I drank the coax koolaid

[6pakzak]

Tagnbagem, what brass are you using, new, fired, and how are you sizing them, I believe the mec is an excellent press but would like to know what your using for brass and your process

 

[6pakzak]

Actually I am thinking about getting the MEC also, for the money I got back from the coax I'm pretty close to buying the mec and the rebel and relegate my lee to depriming

 

[SSgt G Cody]

First of all I'm a new to this forum but been learning a lot from you guys so thanks. I'll get to the point, seen coax available at Scheels last week so I ordered it while I could, in the mean time while waiting I picked up an old rcbs junior press on cl for 50 bucks, been using lee challenger press which is pretty sloppy, I set up Jr press, used Redding body die and then lee collet die and seated with Forster die on challenger press, to my amazement I had less than .001 runout using Sinclair tool to measure. So I tried it again and again and wow making some straight bullets, 10 in a row, maybe 2 with 0015 runout, coax comes in, set it up, used same sequence and runout is all over the place, some good but most over .003, tried new Lapua brass and still not so good, challenger press would make .001 runout with new brass. So went back to old set up, readjust everything and good ammo again, I'm looking at this coax and seeing all the moving parts, shell holder ain't between the Rams and wondering how something like this can line up better than a ram going through one hole, which seems much simpler, any ideas, I'm thinking of sending it back and getting a rebel or

First of all I'm a new to this forum but been learning a lot from you guys so thanks. I'll get to the point, seen coax available at Scheels last week so I ordered it while I could, in the mean time while waiting I picked up an old rcbs junior press on cl for 50 bucks, been using lee challenger press which is pretty sloppy, I set up Jr press, used Redding body die and then lee collet die and seated with Forster die on challenger press, to my amazement I had less than .001 runout using Sinclair tool to measure. So I tried it again and again and wow making some straight bullets, 10 in a row, maybe 2 with 0015 runout, coax comes in, set it up, used same sequence and runout is all over the place, some good but most over .003, tried new Lapua brass and still not so good, challenger press would make .001 runout with new brass. So went back to old set up, readjust everything and good ammo again, I'm looking at this coax and seeing all the moving parts, shell holder ain't between the Rams and wondering how something like this can line up better than a ram going through one hole, which seems much simpler, any ideas, I'm thinking of sending it back and getting a rebel or a mec.

Accuracy most likely coming from Lee Collet Dies! They are very accurate and centered!

 

[justinp61]

I load with a Rockchucker I bought used many years ago, it's strong, simple design and works. The coax looks well engineered but I've never used one so I can't comment on them.

I do have a question on runout though. For the average shooter who doesn't own a custom rifle, someone who'll shoot at max 600 yards with his trued 700 action, barrel of choice and a SAAMI spec chamber.

At what point does runout become a problem, .002, .004? Any definitive examples of excessive runout? Not looking for speculation or theory, but actual results.

Justin

 

[orkan]

It'll become an issue at about .008 or higher.

 

[Martin@Hin]

I own two Dillons (a 450L and a RL550B), a RCBS Supreme, and a Co-Ax. I find that they all serve a purpose. the 450 is left set up to load .223, the 550 for handgun, and the Supreme and the Co-Ax for most everything else. The Co-Ax I've owned for 50+ years. It was manufactured by Bonanza, which ultimately became the Forester. It is the same press that is manufactured today minus a couple of upgrades (taller yoke, priming system, etc.). The only thing that I've done to this press was to go away from their sliding shell holder system and convert it to use individual shell holders. I found this to be an improvement. If the rifle is up to the task I can get one hole groups with my hunting loads and that is good enough for me. I don't find the RCBS press to be better or to produce a more consistent load but I'm not a competition shooter.

I have several presses the CoAx is a fine press.I like the sliders but remember to not force the press on the back stroke on stuck cases ,remove the sliders to unstuck them.
I did not realize the shell holder conversation.
Thank you.
For forming and the big stuff nothing beats a heavy press.

