Turret Press - Set Up

[splattergun]

Yes, turret presses are faster than single stage presses. A self-indexing turret press will be even faster than a manually indexed turret press.
Every time you have to handle a piece of brass it takes time. Put a shell in the press take it out, put it in your tray, , reach for another, put it in... It only takes a second or so for each of these movements, but seconds add up to minutes, minutes add up to hours.
Turret presses save time by eliminating several tome-consuming handling steps between functions.

 

[Varminterror]

In rounds per hour, what is the difference between SS and turret for you?

I decap on an APP now, then wet tumble and dry, anneal on AMP with Amp Mate, size and mandrel expand on the turret OR a Co-Ax, trim on a Giraud with AMP mate, prime on a bald Eagle bench primer, charge in the rack with an FX-120i and auto trickle and throw set up, and seat on an arbor press in Wilson dies.

So my process time comparison is in the 2 steps completed on the press, not a total turn around per loaded round.

But again - on the turret, we eliminate one step of removing and replacing cases into the ram, which is about 1/3 of the cycle time.

Comparatively, I have to crank the handle 4x per cycle on my Lee turret to size AND expand, with ONE case transfer step to remove and replace the case. On the single stage, I only complete ONE action for the same hand movement case transfer. In general, that means my single stage cycle is faster by about 2 seconds, but I have to do TWO cycles to complete the same actions, instead of one, so the net process time is about 7-10min longer per batch of 150 rounds for a regional match, and 10-12min per 250 rounds for a Pro Series match. Somewhere around 1/4-1/3 longer to use the single stage rather than the turret.

 

[mdi]

I used a Lee turret press for maybe 25 years (?). When setting it up for the first time, it would index when I was adjusting stuff, so I disabled the auto-index. Never replaced it and hand indexed for the next many years I used it. I was/am not interested in speed as I am never in a hurry and I like reloading. Never wanted a "semi-progressive" press either. I was looking at the Lyman turret but it may have been price that I chose the Lee. Extra turrets are available for both and the Lee is easier to swap (I wound up with 11 turrets). One advantage for me was I used turrets for other operations like bullet sizing and ram priming. I often "batch loaded", doing one step, indexing and one or two more steps on a whole batch and finishing later. (I had many cases ready for charging, seating and crimping. Usually had a lot of ready to finish cases in most of my reloading calibers.)

I was looking at newer replacements for the Lee and liked the Redding, but wound up getting a Forster Co-Ax. Much better suited for my reloading style...

 

[kmw1954]

I have a few different loading processes. One for load work ups, one for rifle and a third for pistol. Each is different in many ways.

For load work-ups I use a Lee 3 hole turret press just because I can do one step , take it out to check or adjust, quickly and then proceed to make small short runs with frequent checks.

For high volume pistol loading it is done on a progressive press from start to finish. A washed clean brass is loaded into the first station and run through until it comes out completed. So yes, deprimed and sized on the press, primed on the press, charged and projectile added.

For rifle loading I use two presses, a RCBS JR3 and the Lee 3 hole turret... Deprime, Clean/wash, check primer pockets, anneal, size, trim, tumble in cobb. All done on the JR3. I then prime on the JR3 with a Lee Auto Prime 2, with this I can easily adjust my seating depth. From there I load on the Lee 3 hole turret with just 2 stations. 1st station empty, 2nd station powder charge with Lee Auto Drum measure, 3rd station seat bullet.

This is what I have found works best for me. At this time I have not tried or gotten to arbor presses, bushed dies or mandrels. Though I an looking into it.

 

[irishlad]

I started on a humble Lee Single stage. It was a complete kit for around $119 or something like that. I'm glad I did because it slowed things down and forced me to concentrate on each step repetitively until it was ingrained.

Once I started reloading my volume of shooting increased exponentially...prob a lot of the folks on this site will say the same thing. I started to talk myself into believing I needed a progressive to start cranking out the volume to keep up with the increased shooting. I don't shoot a lot of 9mm/.40 or.45 ACP or .223/.308. The volume shooting that I do is with .327FM/.357Mag/ HEAVY .44 mag and .45 Colt. and that's all in lever action rifles and single/double action revolvers. It's a more relaxed pace than 15-30+ round magazine semi-guns were ammo dumps are somewhat frequent (well....for sure before the ongoing craziness).

