Seeking advice

[Swatman05]

I will be getting into reloading for my 30 Nosler and possibly for my M1A Tanker in 308. I've been looking at the Redding T7 press. I like that it had the rotating head and I wouldn't have to remove dies, etc.. Like on a single stage press. Are there pros or cons of the T7 type reloading press vs Single stage or vice versa? I'll be using the Redding Competition Die set for the 30 Nosler and probably the same for the .308. I hope to hear from you guys soon!

Ryan Moeller

 

[piie]

I have two, with an extra head for both, load everything from 10mm auto, through 6.5Cm all the way to .458 Lott on them. My 6.5CM puts 5 shots practically through the same hole at 100m, so I personally have never found a large enough con in either of them to justify anything else.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I think it would make a lot of sense to start out that way. It would sure be better than to keep buying old Rock Chuckers like someone I know.

 

[std7mag]

How many stations on the T7?

Personally I started off with a Lee 4 hole turret press.
I have a Lee single stage press also, but seldom use it.

I reload everything I have, and for a select few others with the turret press.
Yes, even my match ammo is done on the turret press.

Something to look at also.
I just got 3 more turrets for the Lee for $11 each.
How much are the turrets for the T7?

 

[Kracken McGraw]

How many stations on the T7?

Personally I started off with a Lee 4 hole turret press.
I have a Lee single stage press also, but seldom use it.

I reload everything I have, and for a select few others with the turret press.
Yes, even my match ammo is done on the turret press.

Something to look at also.
I just got 3 more turrets for the Lee for $11 each.
How much are the turrets for the T7?

Seven stations and extra heads are around $90 now.

 

[dthomas]

I have not used a turret press but not having to constantly changing dies would seem like a good idea. I use a hornady single stage with the quick change bushings and love it. Not having to readjust dies every time is nice.

 

[Fire Dog]

Unless you absolutely want a turret press, a Foster Co-Ax is also a good buy and you can just slip the dies in and out once they are set and never have to reset them like a standard single stage press.
I have an original made by Bonanza {bought out by Foster} and it is excellent for loading precision ammo even as it hits the 300K mark...
I do use a 21St Century primer tool rather than the one on the Co-Ax to get truly accurate seating depth but with the floating shell holder plate design it is always centering the case into the die without any distortion.
Just a thought/suggestion....

 

[Uncle Bruce]

Unless you absolutely want a turret press, a Foster Co-Ax is also a good buy and you can just slip the dies in and out once they are set and never have to reset them like a standard single stage press.
I have an original made by Bonanza {bought out by Foster} and it is excellent for loading precision ammo even as it hits the 300K mark...
I do use a 21St Century primer tool rather than the one on the Co-Ax to get truly accurate seating depth but with the floating shell holder plate design it is always centering the case into the die without any distortion.
Just a thought/suggestion....

I have a older single stage press ,once I set up a new die that's it ,I don't have to readjust the die just unscrew it and install the next one. The lock ring goes down to the press and it's the same time after time.

 

[K22]

I have a single stage press, RCBS Jr., that I have used for over 50+ years to reload literally thousands of pistol and rifle cartridges. I have nothing negative to offer regarding turret presses since I never used one nor never wanted / needed one.

I am guilty of a maximum effort to keep reloading as simple as possible. I have never found it the least bit cumbersome to screw in a die to size cases, then remove it, and screw in the seating die. The least moving parts in the system, the better for me. A single stage press offers the best "fail safe" process for my old brain to avoid making mistakes.

As far as die adjustments, my process is simple and painless.

I reload for 10 different 223 Rem bolt rifles which sometimes requires F/L sizing die adjustments. I haven't changed the lock ring on my F/L die in over 5+ years since I started using Skip Shims. I merely insert a different size shim under the lock ring to change the degree of sizing. The best part is the shims are inexpensive, work for any caliber F/L die, and are effective.

Seating depth is easily changed by setting the seating stem using a "dummy" round and fine tuning if necessary.

 

[bozo699]

I have a T7 and it’s very ridged, I see no more runout on it as I do any other press. I think area 419 makes tops for them but I see no problems with the factory turrets.
Wayne

 

[Swatman05]

Sorry for the late reply gentlemen.. I wasn't being notified that this was being replied too.. LOL.. I've seen the Forester Co-Ax on here. Can you use Redding Competition Dies with it? One thing I thought about.. Would it be easier to use a turret press that does everything for you, one round at a time.. Or single stage press and do the same thing (de-capping, sizing, etc..) on the brass you have, and then move on to the next step and repeat the process?

