Turret Presses......

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I use a singe stage Rockchucker. Let's say I wanted to increase my output without going to a progressive. How much does a turret press increase your output over a single stage, all thing considered. i.e. changing calibers and making adjustments as well as better production. Right now I make a few hundred rounds/month.

I'm really looking at progressives, but I'd like to know this before making the 'leap'.
 
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I use a Rockchucker and love it. Let's me personally get to know each round I make. Only ever had one squib and still don't know how it happened.

I usually keep about 300 rounds of target ammo per caliber on hand at all times. When it is time to do a run, I am usually doing about 400-500 rounds and I can knock that out in one day, or two days with a few hours each day. So I have never felt like output was unacceptable.

A turret press might be nice that way one could have all 4 of their dies set and make it quicker changing between. Other than that, I don't know if it would speed it up that much. It seems a progressive is the way to go for output, but unless making thousands of rounds it isn't worth the hassle in my opinion.

I guess you would have to justify what a turret press would save you in time and if it is worth the cost of an upgrade.
 
I've been using a Lee classic turret for several years. I love the convenience of being able to change calibers in seconds. I normally use mine in continuous mode and feel that it is substantially faster than a single stage. I only handle the case once. That is were the time savings are. Look at a few videos to get an idea of how things move along.

The other thing I like about the turret is that I am still doing one operation at a time. This gives me greater awareness of what is happening compared to a progressive.

For me, the big down side to a progressive is the initial cost. I like Lee products, but would be leery of buying one of their progressives. The Dillon is likely a good machine, but not only is the press extremely expensive, caliber conversions are quite pricey as well.

If I were loading a lot more rounds per week than I do now, I would be looking at a progressive. For the 100 - 200 rounds a week I do now, the turret is a perfect fit. The other great thing about a turret is that I can go a load up 20 or 30 rounds when I have a little spare time. The die change over and adjustments make that inefficient on a single stage.
 
I used a single stage (RCBS JR3) for years. A couple a years ago I added a Lyman T-Mag II turret press to my inventory.

I find the turret press is very convenient, having all the needed dies mounted & ready to use. It's real handy to be able to switch back & forth between dies when you're working.

Time saved is minimal, IMO, when loading normally/sequentially. But when you have to re-doing some loads, or experimenting, it saves time exchanging dies. If you can justify (the price of) adding a new press it's worth it, for me.

(I personally don't have a need for a progressive, though I reload 200-300 rounds a week, usually, plus I do a lot of experimenting with new bullets/powders in small batches.)

.
 
My first press was a Lyman ALL American. Since then I have gone preogressive, but I also keep a LEE Breech Lock press set up for low production issues and load development.

The turret press was convenient, but hardly changes output if you are talking quantity. I used to load 500-1000 at a time on mine.
 
I'm having problems with my wrists, elbows and shoulders and the constant pumping of the handle 3-4 times per round is not good.

I've used the Lee 3 hole and upgraded years ago to the Lee Classic Cast 4 hole Turret press. I don't load for speed, as I don't shoot near as much as I used to. For me, it's the convenience and simplicity of use and changing calibers. And you can stop and check/inspect every operation before the round is completed.

You can easily load 200-250 rounds/hour with the 4 hole turret press, maybe more if that's what you're after. If on the other hand, you're trying to minimize your movement (hand/arm/shoulder) and want to increase output with minimal time spent at the bench; then a progressive may be the way to go for you. I'm one who always wants to keep a close watch on each operation, IMO, the turret is the best option without going full progressive. :)
 
Been loading for 54 years... Started out with a Lee handloader, then a Lyman Spartan, Lyman Turret, Lyman All-American turret, Dillon 450, Dillon 550, Dillon 1000B and finally a Dillon 650.

If you are only doing handgun calibers go with the Dillon 550. It will turn out a lot of rounds per hour and switch calibers in 5-15 minutes.

For rifle calibers if I was starting over today it would be just one press, the Redding T-7. Set up the dies once and you are done...

So with just those two presses you can do everything from .25 ACP to elephant guns...

Bob
 
The only advantage a turret press has over a single stage Is the number of dies you can set up at the same time. (Lee 3&4, most 6, & Redding 7.)

However with Hornady's Lock-N-Load bushings, the dies are set in bushings, and snap in and out of the press in about 10 seconds. Hornady makes a kit to adapt you Rock Chucker to use the L-N-L Bushings, it comes with 3 bushings and 10 packs are also sold (about $3.25 for each bushing).

This is a true space saver. The standard dies with a bushing can be stores in the most original boxes (Not Lee round boxes or 4 die box). I use this set up on my Rock Chucker and have about 25-30 bushings. It is a great system for really short dies, they can be installed, adjusted, and Loctited in place without a nut. It is also very useful for "one die accessories" such as bullet pullers, old style trim dies, Lee cast bullet size dies, and LIGHT DUTY case forming dies. A friend has cartridges based on the Hornet case that require minor forming and L-N-L has held up fine for several years.

