MY NEW FORSTER CO-AX PRESS
I’ve been reloading for several years. I get just as excited about reloading equipment as I do actually making ammo. Since this will be a review of a single stage press, here is a list of the non-progressive presses I have owned: Lee single stage, Lee Turret, Lyman single stage, Lyman turret, RCBS Jr, RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme, Hornady LNL, and even a Ponsness Warren.
I’ve seen these Forster presses in catalogs for years, but I’ve never seen one in person, and I don’t know anyone who has ever used one. What I had read on Forster’s website led me to believe that the Co-Ax was a cut above the rest and had several interesting features, including:
· Snap in, snap out die changing
· Three times the leverage of ordinary “C” presses
· No shell holders required!
· Dual floating guide rods for perfect alignment
· Excellent spent primer catcher system
· The press delivers perfect alignment of the die and the case because the shell holder jaws are designed to float with the die, thereby permitting the case to center precisely in the die
Sounds good, right? Well I couldn’t help myself any longer… I called Andrew at Profire (www.profiresupply.com) and had him order me one. Two days later I picked it up at his house, took it home, put the “do not disturb” sign on the basement door, and tore it open like a kid on Christmas morning.
As with any single stage press, it was almost ready to go right out of the box. All I had to do was mount it on my bench with 4 screws, attach the handle, and attach the spent primer catcher. Easy.
So I dragged out a bucket of 223 to resize.
First I had to insert a die.
(slightly off topic note) Let me say that I’ve always wondered why press manufacturers make such a big deal about how fast it is to change dies. On my beloved Rock Chucker it takes what, maybe 30 seconds to unscrew one die and screw in a new one? Therefore, as much as I love Hornady’s products, I never understood the Lock ‘N Load system. Seemed like a solution to a problem that didn’t exist. Anyway, back to the story…
To insert a die in the Co-Ax, you simply push it in from the front of the press and it snaps in. Simple. (Yes, even simpler than a Hornady LNL). It is important to note that you need to use a Forster brand die lock ring. These are the nicest die lock rings I know of for three reasons:
· They are taller, so they grip more of the die than other brands of lock rings
· You are not screwing anything directly into the die threads
· They are adjustable with a Phillips screwdriver (no allen wrenches)
So my die is in and set up.
Next, I placed a 223 on the plate between the automatic jaws (yes, the pics show a .45). Within the first inch of arm travel, the automatic jaws grabbed the case very securely and perfectly centered it. When the case entered the die I was AMAZED at how little force it took. I could easily pull the handle all the way down with just my pinky finger. This press actually has better leverage than my beloved Rock Chucker. – In fact, I cut 2” off the handle because I don’t need that much leverage and enjoy a shorter throw.
When the spent primer was removed I heard a “tink” as it fell through the ram, through a short tube, and into the spent primer catcher jar. The fact that it falls straight through the rams is similar to a Lee Classic Cast Press. This primer catcher system is far superior to that on my beloved Rock Chucker, even using the trick (https://www.indianagunowners.com/forums/ammunition_and_reloading/155107-rock_chucker_trick.html). After thousands of rounds loaded I can say that this primer catcher system keeps the whole press (and floor) cleaner than any other press I’ve ever used.
The handle itself travels straight down in front of the press. This takes some getting used to if you are used to using a conventional single stage press. I got used to it pretty quickly because it reminded me a lot of using MEC shotgun reloading presses… which I like.
SOME INTERESTING THINGS TO NOTE:
· This press costs about twice what an RCBS Rock Chucker costs.
· The leverage REALLY is amazing.
· Not having to use shell holders is nice, but doesn’t actually save you any money because…
· The required Forster brand lock rings are the nicest I have ever used, but they cost about $3.50 each.
In summary, I really like this press. It just might be the BMW of reloading presses. Is it worth the price of two Rock Chuckers? It is for me because it is so effin’ cool, and I’m sure it is for precision rifle shooters because of the ease of use and the perfect alignment of components. As the instruction manual says “It should be mechanically impossible to assemble a poor cartridge.”
(note: I did not mention the primer system on this press because I just don't use primer systems on single stage presses.)