 

[piie]

Sorry for the late reply gentlemen.. I wasn't being notified that this was being replied too.. LOL.. I've seen the Forester Co-Ax on here. Can you use Redding Competition Dies with it? One thing I thought about.. Would it be easier to use a turret press that does everything for you, one round at a time.. Or single stage press and do the same thing (de-capping, sizing, etc..) on the brass you have, and then move on to the next step and repeat the process?

With the T7, the choice is yours. One is not better than the other, it’s a personal preference. Only thing I do not do on my presses is de-priming (or priming), decapping due to mess, and priming because I have a dedicated primal rights tool. Any standard thread die will work on basically any brand press out there

 

[Swatman05]

With the T7, the choice is yours. One is not better than the other, it’s a personal preference. Only thing I do not do on my presses is de-priming (or priming), decapping due to mess, and priming because I have a dedicated primal rights tool. Any standard thread die will work on basically any brand press out there

What do you use for de-priming? I'll most likely be purchasing a nice hand priming tool for priming

 

[piie]

What do you use for de-priming? I'll most likely be purchasing a nice hand priming tool for priming

Old RCBS junior press with the Redding universal decapping dies

 

[Kracken McGraw]

The t7 has a primer catching tube that’s mounted on the press. It should work great for decapping, just keep a rag around to clean up a little when necessary.

 

[Bat Rastard]

I have a T7 and a Co-Ax. They are both great machines.
If I could only have 1, the Co-Ax would-be the keeper.

There is a forum member in your part of the world with a Co-Ax for sale.
I suggest you pounce on it.

SOLD - Forster Co-Ax, with extras, not shipping. In Arizona, 350.00 - pics added

I have a Forster co-Ax I bought a couple years ago. I wanted to try one but I just keep using my old press that I’ve been using for 30+ years. The press, inline base plate, two extra sets of jaws come with it, no box. As new. I’m not interested in dealing with shipping it. I live in the White...

forum.accurateshooter.com

 

[Wild Bill IV]

Unless you absolutely want a turret press, a Foster Co-Ax is also a good buy and you can just slip the dies in and out once they are set and never have to reset them like a standard single stage press.
I have an original made by Bonanza {bought out by Foster} and it is excellent for loading precision ammo even as it hits the 300K mark...
I do use a 21St Century primer tool rather than the one on the Co-Ax to get truly accurate seating depth but with the floating shell holder plate design it is always centering the case into the die without any distortion.
Just a thought/suggestion....

Right on!!!!
I too have the old BONANZA press and still have the original box!!! I've loaded over 15K loads and it works so smoothly now!!!
I still have a third of the 1st bottle of Bonanza lube and the RCBS lube pad!!! Ever case does not need lubed!!! I usually lube the 1st 5 cases to lube the die!!! After that, I run unlubed cases until I feel a little more resistances necessary for forming!!! I stop at that point, relube the case and continue forming!!! A couple more lubed cases, and then run dry cases again until more resistances is felt!!! Repeating the process!! That one bottle of lube at $2.00 will probably last my entire life!!!!

I have never had bullet/case alignment problems EVER when using Bonanza, Forster, or Redding dies!!!! NOTE: ONLY USE BONANZA OR FORSTER LOCK RINGS IN THE B/F CO-AX PRESSES!!!!

 

[Swatman05]

I have a T7 and a Co-Ax. They are both great machines.
If I could only have 1, the Co-Ax would-be the keeper.

There is a forum member in your part of the world with a Co-Ax for sale.
I suggest you pounce on it.

SOLD - Forster Co-Ax, with extras, not shipping. In Arizona, 350.00 - pics added

I have a Forster co-Ax I bought a couple years ago. I wanted to try one but I just keep using my old press that I’ve been using for 30+ years. The press, inline base plate, two extra sets of jaws come with it, no box. As new. I’m not interested in dealing with shipping it. I live in the White...

forum.accurateshooter.com

I'm $150 shy of his asking price.. Been trying to sell some stuff to make up the difference.. LOL.. So why would you recommend the Co-Ax over the T7?

 

[Doom]

I load 223 and 308 along with pistol. The advantage of a turret press in operation is the ability to size and flare a pistol case in two sequential strokes. If you have separate heads for the turret press then changing dies is quicker. Beyond that a single stage 'in theory" should be more rigid but I've not seen any conclusive evidence that this shows up in less runout.

 

[old codger]

I have a Lee single stage press but I seldom use it. I changed over to the Lee Classic turret press. I have a tool head for each caliber I load (9 different calibers) and once set up i never have to change any settings. Tool heads are cheap $15.00 each.