Best single stage press: MEC v. Forster?

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jski

jski

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I've been considering upgrading my press but want to stay with a single stage. Been looking at 2 in particular because they kind of stand apart: MEC Marksman v. Forster Co-Ax. Both have open face designs and both have designs for aligning the die and case.

The Forster offers a set of jaws at the base to hold the case in lieu of a case holder. Read some complaints about this with smaller cases. The dies are placed in slots which allows some play to permit the case and die to align.

MEC uses a case holder but allows some play with how the case holder is held using a spring mechanism. This allows the case and die to properly align.

Both look like thoughtful designs but currently favoring the MEC. Also, the Forster is quite pricey.

Any opinions?
 
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jski said:
I've been considering upgrading my press but want to stay with a single stage. Been looking at 2 in particular because they kind of stand apart: MEC Marksman v. Forster Co-Ax. Both have open face designs and both have designs for aligning the die and case.

The Forster offers a set of jaws at the base to hold the case in lieu of a case holder. Read some complaints about this with smaller cases. The dies are placed in slots which allows some play to permit the case and die to align.

MEC uses a case holder but allows some play with how the case holder is held using a spring mechanism. This allows the case and die to properly align.

Both look like thoughtful designs but currently favoring the MEC. Also, the Forster is quite pricey.

Any opinions?
Click to expand...
id go mec to many things i dont like with the foster. they get very tireing with the arm up there so high. i dont like having to use different shell holders ether . the foster is to pricey and have not heard any comps won with it.
 
jski said:
Any opinions?
Click to expand...
I didn't know that there was still an on-going discussion of the best single stage press. I always heard that the Co-Ax was far and away the best press, with the only draw back being it's cost

troy fairweather said:
i dont like having to use different shell holders ether .
Click to expand...
The Co-Ax doesn't use any shell holders at all

...the foster is to pricey and have not heard any comps won with it.
Click to expand...
I always thought it was a pretty good recommendation that the USAMU uses it

...they get very tireing with the arm up there so high.
Click to expand...
There are two common ways to address this issue.
1. Use the shorter handle
2. Mount the press lower
 
I like my Coax press but I' m sure the Mec is a good press.
I bought my Coax used on ebay, it was more than the Mec press lists for new.
 
The Co-Ax doesn't use any shell holders at all
Click to expand...

It can but most use it with the “jaws” and there are different sizes although they can cover more ground, so to speak, than a shell holder.

 
I've loaded over 80,000 rounds on my Co-AX and it's still in GREAT shape, ready for more!

standard.jpg

I like the way in can be mounted "in" the bench a few inches and turned toward me, instead of on the edge on the bench...

DM
 
No experience with the MEC, the Forster has been the Gold Standard for a long time. Searching and watching a couple of videos he MEC looks like a really nice option. The "floating" shell holder is a good idea, although in function I am not sure it will help alignment as well as the floating die of the Forster. Maybe, dunno, but it looks like a really nice option. I wonder if a "floating" threaded insert up top for the dies would work better? Again, dunno.

Very interesting press this MEC Marksman. Since I have not been in the market for a press, I didn't even know it existed.
 
I've had a Co-Ax for many years. Mine is Bonanza marked. The Co-Ax is a very good piece of reloading equipment. Unlike the RC, the top of the press is inaccessible. This situation is no big deal unless you are using file trim dies or similar. I find it much easier to use a RC, got one those also, for many loading task. The idea of a floating case going into the die warms the cockles of many hearts. If the dies are bum all that float goes down the tubes. Take a case and wiggle it in the standard shell holder. Then connect the dots. Next figure how much time it takes to change shell holders. That's a no brainer. How many different sets of jaws, the shell holder part, are available for the Co-Ax. Next look at the frame of the Co-Ax. That press is nothing but a C press on steroids. Can't comment on the MEC as I have no experience. To me, as an owner and user, the Co-Ax is oversold for many reloading uses. I don't care if the Jedi Knights use a Co-Ax. It is a press and can do no miracles.
 
