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CO-AX RELOADING PRESS Reviews & Ratings

Forster Co-Ax Reloading Press - Precision Reloading, Streamlined

The Forster Co-Ax Reloading Press is a standout choice for precision shooters and reloaders aiming for consistent, concentric ammo with minimal hassle. Its thoughtful design simplifies die swaps, ensures perfect case alignment, and elevates routine handloading into a refined and efficient process.

Effortless Die Changes and Flawless Alignment

A hallmark of the Co-Ax is its “slide-in, slide-out” die system. Changing from sizing to seating dies takes mere seconds-no threading, no adjustments-preserving die settings and letting you shift between calibers or reload stages with unmatched speed.

But it's more than fast-it’s precise. The press employs floating shell holder jaws that move freely with the dies. This mechanism ensures each case finds its center regardless of rim variations. Whether you're feeding .223 or .300 Winchester Magnum, the case aligns perfectly every time, eliminating runout and misfeeds.

Smooth Operation with Exceptional Mechanical Advantage

With its unique lever linkage, the Co-Ax delivers nearly three times the mechanical advantage of a conventional single-stage press. It's so smooth that resizing tough brass can be achieved using just your little finger. Despite its power, the Co-Ax exerts no torque on the die head, enhancing longevity and ensuring consistent alignment whether you're seating a bullet or priming a case.

Built to Last, Designed for Real Reloaders

Constructed from rugged, automotive-grade ductile iron with a durable powder-coat finish, the Co-Ax can be used on any stable surface-even a picnic table in the field. Internal alignment is maintained through dual floating guide rods, supporting both precision and ease of use. Plus, a clever spent primer catcher funnels debris into a removable cup-no mess, no fuss.

Even the priming system is top-tier: a top-mounted priming station seats primers uniformly and safely, avoiding crushed or over-compressed primers-a common problem with many other presses.

What Experienced Reloaders Are Saying

Reloading veterans praise the Co-Ax for how consistently it delivers near-zero runout. Many report group reductions thanks to its flawless alignment. One shooter joked that despite owning several presses, they return to the Co-Ax for their critical reloads.

Users especially love the effortless die swaps and unique jaw system-it eliminates the need for multiple shell holders and simplifies operations across calibers. In user comparisons, some also acknowledge that while traditional presses may feel quicker for brute force tasks, only the Co-Ax offers its level of precision and workflow refinement.

One long-time owner even shared that despite owning the press since its Bonanza days in the 1970s, it remains tight and precise-even after hundreds of thousands of rounds. Others acknowledge that priming by hand still offers better feel, but praise the press’s overall consistency and spent primer system.

Real-World Applications and Common Upgrades

Precision Loads: Ideal for long-range or competitive reloaders who demand strict concentricity.
Progressive Reloading Backup: A perfect companion to progressive systems like the Dillon 550-use the Co-Ax for final seating and precision control.
Volume Use: Smooth and fast operation makes it excellent for moderate loading batches without fatigue.
Accessories: Owners often add accessories from Inline Fabrications-like a curved linkage for improved space or LED lighting-to enhance functionality and ease of use.

Technical Snapshot

Feature	Description
Construction	Automotive-grade ductile iron, powder-coat finish
Die Mounting	Slide-in quick-change system
Shell Holder	Floating jaw design; replaces shell holders
Mechanical Advantage	3× that of standard single-stage press
Priming System	Integrated, top-mounted, safe and consistent
Primer Catcher	Self-contained tube and cup system
Usage	Smooth operation with minimal force; versatile for many calibers
Maintenance	Low-just empty primer cup and keep clear of debris

The Co-Ax Compared to Traditional Single-Stage Presses

Speed & Convenience: Die changes and casing alignment are faster and more intuitive.
Precision: Floating jaws maintain alignment better than shell holders, reducing runout.
Construction: Engineered with precision, rather than cast and rattling components.
Investment: Higher price, but unmatched in consistency and build quality.

Summary

If you load ammunition with an eye toward precision, if every decimal matters in your groups, or if you strive for repeatability without fiddling with jigs or adapters-the Forster Co-Ax Reloading Press is more than just a tool; it’s a refined system. The press challenges old-school conventions and inspires reloaders to focus more on consistency and less on setup.

It’s not merely a logical choice-it’s a quality leap.

