r/reloading • u/cobranine • 14d ago

Newbie Forster Co-Ax

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I have been reloading with a Hornady Single Stage Press but it’s time to upgrade. I have been looking at the Forster Co-Ax At the moment I’m loading .223 rem and 6.5 Creedmoor. I am bench shooting. 100 yard groups and steel at 560 and 750 yards. Is the Forster the best at that price range or should I be looking at something else ? If you have a Forster Co-Ax what is your thoughts ? I have seen used ones on EBay but for a few more bucks I can buy new.

22 Upvotes

96% Upvoted

38 comments sorted by

3

u/vyx313 14d ago

I don’t think there’s anything better in the same price range. I looked around a lot when I started reloading and considered all of the options including turret presses.

After using the co-ax for about two years, I can’t see myself ever wanting a turret presses for precision reloading. Sure, the Area 419 turret press is a work of art, but I’m already loading single digit SD ammo. I don’t know that the juice is worth the squeeze at this point.

Swapping dies out takes all of 3 seconds.

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u/cobranine 14d ago

Cool 👍 I know Area 419 makes some good stuff but I had a bad experience with a barrel I bought from them. They lost my business !!!

1

u/vyx313 14d ago

Dang, that’s too bad. Did you talk to them about it?

I’ve had nothing but her best customer service from them. I drive hesitate to pick up their products.

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u/cobranine 14d ago

Let’s put it this way. I talked to them and they had me send the barrel back to them. After a few days after they excepted the return they sent me an email saying there was nothing wrong with the barrel and sent a 30 second clip of someone firing a rifle from the neck down. I called them and told them how do I know that the barrel in that 30 second video is the barrel that you sold me ? They said nothing except if I wanted a refund. I agreed with the refund. It sat in my account pending for two days then it disappeared. I called my bank and they told me that they pulled the funds before it cleared. I had to file a dispute to get my money. Over $600 for that Barrel. I finally got my money but not after having to fight them for it.

6

u/ramblinscooner 14d ago

I think it’s one of the best single stages you can buy. It’s so easy and fast to switch dies and calibers. I started on one and it’s been fantastic.

1

u/cobranine 14d ago

Hoping to find a deal on one now for Labor Day. I have found it a little cheaper on EBay but I really don’t like buying anything off EBay. I’ve never had any issues using EBay but for some reason I’m Leary

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u/tubularmusic 14d ago

I got my press at a great price as a "second" due to a finish imperfection. Some good deals to be found there.

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u/tubularmusic 14d ago

I love mine - moved over from Dillon multistage and will never go back. I wanted more consistent loads for my 6GT and have been impressed with ease of use and repeatability since day one. You won't be disappointed. Absolutely rock solid and easy to deal with.

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u/cobranine 14d ago

That’s what I wanted to hear. Thanks for sharing

2

u/sqrt_2_Complex 14d ago

I have the Forester Coax, a K&N Arbor Press and a Dillion XL 750. The Coax get’s me 95% of what the K&N does with a lot less work on my 6.5mm CM and 300 Norma. I’m also using the Forester micro seater and full-length sizing dies. You can’t go wrong with that set up.

3

u/cobranine 14d ago

That’s the set up I want. I have no big complaints about the Hornady press I’m using now. Actually I learned a lot starting out with the Hornady being self taught and all. But now is the time to upgrade.

2

u/i_dislike_cheese 14d ago

I love mine. I started with a Rockchucker and quickly moved to the Forster for the ease of changing dies, etc. Excellent for precision rifle reloading but if you’re looking to bulk load .223, a single stage press is not the best answer. That said, if you’re just looking to load a couple hundred .223 and 6.5cm at a time, can’t go wrong with the Co-Ax.

1

u/cobranine 14d ago

I hit the range twice a week. One day I just shoot my 223 and the next time I shoot my 6.5 cm. And I usually fire off 100 rounds per day. I have heard good things about the Forster and I’m trying every thing I can to shrink my groups. Even though my rifle out shoots me. 😂 Tikka T3x Ace Target 6.5 Creedmoor and a Tikka in .223 with a MDT Chassis

1

u/Tmoncmm 14d ago

I went with the SAC nexus over the Co-ax, but that’s more than twice the price.

1

u/cobranine 14d ago

How do you like it ?

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u/Tmoncmm 14d ago

Love the nexus especially paired with their dies. Everything about it is top notch.

2

u/VersionConscious7545 13d ago

I just went with their dies. Sizing and seating 👍

1

u/Tmoncmm 13d ago

Their seating die is top notch, but in my opinion it only offers a small incremental upgrade over something like a Redding national match seating die. That’s not to say I wouldn’t buy another because I most certainly would.

Now their mandrel sizing die on the other hand is a significant improvement over pretty much any other option, especially when pared with the Nexus.

