Forster Products Co-Ax User manual

1
User Instructions for the Forster Products Co-Ax
®
Reloading Press
Issue 4
1.0 GENERAL INFORMATION
The Co-Ax® Reloading Press is designed for two main
purposes:
1. Rifle and pistol case resizing and bullet seating.
2. Rifle and pistol primer seating.
The Co-Ax Press accepts any 7/8" X 14 rifle or pistol reloading
die. For proper press operation, you must use our aluminum
Cross Bolt Die Lock Rings (two are provided in the Important
Parts Packet – see Figure 2) on either your own dies or on our
Forster Products Reloading Dies. Using our Cross Bolt Die
Lock Rings is important for two reasons:
•They keep the Co-Ax Press T-Slot free from wear that may
be caused by other harder steel lock rings.
•They are the proper thickness to allow the dies to “float” in
the T-Slot for optimal reloading.
CAUTION
PRODUCT DAMAGE
•Do not drop or expose the Co-Ax Press to sudden
stresses.
Failure to comply with these instructions may result in
product damage.
2.0 SHIPPING PACKAGE CONTENTS (See Figure 2.)
Your shipping package should contain the following:
•Section A: Co-Ax Press with all components not noted in
Sections B and C already assembled.
•Section B: Important Parts Packet.
•Section C: Loose Components.
3.0 SAFETY INFORMATION
WARNING
PERSONAL INJURY
•Avoid possible pinch points.
Failure to comply with these instructions could result
in death or serious injury.
Always wear safety glasses.
4.0 MOUNT THE CO-AX PRESS TO A WORK SURFACE
The Co-Ax Press may be directly mounted to a work bench, or
to a board for later use on the range or in the field. Due to the
extreme mechanical advantage engineered in the Co-Ax
Press, only two “C” clamps are needed to fasten the board-
mounted Co-Ax Press to a working surface.
1. See Figure 11 on the back page for a scale drilling
template.
2. Drill four ¼” holes. Mount the Co-Ax Press using ¼” lag
bolts.
5.0 SETUP AND ASSEMBLY
5.1 Install the Handle
1. Insert the Handle into the B3 Yoke Handle Casting (-055).
2. Using the 1/8 Allen Wrench (SHORTARMHEXKEY1/8),
tighten the Handle Set Screw (¼-28) (-014).
Note: A short handle with a ball end is available separately for
use when less leverage is needed. See Section 9.0.
5.2 Install the Primer Catcher (See Figure 1.)
1. From below, insert the threaded part of the Primer Drop
Tube (-053) through the hole in the Primer Catcher Cap
(-050).
2. Screw the Primer Catcher Cap to the Primer Catcher Cup
(-051).
3. Pass the Primer Drop Tube through the middle hole in the
bottom of the Frame Casting (-031).
4. Screw the Primer Drop Tube into the tapped hole in the
bottom of the Guide Block Casting (-045) until finger tight.
Figure 1. Primer Catcher Installation
5.3 Adjust the Jaw Opening Screw (-044) (See Figure 2.)
The Jaw Opening Screw controls the amount the lower
Shellholder Jaws open to accept cases when the Handle is
raised to its highest position. Adjust the Jaw Opening Screw’s
height so that the Shellholder Jaws completely open when the
handle is in the full up position against overhead stops, but not
too far that it could damage the Shellholder Housing (-037).

