Forester Co-Ax

[nuclearcricket]

A few years back I picked up a used Co-Ax press at what I thought was a good price. The original owner had it set up to use a shell holder to do the priming. I ended up having to purchase some new parts for the press. The primer catcher jar lid was damaged and that needed to be replaced. By the time things were all said and done, I had invested more than a new press would have cost me.
Once it was up and running and I was able to use it for some of the odd calibers I load for, I really like the press, don't much care for the priming system but it does work. The big up side I found was when I use a bushing die, the co ax allows things to be set up so that things run true. Not the case with my lyman press. I have made a set up for the co ax that does allow me to size bullets, and it does a very nice job of that. All in all I like the press very much. The Lyman just collects dust and I can't honestly say when the last time a die was in that press. If I were to name one aspect of the press that I really don't like, its the pointed rod that opens the case holder jaws. Sometimes I have to set things up to use a standard shell holder and I have to take that pointed pin out as it will not screw down far enough to go below flush. A new pin with more threads on it would make life so much easier in my opinion. Other than that I feel its a really nice press and I have no plans on getting rid of it.
Sam

[steveu]

I have had a Co-Ax since the early 90's. I like the primer system on the press for loading long range ammo, it beats the old Lee hand primer I had. I have modified the the rod that opens the jaws so I can easily load any 45-70 size rim. What I did was grind off the face of the rod to remove that part that the rim was hitting and cut a small notch in the rod at the base. I then used a little bit of thread locker to keep it in place. The jaws now open to the max opening and I have had no issues loading anything from 5.56 to my 40-90 SBN. I also recently purchased the shell holder attachment to load my 43 Spanish and 50-90.

Cheers,
Steve

[dverna]

These are the linkage pieces I purchased.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/155573181549
The curve allows a reloader to reach in easier from either side to insert or remove a case and bullet.

Total game changer for this press IMO. They also include 4 clips. It is an easy 3-4 minute install to change out both pieces. I could never go back to the straight linkage pieces again.

This video will make you click the "Buy it now" button:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4fWTPkUHt0

Thanks for posting that. I am ordering a set.

[mdatlanta]

Thanks for posting that. I am ordering a set.

Don, heads up--Forster has the 'factory' curved jaws on sale for $20, plus tax and shipping ($27 total shipped to ATL). They are cosmetic seconds. The set I received had some verysmall blueing blemishes which were easily covered with a small application of Oxpho Blue. I really didn't even have to use the Oxpho blue, the blemishes were so small.

[dverna]

Don, heads up--Forster has the 'factory' curved jaws on sale for $20, plus tax and shipping ($27 total shipped to ATL). They are cosmetic seconds. The set I received had some verysmall blueing blemishes which were easily covered with a small application of Oxpho Blue. I really didn't even have to use the Oxpho blue, the blemishes were so small.

Rats!!! Saw this too late but it will help others.

[oley55]

Don, heads up--Forster has the 'factory' curved jaws on sale for $20, plus tax and shipping ($27 total shipped to ATL). They are cosmetic seconds. The set I received had some verysmall blueing blemishes which were easily covered with a small application of Oxpho Blue. I really didn't even have to use the Oxpho blue, the blemishes were so small.

Thanks for that info, ordered a set today.

[Three44s]

I've been looking at these for years: https://inlinefabrication.com/produc...ages-for-co-ax but didn't see how having those prongs sticking out made them much better than the standard straight ones. No doubt the Forster curved linkages look way more better and cheaper too.

Did a bit of research.

The horns on the link arms are there to maintain the factory original condition where the co ax press does not cam over.

The horn-less arms seem to allow the press to cam over at the top.

Three44s

[mdatlanta]

Thanks for that info, ordered a set today.

[jsizemore]

Did a bit of research.

The horns on the link arms are there to maintain the factory original condition where the co ax press does not cam over.

The horn-less arms seem to allow the press to cam over at the top.

Three44s

I knew there was something that didn't look right about those things.

[castmiester]

I really wanted the Forster coax but couldn’t justify the price. I don’t like the shell holder on the Frankford press and the die blocks but the rest of the press is fine. The first one l bought l used an open end wrench to turn to a different holder. The stud splines stripped and FA sent me a new press. They couldn’t get parts. I could grind off the corners to ease the cycling but no need due to only using the press to bullet seat for my bolt guns and use my Rock Chucker to FL size.

[snowwolfe]

The horns on the link arms are there to maintain the factory original condition where the co ax press does not cam over.

The horn-less arms seem to allow the press to cam over at the top.

Three44s

Interesting, the hornless version is what Forster is producing and selling.