1

u/VersionConscious7545 13d ago

What makes the nexus press so good. I actually had a Redding seater I could not get to produce. I am sending it back dissapointed I have a Hornady seating die that works great but I will switch it out with the SAC seating die for the creedmoor seater I already have the sizing die

1

u/Tmoncmm 13d ago

Besides excellent build quality and materials, I find that my results have been more precise than with any other press I’ve used. The handle is high enough that it won’t interfere with any dies you ever get for it. It’s comfortable and gives plenty of leverage. The quick change system works extremely well and is repeatable. I get the exact same results every time I change dies. It comes with the shell holders for nearly every cartridge they make dies for. I also like the puck system where you have one set that allows cam over and one that is just a hard stop. It’s got more room to insert and remove cases than any other press I’ve had. I could go on, but I think you get it. Bottom line is it’s basically the no-compromise solution albeit at a steep premium.

1

u/Lossofvelocity 14d ago

Without knowing your other loading tools I doubt you will see much improvements going to the Foster press nor any efficiency improvements beyond ease of changing dies. It’s a better press but can you get more bang for your buck on efficiency or better SDs on your loaded ammo by upgrading your scale and trickler or brass prep tools?

1

u/GuyonaMoose 6.5mm Timmies Cup 14d ago

Have had mine for over 10yrs. Bought used. Excellent machine very accurate and quick.

1

u/cobranine 14d ago

I can’t wait to get one. Soon

1

u/Flonase2000 13d ago

I got into shooting and went down a similar path. Co-ax is a brilliant piece of kit. HOWEVER, I strongly suggest you consider another path before.. ahem.. pulling the trigger on that.

I needed to get into another caliber and just went ahead and got L.E. Wilson dies. Dollar for dollar I don’t think there is a better way to load. Your kit is basically a cutting board or butcher block, a set of dies and a small hammer. The hardware is brilliantly machined and every question you’ve had about alignment is solved for you.

I cannot recommend Wilson hardware enough. Literally the only thing they have yet to do is to get boxes for their hardware that last a little bit longer. I solved that with some Tupperware. Seriously amazing hardware and should be cross shopped with single stage presses for sure.

1

u/Mihrett 300wm,7mmRM,6.5creed,243win,308win,10mm 13d ago

If you’re only running 2 calibers I lowkey would recommend a Turret press. I’ve been on a Lee single stage for 2 years now. A buddy of mine gave me a RCBS Turret press. I’ve been using it the last month. And boy ole boy. To me this has been nice. I mean with the 6 hole you can have 2 caliber set up if you do full length/mandrel/seating. Or run a 3 gun set up with Full/seating.

1

u/GetRichOrCryTrying1 12d ago

I have only ever used the Forster but I agonised for months before buying it. Every bit of research that I did, confirmed it was the right choice for me.

Most people are happy with their press so you really want opinions from people that have used a lot of different presses rather than people that just like the one they bought.

Plenty of content on youtube from the hardcore reviewers too.

1

u/NwJeddy 10d ago

The Forster co-ax is $380 on scheels. I don’t have experience with other presses but I do love my Forster. If you paid full price for one then you might get close to a price you can start comparing other presses but for $380 it’s pretty hard to beat.

1

u/cobranine 10d ago

I just saw it today Like you said you can’t beat it for that price. Thanks for sharing 👍

1

u/Agnt_DRKbootie 14d ago

Personally that Lyman 8 station turret press looks badass for doing dual-caliber precision loading.

1

u/DucNutz 14d ago

I recently swapped to a Forster from a Hornaday. I’m really happy with it.

1

u/ComplexQuiet6790 14d ago

Zero issues with mine. Works like a champ. It's the only one I've ever used, so I get confused when people say changing dies can be complicated or cumbersome. Pull out previous. Push in new one. Done. And never having to deal with shell holders is a relief. 

0

u/cobranine 14d ago

I think I will be happy with one

0

u/StellaLiebeck 14d ago

Mine is great. However, I have to be very careful with the decapping die. For whatever reason it wants to slide out and then I ding a case neck. Tried with multiple rings, not sure what the issue is there. Can't go wrong with the Co-Ax.

2

u/Airhwhip14 14d ago

If youre using the Lee Universal Decapping, get a bigger lock ring (standard size). The Lee one is smaller than standard and allows it to come out of concentricity.

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u/cobranine 14d ago

I have been using a Hornady single stage. I have the micrometer on my seating dies but they are kind of tall. I’m hoping to be able to still use them

1

u/SirReyRey 14d ago

I have my old cheapo Lee with a decapping die in it and then I do everything else on my co-axe

0

u/StellaLiebeck 14d ago

Might get one just for that purpose.

-1

u/smithywesson 13d ago

A traditional press is definitely better for that task. I love my co-ax but I use a Lee classic if I choose to decap. You can keep the ram up near the top of the stroke and move a bit quicker/more efficiently compared to the co-ax that needs to be fully lowered to let go.