Single Stage to Turret Press

[charlie b]

I had a Lee turret press for 15 years. It was my first press, mainly cause it was cheaper than any other decent press at the time. When I wanted more volume I gave it to a friend and got a Loadmaster progressive. Had that for over 20 years. Then had a Pro4000. Now I am back to a single stage since I don't reload for pistols anymore.

The Lee turret presses and Loadmaster used die carriers. You could set up any kind of sequence you wanted. Load .45acp start to finish. Or, when I loaded cast in .308 I would set up for decap, size, prime, expand with one carrier and then charge, seat, crimp in another carrier. Changing die carriers was simple and fast. Changing shell plates on a progressive is a little more involved, but, not horrible. Shell plates and die carriers weren't expensive. I'd keep a couple die carriers around in case I needed a different setup.

The newer Lee progressives have the quick change dies and it is not as fast to change calibers. But, you don't have to buy a carrier plate for each setup either. Want to change a setup, just swap a few dies. The interrupted threads make changing quick. If I ever went back to volume loading (several hundred at a time) then I'd get another progressive, either Lee or DIllon depending on the volume and number of calibers.

Turret presses are the kinda in-between press. Not as fast as a progressive, but, faster than a single stage.

If cost wasn't a factor I'd look at the Coax presses with the fast die swap before I got a turret press. It just did not 'help' me that much over a single stage.

 

[hoz53]

I had a Lee turret press for 15 years. It was my first press, mainly cause it was cheaper than any other decent press at the time. When I wanted more volume I gave it to a friend and got a Loadmaster progressive. Had that for over 20 years. Then had a Pro4000. Now I am back to a single stage since I don't reload for pistols anymore.

The Lee turret presses and Loadmaster used die carriers. You could set up any kind of sequence you wanted. Load .45acp start to finish. Or, when I loaded cast in .308 I would set up for decap, size, prime, expand with one carrier and then charge, seat, crimp in another carrier. Changing die carriers was simple and fast. Changing shell plates on a progressive is a little more involved, but, not horrible. Shell plates and die carriers weren't expensive. I'd keep a couple die carriers around in case I needed a different setup.

The newer Lee progressives have the quick change dies and it is not as fast to change calibers. But, you don't have to buy a carrier plate for each setup either. Want to change a setup, just swap a few dies. The interrupted threads make changing quick. If I ever went back to volume loading (several hundred at a time) then I'd get another progressive, either Lee or DIllon depending on the volume and number of calibers.

Turret presses are the kinda in-between press. Not as fast as a progressive, but, faster than a single stage.

If cost wasn't a factor I'd look at the Coax presses with the fast die swap before I got a turret press. It just did not 'help' me that much over a single stage.

“it (the turret) just did not help me much over a single stage”. yep that was me.
you basicly have two or three dies to screw in and out of a single stage press or you go get the tool head with the dies you want on it and install it on the turret press. not really alot of time difference to me and you have to buy the turret and tool heads.

 

[hoz53]

Been a single stage reloader for oh man 40 years now but as I'm starting to get into a multitude of different calibers, I think a turret press would be the way to go perhaps even with multiple heads.

Redding T7 looks good or perhaps the lower cost Lyman BrassSmith.

What say you all?


41

ill just say i havent seen anybody mention the hornady lock and load. ive never used them but you may wanna check it out. good luck with what ever you choose.

 

[1shot]

I measured the deflection of my T7 with my dial indicator on a magnetic stand attached to the press. When the turret is locked down tight I got .0015 deflection. However when loosening the center bolt just enough to allow the turret to index between stations, I got .0025.
I hope this helps,

Lloyd

 

[just_jon]

I made the switch from an RCBS RC to the T-7 several years ago. I’ve not noticed any difference in the accuracy of ammo produced and enjoy the convenience. That said, getting set up with extra heads quickly became a money pit. Cost seemed insignificant when buying one ir two heads at a time, but they really add up when setting up for 24 different cartridges.

 

[Tacoma]

I've got the Lyman Turret. I like it well enough to keep various dies ready for instant sue. That said, I have a pair of Lee Classic Turret Presses that I've been using for near 20 years now to load a dozen plus calibers. . I can't say enough good about them. 120=150 rounds /hr capable, set-up/cal swap takes less than 3 min. Reliable as a hammer, VG quality ammo. Best of all, I retain that single stage safety/control that I lost when I ran a Dillon 550 years back.

 

[bks22345]

I do all my rifle loading on a co-ax. It’s really easy to switch between dies, takes about 1 second. But it’s still a single stage.

For my pistol ammo & 223 (AR stuff) I use a Honady Lock and Load Ammo Plant. Once your dies are set in the little lock inserts, you can change out 4 dies in about 10 seconds. It’ll take another minute or so to adjust the powder drop for a different size case. I don’t get in a big hurry but I can do about 200 9mm in an hour, drinking coffee and checking the powder on a scale about every 20 cases. That’s without a case feeder or bullet feeder. 45 ACP seems to be a little slower, maybe 150.

 

[209jones]

I am more inclined towards using a Co-Ax over a turret, less storage space needed than with extra turrets, a T7 and a couple of turrets is same price. Maybe a turret would work better with pistol stuff and workflow, but, if a person is doing a lot of pistol, or AR ammo, may be better to go to a progressive anyway.

 

[Leo_B]

I guess I'm at a small advantage in that I'd be loading only a few calibers, the .32 revolver family, mainly .32 H&R Mag, the .38 revolvers, mainly .38SP with a bit of .357 now and then, .22 Hornet, .30 M1 carbine and .223/5.56. So not very many turret plates if I did go that route.

I can't see all the fuss over co-ax. Yeah, I get the quicker change of calibers but I believe it's basically the same with Lee Breech Lock and Hornady Lock-N-Load presses. No fine tuning, just put in the preset die for the new caliber (after the first time setting up and fine tuning I presume). I do see one of those three as a much more convenient option than others though.

 

[SKWERLZ]

I use the Lee turret and have loaded on a T7, they are quite versatile.