(Wife's account) I purchased mine about 15 years ago. It came with both large and small jaws. The US Army Marksmanship Unit uses only this press and for the reason noted here. In the instructions that came with mine, stated there are two ways to press a bullet in. This second way is to put the bullet in place and push this all the way into the seating die. Hold in in place and run the ram into the case base and ram in into the die. The jaws will open and you here a click when the rim has passed over and lock into the jaws. This way aids in concentric alignment of the neck and bullet. I have tested this many times on a Sinclair Concentricity Gauge. Using a Lapua D46 185 grain, Lapua case, Varget and Fed Gold Medal Match primer...I have fired several 5 rd groups at 100 yards between .178" and .192". Using the other way the run-out is not as consistent and I have never had a group less than .210".
I'd guess you've already figured it out by now, but for shorter pistol cartridges you can avoid going down with a full stroke by having the jaws grab onto a shell holder. Then you can switch cases at any height that feels convenient like a traditional single stage press.
I just recently made the decision to buy a press and get into reloading. After looking a more than a few youtube videos trying to decide what press to buy,I decided on a Dillon 550c, but the cost is so high I opted to look into used presses for sale. As it turns out I found an add for a gentleman selling his reloading equipment as a bundle for $500, and the press is a Forster Co-ax. I am very excited to begin learning to reload on my Forster. Thank you for an excellent demonstration of the Co-ax's operation and features.
Although this video is 7 years old, I've found it to be well done and very beneficial for anyone considering this press...PS, I WILL have one under the Christmas tree this season! If possible, would you mind measuring the press handle diameter and replying? I have a couple of leftover press handles that I'd like to modify but only if they fit the Co-Ax yoke.
The combo forester co-ax and my Lee dies for 223 load extreemly accurate rounds. I also have a forester neck bushing die to bump the shoulders back without resizing the neck. I use the Lee collet die to size the necks on new and fired cases. To get a better case fit in my rifle I drilled out one of my Lee full length die with a 3/8" drill bit (.375) then smoothed the leading edge. I bought an RCBS Summit press to do a heads up comparison with the co-ax and the Co-Ax hands down walked away with the top spot in both accuracy and ease o use. The co-ax dies change out in seconds. The Summit dies have to be screwed in and out. I also have a Sinclair concentricity base and Sinclair wall thickness gauge and Redding wall thickness gauge. I use an RCBS Precision MIC gauge to set the die lock ring on my forester neck die to set the shoulders back 2-3 thousands on my fired cases. I de-prime fired cases then soak in Lemi-shine and dish soap then soak in brasso and water.
Good review. I have always done my rifle reloading on a single stage. And now with Lee's APP press I can automate the decapping and neck sizing and the case neck expanding that needs to be done for my cast boolits. I use a hand primer. Since I don't use much of a crimp on the cast boolits I seat and crimp in one step. That means I only have to manually insert cases into a single stage one time instead of three times.
I love being able to use either hand and I love not hitting my leg. Those seem like small things. But when you're reloading a lot of rounds, it makes it much easier.
After getting all the components for reloading, brass tumbled in my DIY wet tumbler, 250gr PC cast bullets some Winchester magnum pistol primers & a bottle of Hodgdon Tite Group I finally placed my order for the Forester & short handle & two extra lock rings for the Lee 4 die .44 set of dies, excited to try the new press in a couple of days. Thanks for your videos
2541968joey - Congrats on getting the Co-Ax...The door is open to you for some real wondrous reloading. You might wind up with more single stage presses in the future, but it won't be because you need 'em....Best to ya, FC
I got one of these that is labeled Bonanza. It's completely brown with age. Very seriously thinking of stripping it down, re-powder coating it and rebuilding it. Seems very smooth and advantageous in certain ways.
Thanks -- very helpful review. I have a Lyman All American T8 press that I love and am currently working with. The Forster Co-Ax looks like a very well designed machine that would make a good addition to the bench. Your review was detailed and addressed the most important factors. Your reviews of equipment consistently address the salient features that are most valuable to the discriminating reloader.
Did you ever give the Coax primer system an honest try? I love it... takes ALL the guesswork out, and is completely consistent. 0.004" below the base or whatever you want it to be, spot on every time.