I’ve been reloading for several years. I get just as excited about reloading equipment as I do actually making ammo. Since this will be a review of a single stage press, here is a list of the non-progressive presses I have owned: Lee single stage, Lee Turret, Lyman single stage, Lyman turret, RCBS Jr, RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme, Hornady LNL, and even a Ponsness Warren.
I’ve seen these Forster presses in catalogs for years, but I’ve never seen one in person, and I don’t know anyone who has ever used one. What I had read on Forster’s website led me to believe that the Co-Ax was a cut above the rest and had several interesting features, including:
· Snap in, snap out die changing
· Three times the leverage of ordinary “C” presses
· No shell holders required!
· Dual floating guide rods for perfect alignment
· Excellent spent primer catcher system
· The press delivers perfect alignment of the die and the case because the shell holder jaws are designed to float with the die, thereby permitting the case to center precisely in the die
Sounds good, right? Well I couldn’t help myself any longer… I called Andrew at Profire (www.profiresupply.com) and had him order me one. Two days later I picked it up at his house, took it home, put the “do not disturb” sign on the basement door, and tore it open like a kid on Christmas morning.
As with any single stage press, it was almost ready to go right out of the box. All I had to do was mount it on my bench with 4 screws, attach the handle, and attach the spent primer catcher. Easy.
So I dragged out a bucket of 223 to resize.
First I had to insert a die.
(slightly off topic note) Let me say that I’ve always wondered why press manufacturers make such a big deal about how fast it is to change dies. On my beloved Rock Chucker it takes what, maybe 30 seconds to unscrew one die and screw in a new one? Therefore, as much as I love Hornady’s products, I never understood the Lock ‘N Load system. Seemed like a solution to a problem that didn’t exist. Anyway, back to the story…
To insert a die in the Co-Ax, you simply push it in from the front of the press and it snaps in. Simple. (Yes, even simpler than a Hornady LNL). It is important to note that you need to use a Forster brand die lock ring. These are the nicest die lock rings I know of for three reasons:
· They are taller, so they grip more of the die than other brands of lock rings
· You are not screwing anything directly into the die threads
· They are adjustable with a Phillips screwdriver (no allen wrenches)
So my die is in and set up.
Next, I placed a 223 on the plate between the automatic jaws (yes, the pics show a .45). Within the first inch of arm travel, the automatic jaws grabbed the case very securely and perfectly centered it. When the case entered the die I was AMAZED at how little force it took. I could easily pull the handle all the way down with just my pinky finger. This press actually has better leverage than my beloved Rock Chucker. – In fact, I cut 2” off the handle because I don’t need that much leverage and enjoy a shorter throw.
When the spent primer was removed I heard a “tink” as it fell through the ram, through a short tube, and into the spent primer catcher jar. The fact that it falls straight through the rams is similar to a Lee Classic Cast Press. This primer catcher system is far superior to that on my beloved Rock Chucker, even using the trick (https://www.indianagunowners.com/forums/ammunition_and_reloading/155107-rock_chucker_trick.html). After thousands of rounds loaded I can say that this primer catcher system keeps the whole press (and floor) cleaner than any other press I’ve ever used.
The handle itself travels straight down in front of the press. This takes some getting used to if you are used to using a conventional single stage press. I got used to it pretty quickly because it reminded me a lot of using MEC shotgun reloading presses… which I like.
SOME INTERESTING THINGS TO NOTE:
· This press costs about twice what an RCBS Rock Chucker costs.
· The leverage REALLY is amazing.
· Not having to use shell holders is nice, but doesn’t actually save you any money because…
· The required Forster brand lock rings are the nicest I have ever used, but they cost about $3.50 each.
In summary, I really like this press. It just might be the BMW of reloading presses. Is it worth the price of two Rock Chuckers? It is for me because it is so effin’ cool, and I’m sure it is for precision rifle shooters because of the ease of use and the perfect alignment of components. As the instruction manual says “It should be mechanically impossible to assemble a poor cartridge.”
(note: I did not mention the primer system on this press because I just don't use primer systems on single stage presses.)
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