Forster Co-Ax vs Redding T-7

[Schmo]

Hoping for a bit of input here. I’m upgrading my main press, which is a RockChucker IV. Planning to keep it around to be able to set it up for certain operations if I wish.

I load 223, 6 PRC, 6.5 PRC, plus some handgun stuff, but the handgun is minimal. I do like accurate match loads for the rifles, but nothing like benchrest or F class.

I’ve narrowed it down to the Redding T-7 or the Forster Co-Ax. I was leaning towards the T-7 to be able to put out a little more volume than a single stage, but the Co-Ax does have quick change dies. I typically do my reloading in batch operations, but wondered if I’d change up that process if I had a turret press, by rotating the turret and completing a round, but not sure how feasible that really is.

Just wanted some input from you more experienced loaders, and to give me something to think about. Thanks!

 

[Odd1out]

You could buy the hornady lock and load upgrade kit and use it on your rockchucker. Would speed things up some. The money you save you could buy more components to reload and shoot more. My 2 cents.

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[Schmo]

You could buy the hornady lock and load upgrade kit and use it on your rockchucker. Would speed things up some. The money you save you could buy more components to reload and shoot more. My 2 cents.

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Yeah, I know. But, I want a nicer press. This is a want, not a need. However, I dislike the “O” frame style of the RC. Want a more open design.

 

[2Stamp]

I'm interested in seeing the responses to your question. I've been using an old Rockchucker for probably 20yrs. I just ordered a Forrester Co-Ax this morning.

 

[SamsonMan22]

I really wanted a t-7 but really didn’t want to invest in multiple tool heads, taking dies in and out all the time for multiple cartridges kinda sucks. I love my co-ax it’s fast, the only pain is having to swap the jaws going from 223 to larger cases. They make a self contained jaw set where you don’t have to flip them and mess with springs but I haven’t splurged on those yet. It only takes a minute to switch over it’s just a pain at times. Being able to pop dies in and out just makes it so nice to use. You are pulling the handle the same amount of times with either press and it will take about as much time to swap dies as turning the turret. You should be safe if the prc is your largest case but some micrometer seater does won’t work with the co-ax I had problems with Hornady 300wm dies there.


As for the handgun loading it’s probably the fastest single stage press to load handgun stuff with. Being able to flick the brass out into a bucket instead of getting it in and out of a shell holder is a crazy time saver. The only press I have used that was anywhere near the same speed was a cheap Lee C style press.

 

[Odd1out]

Gotcha. I have a co-ax and like it. Only draw back is it doesnt work great with hornady bullet puller. Won't clear the handle with out fiddling around. Also, Won't work with adg dies.

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[eoperator]

Replaced my t7 with a coax, one of my better decisions.

 

[Mosby]

I switched from a Rockchucker to a Forster several years ago and I felt like my ammo had less runout and more accuracy....using the same dies. I like everything about my Forster. I gave the Rockchucker to a nephew who is happy to have it.

 

[JDMBEND]

Gotcha. I have a co-ax and like it. Only draw back is it doesnt work great with hornady bullet puller. Won't clear the handle with out fiddling around. Also, Won't work with adg dies.

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Any other dies that don’t work with it?

 

[Odd1out]

Any other dies that don’t work with it?

Not that I'm aware of.

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[Axlrod]

Had a CoAx over 10 years, very good press. Accurate and fast to change operations.
On the shell holder jaws, I don't change them ever. I load from 17 Hornet to 416 Rigby with the same jaws. There is an adjustment rod underneath, that you can turn to make the jaws open wider. Takes a few seconds.
The Rigby size cases you need to tip to one side slightly to insert and remove the case. But it's no big deal.
I also use the Hirnady bullet puller, it's tight but totally serviceable. If I ever had to pull 200 bullets I would use my Rockchucker.

 

[wind gypsy]

I’m a broken record on this but a shell kicker has to be the best speed enhancer out there for loading with a single stage. If there isn’t one available for a given single stage, I wouldn’t consider it.

 

[WMDM]

I'd definitely get the T7 but only have experience with the Co-Ax - not a fan! Loading pistol with it is particularly painful. I actually shoot less thinking about how long and painful it will be reloading on the Co-Ax.

 

[ColPenguin]

Any other dies that don’t work with it?

RCBS bullet puller doesn't work with Co-ax, either. Forster makes a bullet puller die for the co-ax with a wide lock-ring cross bolt that locks into the die slot on the co-ax.

Some of the Hornady micrometer seaters don't have enough clearance for the co-ax arms.

 

[Axlrod]

I'd definitely get the T7 but only have experience with the Co-Ax - not a fan! Loading pistol with it is particularly painful. I actually shoot less thinking about how long and painful it will be reloading on the Co-Ax.

If I didn't have progressive, I would buy all handgun ammo.

 

[Schmo]

Some of the Hornady micrometer seaters don't have enough clearance for the co-ax arms.

Do you know the specifics on this? The dies for my 6 PRC are Hornady 6.5 PRC match bushing dies, and my seater has a micrometer stem. Would it just be LA dies with tall stems?

 

[ColPenguin]

Do you know the specifics on this? The dies for my 6 PRC are Hornady 6.5 PRC match bushing dies, and my seater has a micrometer stem. Would it just be LA dies with tall stems?

I don't know all the specifics.

Someone had said in another thread that there may be two different size co-ax arms. The newer models have a bit more clearance. My co-ax has just short of 6.5" of clearance from the top of the lock ring slot to the fork of the arms.

My Hornady 6mm seater is setup about 6" in length from lock-ring for a 2.79" COAL on a Creedmoor size case.

SamsonMan22 mentioned in this thread, problems with a Hornady 300 Win Mag seating die.