Have used the predecessor Bonanza press for about 50 years and many thousands of rounds, both pistol an rifle, with great success. Best system for precision ammunition.
I am VERY impressed with the quality of your videos. You are well spoken and a natural teacher, I am subscribing. Keep at it and you will have 100,000+ subscribers before you know it.
Your two videos are the most educational videos that I have seen on this press. Thank you for spending your precious time to address some important points.
Thank you for the great video. My great grandfather designed and made the Bonanza coax press then sold the company to Forster. I have a few of the coax press as well as the prototype. Keep up the good work my friend.
Wow! I feel like I'm talking to Irad, the great-grandson of Adam. Your ancestor did us all a great service when he designed that press. Thanks for your comment.
Just setup my Forester this afternoon. Getting ready to deprime my .44 brass, put them through the wet tumbler a second time to clean primer pockets & then start loading some coated cast 240 gr bullets. Your videos are easier than reading the instruction pages that came with the press, keep them coming. Thanks
You are a great speaker and great teacher of reloading. Your experience shows. I would not hesitate to choose the Forster press for reloading but only after watching your video. Thank you.
Thank you for taking the time to share your discovery ...I watched both videos several times and I could not get this press out of my mind. It was similar to continually humming "It's a small world" after visiting Disney Land. I fixed the itch and my new Forster should be here this Saturday. I am just a hobbyist reloader who loves quality tools. I plan to use the Forster to decap and resize (9mm & 223/5.56) and then reload on my trusty Dillon 550B. Thank you again sir.
Both of these Forster Coax videos were terrific. Thanks. I'm just getting started in reloading, bought this press because it was so highly rated, and your videos answered a whole lot of my questions. Really appreciate it.
Hi Rex. Thanks for such a great in-depth reviews of the Forster press. I'm new to reloading and have been looking at every press in the market to make a decision and you have helped me make it! - many thanks and look forward to seeing more updates from you.
Just back from the range where my .44 reloads put together on my Forster press performed flawlessly. Using the Lee 4 die setup & your videos made the whole process a lot smoother than I thought it would be, setting up the crimp still has me measuring to be sure its applied correctly but all in all a fun day, thanks
Terrific video. Really enjoyable. I've been reloading for over 40 years. I've used almost all the main brands of presses. For the last 8-10 years, I've been reloading strictly handgun on a Dillon 550.I only recently broke out my Co-Ax press again and started loading 7MM-08. I had forgotten how well this press works. In fact, I much prefer loading on it as opposed to the Dillon. This is by far the best single stage press I've ever used. Great piece of equipment.
+Gary O'Neal Thanks much for your comments. It's so good to have a truly experienced person validate what I've been saying. Opinions are fine, but opinions based on experience are the best.
Thanks a lot for all the detail. It’s obvious that you have A lot of enthusiasm about something that you know to be of good quality. I think you’re also Proving that something can be done efficiently with this press.
This is just so good ! I return to it every once in a while when I've forgotten a "trick" - such as, I forgot that there was the locator tool for aligning the case primer pocket, when using the case primer seater. THANK YOU
Very nice video. Thanks for producing it. I bought my Co-Ax pres after watching your first excellent video. One tip I have already found on my new coax that might help with your .45-70 case being a bit sticky coming in & out is that the cone-shaped pin that pushes the jaws open screws in from the bottom, and you can control how much the jaws open by screwing that threaded pin in a bit more from the bottom of the frame. Also, another feature you didn't mention that I really like is that, when the handle is in the up, stored position, it is cammed up and over the top, so it won't fall back down for you to bump into, as is the case with some other presses.
I've really enjoyed your videos on the co-ax press, very informative. You have explained a lot of positives about the press that I was not aware of, thanks.
Hi. Several years back this woman was going out of the reloading world for spiritual reasons? BUT she sold me the whole set-up. The Forster Co - Ax- press. with all the nuts & bolts & accessories. I still do not fully compreheld the entire process & until now there were not very many videos on You Tube explaining the process from the very beginning. Now that I have stumbled upon your videos I really do think I will be able to manufacture my own ammo. So, thank you sir. I Subed, Liked, and I am ready and eager to learn.; Thank You very much. Sincerely, JAMES.
Buzz Clark Well, Buzz, you have just made my day. I'm always thrilled when another good person joins our merry band of handloaders. If your collection of reloading tools includes anything you're not familiar with, let me know. I'm looking for subjects for videos.
Anders Hallberg thank you. I will repeat I have NO CONNECTION with Forster but I will say you will be glad you bought it when you use it the first time.
Thanks for your video Rex great job I really enjoyed it. I've been reloading since the early 70's starting out with a C-H C press from the 50's. I've had a number of different presses since then but once I got my Dillon 550 I did all of my loading on that including my precision target ammo which it did a surprisingly good job with. I wanted to make the very best competition ammo I could though so I got myself a Co-Ax a couple of years ago then proceeded to stop competing...ugh! I did use it a couple of times after my purchase but since it's been two years I thought a RUclips review of it's operation was in order. Doing a search found your video which perfectly met my needs. Your a natural teacher and speaker and I hope you've done other videos,thanks again.
Thanks very much for the information on the Forester press. I have never seen one in person I now understand why I should have one on my reloading bench.
Mr. Roach, thank you so much for these videos on the Forster. I've been consdiering one and your videos have convinced me to do so. Thank you for your efforts!
Thank you, sir! If you were not an educator previously in life, society is worse for it. Your videos are educational, informative and very enjoyable. Thank you so much! (just finished the 300 winmag one :))
I have watched a couple of your videos and I agree with others that commend you for your production value and natural teaching ability. Why anyone would give this a thumbs down is a complete mystery to me. Keep up the good work!
Love it! very easy to follow sometimes its hard to hear for a non US citizen, but yor voice, tempo, and presentation is perfect.I hope Forrester watching this! Iam looking for a replacement of my RCII.
How wonderfully nice of you. I notice that many of the comments come from folks outside the U.S. Maybe that's the reason. What country are you in, Erik?
This is my first time watching your videos. Very well done. Learned a couple of things I didn't know. One, the shear strength of aluminum (understand about different alloy formulations). Thanks. Two, Forster presses. Haven't heard about them before. Going to check it out. So, thanks again.
I enjoyed both your videos. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and knowledge. I just bought my CO-AX press after watch your videos. I'm sure I did the right decision.
Rex, just so your viewers don't have a similar problem, when using the priming system for a few years I started to have problems with the seating depth and that soft feel as the seating process finished. I messed around with slightly screwing in and out the seating cup to no avail. Then I noticed that one of the bolts holding the primer system case holding assembly had come loose. The ones that bolt into the twin rams. Once tightened all was right in the world again.
Excellent point. I suppose this really applies to all reloading equipment - if things are held together with threaded fasteners, they should always be snug. It's a great idea to check out your gear from stem to stern every once in a while and look for wear and/or loose connections. For me, I sometimes forget to really snug the locking nut on a die adjustment and get about 100 rounds into a session only to discover the die is out of kilter. It's maybe the #1 rule of reloading - PAY ATTENTION
Congrats on a great video. I've had a Forester press since the 80's. Sold 2 Rock Chuckers and a Lee since then and wouldn't want any of them back. I have purchased a Dillon 550 but only because of volume needs. Love my Forester press. Most loads coming out of it have .0015 runout or less. Keep up the nice work.
Rex, You should be getting paid big money from Forster! This was an excellent demonstration video showing the good points of the Co- Ax press, I really like your approach to the very awkward access of this press, setting the press at an angle will certainly address some of the shortcomings of the design, I will try that on my set up, next time I reload some little cartridges. I think the size of the calibers you mention well illustrates the problem I have with this design, which I admit is very good for small calibers, but I cannot find any way to load 45/120 on it, or 475 No2 NE, or 577NE, perhaps you can advise me. The 4 threads in aluminium is more of a durability issue, that I am sure you have solved by using a steel lock ring, I will get some right away. The primer seating, well I think your video shows the problem, even your manual dexterity has not convinced me on that, a hand held is the easy answer. Many thanks for this update! Chris.
Thanks for such an enlighjtening video. I have a Co-Ax on order from Midway and have never even seen one up close. My old Hornady single-stage press is just that: old, and since I am ready to make a move up, I chose the Co-Ax....mainly because of its ease of use, but probably more for its reputation for producing cartridges with minimal case/bullet runout, resulting in optimum concentricity. I won't receive the press from Midway until about a month from now due to their being backordered. Again, thanks for sharing your information. Much appreciated!
+Hotstixlix I noticed that MidWay had them on sale the other day. I know what you mean about not seeing one before buying. I bought mine totally on reputation (plus seeing one on TV used by the Army marksmen).
Forster Coax is great. I use mine to de-prime and resize (that way, spent primers N-E-V-E-R fall on the floor). Then, I do the rest of the reloading operations on my Dillon 550!
Just received my new co ax press today, it is every bit as good as you said. I am amazed at how fast I can size pistol cases, thanks for the great videos, look forward to more
Great video. The reason for using the aluminium lock ring that Forster recommends is that it won't wear away the slot on the Co-Ax press like a steel lock rings will - any wear is on the lock ring and not the steel of the press itself.
I love your videos and your first one on the Forster Co Ax was what prompted me to buy one. Great stuff. However, about 16 minutes into your update video I started to get a headache. Mathematical formulas and PSI and lions and tigers and bears....Oh My. Again, great videos. Keep 'em coming.
I know this video is older, but the end, when you were talking about the forces being applied, it reminded very much of my best friend and shooting buddy who is a retired engineer, he too speaks with the same passion when he hears... statements that are not well thought out.
@@RexRoach i took delivery of my co ax press about a week ago, watching this video i convinced myself to pull the trigger and buy it. I actually made the order the day i made my original comment, but had to wait for a stock refresh as these seem to be hard to find. So far its been terrific, I truly am very pleased with its performance. Your videos on this press were very detailed, clear, and concise. I now have 5 presses, and i fear i may have a problem.
@@jimmysp4des229 You won't be unhappy with this press ever. If everyone who reloads had bought this press first, the disease of anotherpressitis would not be rampant. Nah, the iron deficiency syndrome would be just as strong. Oh, and by the way, if you reload handgun calibers on your new press, I urge you to get the short operating handle. In fact, you can use the short handle for just about everything except full length resizing of rifle cartridges.
@@RexRoach coincidentally, after loading about 50 rounds of ammo with the co ax, I was thinking "I wish I had bought this press first" I mainly shoot and reload ammo for my various revolvers, so I will take your advice and order the short handle today. Thanks for the tip.
Thanks for the Forster Press videos! I have and old (really old)Texan 3 stage that I believe I'm going to replace with the Forster. Your videos reinforced what I liked about the press! Thanks for posting them!
You'll find it has very high leverage, so sizing those big straight cartridges is pretty easy. Let us know what you think after you've had some seat time with it.
Rex Roach I am currently using a Hornady Classic and Autopress. They are very good machines but after watching your videos I believe this is a better design. I am loading 45/70 and 45/120. I hope the yoke will clear the 120. Will let you know.
osbornephoto1955 I think the yoke will easily clear over the top of the die. Any problem will be with seating a 500+ grain bullet in the 45-120 case. As with almost all presses, it will be close.
Thanks for the Follow Up Video! Put the Coax somewhere in the Back of my Head, but based on your Videos will reconsider it when I'm going to buy a new Press.
I enjoyed both your videos. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and knowledge. I am also a fan of the 357 sig. There aren't very many videos showing that cartridge.
