Anyone use the Forster Co-Ax press?  That's the leader (at least right now) for a press for reloading for precision rifle.

At my buddy's shop, he already has a Dillon (I think 550, but maybe one up) that we have been using to reload for rifle, along with an RCBS single stage press.  We can use the Dillon for more high production reloading, like 9 mm, so have that aspect covered.  I considered turret presses, but the Forster seems to add the flexibility while maintaining the "better" alignment for precision rifle.  Don't have personal experience with it, nor any of my shooting friends, so the "better" is in quotes. 

Seems like the Forster is a good all around press.  It will likely be used primarily for sizing and seating boolits.  Most of the other operations will be done on the other presses (decapping, primer seating).  If I ever move the press into my own reloading room, I'll still be able to use it for all of the steps. 

no experience, with either, but that new coax from frankford arsenal has great reviews

I have one mounted on my workbench, just for occasional high power rifle ammo.
It was my first reloading press purchased over 40 years ago.
Back then, it was called BONANZA.
Ammo from that press taught me how to shoot a pistol.
It's loaded 223, 243, 3006, 300winmag, normal pistol and a wildcat too.
Next up will be 308 and 30 carbine.

I liked it. I'm still looking for one. The last place that I remember had it was WGS. No shellholders to use. I know prominent shooters and orgs use them. Supposed to be a good seater as you probably have read.

no experience, with either, but that new coax from frankford arsenal has great reviews

Cheaper than the Forster and in stock. . . :hmm:

Tempting. . . 

I liked it. I'm still looking for one. The last place that I remember had it was WGS. No shellholders to use. I know prominent shooters and orgs use them. Supposed to be a good seater as you probably have read.

Yup, the consistency and alignment (or ability to self correct for misalignment) are two key factors that caught my interest.  That it's popular with the shooters that I have been following is also noted.  From online vendors, the press isn't that much more than some of the competitors.  Just they are out of stock everywhere with lead times in 2-3 months min. 

no experience, with either, but that new coax from frankford arsenal has great reviews

It comes from China.

no experience, with either, but that new coax from frankford arsenal has great reviews

Was doing more research on the Frankford coax since they are in stock and about $70 cheaper than Forster (when orderded through vendors).  However, I came across a lot of negative feedback from some folks with numerous problems, particularly when compared to the Forster.  Most seem to be genuine feedback, and not some fanboy nonsense.  One was problems with sizing dies and folks having to modify their sizing dies to size to their chamber.  I will have to read up more.  My buddy came across this with his sizing die (cheap one) and when he tried to use with his RCBS Rockchucker.  The same die worked fine in his Dillon.  Haven't tried changing out the shell holder (yet).

I think I might just place my order for the Forster and wait.  That's next on the list anyways.  Still waiting on the annealer. . . 

Was looking at the CO-AX as well but impatience and a good deal got the best of me so I bought an RCBS Summit. Needed a little bit of tension adjustment on the linkage and it works flawlessly. Tested each reload for concentricity and all were spot on, so much so I sold my Hornady concentricity tester. 

Was looking at the CO-AX as well but impatience and a good deal got the best of me so I bought an RCBS Summit. Needed a little bit of tension adjustment on the linkage and it works flawlessly. Tested each reload for concentricity and all were spot on, so much so I sold my Hornady concentricity tester. 

Nice!  What are you going to be loading with it?  Or at least first up for loading on it?

I considered the Frankford co-ax press.  It's less expensive and is in stock in many places.  It got some decent reviews, but also some prety crappy ones.  Hard to tell if the crappy reviews were fan boyz of other presses, or just knuckleheads.  The Forster co-ax gets pretty much unanimous positive reviews, except for not being in stock. 

Imho, cannot go wrong with a co-ax.  I don't resize with it though.  Press linkage and shell holder doesn't look that sturdy and I don't want to risk springing it when resizing cases; especially blown out USGI ones.  Got mine when it was in stock and Brownells had their wonderful spend this much and get a discount promotion.

Actually the co-ax and benchrest method of loading using a hand die/arbor press made me try using my lee classic loaders on an arbor press.  Then I tossed the shell holder spring on my china rockchucker so the shell holders could float.   I feel like the cases self center better now; same principle as a co-ax.

Was looking at the CO-AX as well but impatience and a good deal got the best of me so I bought an RCBS Summit. Needed a little bit of tension adjustment on the linkage and it works flawlessly. Tested each reload for concentricity and all were spot on, so much so I sold my Hornady concentricity tester. 

Hey, was looking at the summit also.  I think you can make that an arbor press; pretty useful.   However, I wanted to buy made in USA and got a Redding big boss 2 on backorder now.   I really like the Hornady Concentricity Tool so far ; think its easier to use than the RCBS case master I was using.  I used the Hornady to straighten a few of my banana shaped reloads to 1 thou runout.  Have yet to test it.   

Nice!  What are you going to be loading with it?  Or at least first up for loading on it?

I considered the Frankford co-ax press.  It's less expensive and is in stock in many places.  It got some decent reviews, but also some prety crappy ones.  Hard to tell if the crappy reviews were fan boyz of other presses, or just knuckleheads.  The Forster co-ax gets pretty much unanimous positive reviews, except for not being in stock.

