Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Bonanza Co-Ax press

After 50+ yrs of handloading I decided to add the above when I expanded my loading area. Now I'm not sure it was a wise choice.

Appears I need to use their lock rings to secure the dies?

Don't like their "universal" shell holder system. I did buy their conversion part to be able to use std. shellholders and installed it.

My Rockchucker and Ultramag work just fine. Did I shoot myself in the foot with this Co-Ax?

Heresey! Heresey! Rouse the villagers! Grab pitchforks! Light torches! Prepare the stake! Pile [bleep]! (Not that kind!)

I see that the smart-as-a-brick PC-correctness feature has chosen to bleep out the word referring to a bundle of sticks.

No, you don't have to use their lock rings. Back off the adjustment screw on that spring detent and ignore it. Any lock rings work, even Lee. The fast die changes are really nice, especially when experimenting with stuff and loading just a couple rounds at a time.

Give the universal shell holder a shot, it actually works pretty well and is part of the system that lets the case self-align with the die.

The layout of the press takes some getting used to, if you're used to an O-frame, but they are a really good press.

Like you I tried a Co-Ax after many years of loading on RCBS. I found the features to be gimmicky and not the advantage they're touted to be. I too sold the Co-Ax, not my cup of tea if you will though they have a loyal group of users.

It may be possible to use standard lock ring dies but it's a sloppy/floppy affair. I understand one of the big pluses of the Co-Ax is supposed to be minimal bullet run-out from better aligned bullet seating. We'll see....

Low runout follows from good brass and good dies, assuming there is not a defect in whatever press you're using.

I like the CoAx but it's a given that any advantages are marginal and minimal. FREX I do believe spent primer handling is much better on the CoAx than on the Rockchucker. That's pretty trivial.

Agreed that your or anybody's Rockchucker and Ultramag always have and always will work just fine.

I do like my CoAx better than my Rockchucker but I've never owned an Ultramag. I do have a T7, mostly so I can keep Redding Instant Indicators set up - for that purpose the CoAx is silly and the T7 is great.

My most used press is a Harrell's 4 position turret; there's no advantage to the full swing of the CoAx for pistol and short cases but there is for full length sizing and shoulder bumping on high pressure full length rifle cases. As I age I like more leverage and less standing on the lever.

I like the universal shell holder combined with the die swapping features but there's nothing the CoAx can do the Rockchucker or Ultramag won't do.

I do think that the CoAx is more likely to give slightly straighter handloads with slightly less effort than the competition. Also think that with careful attention to details most any press will do a fine job.

I've had my CO-AX for about 5 years. (The CO-AX press is now made by Forster after they bought out or bought the rights to the CO-AX from Bonanza. - But I still think of it as the Bonanza CO-AX. )

Before that I used an old RCBS Jr press with perfect satisfaction for decades.

I went to the CO-AX because of issues with my right shoulder and arm. Pulling down on the CO-AX versus pulling up on the Jr causes less pain for me. In my situation the action of the CO-AX is better and that is the main reason I switched. Now after getting used to the CO-AX I would not switch back even if my shoulder problem didn't exist. YMMV.

I have tried different rings in the CO-AX and have most of the ones I bought from Forster sitting on the shelf. My dies are RCBS and Lee. Some of the rings on RCBS dies have been replaced with Forster rings because RCBS has used different types of rings over the years and some were too sloppy in the CO-AX. Others seem satisfactory. I switched back to the Lee rings on Lee dies because they work better than Forster rings for me.

Second that.

I started with a RCBS (RS3?) which I used for years (and still use), and now also have a Co-Ax. I like the Co-Ax and use it as my main press but also use the RCBS. Starting over, I wouldn't buy the Co-Ax as my only press - would go T3 for one press to do it all.

I wonder if the military still uses the co-ax presses?

T-7?

Yep - T7. I have my share of senior moments, but could this have been a Tikka moment?

You mean the old reliable Redding T3 Lite?

Hmmm... only Tikka I own is a Forest model - maybe the whole Bonanza/FORSTER thing had something to do with it