ultramag or forster co-ax?

[zenshootist]

Just picked up a really nice Remmington 700 in 308 and put it on a McRee Precision stock. I've been reloading for about 18 months - mostly plinking ammo for my 9mm on a Lee Classic Turret - I like my current setup pretty well but as I move towards long range shooting, it's time to upgrade.

Thinking really hard about a Redding or Forster single stage - lots of positive comments about the forster (some people don't care for the ergonomics) but not a lot about the ultramag - can anyone tell me more about this press?

 

[RainDodger]

I have a Redding UltraMag. I use it mostly for sizing. It's big and heavy and very smooth, as you can imagine. Because of its design, access to the case is directly from the front, which may not be as convenient as some other presses, but you get used to it quickly. I like the press of course; after all, I bought one. Very well made also.

In my opinion, the only down-side for a large press like this that is made to handle big cases, is the length of throw that they design in to help with leverage. As advertised, I guess you can size .50 BMG cases in this thing... it handles .30-'06 cases like they were .223, with hardly any effort at the handle.

It's a big, heavy press that works well and will never wear out in both our lifetimes. In practical terms, unless you're loading heavy rifle cases a lot, you don't really need this press, but it's very nice to use.

 

[Lee S. Forsberg]

The Redding press will do anything that need to be done. I have a CO-AX and use it often. Changing die is very fast with their shell holder system loading is faster yet.

 

[DM~]

There isn't much to NOT like about a CO-AX. I really like the way you can mount it IN the bench and turn it slightly toward you...

Mine has more than 80,000 rounds through it, and still works perfectly...

DM

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I own and use a Co-Ax and can't think of anything I don't like about it.

With the Redding, it's really a 50 Cal press and won't do anything better than the RCBS 50 Cal press or even the much less expensive Lee 50 Cal press. Don't get me wrong, I'm not badmouthing any of the especially the Redding press but they are really meant for heavy duty use and loading for the .308 is not a heavy duty use.

The Forster Co-Ax is a high procession press and if you like, take a look at the new RCBS Summit Single Stage press which IMO "borrowed" the Forster concept.

I own a Lee 4 Hole Classic Turret Press, a Forster Co-Ax and an RCBS Rockchucker, I use them all and like them all. The Redding UltraMag is an outstanding press but if precision is what you're looking for the Co-Ax will do that better IMO.

 

[ClarkEMyers]

The Ultramag solves a problem you don't have.

For a .308 in a bolt gun a much smaller press will do everything as well or better. A smaller press permits easier mounting - my most used press is a Harrell's aimed at the bench rest market.

Good as it is the Ultramag is a big clumsy press unless you are loading super size cases when the Ultramag comes into its own as it does for case forming and other extreme leverage and size jobs - although I use a Hollywood Universal Turret with a mix of 7/8-14 and 1-1/2 inch holes in the turret for my own biggest jobs. For folks who want a Redding branded press for normal use I suggest the T7 unless the UltraMag is required to do the actual job at hand.

The CoAx, especially the 3rd generation with ample clearance for the extra long micrometer adjusting dies, will handle most anything that can be loaded with 7/8-14 dies. Once again as mentioned above the handle swing is longer than necessary for the .308 fired in a bolt gun. The full 180 degree swing on the CoAx gives great leverage and works well with larger longer cases - notice the short handle offered as an option. For a .308 sized case and some larger the CoAx will do anything the UltraMag will do and much more.

Of the two the CoAx is the logical choice but again a smaller bench rest market press will do the job for a .308 and most anything else in a bolt gun.

 

[zenshootist]

All - Many thanks for the great input - sounds like I probably need to look at the BB II and the RC Supreme instead ...

 

[ArchAngelCD]

All - Many thanks for the great input - sounds like I probably need to look at the BB II and the RC Supreme instead ...

What's wrong with the Co-Ax? Add the shorter handle and it's perfect.

Although, I think you will like the Rockchucker Supreme and you will save close to half the price of the Co-Ax too.

 

[jr_roosa]

The only downsides of the CoAx that I can think of are:

-The priming system is a little silly. It's fine for one-off like when you seat a primer sideways or upside down and you just need to re-seat it. If you are loading 20 rounds at a time it would be fine.

-The small parts go flying when you take apart the jaws, and switching them from large to small is a little tedious. I got the shell holder to use with the RCBS primer pocket swager, and I just put a regular shell holder in. I might not go back to the jaws even though they are a little bit faster when loading.

Otherwise the Forster is spectacular. Tons of leverage (my 6yo daughter can resize pistol brass with it), super smooth, die changes are instantaneous, it keeps things clean with the little primer catcher jar. You can't go wrong.

-J.