Great video, Rex. You are definitely very knowledgeable and one of the more experienced reloaders. I'd love to have a Co-Ax, but I've been using my Rockchucker for thirty some odd years now, and even if I broke it tomorrow, I know that RCBS will repair or replace it free of charge. btw...The Forster priming system looks really cool, but by far a better system is the RCBS APS bench priming system. No need to touch a primer once they're in the loading strips, you get a primed case with each stroke of the handle, and it's adjustable for seating depth, so (just as with the Forster) it guarantees consistent seating depth every time. The best $90 I've spent on my bench.
Thank you for your kind remarks. Let me say I LOVE MY ROCKCHUCKER! And you are spot on when you point out the GREAT customer service from RCBS. They honor their products for the lifetime of the product. It's almost beyond belief this day and age. You are also correct in your praise of the RCBS bench priming tool. I have never used the APS strips, but the tool is the same when it comes to punching in the primer, and I agree it's the best "production" primer you can get. Fast, extremely reliable and accurate. I've never seen the APS primers for sale in any of the gun shops I frequent, including a few large ones in B'ham, although they may have been there and I missed them (don't see what you're not looking for, doncha know?). It's such an attractive method, I've often considered getting one of those loaders to roll my own, but I'm just so used to my traditional priming methods, it's hard to get motivated. FYI, I use a vibrator tool that quickly fills the priming tubes for the RCBS (or any other) priming tool. Takes about 45 seconds to dump the primers and fill a tube. Hard to beat that. It's called the Frankford Arsenal Vibra-Prime.
Rex Roach Thanks for the reply, as it's cool to see an older video with the uploader still tracking comments. Yeah, I've seen the Vibraprime in action, a really cool idea once set up. I sprung for the strip loader for my APS, so I just buy primers normally packaged and load my own strips that way. Once you get the hang of it, it's pretty easy to use it. One funny bit of experience learned from trial and error on my part is that I was having all kinds of trouble initially with the APS bench system, with it jamming and failing to load. I had it mounted to a cutoff 2x4 so that I could C-clamp it to my bench because of the limited space there, and I figured out that the problem was that I had failed to clamp it firmly enough to prevent it from flexing upward a fraction of an inch, which (of course) caused the primers to slide off the priming ram enough to go off center. Once I just snugged down the C-clamps enough to prevent flexing, it works 100% of the time, with the only speed limitation being how fast I can swap out cases. I love my RCBS equipment, but I admit that I still lust after that Forster Co-Ax. Keep up the great videos, which I have to admit you do a great job on with your lighting and camera work, and that's before mentioning the great detail you go into on them.
I love the exchanges I have in the comments with great viewers like you. Most people probably don't read these comments (because, frankly, on many sites the comments are hostile and worthless), but more's the pity because there's been a great deal of good, additional information posted about the subjects in my videos. Case in point: your comments about the clamping issues. Thanks again!
Great videos, Thank you. Have been looking into reloading for a little while and have found very few videos with as much information and simplified information that someone new to world of reloading can understand. So i would like to congratulate you on a job well done. I had narrow my presses option down to either the Forster co-ax or the Redding t7, after watching your review i decided to go with Forster. Only to find that they are really hard to get here in Australia, still searching.
Just watched both videos on the Forster Coax press.. very well done from every aspect!! Thanks for the good videos!! I'm subscribed now, will look forward to more from ya! P.S. It's obvious you are a veteran handloader; a suggestion for future videos would be caliber specific tips/tricks/tribal knowledge that you have learned over the years.
Forster should be thanking you for these vids. After much searching I decided on getting the Co-ax as my single stage to compliment my Dillon XL650. I am just waiting to hear from them to make sure their largest jaws will be able to fit .577-450 martini henry.
+Maciej Cho As a worst case solution, you can get Forster's shell holder adaptor which allows you to use your "regular" shell holder. I have one and it works fine. I needed it to hold the extended "ram" for pushing .40 S&W and such cases through a Redding Rx die.
will the co-ax even accept the dies for the 577-450 arent they bigger and threaded 1-1 14x12? I dont know, but i dont think so. Correct me If I am wrong and I hope so because i am awaiting a 577 Snider and may have a possible chance picking up a used Co-ax.
Fenrir You've raised a good point. I was not familiar with the 577-450 Martini Henry, but it seems the dies of choice come from Lee and they have the 1-1/4x12 threads. I can't see any way to practically use the Co-Ax. The die will not even enter the slot, so shell holder questions are moot.
+Rex Roach Yeah i have to see want to pick up a co-ax so badly and this video helped a lot, but i need a new press who i can use the 577 dies and the Rcbs shotshell die also. Think I just have to buy the co-ax any way cant justify the price for a new one right now, but its hard to resist a good deal. Great video by the way
+Rex Roach Thanks a lot it will be great fun, but it is a Snider Enfield in 577 Snider i am awaiting , but dont you worry the Martini henry is probably next on the list:-)
thanks for the great videos!I often load the .308win with this fine press. To get a precisely seating depth i srew in the seating die, until it touches the Shell holder + so many turns and a little bit more so that the die ring touches the upper side of the die ring groove from the press. So i get a max. variation of +/- 0,02mm in seating depth. I bought the orig. Forster die rings for all of my dies, because for me they fit best. You don´t have to be afraid of the shearing forces in the alu threads -> the Shell holder fixing plate gives up first. There is a guy on RUclips who sells reinforced plates for those who already need one.I hope you could understand my poor austrian-englisch :)
+Christian Arbeiter I promise your English is a billion times better than my German. Your points that precise seating depths are routine with the Co-Ax and there is nothing to fear in regard to the strength of the die lock threads are exactly what I was trying to say in the video. Vielen Dank und die besten Wünsche für das Jahr 2016.
Yep, I have to buy that press. I currently use a Lee, and it irritates me, that I have to put a degree of slack, into the equation. Another x factor is the amount of force used, at the bottom of the stroke. Different amount of force, yeald different result. I want to eliminate such variables, and the Co-Ax, seem to be the answer. I agree with Erik the swede. Your videos are pleasant to watch, and your presentation are perfect. Greetings from Norway.
Glad to have more Scandinavian viewers. One of my high school classmates has lived in Norway since the 1970's. Her husband is a retired airline pilot. She lives in Sandane, I think.
This is the report back on using the Horady Cam Lok Bullet Puller with this press. There is also an existing video by ReloadingandShooting using the RCBS bullet puller with this press. My Hornady Cam Lok puller arrived yesterday with one 9mm collet and the 223 collet still enroute. This morning I installed the Hornady puller into the Forster press and set it up exactly according to the Hornady instructions. The puller is sensitive to how it is set up and it takes a little practice and feel to make good looking landings. I pulled 60 9mm 115 gr RN bullets and 3 Hornady 115 gr XTP without any issues. There is plenty of room to operate the puller handle. This puller is a keeper.
I'd like to join the chorus of voices praising your videos. Beautiful voice and clear, concise instructions. I spent in excess of 20 years in the educational system and you put the professors to shame. Ok, the $64,000 question. Through my research and your videos it appears as though Forster is head and shoulders above the competition. Although I'm torn between this and a progressive press, I lean toward the Forester just because of the quality. Do you agree that it is the best press on the market? I would be reloading 6.5 creadmore with some .44 mag thrown in. Your opinion would be invaluable to me.
Dusty, I'm usually reluctant to use the term "best" when talking about products. It's a pretty subjective thing, but in this case I'm OK with saying the Forster Co-Ax is the best single-stage press on the market. There are others which are equally well-made, so the tipping difference is the unique design of the Co-Ax. I think most everyone who uses this press quickly reaches the conclusion that its design makes it their favorite. Good progressive presses have a major part to play in reloading and they are all about -volume-. If you burn through hundreds or thousands of rounds per week, you NEED a progressive press. Actually if you're burning thousands of rounds per week, you need a sponsor. Have you ever noticed that so many people have two, three, four and more progressive presses set up in their reloading operation? Get one and you'll quickly find out that they require a lot of fine-tuning to get running smoothly. Once you've dialed in the magic settings, you'll find yourself quite reluctant to break it all down in order to switch to another caliber. Yes, most progressives offer some sort of quick-change part that eliminates a lot of the time and labor, but even at that, it can make you yearn hard for a machine for each caliber that you shoot in volume. The two calibers you mention are two that I would normally associate with single-stage reloading. The 6.5 CM is usually fired in a precision target rifle at great distances. This requires ultra-careful reloading and often involves the use of high-end precision tools. I don't doubt someone somewhere has loaded good 6.5 CM ammo with a progressive press, but I'd wager most of the people shooting out to 1,000 yards and beyond are using single stage setups and even hand tools. I bought my S&W Model 29 .44 Magnum in 1974, I think. I added a couple more over the years and I can say I've had more fun experimenting with that cartridge than any other. I've tried all manner of bullet and powder combinations including an awful lot of cast bullets I made from scrounged metal, wheel weights and more recently, "store-bought" alloy. One thing I can say with great certainty is the words "load development" and "progressive press" are rarely found in the same sentence. I would strongly urge you to buy a Forster Co-Ax or any other high-quality single-stage press to begin your reloading endeavors. It's much more versatile and will have you making top quality ammo so much quicker than you will with any good progressive press. If you find yourself shooting a few hundred rounds of the same ammo each week, get yourself a good progressive press for that caliber and enjoy. Thanks for joining the discussion.
If you havent all ready. Its usually good to start with a single stage. If you you get where its something you want to do as an on going hobby you will want both a single stage & progressive press
looking to get into reloading for my S&W 629 6.5" barrel & noticed your video. First time reviewing this Foster & it looks real interesting. Like your setup for the holding bins on the side of the press, nice job. Thanks
That is beautiful quality equipment I love the way the dies slide in and out,,I’ll have to make do with my lee budget equipment sadly, although I’ve had good results.
One additional asset, if I may. I have never stuck a case with the Forster press. Not that I shouldn't have, I make mistakes too. But the case always came out of the die with more pressure on the handle. With the design, more pressure can be applied, this is shown by the less force required to size a case than with other presses. The longer handle and applied geometry. But also, with the unique case holder there is nearly 360 degrees of hold on the case, unlike standard case holders with much less. That is unless, you fail to change the case holder for larger cases. I noticed this on my first nearly stuck case. I have ordered spare jaws in the event a jaw bends in such an instance, but that has never happened to me yet. I have little problem with spare parts for my most used tools. A light application of way oil on the columns keeps it running smoothly also. Just my two cents.
Albert, that is an extremely valuable bit of information that I failed to include in the video. Yes, the jaws COMPLETELY ENCIRCLE the shell and that really increases your odds of successfully extracting a stuck case. People don't realize how much leverage this press design has because it looks "small."
@@RexRoach Glad to help. Just adding what I have found and like about the Forster. I have had 2 friends come over to use some tools of mine, they both now own Forster presses. After 40 years as an Industrial Mechanic, I have learned the price of well built tools are usually worth it.
I'll be curious to learn how lenient Forster is with replacement parts. I expect they'll be generous with swapping old/broken for new. Let us know, and thanks much for commenting.
I really like this video, and the first one you made about this press. I went out to my local gun store, and they actually had one in stock, so I bought it. It is different to set up your dies though. And I am new at reloading. So if you could post a video of how to set up the dies for seating a pistol round I would appreciate it. Thank you for this video, I really like my new press.
I used to hate the co-ax priming setup but its growing on me. One thing the co-ax is a little deficient in is pulling bullets. Two things help- a) They used to provide a cone screw (is missing on yours, the front hole) that sets the jaw minimum closing distance with the ram up, makes it easier to start a case rim over the jaws when held by a bullet puller. They still have them, but you have to buy it separate. b) Use a cam lock bullet puller aka Hornady. The screw style ala RCBS is difficult to use on the co-ax because of the Y handle.
