Single stage vs Turret press questions.

tenntucker · Aug 15, 2009

I have a Redding T-7 turret. I bought two of the optional priming units. It takes a second to change from small to large primers.

I load everything using the same procedure as a single stage. When I'm through priming mt brass, I rotate the turret and then expand the mouth and so on.

You can get additional turrets for it and just leave the dies alone. Just replace the turret head to change caliber.

Smitty500Mag · Aug 15, 2009

Go to Lee's web site and watch the self help video's on the turret press reloading process demostrated. It's the first one listed at the top of the page.
Lee Precision, Inc. Reloading Tools and Equipment: Setup and Operation Help Videos

Comparing the speed of the turret press to a single stage press is like comparing apples to oranges. You can turn out ammo many times faster on a turret press than you can on a single stage press. The single stage press wasn't made for speed.
But the good thing about the turret press is that you can use it as a single stage press. It's nothing more than a revolving single stage press that you don't have to change dies in.

Smitty

carl418 · Aug 16, 2009

I agree with what was just said.. I use a RCBS Turret press and it's great. I have a different head for each caliber I reload so the dies stay adjusted, but calibers can be switched out in just seconds by removing one bolt.

It's faster than my RCBS JR3 when used as it's meant to be, but you can also use it just the same as a single stage press if you want. Just do the one stage to all your cases at one time before turning the head to the next stage.

TNRat · Sep 6, 2009

I currently have a new Hornady single stage that will be for sale. I am going with a Redding T7 turret after I have the time to sell the Hornady.

After some experimentation with cartridge development I want to lock everything down and leave it alone for awhile since I generally don't decide I like a particular load until I have shot over 100 rounds with it at a minimum. The turret will make it a little easier to do that w/o the larger expense of going with a Dillon.

My buddy has a Dillon 550B which I love, but whenever he sets up a caliber changeover it costs him around what a new Redding T7 can be purchased for. If you are looking at 6 or 8 different calibers that is a lot of money!

bnewc75 · Sep 7, 2009

i use a redding turret press

in two of my five stages
1st tumble
2nd size, deprime, bell
3rd hand prime
4th throw power off the press
5th seat and crimp

when I get set up and in a rhythm I can process a lot of brass .......... not sure of the total per hour production is but I can keep my needs filled and then some

Faulkner · Sep 13, 2009

TNRat said:
My buddy has a Dillon 550B which I love, but whenever he sets up a caliber changeover it costs him around what a new Redding T7 can be purchased for. If you are looking at 6 or 8 different calibers that is a lot of money!

I don't understand this. I have a Dillon 550B and I load three different calibers. You only need two extra parts to change calibers not counting dies (which you would need anyway no matter what press you use). From the latest Dillon catalog here is all you need and the costs:

$19.95 - Toolhead
$41.95 - Caliber conversion kit
$61.90 - TOTAL

A Redding T7 is over $240, so you could get three Dillon toolheads and caliber conversion kits for the price of a T7.

The advantage of a Dillon 550B is that I can change from loading .40 S&W to 9mm in five minutes. It's very simple to do. It takes a little long to change from pistol to rifle ammo, but I can easily change from .40 S&W to .30 carbine in ten minutes. If you're loading 6 or 8 different calibers I would want something that would be easy to change from caliber to caliber without a lot of time and effort.

Since I'm not experiance with a T7, I wonder how long it takes to change calibers?

Amici · Sep 13, 2009

You don't NEED a tool head; it is simply far more convenient. One can simply unscrew one set of dies and screw in another. Crisis resolved.

Similarly, one does not NEED a separate powder measure for each tool head; it is - again - simply a matter of convenience. At about $85 each, it is a rather expensive convenience, but I have one on each of mine.

Moreover, these items can be added over time, as opposed to the large lump-sum expenditure a new press entails.

Skip Sackett · Sep 14, 2009

And it doesn't have to be new either!

Amici said:
You don't NEED a tool head; it is simply far more convenient. One can simply unscrew one set of dies and screw in another. Crisis resolved.

Similarly, one does not NEED a separate powder measure for each tool head; it is - again - simply a matter of convenience. At about $85 each, it is a rather expensive convenience, but I have one on each of mine.

Moreover, these items can be added over time, as opposed to the large lump-sum expenditure a new press entails.

I know this is going to cost me but......................

I have to agree with Amici on this one!

As I mentioned in the title to my post, you don't need to get stuff brand new either. With Dillon, they don't know, nor do they care, if you aren't the original owner of their stuff. The guarantee is still the same. They are only too happy to help out and, I have used most other companies stuff, Dillon's is "par excellence".

Single stage vs Turret press questions.

tenntucker

US Veteran

Smitty500Mag

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carl418

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TNRat

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bnewc75

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Faulkner

Member

Amici

Member

Skip Sackett

US Veteran

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