The primer system on the Co-Ax is actually my favorite feature. Mine will seat the primers exactly .005" every single time. For extreme accuracy, consistent primer seating becomes very important. I wish more people would give the Co-Ax press and primer system a try. I think they'd be pleasantly surprised.
If there were somehow a way to automate loading the priming system for the Co-Ax on-press priming system, it would be much more popular. For what it's worth my RCBS APS bench-mounted system (now, sadly, discontinued) has an adjustable stop to allow the exact same seating depth with a positive stop each time. I've been told that the new Lee ACP also will do that, but I can't verify it directly.
Very cool! I have never seen one of these. It is interesting to see the older model Rockchucker press and how different the modern version looks. I love my Rockchucker. Awesome press.
I’ve had a Bonanza Co-Ax press since 72’. Still works great. Sized some new cases today in 7x57. You can change the jaw shell holder with a regular shell holder. I’ve done it before. Think you need a different plate. I’ll have to look in my little extra parts box. If you have the rcbs maybe that should be your pistol press. I have a long handle on my press. I can upgrade to the shorter one for $$$. I paid 72 dollars for the press and the Co Ax benchrest dies we’re normally 25.00 but were 15.00 if you bought the press at the same time. Still using those 222 Rem dies too. One of the Best Buy’s I’ve ever made.
I just bought a new co ax after trying for 6 months to find one, and really like it. Mine came with both handles and a cover. the primer feature is good , once you get used to it. Now I have to build another bench :-)
Well, after having used my beloved Rock Chucker Supreme for the last 30 years straight, I'm going to be putting it into a reduced role (only crimping with the Lee Factory Crimp die), I ordered the Forster Coax for all other parts of reloading. I also ordered the Inline Fabrication quick change mounting system and their roller handle for it. This should make reloading just a bit more enjoyable now.
fatmantolly Never say never, though - you might run into some widow who would sell you the Co-Ax for a song... and you could just start singing right there on the spot!! Have a great day
Anthony Claudio - Sorry for the delay in reply - Google did not post your comment in my inbox...Whatever press you are now using - Good Reloadin' to ya..!! FC
Anyone else think FC45LC's voice sounds like actor Ed O'Neill [aka Al Bundy - Married with Children] ? He does a very good job explaining the different processes.
Airtractorfan2015 - Thanks for your comments. Since I get them, there have been numerous others who hear Al Bundy, but more who have taken my voice as that of Kermit the Frog, Yogi the Bear, Bullwinkle (!?), Christopher Walken, one of the supporting stars of old western movies and others that do not come immediately to mind...Funny, I see a lot of YT videos and no one else seems to get comments about the video voice...It's all OK - my voice has been recognized in several distant places and that amazes me... Best Regards, FC
The acid test is the measured "run out" of the completed rounds. My Lee presses might wobble a bit but the run out is well within acceptable parameters for my purposes. I quit chasing gimmicks years ago. Is there a measurable improvement in run out from the conventional "wobbly" Lee and RCBS presses and the Forster Co Ax? If not there's no point in changing.
When I use the priming system I short stroke it. Prime, lift a little, removed the primed case, raise the priming cup, insert a new primer, slide in the next case, prime. Easy enough when you are looking for supreme accuracy. I have a RCBS also and it works fine but frankly, I don't have the feel for the bottom. I use it for my 223 but not my hunting cases. Another reviewer said he can't reload heavy rimmed cases like the 30-30. I have reloaded them. It has been awhile but if the base was too thick, I think I flipped the jaws over which has more of a gap. Love my Co-ax. I use Forster dies, RCBS dies, and Redding dies. I believe the problem Fortune Cookie had with the RCBS die was not the ring but the nob on top. He should try to screw the lock ring down so the nob clears the press.
Also, he was using the old style RCBS ring. Others have demonstrated that the current version of the RCBS ring that is black and hexagonal for normal wrench use fits inside the Co-Ax press slot with no problem. All of my dies are fitted with the excellent steel Hornady lock rings, but I'll be switching all of them over to the Forster ring to avoid wear to the Co-Ax (just ordered), since the Forster rings have considerably more surface area and because they're made of aluminum.