Don't worry about what other people say. You totally have me convinced. Looks like a really good outfit. I get tired of screwing and unscrewing the guys all the time.0
Rex, I used my cup of coffee time this morning to watch (research) RUclips videos about the Hornady Cam Lok bullet puller and I think that it just might be the ticket to use with the Forster co ax press. I will place the Hornady Cam Lok puller on order with Brownells this weekend and then report back with the results. Hardy
I have long wanted to use a headspace "go" gauge to set the height of a resizing die. My problem is that one of my hand-loaded cartridges might end up being fired in any one of several rifles. In theory, a cartridge sized to the SAAMI standard would fit any properly reamed rifle except that it would be 0.003 inches too long. Cases appear to sit on the top of the lifting plate on a Forster Coax press. I am thinking of sitting a "go" gauge on this plate and setting the resize die to fit the gauge. Then, because I use standard 7/8 X 14 threaded dies, I could shorten my resizing die by 0.003 inches by removing the gauge and applying a clockwise 15 degree rotation to the die. I wonder if this will work.
Outstanding reviews! I will be buy a Forster Press with a big reason being your reviews. Seems like you have been doing this for a while and if you say its good i believe it. Now just to find a deal on one. haha Thanks!
There is one cartridge the jaws will not handle, the 450-400NE, it has the largest rim of the works for a rimmed cartridge. I called Forster to check that before I bought it, and it was them who told me that. I tried it once, the jaws just won't quite do it, it will start, but won't go all the way. There are a few other products out there that won't handle it, either.
Hey Rex, another great video, i think that the press is an excellent design, and i want one, the first time i saw one it was in a movie i was watching and i thought wow thats a wierd looking movie prop, but later saw one the guy was making match ammo and the floating die or self centering design just hit me as being perfect, and as far as people worring about stripping aluminum die locks.....well they must lack common sense, like a guy told me one time, i was gonna wear my barrel out using a bronze brush! haha thanks for a great review.
Most of the time when Hollywood shows someone making ammo, that someone is a serial killer at the very least. Glad you liked the video. Thanks for the comment, and keep scrubbing that barrel.
I wonder how hard it would be to rig up a little finger spring to flick the finished cartridges off the holder at the bottom of each stroke. That, or an arm on a cam, with like a helical coil spring.
The press is a bit hard to find in stock. I went through 6-7 suppliers (the usual suspects like Brownells and MidSouth), and MidwayUSA was the only one that had one yesterday.
Matthew, I believe this has usually been the case for many years. I'd like to think it reflects the time and care that Forster puts into making these. In reality, it's probably some penny-pinching financial officer that keeps a tight fist on production.
Just a question have you considered upgrading the jaw holder to the one offered by manzgear?? thank you for the videos, I'm new to reloading and all of this on line posting stuff still learning....
I've looked at the shell holder jaw housing replacement or upgrade part from Manzgear and it looks good. I haven't felt the need to buy one, but I think if I had to replace the original, I would consider it. As far as I can tell, there are three differences: the springs are captured, the thin middle section is slightly thicker and Manzgear says it is made from better steel. I've never had a problem with the springs and haven't lost one, but if I were replacing the part, I'd just as soon have the springs captured. I mean, why not? My original housing hasn't bent. The housing is stressed only when you have a case that is reluctant to come out of the die. Upward force has no effect on the part, only when you're pulling down. I guess I must do a good job lubricating my cases, because I've only stuck one in forty-plus years of reloading and it wasn't on the Co-Ax press and it was carelessness on my part. Aside from the captured spring, I can see no benefit of replacing my original housing with the Manzgear part, but I would certainly consider it if the original failed and needed replacing.
Sorry for the delay in replying. I don't have a .338 Lapua so I'm telling you this based on the case dimensions vs. the 7mm Rem. Mag. As you saw in the video, the 7mm RM will work with this press, but I think that's about the upper limit. The .338 is 1/4" longer case and about 1/2" longer overall, so seating the bullet will be the challenge. Because of the open nature of the CoAx shell holder which allows you to insert the case from any direction, you very well might be able to hold both the bullet and case together and angle the bullet up into the die first, then swing the case over the shell holder. But without one to try, I can only say it will be tight.
The problem isn't going to be getting the case/bullet finagled up into the die for seating/crimping. The problem will be getting an EMPTY case into a full-length sizing die for a non-belted magnum that in a standard press requires the shell holder to come within a fraction of an inch of the bottom of the die and in this press is going to have to extend to well below the bottom of the press frame which is a good half-inch below the bottom of the die "retainer" slot. Because of that goofy but "superior" shell holder set up and how much higher it "sits" relative to the case head/body compared to a standard shell holder and how the retaining screws remove yet more vertical travel potential for the "platform". It doesn't appear to me that you'll get any non-belted Magnum case alone into the sizing die with the die screwed down as far as it has to go to get "full seating" and come as close to the case rim as it needs to in a full-length sizing die. The fact that this press isn't capable of handling 1 1/8" dies and isn't built to handle the kind of vertical loads created when "non-belted Magnum" cases are full-length sized and the fact that those "long" 7mm Remington Magnum bullets are "short" by MODERN standards since 7mm bullets are available in weights up to 195 grains now pretty much proves this is a very "antiquated" press design that's more or less at its practical "limits" with standard long-action non-magnum cartridges like .30-06 Springfield and its goofy (but supposedly superior) case holder design is clearly "optimized" for RIMMED cartridges. I'd be surprised if the original designer even had American shooters/reloaders in mind and didn't design it for "Commonwealth" countries like the U.K. and Canada where .303 British for decades was as "big" and "bad" as rifle cartridges got. At least for those "lucky" enough to have the "privilege" of owning even a clapped out old Lee-Enfield rifle in the first place. Clearly the better "connected" so-called "citizens" of those countries had much larger and more expensive "sporting rifles" for their trips to Africa hunting "large dangerous game" and such and weren't limited to clapped out old rifles and mil-surplus ammo/components and "2nd hand" reloads for their custom rifles in more or less custom chamberings nobody made reloading dies for anyway. And to be "perfect" for the overwhelming majority of European "sporting cartridges" which are overwhelmingly "short-action" rimless cartridges with "military cartridges" as their "parent cases" but almost always shortened and necked down because of various laws against owning rifles chambered for military cartridges and with the relatively low-volume shooting/reloading European reloaders can afford the time/materials/taxes to do, there would be no need for any of the significant and obvious advantages supposedly "inferior" and overwhelmingly AMERICAN single-stage presses have. For anyone to consider this press "superior" to a "typical" single-stage American press, of which until fairly recently were actually NOT produced by many manufacturers and do NOT have "standard" features from manufacturer to manufacturer besides common die diameters/threads and "standardized" case holder notches in their rams found in SOME but not ALL single-stage presses, this would have to be the only "single-stage press" he or she had ever used OR they'd have to be comparing it to a ridiculously complex and similarly handicapped and similarly "precise" (if that's what you want to call "floating" cartridges and dies and press parts that move around and tilt and such during sizing and seating/crimping) press with no "convenient" built-in priming capacity and shell-holder dependent overpriced monstrosity like a Redding T7. Which of course is more of a "hybrid" and only a "single-stage" in the sense that no matter how many dies you have in the turret you can only use one at a time and even having two die sets or even three for three different cartridges (two two-die rifle sets and one three-die pistol set) in the turret at once is the "answer" to a question nobody ever asked. I get the feeling the "geniuses" at Redding looked at existing "progressive" presses that are truly progressive and have so 6-7 positions to enable them to mount trim dies and powder-through-expander pistol dies/powder measures and possibly factory crimp dies and without really knowing why OR having the accessories to go with them Redding's geniuses decided that the way to "trump" existing 6-position turret "single-stage" presses was to add a 7th station. Unfortunately almost all "turret presses" with 5 or more die positions are intended for pistol/revolver cartridges and to get manufacturers like Hornady and RCBS into the "progressive pistol press" without stepping on Dillon's toes, patents etc and a price level attractive enough for the "beginning reloader" who has no business buying a Dillon or any other self-indexing progressive and usually ends up overwhelmed by even a 550 once they get done adding "upgrades" that just make Dillons complete disasters for "quick" and "easy" caliber conversions after they buy a Dillon specifically FOR its "quick" and "easy" caliber conversions but insist on trying to "keep up with" a 650 by adding aftermarket "upgrades" they can't possibly make good use of on a 550 and end up putting enough time and money into that they could have bought a "bare bones" 650 and fed cases by hand and had a cheaper, more productive and simpler and more practical press for less money overall. And Hornady and RCBS certainly haven't set the world on fire with their turret presses with much better name recognition and bigger overall product lines than Redding so Redding was pretty much doomed from the get-go. Kind of like these Forster nightmares. It never occurs to "marketing" and "accounting" and "investor" types that "new" and/or "different" only ultimately appeals to CUSTOMERS who are "new" and/or "different" and only those who are so determined TO be "new" and/or "different" that they're willing to not go with the typical "herd" most "noobs" in various hobbies and past-times slide into for "safety" and do their own thing. Which isn't many of them. And "new" and/or "different" only SELLS the product ONCE. It doesn't keep the customer going back to it and it doesn't keep them from shopping around when suddenly the customer finally clues into the fact that there's a REASON nobody else is doing something a certain way and in fact everybody else is doing it as "differently" as possible. I notice YOU have a Redding T7 sitting the background and your "new" Forster certainly isn't securely/permanently mounted to your bench there. Still using it today and if so is that because you want to be and wouldn't take anything else at any price or even for free and Forster isn't compensating you in any way shape or form or because making this Forster video with your Redding T7 sitting the background didn't entice Redding or any other manufacturer to "approach you" about "reviewing" more of its products? I can't help but marvel at the lack of brand loyalty so many supposed "experienced" and "long-time" reloaders have when they're shilling one make/model press after another on their videos/channels and how HARD it must be to really get to KNOW and get COMFORTABLE with one press after another and how much little actual reloading they must get done given how much time they spend swapping makes, models, etc. But then again they're no doubt getting even less time to shoot so they probably don't need to actually do much real reloading/testing of press after press after press. Hell, in many videos and on many channels of reloading equipment "reviews" the PRESS and maybe a few other strategically-placed "shooting/reloading/cleaning" products are the only indicators their "reloading bench" is used for anything gun-related. Pretty much the OPPOSITE of "noob" reloaders who insist on putting every last pound of powder and box of bullets and piece of reloading equipment they possibly can at arms length on a bench so crowded with reloading equipment and components and ammo in various "stages" of completion its a miracle they can get any reloading done at all. I find the more reloading equipment permanently placed on a bench the less reloading gets done there. Kind of like more "superior" a press is supposed to be because its "different" and/or "new" the fewer "advantages" I see in it.
I would like to use this press to load the .577/.450 Martini Henry. The Bertram brass for the M-H has a rim diameter of 0.740.” Would the Co-Ax accommodate this large rim? It looks like the priming jaws are reversible to accommodate different rim thicknesses? Thanks Keep up the great videos! 👍
The standard jaws will not open that wide, I'm almost certain. Forster has a set of jaws called LS (large/small) to handle most extremely large or small cases. I know it works well with .45-70 or .30-30, but I can't say about your .577/.450 Martini Henry. My advice is to contact Forster and ask them. If those jaws won't work, you can always get the adapter which allows the use of any "standard" shell holder from RCBS, Lyman, Redding, Hornady, etc.
Nicely done videos, very informative. I'm still new to reloading & I'm just beginning in shooting for accuracy beyond 100 yards. I have a Hornady LnL progressive press presently, as I like to shoot/plink with several different pistol calibers. I take it that where accuracy is concerned, the repeatability that comes from a single stage press can't or usually isn't matched by a progressive press. Assuming that's true, is the Forster CoAx press cost really justifiable over other, longer established SS press designs, such as the Rock Chucker or Lee or Hornady designs, which are less expensive?
