Forster Co-Ax Single Stage Press

Product #: 265719
| Manufacturer #: 028271
Status: Available
   Should Ship Today
Quantity

This single stage press features "Snap in and Snap out" die changing. Press also features dual floating guide rods for perfect alignment, a unique top mounted priming device and a spent primer catcher. The design of this press provides 3 times the mechanical advantage of an ordinary "C" press and easy operation for either right or left handed operation. The primer seater has adjustable jaws to hold the brass cases and it's adjustable for depth.

The cast iron and steel press utilizes a unique shellholder jaw design that does not require standard shellholders. It has shellholder jaws that are self-actuating and open and close with the movement of the press handle. Standard jaws are included that fit the majority of standard calibers. Accepts standard 7/8 x 14 dies.

Special Note:

  • S-jaws work with most brass cartridge cases. An optional LS-jaw (product number 672863) will be needed if loading 22 Hornet, 256 Winchester Magnum, 348 Winchester, 378 Weatherby Magnum, 416 Rigby, 416 Remington Magnum, or any 45-70 based case like 40-65, 45-70, 45-90, 45-110

    • Application Charts & Information

    Overall Rating:
    5 out of 5
    Used this Product?Rate It
    5 stars
    DAVID LUND of DANVERS, MN
    Date posted: 12/31/2004
    My new Forster co-ax press came the other day. It's the best thing since sliced bread. I already have a Redding and Rockchucker and I wish now that I would never wasted my money on them two. This press is great. Does an exceptional job. Very consistant on seating bullets. Seats primers with ease. Highly recommended.
    Was this review helpful?
    Yes |
    20 found it helpful |
    2 did not
    5 stars
    Abraham Sakamoto of Kamuela, HI
    Date posted: 2/3/2005
    I have owned a Bonanza Co-ax for more than 30 years. It was my first single stage press I bought and will be the last. Loaded with all the other brands and have found all to be wanting. I thank my mentors who suggested me to buy it in the first place. Buy it and you won't be sorry.
    Was this review helpful?
    Yes |
    15 found it helpful |
    3 did not
    5 stars
    Lee Teel of Kane, PA
    Date posted: 10/29/2004
    Due to physical limitations, I had to find the easiest press to operate- power, distance of travel, etc. and Forster has come up with an extremely heavy duty, engineering marvel which works like no other press made and affords the user to use the least amount of energy exerted to operate the press. I would recommend it to anyone in any condition and sure that it is the last press you will ever need. The engineering is so unique a few words here cannot describe it, nor does the picture do justice for you to see how it functions. Buy it with total confidence. There was a minor (nonfunctioning) flaw with mine and the company IMMEDIATELY addressed it and made good- what more could anyone want? Buy with total confidence in the press and the company.
    Was this review helpful?
    Yes |
    22 found it helpful |
    1 did not
    5 stars
    Artz James of Quartz Hill, CA
    Date posted: 7/16/2004
    One nice press....Wished I'd got one when they came out in about 1965-68. No need for a turret in my case as the dies interchange quickly and relocate with precision. The best part is the leverage you get, which makes it easier on my aching body. I use the short handle for priming. This is a good first ...and last choice press.
    Was this review helpful?
    Yes |
    20 found it helpful |
    0 did not
    5 stars
    Jim Ficklin of Kennewick, WA
    Date posted: 10/24/2004
    Great press! Wish I had bought one of these long ago. Easy to use, extremely precise . . . have experienced improved groups with everything I've loaded. Snap-in/snap-out die holder is a great feature (I like that almost as much as the shell holder plates). My old turret press is now destined to load only handgun ammo . . .
    Was this review helpful?
    Yes |
    14 found it helpful |
    0 did not
    5 stars
    John Gulyas of Columbia City, in
    Date posted: 2/5/2005
    This is a better press than I expected even after reading all the good reviews. I like well engineered products and this is one of those, it is the BMW of reloading presses. It makes reloading fun again.
    Was this review helpful?
