Harrell's Tooling Turret Press?

[00Scot]

I am interested in getting a new turret press to simplify my reloading process. I have always been very interested in the Harrell's Tooling Turret Press with the 4 head turret. But I also see that the Redding Turret press is about the same price and that the RCBS and Lyman are much cheaper.

I also really like the Forester Co-ax and its ease of use without having to screw in each die for each step. Just being able to snap them in is a big plus for me. But I would still have to change each dies for each step. With the turret I just spin the turret and go to work. I have always used Foresters Micrometer seeter and full length dies and have had great success with em. So I trust Forester for my reloading needs. I just wish they had a turret press.

My main draw to the turret press is being able to set the press up once and never have to adjust it again when I change calibers. just have to change turrets. That is the biggest plus for why I want a Turret press.

I'm more interested in accuracy and simplifying my reloading process then saving a hundred bucks. So I would like the best press for the money. If you had around $250 or so to spend on a Turret press where would you put your money and why? Why one press over another?

Or which Turret press do you currently own and why did you choose that one over the other options.

 

[brian427cobra]

I use a Co-Ax, I have no regrets at all, in the long run if you reload a lot of calibers the cost of shell holders adds up, I reload in my spare bedroom, the spent primer retention system on the Co-Ax keeps my wife from B$%^&hing too much, I use a RCBS Partner press at the range, I can tell you with out a doubt the Co-Ax has a lot more mechanical advantage vs a traditional press.

 

[spclark]

I have two Rock Chuckers for sizing or other brass-prep operations, my Harrell's turret's saved for seating (sometimes for crimping too if I'm loading pistol ammo) mostly. I have four 4-hole discs, my dies stay set the way I like them, takes maybe a minute to swap out a disc including the time to change shellholder. It's small & light enough to pack along to the range if I'm in need of some serious load development work too. I'd recommend one to anyone thinking about buying one with no hesitation.

 

[TX65]

I own two Harrell's 4 Die Turret presses which I use for resizing and seating and two single stage Harrell's presses that I now use for expanding and bullet pointing.

Only non-Harrell's press I own is a Redding Ultra Mag which I use for forming large cases when I am doing wildcats. Otherwise, I use the Harrell's presses for everything.

In addition to being able to clamp to a bench at home, I often take them to the range and do load development. The Harrell's make this process easy since you don't have to bolt them to a work surface.

 

[00Scot]

I have four 4-hole discs, my dies stay set the way I like them, takes maybe a minute to swap out a disc including the time to change shellholder.

That is my way of thinking exactly. I really like the idea of having to set the dies up once and never tinker with em again. Just change turrets for different calibers.

 

[00Scot]

Does anyone own or have used both the Redding and the Harrell's turret presses that can give me a honest comparison between them? Is there a reason to choose one turret over the other?

I just view the Harrell's press as being made with more tight tolerances in mind. Since Harrell's seems to cater more towards the accuracy crowd I kind of view that press as being capable of creating more concentric and consistently accurate ammo. but that is just my thoughts. I've never tried either of em so they are based on reputation alone.

Can anyone verify or debunk that line of thinking?

 

[00Scot]

Since I'm getting back into reloading and planning on loading a fair amount of rifle ammo I am looking into picking up a powered case prep station type set up. Can anyone recommend one? I've seen the Gracey trimmer, the RCBS and others. But I've never really researched em before. Can anyone give me some pointers on which one to take a look at? I'm not looking to spend a bunch of money on the top of the line one. But I am interested to see what you all use and why you chose that one over the others.

 

[mdavis78102]

Absolutely love my Harrell's presses.

I made mistake of ordering a couple of the three hole turrets. Wished I had ordered all four hole. Nothing mechanically wrong with three hole. it's just on the four, you can set up dies for two different calibers on one turret.

And, the Harrell's brothers are some really nice guys ta boot!

 

[00Scot]

I have decided to go with the Harrell's Press. I know I can't go wrong with it. Plus with it's quick attachment base I could take it to the range if I needed to work up some loads.

I remember hearing that there is a Die manufacturers that will make you a custom die if you send them 5 fired cases or something like that. Does anyone know which manufacturers does this? And can anyone that has done it tell me more about this please?

 

[AIAX50BMG]

Lyman dies won’t thread into my Harrell’s turret press.