Got one of these yesterday with the stand and really like it. I've been using an RCBS Jr for 35 years and already appreciate the increased working room and easier resizing effort of the MEC. Only down side I've noticed is the RCBS primer pocket swaging die won't work on it. No biggie for me since I still have the Jr.
Darvin Clement - And your MEC (or Co-Ax) will load you precision ammo for many many years...Good reloadin' to ya...Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to ya, FC Steve
You may want to re-think your use of the Forster priming tool. it guarantees primer depth of .005" below the base of the case. That's a perfect depth, and almost guarantees that you won't have slam ignition on semi-auto loads
+Karl Pearson -- The Co-Ax is a spectacular press, indeed. Seems everyone is looking for the perfect prime system. Many like hand primers, but I've snapped off the handles on hand primers plus get the fatigue involved. The Co-Ax priming system is certainly a good one. My RCBS Bench Prime Tool is also a good one. The Dillon priming systems work well. Plus, we inspect rounds for high primers anyway. High primers are not welcome in any loads for any guns for several reasons. The operator has a lot to do with priming success - the old feel-the-primer-seat to the bottom of the pocket thing. Thanks for sharing on the Co-Ax - I do like it as well.
+FortuneCookie45LC - Good points. I've always used the priming tool built into my RCBS Rock Chucker press because I don't trust the hand-priming tools. I like feeling the primer get seated, and do check every round by feel and sight. That's one advantage of a single-stage press, though with arthritis setting in, I'm tempted to get a multi-stage press so I don't have so much hands-on per round. Since I'm quite OCD and detail oriented, I don't worry about using a multi-stage. I'd like the Dillon 650, but can't afford that much. My son has a Lee Turret and he had it working flawlessly. I've used Lee Loaders for 12gauge and .243 with good success, however can't do that intense of hand work any more. Don't get old. It messes with the mind (I know I'm not invincible any more). Thanks for this great video. I'd love to get one of these presses, too, but at double the price of what I have now, can't justify that either. A friend has one and loves it. He showed me its strong points, and I fell in love with it too. He has 3 other presses, too, including a multi-stage he uses just for pistol ammo he sells to others who don't reload themselves.
+Karl Pearson -- Your RockChucker is a fine press - used mine for close to 40 years. It took me that long to get my Co-Ax. The priming system on the RockChucker wasn't the best because the dead primers kept getting into the wrong places. Nothing wrong with the RC press - it is regarded as an industry standard. And reloading is all about details...people who don't like details are not advised to reload ammo. Selling ammo to others entails a lot of liability, but I'm sure your friend knows what he is doing... Good reloadin' to ya, FC
Wow, that thing is a monster for a single stage press. Looks like it will last for generations to come! Good luck with it and thanks for the review. Looking forward to seeing more of what you do with it. See ya on the next one!
Do you know how I can use shell holders with the Forster press? I really like the Redding Competition shell holders for precisely bumping my shoulders back. I want to upgrade to the Forster press and still be able to use my Redding shell holders.
my biggest gripe is the priming system. It's a essentially a ram prime and I use a hand primer because I dont like my ram prime. if it had some type of primer feed other than my fingers handling them one at a time, it would be different. for pistol rounds, I'd rather use a single stage with a primer feed and prime on press.
Very nice review. I have looked at the Forster press for years. Never bought one. Always wanted an honest review. You have done a very good job of doing just that! I really like the spent primer catcher. Primers seam to bounce out of my RCBS Rock Chucker (1980's vintage) so easily.
vajake1 That 45-120 of yours must really be a hoot to shoot...And your brass casings would be guarded like they were made at the US Mint!! Thanks for your comment, and Best Regards to ya!! ;)
You are correct sir! The rifle really recoils a lot! I only ever had fourty brass cartridges of .45 Basic made to fit my chamber. I have taken really good care of these and only shoot black powder in them. They have served me well for over twenty years.
Just bought this press after weeks of reading and watching videos ,but your video sealed the deal . I'll get Forster to put you on their pay roll ,lol .
