Here’s why the CO-AX press offers a mechanical advantage when it comes to reloading.
The mechanical advantage (M.A.) of reloading presses is an essential yet often misunderstood element of these tools. Advertisements claiming to have the “most powerful” or “strongest” press can be misleading, as weight and strength do not define a press’s efficiency. Instead, mechanical advantage—the ratio of resistance overcome to effort applied—is the key factor. This principle clarifies why the right press design can significantly ease and enhance the reloading process.
Presses can be evaluated using graphical, analytical, and force ratio methods, distinguishing between “C” press types and the CO-AX press. The CO-AX press stands out with its superior M.A., thanks to its capacity to leverage both dead centers. Detailed figures and calculations reveal that during the final 45° of handle movement, the CO-AX press offers roughly three times the M.A., making it more efficient for resizing cases. The analysis presented here indicates that enhancing the M.A. of the linkage is more effective than merely lengthening the handle, providing valuable insights for users and engineers seeking to improve reloading press performance.