 

[flashhole]

I had both the Ultramag and Forster on my bench at the same time. I'm one who didn't care (at all) for the ergonomics of the Forster, especially with long cases. It was a nice press and well built, just not to my liking. It gets down to a simple matter of preference. I prefer the Ultramag. I have two, they are mounted on the backside of my bench. I also had the RCBS Rockchucker and Lee Classic Cast on my bench at the same time. You can see which one I kept.

 

[quartermaster]

I would go with the co-ax. I have never had a problem reversing the jaws when changing case sizes. I always wonder if the newer generation of the press has been changed, as there has been many remarks written on that subject. As far as priming goes, I don't use the press for that function nor have I used any other press. I don't believe in handling primers with my fingers. I guess that is an old school thought.

I'm sure that all your press selections will work for you. I love my co-ax though and would never go back to any other single stage press,

 

[ClarkEMyers]

Agreed the CoAx priming system is a different philosophy. The notion is to first uniform the primer pockets so all the primer pockets are the same - especially depth and to use primers which are uniform in size including the cup and the anvil as assembled with each other and on into the primer pocket.

Starting with everything properly uniformly sized then indexing the primer punch and the case head leads ideally to all the primers being seated uniformly in the uniformed primer pockets. As with the rest of the CoAx system maybe the emphasis is on the product more than the process - though the snap in and out die change system has its uses there are issues with the rings and squaring everything up to keep OAL uniform.

There's something to be said for the separate bench priming system or one of the many magazine fed hand priming by feel systems - I like the RCBS APS strip loading system but that's dying.

The Ultramag and others are once again I think best for their intended use of sizing large and long cases - likely fired at high pressure and needing lots of squeeze but certainly using all the space and the deliberately very long throw.

For a jack of all trades I like the Redding T7 because I can leave Redding Instant Indicator case gages setup for setting dies to bump shoulders or full length size or seat or..... There is ample power in this or any Redding or the CoAx or most others RCBS et al for full length small base sizing and shoulder bumping on 5.56 and 7.62 machine gun brass if desired but not of course for .50 Browning machine gun brass.

Again my suggestion for the optimal press to use with a .308 in a bolt gun is a smaller handier shorter stroke bench rest style press. My most used press is a Harrell's 4 position turret clamped on a desk next to my computer monitor here as I type. The Sinclair and others do as well. These are of course by no means jack of all trades but very much master of one.

 

[zenshootist]

Nice table - hope I have tha many presses one day!

 

[zenshootist]

I've actually been eyeing the T7 as well. People who have seem to swear by them.

 

[RainDodger]

For flashhole... your RCBS bench-mount priming tools make me smile. I use the same one. Love it, and you can't buy them anymore. As you read above, I also use an UltraMag. Love it too. Funny... we must be about the same age I'd bet.

 

[flashhole]

flashhole turned 60 this year. I don't feel a day over 70!

I should add that the bench mount priming tools are the absolute best. Don't know why the industry migrated away from them. Handling the primer is no big deal and you know it went in exactly correct each time you do it. The "feel" is not achievable with any other tool I've tried. I keep one set up for both large and small primers.

 

[codefour]

If I could only have one press, it would be a T-7.! Strong as a Sherman Tank!
.. You can load semi progressive too. The priming slide bar works good but has a hiccup or two now and then.

They are very smooth. Jus oil/grease the turret bearing surfaces and ram once in a while.

 

[ranger335v]

Presses have a simple task; push cases into a die and pull them back out. It's low speed work and there are no secrets to any of it - any press that's sufficently strong will do all anyone needs to reload and paying for massive strength when it's not needed is for no gain. The .308 is on the small side of medium and any common press is more than sufficent to reload it.

That said, precision reloading can be done on any press IF the reloader really knows what he's doing but its easier if the press is rigid. "O" presses are a bit more rigid than "C" presses and the only "C" presses left on the market are a couple of turrets and Lee's tiny "Reloader" (which is a great special purpose tool). Anyone who thinks a conventional (center bolt) turret press is very rigid hasn't yet put a dial indicator on one under pressure.

It's your money but a Hornady, Lee Classic Cast, Rock Chucker, Redding Boss, Lyman Crusher press will do all that needs doing and do it a rational price.

 

[ranger335v]

Duplicate, deleted.

 

[zenshootist]

I'm not sure I'd call buying a forster 'irrational' - when you buy a BB II and then purchase the priming system and a couple of LNL quick change bushings and shipping, the forster isn't that much more expensive. Since my goal is to shoot 1,000 yard competition, the differnece in price is less than a bottle of varget.

 

[RainDodger]

Flashhole... yeaup... we are just about the same age. 59 here. ... and I would wager that we can prime just about as fast as any other system with these things.