    Yes |
    13 found it helpful |
    2 did not
    5 stars
    Ronald McCollum of Jackson, TN
    Date posted: 9/2/2005
    This is a great piece of equipment for the reloader. Forster takes a different approach to presses than most of us are used to and it works great. Excellent workmanship. The press delivers huge leverage for those tough jobs. Very solid and smooth - you feel very much in control at all times. The shellholder plate is quite different than a conventional shellholder but is easy to use and secure. Changing to the LS plate is no big deal if you need to do that. And if you like shellholders from RCBS and Lyman - Forster makes an adapter for that. The primer catcher is 100% -- all the primers and crud go into a cup that never misses anything. Seating primers is rock solid with this press. It does take a little time to adjust the primer seating device for each caliber and it is a one-at-a-time job - no automation here. I did find that the primer seater had trouble securely gripping a mixed-vendor batch of .45 Colt. But other calibers (.45-70 and .30-30) worked just fine. This primer seater will be a backup unit to my old faithful hand seating device anyway. I'd definitely suggest you use Forster's lock rings since that's what holds the dies in. Changing dies is super fast and simple - no hassle at all. I'd also suggest getting the short handle accessory. The handle on the press is necessarily long to deliver all the leverage they advertise but you don't need that long handle for some things like de-priming, bullet seating, primer seating, etc. This is a great press - I feel like anyone would be pleased with it.
    Was this review helpful?
    Yes |
    19 found it helpful |
    1 did not
    5 stars
    Dale Jordan of Alamosa, CO
    Date posted: 11/23/2005
    The Forester CO-AX press is the only press I have ever used. I started at my fathers reloading bench pulling the handle when I was five years old. As a teen I used the same press extensively for my own hand loading projects. This press is very smooth and offers enough leverage to accomadate even a small child. I plan on teaching my own children the art of hand loading on a Forester press.
    Was this review helpful?
    Yes |
    8 found it helpful |
    2 did not
    5 stars
    Kenneth Goldstein of Southwest Harbor, ME
    Date posted: 5/21/2005
    I purchased my Co-Ax press in 1971 and have loaded virtually hundreds of thousands of rounds of both handgun and rifle ammuntion. The only problem's encountered were due to my own inattention and not to the Co-Ax press (i.e., trying to run a berdan primed case into a boxer decapping dye..the decapping dye bent!) I have case formed .308 to .243 and 30-06 to 7.7mm Jap with only two fingers! (try doing that with any other press!). I have acquired several other presses since purchasing my Co-Ax and don't enjoy loading half as much with them as I do with the Co-Ax. As mentioned in other reviews, the only drawback to the Co-Ax is that it is a single stage machine; however, if you run 50 or 100 cases at a time through each stage it becomes a relaxing past-time and really doesn't take all that much longer to do than a multi-stage press. I'd highly recommend a Forster Co-Ax to anyone, beginner or advanced handloader, to move up to the Co-Ax reloading press; it's a move you won't regret.
    Was this review helpful?
    Yes |
    16 found it helpful |
    1 did not
    5 stars
    Donald L Morris of Murphy, NC
    Date posted: 3/16/2005
    This press is GREAT! had trouble using my "green" press to make ammo for the match grade chambers of my Freedom Arms evolver, and had absolutely NO issues with the Forster system. Top of the line product, easy to use and set up. Worth every penny.
    Was this review helpful?
    Yes |
    8 found it helpful |
    2 did not
    5 stars
    Mike McLaughlin of Chantilly, VA
    Date posted: 4/4/2005
    I bought 2 from R.W. Hart back in 1979 when they were still made by Bonanza. I feel I got my moneys worth. Both work as good as the day I got them. I use one for small and the other for large cases. I load all my match ammo with these presses. I have loaded in excess of 100,000 rounds over the years as for several years I shot 10,000 rounds a year for practice and competition (mostly IHMSA). My 7TCU and 7IHMSA cartridges never exceed .001 runout with the majority at .0005 or less. I can't recommend this press highly enough. My first press was an RCBS Rock Chucker which I put in a closet for 25 years. Now I use it only with my Lee cast bullet sizing dies. If you want true quality you can't go wrong with the Co-Ax.
    Was this review helpful?
    Yes |
    18 found it helpful |
    1 did not
    5 stars
    Zbig Krowicki of New Orleans, LA
    Date posted: 8/3/2002
    This is the best reloading press you can buy. I use it for making superb accuracy ammo for my H&K USP 45. It is not as fast as a progressive one, but it does not matter if you are looking for quality.
    Was this review helpful?