I think those who vote "yes" with their wallets would think it justified. Not so for everyone else. Rest assured, great ammo has been loaded with presses of all makes.
It certainly should not get worse (ha, ha). All kidding aside, the press is an important factor in making quality ammo, but there are many other things to get right as well. For a lot of us, myself included, the weak link in the chain is that which pulls the trigger.
Yes, same here. My next efforts are toward trigger discipline. Rainy day here now, so reloading with the new press is on the list for today. I really like your videos..keep up the good work!
Rex, I want to get into reloading very badly and I have been researching every different manufacturer and types of presses, which appear to be the most popular ones I can find info, reviews, etc. on. I just watched both of your videos (very well done I would add) on the Forster Co-Ax and based on the great features that you have pointed out and the fact that it appears built like a beast, I'm 100% sure that this is the press I want. Before I pull the trigger on it though I wanted to ask your opinion on something. Besides which manufacturer's press I wanted I am also somewhat perplexed regarding the style of press. i.e. single stage, turret or progressive to get. For the most part I will only be reloading 9mm and .223 and eventually maybe .308 and 300 WM. If I get the Co-Ax single stage will I be able to get the correct dies and accessories for it to be able to reload all of these calibers and more importantly do you think this single stage press is the best way to go for a new reloaded over a turret or progressive? I sincerely apologize for intruding and asking so many open questions, but based on watching quite a few of your videos, you seem like a very personable and wise Man and I would value your input and opinion! Thank you very much Rex and thank you as well for the great videos.
Hello Thomas and thanks for your inquiry. I would advise anyone starting out in reloading to start with a single stage press or a turret. A turret press is normally operated like a single stage in that you will complete one operation on ALL the cartridges before moving to the next step. In other words, a turret is not a "poor man's" progressive where you can size/decap - expand/prime - charge with powder - seat bullet - crimp in a sequence on a single cartridge. Yes, you CAN do that, but you'll find it more feasible to, for example, size and deprime ALL the cases before moving on to the next steps. I really like a turret press because all of your dies and powder measure can be set for the loading session and if you need to go back for any reason and repeat some steps, it's a quick matter of turning the turret. Likewise, the Forster press allows for almost as quick changes between dies. Granted, you can't mount a powder measure on it, but I've always operated my measure from a separate setup with any reloading. As to dies and accessories, the Co-Ax uses standard dies so any brand will work. Of course you can't use hand dies like the Wilson, but that's the whole point of that die, isn't it. Truth be tole, you may be able to use more dies with the Co-Ax than any other press because the dies are mounted with the lock rings that slide into the groove. Therefore, in theory, you could use something like the old Lyman "nutcracker" dies which are smaller than standard modern dies, but it would simply be a matter of getting a nut for the die that's large enough to fit the press. Now I didn't say that's a good idea, just that there may be more possibilities with the Co-Ax than with others. As to turret presses, you can find them from Redding, RCBS and Lyman. I have several presses from both Redding & RCBS and a lot of Lyman products. However I don't have a turret press from any of them. The Lyman is attractive because it has 8 stations which would allow you to fill it with dies for two calibers without a problem. Furthermore, you can buy extra turrets for all of these and the Lyman is a bit less expensive. The Redding 7-station would probably be perfect for a couple of calibers and I can say my Redding press is a magnificent beast. I've probably had more RCBS presses and equipment than all the others combined, but the 6 hole turret puts me off a bit, as if it's almost enough. Working with a single station (or turret) press creates a more focused environment. You are only doing one thing at a time so your concentration can be razor sharp on that. If an operation "feels" funny, chances are there's something wrong and you can sort out that bad apple right then and there. With a progressive, so many things are going on at one time, your attention is spread out all over the place. If anything goes wrong, and it will, it takes a lot more effort to "clean up" and restart. Believe me, I know the appeal of the progressive press--I have five of them. In their place, they are fantastic. I still marvel at seeing raw brass go in one end and a finished round drop out the other end with each pull of the handle. But these presses are harsh mistresses. They require a lot of fine tuning and care, and once you have one running smoothly, you'll be loathe to change it over to another caliber until you've loaded several thousand rounds of whatever to justify the whole thing. My advice is to get the Co-Ax (and AGAIN, I HAVE NO CONNECTION WITH FORSTER or any other manufacturer) and be secure in knowing you have the best single stage press you can get (in many/most people's opinion). Buy good dies. My advice here to go visit several on-line forums to learn what people are having best luck with, especially for rifle. Take a look at Glen Zediker's reloading books, especially for the .223 and .308. His writing style is charmingly quirky and sometimes a bit twisty to read, but his advice is top notch and he will introduce you to a world of knowledge about ammunition and the making thereof. Oh, get a subscription to Handloader magazine, by all means. I've been subscribing since 1980 and have every issue which I often go back to.
Hi Rex, A have a question/concern about the co-ax press which i don't think you have addressed in your (awesome) videos yet. My concern about the otherwise clever design of the press is in how the die is aligned with the linear motion of the case. When the case goes into the die, the case gets aligned left/right by the die position and the die gets aligned front/back by the case. They will find each other no matter what. But how is it secured that the center axis of the die is not tilted to the center axis of the case? I mean, when the die is floating in the open frame, it is up to the lock ring (and the slot in the frame) to secure the axial alignment. If the thread in the lock ring is not perpendicular to its top face, I think the die will start to tilt when the case forces the die upwards and thereby create some unwanted tension and concentric problems. How precise can the lock ring be and what about play/clearance there is in the thread between die and lock ring? What are your thoughts on this aspect? Best regards!
+Søren Frisk Mortensen That's a good question, Søren. My first thought is that the Co-Ax would be no better or worse than any press where the dies are threaded in. If there is axial tilt in the die thread, the die will be tilted in a conventional press or the Co-Ax. The case is supported and pushed by the ram, so the perpendicularity of the base of the case to the vertical axis of the case is important. On the Co-Ax, it's probably a good idea to select die lock rings that have good flat outside surfaces where it bears against the press slot, and threads that are axially aligned. But I expect all of them easily meet that need. This thought occurs: for all of the die lock rings, there is a certain amount of vertical play in the Co-Ax slot. That is, all of the rings are less in height than the inside height of the slot, thus all of them are free to move vertically a little bit. Some move almost none and others quite a bit. It might be that an axial alignment can occur between the case and die during that brief initial contact when the die is unrestrained vertically. Of course in very short order, the die will be restrained by the top of the slot and the amount of free play is probably not enough to make any difference. Now, having written all of the above, I have gone back and re-read your post several times. I think the point you are making is that the axial alignment is dependent on the quality of the lock ring. If the ring threads are loose or mis-aligned with the bore, the die will sit in the press at an angle. I agree, but would add that if the same die/ring combo is used on a conventionally threaded press, there is enough play in the die and press threads that the die can be tilted by a bad lock ring. One of the selling points made by Lee in regard to their lock rings is the floating nature of the O-ring design. Instead of a hard metal-to-metal mating between the lock ring and press top, there is a soft mate between the O-ring and press which allows the die a small amount of float, improving alignment with the case. I think it's Glen Zediker in one of his books that champions using O-rings on press rams in place of the heavy wire springs which retain the shell holders, thus allowing the holder to float. Of course this is the whole idea of the Co-Ax press. In general, I think the various manufacturers do such a good job of threading, it is too small of an error to affect the quality of the ammo. However, I would love to hear any thoughts you or anyone else has on how that sort of error might be measured. I suppose the end result of such mis-alignment would be a case that has been tilted on its vertical axis in relation to the base. We could measure the run-out of the base (face, not rim) while rotating the case in a typical run-out fixture. You'd need before and after sizing measurements to see if your press setup is causing the problem.
+Rex Roach Thanks for the reply. I wrote my question in a bit of a hurry and English is not my native language, so I apologize if it was difficult to understand. But my point is exactly, as you phrase, that the axial alignment is dependent on the quality of the lock ring. I have no idea how different die manufactures make their lock rings, but I don't think they are manufactured with the thought that the lock ring could be a direct part of the tolerance chain between case and die. In my daily work I develop mechanical precision equipment, and i have seen plenty of bad elements go out of expensive and modern CNC setups.
Doesn't get much easer to listen to than this, very informative what a gent.
Have used the predecessor Bonanza press for about 50 years and many thousands of rounds, both pistol an rifle, with great success. Best system for precision ammunition.
This video must be the best, in depth, thorough look at a high end reloading tool that I've seen.
Thank You Rex.
Well, thank you, Mickey. You are most generous with your praise. Glad you enjoyed the video, and thanks for sharing it.
I am VERY impressed with the quality of your videos. You are well spoken and a natural teacher, I am subscribing. Keep at it and you will have 100,000+ subscribers before you know it.
Now you've just scared me to death!
+novaman68 Yes, he is a NATURAL born Speaker, not sure why he doesnt know that already.. very easy to listen to and very informative video..
Jeff from Jersey Thank you so very much, Jeff.
Your two videos are the most educational videos that I have seen on this press. Thank you for spending your precious time to address some important points.
Thank you for taking YOUR time to tell me. Much appreciated.
Thank you for the great video. My great grandfather designed and made the Bonanza coax press then sold the company to Forster. I have a few of the coax press as well as the prototype. Keep up the good work my friend.
Wow! I feel like I'm talking to Irad, the great-grandson of Adam. Your ancestor did us all a great service when he designed that press. Thanks for your comment.
Just setup my Forester this afternoon. Getting ready to deprime my .44 brass, put them through the wet tumbler a second time to clean primer pockets & then start loading some coated cast 240 gr bullets. Your videos are easier than reading the instruction pages that came with the press, keep them coming. Thanks
Fun! Thanks for sharing, best of luck with your reloading, and thanks for the nice things you said.
You are a great speaker and great teacher of reloading. Your experience shows. I would not hesitate to choose the Forster press for reloading but only after watching your video. Thank you.
Bruce, thank you for one of the nicest comments ever.
Thank you for taking the time to share your discovery ...I watched both videos several times and I could not get this press out of my mind. It was similar to continually humming "It's a small world" after visiting Disney Land. I fixed the itch and my new Forster should be here this Saturday. I am just a hobbyist reloader who loves quality tools. I plan to use the Forster to decap and resize (9mm & 223/5.56) and then reload on my trusty Dillon 550B. Thank you again sir.
+Hardy Birch As one hobbyist reloader to another, you are very welcome. Thanks for commenting.
Both of these Forster Coax videos were terrific. Thanks. I'm just getting started in reloading, bought this press because it was so highly rated, and your videos answered a whole lot of my questions. Really appreciate it.
Thanks for the follow up. I have become very interested in the Forster Co-Ax Press.
I enjoyed this video. I now know that I need the optional shell holder. I didn’t really care for the hands during the entire swap.
A very well done video. You have a very engaging voice. Keep up the good content.
Hi Rex. Thanks for such a great in-depth reviews of the Forster press. I'm new to reloading and have been looking at every press in the market to make a decision and you have helped me make it! - many thanks and look forward to seeing more updates from you.
Welcome to our wonderful hobby. I'm glad you're thinking in terms of quality purchases. It will pay big dividends in the long run.
I didn't know about this press and ended up with something else. This is the press for those who want to make some accurate ammo.
Just back from the range where my .44 reloads put together on my Forster press performed flawlessly. Using the Lee 4 die setup & your videos made the whole process a lot smoother than I thought it would be, setting up the crimp still has me measuring to be sure its applied correctly but all in all a fun day, thanks
Outstanding. I got to spend Saturday with one of my sons, so I know what you mean by a fun day.
