Forster Co-Ax Press

[Doublehelix]

I did a search, and there are some really old threads, but nothing has been posted recently on the Forster Co-Ax single-stage press (many years).

I am considering adding a single-stage press to the mix for some workups and things like batch depriming and precision rifle rounds, and thought seriously about an RCBS Rock Chucker, but for some reason, my mind keeps drifting towards the Co-Ax as another option. I currently have a Lee Classic Turret Press.

When I looked on Midway, they show the Co-Ax listed as a "Clearance" item. Hmmmmmm. I wonder what this means?

I wonder if the Co-Ax going away altogether, being upgraded, or is Midway just not going to be carrying it any longer?

Does anyone have any inside scoop on this?

I also wouldn't mind hearing from Co-Ax users on the good, bad and the ugly. I see that priming is a bit of a pain and very slow. I do not want to handle each primer one at a time. Anything else?

Thanks!

 

[JimKirk]

My opinion is the CoAx is one of ... if not the best single stage press out there ... yes it is a little different than the other guys .... but once you learn the differences I be willing to bet you'd never want to go back to one of the other presses ... as far as priming the CoAx priming system takes a little getting use to but it will seat primers correctly every time unless the brass has a defect ... if you are worried with handling primer then use something else ... I have been using the Bonanza CoAx(PreForster) for so ... sometime in the early '70s ... All Forster products are well made .... I love their dies too.

I get a email news letter from Forster about once a month and they have made no mention of stopping the CoAx press .... matter of fact ... they were having a shortage of them just a while back ....

 

[ants]

Excellent for single stage. Priming is slow one-by-one but you can use a hand primer (Hornady/RCBS/Lee) or get the Forster bench mounted primer (Woo Hoo !!! One of the best priming tools ever).

I have read reviews of people who clearly didn't read the setup instructions, then complained about difficulties. But if you read the instructions you succeed. For instance, when setting up the primer you must use the little tool to center your brass in the shell holder jaws, then it works every time. Another for instance, use Forster brand locking rings for your dies and adjustment becomes piece-o'-cake simple and easy.

They are still in current production according to Forster. They couldn't make them fast enough last year, so they ramped up production. Maybe they made too many and let Midway hold a clearance sale. Doesn't matter why, it's your opportunity to save $36 on the best single stage you'll ever use.

[But if they ever go out of production, you better get one before it's too late. Co-Ax is a unique tool for the bench and you'll never regret it.]


Anthony

 

[xphunter]

I have two of them.
Also use a Redding T-7

 

[wiiawiwb]

I have a CoAx and love it. The complaints I hear are about the priming procedure, the center handle (as opposed to offset) and the side linkage. Let me address those and then give you some additional thoughts.

I happen to like the priming procedure. The procedure is a little slower for small primers than large because the large primers are more easily manipulated by hand. That said, I wiz though the priming operation without issue. It is designed to seat the primer to the correct depth and I check each one out as I prime.

The center design of the CoAx is to allow an alignment of the die with the case. The jaws shift sideways while the die can float in the opposite direction. A dual floating guide which self-aligns. When you initiate a step on the press, you pull the center handle straight down. I happen to sit in the middle of the press and it works perfectly for me. Others do not like that. They would prefer to have a handle to the side. It is not an issue for me.

The linkage on either side of the press does not allow for an open environment on the sides by which to move a case in and out. For some, that is annoying at best. For me, it's no issue. I am used to handling the case straight on. If a more open area were desired, Inline Fabrication makes curved side linkages to install thereby opening up the area more.

What are the benefits of a CoAx? I like the easy change of dies. I can remove a die and insert another in the snap of a finger. The dies have a ring which remains locked so you are always ready to go. No need to recalibrate each time you change them. I also like the spent primer system which is done in a contained environment so spent primers and debris all go through a plastic tube into a bottle. No mess. I actually prefer the location of the press handle. It is center and up. The stroke comes down in the center and is brought back up. That leaves the environment around the press, to either side, free and clear.

I love the CoAx and think you will too. Here are three excellent videos that show it in operation. That helps to see what some of us are talking about:

 

[Ohen Cepel]

I have one and have liked it well, pretty new to the game so I can't speak to it with the authority of others. I did a lot of research before I bought it, wanted a single stage press and I like that I don't need to have a shell holder for everything due to the Co-Ax design.

 

[Doublehelix]

Thanks guys, I appreciate all of the comments and feedback.

I just wonder if Forster is coming out with the Co-Ax Press version 2.0 soon... this might be a good time to jump on the original at a reduced price.

@wiiawiwb: I actually watched all three of those videos earlier today! Haha... thanks for sharing the links here for others that might be interested.

I like the fact that the priming station allows for "precise" primer depth seating, but I just can't imaging handling tiny primers one at a time like that. The Lee Safety Prime system is actually not a bad system, but "priming by feel" always worries me. I do like the looks of the RCBS bench mounted priming system, but it is an extra step (and expense) to add the primers to the plastic strip system.

Priming depth has always been of my pet peeves, and I am very anal about making sure that they are seated accurately and consistently. The Forster system looks like it does that, and I may have to look more closely at their bench priming system.