2
Figure 2. Co-Ax Reloading Press (028271) Nomenclature
B3 Yoke Handle Casting
(028271-055)
3X Top Shell Holder Jaws
(028271-016) (See Figure 8.)
Top Shell Holder
Jaw Block
(028271-017)
Locator
(028271-018) (See Figure 9.)
Primer Catcher Cap
(028271-050)
Primer Catcher Cup
(028271-051)
Primer Drop Tube
(028271-053)
1/8 Allen Wrench
(
SHORTARMHEXKEY1/8)
Section B. Important Parts
Packet
5/32 Allen Wrench
( SHORTARMHEXKEY5/32)
2X Guide Rod
(028271-048)
2X Pin “C”
(028271-047)
3X Socket Head Cap Screw
(10-24x ½”)
(SCR10-24X1/2SHEADCAP)
Large Primer Seater Assembly
(028271-102) (See Figure 7.)
2X Pin “B”
(028271-032)
2X Link
(028271-034)
2X Pin “A”
(028271-026)
2X Roll Pin
(1/8" x 1" for Pin “A”)
(028271-026A)
Guide Block Casting
(028271-045)
Primer Drop Tube
Retaining Ring
(028271-052)
Wear Plate
(028271-046)
Jaw Opening Screw
(028271-044)
2X Socket Set Screw 10-24x3/8" for Pin “C”
(028271-054)
2X Button Head Screw (10-24x5/8")
(028271-020)
2X Roll Pin (1/8"x5/8")
(028271-038)
4X E-Ring (½”)
(028271-035)
Shell Holder Jaw Housing
(028271-037)
2X Jaw Pressure Spring
(028271-039)
Frame Casting
(028271-031)
“S” Lower Shell Holder Jaws
(001231) (See Table 1)
(Holes not used.)
Handle Set Screw (¼-28)
(028271-014)
2X Button Head Screw
(10-24x5/8") (not shown)
(028271-020)
2X Pin “C”
(028271-047)
Wear Plate
(028271-046)
Primer Catcher Cap
(028271-050)
Primer Drop Tube Retaining Ring
(028271-052)
7/64 Allen Wrench
( SHORTARMHEXKEY7/64)
Small Primer Seater Assembly
(028271-101) (See Figure 7.)
Section A. Co-Ax Press with All Components Not Noted
in Sections B and C Already Assembled
Lock Ring Detent Screw (5/16")
(028271-028)
Lock Ring Detent Ball
(028271-030)
Lock Ring Detent Spring
(028271-029)
Two Cross Bolt Lock Rings
(028271-101)
Primer Drop Tube
(028271-053)
Primer Catcher Cup
(028271-051)
Section C. Loose Components
Handle Grip
(028271-011)
Handle Tube
(028271-013)
Handle
Handle Grip
(028271-011)
Handle Tube
(028271-013)
Handle

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6.0 CASE SIZING AND BULLET SEATING
6.1 Choose the correct lower shell holder for the caliber being sized/seated.
•Table 1 shows the three lower shell holders available for the Co-Ax Press.
•Figure 3 shows how to use the on-line FORSTER PRODUCTS TOOL SEARCH BY CARTRIDGE to find which lower shell
holder to use with your particular caliber,
Table 1. Lower Shell Holder Specifications
Name
(Order
Number)
Description Dimensions
“S” Lower
Shell Holder
Jaws
(001231)
Factory
installed on
the Co-Ax
Press with
large ends
aligned; ready
for reloading.
•Spring-loaded; automatically open
and close on the case head when
the case is inserted in the die and
the Co-Ax Press handle is lowered
for full length resizing, allowing the
case to float. When the handle is
raised and the case is extracted
from the die, these jaws
automatically open and release
the case.
•Set of two.
Small ends hold:
.343” to .422” rim
.343"
Large ends hold:
.468” to .562” rim
.468"
Side View
“LS” Lower
Shell Holder
Jaws
(001251)
Available
separately.
•Accommodates a wide range of
very large and very small case
heads.
•Spring-loaded; automatically open
and close on the case head when
the case is inserted in the die and
the Co-Ax Press handle is lowered
for full length resizing, allowing the
case to float. When the handle is
raised and the case is extracted
from the die, these jaws
automatically open and release
the case.
•Set of two.
Small ends hold:
.312” to .375” rim
.312" .312"
Large ends hold:
.531” to .625” rim
.531"
Side View
Large End
.065"
Small End
.070"
Lower Shell
Holder
Adapter
Plate
(AP1000)
Available
separately.
•For use with those few calibers
that the “S” or “LS” Shell Holder
Jaws do not accommodate.
Requires a caliber-specific shell
holder (not available through
Forster Products).
•Not spring-loaded.
•
Single plate.
Without Caliber-Specific
Shell Holder
With Caliber-Specific
Shell Holder
Case Rim Diameter Comparison
.312" to .375"
.343" to .422"
“S” Shell Holder Jaws
“LS” Shell Holder Jaws
.468" to .562"
.531" to .625"
300" 400" 500" 600"
Complete contact of shell holder to case - case held securely.
Incomplete contact of shell holder to case - case still held securely as determined by user.

