I'm looking at the Lyman and RCBS turret presses. I'll use it mostly for .45 ACP. 9mm Makarov and .380 ammunition. The only rifle I'll use it for might be the .30-30. On some videos that I've watched I noticed some movement or flex in the turret has this ever been a problem for you? From looking it seems like the Lyman T-7 has a heaver turret than the RCBS but that is just looking at the pictures of it.
Mr 1949 -
You're actually talking about
3 presses. The other guys are talking about a Lee Turret that operates an entirely different way. So that's 4 presses total. It's is indeed complicated. Maybe I can get you straightened out....
First group is what you were asking about. What I'll call "traditional" turret presses:
•
RCBS Turret
•
Lyman T-Mag
•
Redding T-7
In these presses, 6-8 dies can be kept in the press at all times. The "head", which holds the dies, is manually rotated to change the dies. In traditional reloading, you have a "batch" of 20-50 cases to reload. You do all the sizing and priming on all of the batch. Then you change over and load the powder in all the cases. Then you change the die and seat the bullet into all the cases. Doing all the operations in a "batch operation" lets you get really
good and really
fast at one single operation.
By getting really good at a single operation, you are also being really safe. That's why "batch" processing is the standard way to reload.
Of this class, the Redding is by far the strongest and most accurate. The Lyman and RCBS are probably tied. All are good serviceable, hard working presses. The Lyman is offered in a kit that includes the top reloading manual and a case trimmer. The RCBS probably has the best warranty. The Redding is not only stronger, but much cleaner in operation. You can see a great video of a traditional turret operation
HERE.
The great things about a "traditional" turret" are that you can leave special dies in the press 24/7. Some dies like a
Universal Decapping Die you might need at any time, especially if you work with a lot of range brass. In other words, you can leave your favorite dies setup and in the press all the time without getting in the way of the other reloading you do once every 2 months.
• The other guys are talking about a
Lee Classic Turret. In this turret press the head with the dies
only holds 4 dies.The head indexes over the same case, presenting all the dies one at a time, until all the reloading operations are completed on a single case. This is sort of a "poor-man's progressive" and is more of a hybrid operation. The auto indexing CAN be disconnected to make it into a single stage.
In this type press the Lee expects you to buy the optional die holder for each caliber you reload. Then to swap calibers, you simply install the head with all the pre-adjusted dies already installed and waiting. Of course you can simply unscrew the dies, but swapping the head makes far more sense.
Hope this helps!