Forster Coax shellholder question

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

I've seen a couple of videos that said that they used the large jaws for reloading 223. I know that's not what Forster recommends, but..
Have any of you tried this? What were the results?
Thanks.

 

[spife7980]

The results were different. I don’t remember but I questioned why my sizing numbers weren’t the same and then I realized and rotated the jaws and my numbers went back to what I expected.
I don’t see why anyone would purposefully use the wrong side of the jaws.

 

[nn8734]

I've seen a couple of videos that said that they used the large jaws for reloading 223. I know that's not what Forster recommends, but..
Have any of you tried this? What were the results?
Thanks.

I did by accident once and result was a case stuck in the sizing die.

I don’t recommend it, obviously.

 

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

That stuck case should be a pretty quick fix. Assuming the case was lubed. Just flip the jaws and redo.

 

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

The results were different. I don’t remember but I questioned why my sizing numbers weren’t the same and then I realized and rotated the jaws and my numbers went back to what I expected.
I don’t see why anyone would purposefully use the wrong side of the jaws.

Hard to imagine how that could affect sizing numbers. But I'll take your word for it.
The reason, is of course, to avoid changing the jaws.

 

[nn8734]

That stuck case should be a pretty quick fix. Assuming the case was lubed. Just flip the jaws and redo.

lol that was years ago and yes i was able to remove it without any problems.

 

[tsu45]

I did by accident once and result was a case stuck in the sizing die.

I don’t recommend it, obviously.

Same

 

[salks]

I can understand not wanting to switch them. I once spent half a day looking for the little spring that shot out across the basement.

 

[spife7980]

Hard to imagine how that could affect sizing numbers. But I'll take your word for it.
The reason, is of course, to avoid changing the jaws.

The large side is several though higher off the deck to accommodate the thicker .054 308 rim vs the .047 223 rim and I think that hits the recess and pinches it on that cone which lifts it a smidgen and I got numbers that were just drifting a though or two too much and flipping the jaws proper eliminated the issue.

If you lower the handle a bit, or block it up half an inch, so that the jaw opener isn’t actively trying to spread them the plate slides forward and the springs are not so apt to disappear.

 

[Bacarrat]

I use the small side for resizing cases. I batch reload so with 223/556 I usually have around 1k or so cases in rotation. Everything else, I just leave it on the large case side including seating 223/556 with the large case. But I have one S type jaws for everything large jaw since I can use it for standard to LM size cases.

 

[Yondering]

Mine doesn't give any different numbers for sizing or seating with either jaws, but for sizing eventually you'll tear the rim off a case with the large jaws and realize why Forster doesn't recommend it.

On second thought, a partially bent rim might be why someone measured "different numbers" for sizing. The case probably sized fine but then bent the rim on extraction, affecting the measurement afterwards.

 

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

Sounds like I'm better off swapping the jaws or else making my MEC a dedicated 223 press.
Thanks for the information!

 

[Cascade Hemi]

Having to change the automatic jaws led me to converting the press to the RCBS shellholders.

 

[Yondering]

Sounds like I'm better off swapping the jaws or else making my MEC a dedicated 223 press.
Thanks for the information!

Assuming you mean Forster, not MEC. Although they're both red.

Some people do change their jaws to the conventional shell holders, failing to realize that it gives up some of the free floating advantage of the Forster press.

Swapping between the standard and small jaws is not all that difficult, once you figure it out. (It seems that, a lot like re-assembling Ruger .22 pistols, a lot of people never do figure it out.) A couple tips:
- Find some sort of spacer to prop up the floating head of the press, just enough so the tapered pin doesn't hold the jaws open. This can be as simple as a spare lug nut or piece of 45 Auto brass.
- Don't compress that little spring to remove each jaw. Just slide the other jaw back slightly (compressing the spring for that one) and carefully lift out the loose jaw, flip it around, and put it back. This prevents the common problem of having those springs fly off into the dark corners of your shop.

I've been using my Forster for about 20 years now, and do end up swapping the jaws frequently. It's no big deal, and honestly those jaws are one of the best features of that press. I don't recommend removing them.

 

[Cascade Hemi]

The best features of the CoAx are also it's biggest weaknesses. So long as a user is loading common cartridges that fit in the center of the jaw's adjustment range they work well. Too big or too small, despite technically fitting, and you start having alignment or clearance problems. I ended up getting rid of my CoAx because I got sick of all of the idiosyncrasies.