I have a Forster Co-Ax and using it is a dream. Actually I like the movable/clamping jaws to hold cases, for one reason it's a bit easier to just drop a case on the jaw holder and raise the ram, not aligning the case rim with a slot (which can be bothersome at times with a tight fitting shell holder). Switching jaw plates? No big deal if one has any mechanical ability at all, it takes about one minute (I changed the allen socket head screws to stainless steel phillips head screws and use a 16" MAC screwdriver). Long throw tiresome? Come on, you can choke up on the handle, get a shorter handle, or like I do occasionally, grab the yoke. The press has good enough leverage that sizing 30-06 cases can be done with just the first two fingers of your hands. I have sized bullets on mine, just need to think about it for a couple seconds to come up with a method. Using my Co-Ax is easy, very accurate (I checked some runout on some 308 I reloaded with LC brass; .001" runout at most). and quick to use...

Expensive? What's your hobby worth? I saved up some SS money to get mine and it's one of the best $300 I have ever spent (I once paid close to $300 on a fishing reel, and that much was quite often spent on booze and broads. Ever go to Las Vegas?).

I have not seen a MEC press in person so I can't comment on that...
 
I thought I wanted a new press a while back, but I decided to just use what I had.

The presses I looked at were the MEC, Co-Ax, and the RCBS Summit.

The MEC I really liked and think it would be a great press.

The Co-Ax is what all the other presses are judged by. It was the press used by aromrers in my reserve unit to load match rounds for our target shooters. Great press but for some reason I just cant warm to it

The Summit was my choice, simply because I have a few Lee Zero Error Target Loaders that I use for my varmint/target rifles. The Summit can easily be converted to an arbor press.

At the end of the day, I just kept using my RCBS Jr2 and the Lee Loader dies with the Sinclair Arbor Press.
 
I saw this review of the Forster on Midway and thought it very informative:
Most Liked Negative Review

What's all the fuss??? Too many 5 star reviews IMO
I have had this for a few weeks. While the reviews are truthful about the strength and stability of this press, I want to clarify some major "Cons": 1. Primer system is junk. Forster was trying to not use a shell holder since the whole point of this press is to not need shell holders. But the priming system on top of the press is silly and very difficult to align brass and tighten the 3 screws to center the primer into the primer pocket. Once setup, it does an OK job of priming.. but the fiddling is silly. 2. The clearance is too short IMO. Very tight for magnum cartidges. 3. Thought it would be great not using standard shellholders. But switching between large and small cases requires taking the shellholder apart... the jaws and springs pop out all over the place. Would it kill Forster to include a couple spare springs? Also, make sure you get the extra large shell holder (sold separately) for larger cases (338 lapua, 45-70)... 4. No good place to mount light on press. 5. die spins and moves too freely IMO. I know this is a selling point, but adjusting die and locking it in place is not so simple. 6. RCBS bullet puller doesn't work on this very well. Twisting the arm of the bullet puller results in hitting the handle of the press. Anyway... there are lots of good points that others have mentioned so I won't dwell on those. I don't hate the press... but not in love with it either.
Click to expand...
 
To be fair, I'll include the most negative review on Midway of the MEC Marksman:
Is only missing ONE THING

This press if missing only ONE THING to be the PERFECT PRESS!!!, It doesn't prime. I owned RCBS, Dillon, Redding, Lyman, etc and this Marksman is almost the perfect of all time. Is extremely strong, the floating system is very nice and if you add the Lock and Load kit from Hornady like I did is even better. You need to buy the base, is a most have. Im buying all the rest of accessories (I hope MEC make more accesories). I will like to sell all my other presses and just keep this one, but unfortunately doesn't prime (I know, I can do manual prime but I dont like that extra step, I like to prime in the press) I know is almost impossible to make a prime system for it because of the floating shell holder but I MEC makes one Im the first one in line to get it. By the way, I will save you some time, here in Midway they have the better price, I went shopping and ended up here. For me MEC was just a shotshel press company but this press changed the whole panorama for me regarding MEC. Oh, and I forgot to mention, their customer service is superb!. I broke the handle while put ridiculously much pressure on it trying to resize a casted bullet which was way over size (rookie caster mistake), I contacted MEC and same day they shipped me a new one, actually the send me the new version which is heavier and stronger. I usually don't review stuff, I even think this is my first review ever here in Midway, I'm doing it just because I really love this press and I hope they make a primer system kit one day.
Click to expand...
 
