Reloading Presses

[GonnePhishin]

Has anyone had any experience with Forster's Co-Ax Press or
CH4D #444-x Pistol champ Press?

Any info would be appreciated

[Charles]

I have never use the Co-Ax press, but it is one of the very best around for strength and accuracy. It is popular among high accuracy nuts, which is not a bad thing. If I needed a new press I would buy one without hesitation. When I wear out my 5'0s vintage RCBS A2, I will get one. That should be around 2070 or thereabouts.

[J Miller]

Has anyone had any experience with Forster's Co-Ax Press or
CH4D #444-x Pistol champ Press?

Any info would be appreciated

Uncle Buck,

I have two Bonanza Co-Ax presses. Forster bought out Bonanza so it's the same animal. I love them. Very easy to use. Lots of leverage for even the biggest normal cases. Their use of a universal shell holder makes it very easier to switch calibers. The decapped primers fall through a tube to a catch cup instead of being flipped all over the place. The grit from the primers doesn't end up around the ram to grind it up.
The press uses a double ram set up so it can't twist or get out of alignment as easy as a single ram press.

And the best feature is the slot. To change dies just pop them in and out of the slot. No screwing them in and out. A lot quicker. I'm spoiled by mine.
I've recommended them before and I still do.

Joe

[GonnePhishin]

Joe,

I'm looking to buy a press and make my own 357 mag rounds. I've been told and read that it is probably best to learn to reload on a single stage press instead of a progressive one until you become very familiar with the loading precess.

How many rounds can you load an hour with the Forster, after you become familiar with it?

Thanks,
Uncle Buck

[J Miller]

Joe,

I'm looking to buy a press and make my own 357 mag rounds. I've been told and read that it is probably best to learn to reload on a single stage press instead of a progressive one until you become very familiar with the loading precess.

How many rounds can you load an hour with the Forster, after you become familiar with it?

Thanks,
Uncle Buck

Well, now I don't know really. I have a set system that I have used for decades and don't think about it.
I'm going to guess 100 to 200 rounds IF:
>You already have the cases prepped. By that I mean cleaned and ready to size.
<You use a carbide sizing die if possible.
>You don't clean the primer pockets.
>You use a priming tool with a auto primer feed.
>You throw your powder charges rather than weigh them.
>You seat and crimp at the same time.

Basically the Co-Ax is not a faster press in production, it's just a strong easy to set up and use press.

Joe

[Terry Murbach]

IF WHAT YOU'RE INTERESTED IN LOADING IS 357MAG AMMO YOU CANNOT DO BETTER FOR A NON-PROGRESSIVE YET SORT OF SEMI PROGRESSIVE PRESS THAT THE CH 444.
I HAVE BEEN USING A CH 333 FOR 38 YEARS WITH PERFECT SATISFACTION. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IN THE CH333 AND THE CH444 IS THE LATTER HAS ONE MORE DIE STATION, A FINE IDEA I MIGHT ADD. I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR MY 333 TO CROAK OR WEAR OUT FOR YEARS NOW SO I COULD BUY THE NEWER 444. I CAN SEE NOW IT AIN'T GONNA HAPPEN IN MY LIFETIME.
YOU SET UP THE CH444 TO LOAD A CARTRIDGE AT A TIME AS YOU MOVE IT THROUGH THE DIES. YOU'LL NEED A POWDER MEASURE TO USE AFTER FL SIZING, EXPANDING, PRIMING, NOW THE POWDER, SEAT A BULLET AND CRIMP SIMULTANEOUSLY, OR SEPERATELY IF YOU PREFER.

[J Miller]

IF WHAT YOU'RE INTERESTED IN LOADING IS 357MAG AMMO YOU CANNOT DO BETTER FOR A NON-PROGRESSIVE YET SORT OF SEMI PROGRESSIVE PRESS THAT THE CH 444.
I HAVE BEEN USING A CH 333 FOR 38 YEARS WITH PERFECT SATISFACTION. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IN THE CH333 AND THE CH444 IS THE LATTER HAS ONE MORE DIE STATION, A FINE IDEA I MIGHT ADD. I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR MY 333 TO CROAK OR WEAR OUT FOR YEARS NOW SO I COULD BUY THE NEWER 444. I CAN SEE NOW IT AIN'T GONNA HAPPEN IN MY LIFETIME.
YOU SET UP THE CH444 TO LOAD A CARTRIDGE AT A TIME AS YOU MOVE IT THROUGH THE DIES. YOU'LL NEED A POWDER MEASURE TO USE AFTER FL SIZING, EXPANDING, PRIMING, NOW THE POWDER, SEAT A BULLET AND CRIMP SIMULTANEOUSLY, OR SEPERATELY IF YOU PREFER.

Well Terry I guess you'll just have to pony up the bucks and go buy one.
I have looked at them too and do like what I see. I found my Co-Ax presses in an estate sale and got a smoking deal on the two of them. They had one of the CH 3 station presses and I should have bought it. But those Co-Ax presses ..... well I learned to reload on one 30+ years ago and had a soft spot in my head ..... 'er heart for them.

Joe

[GonnePhishin]

Joe and Terry,

Thanks to the both of you for the information and advice

Blessings-UncleBuck