    Yes |
    49 found it helpful |
    8 did not
    5 stars
    DC Martin of Indianapolis, In
    Date posted: 2/25/2003
    I have owned a Forster CO-AX for several years it is a joy to use! Sized neck & bullet runout are less than .001. Do your self a favor put out the money for a CO-AX first, you will not be disapointed.
    Was this review helpful?
    Yes |
    44 found it helpful |
    2 did not
    5 stars
    Allen Oliver of Craig, CO
    Date posted: 8/8/2001
    My Dad bought this press 25 years ago. It has reloaded everything from .222 rem to 300 ultramag without any problems. It hasn't even started to show it's age. I'd recomend this press over any other.
    Was this review helpful?
    Yes |
    88 found it helpful |
    5 did not
    5 stars
    Bob Dagner of Millstadt, IL
    Date posted: 11/24/2001
    Have used about every brand of single stage press over the past 35 years. Co-Ax works the best I have found. Should have gotten one years ago.
    Was this review helpful?
    Yes |
    141 found it helpful |
    8 did not
    5 stars
    Joe Baker of Port Henry, NY
    Date posted: 8/30/2001
    Powerful, smooth compound leverage. Fast die setup. Universal shell holder jaws work like a charm. Primer catcher is a plus.
    Was this review helpful?
    Yes |
    113 found it helpful |
    2 did not
    5 stars
    Bob Weil of St. John, MO
    Date posted: 3/12/2003
    Great press. Thought I was going to have to stop reloading due to my shoulder but this press does not hurt it. Shell holder and primer are the best I have used. You can’t buy these presses used for a good reason; owners will not give them up.
    Was this review helpful?
    Yes |
    33 found it helpful |
    1 did not
    5 stars
    Robert Murphy of Sparta, MO
    Date posted: 1/2/2004
    This is the best press I have ever used. I only wish I had purchased this press years ago. This press has surpassed al my expectations. It is of excellent quality and built to last. I particularly like the priming stage of this press. It leaves no room for error and performs flawlessly as does the rest of the press. This press is engineered to last a lifetime and performs to perfection. It is amazingly easy set up and operate. It would be difficult not to obtain perfection in your reloads with this press.
    Was this review helpful?
    Yes |
    17 found it helpful |
    3 did not
    5 stars
    Jim S of Memphis, TN
    Date posted: 3/9/2004
    I wish I had known about Forster's Press when I got into reloading. This product produces accurate and consistent ammo. It will improve the quality of your reloads! It is easy to operate and extremely strong. The design is excellent! I only wish I had known about this press and Forster's equipment and dies before I started buying the other brands. Forster's products are worth the extra money. You will not go wrong purchasing this Press!
    Was this review helpful?
    Yes |
    17 found it helpful |
    1 did not
    5 stars
    F WILLIAMS of CHATTANOOGA, TN
    Date posted: 8/4/2003
    The Forster Co-Ax press basically does what it claims to do. It operates as smooth as silk. It is the only single stage press I know that has a primer catcher bottle and tube -- allowing the press to stay extremely clean. It is the darling of precision rifle shooters. Its loose fit allows each case to find its own way, loading accurate ammo. There are several things, however, you need to know before you buy this press. First, you may be lead to believe that the case jaws are universal. If you look closely, however, you will see that they are machined on both ends -- allowing more calibers to be loaded. The set supplied with the press is supposed to load about 90% of all popular rounds. There is an optional set for the other 10%. This means, though, you will be switching the jaws (at least end to end) if you choose to load different calibers. The jaws are not difficult to switch. But, there are two small, strong springs which fit in two small grooves under their top (holding) plate. These are extremely deceptive. They are slightly compressed when switching jaws. So slight you will not think they will fly away. You are wrong. The first three times I changed jaws, I lost a spring two out of the three times. I found myself on my hands and knees for over an hour to find them. If you don't have a spare, you are out of luck -- the press will not work without them. You will probably want to keep a couple of spares on hand. You will definitely need them sooner or later. And, if you use a piece of clear plastic wrap to put over your hands when changing jaws, the springs may be "caught," saving hours of looking time. The jaws themselves worked pretty well on most large cases I tried. But when I tried 38 Special, the jaws were a loose fit to say the least. One out of three shells banged on the bottom of the dies and refused to enter until I guided them by hand. To be fair, however, I discovered if I set these shells against the left or right jaw before pulling the handle (instead of the middle) they worked every time. Midway also sells a plate to use standard shellholders with the Co-Ax. I think it is an excellent buy. If you expect to use new reloading dies with the Co-Ax, you are probably out of luck. The lock rings on most new dies will not work well on this machine. The Co-Ax was designed in 1966, when lock rings were thicker and round. If you happen to have a set or two of the older RCBS dies (pre 1995), the rings from those will work perfectly with the Co-Ax. If you threw them away or never had them to begin with, you will probably want to buy some from Midway. The primer seater is just that, it seats only. There is no primer feeder with the press. Each primer must be picked up individually and put in the priming cup before seating. The primer block is universal and consists of three metal fingers which are each held down with a hex screw. Each screw is loosened and a case centered on the bolck. Each finger is then slid to the case rim and tightened down. This allows a custom fit for each caliber. It works quite well. For those of you who own an older Co-Ax, a primer upgrade is available. Forster has just announced a new shorter handle for the Co-Ax. It can be used instead of the longer handle supplied with the press. It works well on smaller rifle and pistol cases when full leverage is not needed -- allowing faster operation.