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Figure 3. On-line Search for Lower Shell Holder Jaws
1. Go to the FORSTER PRODUCTS TOOL SEARCH BY
CARTRIDGE at search.forsterproducts.com.
2. Input your cartridge name (223 Rem is used here as an
example). Click on the “Search” button.
3. The search should return a screen similar to that shown
below. The Lower Shell Holder Jaw information is at the
bottom of the table.
6.2 Change/Adjust the Lower Shell Holders (if
Needed)
6.21 Change/Adjust the “S” or “LS” Lower Shell
Holder Jaws (See Figure 4.)
Figure 4. Lower Shell Holder Jaws Change/Adjustment
Step 1: Using the provided 1/8 Allen
wrench, loosen the two Button Head
Screws (-020).
Step 2.
Carefully lift off the
subassembly containing:
•Two Button Head Screws
•Shell Holder Jaw Housing (-037)
•Two Jaw Pressure Springs (-039)
•“S” or “LS” Shell Holder Jaws
•Wear Plate (-046).
Step 3: Remove the two Button
Head Screws and set them aside.
Set the component stack on a work
surface.
Step 4.
Carefully turn the
component stack over.
Step 5. Carefully slide the Wear
Plate off and set it aside. This is to
prevent the two Jaw Pressure
Springs from coming loose too
soon.
Step 6. Remove the “S” or “LS”
Shell Holder Jaws and the two Jaw
Pressure Springs, in that order.
Step 7.
Ensure the ends of the
selected pair of Shell Holder Jaws
are correctly matched and insert
them in the Shell Holder Jaw
Housing.
Step 8: Replace the two Jaw
Pressure Springs.
Step 9: Replace the Wear Plate.
Ensure the rounded edge of the
Wear Plate is placed over the two
Jaw Pressure Springs.
Step 10: Carefully turn the
component stack back over.
Step 11: Carefully pick up the
component stack and replace the
two Button Head Screws.
Step 12: Replace the subassembly
on the Co-Ax Press and tighten the
Button Head Screws.

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6.22 Optional Lower Shell Holder Adapter Plate
Installation
1. Remove the Lower Shell Holder Jaws Subassembly
following the instructions in Section 6.21 and set aside.
2. Remove the two Button Screws from the Lower Shell
Holder Jaws Subassembly and place them in the
corresponding holes in the Lower Shell Holder Adapter
Plate.
3. Place the Lower Shell Holder Adapter Plate on the Co-
Ax Press and tighten the Button Head Screws.
4. Using the 5/64 Allen wrench (provided separately with
Adapter Plate) tighten the set screw against the shell
holder.
6.3 Adjust the Sizing/Seating Die in the Co-Ax
Press T-Slot (See Figure 5.)
1. Unscrew the die approximately two-thirds out of the
Cross Bolt Die Lock Ring, ensuring that its screw is
centered in front.
Figure 5. Reloading Die Adjustment in the Co-Ax Press
T-Slot
2. Lower the Handle all the way down against the stop.
3. While holding the Lock Ring with one hand, screw the die
through the Lock Ring until it makes contact with the
Shell Holder Jaws.
4. Using the provided 7/64 Allen wrench, tighten the Lock
Ring in place on the die, just tight enough to keep the Die
Lock Ring under tension. Do not over tighten: the die
must be allowed to float in the T-Slot for proper
alignment.
For specific Forster Products Sizing and Seating Die
Instructions, go to forsterproducts.com, then click on PDF
Library/Instructions.
7.0. PRIMER SEATING
7.1 Primer Seating Overview (See Figure 6.)
Proper priming is one of the most critical operations in the
reloading process. In order for your ammunition to perform
efficiently, consistent ignition is absolutely mandatory. For
this reason, we paid special attention to the priming function
in the design of the Co-Ax Press.
The primer seater design is engineered with such precision
that no excessive tolerance or “slop” is required in any of the
mating parts. The primer post in the Primer Seater Assembly
(see Figure 6) moves freely in its channel with minimal
clearance. This extremely tight tolerance delivers remarkably
consistent seating depth, time after time.
Regardless of the variation in the dimension of the case rim
or the amount of force used in seating the primer, with the
Forster Products Co-Ax Press, it is impossible to crush a
primer or vary the seating depth.
Figure 6. Primer Seater Assembly Function
View A View B
View A: Dimension “A” is greater than dimension “B” by
.004" to .006".
View B: When force is applied to the guide block of the
press, the bottom of the primer cup stops against the base
of the primer post. The top of the primer cup stops against
the case head. Because the primer post is longer than the
cup by .004" to .006", the primer will always be seated
.004" to .006" below the case head as shown in View C.
View C

