Author Topic: Does a Turret reloading press make sense? (Read 984 times)

prairiedog555 · « **on:** January 23, 2007, 12:53:00 PM »

I have seen a couple of them in catalogs. are they strong? accurate, easy to use,
Do you recomend them? I am a soon to be new reloader. looking for equipment

Thanks guys

quickdtoo · « **Reply #1 on:** January 23, 2007, 01:01:22 PM »

I've been using a Lee Classic Cast 4-hole turret press for about 6 months, I really like it, dies can be set up and ready in a turret and I don't need to fiddle with them each time I use em to get them adjusted properly. I can also swap out a turret with one with a bullet puller in the middle of loading if needed. Extra turrets for the Lee are $9.

Tim

http://www.surplusrifle.com/reviews2006/leeturretpress/index.asp

http://www.realguns.com/archives/122.htm

Ed Hill · « **Reply #2 on:** January 23, 2007, 03:04:04 PM »

What Tim said. If you are loading a small volume of rifle loads, a single stage press will be fine. If you are loading larger volumes, or rifle and pistol loads, the turret is great. I also have the Lee classic cast turret, and with the pro disc powder drop I can crank out close to 200 rounds of 45 acp in an hour. If you are loading rifle, you can load single stage or semi-progressive, They are very versatile.

Ed

bearfat · « **Reply #3 on:** January 23, 2007, 03:18:09 PM »

I bought a Lyman kit with a 6 hole turret and a bunch of other stuff such as powder dispensor, scale, etcetera. I have been loading 30-06, 25-06, 44 mag, 10mm and 223 on it for about 16 years. I've left some of the dies on for years and periodicallly oil them inside if I'm going leave them idle for awhile.

At first I was concerned with consistency and possible play in it but I've had no probs and would buy another.

The kit was cheaper than buying it one piece at a time.

gypsyman · « **Reply #4 on:** January 23, 2007, 06:41:41 PM »

I switched to a Redding T-7 a couple of years ago. Had a Rock Chucker for over 25 years. I have a spare turret head for mine, so I can change over to 3 different calibers in just a couple of minute's. Press is solid cast iron, close to 40#, no give what so ever. New worlds record at 1000yds, was set with this press, so accuracy is outstanding.
We keep giving peace a chance-It usually doesn't work!! Remember (12/7/41)--(9/11/01) gypsyman

k3yston3 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 23, 2007, 07:43:19 PM »

I use a Lyman T-Mag, which is my only press. I bought it lightly used, it had been mounted and a few rounds loaded before the owner decided reloading wasn't for him. SO, needless to say, I got it for a song and have been very pleased with its performance.

ihuntbucks · « **Reply #6 on:** January 23, 2007, 09:29:16 PM »

I owe several presses,but my turret presses are Lyman's T-Mag and T-Mag II.Both work with no problems at all.Load both pistol and rifle with no hitches.....Rick

Will_C · « **Reply #7 on:** January 24, 2007, 02:24:44 AM »

Another recommendation for the Redding Turret Press. With two turrets, I have 4 rifle calibers, a decaping die, and 4 different dies for my .357 available to use in a minute or less.
Will

John R. · « **Reply #8 on:** January 24, 2007, 03:16:05 AM »

My shooting buddy recently bought the Redding T7 and he loves it. I have the Redding Big Boss press and it is excellant also. Redding makes good stuff.

Castaway · « **Reply #9 on:** January 24, 2007, 04:43:35 AM »

I've got a Lyman Turret and am thinking about getting rid of it. I'm not convinced the turret indexes concentric to the ram when it "clicks" in to position. It is not a definite click, more of a soft feel that allows lateral movement. I can only turn it to the right (clockwise) or it unscrews and increases the up/down, left/right wobble. There is also slight up/down wobble that I don't like. The adjustment screw in back takes out the wobble and snugs things down but it is difficult to size brass as the turret is not perpendicular to the ram and an increase in tension is felt when running brass into the dies. By backing off the screw to allow some wobble, the brass sizes much easier. None of the above is conducive to precision reloading.

beemanbeme · « **Reply #10 on:** January 24, 2007, 05:23:02 AM »

Castaway, I know nothing about turret presses, having only used single stage ones. However, I think your problem is somthing I would be calling Lyman about. It just can't be right and they may have a simple fix for you or even another press. I understand they're good people to work with.

