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Turret Presses?

Bryan Clark

New to reloading-handloading, like no experience what so ever. I started shooting CMP NRA Highpower last year and would like to get started loading my own ammo for all the benefits it offers.

I was wondering what the general perception of turret presses like the Redding T7 and the Lyman All American 8 is? Can turrents achieve the same level of accuracy as single stage presses or do they sacrifice some precision for convenience. I like the idea of keeping multiple dies in the turret ready to use already setup.

Currently shoot .223 and .308 both AR platforms and gave made it to expert classification. Looking to advance of course so ammo I produce needs to at least be able meet that standard. However I would like to make ammunition as near to perfect as I can. Any advice is appreciated.
 
Like so many other things EVERYONE will have an opinion of what is the best way to go. I feel as much depends on the human factor as anything else. Not knowing how good of a shooter you are - I believe that MOST shooters are better served NOT worrying about making "perfect" ammo and practicing more. Not to say that one should be satisfied with crap ammo, just that many shooters go to great lengths on striving to make the best when they can't hit the broad side of a barn.
With that being said, I use a Dillon 550 progressive press and got a thousand yard group about 7" with my long range rifle and a 2.75" group at four hundred yards with my medium range rifle. Can I load better ammo - maybe. Is this good enough for me - yes. I have no intentions of of wearing out barrels etc looking for that "perfect" load. Also that perfect load may change when you replace components, the barrel wears, etc. etc.
 

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If you want a turret press the redding or harrels are the only 2 choices where you dont have to upgrade later. A 550b is even better
 
You will never find out if you have "perfect" ammo. What you will find is that a particular combination of case, brand and amount of powder, primer, brand and weight of bullet, seating depth, neck tension, trim length, etc.. shoots well in YOUR rifle. This said, I've loaded ammunition on a RCBS Rock Chucker, Redding Big Boss 2, Dillon 550, Redding T-7s and Forster Co-Ax over the years and found little difference in the quality of ammunition or its ability to shoot accurately. In my experience, I've found that dies can make more of a difference than presses, unless you get a "bad" press.

I have a Forster Co-Ax but I use a Redding T-7 for all of my heavy lifting while the Co-Ax is used only for removing primers.
 
Thank you for the replies everyone. I feel reassured. Sounds like the T7 would be my best option. The twin press thing had crossed my mind as well. I plan on having a dedicated single stage for decapping and range use if needed.
Good advice about not necessarily needing or striving for perfect ammo as well. Fully understanding I have alot of skills to develop both shooting and making ammunition. Hopefully they will both progress harmoniously together. Just like investing in adequate equipment to begin with and not have any doubts.

I'm sure there will be questions coming.
Thanks again
 
Welcome to the forum Bryan. Reloading is an ongoing process and the learning never ends. Keeping an open mind and asking question/searching for answers, as you did in your initial inquiry, and listening to the input from other forum members, as you did in your follow-up post, tells me you will do well in your quest to reload good ammunition.

I suggest to new shooters and reloaders to have a "purpose and budget". The "hole" is deep and it's easy to lose sight of your goals. Some practices/methods/equipment will have great value while others may be slight. Determining your shooting needs will help identify the equipment and methods necessary to accomplish your shooting and reloading goals.

Again, welcome and enjoy the journey...Semper Fi
 
Jarhead6870 said:
Welcome to the forum Bryan. Reloading is an ongoing process and the learning never ends. Keeping an open mind and asking question/searching for answers, as you did in your initial inquiry, and listening to the input from other forum members, as you did in your follow-up post, tells me you will do well in your quest to reload good ammunition.

I suggest to new shooters and reloaders to have a "purpose and budget". The "hole" is deep and it's easy to lose sight of your goals. Some practices/methods/equipment will have great value while others may be slight. Determining your shooting needs will help identify the equipment and methods necessary to accomplish your shooting and reloading goals.

Again, welcome and enjoy the journey...Semper Fi
Click to expand...
Well said
 
I was on the fence until today about to buy the new Frankford Arsenal press now I am going to hold off and let others be the testers. I have been using the T7 for several years and the slight tilt in the turret was a big concern. I recently found a article about stoning the turret bushing so last night I did that. Now i only have a .002 gap at the back of the press instead of .004. Couple the T7 with Redding and Wilson FL bushing dies is my setup now for 308 and 223. I now seat with a K&M arbor press and Wilson Micrometer seating dies. You can't go wrong with Redding and Wilson equipment. Like they say buy once cry once.
 
I don't see the need for a multi station press if you de-prime, clean, measure, inspect and possibly trim the rifle case etc first. So you automate the powder drop and bullet seat. Not much going on there for a 4-station press. Maybe you prime the case there but I want to feel the primer seat. I don't use a turret press obviously but any single stage press is a one-time purchase.
 
Just loaded up 20 test rounds of 6mm Creed on my Hornady lock n load. Consistant seating depth every time and of those 20, concentricity gauge showed none over .001 and most at .0005 runout.
 
If you use a Wilson hand die for seating I’m not convinced the press makes much difference. I’ve used many presses over the years including a lee classic turret and they all held around the same runout and conisistency of shoulder bump assuming you’re using nice dies like Harrels. Press choice is really more about ergonomics in my opinion.
 
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