Forster Co-Ax Reloading Press

[Tamitch]

I'm going to purchase a Forster Co-Ax reloading from Brownells. I know it's allot of money but I'll be getting a great press in the bargain too! The only bad point about the press is their system of seating new primers. Those of you that have this press; what do you use to seat new primers?

Thank You for any information you can pass along!

TAMitch
Danville, IL.

 

[Clark]

I have found the seating head on the co-ax to be miserable to adjust.

I made some fixtures, and then the system works well.

The two diameters are:
Bottom: 0.312" for the Bonanza co-ax, 0.313" Forster co-ax
Top: The maximum extractor groove measured in your brass collection, e.g. 0.477" for a belted magnum

 

[lykoris]

It is Pita to set up for seating primers but once correctly set for the case the coax is excellent. at times i prefer it to even the sinclair priming tool

 

[jr_roosa]

RCBS hand primer. Try the one on the press and see what you think first. It's not terrible, just slow.

J.

 

[DM~]

I NEVER prime on any press, so it's a non issue for my CO-AX... I mostly use a RCBS bench mounted primeing tool...

I love my CO-AX, so many years ago i bought a second one new, but i never used it as i can't seem to wear my old one out!

One of these days, i'm going to let the second one go, as i can see now that i'll never need it...

DM

 

[daboone]

For large primers I believe it's one of the very best for feel and consistency. It is not the fastest but that's not always important when handloading. A good flip tray is it an excellent choice to have when priming less than 100 cases. I have an RCBS bench mounted primer, a Lee hand held, an 21th Century hand held, the Lee Safety prime and yet enjoy the feel of the CO-AX press. Thus it's the goto primer for all large primer jobs.

 

[119er]

That is the same set-up used on my Forster bench priming tool. I typically let the punch extend into the primer pocket to center the case. Then I move the tabs in and cinch them down. I have noticed that if you don't happen to grab the largest groove diameter piece in your batch to setup with it can slow you down having to re-adjust. All in all not too bad. At least this one seems vertical. The bench method is horizontal and the bottom tab can be hard to adjust.

I was looking for this press several days ago and they were sold out at Midway, Sinclair(Brownell's), Midsouth, Natchez, etc. Thanks for the heads up, I just snatched one too!

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I'm not a fan of on press priming for rifle ammo. I use an RCBS hand primer for all my rifle reloading.

Handgun ammo, I use the Lee Safety Primer on a Lee 4 hole turret press.

 

[oldfortyfiveauto]

I have the forester priming tool as my hands don't do well the various hand primers out there. It adjusts the same as the press. Usually only takes seconds to adjust. I put an unprimed case in and gently press the primer punch into the primer pocket and old it there. That centers the case. Then gently hold the holder ears to the case and snug the screws down. Rarely takes more then one try.

 

[JimKirk]

The Co-Ax priming setup is not as fast as changing a shellholder ... but once you have it set ... it will seat a primer as consistent as for as depth as any primer system out there...

Since I'm usually loading for accurate rounds(over speed loading)... I take the Co-Ax setup any day

 

[Clark]

This is like Highlander, in the end there can only be one press.

 

[Doug b]

Tamitch learn to use the locator tool that comes with your press and as JimKirk says it is slow but it is perfection.No need for"feel" as they say.