Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles new to me Co-ax press

After using a Redding T-7 press since they released it 20-odd years ago, I actually bought a Co-Ax press several months ago.

Playing with it for about an hour or so tonight to see if it will work with my 45-110, I got wondering if I really like this press or prefer the T-7? It isn't that it's a bad press, but it seems somewhat awkward for me in using it....not really sure how else to explain it. I want to like it....but I have mixed feeling on it.

Any of you guys that have a Co-Ax, was it: "this is the best thing since sliced bread" right away? or was it "I'll learn to like it" and wound up liking it? Or: "I prefer using my previous press over the Co-Ax"?

Got 6 of them bolted to my bench, other than 2 ponsness warren metallic II, there the only presses I use

Tried a Co-ax and did not like it, I have two Ponsness Warren presses a Metalmatic and a P200. Both serve me very well, I leave them set-up and never have to fool with them must sit down and load.

I'll never go back to the Rock Chuckers I used for years.

Much prefer the co-ax.....I installed LED lights under the top frame.

The primer seater is very good on the co-ax and on the Forster
priming tool.

I had to learn to like mine, but is what I use most of the time now. It's definitely a little awkward when you're used to a more traditional O-frame press where components get loaded in from the side, vs from the front on the Co-Ax. Forster makes a great press though, if you use it a while it will probably grow on you.

Unless one is doing something that takes a lot of force the shorter handle makes the Co-Ax much more user friendly also..

My Rockchucker instantly began gathering dust after I bought my Co-Ax. Loved it right away. I've heard of others not liking it, especially if they've been using a press where they can come into it from the side, like an O-frame press or the T-7

Thanks for the insight guys......

What I plan to do is convert the shell holder back over and load some 22-250 and see how I really like it. Maybe spending time actually loading will help me get used to it.

For the 30 or so years I've been reloading with a press, it always been a turret.... starting with a Texan T-101 Loadmaster, then a short time with a Lyman Turret and finally my T-7; so probably I just need to just spend more time with it.

If not, maybe in 10 or so years my nephews will be ready to get into reloading and they will have a new press waiting for them

I've used a Co-Ax for loading rifle ammo for about thirty years. Seldom have I had a runout problem with any handloads; whether I've just been fortunate or this can be attributed to the floating die setup of the Co-Ax, I don't know.

The instances have been few and far between, but but over the years I've found at least a couple of things that are better performed on a single stage press - like swaging the primer pocket crimp from GI brass.

I still load handgun ammo on a '60s Texan turret press, but see no reason why the Co-Ax wouldn't work fine for such use.

Never cared for priming cases on a press until I bought the Co-Ax. Works well with adequate "feel".

Any fear of knocking a case of powder over while seating bullets before the jaws clamp the rim? And how well do the jaws clamp for pulling bullets?

I used a Rockchucker for years without complaint, but decided to try a Co-Ax about ten years ago and never looked back---except that I found that certain things cannot be done on the Co-Ax. What I love about the press is its precision and the ease of changing out dies. The shellholder system is something I sometimes don't like so much, and that's because of the PITA it is to change over for loading .222/.223/.357 Mag but I DO like not having to screw with conventional shell holders. I put a short handle on mine and I found it to be a real improvement. When I want to be 110% positive that primer seating is perfect, I use the priming system.

For those tasks that simply can't be performed on the Co-Ax, I bought a cheap Lee press (truly a piece of schidt through and through) and promptly traded it for a stick of gum or something. I found a good deal on a Rockchucker Jr, problem solved.

I've spilled a case ot two on my Co-Ax, but in truth I can be just as much a klutz on a conventional press.

I think you MIGHT be able to pull bullets with a collet-style puller on the Co-Ax, but I'm not sure about that. Bullet pulling is one of those tasks I bought a Rockchucker Jr to do. I also wanted to be able to use a stuck case remover (but only once about every 80 years) and a primer pocket swager.

I had to be careful concerning powder sill when I first got my Co-Ax press. My fat fingers would occasionally bump the case as I was letting go and dump the powder. What I do now is put bullets in the cases while in the loading block then hold onto the case and bullet with my left hand while pulling the handle with the right. When the jaws clamp I let go. Maybe better ways, but that is what I came up with.

As far as the jaw strength goes, a couple months ago I had a case get stuck in the die. While trying to push the handle up the rim of the case sheered off before the jaws failed. They held tight.

Could you lower the handle until the jaws close, then put the bullet in the case mouth on its way up? Or would the handle then be in the way? Pulling bullets on it isn't a big deal as I'd still have a RS3 and/or Lee Classic Cast press. Brownells has $30 off and free shipping, which has me thinking...

I'm like a lot of others. I'm been working from the left side of my Rock Chucker for years. Turned my co-ax on an angle facing me, helped a lot. I've only been using the co-ax a couple of months but I really like it. Hasbeen

sackett

I have 2 of them. One about 20 years old and a "new one" about 5 years. Have loaded thousands of rounds on them. No issues.

I have one mounted on apiece o 2X6 that I can clamp to a table and load at the range. When I was shooting BR I loaded at the range between relays. My ammo was always competitive.

Good presses.

LC

Do the Forster lock rings work better than other brands in the Co-Ax?

Sorta but it's not a big deal, most brands work fine.

On mine, I backed out the spring for the lock ring detent ball; don't need it and it lets the dies self-align better. That detent is the only thing that may be an issue with other brands of lock rings, but you don't need to use it.

Redding lock rings are okay, but I don't like the way RCBS and the other manufacturers' lock rings work with the Co-Ax. Being a bit anal about such things, I've spent quite a bit on Forster lock rings. I've bought about around 80 of them. If you buy them by the dozen you save a bit of bread.

I've using one for 30 + years. Mine is the original Bonanza Co-ax and I wouldn't trade it for an other. I pull bullets on mine with zero problems. I prefer using the Forester/Bonanza Possum style puller in mine.

Forester bullet puller