Forster Co-Ax vs Redding T-7

[wind gypsy]

OP I fit the same reloading situation as you and although you didn't mention it, I'd consider a Dillon 550. I have a Forster and will dump it the minute I can swing Dillon.

That's the route I went.

1 single stage, 1 550. With a shell kicker i can load fast on a single stage. When throwing charges, its nice to not have a separate step for priming and loading on the 550. If a guy loads in sizeable batches, i dont see a reason for a bunch of single stages as screwing a die in/out doesnt' take much time.

 

[ThorM465]

I went through this a few years ago and ended up with the co-ax. I'm happy with my decision, but I would have been just as satisfied with the T-7. Get the one that you can get cheaper, they're both great upgrades.

I've got a 550 too that just collects dust. If I could get a reasonable offer on the package, I'd sell it. It'll continue to collect dust before I give it away.

 

[Mike D Texas]

I have both but use them for different reasons.

All of my precision ammo I load on the coax.

I have a lock n load kit on my powder dispenser that I run on my T7 when I’m just throwing together some practice rounds or pistol rounds.


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[Dobber63]

I was in the same boat a few years back, I went with the Co-ax and have no regrets. It produces great ammo, and I have had zero issues with it in my process.

 

[CaptArab]

I've got a 550 too that just collects dust. If I could get a reasonable offer on the package, I'd sell it. It'll continue to collect dust before I give it away.

Id encourage you to setup a tool head for one of your higher volume rifle rounds like 308 or 223 and let it eat for an hour. The dillon thrower does pretty well odds are high you won't notice a difference.

Guys get all caught up with separate wash/decal/wash/load/wash blah blah I just yeet'em through like pistol rounds no issues.

 

[PKR]

Have a co-ax and like it but only loading rifle, not pistol.
Will say regarding the Hornady 6.5 PRC dies, it works. I had a question about it too but got a great deal on a brand new set with the micro adjuster and rolled the dice

 

[Schmo]

Ended up going Dillon 550. Super happy with it.

 

[wind gypsy]

Ended up going Dillon 550. Super happy with it.

Curious how you're using it? brass prep and prime/charge/seat on separate toolheads or all on one?

 

[Wrench]

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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I did this....then I bought a coax and have not touched my rcbs press ever again. I get better results and the effort is a fraction of the rcbs.....I literally took the handle off the coax.

 

[Wrench]

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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I run the hornady puller. I set the cam so the lever faces me and doesn’t require full stroke.

 

[Wrench]

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.

Ditto 100%

 

[Schmo]

Curious how you're using it? brass prep and prime/charge/seat on separate toolheads or all on one?

223 is all on one head. The 6 PRC I had done on two, but revising that process and it’ll be on one now as well. Currently use the powder die, but might set up the dispenser for the 223

 

[waspocrew]

223 is all on one head. The 6 PRC I had done on two, but revising that process and it’ll be on one now as well. Currently use the powder die, but might set up the dispenser for the 223

For some reason, I wasn't really aware of the 550. After watching a couple of videos, it looks like that might be the route I go for a progressive.

I have the SAC Nexus and it's an incredible press - much more refined than the single stage Hornady I still have. However, high volume loading of 5.56, 300 BLK, and 38/357 is pretty slow. The 550 (or any progressive for that matter) would free up a lot more time.

Glad you're enjoying it so far and I appreciate the suggestion!

 

[Schmo]

For some reason, I wasn't really aware of the 550. After watching a couple of videos, it looks like that might be the route I go for a progressive.

I have the SAC Nexus and it's an incredible press - much more refined than the single stage Hornady I still have. However, high volume loading of 5.56, 300 BLK, and 38/357 is pretty slow. The 550 (or any progressive for that matter) would free up a lot more time.

Glad you're enjoying it so far and I appreciate the suggestion!

Earlier in this thread, a video was shared. It was F-Class John by UR. He loads his ammo on a 550. They hold really tight tolerances. This ammo was loaded on my 550. Powder was thrown by an embarrassingly cheap Lee Perfect Powder measure.

 

[waspocrew]

Earlier in this thread, a video was shared. It was F-Class John by UR. He loads his ammo on a 550. They hold really tight tolerances. This ammo was loaded on my 550. Powder was thrown by an embarrassingly cheap Lee Perfect Powder measure.


View attachment 1063260View attachment 1063261View attachment 1063262

Looks like that'll do!

 

[Schmo]

@waspocrew
The beauty of the 550 to me is that it can be as simple or complex as you’d like it. I really appreciate the manual indexing. If I was cranking out bulk 5.56 or 9mm and was going for sheer production, then I’d want an auto indexing press. But for even moderate to high volume shooters, the 550 is massively faster than a single stage press, and since it’s manually indexed, it can’t run away from you. You can even get a single stage conversion kit lol

 

[Schmo]

And bullet and case feeders are available as well. The on press priming is wonderful

 

[wind gypsy]

And bullet and case feeders are available as well. The on press priming is wonderful

I’ve heard the aftermarket case feeders for the 550 aren’t the greatest. I think I’d look at a 650/750 if I wanted case and bullet feeders.

How are you getting powder from the Lee measure into the case? I’ve only loaded with the Dillon measure on press thus far.

 

[Schmo]

How are you getting powder from the Lee measure into the case? I’ve only loaded with the Dillon measure on press thus far.

Dillon powder die with funnel

 

[waspocrew]

@waspocrew
The beauty of the 550 to me is that it can be as simple or complex as you’d like it. I really appreciate the manual indexing. If I was cranking out bulk 5.56 or 9mm and was going for sheer production, then I’d want an auto indexing press. But for even moderate to high volume shooters, the 550 is massively faster than a single stage press, and since it’s manually indexed, it can’t run away from you. You can even get a single stage conversion kit lol

Thanks for the run down on the 550! Looks like an awesome unit. You may just cost me a little money haha.