Is it feasible to use the Redding T-7 turret press to set up your sizing dies so that you get the headspace needed and just leave the dies there for the next time??? It seems like every time I go to size cases I go thru the process of having to re-set up and adjust my size die to hit the headspace dimension I want/need. Is anyone out there doing this and do the size dies stay adjusted for your next loading cycle???? Seems like it should work, but then again it would also seem like once I got the lock ring set I should be able to remove and replace the die and have it go back to the size dimension I had...but it wont. At least not for me. Is it worth it to try the T-7??? 7 stations would be enough to set all my size dies and just leave them right there. Thanks in advance for any info.
Redding T-7 ?????
- Thread starter msinc
- Start date
bobinpa
Gold $$ Contributor
I used a T-7 for years and I think it is very precise. I believe it is repeatable too...... but I went through a period of time when I was having runout issues and I switched back to my Rock chucker, in the process of elimination. I later found that annealing helped my runout issue more than the press, but I haven't switched back to the T-7. The T-7 just collects dust... I don't believe it was any part of the problem and yes it was nice to have several calibers set up at the same time.
Use a T7 for exactly that reason. Works well. Sizing has been very repeatable using Redding FL bushing die with of course well-lubed cases.
Redding comp seater too though even with BTO pre-sorted and tipped Berger's I've gotten in to the habit of backing off .001 to .002. This is borderline OCD but it has allowed me after some practice to keep my variance in CBTO to down under .001.
Redding comp seater too though even with BTO pre-sorted and tipped Berger's I've gotten in to the habit of backing off .001 to .002. This is borderline OCD but it has allowed me after some practice to keep my variance in CBTO to down under .001.
If you feel like your dies aren't retaining their position you might try a Forster lock ring:
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/1100282628/forster-cross-bolt-die-locking-ring-7-8-14-thread
The clamp ends up applying a bit of downward force so it's tricky to get the shoulder bump just right. I use these sometimes when I used my RCBS press but they don't buy you much with a clamping lock ring:
http://www.sinclairintl.com/reloadi...es/skip-s-die-shim-kit-7-8-14--prod33197.aspx
Also, expect a little variance case to case, 0.002" total tolerance would be reasonable. This would account for play in the cast iron turret. I have a Harold's Turret press which I've taken most of the play out of the post. It uses a CNC turret that was uniform to 0.0005" last I checked and even then I would expect some variance case to case (I.e. Up to 0.001" +/-).
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/1100282628/forster-cross-bolt-die-locking-ring-7-8-14-thread
The clamp ends up applying a bit of downward force so it's tricky to get the shoulder bump just right. I use these sometimes when I used my RCBS press but they don't buy you much with a clamping lock ring:
http://www.sinclairintl.com/reloadi...es/skip-s-die-shim-kit-7-8-14--prod33197.aspx
Also, expect a little variance case to case, 0.002" total tolerance would be reasonable. This would account for play in the cast iron turret. I have a Harold's Turret press which I've taken most of the play out of the post. It uses a CNC turret that was uniform to 0.0005" last I checked and even then I would expect some variance case to case (I.e. Up to 0.001" +/-).
XTR
F-TR obssessed shooting junkie
Are you annealing?
It makes a difference or about .001 to .002 in shoulder setback on my T-7.
Yes I use one.
When you set up your dies, they have to be used in the exact same hole every time or you will get different results .If you measure the thickness of each hole with a caliper you will find a few thousandths difference in thickness from hole to hole. I used fingernail polish and put dots in front of each hole.1 dot 2 dots etc.
and put corresponding dots on each die so they always go back to the same hole . Cured the problem for me. Try it, I think you will find the t-7 to be very accurate.
Thanks a million for all the replies fellas!!! Let me just add that I wouldn't really be moving any of my resize dies once in the turret and adjusted. Also, I do anneal my cases. It sounds like I can expect this press to hold headspace to within .002"???? If that is true then I might as well stick with what I have now....002" is not close enough for headspace to me. I can get it to dead on now, but have to reset my size dies each time. Maybe I am reading this wrong.
It's not that I "don't like to change" I will absolutely change in a heart beat if it's worth it but to only get headspace length on cases to within .002"....I am doing better than that now. No, it's not that I don't want to change, it's that I don't want to keep resetting size dies every time I size cases.
It's not that I "don't like to change" I will absolutely change in a heart beat if it's worth it but to only get headspace length on cases to within .002"....I am doing better than that now. No, it's not that I don't want to change, it's that I don't want to keep resetting size dies every time I size cases.
I have three T-7s and I use them to leave dies set up so I do not have to adjust them each time I use them, as you are considering doing, and that works well. I really like the T-7s. They are strong enough to do the resizing I do for most applications like the 223 but I still use a strong single stage press to resize the 308 with a small base die for the M14, even though this may not be necessary.
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