    Was this review helpful?
    Yes |
    289 found it helpful |
    1 did not
    5 stars
    B Cameron of Greensburg, PA
    Date posted: 7/26/2003
    Best press you can get for reloading rifle ammunition. I shoot NRA highpower rifle (MA class)and can show you the difference in group size between ammo loaded on this press and that loaded on an o-frame press. To ice the cake, the operating force to resize brass is SIGNIFICANTLY less with this press.
    Was this review helpful?
    Yes |
    75 found it helpful |
    3 did not
    5 stars
    Derek Gaylord of Boyne City, MI
    Date posted: 8/3/2003
    This is my first reloading press and I am delighted with it. The universal shell holder works fantastic (no shell plates required). I'm starting out with RCBS small base dies for my Browning Mk II .30-06 and all I had to do is use the Forster cross bolt lock rings instead of the RCBS lock rings and it was ready to use. The quick change design for the dies works like a dream and the shells it has produced have far less than .001 runout at the bullet. The priming station is designed to seat the primers .005 deep and is very easy to set up. The spent primer cup is simple and efficient. It resized my brass very easy as well and I anticipate the same for my 7mm Mag. If you are in the market for a high quality press look no further.
    Was this review helpful?
    Yes |
    39 found it helpful |
    1 did not
    5 stars
    Thomas Little of Cedar City , UT
    Date posted: 1/8/2006
    Most handloaders are, by definition, tinkerers. And we are frugal. That being said, the Forster Co-Ax press is the best single stage press made, bar none. I have had the problem with Hornady seating die stems not clearing the yoke. I just cut the stem off. It is too long to begin with. As others have said, you must use the cross bolt style of lock ring with this press. The Forster cross bolt lock ring costs too much, is made of aluminum and uses an archaic slotted screw. Use the Hornady Sure-loc lock ring. It costs less, is made of steel and uses a socket head screw. The ease of operation and the accuracy of this press is phenomenal.
    Was this review helpful?
    Yes |
    26 found it helpful |
    1 did not
    5 stars
    mark reilly of houston, tx
    Date posted: 4/12/2008
    I have been reloading for over 30 years and I bought this press to upgrade from an old RCBS single stage press that I use for rifle loads. (Use a Dillon 550 for all my pistol.) It is definitely the Mercedes-Benz of single stage presses. Die change out is literally a snap. The press is extremely smooth and the leverage makes full length resizing effortless. The unique shellholder is another nice design. As noted by another reviewer, the priming system is the one bottleneck. It is slow, slow, slow. (Still use my Dillon for priming.) Still, this is the finest single stage press I have ever used. It may be considerably more expensive than some of the other presses but in the long run it is worth the additional cost.
    Was this review helpful?
    Yes |
    9 found it helpful |
    1 did not
    5 stars
    K Connelly of Houston, TX
    Date posted: 8/23/2008
    A relative suggested this press after his use of it. I wanted an upgrade from an old RCBS Jr. I order it and was very happy with the quality and of course the reloading. It does eliminate some time spent on changing dies. I am extremely pleased with this tool. YOU won't go wrong with this PRESS!!
    Was this review helpful?
    Yes |
    6 found it helpful |
    2 did not
    5 stars
    David W Coultas of Donna, TX
    Date posted: 3/7/2008
    Great press, don't waste your money on any of the others this is the one you want. Produces ammo with less run out than any of the others. The snap in die feature is a real time saver. Excellent Product.
