Forster Co-Ax any others with similar design?

Here’s one that seems close and is available.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1020652649

I’ve got an MEC Marksman which allows some float in the cartridge for better alignment (that’s the argument anyhow). That’s one of the selling points of the Forster. I’m very happy with it.

Frankly there’s so many good presses these days it’s hard to go wrong.


Good luck!

I am what most would consider a newb, so not sure my opinion counts for much, but will offer it just the same.

About 3 months back, I decided to get back into reloading after a 50 year break. Long enough I needed to assemble most of the tools and do it with modern equipment. For the press, I asked around......I participate in a few other forums that are not dedicated to shooting, but have shooters who also reload. When I asked about presses, I got the usual suspects. Rock Chuckers, Lee Classic, Hornady, etc. Not one of them mentioned the Forster. I found out about those on my own while watching youtube videos. Some pretty impressive shooters were using them. And not featured in the videos as selling tools as some do, but in the background. They were explaining other things, but when the press came into view, it was a Forster.

Over the years, I have become one who prefers to buy quality tools and I have developed a bias against cheap junk. In my mind, that is where I placed the Lee press. Couldn't possibly be any good at that price level compared to everything else. The Forster on the other hand, top of the line.

But by chance, I was offered a nice used Lee Classic press......like new for half the price.....so figuring it was better than nothing, I took it, planning to upgrade first chance I got. That may be never.

Once I figured out how the Lee Breech lock system works, and actually put it to work loading a variety of calibers, not sure I will be needing anything more. BTW, the breech lock system makes swapping out dies a very simple process. Not as fast as the Forster, but fast enough. And have had no problems at all with it being too light for the task. At least so far. Am now only loading for 3 calibers, possibly going to 5. Swapping out dies is no problem. Quick and easy.

As for the Forster design, there are others that are similar, but do not have the quick swap feature. The old CH, new CH4D is one. BTW, the original Forster was actually Bonanza. All are showing up used on ebay now and then. The old CH presses going for around $200, but no quick change feature with those.

Listed prices for new a new Forster press from the usual suspects, like Midway, MidSouth, etc, are in the ballpark of $350, but nobody actually has one for those prices. Same press on Forster's site is over $500, but not available there either. Prices for new presses on ebay have slumped from nearly $700 three months ago to buy it now offers as low as $475 today. So not that far off from back to normal.

I may still get one someday, but for now, am content to stick with the Lee.

I have been reloading for a very long time and I own a Forster Co-Ax, the Co-Ax coming after 6 or 7 other presses. One thing about the Forster is not only the design but the quality of the press. Very "tight" clean machining on all parts. I've had my Co-Ax for about 6 years and I only changed one thing and added one thing. I switched the allen screw on the jaw hold down assy. to philips head and I use a long screwdriver from above, much easier to change jaws. I also added LED lighting. I have only read about the Frankfort Arsenal so I cannot give an opinion. With what I know from owning my Forster I might suggest ordering one now and get a decent single stage for use in the mean time. In my experience the wait will be worth it...

I got mine from Brownell's. It was on sale for $300.00...

My thought on "Lee Haters"; I have been using Lee tools since 1969 from a Lee Loader to a turret. Mostly Lee dies and assorted tools, but I also have other's tools, BCBS, Hornady, Lyman, Pacific, and I may have some Herters dies around somewhere. I am a life long machinist/mechanic (55 years) and know how to use tools, power and hand operated. I have tried to duplicate some of the complaints I've read on forums, but more often than not, I cannot unless I deliberately misuse the tool. For the las 25 years of my working life I worked for a large city doing fleet repair and Heavy Construction Equipment repair, and I saw first hand what I call "tool snobs". These guys only use tools that their favorite TV motorcycle builder or NASCAR pit crew uses. Also a lot of the thinking runs "if it cost more, it's better", leading to "If it ain't SnapOn (or MAC etc.) it's junk. I see the same in reloading; "If it ain't RCBS (Forster, Sinclair, Wilson, etc.) it's junk". Another guy is the one that says "I don need no steenkin' instructions", and proceeds to use a tool like he thinks it should be used rather the way it was designed. And of course there is the guy that just parrots what he has read on a form and doesn't have any experience with the tool. These are the guys that jump at the chance to badmouth Lee and not the ones that have given the tool a proper try and will post their opinion. Not too difficult to tell which are which. Many folks prefer more expensive tools for their quality of manufacturing, and will offer an experienced opinion on the tools of their choice without needing to run down another manufacturer.

I suggest new reloaders do their own research rather than rely on forum "experts" and weigh the opinions, remembering that they are just opinions...

Go slow. Double check everything. And most important, have fun...

I seem to remember a video on ultimatereloader.com about a Forster copycat. Might checkout there, very good sight in general.

mdi Nailed it above.

I'd try the frankford M, but from what I can tell it won't work with the forster micrometer die. That happens to be the 1 caliber I'd want it for...oh well.

The lee classic cast single with breech lock is a solid press and die swaps are easy and fast once dialed in as long as you have a bushing for each die.

After Sandy Hook, when everything was so scarce, I remember having called them (Forster) to ask where their next shipment was headed, and when...

With the information they provided, I knew who to call and roughly when.

I ended up ordering from Brownells (I think this was even before the new batch was made available online).