So I am going to take the plunge and splurge on a Co-Ax press and was wondering if the hornady lock rings will work with it or does it require the foresters to be used? I hope I can use the hornady's because I have like 15 extras laying around on top of the ones I use on my current dies. Also are there any tips or recommendations you would have for me to go from a standard RCBS press to the Co-Ax? I reload exculsively for .243win right now and will be adding 6.5 Creedmore, 6.5x47, and 300 WinMag in the future.
- Thread starter FamilyMan
- Start date
Re: Forster Co-Ax Press
Use can use the hornady rings. In fact the hornady rings work in the Forster press smoother than the bulkier Forster rings. I prefer the hornady b/c of this.
Use can use the hornady rings. In fact the hornady rings work in the Forster press smoother than the bulkier Forster rings. I prefer the hornady b/c of this.
Re: Forster Co-Ax Press
I bought the short ball handle for the Co-Ax and like it better than the long handle it comes with, doesn't change the effort of resizing. I also bought the LS sized jaws for loading 45-70 Govt, there's a few larger calibers that the regular shell holder jaws won't handle so if you load anything larger than mag boltface you might check the list and see if you need the LS jaws. Info is on Forster's website.
I bought the short ball handle for the Co-Ax and like it better than the long handle it comes with, doesn't change the effort of resizing. I also bought the LS sized jaws for loading 45-70 Govt, there's a few larger calibers that the regular shell holder jaws won't handle so if you load anything larger than mag boltface you might check the list and see if you need the LS jaws. Info is on Forster's website.
Re: Forster Co-Ax Press
I never tried Hornady's rings. I use Sinclairs stainless rings.
Pick up the second set of jaws too. You never know what other firearms you will aquire. Nothing like the disappointment of picking up a 45/70, then all the components, going to sit down and load some rounds so you can shoot the next day just to find out the regular jaws won't work... (don't ask me how I know...)
If you have the money, a short handle would be very nice. One of these days I'll pick one up...
Oh, get a few extra springs that move the jaws..... Those bastards have a tendency to go flying when you change the jaws around.
Congrats on the new press, you will love it
I never tried Hornady's rings. I use Sinclairs stainless rings.
Pick up the second set of jaws too. You never know what other firearms you will aquire. Nothing like the disappointment of picking up a 45/70, then all the components, going to sit down and load some rounds so you can shoot the next day just to find out the regular jaws won't work... (don't ask me how I know...)
If you have the money, a short handle would be very nice. One of these days I'll pick one up...
Oh, get a few extra springs that move the jaws..... Those bastards have a tendency to go flying when you change the jaws around.
Congrats on the new press, you will love it
Re: Forster Co-Ax Press
Great press. You'll love it. Faster than a turret press.
I use the smaller locking rings also.
One thing I did was to replace the automatic jaws with the standard plate that holds a regular shellholder. It's a very minor inconvenience to change but I found that the auto jaws setup was banging up the end of my Lee Neck Collet die.
Great press. You'll love it. Faster than a turret press.
I use the smaller locking rings also.
One thing I did was to replace the automatic jaws with the standard plate that holds a regular shellholder. It's a very minor inconvenience to change but I found that the auto jaws setup was banging up the end of my Lee Neck Collet die.
Re: Forster Co-Ax Press
I received my Co-Ax yesterday and every thing looks to be good it definitely is different than a standard press but I am thinking I am really gonna like it though. My only concern is when I run the press it feels really gritty and you can hear the gritty sound as well is that normal? I tried to wipe off all the old oil and line it up with some fresh stuff but still the same. My old RCBS was smooth as butter before I sold it to get this one . Has anyone noticed this before? Is it something that just wears in with time or should it be just as smooth right from the get go?
I received my Co-Ax yesterday and every thing looks to be good it definitely is different than a standard press but I am thinking I am really gonna like it though. My only concern is when I run the press it feels really gritty and you can hear the gritty sound as well is that normal? I tried to wipe off all the old oil and line it up with some fresh stuff but still the same. My old RCBS was smooth as butter before I sold it to get this one . Has anyone noticed this before? Is it something that just wears in with time or should it be just as smooth right from the get go?
Re: Forster Co-Ax Press
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: FamilyMan</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Is it something that just wears in with time or should it be just as smooth right from the get go? </div></div>
Gritty is odd and presumably bad. Mine was smooth from the get go. At what part of the operation does the grit appear? Down and up? Only some portion of one or both?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: FamilyMan</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Is it something that just wears in with time or should it be just as smooth right from the get go? </div></div>
Gritty is odd and presumably bad. Mine was smooth from the get go. At what part of the operation does the grit appear? Down and up? Only some portion of one or both?
Re: Forster Co-Ax Press
Mine was smooth too. Make sure everything is clean and lubed. Especially the Rods that go up and down. I use he hornady rings on some dies but they have the wrench flats allow the die to move too much and not line up with shell. prefer the Forster. I think they fit better and still allow the die to float.
If I had to do it over again I'd still buy the coax. It's so simple and sturdy.
Mine was smooth too. Make sure everything is clean and lubed. Especially the Rods that go up and down. I use he hornady rings on some dies but they have the wrench flats allow the die to move too much and not line up with shell. prefer the Forster. I think they fit better and still allow the die to float.
If I had to do it over again I'd still buy the coax. It's so simple and sturdy.
Re: Forster Co-Ax Press
Mine was and is smooth as silk
Mine was and is smooth as silk
Re: Forster Co-Ax Press
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kvwpwr</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I use he hornady rings on some dies but they have the wrench flats allow the die to move too much and not line up with shell. prefer the Forster. I think they fit better and still allow the die to float.
