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12-09-2012, 01:44 PM
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Forster Coax
New to reloading. Want to handle everything, and take my time to learn the process. Quality over quantity, and above all - safety - is my consideration.
I found the Forster, and like the ease of die changing. The Midway USA site reviews seem to have almost universally good things to say about the unit.
Any opinions regarding this press?
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12-09-2012, 03:44 PM
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It is a fantastic press you will need to use Forester rings that are of the correct thickness. The only downside is if you use tall micrometer adjustment seating dies the handle will not clear and changing the shell holder jaws is a bit slow.
Get the optional short handle to speed up light case work
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Len
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12-09-2012, 04:59 PM
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I a Forster Coax, a Redding T7, and a Dillon 550. The Coax is a fantastic press that offers lots of flexibility in mounting options. The universal jaws work great and the used primer capture system is the best I have seen on the market.
This press is light years ahead of any other single stage on the market. Changing dies is simple and easy. If you don't want to step into a turret press this is a nice option. I would not hesitate to purchase another one or give one as a gift to one of my sons.
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12-09-2012, 08:56 PM
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I looked into the Forster Coax a lot, and after watching a few videos on Youtube, and because I load mostly handgun brass, the long handle stroke was what ultimately what deterred me from purchasing. Couldn't imagine processing hundreds of short brass pieces like 9mm and 45 acp that way. It is an amazing press, but like most everything with reloading, no one tool seems to fit everyone.
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12-09-2012, 10:15 PM
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Its a great press but I only use it to load precision rifle. I use a RCBS Rockchucker for pistol.
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12-10-2012, 02:20 AM
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Moderator SWCA Member Absent Comrade
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That press is one of the best, if not the best SS presses ever made. It's strong and very precise. It's a good choice for loading anything and especially good for loading precision ammo.
You can do worse but would be hard pressed to do better with a press choice. I bought a used Forster press for a good price back when and was foolish enough to sell it off. I had 3 other presses but should have kept that one and sold the others!!!
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12-29-2012, 11:52 AM
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I love my forster co-ax press. Use it to reload 9mm, 327 federal magnum and 5.56mm/.223 remington.
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12-29-2012, 01:29 PM
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Great press, novalty should have checked on the short handle, I think he would have changed his mind. It's only about $15 if I remember correctly, what ever it is, it's worth it. Also you can find a 12 pak on the die rings, get it, you will use them. Can't tell you how many times I think I'm done and the find a couple of cases I missed, so easy to just throw the dies back in and finish up.
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12-29-2012, 02:21 PM
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I have used a Co-Ax, usually several times a week, for more 25 years and have found it to be an excellent press for most operations. However, for those who do a wide variety of loading, the Co-Ax may be found lacking in at least a couple of areas. It has limited room for bullet seating with long cases, like the .300 H&H. It's also easier to use a case trim die in a regular single stage press. There may be another minor drawback or two that I can't recall, but for about 98% of all loading chores, the Co-Ax is hard to beat.
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12-30-2012, 09:59 PM
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It was mentioned that the long stroke was a problem with having to go so far to open the shell holder. With my drill press, I made longer pins to actuate the shell holder. You can adapt the the stroke to match the length of the cases you are working. This is a truly great press.
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12-30-2012, 11:23 PM
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Some years ago, I spent some time at Federal's factory in Anoka MN. Their ballistics lab had several Forster coax presses. I think the attraction was the ease of die changeout.
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