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #11 on:** January 24, 2007, 05:52:45 AM »

I've been useing an older LEE turrent press for a couple of years now, I bought it used and it has served me well, I am gonna get one of the new cast Lee turrent press it uses the same turrent heads I have but looks much stouter, if its anything like their single stage classic cast it will be very stout.

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #12 on:** January 24, 2007, 06:06:42 AM »

Another Lyman T-mag here.
Has basically been trouble free for over 20years. I have seen the problem that Castaway mentioned.
This is an easy fix, Pull the turrent all the way off and flip it upside down to reveal the spring loaded ball bearing. A drop of oil or two and some manual plunging with a dowl or such will quickly restore the positive indexing.
Before you reassemble make sure to clean up the collar on the Turrent bolt with a little oil & steel wool followed by a quick wipe and a little more lube of your choice.
Also wrap the threads on the bolt with some common teflon pipethread tape. Make sure to wrap it against the direction of the threads so it wont bunch up.
Upon re-assembly, you will find that the turrent works slick & smooth in both directions with positive audible clicks.
I have only had to do this two or three times over the years, The main problem is that the smooth bolt collar will dry out.

Castaway · « **Reply #13 on:** January 24, 2007, 06:23:10 AM »

glanceblamm, thanks

KN · « **Reply #14 on:** January 24, 2007, 10:49:37 AM »

I had a Redding T-Mag, Worked good but I just didn't like it. I switced to a Forester Co-Ax and never looked back. Just as convienient as a turet as far as I'm concerned and a lot eaier to change dies. Pop one out, Pop another in and you are off and running. A little costly to set up initially buying all the lock rings but worth it in my oppinion. KN

MnMike · « **Reply #15 on:** January 24, 2007, 01:45:09 PM »

I started with the Lee Aniversary set and learned on the single stage. I think this is the best way to learn. I then bought a Lee turret which I now use most of the time. I like it mostly for the convenience of setting the dies once and being able to switch calibers easily. I disabled the auto index. I still like to resize everything, then (if pistol bell all the cases) then seat the bullets. I won't sell my single stage. It is nice to have a second press.

good luck with your new hobby,

mike

northjdr · « **Reply #16 on:** January 24, 2007, 02:11:34 PM »

I'm new to reloading. I bought a Redding t7. The thing is built like a tank, but then again, I have nothing to compare it to. It's handy to be able set the dies and leave them.

longwinters · « **Reply #17 on:** January 25, 2007, 01:46:20 PM »

My 1st press was an RCBS turret. Absolutely love it. I ck my cartridges for concentricity and they are very good. The only press I would take over it is a Redding T7. It is great to be able to have 3 different rifle caliber dies on the same turret. Just turn and go. One of the really nice things about the Redding is that it is a 7 holer. So you can have 3 different long gun calibers plus a Hornady bullet puller.

Get the Redding you will be thrilled.

Long

Savage · « **Reply #18 on:** January 25, 2007, 03:56:51 PM »

Gave my son my 30+ yr old Rockchucker when I got a Lee 4 station turret press. I load all my low volume pistol rounds with it. Keeps me from having to change the setup on my progressive. I love having the extra turrets with my dies preset and ready to go. For the money I think the Lee turret is a great deal.
Savage

quickdtoo · « **Reply #19 on:** January 25, 2007, 04:11:11 PM »

Just a heads up on the Lee 4-hole turrets, I ordered 9 of em from Cabelas originally when they were $7 each, they're now $13 each there!!! But Midsouth has em for $9.07, just ordered 6 more.

Tim

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=0000690269