What you can't do is; Use dies set for a L-N-L single stage press and then put them in a Lock-N-Load AP (progressive) press. There is too much variation in loading height. Oh, you can use them, but they must be re-adjusted to each press.

My bench has a Dillon 550b, a Rock Chucker adapted to L-N-L, and a Redding T-7. All get used often!

My personal policy is, batches of ammo over 250 or 300 get loaded on the 550b, under 250 get loaded on a turret or Rock Chucker. But with adjusted "bushinged" dies you can do a very small batch, switch to another cartridge and come back after testing.

I do leave 3 sets of my bench rest/competition dies set up in my Redding T-7 all the time. 223: both neck and FL and seating, 308: FL & seating, and 338 Lapua: FL & seating.

Have fun deciding!

Ivan
 
I went from a single stage to the Lee classic turret press. The answer is. You will increase from 200-300 a month to 200-300 in 2 to 3 hours or less. But it depends on how many times you check your work and what powder dispenser you use. I really like the 4 hole die holder (get one for each cal.) and the newest auto drum powder dispenser. Not everyone needs a progressive press. The turret press is not a big leap, it's just a good step in the right direction.
 
The LCT press can produce around 150 to maybe 200 an hour (that is pushing it) A nice relaxing pace is 150. I have timed it and drank 5 cups of coffee and no way safely load over 200 rounds an hour!:D

The advantage of it is the easy change over of calibers. Just buy inexpensive turrets and set your dies up. Change over is less than a few minutes.
The main advantage over a single stage is not handling the same piece of brass 4 or 5 times.

It will never match a progressive, but it depends on what your needs are.
 
I use a singe stage Rockchucker. Let's say I wanted to increase my output without going to a progressive. How much does a turret press increase your output over a single stage, all thing considered. i.e. changing calibers and making adjustments as well as better production. Right now I make a few hundred rounds/month.

I'm really looking at progressives, but I'd like to know this before making the 'leap'.

I bought a Lee turret press earlier this year. I'm glad that I made the move.

After you get everything set up (dies, powder throw, etc.), I timed it and it takes about 12-15 seconds to make each round of ammo (that is the time the case spends on the press, obviously add a little time for reaching for an empty case and bullet, etc.).
If you buy a 4-hole turret for each caliber you load, you can just leave your dies set up in the turret. Then a caliber change takes only a few seconds.

There are turret press naysayers that will say you're wasting your time and money unless you buy a progressive setup, but the fact is that a turret press is a perfect fit for some of us. ;) :cool:
 
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I too started out eons ago with the Lee Classic Loader kits ( pound everything together with a hammer ) , then went to a Lee single stage press . I haven't progressed beyond . I have considered a more advanced press , haven't decided yet if or what to buy .
 
The only advantage a turret press has over a single stage Is the number of dies you can set up at the same time.
Ivan

I would respectfully disagree. As has been stated before in this thread, with a turret you only have to handle the case once. A single stage operation reminds me of when I showed up at the base with my suitcase in basic training. The DI yelled "Pick em up. Put em down. Pick em up. Put em down." With a turret, you only have to pick em up and put em down once. This makes a big time difference when you are talking 50 to 100 rounds in a session.
 
Another vote for the Lee Classic Turret press. I researched and read everything I could find on the internet and for me, the LCT's price/performance allowed it to stand out. I'm glad I bought it. I too, have given thought to a progressive as the next step but as of the present, I'm still very happy with the turret press.
 
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I have a Pacific single stage that I use for bottleneck shells and a Lee classic turret for straight sided, pistol, shells. Works for me, I like the quick change on the turret and leave my dies set up. Doesn't matter if I don't finish a batch today, I'll finish them tomorrow, or the next.

I do batch size and deprime hulls and prime off line with an old Lee Auto Prime. Like I said, works for me.

Have a blessed day,

Leon
 
I started with a Lee turret press and added a Rockchucker. I use the Lyman DPS 1200 Electronic powder dispenser and by the time I have set and seated a bullet, changed cases, deprimed and primed, and expanded the neck my powder is ready to be dumped. With pistol charges I have used the Lee powder measure with some loads but prefer to dump through Lee's powder charging die and a funnel most of the time. I double or 2.5 my time with that over the Rockchucker. Rchucker still gets used with a lot of rifle loads or small set ups, 100 or less.
 
I've got a pair of Dillons, one dedicated to .38 Spl./.357 (an older 450) and a 550 I use for 9mm, .44 Spl./magnum, .45 ACP, etc. I load for both my wife and me to shoot CAS, IPSC and IDPA.

I load rifle ammo on an RCBS Jr. press dated 1974! I'm considering a turret press for my rifle ammo after reading an article in 'Handloader' magazine.

For match pistol ammo, I feel more comfortable block checking. I limit myself to no more than 100 rds at a time if going fully progressive. Otherwise I slip into inattention mode and that is not good .....
 
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