Outstanding overview. Thank you Rex.
Terrific video. Really enjoyable. I've been reloading for over 40 years. I've used almost all the main brands of presses. For the last 8-10 years, I've been reloading strictly handgun on a Dillon 550.I only recently broke out my Co-Ax press again and started loading 7MM-08. I had forgotten how well this press works. In fact, I much prefer loading on it as opposed to the Dillon. This is by far the best single stage press I've ever used. Great piece of equipment.
+Gary O'Neal Thanks much for your comments. It's so good to have a truly experienced person validate what I've been saying. Opinions are fine, but opinions based on experience are the best.
Both your videos on the Forster press are the best I have seen on reloading presses. Thank you very much.
Thanks a lot for all the detail. It’s obvious that you have A lot of enthusiasm about something that you know to be of good quality. I think you’re also Proving that something can be done efficiently with this press.
I can listen to you all day.
This is just so good ! I return to it every once in a while when I've forgotten a "trick" - such as, I forgot that there was the locator tool for aligning the case primer pocket, when using the case primer seater. THANK YOU
Very nice video. Thanks for producing it. I bought my Co-Ax pres after watching your first excellent video. One tip I have already found on my new coax that might help with your .45-70 case being a bit sticky coming in & out is that the cone-shaped pin that pushes the jaws open screws in from the bottom, and you can control how much the jaws open by screwing that threaded pin in a bit more from the bottom of the frame. Also, another feature you didn't mention that I really like is that, when the handle is in the up, stored position, it is cammed up and over the top, so it won't fall back down for you to bump into, as is the case with some other presses.
I've really enjoyed your videos on the co-ax press, very informative. You have explained a lot of positives about the press that I was not aware of, thanks.
Thank you very much.
Hi. Several years back this woman was going out of the reloading world for spiritual reasons? BUT she sold me the whole set-up. The Forster Co - Ax- press. with all the nuts & bolts & accessories. I still do not fully compreheld the entire process & until now there were not very many videos on You Tube explaining the process from the very beginning. Now that I have stumbled upon your videos I really do think I will be able to manufacture my own ammo. So, thank you sir. I Subed, Liked, and I am ready and eager to learn.; Thank You very much. Sincerely, JAMES.
Buzz Clark Well, Buzz, you have just made my day. I'm always thrilled when another good person joins our merry band of handloaders. If your collection of reloading tools includes anything you're not familiar with, let me know. I'm looking for subjects for videos.
Great video I’m looking at getting a co ax. I appreciate the time you’ve taken to make these videos thanks.
Glad you enjoyed it and thank you for commenting.
I am so impressed with your mathematical skills and metalugical knowledge, that I think I will go out and buy myself that Forster press myself.
Anders Hallberg thank you. I will repeat I have NO CONNECTION with Forster but I will say you will be glad you bought it when you use it the first time.
Great videos (I watched both).... you've convinced me, after 41 years of RCBS, to go Forster!
Thanks for your video Rex great job I really enjoyed it. I've been reloading since the early 70's starting out with a C-H C press from the 50's. I've had a number of different presses since then but once I got my Dillon 550 I did all of my loading on that including my precision target ammo which it did a surprisingly good job with. I wanted to make the very best competition ammo I could though so I got myself a Co-Ax a couple of years ago then proceeded to stop competing...ugh! I did use it a couple of times after my purchase but since it's been two years I thought a RUclips review of it's operation was in order. Doing a search found your video which perfectly met my needs. Your a natural teacher and speaker and I hope you've done other videos,thanks again.
Thanks for the encouragement. I have done a few other videos including a previous video on the CoAx.
@@RexRoach Yep watched that too. Also well done thanks.
Nice job explaining the press. If I were to start reloading today and did not have a reloader I would buy this one.
Rex did you work at WTVY Dothan,
Thanks very much for the information on the Forester press. I have never seen one in person I now understand why I should have one on my reloading bench.
I would love to see a coyote that had been shot with a .338 Rem Ultra Mag.
Rex Roach 180 Accubonds turns them into pieces much like a HV .224 and a prairie dog.
A true varmint shooter.
Mr. Roach, thank you so much for these videos on the Forster. I've been consdiering one and your videos have convinced me to do so. Thank you for your efforts!
You're quite welcome. It's a fabulous hobby and I'm glad you're part of it.
Thank you, sir! If you were not an educator previously in life, society is worse for it. Your videos are educational, informative and very enjoyable. Thank you so much! (just finished the 300 winmag one :))
I guess I found my calling late in life. Thank you for the encouragement.
I have watched a couple of your videos and I agree with others that commend you for your production value and natural teaching ability. Why anyone would give this a thumbs down is a complete mystery to me. Keep up the good work!
Thumbs down? There's just no accounting for taste, is there. But thank you very much for your nice comment.
Love it! very easy to follow sometimes its hard to hear for a non US citizen, but yor voice, tempo, and presentation is perfect.I hope Forrester watching this! Iam looking for a replacement of my RCII.
How wonderfully nice of you. I notice that many of the comments come from folks outside the U.S. Maybe that's the reason. What country are you in, Erik?
+Rex Roach I am from Sweden, looking forward to se more from you
+Rex Roach I am from Sweden, looking forward to se more from you
Tack så mycket.
This is my first time watching your videos. Very well done. Learned a couple of things I didn't know. One, the shear strength of aluminum (understand about different alloy formulations). Thanks. Two, Forster presses. Haven't heard about them before. Going to check it out. So, thanks again.
I enjoyed both your videos. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and knowledge. I just bought my CO-AX press after watch your videos. I'm sure I did the right decision.
I've never regretted buying any truly good tools.
Rex, just so your viewers don't have a similar problem, when using the priming system for a few years I started to have problems with the seating depth and that soft feel as the seating process finished. I messed around with slightly screwing in and out the seating cup to no avail. Then I noticed that one of the bolts holding the primer system case holding assembly had come loose. The ones that bolt into the twin rams. Once tightened all was right in the world again.
Excellent point. I suppose this really applies to all reloading equipment - if things are held together with threaded fasteners, they should always be snug. It's a great idea to check out your gear from stem to stern every once in a while and look for wear and/or loose connections.
For me, I sometimes forget to really snug the locking nut on a die adjustment and get about 100 rounds into a session only to discover the die is out of kilter.
It's maybe the #1 rule of reloading - PAY ATTENTION
Congrats on a great video. I've had a Forester press since the 80's. Sold 2 Rock Chuckers and a Lee since then and wouldn't want any of them back. I have purchased a Dillon 550 but only because of volume needs. Love my Forester press. Most loads coming out of it have .0015 runout or less. Keep up the nice work.
Thank you very much. It's always good to have independent validation of what I've been saying.
What loads are you getting that kind of runout "most of the time" with and where are you measuring "run out"?
I love watching your videos! Very well spoken, very well thought out, and very informative. I look forward to watching more of them.
I appreciate that very much. Thanks.
Rex, You should be getting paid big money from Forster! This was an excellent demonstration video showing the good points of the Co- Ax press, I really like your approach to the very awkward access of this press, setting the press at an angle will certainly address some of the shortcomings of the design, I will try that on my set up, next time I reload some little cartridges.
I think the size of the calibers you mention well illustrates the problem I have with this design, which I admit is very good for small calibers, but I cannot find any way to load 45/120 on it, or 475 No2 NE, or 577NE, perhaps you can advise me. The 4 threads in aluminium is more of a durability issue, that I am sure you have solved by using a steel lock ring, I will get some right away. The primer seating, well I think your video shows the problem, even your manual dexterity has not convinced me on that, a hand held is the easy answer. Many thanks for this update! Chris.
Thanks much, my Anglo-Franco friend. Also, mounting it lower than other presses yields easier-on-the-back results.
Great follow up video, well done, very helpful.
Thanks for such an enlighjtening video. I have a Co-Ax on order from Midway and have never even seen one up close. My old Hornady single-stage press is just that: old, and since I am ready to make a move up, I chose the Co-Ax....mainly because of its ease of use, but probably more for its reputation for producing cartridges with minimal case/bullet runout, resulting in optimum concentricity. I won't receive the press from Midway until about a month from now due to their being backordered. Again, thanks for sharing your information. Much appreciated!
+Hotstixlix I noticed that MidWay had them on sale the other day. I know what you mean about not seeing one before buying. I bought mine totally on reputation (plus seeing one on TV used by the Army marksmen).
Nice job! Very good camera work and clear explanation of the workings of the Co Ax.
Glad you enjoyed it, Garth.
Forster Coax is great. I use mine to de-prime and resize (that way, spent primers N-E-V-E-R fall on the floor). Then, I do the rest of the reloading operations on my Dillon 550!
Just received my new co ax press today, it is every bit as good as you said. I am amazed at how fast I can size pistol cases, thanks for the great videos, look forward to more
Robin England Thanks so much for sharing with us.
Great video. The reason for using the aluminium lock ring that Forster recommends is that it won't wear away the slot on the Co-Ax press like a steel lock rings will - any wear is on the lock ring and not the steel of the press itself.
Excellent information. Wish I had thought of that. Thanks for commenting.
Nice work Rex, clear and simple.
I love your videos and your first one on the Forster Co Ax was what prompted me to buy one. Great stuff. However, about 16 minutes into your update video I started to get a headache. Mathematical formulas and PSI and lions and tigers and bears....Oh My. Again, great videos. Keep 'em coming.
Very true. Numbers are a big no-no in video. It's really impossible to follow math presented verbally.
Very nice introduction to the Bonanza CO-AX press and how to use it.
Very nice of you to take time to say so. Thank you!
I know this video is older, but the end, when you were talking about the forces being applied, it reminded very much of my best friend and shooting buddy who is a retired engineer, he too speaks with the same passion when he hears... statements that are not well thought out.
Thanks for your comment, and that was a very nice way of calling out...mistakes.
@@RexRoach i took delivery of my co ax press about a week ago, watching this video i convinced myself to pull the trigger and buy it. I actually made the order the day i made my original comment, but had to wait for a stock refresh as these seem to be hard to find.
So far its been terrific, I truly am very pleased with its performance.
Your videos on this press were very detailed, clear, and concise.
I now have 5 presses, and i fear i may have a problem.
@@jimmysp4des229 You won't be unhappy with this press ever. If everyone who reloads had bought this press first, the disease of anotherpressitis would not be rampant.
Nah, the iron deficiency syndrome would be just as strong. Oh, and by the way, if you reload handgun calibers on your new press, I urge you to get the short operating handle. In fact, you can use the short handle for just about everything except full length resizing of rifle cartridges.
@@RexRoach coincidentally, after loading about 50 rounds of ammo with the co ax, I was thinking "I wish I had bought this press first"
I mainly shoot and reload ammo for my various revolvers, so I will take your advice and order the short handle today.
Thanks for the tip.
couldn't agree more!
Love my forster. great video
Thanks for the Forster Press videos! I have and old (really old)Texan 3 stage that I believe I'm going to replace with the Forster. Your videos reinforced what I liked about the press! Thanks for posting them!
+Mark Manes So good to hear from seasoned reloaders. I appreciate your support.
I am buying this press because of your first video. You answered my questions on this video about 45/70.
You'll find it has very high leverage, so sizing those big straight cartridges is pretty easy. Let us know what you think after you've had some seat time with it.
Rex Roach I am currently using a Hornady Classic and Autopress. They are very good machines but after watching your videos I believe this is a better design. I am loading 45/70 and 45/120. I hope the yoke will clear the 120. Will let you know.
osbornephoto1955 I think the yoke will easily clear over the top of the die. Any problem will be with seating a 500+ grain bullet in the 45-120 case. As with almost all presses, it will be close.