 

[wvlongshot]

Lyman dies won’t thread into my Harrell’s turret press.

Have you tried other brands of dies?
Just call them if theres a problem

 

[cocopuff]

I own two Harrell's 4 Die Turret presses which I use for resizing and seating and two single stage Harrell's presses that I now use for expanding and bullet pointing.

Only non-Harrell's press I own is a Redding Ultra Mag which I use for forming large cases when I am doing wildcats. Otherwise, I use the Harrell's presses for everything.

In addition to being able to clamp to a bench at home, I often take them to the range and do load development. The Harrell's make this process easy since you don't have to bolt them to a work surface.

So how are you liking that Harrell's press. Been looking at one of the turrets for 357/44 mag. Any thoughts..

 

[mikecr]

My Harrell turret is not made for heavy work like FL sizing or even shoulder bumping only.
I use it now only for mandrel neck expansion. A standard Redding press for the heavy body work.
I could use it for bushing neck sizing and seating, but it happens that I use hand dies/arbor for that.

One thing I noticed right off is that the turret was held captive with a bolt, so that the disc could be turned by hand into detented positions. To do this this, there is play built in and the disc would cant some number of degrees under force. I couldn't stand that. There is also a lack of hand hold for the press and working the handle under any significant force would tilt the press against it's cheap clamping (there is not a lot of footprint). Didn't like that either.
To solve this I replaced the disc hold down bolt with a handle that tightens down to fully flatten the disc against it's support. No more canting of the disc and I can hold the press straight under any powerful use.
Just a tip

 

[fn1889m]

I see that this thread stretches from 2011 to 2021, so I assume I can add my own thoughts. What‘s two more years?

I bought a Harrell’s turret press, 4 hole, to replace a larger common brand name turret press that was not centered, though the loose ram made up for it. I use this press for loading pistol ammo, for the most part. It sits next to a RC Supreme. All the resizing is done on the RC - its just easier. I would not use the Harrell’s press to FL resize rifle range pickup. But it is a beautiful piece of compact equipment. It works very well as a primary pistol press. i am sure it would be equally fine for BR rifle. But I am mostly into shooting my cast pistol bullets. The RC works fine for rifle and heavy duty tasks.

For those of us in the non-BR crowd, the Harrell’s turret press is a great addition when you want to add a turret press next to the single stage press. It works well in combination with a SS press. It is straight and true, and capable of producing accurate rifle as well as pistol ammunition. I love its simplicity. Its compact size is not designed for FL reforming or resizing of thick walled rifle brass. But within its design parameters, it is worth the extra money.

I screwed a 4x8 aluminum plate into my bench surface to give the clamp and base a rigid surface to rest against. This was adequate to prevent flex of the bench surface. The Harrells gives much more feel than the RC. I think this is its best feature. I can feel primers seat, the bullet seat, and the case crimp. I can tell by feel when things are right, and when they are not. I also appreciate the compactness of the press, and the tighter dimensions to which it is machined, as opposed to the press it replaced.

if I was limited to one press for all my needs, I would probably get the Redding turret press, but its brick outhouse quality and larger size is not necessary if you also have a SS press for tasks which need extra force.

TLDR: The Harrells turret press is not intended for heavy duty reloading tasks requiring bench-flexing force. But used within its design parameters, it is a well designed and precisely made press that is worth the extra cost.

 

[leenizmeen]

Harrell turret press handle 300wsm?

 

[bozo699]

Harrell turret press handle 300wsm?

You do realize this thread is 13 years old?…
Wayne

 

[bozo699]

Harrell turret press handle 300wsm?

I believe they will do 3006 length cartridges

 

[leenizmeen]

Yes I do thankx much

 

[mgunderson]

My preference for the bigger magnum cases would be a single stage. Been a while since I sold my Harrels turret, but I believe a sleeved seating die would be a little tight. Been more than a few years so hopefully someone has more recent experience.

 

[Daddycaddie67]

I have decided to go with the Harrell's Press. I know I can't go wrong with it. Plus with it's quick attachment base I could take it to the range if I needed to work up some loads.

I remember hearing that there is a Die manufacturers that will make you a custom die if you send them 5 fired cases or something like that. Does anyone know which manufacturers does this? And can anyone that has done it tell me more about this please?

Whidden will make you one. Three fired cases is all he needs. E