7, I'm sure, but I'm inherently sceptical about the wear/accuracy issue with turret presses in general. Going down the progressive route I prefer the Dillon or Hornady systems. Although I've no doubt that once you've got yours set up you can fairly rattle out a batch of ammo. Thanks.
 
Edchef said:
""I have two Forster Co-Ax. Excellent equipment. Extremely powerful leverage.
The draw back, if any, is that you must outfit your die sets with Forster lock rings for proper use.~Muir""


Can they not be used with conventional die lock rings - Hornady for example?
Ed
Click to expand...

Some will fit in the press but the presses are designed for use with Forster lock rings. In anticipation of that, the company sells 12-packs of rings... or singles.~Muir
 
megsjockey said:
Nice press the Redding T7, I'm sure, but I'm inherently sceptical about the wear/accuracy issue with turret presses in general. Going down the progressive route I prefer the Dillon or Hornady systems. Although I've no doubt that once you've got yours set up you can fairly rattle out a batch of ammo. Thanks.
Click to expand...

Yes it is a very nice press. There are no accuracy issues and no wear issues, at least not with mine.
I checked runout of my reloads and the T7 is admirable in its consistency <0.001 is the rule so I do not check any more.
I couldn't live with the centre lever and all the slop of the forster - i don't subscribe to the self aligning floating bullpoop just seems like corner cutting to me.
 
I have a Coax & like it a lot , it is a well engineered & quirky (in a good way) - There are just two issues with it.
The side links have quite sharp edges that I repeatedly knock me knuckles on & it would be much improved if they were rounded off. I'll be filing a nice smooth radius on mine.
The handle fixing grub screw repeatedly comes loose. This is frustrating & I will modify mine by fitting a plug of steel into the bottom of the handle rod which is a tube.Then the grub screw won't crush the tube & deform it resulting in the slackening. I will be making a short handle (already have a big ball to go on it) as for most work, the massive mechanical advantage of the press makes the long handle unnecessary.
I also have a Rockchucker 11 on the bench & that is also a very well made press that is a pleasure to use. I don't find swapping & resetting dies a problem.

I haven't personally tried the breech lock type press, but have good reports from friends who use one.

I think the choice of press is now down to price - the Lee cast iron breech lock press is a great value item for those on a tight budget. All cast iron framed presses can be used to make quality ammunition as long as they are used wisely.

Ian
 
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I have a Co-Ax. My first press, bought c 10 years ago. I use the forster die rings and also have the short handle for smaller cartridges. Taken down after each use due to space issues. C clamped to table when in use. No complaints from me although the gold standard Rockchucker would do the same job. Skoda- Volkswagon- Audi analogy.
 
Edchef said:

Can they not be used with conventional die lock rings - Hornady for example?
Ed
Click to expand...

Yes they can, only the Lee O ring and alloy nut would be a problem, and even then they work just not so easy to swap dies.
I use Lyman rings on everything, have done for a long time, certainly from before I bought the Co-Ax, the Forster
lock rings are still in an unopened packet somewhere.

Neil. :)
 
Sauer90 said:
Yes it is a very nice press. There are no accuracy issues and no wear issues, at least not with mine.
I checked runout of my reloads and the T7 is admirable in its consistency <0.001 is the rule so I do not check any more.
I couldn't live with the centre lever and all the slop of the forster - i don't subscribe to the self aligning floating bullpoop just seems like corner cutting to me.
Click to expand...

In theory, the self centering of the coax is true: Much the same way may gunsmiths utilize a floating reamer holder in the tail stock of their lathes. The two will seek their own center. Claiming "corner cutting" is an odd claim for a press that needs 1100 machining operations to produce, and which they claim, would become inoperable if any of the ram component tolerances were off by more them .002 inches. Why did you sell your new CoAx and buy a turret press?

You got less than .001" run out from a turret press? I can see why you stopped checking.~Muir
 
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