Opinons on a press

[topclass2017]

I'm a fan of turret presses. Used a RCBS single stage rock-crusher for years. Changed to a Dillon progressive and watched my group sizes increase and my QC decrease in direct proportion. Too many things going on at once. Went back to a single stage for awhile before getting an RCBS Turret. Couldn't be happier. As has been said, set the dies once and that pretty much it other than if I change bullets. I have different turret plates for each caliber I load. I use my rock crusher as a dedicated de-primer now, just changing out the shell holder as/when necessary.

 

[BenPerfected]

How many different presses have you tried? Just because you bought one doesn’t make it the “best”. IMO, with all the variables in this sport, the impact of the brand of press is way down the list of items that effect accuracy. Invest in wind flags.
Ben

 

[muleystalker]

The T-7 is a great press and I came real close to getting one. Was also looking at the Forster Co-Ax press. Lots of great reviews on that one too. Then a good friend gave me a Co-Ax that he wasn't using. I love this press. The only reason I didn't even consider it in the past was due to the price. But now I wish I would have saved up and spent the money. The T-7 and the Co-Ax are too close in price to make a difference, IMO. Die changes with the Co-Ax are fast. I have a Lyman turret so I know the benefit of it. The downside of a turret is when you have to buy more shell plates. In the case of the T-7 they are about $70. That can add up quickly. That doesn't happen with the Co-Ax.

Haven't seen very many reviews on the new Lyman turret so I can't comment on that one.

Either press is good. Just gets a little expensive with shell plates with a turret.

Good luck in your choice.

The problem with the co ax I have heard some dies don't fit it. can't remember the particulars. Love my 2 T-7's. They are built like a tank.

 

[mike06]

This is exactly why I'm wanting it. Once i get my die set up on the shoulder bump i need, i don't like to have to remove it.

I use a Redding Body and the Redding Competition Shell holders they will let you adjust the head space without adjusting the die itself.

 

[Tommie]

Loads faster and more chances to make mistakes. Seen too many "squib loads" to change my way of thinking. Might be OK if you WATCH WHAT YOUR DOING??

?

 

[tomb]

The Coax press will take any dies. The lock rings on some are too thick to slide into the press. All it takes is replacing the lock rings. For accuracy loading it has no peer. It also doesn't require shell holders either. Reversible sliding jaws cover almost all case head sizes. I have two of them, along with a Rockchucker and a Dillion 550B. Everything I will ever need.

 

[muleystalker]

The Coax press will take any dies. The lock rings on some are too thick to slide into the press. All it takes is replacing the lock rings. For accuracy loading it has no peer. It also doesn't require shell holders either. Reversible sliding jaws cover almost all case head sizes. I have two of them, along with a Rockchucker and a Dillion 550B. Everything I will ever need.

It didn't have to do with the lock ring, it had to do with the length/height of the dies I believe, some of the micrometer seating dies, Hornandy was one that comes to mind.

 

[hoz53]

It didn't have to do with the lock ring, it had to do with the length/height of the dies I believe, some of the micrometer seating dies, Hornandy was one that comes to mind.

Some dies stuck up to high and hit the handle. I believe they have addressed this

 

[LVLAaron]

I have a T7. The turret has a TINY bit of play in it. So if you're resizing or seating bullets you will tilt the head back a tiny bit. Might just be the one I have. Until I can find a coax press I just keep a piece of 4 thou shim stock between the turret and body on the back side to keep things aligned.

 

[hoz53]

Thru the 30 years that ive been reloading, ive only used a single stage lyman and rcbs press. Ive saved up some money and im considering the Redding T7 Turret press. Ive noticed it gets very very good reviews, but is there any disadvantage to switching to this press?

Different strokes for different folks. I’ve never seen the point in a turret press. Anything that moves has to have tolerances. I have a coax. I keep my often used dies in a wood block in front of my press. I can switch the dies in and out of the coax pretty fast. I don’t have to buy any extra plates.
I’ve got single stage presses and a couple dillons— I don’t see any reason for me to have a turret at all. You don’t say what you’ll be reloading. That makes a difference.