    Was this review helpful?
    Yes |
    9 found it helpful |
    1 did not
    5 stars
    Pete Goudreau of Garland, TX
    Date posted: 10/18/2007
    Unique and clever design with a high enough force multiplication to allow unlubed full length sizing, ask me how I know. Built like a tank, hard to imagine one of these ever wearing out. Be sure to keep the jaw springs to the front though as the auto-opening screw's pointed end will get chewed up in a hurry - ask me how I know that too. The description of the 'caliber' screw's use is a bit vague but once you mess with it it's obvious, and quite clever IMHO. The engineering of this press is such that everything 'floats' relative to every other part eliminating a similar requirement to thru-bore for the die and ram as in an O-press. There is an adjustable spring loaded detent ball in the die slot that keeps the inserted die located yet allows the die itself to 'float' so as to keep the case coaxial with the die centerline - in other words the case can move in the shellholder while the die can move in the press casting to allow for complete alignment. This is also true with seating die obviously. Excess grease and oil need to be removed upon receipt and a light machine oil used to properly lubricate the guide rods and hinge pins, etc. - not a big deal. Operation is smooth and without discernable slop, stops are cast into the yoke that work at each end of travel. The press cannot 'cam over' and it doesn't need to. The stationary casting is so rigid the worktop it's attached to will deflect under excessive loading first - ask me how I know that, too. The priming station is quite clever and easily set up. Is it tedious? Yeah, but this isn't a press for the volume reloader. The priming is done correctly in that the seating depth is controlled by the mechanical design of the priming cup assembly making it impossible to mis-seat primers as long as the priming cup bottoms out on the casehead. The optional short handle is helpful but it's just as easy to apply leverage at the top of the yoke itself. One thing to watch out for is in mounting it. The casting has a draft on its base that when bolting it down can deform the heads of the screws used or instead run them into the casting at each location's high point on the draft. Spherical washers from Enco or McMaster Carr eliminate this problem but so do 1/2" dia, 1/4" thick nylon spacers which will deform to take up the misalignment, albeit at a slight loss of rigidity in the mounting. I used a 24" long poplar 1x8 drilled to the bolt pattern and countersunk on the back with a Forstner bit so T-nuts could be installed (with brads) below flush so the 1x8 can be clamped longways to the edge of a heavy desk with two "Y" finger clamps. The mechanical advantage inherent in the design of this press eliminates the need for a mounting surface rigidly attached to a wall or through 4x4s to a concrete floor. Ideal in my opinion for a compact reloading station that needn't be dedicated to just one use. The instructions say it can be mounted to a shooting bench using a couple of C-clamps, I believe it. Honestly, a bargain at twice the price. It's ability to easily maintain excellent neck concentricity during full length sizing is, to me anyway, pretty amazing. There are less expensive presses out there but there's nothing else like this one both in design and operation. Buy once, cry once.
    Was this review helpful?
    Yes |
    27 found it helpful |
    3 did not
    5 stars
    Tom Mount of Wilbraham, MA
    Date posted: 1/30/2008
    Given the cost, I had my doubts, but I am very happy I ordered one of these. Represents a very good value. Craftsmanship is superb. Much superior to my old standby, an RCBS press. De priming is completely clean and keeps primer mess totally contained. Easy to use. The whole system is well thought out and a serious upgrade in the world of single stage loading presses. No wonder it is used by the USMC Sniper School in Virginia.
    Was this review helpful?
    Yes |
    11 found it helpful |
    2 did not
    5 stars
    Jeff Bailey of Indianapolis, IN
    Date posted: 10/21/2008
    If it were possible, I'd rate this press with 6 stars. It is made like a tank. The action is much stronger than what you'll need. I've tried - and succeeded - to full length size a 30-06 shell ... with no lube! And it DIDN'T pull the rim off, thanks to the shell-holding jaws of this press, which are MUCH stronger than any conventional shellholder design. BUY!
    Was this review helpful?
    Yes |
    10 found it helpful |
    1 did not
    5 stars
    JEFF STOCK of NEWTON, WI
    Date posted: 9/23/2009
    This press has been in service since 4-4-04. I purchased the "extra jaws", & I have never used them. This press will reload the .300 Ultra Mag with Redding Competion dies, & they do clear the inside of the handle. One press, no extra "shell holders" to buy, how simple is that?