Hello; great video and thank you. Your video was an added contribution to me selecting the Forster Co-Ax Press. I am looking into the Lee Bench Plate you are using and curious as to how pleased you are with the bench plate with the Forster Co-Ax Press? I've seen your other video regarding the Lee Bench Plate; you have it installed on a Lee Press. Your feedback is greatly appreciated. Thanks for your stellar contribution and time in posting great videos!
+pm3863 -- The Lee Bench Plate is a neat gadget - Now that I have a drill press, I'm going to get a steel plate to mount the Co-Ax onto. it. The wood plates work OK, but the Co-Ax deserves the most rigid mount. Let's just say that I've got a Rock Chucker and a Lee Custom Cast Press. The only use they get now is when I have to break the monotony of the Co-Ax hogging all my single stage press and continued Hornady Automatic Powder Dispenser testing videos. And if I had gotten the Co-Ax years ago, I wouldn't have had to buy or try any other presses. The US Army Marksmanship Unit uses Co-Ax presses - their mandate is to fulfill the missions of the US Army with virtually unlimited financial backing. They build the best rifles anywhere and could have any press in the world acquired or given to them for the most accurate ammo humanly achieved. The lives of expensively trained and capable US soldiers are on the line - they use Co-Ax - end of debate. All that having been said, our rifles are around 3/4 to 1 MOA for the most part. And we don't train to the level of precision of our army snipers. Practically any press will do - whatever we prefer. Rock Chuckers and Lee Custom Cast, Lymans, Hornady, Redding you name it... I like the Co-Ax and LBP, though... Happy New Year... FC
I have this press and I’m disappointed that despite lubrication the yoke handle pivot pin holes for the connecting link pins are wearing out creating some slop in the handle movement. The press is expensive and innovative but I expected more durability out of it.
This is a problem that I have never heard of from anyone else. I have the older Bananza version of this press in addition to this newer version and both have loaded 10's of thousands of rounds and show absolutely no sign of slop. You really need to contact Forster about this. The Co-Ax is the most consistently accurate press on the market and the problem you describe is very unusual. Forster will fix this issue for you because it sounds like you may have a press that wasn't machined properly. Again, very unusual.
+Skilpadjie1 -- That diminutive 22 Hornet "The Gentleman's Varminter"... pretty fun round from what I hear with those 40-45 grainer bullets... Have a great day, FC
FortuneCookie45LC LOL. Never heard the Gentleman's varminter before. Like it. My Daughter is now 8 almost 9. She shoots my 22LR's. Wanted something with a little bit more and that I can use on the odd Varmint. 22 Hornet looked more interesting then the 223.
+Skilpadjie1 -- Spectacular choice for your daughter. And fun gun with little recoil and mild report good for inside of 200 yards with 150 being very reasonable. There are even 34 grain bullets for that little rascal with Lil'Gun powder...Best to ya, FC
Nice touch on the Tylenol bottle Aspirin guy here. Trying to dabble in reloading seems like the Cadillac of single presses which is what am looking for. Looked at the Mec and found it attractive, even a single Lee might do for me. Would like your opinion.
Yes, Forester sells a Lower shell holder adapter plate (AP1000) for holding third party shell holders. I have the Redding set also and you gave me a good idea.
You don't need that extra leverage if you use the right lube or enough lube. Forster said they use aluminum lock ring to prevent wearing out the slot in the casting on the press, so don't use steel lock rings and it will abuse the channel, eventually the top portion will peen over and cause the die to be off center. Cookie has too many toys in his box.
I am a bit curious. Considering the position of the handle (being dead center of the press), and considering the additional handle length over the other presses on the market, is it difficult for a person to operate this press from a seated position while still being able to reach the materials on the bench. I know this is a strange question however, the other presses on the market are designed the way they are, in a manner to allow the operator to sit closer to the bench, while operating the handle to whatever side they are dexterous. It seems to me that this press would literally force the operator out and away, thus decreasing one's ability to still easily reach brass, primers ect. Can you elaborate on this?