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1 Stars

Reviews Summary

The Co-Ax Reloading Press is favored by many for its ease of use, lever design, and quick die changes, offering superior accuracy for precision loading. However, some users have reported issues with the primer system and inadequate handling for larger calibers. Overall, it is regarded as a top choice among dedicated reloaders looking for meticulous results.

What Reviewers Are Saying

Ease of Use

70%

Many reviewers emphasize the Co-Ax press's user-friendly design, highlighting quick die changes and versatility in reloading. Users appreciate how straightforward it is to operate, making it suitable for both seasoned and novice reloaders. This theme is mentioned by approximately 70% of reviewers.

Accuracy and Quality

65%

The press is frequently praised for its ability to produce consistent, high-quality ammunition with minimal run-out. Users note its engineering excellence and how it significantly contributes to improved precision in their reloads. This theme resonates with about 65% of reviewers.

Build Quality

60%

Numerous reviewers remark on the durable build and solid nature of the Co-Ax press. Users appreciate its long-lasting performance with minimal maintenance required. Many have used theirs for decades with consistent satisfaction. Approximately 60% of reviewers noted this aspect.

Primer System

40%

Several customers mentioned challenges with the primer seating system, citing difficulties with setup and operation. Some found it less efficient compared to other methods. This concern was raised by about 40% of reviewers, pointing toward a common area where improvement is needed.

Versatility

30%

While the Co-Ax excels in many areas, some users noted that it falls short in handling larger cartridges without additional components. This limitation has been a point of frustration for some reviewers who expected broader capabilities. This topic was discussed by roughly 30% of reviewers.

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Forster co-ax press

I really like this press but it came in damaged from shipping. I contacted Forester and they sent replacement parts.

Would you recommend this? Yes, I would recommend to a friend

by WARREN S. on November 29, 2024

Verified Purchase

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My favorite press with a couple of provisos.

This is hands down my favorite press for all my precision loading. Extremely easy to change dies and no extra shell holders are needed. However, mine will not accept the large rims of my 45-70 Government. Two sizes of shell holders are a bit tricky to change. The primer seater is awkward to set up properly. Regardless, for most traditional cartridges, this is the premier single-stage loader.

Great value and capability...but..

In a nut shell... great overall design... in need of some manufacturing improvements. In the year and a half in which I've been using this press for both pistol and rifle reloading, I have had no major issues, but have taken note of some particular details. The Co-Axial design is highly regarded by the highly regarded, or, at least, that's what I've read in Mic McPherson's "In Pursuit of the Perfect Cartridge". Norma's Ballistics Lab, for example, uses them for load development. That, if nothing else, should be a ringing endorsement. However, there are some details about the Forster's manufacture that I've found to be mildly disappointing. For instance, the grinding wheel marks from removing the casting flash are very apparent and negatively impact the visual quality of the press. Off Course, this has no real bearing on the actual functionality of the press, but appearance is important for just about any product. Likewise, the shell holder jaws could have been machined more precisely and evenly. They certainly work well considering their versatility. I have found it helpful to slightly loosen the allen head screws, which hold the jaws in place, when loading 30-40 Krag. The spent primer drop tube needs to be slightly larger in I.D., owing to the fact that large rifle primers have a tendency to get stuck and stack up, thereby slowing the de-capping process. Obviously, like everything else, there are advantages and disadvantages to a particular design, and its more a question of degree. In the case of the Co-Axial, the benefits far outweigh the faults. So, just as an example, if you want to break down live ammunition, you pretty much have to use Forster's Universal Bullet Puller Die with the appropriate collet(sold separately, of course), owing to the design and position of the yoke/handle. If this is rarely needed, then its not a big deal, but with a small mountain of surplus live ammo, it could be a different story. As for the issue/debate concerning which die lock ring to use, I use Forster's aluminum cross bolt style, as the press's instruction manual specifically advises. The fit in the press's die slot is better, and it will be the aluminum lock ring, and not the $300+ cast iron press that experiences wear. Although the primer system does require a little time to adjust properly when changing from one cartidge and/or primer size to another, it does a great job and has decent feel for a press-mounted primer seater. Still, despite the above-mentioned issues, I think it is the best single stage press on the market given the various design features for its price point. Will Forster come out with a new and improved B5 model???

Forster co-ax press

Excellent press! Very fast die changes. I have owned this press for years and never regretted paying extra for it. The priming setup is the ONLY draw back to it. No extra shellholders needed unless you are working on extremely large or extremely small cases, then you will need the LS shellholder jaws.