Turret Press for multi-stage case forming?

[briannmilewis]

I know as an example that if you are forming 219 Zipper brass from 25-35 Winchester brass, you can simply use the FL Zipper die and form the new case in one stroke.

If you look at Redding's case forming info, they often use more than 1 case forming die to get the job done. Obviously the more dies you need the more profit they make.

An extreme example of multiple steps is forming 22 Remington Jet from 357 Magnum parent cases. According to Redding, this is what you need:

22 Remington Jet Form #1

22 Remington Jet Form #2

22 Remington Jet Form & Trim Die

22 Remington Jet Full Length Sizing Die

Redding assumes you will always use a FL sizing die as the last step in any case forming process, even though they do not print that in their catalog. I emailed them and they replied with that extra bit of info for uniformed folks like me.

It would seem to me that if I was going to do two, three or four steps, it would make sense to use a four hole turret press, rather than using a single stage or progressive press. Is this thinking right? Assuming I have no budget restrictions.

I know Stimpy forms his using just the 22 Remington Jet FL Die, making a number of less than full length strokes, and turns the case part way thru the process, and it works just fine for him.

[wncchester]

I've formed quite a bit of 22-250 from .35 Whelen.  Nothing except bullet swagging puts as much stress on a press as massive reforming.  I would NOT use a turret press for that work, they are much too "springy."

Any single stage iron "O" press with compound toggle links will do nicely.

[briannmilewis]

...I would NOT use a turret press for that work, they are much too "springy."

Any single stage iron "O" press with compound toggle links will do nicely.

My research tells me that the Redding Ultramag will produce the most force of any press, and it is recommend for case forming, and there is a lot of positive reports on the web about that press. Actually, have not found a bad report yet.

Thanks.

[wncchester]

"My research tells me that the Redding Ultramag will produce the most force of any press, "

That's true, but it's massively over built (and expensive) for most reloading work.  Once we have the strength and force needed for our work, having more is wasted.

The "problem" isn't force, any press can easily exert more force than needed for most reforming; the problem is flex/spring in a turret press.  But any common single stage "O" iron body press will do quite nicely; RockChucker, Classic Cast, Boss, Crusher.  Probably the LnL, which has an alum alloy body, would do well too.

[briannmilewis]

Thanks for helping me understand the real issues about presses and why Turrets would not be good choice for case forming.