Sure, Mark...The handle provides the easy ambidextrous sizing and case forming operations we might be doing. And it really doesn't get in the way of operation whether seated or standing. Forster makes a shorter handle for those times when desired at nominal cost and switching out the handles takes less than a minute. What the center mounted handle does do in a negative sense is that we can't mount press mounted powder measures, but that really isn't a problem. There's plenty of room for the longest dies. Best to ya, FC Steve
Do you think the excellent concentricity you are experiencing is due to the press or the dies? I have a co-ax on order, should be here in 4 days and was wondering if I'm going to need new dies? Currently using redding s type bushing, which are considered pretty decent by most people I've talked to. Thanks in advance, Bryan
Extinction X - The Redding Bushing Dies are excellent. When those are coupled with a custom chamber (custom neck) and with neck turning, that gives you the best sizing operations. However, the Forster Micrometer In-Line Bullet Seaters are still the best. Now if you are going to go into benchresting, those shooters talk a different language and they use those hand dies in arbor presses...But the Army Marksmanship Team loads their very best ammo on Co-Ax presses...and they have the money to get anything available. Hard to outshoot those boys under field conditions... Best to ya, and Happy Thanksgiving. FC
Frank Ashby - That is the Lee Bench Plate - a fine device - the metal plate is already drilled for any Lee press...but they provide the wood ones for other brands of presses... Best Regards, FC
What I don't like about this press design is that the lock ring on the die takes all the pressure in say a resize operation. Lock rings are not designed for that. In a more conventional die, the die is threaded into a female receiver and then it is secured even more with a lock ring. Take a look at the RCBS or MEC for a quality press and much much less expensive.
Paul Watterson - I have an RCBS Rockchucker and do have the MEC Marksman also. Your concerns about the die lock rings has been addressed by engineers as being OK...perhaps you are an engineer as well but still don't like the system. Switching to steel lock rings would assuage some of your concerns perhaps, but even the aluminum rings have been determined to be OK...Whatever, it's good enough for me... I just use the Co-Ax and smile away as I'm reloading. Come to think about it, I smile when I use my other presses as well. Good reloadin' to ya, FC Steve
Engineers from Forster? I have nothing against Foster, I own their dies and case trimmer and I really like the company. I really do think this is a design flaw and a very expensive press over $400. In my opinion the MEC is a better press for $189. Happy reloading.
David Gaines - That is one feature of the Co-Ax that we can't get around - full stroke necessary. But for regular single stage loading of our pistol ammo, we can certainly use a different press like a progressive for more speed. Rifle rounds would be Co-Ax for sure.... Best Regards, FC
Don't like the priming system, one primer at a time? Needs primer tube, I understand that single stage press aren't the best for speed but one primer at a time is going to slow me down considerably not to mention the increased possiblity of contaminated primers.
Vengenace Early - Yes, been doing a lot of load development so my single stages have been busy...Co - Ax is my favorite one, but the MEC Marksman is also a fine press. My Lee Custom Cast has been pushed to third favorite. Best Regards to ya, FC
I like the fact you can slip the dies in and out easy on the Forster. The almost universal shell plate holder is also attractive . If you get additional LS plate you cover all your bases. The MEC for me is something I would not consider a trade up from my Hornady so I would not buy it. The Foster is on sale right now and so is the HLNL powder dispenser together they would save me about a $100 bucks. Always a pleasure to learn from you FC : ) thanks again.
Also it just occurred to me - is it possible to put a shell holder in the jaws that hold the case? if I could do that I would not have to change out the plate for 45 - 70 government cases and so same myself some money.
VE - Sorry, you cannot install a standard shell holder in the Forster jaws...They are not intended for the width of the shell holder flanges...I just load my 45/70 in my other presses... Have a great Memorial Day, FC
Another good video from FortuneCookie45LC. Always appreciate how detailed you make your reviews and discussions. I would love to see you do a review on the new Lyman Brass Smith All American 8 Station Turret Presses as well. I've had my eye on them since they came to market early this year, but there is no reviews to date that I can find. keep up the good work and thanks for all the helpful videos.
YDH - We reloaders are lucky that we have fine selection in turret presses from Lyman, Redding, RCBS and Lee. If I got that press, I'd need a third reloading bench...lol (hmmm). Have a great day, FC Steve
The ergonomics of this design is really awkward. With the handle coming up and down over the centered-top you have to be off the side of the press, or rock back and fourth out of the way as you lower the handle. This press is good for very short reloading sessions, dancing around your press is not an effective way to get ammo loaded.