Anyway...while considering the usual suspects of progressives...Hornady/RCBS and Dillon I ran across a smoking deal on T7 at Cabelas...$220 and some change...At the time I was also curious about the Lee Classic Cast Turret (I think that was why I actually walked into Cabelas to look at in person).

So...I came home with the T7. I've always liked the priming system on the Lee. Safety Disc or something is what its called...Yes its cheap...made of plastic etc. but the thing just plain works...its simple and FAST. So. I deprime/size and reprime all on the Lee (never removing that die except to change calibers and do everything else on the T7.

I've been loading on the T7 now for several years and have become very proficient. 170-200 per hour with a couple of breaks if I feel like it. 220 MAX an hour but hardly ever keep that pace. I'm not in a race when I reload. It's a hobby and I enjoy the process. I like going in the reloading room, turning on the Technics receiver, putting on some Johnny Cash and settling back for a relaxing session of making some low-cost ammo. I found out for my type of volume shooting I didn't need the one completed round per crank full-up progressive.

Some things I like about this Turret.

1. American made. Built like a tank. You'll hand it down to your kid or grandkid.
2. Feels very smooth. I just enjoy loading on it because it just exudes old school craftsmanship.
3. I drop powder on it. I upgraded some of my Little Dandy's to the Pyrex which substantially increased powder volume.
4. SAFETY: As I drop the powder I can see the level drop in the powder stack and know it was a successful drop.
4.1 SAFETY: With the movement of the turret the powder stack gets jostled enough to fill any voids in the powder stack should they occur. I have very consistent drops across a number of powder types to include Trail Boss/ Unique/ AA#2/5/7/9/ 2400/ Win 296 and some others.
5. 7 die stations...shown in the pic is the flare/bell /powder measure/seating and then crimping die (I like to use separate dies for seating and crimping). I have enough room on here to run another caliber depending on what I'm doing and what the primary set up is.
6. Simplicity.
7. Low Maint.

2-3 months AFTER I bought the T7 I was back in Cabelas for something else and walked past the press display and they had another T7 at around $200 again (think it was an open box special) so I picked it up as well having been duly impressed by the first one. That one is dedicated to .357 only.

View attachment 1080890

The T7 dedicated to .357 Mag. I solidly clamp presses to the bench as the bench top is very sturdy and that helps with moving presses off the main bench and around for specific calibers and reloading tasks.

View attachment 1080891

Like the Little Dandy powder measure.

 

[Frulk]

The Little Dandy’s have their place. With the Pyrex hopper upgrade it reduces the fill intervals significantly with large flake powders like Unique and Trail Boss. But, by the time I’m down to about half the powder stack I’m more than ready for a break anyway.

 

[irishlad]

I use my Little Dandy on my LCT for all my pistol loading. Works well.

 

[Dane R. Marley]

I started reloading with an RCBS C Press and when I was 16 I got my first RCBS O Press. I got into Dillons as soon as they were on the Market having a 550 till 2012 that was replaced by two 650s. I also added a MEC Marksman and I now have a 750 after selling my 650s several years ago. Six months ago I added a Redding T7 to my lineup that will be used stickily for 30-06, 308, 45-70, 45 Colt, 300 BO, and 50 AE. These rounds will be low volume loads so the T7 will be a perfect choice for them as far as my needs go. I will be loading 9mm, 40/10mm, 38/357 mag, 44 mag, 45 acp, .223, and maybe 30 cal carbine on my 750.

If my son likes the 300 BO I may move that load over to the 750.

I loaded 45 Colt first on my T7 and I really was impressed with the T7. I loaded 45-70 next on the T7 and I had to put my crimp die on my MEC because I only had 3 die mounting holes left on my T7 Tool Head. I will be ordering more T7 Tool Heads as soon as I can.

I can say that all 3 Presses are Great and they have their specific uses on my Loading Table.

When a Newbie asks me what would be a good press for them to look at for purchase I do recommend the MEC Marksman and the Redding T7.

 

[sparkyv]

Dern, you're FAST!

On the Lee 4 hole, I run about 160-180/hour. I load about 120/hour on a single stage.

 

[AK Hunter]

I use my Lee 3 hole press to reload & index it manually. To speed up the powder charging & measure every load I have a RCBS Charge Master 1500. I double check every 10 rounds (I very seldom find an off charge). I like it because I can be finishing up one round while the charge master is accurately dropping another powder charge.