    Was this review helpful?
    Yes |
    2 found it helpful |
    0 did not
    5 stars
    Bob Winfield of Winston, MT
    Date posted: 12/15/2009
    I have been using the same press for almost 40 years now. NEVER a problem. The number of rifle and pistol rounds it has loaded is astronomical. Forster dies the same, it just don't get any better. No other system loads as precisely.
    Was this review helpful?
    Yes |
    0 found it helpful |
    0 did not
    5 stars
    ERIC M of LEWISVILLE, NC
    Date posted: 8/5/2009
    I recently started reloading (due to what the cost of ammo jumped to)after having stopped 15 years ago. I had gotten rid of my old press several years ago while moving and thus spent hours reviewing the different presses (including numerous reviews on Midway). I settled on the Forester Co-Ax and have been thrilled with the results. Setting up the press takes 5 minutes as it is almost completely assembled with easy directions. I am now getting sub-MOA groups up to 400 yds with a factory rifle and have had NO problems after reloading over 500 rounds. It is built like a tank and cases are inserted and removed with ease. I was hesitant when I read about the locking jaws and lack of shell holders but have had no problems with different calibers. Most importantly rounds are produced with precise consistency which is what I am looking for. This is a superb press and I promise you that you will not be disappointed if you buy it.
    Was this review helpful?
    Yes |
    4 found it helpful |
    0 did not
    5 stars
    michael garner of cottageville, sc
    Date posted: 11/25/2008
    I have been rolling my own for about 40 years now, in that time I have had 3 presses. 1 RCBS single stage and 1 rockchucker 1 Lyman turret. I have always been curious about this press, so I bought one. I have to say at first it was awkward, I am right hand. I am use to and open press on the left side so you can sit the projectile on the case. this press is not open on either side, it is open in the middle which makes it awkward to sit the projectile on the case for me. but after using it and getting use to it, it started to feel more natural. this press is very smooth, and slick. it is built well, it adjusts well, and I like it. I think you will to, give a try.
    Was this review helpful?
    Yes |
    5 found it helpful |
    1 did not
    5 stars
    R. Reed of Escanaba, MI
    Date posted: 1/14/2009
    My challenger press is starting to show some wear along with creakiness after a couple of years use so after a lot of research I decided to purchase the co-ax. What a beauty. Very fine craftsmanship and engineering. Excellent leverage and floating alignment. Cast iron frame and parts are very strong. The working of the handle over the top of the press takes a little getting used to compared to the challenger press design. Seems like the handle travels farther. I use an old metal office desk with a thick top for a bench. This is a large L-shape desk. I have the press mounted in the corner of the L several inches in from the edge and angled slightly to my right. Works well and frees up extra worktop space in my situation. Yoke/handle has plenty of clearance for longer specialized dies. More than satisfied with the quality and precision of this press. Made in USA and worth every dollar in my opinion.
    Was this review helpful?
    Yes |
    7 found it helpful |
    0 did not
    5 stars
    Charles DeRouen of Hurst, TX
    Date posted: 10/17/2007
    I have a Dillon progressive and two Rock Chuckers but the Forster is my favorite. Its ease of use especially on large bottle neck cases and shell holder jaws sold me. I'm going to purchase two more Forster's and say good bye to the Rock Chuckers. Sorry RCBS.
    Was this review helpful?
    Yes |
    7 found it helpful |
    1 did not
    5 stars
    Gary Oneal of Russellville, AR
    Date posted: 7/20/2006
    I've used all the usual single stage presses out there and I've got to say, this one is, without a doubt, the best! This thing just exudes quality. Very smooth operation, very precise tolerances and to top it off, no shell holders to worry about. I just resized 100 .308 cases and there wasn't a speck of dirt or primer residue anywhere, except in the collection jar. This press is fantastic. I can't think of anything I would change. Buy with confidence!!
    Was this review helpful?
    Yes |
    6 found it helpful |
    0 did not
    5 stars
    Chuck S. of Gainesville, FL
    Date posted: 7/20/2006
    This press is not well publicized in the reloading market especially where folks new to reloading look for their first press. It is by and far the most productive single stage press there is. If you have been looking for a single stage press, look no further than the Forster Co-ax. But one bit of advice, study the manual or look at one in person so you understand how truly unique it is. No shell holders. You set up your dies one time and they quick change without tools, inexpensive lock rings. A lot of leverage, smooth to operate, no complicated adjustments, fast. I would recommend a hand priming tool as the press is set up for one primer at a time like any other single stage, so priming will be your bottleneck. My Forster has a well earned home right next to my Dillon 550.
