I just set up my spankin' new Forster Co-Ax Press 2 nights ago.
I have to say I am impressed!
If you are looking to do any custom case work, I would highly recommend it and here is why.
I am figuring out the neck-down procedure from Norma 7.62 to 7mm WSM brass. I am using the Redding Competition Bushing Dies.
I spent a good 5 hours today experimenting with bushing size, and replacing the Neck die and body die into the press over and over. I was also swapping out different bushing sizes where I had to remove the neck bushing die from the press to dismantle it to replace the different size bushings.
The front of the press is wide open for quickly swapping out dies.
The convenience and repeatability of swapping out dies in a few seconds was priceless for this process. It would have taken me <span style="font-style: italic">considerably</span> longer to swap out dies in the same manner with my old RCBS traditional press. The Case holding system is very good and quick. It opens and closes automatically whenever you raise or lower the press handle.
The press resizes with very little effort. The mechanical advantage of the pres is so great you only need a finger or two to open ad close it, even when necking down.
I have not started priming cases yet, but it definitely looks like a different type of system, and I'm not sure I am going to like it right off.
A couple of mods I have already made:
Made a shorter arm. The regular length handle is just too long. I tried to order a short arm when I purchased the press but I could not find any in stock.
I installed a bump stop that I could fine tune at the fully open position, and also put on felt pads where the leverage arm stops at the top of the casting. There was a solid "thump" everytime I opened it up fully. The adjustable stop and wool pads quieted her down without affecting operation.
I did not like the quality of the aluminum die lock rings provided with the press. They are thin enough to allow more play with the floating die than I liked. I replaced the lock rings with the Sinclair Stainless Die Lock Rings. The Sinclairs are just the right thickness to clean up the slop but still allow the die to "float" in the press.
If you are looking at getting into reloading, take a look at this press. It is especially handy if you are going to be reloading several different types of cartridges in different stages all at once.
I'm not a sponsor of Forster. I just think it is a great product.
I have to say I am impressed!
If you are looking to do any custom case work, I would highly recommend it and here is why.
I am figuring out the neck-down procedure from Norma 7.62 to 7mm WSM brass. I am using the Redding Competition Bushing Dies.
I spent a good 5 hours today experimenting with bushing size, and replacing the Neck die and body die into the press over and over. I was also swapping out different bushing sizes where I had to remove the neck bushing die from the press to dismantle it to replace the different size bushings.
The front of the press is wide open for quickly swapping out dies.
The convenience and repeatability of swapping out dies in a few seconds was priceless for this process. It would have taken me <span style="font-style: italic">considerably</span> longer to swap out dies in the same manner with my old RCBS traditional press. The Case holding system is very good and quick. It opens and closes automatically whenever you raise or lower the press handle.
The press resizes with very little effort. The mechanical advantage of the pres is so great you only need a finger or two to open ad close it, even when necking down.
I have not started priming cases yet, but it definitely looks like a different type of system, and I'm not sure I am going to like it right off.
A couple of mods I have already made:
Made a shorter arm. The regular length handle is just too long. I tried to order a short arm when I purchased the press but I could not find any in stock.
I installed a bump stop that I could fine tune at the fully open position, and also put on felt pads where the leverage arm stops at the top of the casting. There was a solid "thump" everytime I opened it up fully. The adjustable stop and wool pads quieted her down without affecting operation.
I did not like the quality of the aluminum die lock rings provided with the press. They are thin enough to allow more play with the floating die than I liked. I replaced the lock rings with the Sinclair Stainless Die Lock Rings. The Sinclairs are just the right thickness to clean up the slop but still allow the die to "float" in the press.
If you are looking at getting into reloading, take a look at this press. It is especially handy if you are going to be reloading several different types of cartridges in different stages all at once.
I'm not a sponsor of Forster. I just think it is a great product.