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7.2 Adjust the Co-Ax Press
7.21 Primer Seater Assembly (See Figure 7.)
Based on the primer diameter being used, select either the
Small Primer Seater Assembly or the Large Primer Seater
Assembly (see Figure 7) and screw it into the Co-Ax Press.
Figure 7. Primer Seater Assembly Versions
Small Primer Seater
Assembly
(-101)
.175"
Diameter
Large Primer Seater
Assembly
(-102)
.210"
Diameter
7.22 Top Shell Holder Jaws (See Figure 8.)
Based on the thickness of the case rim being used, ensure
all three ends of the Top Shell Holder Jaws are matched and
aligned, and held loosely face down on the Shell Holder Jaw
Block (-017). Note the stamped circle that indicates which
ends are aligned.
Figure 8. Top Shell Holder Jaws (-016)
0.054” Ends
0.072” Ends
.054" .072"
Stamped
Circle
Top Shell Holder Jaws in Place and Ready to Be
Tightened
7.23 Locator
1. Match the Locator end to the primer diameter being
used. (See Figure 9.)
Figure 9. Locator (-018)
.175" Diameter
.210" Diameter
2. Lower the Co-Ax Press Handle until there is enough
room to insert the Locator up into the Top Shell Holder
Jaw Block (-017) from underneath.
3. Center an unprimed case on the Locator.
4. While holding the locator in place, adjust the three Top
Shell Holder Jaws inward onto the case rim and tighten
the three Socket Head Cap Screws (SCR10-
24X1/2SHEADCAP) around the case. Do not
overtighten. (See Figure 10.)
Figure 10. Locator in Use
5. Lower the Co-Ax Press handle and remove the Locator.
You are now ready to prime. If the case rim is either too
loose or too tight, try using the opposite end of the Top
Shell Holder Jaws.

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7.3 Prime Your Cartridges
NOTICE
Wear thin medical gloves on the primer hand to improve
the grip and help keep the primer from contamination.
1. Insert the primer on the Primer Seater Assembly and
the case on the Top Shell Holder Jaws following the
instructions below.
WARNING
PERSONAL INJURY
Ensure you use one of the two following positions for
inserting the primers on the Primer Seater Assembly and
the cases on the Top Shell Holder Jaws:
Right-handed users:
•Facing the press, take a position to the right of the
press.
•Lower the handle forward approximately 90 degrees.
•From the rear of the press, use your right hand to insert
the primer and the left hand to insert the case.
Left-handed users:
•Facing the press, take a position to the left of the press.
•Lower the handle forward approximately 90 degrees.
•From the rear of the press, use your left hand to insert
the primer and the right hand to insert the case.
Right-handed Left-handed
Failure to comply with these instructions could result
in death or serious injury.
2. Raise the Co-Ax Press handle to seat the primer. Only a
very small amount of force is needed.
8.0 MAINTENANCE
•Use a good quality gun oil to lubricate moving parts, wipe
all unpainted parts with oil to prevent rust.
•When not in use, keep a protective cover, such as our
028271-300 (see Table 2), over the Co-Ax Press.
9.0 ACCESSORIES
Table 2. Accessories
Order No.
Description
SH1000
Short Handle for Co-Ax Press
In use
028271-300
Protective Cover for Co-Ax Press (Press
not included)
10.0 REPLACEMENT PARTS
Every product component is available individually. A
complete list of component order numbers and prices is
available on our website. Go to forsterproducts.com, then
click on Components/Parts Price List.
11.0 VIDEO
Go to our Video Library (see Video Library link under
RESOURCES on our homepage) to see videos of the Co-Ax
Press.
12.0 DISTRIBUTORS/RESELLERS
We recommend using our Resellers when ordering our
products. Their experience and knowledge will help you
select the best products that meet your specific
requirements. In addition, they usually offer the best prices
and convenient delivery options.
To find a Reseller, go to forsterproducts.com, then click on
Locate a Distributor/Reseller. If your Distributor/Reseller
cannot supply you, please contact Forster Products directly.

WARRANTY
All Forster Products are warranted against defects in materials and workmanship for the life of the product. Parts which, by nature of their
function, are subject to normal wear (such as springs, pins, etc.) and parts which have been altered, abused or neglected, are excluded from
the warranty. If the product is deemed defective by workmanship or materials, it will be repaired, reconditioned or replaced (at Forster
Products’ option). This warranty supersedes all other warranties for Forster Products whether written or oral.
forsterproducts.com
028271-002 Issue 4, November 2013
Figure 11. Scale Drilling Template
2"
2.5"
1"
Edge of Workbench
4X 0.25" Dia.
Mounting
Holes