    Was this review helpful?
    Yes |
    5 found it helpful |
    2 did not
    5 stars
    Richard Pate of Great Falls, MT
    Date posted: 7/8/2006
    I have used this press over 25 years and I still love it. The design is genius with the ease of changing dies by simply sliding them into place and holding them with a detent ball. Also the never having to buy shell holders as its adjustable shell holder fits most all shells. The only downfall to this press is the primer seating area. You can't feel when the primers are properly seated. That’s no problem though as I prefer to seat primers with a hand unit for better feel. After 25 years of hard use it still functions as if it were new.
    Was this review helpful?
    Yes |
    5 found it helpful |
    1 did not
    5 stars
    Christopher Lang of New orleans, LA
    Date posted: 5/31/2006
    After reading the reviews here- this is the press I had chosen to learn to reload on. I have been using it a year now and could not be happier. Despite what some have said- I never have a problem losing springs when flipping the jaws of the case holder (which I do often as I reload for 30 Carbine as much as I do for my high powered rifles). Two observations which may help anyone who wants to purchase one of these- do not take these as bad- I love this press and really desire no other for my main reloading after using it!! The first is that you are limited with this press in certain functions because the arm comes up above where the die is slid in. This makes using both the RCBS swagging die and RCBS bullet puller die impossible to use. Easy problem to solve with buying a cheapo press. Really nothing that causes me much grief- just be aware of it. The other is that while its press mounted primer system is fool proof (it is impossible to crush primers and no 'feel' is required as it seats them all to the same depth regardless of how much pressure the arm is pulled with)it also is limited for the very same reason. By seating all primers to the depth of .005" below the head of the case or until the primer can be inserted no further, you can not get primers to bottom out if the pocket is deeper than this. This has not affected accuracy for me, and it may be a non-issue. It may be a concern for benchrest shooters, but not me as it has functioned exactly as advertised. I really do love this press- it is quirky, but can do most anything you need it to. It also reeks of quality in every way. I would recommend it to anyone I know. Oh- I also have the short throw handle for it and use it for 80% of my operations. The press has so much leverage it is not necessary and quicker to use for everything other than full length resizing big cases.
    Was this review helpful?
    Yes |
    22 found it helpful |
    1 did not
    5 stars
    Craig Williams of Hampstead, MD
    Date posted: 6/26/2006
    I have used them all, and the Co-Ax is the best there is. No other press can deliver the "flat liners" like the Co-Ax. I load hundreds of competition rounds for the 600 and 1000 yards lines. The Co-Ax is the only one I trust. The only problem you will have is what to do with all of the "second-rate presses" you accumulated all those years. Take 'em to the yard sale!
    Was this review helpful?
    Yes |
    5 found it helpful |
    1 did not
    5 stars
    Timothy Allen of Jacksonville, FL
    Date posted: 9/12/2007
    I have had one for decades and love it. I removed the troublesome automatic shell holder and moved the hardware from the priming station to the ram to use conventional shell holders. Use a drill bit through the hole in the shell holder and the hole in the press ram to line the shell holder up. I don't prime on any single station press so the loss of that function is no problem. I mounted my press not on the edge of the table but a several inches in from the edge which works very well.
    Was this review helpful?
    Yes |
    8 found it helpful |
    1 did not
    5 stars
    James Hall of Winchester, KY
    Date posted: 6/27/2007
    This is an amazing press that is made in America and works very well. Resizing .284 Winchester to 7.7 x 55 swiss is a breeze and it produces perfect ammo.
    Was this review helpful?
    Yes |
    4 found it helpful |
    0 did not
    5 stars
    Tom D. of Huntington, NY
    Date posted: 6/18/2007
    I love working with this press. Its silky smooth and provides a lot of leverage for tough resizing jobs. The jaw shell holder allows one to work fast to resize and expand pistol rounds. I use this press to load rifle and pistol rounds and while not as fast a a progressive I believe it is faster and more consistent than an O-Frame press. This is the centerpiece of my reloading operation and would definitely buy another.
