single stage vs. turret press

[predatorshark]

Hi! everyone
Yep... my first thread. I want to start reloading my own ammo and I'm really not sure which press I'm gonna get. The caliber i will reload (as a start, anyway) are: .308 win, 223 rem, 9mm para pistol.

Turret or single stage, milk or no milk, vanilla or chocolate??? i guess you see my point
I don't shoot a lot, but it's a growing interest for me so it will surely go up (my shooting of course!)

One of my friend say's single is the way to go. nothing to complicated and you can reload almost all caliber and with great precision. In a sense i know he's right, but I'm not that convince.

Oh! one more thing, i don't have a ammo factory budget, more of a tight one!!!

So, if anyone out there can give their ideas or suggestions lightbulb

Thanks in advance!

JF

 

[Sully2]

Single stage to start. You can always buy a turret press in addition later ( much later) on SHOULD YOU NEED the amount of ammo a turret can make for you.

Get an RCBS Rock Chucker to chart

 

[emn83]

I use a single Stage. It works for what I do, might take a little longer than a turret, but I can't really tell, since I tumble my brass after sizing, and that gives me plenty of time to swap dies before I start loading

 

[sharpshooterbr]

My recommendation would be to buy a single stage press, then upgrade it with the Hornady Lock-N-Load die bushings. These allow you to quickly change between dies, without having to reset adjustments everytime. Here is a link to the product on Midway's website. Hornady Lock-N-Load Press Die Conversion Bushing Kit

I personally have never liked turret presses due to the fact that anytime you introduce more moving parts, you inherently increase the risk of failure or at the very least a possibility for more runout in your cartridge. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Broz]

There is nothing complicated about the Redding T-7 Turret press. In FACT it is easier ,,,, MUCH easier to operate than a single stage. Some people must be getting "Turret" and "progressive" mixed up.

The beauty of the Redding T-7 Turret press is that once you set up your dies, and get them set at the exact setting for shoulder bump or bullet seating you leave them there. They are ready to go all the time by simply turning the head to the die you need. No playing around with the time wasting task of setting up the sizing die to size then removing it to set up the seating die for seating. Want to load one or just a few loads, easy, the dies are set and ready to go.

You have 7 spaces for dies. That is enough for up to 3 different rifles. I loaded with a rock chucker for years. They are a great press but they don't hold a candle to a T-7 progressive. I now have two of them to do all my reloading from 17 fireball to 338 Lapua. Plus I have extra turret heads that change out with the simple removal of one allen head bolt. Although I rarely need them and they are stored at the back of the bench.

If you want simple, and precision rounds with runout numbers in the .0005" to .0015" Go with a T-7 and you will never regret it. Take it from someone that has loaded for may years and does indeed load with a turret. They are the way to go.

Jeff

 

[bigngreen]

Turret press all the way, we've had a single stage and an older lyman turret for years but I'm building the mount for our new Redding T-7 right now, what an upgrade

 

[sharpshooterbr]

"There is nothing complicated about the Redding T-7 Turret press. In FACT it is easier ,,,, MUCH easier to operate than a single stage. Some people must be getting "Turret" and "progressive" mixed up."


If this was addressed towards my comments about moving parts on a "turret", then I will tell you that I do, in fact, know the difference between a turret and a progressive press. In fact, I own all of these types in both rifle and shotgun.

My comments on the "moving parts" comes down to the fact that the turret itself is a moving part. Depending on the type of turret press one uses, some merely rotate into position and remain there by way of a detent ball, while others actually have a pressure lock nut to hold them in place. My issue with either type is that this can lead to inconsistent pressure on the die head, which can and will cause runout issues if the pressure changes or their is ever wear in any of the joints.

Not trying to start a ****ing match, just wanted to point out my experiences with both types of presses. Just my opinion, take it for what it's worth...but I'll stick with my Forster Co-Ax. Garrett

 

[Broz]

"There is nothing complicated about the Redding T-7 Turret press. In FACT it is easier ,,,, MUCH easier to operate than a single stage. Some people must be getting "Turret" and "progressive" mixed up."


If this was addressed towards my comments about moving parts on a "turret", then I will tell you that I do, in fact, know the difference between a turret and a progressive press. In fact, I own all of these types in both rifle and shotgun.

My comments on the "moving parts" comes down to the fact that the turret itself is a moving part. Depending on the type of turret press one uses, some merely rotate into position and remain there by way of a detent ball, while others actually have a pressure lock nut to hold them in place. My issue with either type is that this can lead to inconsistent pressure on the die head, which can and will cause runout issues if the pressure changes or their is ever wear in any of the joints.