 

[6pakzak]

I shot my 223 today and separated bullets with under .002 runout from those with more, most under this we're under .001 to .0015, most over the .002 mark were about .003 to .005, (most of second group were made on coax press), did 2 groups of 5 shots for both the under and over, small runout group was 5/8 and 3/4 with all bullets touching, large run out groups were 1 1/8 and just under 1 1/4, that is with savage walking varmintor at 100yds, new Lapua brass, of course made exactly the same. If I shoot cheap factory ammo I get close to 2 inch groups, I measured runout on factory Remington green tip ammo that I had left and got up to .007 runout with most above .004, I noticed once I got runout around .001 I get no flyers, the biggest thing that I've done to improve my groups drastically is get rid of all that runout. Maybe some rifles don't care but all of mine do.

 

[asd9055]

I shot my 223 today and separated bullets with under .002 runout from those with more, most under this we're under .001 to .0015, most over the .002 mark were about .003 to .005, (most of second group were made on coax press), did 2 groups of 5 shots for both the under and over, small runout group was 5/8 and 3/4 with all bullets touching, large run out groups were 1 1/8 and just under 1 1/4, that is with savage walking varmintor at 100yds, new Lapua brass, of course made exactly the same. If I shoot cheap factory ammo I get close to 2 inch groups, I measured runout on factory Remington green tip ammo that I had left and got up to .007 runout with most above .004, I noticed once I got runout around .001 I get no flyers, the biggest thing that I've done to improve my groups drastically is get rid of all that runout. Maybe some rifles don't care but all of mine do.

Out of curiosity, what press was used for most of first group

 

[6pakzak]

Tomorrow I will try my savage patrol ar15 with sierra 77gr hpbt cause I have a bunch of bullets with around .004 to .005 runout courtesy of my returned coax press and I have a bunch with around .001 runout made on old rcbs Jr.

 

[6pakzak]

All were FL sized on the Jr, I immediately stopped sizing on the coax cause it was a pain to adjust if shoulder needed a little more or less, the runout occurred after seating on the coax with Forster seating die, which baffled me cause seating doesn't put a lot of force on press, thought seater might be bad but when I put it on lee press everything was straight again. When I did size on coax I got over .001 runout on neck where as the Jr was .0005, now that could have been differences in the cases but I didn't try the coax for FL sizing enough to figure it out, maybe I should have tried some new Lapua cases and checked runout before and after but to late now, press is gone.

 

[asd9055]

All were FL sized on the Jr, I immediately stopped sizing on the coax cause it was a pain to adjust if shoulder needed a little more or less, the runout occurred after seating on the coax with Forster seating die, which baffled me cause seating doesn't put a lot of force on press, thought seater might be bad but when I put it on lee press everything was straight again. When I did size on coax I got over .001 runout on neck where as the Jr was .0005, now that could have been differences in the cases but I didn't try the coax for FL sizing enough to figure it out, maybe I should have tried some new Lapua cases and checked runout before and after but to late now, press is gone.

Thanks!
I bought an RCBS RC II 35 years ago! Only one I have ever used! I really don't know what my runout is, but I have been happy with the results!

 

[justinp61]

It'll become an issue at about .008 or higher.

Thank you sir.

 

[6pakzak]

I was getting a lot of flyers and that's why I got runout gauge, it's helped me make way better bullets, probably best reloading investment I made but if your happy with your results you can't do better than that. If I didn't have it I would have kept the coax and been happy with it, I liked the quick change die system and the smooth operation, although I'd probably drive myself crazy with powder charges, shoulder bump, and everything else cause of all the flyers. If you're getting consistent good groups u probably don't need one.

 

[asd9055]

I was getting a lot of flyers and that's why I got runout gauge, it's helped me make way better bullets, probably best reloading investment I made but if your happy with your results you can't do better than that. If I didn't have it I would have kept the coax and been happy with it, I liked the quick change die system and the smooth operation, although I'd probably drive myself crazy with powder charges, shoulder bump, and everything else cause of all the flyers. If you're getting consistent good groups u probably don't need one.

Which one did you buy?