Time for a new press, Forster?

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Hi, after 20+ years of reloading, my trusty old Lee Challenger has taking some loose, I was thinking of getting a new one soon.
After some research, I find the Forster Co-Ax press a great looking design.
I'm asking: Anyone here using that press? Pros & Cons please.
Also, if you don't use the Forster, any hints why I shouldn't buy one and get the one you're using?

Thanks in advance for your ideas

p.s.: Where can I get this press for the best price? I searched a bit, but seems the prices vary quite a bit.
 
The Co-ax is the best press out there, tremendous power, cases "self center" in dies for least amount of runout from any press, used primers fall into container and don't foul up press. No shell holders are required, lots of pros, very few cons, just be careful when changing "jaws" from small to large, DON'T LOOSE THE SMALL SPRING/S that actuate the jaws as they are loose!! Feel free to ask any questions from me about the machine!!...Ben
 
ben hunchak said:
No shell holders are required, lots of pros, very few cons, just be careful when changing "jaws" from small to large, DON'T LOOSE THE SMALL SPRING/S that actuate the jaws as they are loose!!
Click to expand...
I reload 223, 22-250, 30-06, 308, 270/300WSM, 7mm Rem Mag, 30-30.
Do I need to change cases retaining jaws? Do I need to buy something extra for case holding?
Thanks
 
The standard jaws will work for the calibers you mentioned. There is an additional set for 22 Hornet and 45/70. There is also an adaptor that lets you use regular shell holders, this is necessary if you have a precision seating die that has the extended shell holder.
 
Cummins has it right on, the adapter avail. for using normal shell holders does not allow for the "self centering" feature. Again, the only warning"don't loose those tiny springs" ...Ben
 
I looked at the Co-Ax, press but did not go for it. I selected the Lee Classic Cast. The Classic Cast seemed to be a stronger and simpler design. It too catches primers in a plastic tube under the press. I find it is very tight and accurate. The Co-Ax does offer the advantage of the self adjusting shell holder. If you want the quick change die system, then the newest model of the Classic Cast has that too. In the end I just could not justify the price of the Co-Ax just to get the self adjusting shell holder. I do not believe a press should be used for seating primers, and prefer to have the feel of a hand primer to get accurate seating, so that was not a factor.

And it is not that I'm against spending money to get quality, as I did buy the Forster Bump/Bushing, and Ultra Micrometer Seating dies. They were not cheap and work really well. In the case of the dies, I feel I got some value for the extra money that results in more accurate ammo. Does it work? The Classic Cast and Forster die combo produces loads that can shoot like this:

68BergerS14-10C.jpg
 
Ron AKA said:
I do not believe a press should be used for seating primers, and prefer to have the feel of a hand primer to get accurate seating, so that was not a factor.
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For every other press I would agree, I have seated tens of thousands of primers with a hand tool. The way the Forester is designed it is almost impossible to seat a primer incorrectly. The hand primers are subject to rim thickness variations and may not seat a primer all the way into the pocket if the operator is not paying attention. The Forester "head spaces" the primer off of the face of the cartridge and is designed to give you a perfect 4 thou inset every time regardless of rim thickness. Also it uses the top of the stroke for seating which is where there is the least mechanical advantage allowing the operator to feel exactly whats going on.
It's pretty obvious that your system is working for you Ron. Nice shooting!! Thats the intriguing thing about reloading, finding what works for you. Everybody has their own system.
 
I have been using a Bonanza (Forster) CO-AX press for loading for 38 years now. I have been totally satisfied with it & Cummins has it right about the priming function. It may be a tad slower than some methods but the ability to feel the primer seat is unparalleled. the quick change die feature is great. My only complaint is that some of the die makers have begun using thinner hex lock rings, and in the case of Lee dies a strange hex lock ring with an O-ring inlet in the underside. The solution is simple, but not cheap. Sinclair International sells Forster cross-bolt lock rings but they are $4. each, which adds $8. to $12. to the cost of a new set of dies. Or one can just buy Forster dies to start with (expensive but well worth it).
 
Cummins4x4 said:
For every other press I would agree, I have seated tens of thousands of primers with a hand tool. The way the Forester is designed it is almost impossible to seat a primer incorrectly. The hand primers are subject to rim thickness variations and may not seat a primer all the way into the pocket if the operator is not paying attention. The Forester "head spaces" the primer off of the face of the cartridge and is designed to give you a perfect 4 thou inset every time regardless of rim thickness. Also it uses the top of the stroke for seating which is where there is the least mechanical advantage allowing the operator to feel exactly whats going on.
Click to expand...

My thoughts are that the primer needs to be seated so that it is fully into the primer pocket, no more and no less. More starts to crush the primer. Less leaves a gap and makes for a soft hit by the firing pin. I'm sure primer pocket depths vary and primer thickness vary. In fact I measured some recently and found the thickness of the primer varies a lot more than one would think. In only measuring three of each type I found the CCI BR-4's varied up to 0.0024" and the Federal 205M's up to 0.0013". So I don't think you can seat based on the same inset for every case and primer. To do it properly you need to feel the easy slip, the slight tightening, and then the sudden increase in force. Need to stop right at the sudden increase. I've used a Lyman press as well as the Lee Classic Cast for primer seating, and both seat on the upstroke near the top, but just don't offer that "feel" you get with a hand primer tool.
 
Yep, set them up once and never adjust them again. I bought them in a box of a dozen for about $40, Sinclirs sells singles. I would talk to Forester directly about getting a bunch. IIRC the Hornady ones work as well, some say they are better but I've never tried them.
 
I own just about every other press made and the Co-Ax is the only one I use (except for the BMG stuff).

Once you get on to the press you will find it incredibly quick and positive.
It is also very clean thanks to the primer catch system.
I don't think there is a better press made.

I bought mine 15 years ago for $350.00 then bought a second (with the better long die clearance) for $350.00....For $269.00 I might just buy third! :D
 
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