Anybody used this press?

[Mike from Texas]

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/standard-pod-wrapped.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/pod-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat602007-cat20847&rid=&indexId=cat20847&navActi on=push&masterpathid=&navCount=1&paren tType=index&parentId=cat20847&id=0024161

[700bdl870exp]

Yes. It is what i have done almost all of my reloading on. They are a very nice press but im looking at the lee turret instead. This press is nice and that locking ring they use is a good thing. Also the jaws with the ability to be flipped around will accomodate most calibers.

[handloader1]

Mike in Texas:

I own many Forster dies, and really want to purchase the Co-Ax Press. Good luck.

[Solitary Man]

I can't imagine a better press than the Co-Ax. I love mine.

When I was in the market for my first press about 6 or 7 years ago, I did some research and asked for recommendations from seasoned reloaders. Many suggested the RCBS Rockchucker, but it seemed thatnone of these guys owned or had any experience with the Co-Ax. On the other hand,every single personwho owned both the Co-Ax and the Rockchucker suggested going with theCo-Ax. So, that's what sold the deal for me.

If you do decide to get the Co-Ax make sure you get a fewextra Forster lock rings to go with it. You'll need them for your non-Forster dies.

[DM]

I believe i've loaded over 80,000 rounds on one of my Co-ax's and it still works perfectly. I like many things about the co-ax,includeing being able to move it into my bench instead of haveing to have it on the edge. It's the first press i owned that actually traped the junk and primers instead of putting some of them on the floor. It's very fast to use and will load very accurate ammo with the floating lock ring and shell holder, but it doesn't do everything well.

If you prefer to use "form dies" where you have to cutthe case off that's sticking above the die, the guiderods are in the way. Some brands of lock rings are too thick, and need to be filed or sanded thinner to use with the co-ax. (they will still work fine in other press' once altered) I think the rock chucker does have a bit more "case forming" leverage, but for loading i love my co-ax!

I've had numerous press' over the years and used many more, and i still have a Rock Chucker, a Rock Crusher and two co-ax's around for reloading and case forming...

DM

[eldeguello]

Have never used one, BUT I have heard nothing but praise for them. I DO use Forster dies, and find them to be excellent. If the press is as good as their dies, it should be a real winner!

[Mike from Texas]

Thanks for the replies. I believe after reading opinions on several reloading forums and Midway's site that this will be the press I go with. Now onto other necessary accessories. Give me a laundry list of what essential items that I need to go full bore into reloading. I used to do it a lot about 20 years ago but kinda lost interest after picking up the bow. I'm seriously looking at the Lyman 1200 electronic powder dispenser/scale combo. What else do I have to have?

Calibers that I will be reloading will primarily be:
[ul][*].45 ACP[*]9MM[*]22-250[*].223[*]260 Remington[*]6.5-284 Winchester[*]300 Win Mag[*]450 Marlin[/ul]

Thanks again in advance.

[Solitary Man]

Personally, I'd skip the electronic scale and go with a good beam type. RCBS and Redding make good ones. Electronic scales are too erratic for my taste.

Obviously you'll need dies for each cartridge. A full length die and seater die for each will get you started. Then you might want to consider neck only sizing for certain cartridges, so you might want to add a neck die later.

In no particular order here are some other items you'll need and my preference for each:

Reloading Manual (Nosler, Hornady, Sierra, Lyman, etc....)
Calipers to measure cartridge length
Primer tool to seat primers (I prefer the RCBS hand held unit)
Case lube (I like Imperial wax)
Powder funnel (Satern makes the absolute best IMO)
Bullet puller (inertia type)
Case trimmer (Wilson)
Case mouth deburring tool
Primer pocket cleaner (I like the Sinclair primer pocket uniformer for this)
Case neck brush
Powder trickler (Redding)
Case tumbler (not totally necessary, but I wouldn't want to be without mine)

I think that covers the basics. There are other optional tools that some of ususethat are designed to help get the utmost precision and accuracy out of handloads and you can decide later if these are needed depending on how serious you want to get with this.

Also, here's some other sources for reloading tools and supplies:

www.sinclairintl.com (my favorite)
www.grafs.com
www.lockstock.com
www.midsouthshooterssupply.com
www.midwayusa.com

[Solitary Man]

BTW, the above applies to reloading rifle cartridges. I have not reloaded straight wall pistol cartridges.

[DM]

Now onto other necessary accessories. Give me a laundry list of what essential items that I need to go full bore into reloading.

Go to the "reloading" forum and you will find a sticky at the top of the page to help you out with getting started....

DM