Press for someone new to reloading rifle

[hoz53]

Admission; I did not read all the posts so...

Just keep in mind a T7 (which I have and love) is not a progressive press like a shotgun press. It IS incredibly versitile and well made. For progressive i use a Dillon 550. Honestly, I still do my sizing on the T7.

One neat thing about a T7 is when you want to actually check cartridge length to the land bearing point on the bullet. knowing each bullet may vary, you can use a micrometer die in one hole and an instant indicator in the next. First you seat long. Then you click over to the instant indicator, take a reading to see how long you really are, do the math, dial in the change on the seat die micrometer, click back and seat. Takes out the variable of differences in the bullet (and the II reads to the Land Bearing Point, not the bullet tip, so that helps.)

Snert

To Snert Thats a good idea and a reason I might want a turret. Got me thinkin Thanks- hopefully helped the OP

Jimbires I dont think I would turn the turret two or three times for each individual cartridge. Thats way more activity than i need to do. I sure wouldnt load different dies in the coax for each individual cartridge. I do it the old fashioned way one operation at a time. The coax has got me spoiled with ease of die switching and for me a turret would be no faster. Different strokes for different folks I guess.

i dont know I think I have ten different presses and now mabie I will convince myself I need a turret. I really like sizing and seating rifle in the coax and i have several single stage presses set up for operations like decapping-expanding- case forming- ect. plus dillions for pistol and 5.56. Hopefully at least the OP gets something out of all this.

 

[Steve Ladino]

looking for recommendations on a turret press to start reloading rifle and pistol. I have a lot of experience with shotgun reloading but realize that rifle reloading is very different. I was thinking about starting with a turret press instead of a single stage. Any recommendations between Lee or Hornady? Appreciate any advice or thoughts.

Thanks

Consider the dirt element from decaping and how it affects the original quality of the reloading tools. The burnt primer debris are very abrasive.

 

[snert]

Consider the dirt element from decaping and how it affects the original quality of the reloading tools. The burnt primer debris are very abrasive.

This is a good point. I would set up a cheap fleabay old single stage for this process.

I am of the mind that it is easier to do one process at a time on each batch of cases, then turn the turret. Nice thing is I can do sizing on, for example, 6BR, toss them in tumbler, click over to 22PPC, seat bullets, click back when the BR is clean...you get my point. I keep two die sets in, and usually some extra die or three die set too.

 

[dickn52]

Turning a turret is really not that much faster than handling each case.
You can only process one case or cartridge at a time.
Time it. You will not find more than about 5% improvement.

To go significantly faster you really need a progressive that has 5 or 7 stations with each station processing one case per stroke.
A turret does not save a single stroke of the ram.

You're right. But it does save screwing them in, setting them up and then using them like my Chucker does.

 

[jimbires]

I think of it like my brass prep tool . I pick up a case chamfer the inside neck , debur the outside , brush inside the neck , brush the primer pocket , grab another case . I wouldn't do all the inside necks , then all the outside necks , then all the primer pockets , etc . this sure sounds like a difference in time to me . a turret press will change your routine a little , if you want it to .

 

[hoz53]

This is a good point. I would set up a cheap fleabay old single stage for this process.

I am of the mind that it is easier to do one process at a time on each batch of cases, then turn the turret. Nice thing is I can do sizing on, for example, 6BR, toss them in tumbler, click over to 22PPC, seat bullets, click back when the BR is clean...you get my point. I keep two die sets in, and usually some extra die or three die set too.

Yeah these are basically the same way I do it. I use one of those cheap little lee presses for my decapping so I don't get the primer junk in my good presses. I do have a little trouble breaking decapping pins as it seems like the decamping dies just don't center the case up so good. I keep a wood block on my bench my most used dies sit in and just slide one out of the coax and slide one back in when I want to switch. That doesn't take over 10 seconds. Of coarse if you've gotta change shell holders it takes longer to change the jaws. I do one operation at a time on the whole batch I am working on. It's all just a matter of personal preference. No one way is better than another. OP would do well either single stage or turret to start but I'm glad I started with a single stage.

 

[snert]

I think of it like my brass prep tool . I pick up a case chamfer the inside neck , debur the outside , brush inside the neck , brush the primer pocket , grab another case . I wouldn't do all the inside necks , then all the outside necks , then all the primer pockets , etc . this sure sounds like a difference in time to me . a turret press will change your routine a little , if you want it to .

Because I have slave labor...two helpful teen girls...I size large amounts, tumble then I trim with a WFT, toss it to teen #1 who hits the outside chamfer, on to teen#2 for inside chamfer and into a box where later I hit the primer pocket and do a quick eval. That process is for when I load 1000 223 or 308. Otherwise I break it down a bit and don't conscript! For my PPC and BR i generally trim with a Wilson, do the other stages in groups with electric drills, batches at a time. I am fundementally lazy.

Just how I do it. If loading 20 of something, I do the method you outlined. You are correct...the equipment drives the process, as do the numbers of cases and the purpose of them.

 

[Jet]

If I was limited to one press it would need to be portable and I would buy a Harrell's Turret Press

http://harrellsprec.com/index.php/products/harrells-tooling-turret-press-by-henry-harrell

Having reloading tools/equipment set up to load either at the range or at home offers a huge advantage in time savings.

