Press Help

[greyling22]

I know the OP already picked a press, and that's fine. But in case anybody else is still shopping, I wanted to chime in briefly that all the O-frame presses are about the same in terms of strength and operation (though the lee seemed to have a little rougher stroke). however, they are not the same in terms of handling primers. From what I can remember from my shopping, the lee has a primer tray, hornady feeds from a primer tube, and the rest you feed by hand. The lee also had the best spent primer catch system. The hornady and redding presses have slight offsets to them that make seeing what you are doing and handling cases easier.

 

[9mmepiphany]

(though the lee seemed to have a little rougher stroke)

All you have to do is take it apart and clean it before re-lubing

 

[Captaingyro]

You made a great choice with the Co-Ax, and I heartily recommend that you follow through on your purchase of the hand primer. If control is what you're after, you'll love the feel you get with hand-priming. I use the RCBS APS system, and reload the priming strips. It's a great setup.

A couple of additional pieces of advice on the Forster:

First, get the short handle. The long handle is overkill for anything except resizing big-bore rifle cases, and it's so long you practically have to stand in the next zip code to use it.

Second, get rid of the little cup that catches the primers. It works great, but it's a little delicate and it fills up quickly. Replace it with a length of plastic aquarium hose that drops into an empty milk jug.

Finally, as some have already said, don't be in a hurry to get rid of the LNL. You kind of started out backwards, getting a progressive before a single-stage. But as you learn more and more on the Forster, you'll warm up to the power and efficiency of the Hornady. And hey...they're the same color. We all know how much color-coordination and style mean to you Marines!

 

[9mmepiphany]

I've only used a Co-Ax a couple of times, but the shorter handle makes a lot of sense.

If you like roller handles, Inline Frab makes a very nice one, they also offer Side Linkages which allow increased access

 

[USMCGRUNT_0341]

We all know how much color-coordination and style mean to you Marines!

Hahaha!! Yes, the red really interferes with my OD green silkies.

Thanks for the recommendations. I will definitely be looking into them.

 

[jgh4445]

WOW..first time I have seen the Forster Co-Ax. Thanks for mentioning it. This just might be a press I'd switch from my old Rock Chucker for!

 

[9mmepiphany]

I always think presses like the Co-Ax have been around so long that everyone is familiar with them.

Sometimes I forget to mention it's complementary bench primer

 

[wiiawiwb]

Another CoAx user and devotee fan here. I heard some negative comments about the primer loading method but it is one of the best things I like about it. I would never go manual as I feel the CoAx helps to keep each primer seated below the surface.

I struggled with my decision between a T-7 and the CoAx. I didn't want to buy additional turret heads because they're expensive and also didn't want to keep spinning the turret head to and fro. It's heavy. The CoAx is a much lighter press than the T-7 and has a better-balanced center of gravity to stay in a small spot on a bench than I suspect the T-7 would.

With the CoAx, the dies slip in and out in a breeze and the rings are not expensive. It is as smooth as glass. Get it, you won't regret it. I got mine this year and have already recovered the cost of the press in a few months with my .45 Colt reloading.

In the end, either would be an awesome choice. I am very pleased I pulled the trigger on the CoAx.

Good luck.