Load 243 Winchester, 223 and 308. It comes with a long handle which I use just for resizing the 243 and 308 brass and bought a shorter one for bullet seating (bought it from Amazon). I use the short handle for everything on the 223. A friend of mine loaded 300 WM in my press and liked the feel and the quality of the ammo it produced. He sold his Lee press and got a Summit    sure, It’s not a co-ax but it comes close. 

Hey, was looking at the summit also.  I think you can make that an arbor press; pretty useful.   However, I wanted to buy made in USA and got a Redding big boss 2 on backorder now.   I really like the Hornady Concentricity Tool so far ; think its easier to use than the RCBS case master I was using.  I used the Hornady to straighten a few of my banana shaped reloads to 1 thou runout.  Have yet to test it.

Sweet!

Imho, cannot go wrong with a co-ax.  I don't resize with it though.  Press linkage and shell holder doesn't look that sturdy and I don't want to risk springing it when resizing cases; especially blown out USGI ones.  Got mine when it was in stock and Brownells had their wonderful spend this much and get a discount promotion.

Actually the co-ax and benchrest method of loading using a hand die/arbor press made me try using my lee classic loaders on an arbor press.  Then I tossed the shell holder spring on my china rockchucker so the shell holders could float.   I feel like the cases self center better now; same principle as a co-ax.

I was looking into arbor presses in conjunction with Wilson seating dies, but don't think I'm there in the reloading development.  As well as my gun.  Maybe will evolve to get there.  Just not yet. 

Load 243 Winchester, 223 and 308. It comes with a long handle which I use just for resizing the 243 and 308 brass and bought a shorter one for bullet seating (bought it from Amazon). I use the short handle for everything on the 223. A friend of mine loaded 300 WM in my press and liked the feel and the quality of the ammo it produced. He sold his Lee press and got a Summit    sure, It’s not a co-ax but it comes close. 

Nice! 

Looks like I may be getting rid of a bunch of 1x to 2x fired Fed brass soon.  Not sure when, but not that far off though. If you're in need of some brass, might be helpful.  I will soon be moving onto Lapua brass.  Fed brass is reported to be soft by many, and I've seen it already in having to toss some cases.  But I have to think the brass that I do have still has some miles left on them. 

Have one and used it for many years. 

Pros:

The cam action and linkages provide tons of power for resizing. 
The shell casing is held with spring loaded jaws on top of the rim, and the base of the shell is square on a solid piece of steel.  Rock Solid.  Pretty much throw it on there and it will self align.
Case and die are free floating and self align.  The die is set into a collar and then slid into a channel at the top of the press.  Very quick and easy to change out dies. 

Cons: 
Priming cases is odd and cumbersome.  I do it off press in a hand priming tool
changing from larger diameter case heads (such as .308/.30-06) to smaller (such as 5.56) requires you to unbolt stuff and flip around the case clamping jaws.  Not hard, but can be annoying if swapping back and forth often.

I use this press for target rifle loads and am very happy with it.  It is robust and produces top quality ammunition.


"It is so choice.  If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up."

Have one and used it for many years. 

Pros:

The cam action and linkages provide tons of power for resizing. 
The shell casing is held with spring loaded jaws on top of the rim, and the base of the shell is square on a solid piece of steel.  Rock Solid.  Pretty much throw it on there and it will self align.
Case and die are free floating and self align.  The die is set into a collar and then slid into a channel at the top of the press.  Very quick and easy to change out dies. 

Cons: 
Priming cases is odd and cumbersome.  I do it off press in a hand priming tool
changing from larger diameter case heads (such as .308/.30-06) to smaller (such as 5.56) requires you to unbolt stuff and flip around the case clamping jaws.  Not hard, but can be annoying if swapping back and forth often.

I use this press for target rifle loads and am very happy with it.  It is robust and produces top quality ammunition.


"It is so choice.  If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up."

Intent wasn't to slam the strength of the co-ax at all and I apologize because I
came across that way.  I've had many severely stuck cases where I was 
hammering on my press before realizing I needed a stuck case remover, badly.   
Was nobody's fault but my own.  So being me, I won't use my co-ax for sizing
duties.  Hope this clarifies things.

Have one and used it for many years. 

Pros:

The cam action and linkages provide tons of power for resizing. 
The shell casing is held with spring loaded jaws on top of the rim, and the base of the shell is square on a solid piece of steel.  Rock Solid.  Pretty much throw it on there and it will self align.
Case and die are free floating and self align.  The die is set into a collar and then slid into a channel at the top of the press.  Very quick and easy to change out dies. 

Cons: 
Priming cases is odd and cumbersome.  I do it off press in a hand priming tool
changing from larger diameter case heads (such as .308/.30-06) to smaller (such as 5.56) requires you to unbolt stuff and flip around the case clamping jaws.  Not hard, but can be annoying if swapping back and forth often.

I use this press for target rifle loads and am very happy with it.  It is robust and produces top quality ammunition.


"It is so choice.  If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up."

I’d rather have a Ferrari 

The Co-Ax will be primarily for sizing and seating.   For priming, I have a PMA priming tool. At least after it finally arrives after being delayed due to severe weather.

I remember when the Co-ax was about $300. Now its almost double