Thanks again everyone!

 

[9mmepiphany]

Another for instance, use Forster brand locking rings for your dies and adjustment becomes piece-o'-cake simple and easy.

I saw the email also and was very tempted.

A quick question. What advantage do the Forster locking rings offer over the Hornady ones?

Does anyone know if the overhead linkage will clear the Redding Competition Micrometer Seating die.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Priming depth has always been of my pet peeves, and I am very anal about making sure that they are seated accurately and consistently. The Forster system looks like it does that, and I may have to look more closely at their bench priming system.

When I couldn't quite pull the trigger on the Co-Ax, I consoled myself with their Bench priming tool...which color coordinates well with my Hornady LNL AP and comes close enough to my Lee Classic Cast

It is really nice, but there is a learning curve to adjusting the jaws...plus the tube only holds 50 primer at a time

 

[Manny]

A Co-Ax is on my wish list for loading precision rifle rounds. As to it being on clearance at Midway, that is a stocking issue with them. When on hand quantity exceeds a certain amount they do that to balance the inventory. I believe they also use it as a way to to move items they get an exceptional deal on. I frequently see "demo" or "blew merchandise on there of some VERY high quality gear, Swarovski & Zeiss optics being two at nice savings. I suspect they may occasionally use it as a way to offer "blue light specials" to entice buyers. I have gotten a number of very nice deals on some very good products by keeping an eye on their clearance lists.

 

[wiiawiwb]

When I bought my CoAx it was on sale for a very short time at Brownells. I was following all of the reloading retailers and jumped on the deal when it offered itself.

It doesn't go on sale very often. It doesn't need to. There is far more demand than supply. That alone speaks volumes about the product.

 

[9mmepiphany]

The only thing that stopped me from jumping on this was that I just took advantage of the 15% discount Midway was offering on Redding products

 

[MrMagumba]

I saw the email also and was very tempted.

A quick question. What advantage do the Forster locking rings offer over the Hornady ones?

Does anyone know if the overhead linkage will clear the Redding Competition Micrometer Seating die.

Good question. I have an RCBS micrometer style bullet seater for 243 and it doesn't fit through the opening in the handle.
Also it takes a minute to switch from the large jaw to small jaw shell holder, but little things like this are worth the advantages.
I take a little tension off the screws that hold the case holder at the top of the press to make it run smoother. When I prime I tighten these back down to keep the case in place for priming. Comes in handy when your old Lee hand priming tool can't accommodate something like a 300 WSM or other larger diameter case.
Doesn't work for my collet style bullet puller, but rarely use that. Nice to have a conventional press on the side for those couple things. Buy the bulk pack of Forester locking rings. They used to have slotted screws, but now have hex drive screws. I liked the slotted better because it's easier to get a visual reference on the position of the screw. Good quality press-wouldn't trade it.

 

[xphunter]

I think the older version had a handle that would not clear the Reading comp dies but the current version will.
I have been using Wilson arbor press in line type seating dies recently so now I need to go back in and actually check to confirm what I posted

 

[daboone]

I have used Lee, RCBS, Hornady and Redding lock rings in my Bonanza CO-AX. I also have some Forster lock rings. I don't like cross bolt screws on the Forster as screw's head is soft and can be easily jacked up. The Sinclair cross bolt lock rings are SS with stronger screws but very pricey. Lyman cross bolt lock rings are to thick so they don't fit. As of right now there is a mix of Sinclair, Hornady and Forster. These all function very well.

The dies I now use in the CO-AX have a mix of Hornady, Forster, and Sinclair.

 

[Doublehelix]

Doesn't work for my collet style bullet puller, but rarely use that.

That's too bad, but now that I look at the design, I guess it makes sense. I have the RCBS collet bullet puller, but I can use that in my turret press for the few times that I need it. I would have been nice just to chuck it in the Co-Ax for a quick bullet pull or two, but that is not real big deal.

 

[2011redrider]

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/419579/forster-universal-collet-style-bullet-puller

Forster makes a bullet puller designed to work on the Coax. it has a long cross bolt to keep the die from spinning when you tighten the collet. means new collets on top of the die though?

Also free shipping this weekend on top of a price of 263 for the Coax. I missed the sale a month or so ago at 269, but, won't miss this one. Been looking at the Coax for a few years.

 

[DM~]

I have two of them, this one I bought in the 70's and has more than 80,000 rounds through it,



I have more than one reloading area, but that's my most used area and the press I prefer to use...

DM

 

[Doublehelix]

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/419579/forster-universal-collet-style-bullet-puller

Forster makes a bullet puller designed to work on the Coax. it has a long cross bolt to keep the die from spinning when you tighten the collet. means new collets on top of the die though?

Also free shipping this weekend on top of a price of 263 for the Coax. I missed the sale a month or so ago at 269, but, won't miss this one. Been looking at the Coax for a few years.

Great to know on the bullet puller. As much as I would have liked to get this puppy when it was on sale with the free shipping, my wife has informed me that it is Christmas shopping time, and I need to focus our finances in that direction. Dang! Joy killer! Bah Humbug!!! LOL! (Actually, I love Christmas...)

Maybe I will revisit this early next year.