I am new to your forum. I have been reading
about the Co-Ax press and feel this may be
a good choice for me. I am setting up a new
reloading bench for accuracy oriented loading
of standard length cartridges. .223, .308, 30-06, 8x57, and 6.5x55.

My question is about the locking ring requirment
for the Co-Ax press. Am I going to have to buy
new locking rings for all my die sets? I have
mostly RCBS and Hornaday dies. A few Lee dies.

thanks kindly, Chris

Chris,
You'll need round rings. I've used several types, including Herters and others. I have some dies I seldom use, and leave them in the box without the rings installed, then just install a spare set as needed.
Cheers from Darkest California,
Ross

The Hornady dies I have work in mine. The RCBS and Redding are a sloppy fit but the round ones will do in a pinch, more trouble then it`s worth though IMO. I`d get new rings and not play with them.

As far as the lock rings are concerned, most die manufactures rings will work just fine, EXCEPT the junky lee hex rings. I have replaced all the lee rings with the excellent hornady rings.

I recommend the Co-Ax as a second press but not as your only press. There are several sets of dies that are too tall to work under the "Y" handle. Also there are things like primer pocket swagers etc. that don't work at all on the Co-Ax.
That being said it is an excellent press. I bought new rings for all the dies I use in my Co-Ax. Often if you buy them in bulk they are quite a bit cheaper per ring. When trying for maximum accuracy I'm not willing to accept the sloppy fit that the other brands of rings often get. I guess some get them to work OK but I'm looking for best accuracy not just good enough, so I want stuff to work the best it can.
Invest $95 in a Rock-Chucker for special use and tall dies and a Co-Ax for most of your reloading. I think this is the best overall way to go.................DJ

Chris-
The Co-Ax is a fine press that offers a few options others can't, like snap in die changes, top mounted easily visible priming, adjustable shell holder, easy primer disposal, and the ability to alter the seating proces. My favorite part of the press is the adjustable shell holder ...it plain old works. I routinely use micrometer dies with the calibres you mention, and I've never had a problem with clearance, however it's possible if at some point you plan to load the humongous old black powder numbers.
Forster products are excellent in my opinion. As for the locking rings, buy them they work. Way back when most dies were equipped with that same locking ring, and as to why they went away from it only the bean counters know.

I'm a coax believer and though I have 6 presses it's the one I use 95% of the time.

ALL dies I've ever tried in some 40 different die sets have worked, including competition micrometer dies for some of the longer cartridges like 375 and Rigby. I've heard some don't fit but I've never had one and have never seen one identified when that statement is made.

What WON'T work are reamer dies, and collet bullet pullers. Neither can you use the micrometer adjuster for Hornady dies because it is too tall. Everything else works, and much better than the standard presses.

As for the lock rings, Hornady and Redding work just fine. The spec for ring thickness is something like .310" and all of those are the same as the Forsters. However, the Hornady and the Forsters are superior because sometimes the threads of the Redding don't mate thereby pushing the die off square. It also locks on the threads and can induce runout whereas the pinch rings can be flipped to square the die if the threads don't mak\te squarely.

Thanks for all of your replies.

I ordered a Co-Ax from Midway today for $179.

My 25 year old RCBS Jr. will now be my
secondary press.

Always fun to get a new tool !

dxr

The rings are the only thing that make me mad about the co-ax press. They are unreasonably priced. I load 338 lapua and have more than enough clearance. I think it is the best press on the market, by far. Once you get the hang of it, you can really prime brass quickly with that press.

quote:

Originally posted by Bob338:
I've heard some don't fit but I've never had one and have never seen one identified when that statement is made.

What WON'T work are reamer dies, and collet bullet pullers. Neither can you use the micrometer adjuster for Hornady dies because it is too tall. .

You answered your own question..............DJ

quote:

There are several sets of dies that are too tall to work under the "Y" handle.

No I didn't, and you don't identify.

quote:

Originally posted by Bob338:
...
What WON'T work are reamer dies, and collet bullet pullers. Neither can you use the micrometer adjuster for Hornady dies because it is too tall. Everything else works, and much better than the standard presses....

Have you tried a hornady cam-lock bullet puller in it?

Also, which Hornady dies with the micrometer head did you try? I have an 8x57 die that is pretty long with the micrometer head, and I'd imagine some other calibers are even longer, but some of the pistol dies are not nearly as long. Has anyone tried the RCBS window seaters (those that don't need an extended shellholder) in the coax?

I have a Huntington Compac Hand press that has a somewhat similar design (at least to the point of zero torque or side thrust on the ram), and REALLY like it. Although a window seater would be a blessing for it. I need to find one for 45 colt.

Thanks,

Andy

quote:

Originally posted by Bob338:

quote:

There are several sets of dies that are too tall to work under the "Y" handle.

No I didn't, and you don't identify.

[/QUOTE] What WON'T work are reamer dies, and collet bullet pullers. Neither can you use the micrometer adjuster for Hornady dies because it is too tall. [/QUOTE].


I didn't, but you did!...... ......DJ

The most wonderful thing for a reloader like me that is getting arthritis, is the leverage in the Co-ax press. It is the easiest press that I have used. Kudude

Those aren't "die sets", which is what you said. Name a die set that doesn't fit.

quote:

Originally posted by Bob338:
Those aren't "die sets", which is what you said. Name a die set that doesn't fit.

No need for a , The point is simple. The Co-Ax is a great press but some stuff doesn't work with it. You listed some of the stuff. That's about all there is too it. Best wishes...............DJ