Thanks for the Follow Up Video! Put the Coax somewhere in the Back of my Head, but based on your Videos will reconsider it when I'm going to buy a new Press.
I enjoyed both your videos. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and knowledge. I am also a fan of the 357 sig. There aren't very many videos showing that cartridge.
Thank you for commenting, Jamie. I hope to do a range report on the 357 Sig.
@@RexRoach
My email is:
joliver65@yahoo.com
Have you ever been associated with Deeprock water well drills
Thank you for a comprehensive report.
Great video, Rex.
You are definitely very knowledgeable and one of the more experienced reloaders.
I'd love to have a Co-Ax, but I've been using my Rockchucker for thirty some odd years now, and even if I broke it tomorrow, I know that RCBS will repair or replace it free of charge.
btw...The Forster priming system looks really cool, but by far a better system is the RCBS APS bench priming system.
No need to touch a primer once they're in the loading strips, you get a primed case with each stroke of the handle, and it's adjustable for seating depth, so (just as with the Forster) it guarantees consistent seating depth every time.
The best $90 I've spent on my bench.
Thank you for your kind remarks. Let me say I LOVE MY ROCKCHUCKER! And you are spot on when you point out the GREAT customer service from RCBS. They honor their products for the lifetime of the product. It's almost beyond belief this day and age.
You are also correct in your praise of the RCBS bench priming tool. I have never used the APS strips, but the tool is the same when it comes to punching in the primer, and I agree it's the best "production" primer you can get. Fast, extremely reliable and accurate.
I've never seen the APS primers for sale in any of the gun shops I frequent, including a few large ones in B'ham, although they may have been there and I missed them (don't see what you're not looking for, doncha know?). It's such an attractive method, I've often considered getting one of those loaders to roll my own, but I'm just so used to my traditional priming methods, it's hard to get motivated.
FYI, I use a vibrator tool that quickly fills the priming tubes for the RCBS (or any other) priming tool. Takes about 45 seconds to dump the primers and fill a tube. Hard to beat that. It's called the Frankford Arsenal Vibra-Prime.
Rex Roach
Thanks for the reply, as it's cool to see an older video with the uploader still tracking comments.
Yeah, I've seen the Vibraprime in action, a really cool idea once set up.
I sprung for the strip loader for my APS, so I just buy primers normally packaged and load my own strips that way.
Once you get the hang of it, it's pretty easy to use it.
One funny bit of experience learned from trial and error on my part is that I was having all kinds of trouble initially with the APS bench system, with it jamming and failing to load.
I had it mounted to a cutoff 2x4 so that I could C-clamp it to my bench because of the limited space there, and I figured out that the problem was that I had failed to clamp it firmly enough to prevent it from flexing upward a fraction of an inch, which (of course) caused the primers to slide off the priming ram enough to go off center.
Once I just snugged down the C-clamps enough to prevent flexing, it works 100% of the time, with the only speed limitation being how fast I can swap out cases.
I love my RCBS equipment, but I admit that I still lust after that Forster Co-Ax.
Keep up the great videos, which I have to admit you do a great job on with your lighting and camera work, and that's before mentioning the great detail you go into on them.
I love the exchanges I have in the comments with great viewers like you. Most people probably don't read these comments (because, frankly, on many sites the comments are hostile and worthless), but more's the pity because there's been a great deal of good, additional information posted about the subjects in my videos.
Case in point: your comments about the clamping issues. Thanks again!
Great videos, Thank you.
Have been looking into reloading for a little while and have found very few videos with as much information and simplified information that someone new to world of reloading can understand. So i would like to congratulate you on a job well done.
I had narrow my presses option down to either the Forster co-ax or the Redding t7, after watching your review i decided to go with Forster.
Only to find that they are really hard to get here in Australia, still searching.
Just watched both videos on the Forster Coax press.. very well done from every aspect!! Thanks for the good videos!! I'm subscribed now, will look forward to more from ya!
P.S. It's obvious you are a veteran handloader; a suggestion for future videos would be caliber specific tips/tricks/tribal knowledge that you have learned over the years.
Forster should be thanking you for these vids. After much searching I decided on getting the Co-ax as my single stage to compliment my Dillon XL650. I am just waiting to hear from them to make sure their largest jaws will be able to fit .577-450 martini henry.
+Maciej Cho As a worst case solution, you can get Forster's shell holder adaptor which allows you to use your "regular" shell holder. I have one and it works fine. I needed it to hold the extended "ram" for pushing .40 S&W and such cases through a Redding Rx die.
will the co-ax even accept the dies for the 577-450 arent they bigger and threaded 1-1 14x12? I dont know, but i dont think so. Correct me If I am wrong and I hope so because i am awaiting a 577 Snider and may have a possible chance picking up a used Co-ax.
Fenrir You've raised a good point. I was not familiar with the 577-450 Martini Henry, but it seems the dies of choice come from Lee and they have the 1-1/4x12 threads. I can't see any way to practically use the Co-Ax. The die will not even enter the slot, so shell holder questions are moot.
+Rex Roach Yeah i have to see want to pick up a co-ax so badly and this video helped a lot, but i need a new press who i can use the 577 dies and the Rcbs shotshell die also. Think I just have to buy the co-ax any way cant justify the price for a new one right now, but its hard to resist a good deal. Great video by the way
+Rex Roach Thanks a lot it will be great fun, but it is a Snider Enfield in 577 Snider i am awaiting , but dont you worry the Martini henry is probably next on the list:-)
thanks for the great videos!I often load the .308win with this fine press. To get a precisely seating depth i srew in the seating die, until it touches the Shell holder + so many turns and a little bit more so that the die ring touches the upper side of the die ring groove from the press. So i get a max. variation of +/- 0,02mm in seating depth. I bought the orig. Forster die rings for all of my dies, because for me they fit best. You don´t have to be afraid of the shearing forces in the alu threads -> the Shell holder fixing plate gives up first. There is a guy on RUclips who sells reinforced plates for those who already need one.I hope you could understand my poor austrian-englisch :)
+Christian Arbeiter I promise your English is a billion times better than my German. Your points that precise seating depths are routine with the Co-Ax and there is nothing to fear in regard to the strength of the die lock threads are exactly what I was trying to say in the video. Vielen Dank und die besten Wünsche für das Jahr 2016.
Thank you very much for this excellent video Rex! Greetings from Bavaria! :)
We had a beautiful vacation in Bavaria several years ago. Spectacular part of the world.
Yep, I have to buy that press. I currently use a Lee, and it irritates me, that I have to put a degree of slack, into the equation. Another x factor is the amount of force used, at the bottom of the stroke. Different amount of force, yeald different result. I want to eliminate such variables, and the Co-Ax, seem to be the answer.
I agree with Erik the swede. Your videos are pleasant to watch, and your presentation are perfect. Greetings from Norway.
Glad to have more Scandinavian viewers. One of my high school classmates has lived in Norway since the 1970's. Her husband is a retired airline pilot. She lives in Sandane, I think.
This is the report back on using the Horady Cam Lok Bullet Puller with this press. There is also an existing video by ReloadingandShooting using the RCBS bullet puller with this press. My Hornady Cam Lok puller arrived yesterday with one 9mm collet and the 223 collet still enroute. This morning I installed the Hornady puller into the Forster press and set it up exactly according to the Hornady instructions. The puller is sensitive to how it is set up and it takes a little practice and feel to make good looking landings. I pulled 60 9mm 115 gr RN bullets and 3 Hornady 115 gr XTP without any issues. There is plenty of room to operate the puller handle. This puller is a keeper.
+Hardy Birch Outstanding! A thousand thanks for sharing this, Hardy. I had a strong feeling this Hornady puller would be a winner.
I'd like to join the chorus of voices praising your videos. Beautiful voice and clear, concise instructions. I spent in excess of 20 years in the educational system and you put the professors to shame. Ok, the $64,000 question. Through my research and your videos it appears as though Forster is head and shoulders above the competition. Although I'm torn between this and a progressive press, I lean toward the Forester just because of the quality. Do you agree that it is the best press on the market? I would be reloading 6.5 creadmore with some .44 mag thrown in. Your opinion would be invaluable to me.
Dusty, I'm usually reluctant to use the term "best" when talking about products. It's a pretty subjective thing, but in this case I'm OK with saying the Forster Co-Ax is the best single-stage press on the market. There are others which are equally well-made, so the tipping difference is the unique design of the Co-Ax. I think most everyone who uses this press quickly reaches the conclusion that its design makes it their favorite.
Good progressive presses have a major part to play in reloading and they are all about -volume-. If you burn through hundreds or thousands of rounds per week, you NEED a progressive press. Actually if you're burning thousands of rounds per week, you need a sponsor.
Have you ever noticed that so many people have two, three, four and more progressive presses set up in their reloading operation? Get one and you'll quickly find out that they require a lot of fine-tuning to get running smoothly. Once you've dialed in the magic settings, you'll find yourself quite reluctant to break it all down in order to switch to another caliber. Yes, most progressives offer some sort of quick-change part that eliminates a lot of the time and labor, but even at that, it can make you yearn hard for a machine for each caliber that you shoot in volume.
The two calibers you mention are two that I would normally associate with single-stage reloading. The 6.5 CM is usually fired in a precision target rifle at great distances. This requires ultra-careful reloading and often involves the use of high-end precision tools. I don't doubt someone somewhere has loaded good 6.5 CM ammo with a progressive press, but I'd wager most of the people shooting out to 1,000 yards and beyond are using single stage setups and even hand tools.
I bought my S&W Model 29 .44 Magnum in 1974, I think. I added a couple more over the years and I can say I've had more fun experimenting with that cartridge than any other. I've tried all manner of bullet and powder combinations including an awful lot of cast bullets I made from scrounged metal, wheel weights and more recently, "store-bought" alloy. One thing I can say with great certainty is the words "load development" and "progressive press" are rarely found in the same sentence.
I would strongly urge you to buy a Forster Co-Ax or any other high-quality single-stage press to begin your reloading endeavors. It's much more versatile and will have you making top quality ammo so much quicker than you will with any good progressive press.
If you find yourself shooting a few hundred rounds of the same ammo each week, get yourself a good progressive press for that caliber and enjoy.
Thanks for joining the discussion.
Rex Roach
Many thanks. Great info.
If you havent all ready. Its usually good to start with a single stage. If you you get where its something you want to do as an on going hobby you will want both a single stage & progressive press
looking to get into reloading for my S&W 629 6.5" barrel & noticed your video. First time reviewing this Foster & it looks real interesting. Like your setup for the holding bins on the side of the press, nice job. Thanks
Thank you. If you plan to reload for handguns, be sure to get the short handle. Revolvers are the perfect guns for reloading.
That is beautiful quality equipment I love the way the dies slide in and out,,I’ll have to make do with my lee budget equipment sadly, although I’ve had good results.
One additional asset, if I may. I have never stuck a case with the Forster press. Not that I shouldn't have, I make mistakes too. But the case always came out of the die with more pressure on the handle. With the design, more pressure can be applied, this is shown by the less force required to size a case than with other presses. The longer handle and applied geometry. But also, with the unique case holder there is nearly 360 degrees of hold on the case, unlike standard case holders with much less. That is unless, you fail to change the case holder for larger cases. I noticed this on my first nearly stuck case. I have ordered spare jaws in the event a jaw bends in such an instance, but that has never happened to me yet. I have little problem with spare parts for my most used tools. A light application of way oil on the columns keeps it running smoothly also. Just my two cents.
Albert, that is an extremely valuable bit of information that I failed to include in the video. Yes, the jaws COMPLETELY ENCIRCLE the shell and that really increases your odds of successfully extracting a stuck case. People don't realize how much leverage this press design has because it looks "small."