Rich

 

[Matt in Virginia]

fwiw, I decap on my Co-Ax with an RCBS Universal Decapping Die. The BEST decision I ever made when buying that RCBS die was to be 50 or 100 spare decappings pins at all of $10 at the time(2002 time frame). Moral of the story I've broken a few and have a ton left. Another really nice part about the Co-Ax is the glass/grit that you have to worry about when you decap with other presses winds up in the cup where it belongs. Superb design though you still need an O or C Frame press for bullet pullers or PMA Micro Die Adjusters if that blows up your skirt...

Regards, Matt.

 

[hogpatrol]

Because I have slave labor...two helpful teen girls....

You have my condolences.

 

[danny]

To Snert Thats a good idea and a reason I might want a turret. Got me thinkin Thanks- hopefully helped the OP

Jimbires I dont think I would turn the turret two or three times for each individual cartridge. Thats way more activity than i need to do. I sure wouldnt load different dies in the coax for each individual cartridge. I do it the old fashioned way one operation at a time. The coax has got me spoiled with ease of die switching and for me a turret would be no faster. Different strokes for different folks I guess.

i dont know I think I have ten different presses and now mabie I will convince myself I need a turret. I really like sizing and seating rifle in the coax and i have several single stage presses set up for operations like decapping-expanding- case forming- ect. plus dillions for pistol and 5.56. Hopefully at least the OP gets something out of all this.

I am happy with my Co-Ax for the reasons you mention...but....doesn't Lee make some of their turret presses with an auto advance feature, you know, just in case the OP is really set on a turret press?

Danny

 

[snert]

You have my condolences.

Actually they are respectful, godly, gentle and strong young ladies and I still have their hearts. I am blessed (by all three...just two of them like to shoot)

 

[hogpatrol]

Actually they are respectful, godly, gentle and strong young ladies and I still have their hearts. I am blessed (by all three...just two of them like to shoot)

You're a blessed man. Neither of my offspring took up shooting.

 

[BoydAllen]

It seems to me that turrets will always have some potential for flex and indexing issues, but I understand the attraction. As a alternative, let me suggest what I have done to my Rockchucker. I converted it to Loc-n-load. Changing a die is very quick, and your die settings are preserved, locked to the inserts. If I were shopping for a new cast iron press, I would give serious consideration to the new Hornady cast iron press, that comes with that feature. I have aluminum presses that I like a lot for loading at the range, but for situations where portability is not an issue, I prefer cast iron.

 

[CH Luke]

It seems to me that turrets will always have some potential for flex and indexing issues, but I understand the attraction. As a alternative, let me suggest what I have done to my Rockchucker. I converted it to Loc-n-load. Changing a die is very quick, and your die settings are preserved, locked to the inserts. If I were shopping for a new cast iron press, I would give serious consideration to the new Hornady cast iron press, that comes with that feature. I have aluminum presses that I like a lot for loading at the range, but for situations where portability is not an issue, I prefer cast iron.

Good advice from a reliable source. Loc-n-Load is a great combination of time saving and flexibility that allows you to use a very stout single point press.
In my specific applications loading for one pistol and one rifle for over 90% of my usage the T7 met my needs in near perfect symmetry.
Three dies for 9mm. For my 308 it's four - bullet tipping, de-capping, sizing (Comp S bushing) and seating (Redding comp S with dial micrometer). Once in a while I pull the de-capper when I need to use the bullet puller.
If I was to add another caliber rifle now then I would consider buying another head for $75 but for my application saving my die settings has saved some time but also minimized complexity and pulling out notes and remembering where I was (this part is also eliminated by the Loc-n-Load. Also consider my press mounting area is somewhat limited on my current bench configuration.
I will add the T-7 has proven stout enough and combined with good dies has delivered near perfect concentric Ammo.

 

[hoz53]

It seems to me that turrets will always have some potential for flex and indexing issues, but I understand the attraction. As a alternative, let me suggest what I have done to my Rockchucker. I converted it to Loc-n-load. Changing a die is very quick, and your die settings are preserved, locked to the inserts. If I were shopping for a new cast iron press, I would give serious consideration to the new Hornady cast iron press, that comes with that feature. I have aluminum presses that I like a lot for loading at the range, but for situations where portability is not an issue, I prefer cast iron.

Thanks Boyd for bringing up the idea of flex in a turret. This was one of the reasons i never wanted a turret in the past before the T7 came out. I realized the T7 was a big improvement but I still didnt see how a turret would help me much. I am always trying different calibers and like to be able switch my dies quickly so the coax with the die bench block works good for me. The lock and load system would be great for a guy with just one single stage press with the larger tapped hole. For me its not necessary and would just complicate things. Its good to hear from guys like CH Luke how good the T7 really is. I might decide I need one one of these days.

 

[MagnumManiac]

I, too, have a turret, mine is the RCBS 6 station version. I have several heads full of dies, I just change heads. With more than 30 rifles, this is just ease of convenience for me.
The flex, as has been mentioned, has never caused any eccentricity problems for me. I still use my Rockchucker, but, not as much as my turret.
If switching between the two, die lock ring adjustments are necessary, I try to avoid this, so some of my dies are dedicated to one or the other, and, the Rockchucker is the only press I have that takes 1" or 1 1/4" dies, which my big bores require.

The T7 is a very good press too.

Cheers.