I think saying that the press will load large cases is a bit over exaggerating the size of a .375 H&H magnum, it is only a relatively short cartridge by Nitro Express standards, just try getting any 3 1/4" case under this press,neither cases like the 45/120 will not go under, neither will the Martini Henry case, not because of length, but diameter, I think this press should have been given an update from it's original size (the design is many years old) it would then be more able to use the perceived power of the design, the "sloppiness" on other press designs of often criticised yet here we have a built in sloppiness held up as an asset! It must make people wonder why the die manufacturers go to extreme lengths to grind their dies concentric to within .001" then we put them in this press to find their own alignment?You probably have the alternative deep jaws on your press as the standard jaws will not accept the thicker rim of Colt 45, or many other standard cases, it does look nice on the bench though, but it should do at the price!
vajake1 Near as I can make out, your 45/120 brass is 3 1/4" high and a typical 500 grain bullet goes 1 1/4" long or so. Total clearance in the reloading press opening of 4 1/2". The old Rock Chuckers will not do. The current Lee Custom Cast Press has a monstrous opening, but will require running the bullet into the seating die before the case is inserted. Ditto with the Forster Co-Ax (but you will need the larger set of case jaws for the Co-Ax). Plus the dies are backed out to the limit of their threads. So these presses will barely make your 45-120. No doubt you knew all this already if you've been reloading that Quigleyish round of yours...Good shootin' to ya...
FortuneCookie45LC Although the gape of the press is barely 4" on my Coax the stroke is only 3.75" this makes the press of little use in loading a cartridge like the 45/120. You should also be aware that if you use the aluminium lock rings (which support the die with only 4 threads), you must take great care when inserting them in the press, if they are aligned with the ring lock screw to the rear (an easy thing to do when in a hurry), it will prevent the die aligning by .060", enough to spoil your day when you jam the case and bullet into the underside of you die. Just remember these words when you do it! An easy fix is to re counterbore the screw deeper.
Englishman French Great points you make... my reply to vajake1 was not trying to get him to use the Co-Ax for his 45-120 as if it works, it will just barely work by hooking and crooking the bullet into the seating die and then backing the case under it (and the seating die backed up to allow that) - and there is no reloader I know who likes just barely working. And the difference between barely working and not working is not much. Since you are saying that the not work point is passed, that's good enough for me. I'm almost certain that if I were using those old Nitro cartridges or something akin to the 45-120, I'd be using a different press for those. I've already run into some of my rings where for some infernal reason, the screw head sticks out and interferes with easy slide into the Co-Ax so I've determined by that to keep the screw assemblies to the front. Haven't had the jam problem yet, and now that I know about it, I would prefer to avoid that altogether. I hadn't given it any thought about what that might do to the rear, but front is definitely visible and not problematic... Best to ya and thanks for the valuable and helpful comments made...please keep them coming...
+FortuneCookie45LC I have now given up trying to use this press for anything other that small cartridges, which is a great pity as the leverage offers an ideal press for the larger cartridge cases, I use my Lyman single stage press, which with a little modification will load my longest cartridge which is the .475 No2 NE that has a 3 1/2" case length plus the bullet, the Co Ax has no hope of loading that. For the lock rings on the Co Ax I use the Lyman Steel rings, these are split type and without any flats to cause location problems, I still have to increase the depth of the counterbore for the lock screw so as not to cause problems in mounting the die, if the die is mounted without care to locate the locking screw to the front it can cause a real alignment problem, holding the die a full .060" further forward, I went to the steel lock rings as the aluminium lock rings are a bit marginal on strength as there are only 4 threads holding the die, as opposed to 18 threads in a conventional press. The counterbore is easily deepened by using a drill with a stop set to just increase the counterbore so that the screw head is below the rim of the lock ring, a must do mod!
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for those of you that use the .50 BMG for shooting grounds squirrels at 50 yards.... well then this press isn't for you lol..... nearly dropped by coffee on that one. hahah.