@@RexRoach Glad to help. Just adding what I have found and like about the Forster. I have had 2 friends come over to use some tools of mine, they both now own Forster presses. After 40 years as an Industrial Mechanic, I have learned the price of well built tools are usually worth it.
@@6handicap604 Thanks so much!
Awesome video. Just the facts mam. Math doesn't lie. I will be getting this press largely due to your videos on it.
You won't regret it. I predict the more you use it, the more you will appreciate it.
Absolutely excellent video, good video and commentary. I have a Co Ax that I inherited from you brother and need to replace a few parts so will do so.
I'll be curious to learn how lenient Forster is with replacement parts. I expect they'll be generous with swapping old/broken for new. Let us know, and thanks much for commenting.
Thank you for a great video!!!!!!
I really like this video, and the first one you made about this press. I went out to my local gun store, and they actually had one in stock, so I bought it. It is different to set up your dies though. And I am new at reloading. So if you could post a video of how to set up the dies for seating a pistol round I would appreciate it. Thank you for this video, I really like my new press.
Thanks for the great review.
I used to hate the co-ax priming setup but its growing on me. One thing the co-ax is a little deficient in is pulling bullets. Two things help-
a) They used to provide a cone screw (is missing on yours, the front hole) that sets the jaw minimum closing distance with the ram up, makes it easier to start a case rim over the jaws when held by a bullet puller. They still have them, but you have to buy it separate.
b) Use a cam lock bullet puller aka Hornady. The screw style ala RCBS is difficult to use on the co-ax because of the Y handle.
Great video. Santa just received my Christmas list and the CO-Ax is number 1! Time to retire the old Hollywood press..
Wow, nothing but the best in your reloading shack.
Don't worry about what other people say. You totally have me convinced. Looks like a really good outfit. I get tired of screwing and unscrewing the guys all the time.0
What a great video, thanks for taking the time to put it together.
Thank you, Mick, for taking the time to comment. Very kind. Greatly appreciated.
Rex, I used my cup of coffee time this morning to watch (research) RUclips videos about the Hornady Cam Lok bullet puller and I think that it just might be the ticket to use with the Forster co ax press. I will place the Hornady Cam Lok puller on order with Brownells this weekend and then report back with the results. Hardy
+Hardy Birch Excellent! I look forward to learning about it from you. Thanks, Hardy.
Absolutely superb video. Same comments I made regarding the first one apply.
Rex, you crack me up. Thanks for the videos.
+velvetsnout My sense of humor doesn't do that to most people, so I'm very grateful. Your "handle" cracks me up.
I wish I had known about this press before I bought what I have.
I have long wanted to use a headspace "go" gauge to set the height of a resizing die. My problem is that one of my hand-loaded cartridges might end up being fired in any one of several rifles. In theory, a cartridge sized to the SAAMI standard would fit any properly reamed rifle except that it would be 0.003 inches too long. Cases appear to sit on the top of the lifting plate on a Forster Coax press. I am thinking of sitting a "go" gauge on this plate and setting the resize die to fit the gauge. Then, because I use standard 7/8 X 14 threaded dies, I could shorten my resizing die by 0.003 inches by removing the gauge and applying a clockwise 15 degree rotation to the die. I wonder if this will work.
Thank you Sir for the info
Got one of these and love it
Outstanding reviews! I will be buy a Forster Press with a big reason being your reviews. Seems like you have been doing this for a while and if you say its good i believe it. Now just to find a deal on one. haha Thanks!
I've been handloading since 1971. I learn new things about this endeavor almost every day. Good luck with your quest.
There is one cartridge the jaws will not handle, the 450-400NE, it has the largest rim of the works for a rimmed cartridge. I called Forster to check that before I bought it, and it was them who told me that. I tried it once, the jaws just won't quite do it, it will start, but won't go all the way. There are a few other products out there that won't handle it, either.
Good to know the limitations of the press. Thanks for sharing.
I see you are a model railroader. Me too!
Hey Rex, another great video, i think that the press is an excellent design, and i want one, the first time i saw one it was in a movie i was watching and i thought wow thats a wierd looking movie prop, but later saw one the guy was making match ammo and the floating die or self centering design just hit me as being perfect, and as far as people worring about stripping aluminum die locks.....well they must lack common sense, like a guy told me one time, i was gonna wear my barrel out using a bronze brush! haha thanks for a great review.
Most of the time when Hollywood shows someone making ammo, that someone is a serial killer at the very least. Glad you liked the video. Thanks for the comment, and keep scrubbing that barrel.
Great video. Thanks for all of the info..
I got the Frankford arsenal coax and i really like it
I wonder how hard it would be to rig up a little finger spring to flick the finished cartridges off the holder at the bottom of each stroke. That, or an arm on a cam, with like a helical coil spring.
The two I have say Bonanza I have been loading for 40+ years in my opinion they are the best single stage press
Have just bought one, thanks.
Excellent! Please let us know how you like it after you've had a chance to wring it out.
The press is a bit hard to find in stock. I went through 6-7 suppliers (the usual suspects like Brownells and MidSouth), and MidwayUSA was the only one that had one yesterday.
Matthew, I believe this has usually been the case for many years. I'd like to think it reflects the time and care that Forster puts into making these. In reality, it's probably some penny-pinching financial officer that keeps a tight fist on production.
@@RexRoach I just finished my first run of .45 on the Forster, and I couldn't be happier. Worth every nickel.
@@packtray6569 Music to my ears, Matthew. Enjoy that machine for the rest of your life. And may your grandchildren have the wisdom to thank you.
Just a question have you considered upgrading the jaw holder to the one offered by manzgear??
thank you for the videos, I'm new to reloading and all of this on line posting stuff still learning....
I've looked at the shell holder jaw housing replacement or upgrade part from Manzgear and it looks good. I haven't felt the need to buy one, but I think if I had to replace the original, I would consider it. As far as I can tell, there are three differences: the springs are captured, the thin middle section is slightly thicker and Manzgear says it is made from better steel.
I've never had a problem with the springs and haven't lost one, but if I were replacing the part, I'd just as soon have the springs captured. I mean, why not?
My original housing hasn't bent. The housing is stressed only when you have a case that is reluctant to come out of the die. Upward force has no effect on the part, only when you're pulling down. I guess I must do a good job lubricating my cases, because I've only stuck one in forty-plus years of reloading and it wasn't on the Co-Ax press and it was carelessness on my part.
Aside from the captured spring, I can see no benefit of replacing my original housing with the Manzgear part, but I would certainly consider it if the original failed and needed replacing.
Rex, as so many others have said your videos are beautifully shot and edited. I too have a question, will this press handle the .338 Lapua?
Sorry for the delay in replying. I don't have a .338 Lapua so I'm telling you this based on the case dimensions vs. the 7mm Rem. Mag. As you saw in the video, the 7mm RM will work with this press, but I think that's about the upper limit. The .338 is 1/4" longer case and about 1/2" longer overall, so seating the bullet will be the challenge. Because of the open nature of the CoAx shell holder which allows you to insert the case from any direction, you very well might be able to hold both the bullet and case together and angle the bullet up into the die first, then swing the case over the shell holder. But without one to try, I can only say it will be tight.
Thanks Russ, no worries on the timing!!
The problem isn't going to be getting the case/bullet finagled up into the die for seating/crimping. The problem will be getting an EMPTY case into a full-length sizing die for a non-belted magnum that in a standard press requires the shell holder to come within a fraction of an inch of the bottom of the die and in this press is going to have to extend to well below the bottom of the press frame which is a good half-inch below the bottom of the die "retainer" slot. Because of that goofy but "superior" shell holder set up and how much higher it "sits" relative to the case head/body compared to a standard shell holder and how the retaining screws remove yet more vertical travel potential for the "platform". It doesn't appear to me that you'll get any non-belted Magnum case alone into the sizing die with the die screwed down as far as it has to go to get "full seating" and come as close to the case rim as it needs to in a full-length sizing die.
The fact that this press isn't capable of handling 1 1/8" dies and isn't built to handle the kind of vertical loads created when "non-belted Magnum" cases are full-length sized and the fact that those "long" 7mm Remington Magnum bullets are "short" by MODERN standards since 7mm bullets are available in weights up to 195 grains now pretty much proves this is a very "antiquated" press design that's more or less at its practical "limits" with standard long-action non-magnum cartridges like .30-06 Springfield and its goofy (but supposedly superior) case holder design is clearly "optimized" for RIMMED cartridges.
I'd be surprised if the original designer even had American shooters/reloaders in mind and didn't design it for "Commonwealth" countries like the U.K. and Canada where .303 British for decades was as "big" and "bad" as rifle cartridges got. At least for those "lucky" enough to have the "privilege" of owning even a clapped out old Lee-Enfield rifle in the first place. Clearly the better "connected" so-called "citizens" of those countries had much larger and more expensive "sporting rifles" for their trips to Africa hunting "large dangerous game" and such and weren't limited to clapped out old rifles and mil-surplus ammo/components and "2nd hand" reloads for their custom rifles in more or less custom chamberings nobody made reloading dies for anyway.
And to be "perfect" for the overwhelming majority of European "sporting cartridges" which are overwhelmingly "short-action" rimless cartridges with "military cartridges" as their "parent cases" but almost always shortened and necked down because of various laws against owning rifles chambered for military cartridges and with the relatively low-volume shooting/reloading European reloaders can afford the time/materials/taxes to do, there would be no need for any of the significant and obvious advantages supposedly "inferior" and overwhelmingly AMERICAN single-stage presses have. For anyone to consider this press "superior" to a "typical" single-stage American press, of which until fairly recently were actually NOT produced by many manufacturers and do NOT have "standard" features from manufacturer to manufacturer besides common die diameters/threads and "standardized" case holder notches in their rams found in SOME but not ALL single-stage presses, this would have to be the only "single-stage press" he or she had ever used OR they'd have to be comparing it to a ridiculously complex and similarly handicapped and similarly "precise" (if that's what you want to call "floating" cartridges and dies and press parts that move around and tilt and such during sizing and seating/crimping) press with no "convenient" built-in priming capacity and shell-holder dependent overpriced monstrosity like a Redding T7.
Which of course is more of a "hybrid" and only a "single-stage" in the sense that no matter how many dies you have in the turret you can only use one at a time and even having two die sets or even three for three different cartridges (two two-die rifle sets and one three-die pistol set) in the turret at once is the "answer" to a question nobody ever asked. I get the feeling the "geniuses" at Redding looked at existing "progressive" presses that are truly progressive and have so 6-7 positions to enable them to mount trim dies and powder-through-expander pistol dies/powder measures and possibly factory crimp dies and without really knowing why OR having the accessories to go with them Redding's geniuses decided that the way to "trump" existing 6-position turret "single-stage" presses was to add a 7th station.
Unfortunately almost all "turret presses" with 5 or more die positions are intended for pistol/revolver cartridges and to get manufacturers like Hornady and RCBS into the "progressive pistol press" without stepping on Dillon's toes, patents etc and a price level attractive enough for the "beginning reloader" who has no business buying a Dillon or any other self-indexing progressive and usually ends up overwhelmed by even a 550 once they get done adding "upgrades" that just make Dillons complete disasters for "quick" and "easy" caliber conversions after they buy a Dillon specifically FOR its "quick" and "easy" caliber conversions but insist on trying to "keep up with" a 650 by adding aftermarket "upgrades" they can't possibly make good use of on a 550 and end up putting enough time and money into that they could have bought a "bare bones" 650 and fed cases by hand and had a cheaper, more productive and simpler and more practical press for less money overall.