 

[Falfan2017]

I've had a few presses over the years. Started with a single stage small rcbs. It lacked resizing power for bigger cases and was slow but overall pretty capable. Then I got a lee progressive and it almost made me get out of reloading. Every time I used it was the most frustrating reloading experience and it made absolutely awful ammo with primer depths and seating depths all over the map.
Sold it in a hurry bought a lee classic turret. It is surprisingly capable for what it is. Pretty quickly churns out plinking or even moa capable hunting ammo. The cheap removable turrets are very convinient as you never have to unscrew your dies once you get them set. However it does have a lot of slop to it and is somewhat under powered for full length sizing and uniform shoulder bumping. This would be a good starter press for around 100$ used but the priming and seating will make it not competitive for br or f class. For a while I continued to use it for resizing and using an expander mandrel and then using wilson seating dies and a hand primer. This system works well and will produce high quality ammo with low runout if you use good dies. Is it as tight and precise as coax or Sinclair? No probably not.

Also have a hornady lock and load that will efficiently crank out hundreds of pistol rounds or plinking 223. Pros cheaper than a Dillon 650 especially when you get into caliber changes. With the lock bushings it changes calibers extremely quickly and cheaply.
Cons not as reliable as a Dillon and the primer system is prone to jamming requiring you to dump all the primers.

 

[Rustytigwire]

I have a Rockchucker. Change this n that for 6 Remington and different 223 bullets. Now i have a 20 cal too. Going to use the Rcbs for the 6mm. So I bought a T7 to put diff dies on for the 2 smaller calibers. Set up, identify, leave it in place. I will be able to mess up 8 times more than before without changing anything!

 

[XENU]

Howdy,
I have been using a T7 for loading .338 Lapua Magnum for about 12 years. No complaints whatsoever with the press. Plenty of room for longer cartridges, but it still could be taller for .338 Lapua. The primer catching feature is great. I bought the press not so much for the turret functionality, but the wide open area around the shell holder area. The turret isn't really a time saver IMHO.
Cheers,
XENU

 

[C.E.Smith043]

Different strokes for different folks. I’ve never seen the point in a turret press. Anything that moves has to have tolerances. I have a coax. I keep my often used dies in a wood block in front of my press. I can switch the dies in and out of the coax pretty fast. I don’t have to buy any extra plates.
I’ve got single stage presses and a couple dillons— I don’t see any reason for me to have a turret at all. You don’t say what you’ll be reloading. That makes a difference.

Rifle only. Mainly 223, 22-250, 243, 308, 30-06 all for hunting purposes. I don't compete at all.

 

[ranger3]

Coax, had mine for two years now and can't believe how my ammo quality has improved. It's very consistent.

 

[NorCalMikie]

NorCalMikie said: ↑
Loads faster and more chances to make mistakes. Seen too many "squib loads" to change my way of thinking. Might be OK if you WATCH WHAT YOUR DOING??
???

I was thinking "progressive". I prefer my Rockchucker.

And as was mentioned, anything that moves has play in it. Rock solid is THE thing.

 

[marchboom]

It didn't have to do with the lock ring, it had to do with the length/height of the dies I believe, some of the micrometer seating dies, Hornandy was one that comes to mind.

I have Forster and Redding micrometer seating dies and there are no clearance problems with the handle. All the different manufacture's lock rings that I have fit the Co-Ax.

I really like the ability to change the dies REALLY quickly.

 

[BenPerfected]

Seems to me the press decision may be mostly about price. The Rock Chucker at Midway is $159 an the Forester is $325. It sounds like another decision about perfect accuracy vs perfect price.
Ben

 

[hogpatrol]

My T7 had play in the turret and it allowed for variation in sizing and seating. Subsequently I reduced the size of the bushing on the pivot bolt and now I can lock it down tight after selecting a die. This eliminates any slop. I only use it for seating bullets. All sizing is done in a Lee "O" press.

 

[hoz53]

Rifle only. Mainly 223, 22-250, 243, 308, 30-06 all for hunting purposes. I don't compete at all.

How many rounds a year would you load then?