    Was this review helpful?
    Yes |
    5 found it helpful |
    1 did not
    5 stars
    Keith S of East Bay, CA
    Date posted: 3/30/2007
    I certainly agree with all the good points in the other reviews. This press works great for all my depriming and rifle case sizing (all it needs to do, since I assemble ammo on a progressive). You'll need the optional "LS" jaws for more calibers than the specs say, however. The manual CLAIMS that the standard jaws (in the "L" position, where they usually are on my press) will handle .303 British. This is NOT true, you'll need the LS jaws to handle .303 British, 7.62x54R. If I loaded .44 Magnum & Special on this press I would probably need to use the LS jaws. Interestingly enough, the standard jaws in the "L" position do just fine with smaller cases like the .223 and .204 Ruger, so I rarely find it necessary to flip the standard jaws. Definitely read the long review above, I can second the observation about flying springs when changing jaws. I now take the whole assembly off as a "sandwich" and open it VERY carefully. My press was down the first week I had it, due to lost spring...
    Was this review helpful?
    Yes |
    11 found it helpful |
    0 did not
    5 stars
    Jerry Johnson of Hedgesville, WV
    Date posted: 6/6/2007
    It sounds as if everything good about this press has already been said by everyone else. I couldn't agree more that this is the best single stage press that one can buy. And I cannot think of anything bad to say. I've used other types, including one old cast-iron (steel?) Pacific (orange color) C-type press that was an heirloom from my dad. It was fine, if canted to the rear. The Forster press is even superior to that one. Forget the newer ones made of aluminum. The dual co-ax pistons ensure even pressure on the downstroke, whether sizing or seating. I found that getting both handle-lengths (available at Midway) was useful; the short-stroke handle is good for smaller caliber sizing and for all seating; the longer handle for when more leverage is necessary, i.e. big, tougher cases. Buying this press is, as someone else said, a lifetime buy. Everyone else had said these things in previous reviews, but I note that only one has said it in 2007, so thought I'd provide a "new" review, as if that were necessary. Don't forget to buy the extra die-locking rings (available at Midway) that screw onto your dies and allow them to slide perfectly into this press. I've bought a ton of them to fit every size die, seater, sizer, etc., that I have. But worth it. Every nickel. Else, why do USMC folks at Scout/Sniper School at Quantico, VA use this press? Thanks for the great service over the years, Midway!
    Was this review helpful?
    Yes |
    9 found it helpful |
    1 did not
    4 stars
    Glen Johnson of Cookeville, TN
    Date posted: 8/7/2005
    I have several presses. I really like the spring loaded jaws and the very simple die changover on the Forster. You don't have to spend money on shell plates or on tool heads. You can literally go from a 500 S&W over to a 22-250 in a heart beat. I was quite surprised to see just how wide a range the standard jaws covered. Of course, if you have to install the LS jaws for something, like .45-70, its a bit more trouble. I also like the priming system. It is a bit more trouble to change over from one cartridge to another for priming, but its still fast and easy. The quality of priming is similar to the quality I get on my Dillon R550's. Very consistent seating, basically on the same principle. What I do NOT like about this press is that the handle is mounted on a yoke, and the yoke doesn't give you much clearance as it passes directly over the mounted die. With Hornady dies, you can barely clear the seating die when you are loading stuff like ultra mags, or .458 Lott (with O.A.L. of 3.6"). With something like the .416 Rem Mag, which is even taller, you can't seat on this press. It would be very simple to modify the yoke casting, and I think the press would be greatly improved by such a modification. I moved back to a Dillon for seating the .416 Rem Mag. Even though the Dillon has even less clearance for placing the bullet in the brass, the handle is clear of the tool head, so this handle clearing the top of the die issue isn't in play. Forster has a very nice product, but this yoke that actuates the press is too short for folks seating big stuff. You'll even get into trouble with ultra mags or the .458 Lott if you try to seat your bullets close to the rifling (which generally requires an O.A.L. greater than the 3.6" published spec which is largely based on feeding issues).
    Was this review helpful?
    Yes |
    45 found it helpful |
    7 did not
    Have a question? Visit GunTec Dictionary Need a gunsmith? Visit Gunsmith Locator
    NOTE: Prices, specifications and availability are subject to change without notice.
    We reserve the right to correct typographic, photographic and/or descriptive errors.
    WEBSRVR5