And Hornady and RCBS certainly haven't set the world on fire with their turret presses with much better name recognition and bigger overall product lines than Redding so Redding was pretty much doomed from the get-go. Kind of like these Forster nightmares. It never occurs to "marketing" and "accounting" and "investor" types that "new" and/or "different" only ultimately appeals to CUSTOMERS who are "new" and/or "different" and only those who are so determined TO be "new" and/or "different" that they're willing to not go with the typical "herd" most "noobs" in various hobbies and past-times slide into for "safety" and do their own thing. Which isn't many of them. And "new" and/or "different" only SELLS the product ONCE. It doesn't keep the customer going back to it and it doesn't keep them from shopping around when suddenly the customer finally clues into the fact that there's a REASON nobody else is doing something a certain way and in fact everybody else is doing it as "differently" as possible.
I notice YOU have a Redding T7 sitting the background and your "new" Forster certainly isn't securely/permanently mounted to your bench there. Still using it today and if so is that because you want to be and wouldn't take anything else at any price or even for free and Forster isn't compensating you in any way shape or form or because making this Forster video with your Redding T7 sitting the background didn't entice Redding or any other manufacturer to "approach you" about "reviewing" more of its products? I can't help but marvel at the lack of brand loyalty so many supposed "experienced" and "long-time" reloaders have when they're shilling one make/model press after another on their videos/channels and how HARD it must be to really get to KNOW and get COMFORTABLE with one press after another and how much little actual reloading they must get done given how much time they spend swapping makes, models, etc. But then again they're no doubt getting even less time to shoot so they probably don't need to actually do much real reloading/testing of press after press after press. Hell, in many videos and on many channels of reloading equipment "reviews" the PRESS and maybe a few other strategically-placed "shooting/reloading/cleaning" products are the only indicators their "reloading bench" is used for anything gun-related. Pretty much the OPPOSITE of "noob" reloaders who insist on putting every last pound of powder and box of bullets and piece of reloading equipment they possibly can at arms length on a bench so crowded with reloading equipment and components and ammo in various "stages" of completion its a miracle they can get any reloading done at all.
I find the more reloading equipment permanently placed on a bench the less reloading gets done there. Kind of like more "superior" a press is supposed to be because its "different" and/or "new" the fewer "advantages" I see in it.
I would like to use this press to load the .577/.450 Martini Henry. The Bertram brass for the M-H has a rim diameter of 0.740.” Would the Co-Ax accommodate this large rim?
It looks like the priming jaws are reversible to accommodate different rim thicknesses? Thanks
Keep up the great videos! 👍
The standard jaws will not open that wide, I'm almost certain. Forster has a set of jaws called LS (large/small) to handle most extremely large or small cases. I know it works well with .45-70 or .30-30, but I can't say about your .577/.450 Martini Henry. My advice is to contact Forster and ask them. If those jaws won't work, you can always get the adapter which allows the use of any "standard" shell holder from RCBS, Lyman, Redding, Hornady, etc.
Nicely done videos, very informative.
I'm still new to reloading & I'm just beginning in shooting for accuracy beyond 100 yards. I have a Hornady LnL progressive press presently, as I like to shoot/plink with several different pistol calibers.
I take it that where accuracy is concerned, the repeatability that comes from a single stage press can't or usually isn't matched by a progressive press. Assuming that's true, is the Forster CoAx press cost really justifiable over other, longer established SS press designs, such as the Rock Chucker or Lee or Hornady designs, which are less expensive?
I think those who vote "yes" with their wallets would think it justified. Not so for everyone else. Rest assured, great ammo has been loaded with presses of all makes.
I ordered a Co-Ax today. Perhaps my .223 Remington group size will improve soon...
It certainly should not get worse (ha, ha). All kidding aside, the press is an important factor in making quality ammo, but there are many other things to get right as well. For a lot of us, myself included, the weak link in the chain is that which pulls the trigger.
Yes, same here. My next efforts are toward trigger discipline. Rainy day here now, so reloading with the new press is on the list for today.
I really like your videos..keep up the good work!
Thank you so much, Robin.
Rex, I want to get into reloading very badly and I have been researching every different manufacturer and types of presses, which appear to be the most popular ones I can find info, reviews, etc. on. I just watched both of your videos (very well done I would add) on the Forster Co-Ax and based on the great features that you have pointed out and the fact that it appears built like a beast, I'm 100% sure that this is the press I want. Before I pull the trigger on it though I wanted to ask your opinion on something. Besides which manufacturer's press I wanted I am also somewhat perplexed regarding the style of press. i.e. single stage, turret or progressive to get. For the most part I will only be reloading 9mm and .223 and eventually maybe .308 and 300 WM. If I get the Co-Ax single stage will I be able to get the correct dies and accessories for it to be able to reload all of these calibers and more importantly do you think this single stage press is the best way to go for a new reloaded over a turret or progressive? I sincerely apologize for intruding and asking so many open questions, but based on watching quite a few of your videos, you seem like a very personable and wise Man and I would value your input and opinion! Thank you very much Rex and thank you as well for the great videos.
Hello Thomas and thanks for your inquiry. I would advise anyone starting out in reloading to start with a single stage press or a turret. A turret press is normally operated like a single stage in that you will complete one operation on ALL the cartridges before moving to the next step. In other words, a turret is not a "poor man's" progressive where you can size/decap - expand/prime - charge with powder - seat bullet - crimp in a sequence on a single cartridge. Yes, you CAN do that, but you'll find it more feasible to, for example, size and deprime ALL the cases before moving on to the next steps.
I really like a turret press because all of your dies and powder measure can be set for the loading session and if you need to go back for any reason and repeat some steps, it's a quick matter of turning the turret. Likewise, the Forster press allows for almost as quick changes between dies. Granted, you can't mount a powder measure on it, but I've always operated my measure from a separate setup with any reloading.
As to dies and accessories, the Co-Ax uses standard dies so any brand will work. Of course you can't use hand dies like the Wilson, but that's the whole point of that die, isn't it. Truth be tole, you may be able to use more dies with the Co-Ax than any other press because the dies are mounted with the lock rings that slide into the groove. Therefore, in theory, you could use something like the old Lyman "nutcracker" dies which are smaller than standard modern dies, but it would simply be a matter of getting a nut for the die that's large enough to fit the press. Now I didn't say that's a good idea, just that there may be more possibilities with the Co-Ax than with others.
As to turret presses, you can find them from Redding, RCBS and Lyman. I have several presses from both Redding & RCBS and a lot of Lyman products. However I don't have a turret press from any of them. The Lyman is attractive because it has 8 stations which would allow you to fill it with dies for two calibers without a problem. Furthermore, you can buy extra turrets for all of these and the Lyman is a bit less expensive. The Redding 7-station would probably be perfect for a couple of calibers and I can say my Redding press is a magnificent beast. I've probably had more RCBS presses and equipment than all the others combined, but the 6 hole turret puts me off a bit, as if it's almost enough.
Working with a single station (or turret) press creates a more focused environment. You are only doing one thing at a time so your concentration can be razor sharp on that. If an operation "feels" funny, chances are there's something wrong and you can sort out that bad apple right then and there. With a progressive, so many things are going on at one time, your attention is spread out all over the place. If anything goes wrong, and it will, it takes a lot more effort to "clean up" and restart.
Believe me, I know the appeal of the progressive press--I have five of them. In their place, they are fantastic. I still marvel at seeing raw brass go in one end and a finished round drop out the other end with each pull of the handle. But these presses are harsh mistresses. They require a lot of fine tuning and care, and once you have one running smoothly, you'll be loathe to change it over to another caliber until you've loaded several thousand rounds of whatever to justify the whole thing.
My advice is to get the Co-Ax (and AGAIN, I HAVE NO CONNECTION WITH FORSTER or any other manufacturer) and be secure in knowing you have the best single stage press you can get (in many/most people's opinion). Buy good dies. My advice here to go visit several on-line forums to learn what people are having best luck with, especially for rifle. Take a look at Glen Zediker's reloading books, especially for the .223 and .308. His writing style is charmingly quirky and sometimes a bit twisty to read, but his advice is top notch and he will introduce you to a world of knowledge about ammunition and the making thereof.
Oh, get a subscription to Handloader magazine, by all means. I've been subscribing since 1980 and have every issue which I often go back to.
Do you prefer the Forster over the Redding T7?
Hi Rex,
A have a question/concern about the co-ax press which i don't think you have addressed in your (awesome) videos yet.
My concern about the otherwise clever design of the press is in how the die is aligned with the linear motion of the case. When the case goes into the die, the case gets aligned left/right by the die position and the die gets aligned front/back by the case. They will find each other no matter what. But how is it secured that the center axis of the die is not tilted to the center axis of the case? I mean, when the die is floating in the open frame, it is up to the lock ring (and the slot in the frame) to secure the axial alignment. If the thread in the lock ring is not perpendicular to its top face, I think the die will start to tilt when the case forces the die upwards and thereby create some unwanted tension and concentric problems. How precise can the lock ring be and what about play/clearance there is in the thread between die and lock ring?
What are your thoughts on this aspect?
Best regards!
+Søren Frisk Mortensen That's a good question, Søren. My first thought is that the Co-Ax would be no better or worse than any press where the dies are threaded in. If there is axial tilt in the die thread, the die will be tilted in a conventional press or the Co-Ax. The case is supported and pushed by the ram, so the perpendicularity of the base of the case to the vertical axis of the case is important.
On the Co-Ax, it's probably a good idea to select die lock rings that have good flat outside surfaces where it bears against the press slot, and threads that are axially aligned. But I expect all of them easily meet that need.
This thought occurs: for all of the die lock rings, there is a certain amount of vertical play in the Co-Ax slot. That is, all of the rings are less in height than the inside height of the slot, thus all of them are free to move vertically a little bit. Some move almost none and others quite a bit. It might be that an axial alignment can occur between the case and die during that brief initial contact when the die is unrestrained vertically.
Of course in very short order, the die will be restrained by the top of the slot and the amount of free play is probably not enough to make any difference.
Now, having written all of the above, I have gone back and re-read your post several times. I think the point you are making is that the axial alignment is dependent on the quality of the lock ring. If the ring threads are loose or mis-aligned with the bore, the die will sit in the press at an angle. I agree, but would add that if the same die/ring combo is used on a conventionally threaded press, there is enough play in the die and press threads that the die can be tilted by a bad lock ring.
One of the selling points made by Lee in regard to their lock rings is the floating nature of the O-ring design. Instead of a hard metal-to-metal mating between the lock ring and press top, there is a soft mate between the O-ring and press which allows the die a small amount of float, improving alignment with the case. I think it's Glen Zediker in one of his books that champions using O-rings on press rams in place of the heavy wire springs which retain the shell holders, thus allowing the holder to float.
Of course this is the whole idea of the Co-Ax press.
In general, I think the various manufacturers do such a good job of threading, it is too small of an error to affect the quality of the ammo. However, I would love to hear any thoughts you or anyone else has on how that sort of error might be measured. I suppose the end result of such mis-alignment would be a case that has been tilted on its vertical axis in relation to the base. We could measure the run-out of the base (face, not rim) while rotating the case in a typical run-out fixture. You'd need before and after sizing measurements to see if your press setup is causing the problem.
+Rex Roach Thanks for the reply. I wrote my question in a bit of a hurry and English is not my native language, so I apologize if it was difficult to understand.
But my point is exactly, as you phrase, that the axial alignment is dependent on the quality of the lock ring. I have no idea how different die manufactures make their lock rings, but I don't think they are manufactured with the thought that the lock ring could be a direct part of the tolerance chain between case and die. In my daily work I develop mechanical precision equipment, and i have seen plenty of bad elements go out of expensive and modern CNC setups.