For me, neither are a good option. I like to deprime and prime on the press and the MEC does not prime and the Co Ax sucks at priming. I know a lot of folks prime off the press and then both do a good job. If I were to get one of the two it would be the Co Ax.
 
We tend to see a LOT of these "which is best" questions.
IMHO, only you can decide what you like & what you don't like.
MEC & Forster are both excellent brand names & have very, very good products.
But they're not duplicates. You have to kinda figure out what YOU like.
Sorry, I know that's not the answer you were hoping for.
But it's the best I can do
Just my 2¢ worth. YMMV
 
I noted that you are looking at a Single Stage and wanting precision.
The Redding Big Boss 2 is an option not listed.

The Redding T-7 Turret is all about precision and in your price range. A turret just removes monotonous actions and simplifies your life.
The new Lyman Ammo Smith is a virtual clone with (8) dies and at this time less money.

Also, look at a case ejector system from Inline Fabrication for which ever you choose.
 
Livin_Cincy said:
I noted that you are looking at a Single Stage and wanting precision.
The Redding Big Boss 2 is an option not listed.

The Redding T-7 Turret is all about precision and in your price range. A turret just removes monotonous actions and simplifies your life.
The new Lyman Ammo Smith is a virtual clone with (8) dies and at this time less money.

Also, look at a case ejector system from Inline Fabrication for which ever you choose.
Click to expand...
I think I’ll start a separate thread on turret presses. Should be interesting, Lyman just introduced a new turret press last year, 2017.
 
I have the Co-Ax and use it for rifle reloading. Not having to use shell holders and sliding the die in and out make it a keeper for me. It, however cannot do certain special purpose processes and for that I use the RC. I am completely satisfied with its operation and ease of use.

You know we are splitting hairs here, there are so many quality SS presses available now. Just go with your gut. I don't think you will be disappointed. You will need the MEC for special purposes if you decide on the Co-Ax. Ha! (Bullet pulling, Larry Willis's Belted Magnum Collet Resizing Die, etc.)
 
Walkalong said:
No experience with the MEC, the Forster has been the Gold Standard for a long time. Searching and watching a couple of videos he MEC looks like a really nice option. The "floating" shell holder is a good idea, although in function I am not sure it will help alignment as well as the floating die of the Forster. Maybe, dunno, but it looks like a really nice option. I wonder if a "floating" threaded insert up top for the dies would work better? Again, dunno.

Very interesting press this MEC Marksman. Since I have not been in the market for a press, I didn't even know it existed.
Click to expand...
It's MEC's first foray into metallic cartridges (circa 2016-2017) but it appears to be a home run. If you watch their videos they're obviously positioning it for precision loading, Forster's bailiwick. Hence, the reason I thought of comparing to two.
 
mdi said:
Expensive? What's your hobby worth? I saved up some SS money to get mine and it's one of the best $300 I have ever spent (I once paid close to $300 on a fishing reel, and that much was quite often spent on booze and broads. Ever go to Las Vegas?).

I have not seen a MEC press in person so I can't comment on that...
Click to expand...
I certainly don't mind paying more if I get more. If I'm getting the same or less then I mind a lot.

BTW, I am NOT saying Forster is less, I'm just questioning whether it's more?
 
I can’t for the life of me figure out what any press will do that the lowly Lee Classic Cast won’t do. Yes it’s an O frame, and yes it’s a cheap press, but it’s one of those simple machines that just flat out does what you want it to do. I have loaded on a co-ax and never liked it. It just didn’t feel right to be loading on something which is so different from what I am used to.
 
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