I need a new press to load my .300WM and .308 (obviously as accurate as i can) and i need some help here. Is the Forster CoAx gonna pop out rounds any more accurately than the big boss? If yes then its worth the extra money to me, if not then are the features worth the extra $200?
Forster CoAx vs Redding Big Boss II
- Thread starter Frew
- Start date
- Location
- West Quebec
^^^^^ +1
Forster Co Ax was the way to go for me ,Just bought one days ago ,spent primers not popping out all over any more, nice and clean ,primer seating is .005 exactly every time ,very little force to fl size (even put an unlubed case thru by accident ) Haven't checked
run out yet (been loading hunting rds).I did get the short handle because u are pulling directly towards yourself ,and I mounted press and a 60 degree angle making it easier to feed cases into press and 2 inches lower than my reloading bench .I still have to develop a
rhythm but that will come in time was using a rock chucker before.The hardest thing to get used to is the case not being slid into a shell holder but just sitting there till you pull the handle and the jaws close .I am having a problem with 303B cases forster says the S
jaws will work with these cases but mine don't close around the base have a email into them regarding this we'll see what they say I might need LS jaws
Little
run out yet (been loading hunting rds).I did get the short handle because u are pulling directly towards yourself ,and I mounted press and a 60 degree angle making it easier to feed cases into press and 2 inches lower than my reloading bench .I still have to develop a
rhythm but that will come in time was using a rock chucker before.The hardest thing to get used to is the case not being slid into a shell holder but just sitting there till you pull the handle and the jaws close .I am having a problem with 303B cases forster says the S
jaws will work with these cases but mine don't close around the base have a email into them regarding this we'll see what they say I might need LS jaws
Little
Another vote for the Co-Ax. I have had one of these for several decades [Still Marked Bonanza, lol]
I would not even guess how many rounds I have loaded on it.
I recently added a second unit. These are, IMHO, the best single-stage press ever marketed.
Dave.
I would not even guess how many rounds I have loaded on it.
I recently added a second unit. These are, IMHO, the best single-stage press ever marketed.
Dave.
On, the Big Boss, the bottom of the stroke stops on a spring pin. One of these:
How hard you hit the bottom affects the seating depth. The Co-Ax (in addition to all of its other features) hard stops with metal against metal, which produces more uniform seating depths.
How hard you hit the bottom affects the seating depth. The Co-Ax (in addition to all of its other features) hard stops with metal against metal, which produces more uniform seating depths.
I went with Big Boss. Not so much the cost difference between presses. I load 10 different calibers and already set up for lock and load bushings. To buy all new lock rings, shell plates was going to be another $200 on top of purchase.
I figured out to make low runout on my rockchucker. Can't see a quality press not being able to make good ammo.
I figured out to make low runout on my rockchucker. Can't see a quality press not being able to make good ammo.
This is true. One has to make choices, and there are many "good" choices out there.
Even so, If you want to know which is the "best" Single stage press....read this thread.
Dave.
In that league I think I'd also look at the RCBS Summit.
When compared to a cast iron made closed loop press I really suspect that you won't see any practical improvement in the ammo that isn't related more to the dies used than the press. What the big solid open front presses seem to bring is unfettered clearance of the front for access when placing the brass. The larger bulk of metal being needed to ensure good rigidity when compared to the closed loop style which is inherently stiff even with less material bulk.
So I don't really think you're gaining in terms of accurate ammo over a good RCBS, Redding or other cast closed loop style press. What you are getting is the convenience of access from the fully exposed front. And to some extent PERHAPS a reduction in play as the ram wears in the frame over a long time of use. But this last opinion is a guess and would be largely based on cleanliness and how many rounds you load. And certainly smaller size ram closed loop presses have made TONS of good ammo over many, many years of use.
When compared to a cast iron made closed loop press I really suspect that you won't see any practical improvement in the ammo that isn't related more to the dies used than the press. What the big solid open front presses seem to bring is unfettered clearance of the front for access when placing the brass. The larger bulk of metal being needed to ensure good rigidity when compared to the closed loop style which is inherently stiff even with less material bulk.
So I don't really think you're gaining in terms of accurate ammo over a good RCBS, Redding or other cast closed loop style press. What you are getting is the convenience of access from the fully exposed front. And to some extent PERHAPS a reduction in play as the ram wears in the frame over a long time of use. But this last opinion is a guess and would be largely based on cleanliness and how many rounds you load. And certainly smaller size ram closed loop presses have made TONS of good ammo over many, many years of use.
On, the Big Boss, the bottom of the stroke stops on a spring pin. One of these:
How hard you hit the bottom affects the seating depth. The Co-Ax (in addition to all of its other features) hard stops with metal against metal, which produces more uniform seating depths.
It's a 5/16 spring pin. It goes through the press and is supported by 2.5 inches of the press. It sticks out .5" each side. The arms on the press are .4" thick. It stops metal to metal. I don't see it flexing easily.
I've only put through a few hundred rounds so far but can't see any shiny spots where it contacts. Seems like making even contact both sides.
It seems less robust compared to my rockchucker but in reality a non issue. I would have to put all of my 260lbs behind it to get flex even if I could. Probably break my bench .
I would like to try a coax out some day. Might not be a good idea if I like it lol.
Bluedevil25
CGN Regular
- Location
- Saskatoon, Sask.
I haven't used a Big Boss so I can't comment on it. I have two Co-Ax presses, one is a Bonanza (acquired free) and the issue I had was the handle/yoke would not clear my 6.5x55 micrometer die so I bought a new Forster Co-Ax. I prefer the fit/feel of the Bonanza so I use that and just use the Forster when when I'm loading long 6.5x55. I upgraded the jaw holder on my Bonanza to the one in the following video:
http://youtu.be/9BpFD7NbvL8
I use Forster dies in all my calibers.
http://youtu.be/9BpFD7NbvL8
I use Forster dies in all my calibers.
- Location
- gormley ontario
I bought a co ax. The only thing I don't like is it's hard t put small primers in the cup. Maybe just my fingers though.
- Location
- West Quebec
I use this instead of my Forster priming function and it works well and you don't have to handle the primers:
I never prime with my press anyway, so this becomes a non-issue for me.
I have been using hand primers for decades....prefer them over the press. Dave.