</div></div>
The Forster lock rings are much better since they started using the Allen head screws.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kvwpwr</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I use he hornady rings on some dies but they have the wrench flats allow the die to move too much and not line up with shell. prefer the Forster. I think they fit better and still allow the die to float.
</div></div>
The Forster lock rings are much better since they started using the Allen head screws.
Re: Forster Co-Ax Press
Is the press binding when you articulate the ram? I had this issue due to guide rods not being aligned. Forster told me to:
1) Loosen top allen screws that screw into top of guide rods
2) Raise ram/lower handle all the way
3) Tighten screws
4) Now articulate and the rods should be more of a float.
Is the press binding when you articulate the ram? I had this issue due to guide rods not being aligned. Forster told me to:
1) Loosen top allen screws that screw into top of guide rods
2) Raise ram/lower handle all the way
3) Tighten screws
4) Now articulate and the rods should be more of a float.
Re: Forster Co-Ax Press
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: fw707</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kvwpwr</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I use he hornady rings on some dies but they have the wrench flats allow the die to move too much and not line up with shell. prefer the Forster. I think they fit better and still allow the die to float.
</div></div>
The Forster lock rings are much better since they started using the Allen head screws. </div></div>
I agree. I forgot to mention that. Most of my forsters have the crappy Phillips head screw which I always intended on changing to an Allen screw. FYi hornady allen screws are not the same thread. The newer Forster dies I have came with the Allen screw
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: fw707</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kvwpwr</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I use he hornady rings on some dies but they have the wrench flats allow the die to move too much and not line up with shell. prefer the Forster. I think they fit better and still allow the die to float.
</div></div>
The Forster lock rings are much better since they started using the Allen head screws. </div></div>
I agree. I forgot to mention that. Most of my forsters have the crappy Phillips head screw which I always intended on changing to an Allen screw. FYi hornady allen screws are not the same thread. The newer Forster dies I have came with the Allen screw
Re: Forster Co-Ax Press
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kvwpwr</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: fw707</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kvwpwr</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I use he hornady rings on some dies but they have the wrench flats allow the die to move too much and not line up with shell. prefer the Forster. I think they fit better and still allow the die to float.
</div></div>
The Forster lock rings are much better since they started using the Allen head screws. </div></div>
I agree. I forgot to mention that. Most of my forsters have the crappy Phillips head screw which I always intended on changing to an Allen screw. FYi hornady allen screws are not the same thread. The newer Forster dies I have came with the Allen screw </div></div>
Forster sells the screws separate. I ordered enough for all of my Forster dies.
The nice lady that answers the phone will put them in an envelope and get them in the mail the same day.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kvwpwr</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: fw707</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kvwpwr</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I use he hornady rings on some dies but they have the wrench flats allow the die to move too much and not line up with shell. prefer the Forster. I think they fit better and still allow the die to float.
</div></div>
The Forster lock rings are much better since they started using the Allen head screws. </div></div>
I agree. I forgot to mention that. Most of my forsters have the crappy Phillips head screw which I always intended on changing to an Allen screw. FYi hornady allen screws are not the same thread. The newer Forster dies I have came with the Allen screw </div></div>
Forster sells the screws separate. I ordered enough for all of my Forster dies.
The nice lady that answers the phone will put them in an envelope and get them in the mail the same day.
Re: Forster Co-Ax Press
My favorite lock rings are Sinclair's
My favorite lock rings are Sinclair's
Re: Forster Co-Ax Press
I think I have mostly fixed it I went back at it last night and wiped all the oil out again and then took some Kroil (man I love that stuff) and got it down inside the area where the guide rods run through and really worked the press and kept wiping it off if any dirt came out then doing it again. Then cleaned it and lubed it and it feels as smooth as silk. Thanks for all the help oh and I also did the adjustment of the top block like inode recommended. It didn't seem to be out of alignment but definitely worth the time just to double check it
I think I have mostly fixed it I went back at it last night and wiped all the oil out again and then took some Kroil (man I love that stuff) and got it down inside the area where the guide rods run through and really worked the press and kept wiping it off if any dirt came out then doing it again. Then cleaned it and lubed it and it feels as smooth as silk. Thanks for all the help oh and I also did the adjustment of the top block like inode recommended. It didn't seem to be out of alignment but definitely worth the time just to double check it
Re: Forster Co-Ax Press
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: biggenius29</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My favorite lock rings are Sinclair's
</div></div> I found I like the Sinclair rings better as well the Hornady's seem to have too much slop in too many directions. But the Sinclairs have just enough play for proper alignment but not too much. Downside now is i have like $40 worth of Hornady rings and have to try and swap them out for the newer Sinclairs
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: biggenius29</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My favorite lock rings are Sinclair's
</div></div> I found I like the Sinclair rings better as well the Hornady's seem to have too much slop in too many directions. But the Sinclairs have just enough play for proper alignment but not too much. Downside now is i have like $40 worth of Hornady rings and have to try and swap them out for the newer Sinclairs
Re: Forster Co-Ax Press
FamilyMan,
I too had that gritty feeling at the top of the stroke. It was the little piece that holds the primer. I've used it to prime some rounds, but not much else. The feeling is going away. Otherwise, it's very smooth.
FamilyMan,
I too had that gritty feeling at the top of the stroke. It was the little piece that holds the primer. I've used it to prime some rounds, but not much else. The feeling is going away. Otherwise, it's very smooth.
Re: Forster Co-Ax Press
the guide rods should run silk smooth. if they are dirty you should rinse them down and wipe them off with like a wd40, or maybe even a little brake clean. then put a light oil on them like shooters choice or some other gun oil and then oil whenever they are dry.
CJG
the guide rods should run silk smooth. if they are dirty you should rinse them down and wipe them off with like a wd40, or maybe even a little brake clean. then put a light oil on them like shooters choice or some other gun oil and then oil whenever they are dry.
CJG
