Talk me out of Co-Ax........

[SnakeEater]

The last hour has went something like this for me......browse Midway site, add Forster Co-Ax to cart, remove Co-Ax add Lee classic cast, remove Lee Classic add Forster Co-Ax,...etc, etc.:banghead:

Is the Co-Ax overkill? I need to load aprx. 500rds of .223 per month, in the future 300rds of .308 per month on top of that. Did I mention I'm a total reloading newb?

 

[Hawk]

I almost went with the Forster. Somebody mentioned in the thread that it wouldn't do .25ACP and one review on Midway's site mentioned issues with collett bullet pullers.

I'm not really sure why I cared as there's other means of pulling bullets and I don't yet reload for .25ACP - sounds like it'd be a Zen-like exercise in concentration.

However, you're looking to do .223 and .308 and I haven't heard a whisper of any issues there. You're toast - just get it.

I've never heard anyone say "Dang. I wish I hadn't gotten this stinkin' Forster press."

No such thing as overkill. Well, maybe ammoload or camdex but Midway doesn't stock either of those.

 

[The Law]

When I get my single-stage (to join my 650), it'll be that Forster Co-Ax.

Just get it. Nobody ever wishes they had less press. This way, you won't ever need to upgrade.

 

[ranger335v]

I NEVER try to talk anyone out of a perfectly good idea. But I feel that the Lee Classic Cast is an ideal second choice.

 

[captain54]

there is no reason to talk you out of the co-ax. As a newbee, if you are willing to commit the money to this press, then go right ahead. If you decide later you don't want to reload, you can sell it. It is a great press. That being said, after using it for a while at the volume you are going to be reloading (800 per month based on your numbers) it might be a good idea to take a look at a turrent or manually indexing progressive.

 

[Black_Talon]

As someone who used a Co-ax a lot back in the 1980's, about the only negatives I can think of are both ergonomic in nature. Access to the shell holder is from directly in front of the press, which is sort of where you need to be to operate the handle. Maybe more of a biggy for me because I'm left-handed? The other ergonomic issue is the location/motion of the handle itself. The sort of "overhead" location seems a bit clumsy compared to the typical "slightly beneath bench level" location of most presses. If you sit in front of the press it's a bit harder to get good leverage on the handle. You really need to stand in front of it if you are doing full-length sizing or depriming crimped-in primers.

Other than that, I love it.

 

[layusn1]

Have you ever tried to pull a bullet out of a crimped rifle round with one of those hammer type bullet pullers? Try a military surplus round...not gonna happen. Boy am I glad I have a single stage that I can use my bullet puller on

 

[Hawk]

Throw one of those 20-odd dollar presses into the order with the Forster. Use the little guy for pulling bullets, and maybe .25ACP if it ever comes up.

 

[SnakeEater]

Well, the last few hours have been agonizing but it's over now. In the end I went with the Lee Classic Turret. Going that route freed up some funds for a higher quality scale. The Co-Ax will have to wait a month or two. I now have every single item I need to roll my own, including a nice score of Federal primers here locally.