Not trying to start a ****ing match, just wanted to point out my experiences with both types of presses. Just my opinion. Garrett

Garrett, No that was not intended as a reply to you at all. In fact if you read the OP's first post there is reference to someone stating the single is less complicated. You stated you knew the difference. If I had wanted to reply to something you said I would have quoted you.. Like you did the part of my post and I did to you in response to you addressing me.

As far as the T-7 and consistency I have had the one for 5 years. (2008) it has loaded 1000's of rounds. If you look at the T-7 you will see it runs in close tolerance with a machined, true flat surface in the rear where the pressure is diverted to true everything up under the stroke. I use the Redding competition dies and have never loaded truer ammo and that includes a few single stages over the years. I was skeptical too but after seeing the machining quality and using it for years I bought another so my son and I could load together. I check seating depth, and run out of ever round and also the sized cases. The .0005" to .0015" TIR is the norm not the exception. I truly like the T-7 and was responding to anyone that says a single stage is easier or less complicated. That is simply not true.

Jeff

 

[sharpshooterbr]

Fair enough Jeff. Sorry I took it the wrong way. The Reddings are indeed very high quality turret presses, and your success with your loaders is evident from some of your posts I have read in the past. As with everything, different strokes for different folks! Take care, Garrett

 

[Broz]

No harm no foul Garrett. And thanks for the kind words. For the record I have a progressive too. A few in fact. Here is the current model.

 

[sharpshooterbr]

Very nice. They sure take all of the work out of reloading! Especially when you set them up with the brass and bullet feeders. The only way it gets any easier is to have it setup on hydraulics like my Ponsness Warren shotgun loaders are! Garrett

 

[Broz]

I only intend to use the XL650 for the spray and pray guns. .223 and 45 ACP. All the precision stuff is done on the T-7's one at a time. I just can't justify taking all that time for the .223. Heck the other day I stated after a yote and he was already low and long at 350 yards for the first shot. I had 10 rounds after him before I quit. Never drew a hair but sure had him dancing around snow balls.

Jeff

 

[CRUMROD]

There is nothing complicated about the Redding T-7 Turret press. In FACT it is easier ,,,, MUCH easier to operate than a single stage. Some people must be getting "Turret" and "progressive" mixed up.

The beauty of the Redding T-7 Turret press is that once you set up your dies, and get them set at the exact setting for shoulder bump or bullet seating you leave them there. They are ready to go all the time by simply turning the head to the die you need. No playing around with the time wasting task of setting up the sizing die to size then removing it to set up the seating die for seating. Want to load one or just a few loads, easy, the dies are set and ready to go.

You have 7 spaces for dies. That is enough for up to 3 different rifles. I loaded with a rock chucker for years. They are a great press but they don't hold a candle to a T-7 progressive. I now have two of them to do all my reloading from 17 fireball to 338 Lapua. Plus I have extra turret heads that change out with the simple removal of one allen head bolt. Although I rarely need them and they are stored at the back of the bench.



If you want simple, and precision rounds with runout numbers in the .0005" to .0015" Go with a T-7 and you will never regret it. Take it from someone that has loaded for may years and does indeed load with a turret. They are the way to go.

Jeff



What Jeff said X2





But I find myself using my Dillon 550B more these days, even for my 6.5 Creedmoor.

 

[Trickymissfit]

"There is nothing complicated about the Redding T-7 Turret press. In FACT it is easier ,,,, MUCH easier to operate than a single stage. Some people must be getting "Turret" and "progressive" mixed up."


If this was addressed towards my comments about moving parts on a "turret", then I will tell you that I do, in fact, know the difference between a turret and a progressive press. In fact, I own all of these types in both rifle and shotgun.

My comments on the "moving parts" comes down to the fact that the turret itself is a moving part. Depending on the type of turret press one uses, some merely rotate into position and remain there by way of a detent ball, while others actually have a pressure lock nut to hold them in place. My issue with either type is that this can lead to inconsistent pressure on the die head, which can and will cause runout issues if the pressure changes or their is ever wear in any of the joints.

Not trying to start a ****ing match, just wanted to point out my experiences with both types of presses. Just my opinion, take it for what it's worth...but I'll stick with my Forster Co-Ax. Garrett

if it'll move, it'll shift somewhat. I prefer a single stage press for everything but shotgun rounds.
gary