 

[Mark_Mark]

I use my Lee 3 hole press to reload & index it manually. To speed up the powder charging & measure every load I have a RCBS Charge Master 1500. I double check every 10 rounds (I very seldom find an off charge). I like it because I can be finishing up one round while the charge master is accurately dropping another powder charge.

I do a check about every 10-20 rounds, with the RCBS balance scale. I just dump the powder in the copper cup thing, let it settle on its own, not stopping my reloading process. It’s harder ever off, sometimes by 1/8 at most. just adjust on the fly, small bumps

 

[AK Hunter]

I do a check about every 10-20 rounds, with the RCBS balance scale. I just dump the powder in the copper cup thing, let it settle on its own, not stopping my reloading process. It’s harder ever off, sometimes by 1/8 at most. just adjust on the fly, small bumps

There is no bumping on the RCBS Charge Master it's always +- .1gr of what I set it on. I never load to max load anyway. And it's always is ready with a properly measured load of powder when I'm ready with another primed piece of brass.

 

[Mark_Mark]

There is no bumping on the RCBS Charge Master it's always +- .1gr of what I set it on. I never load to max load anyway. And it's always is ready with a properly measured load of powder when I'm ready with another primed piece of brass.

I’ll still using the RCBS powder drop like a cake froster. Charge cases in the tray. Works fast and I can visually check charges too.

 

[Dane R. Marley]

The Redding 3BR is mounted on 11" of 4" Steel Channel. I also have a damaged FART that is being replaced by the factory.

 

[VMC]

I used a Lee turret press for maybe 25 years (?). When setting it up for the first time, it would index when I was adjusting stuff, so I disabled the auto-index. Never replaced it and hand indexed for the next many years I used it. I was/am not interested in speed as I am never in a hurry and I like reloading. Never wanted a "semi-progressive" press either. I was looking at the Lyman turret but it may have been price that I chose the Lee. Extra turrets are available for both and the Lee is easier to swap (I wound up with 11 turrets). One advantage for me was I used turrets for other operations like bullet sizing and ram priming. I often "batch loaded", doing one step, indexing and one or two more steps on a whole batch and finishing later. (I had many cases ready for charging, seating and crimping. Usually had a lot of ready to finish cases in most of my reloading calibers.)

I was looking at newer replacements for the Lee and liked the Redding, but wound up getting a Forster Co-Ax. Much better suited for my reloading style...

This reminds me of my reloading story. Bought a Lee Turret Press in the early 80s. It was a store display at a going out of business sale for $35. After adding an auto index, set of .357 dies and auto disk powder measure I only had around $100 invested. I am still using it for revolver loads after all these years as that is the only cartridges I reload. I have only had to occasionally replace a hex ratchet in the auto index. I also turn off the index at times but mine still works well. I stocked up on components to reload the 3 calibers in my revolvers before the pandemic and recent elections so I'm good for a long while. I just never upgraded to a more expensive press as this fills my need. I hate to think what it would cost to start out reloading now even if you could find all you need to start.

 

[lightman]

Interesting thread!

I guess I never got the bug for a current press. I either load on a single stage press or a Dillon progressive. If I had a current press I probably would buy some extra torrents and design a rack to store them in.

 

[rdnktrkr]

I've suggested to all the reloaders I've helped get started the Lee turret and show them how to disable the advance so it is used as a single stage, weighing each charge and measuring each bullet, I let them run a it like that for a few sessions then I show them how to load blaster or handgun rounds with the advance and using a powder dump, I still try to get them to understand the importance of watching each action take place on the press whereas on a progressive I think that is hard to do. I still use my Lee turrets both the 3hole and the 4hole and I have 3 SS presses, RCBS, Lee O press and Lee C press, I use the Lee C press with a universal decapping die to decap before cleaning, the other Lee is set up with a Hornady camlock bullet puller and I use the RCBS sometimes for whatever just needs 1 operation. I like that you can set up the turrets with your dies and swap them easily between different calibers

 

[mjsdwash]

Dern, you're FAST!

I can usually do it for about 1 hour. Slows down a lot after that.

 

[Bill M.]

I decided to go with a Lock and load adaptor for my single stage press. Dies go in an out quickly and there is no adjustment due to the die changes. I guess what you all are saying is that is is quicker to rotate the turret than it is to take the shell out and put it back in again? Is that true for a T7?

 

[LeftyRed]

I decided to go with a Lock and load adaptor for my single stage press. Dies go in an out quickly and there is no adjustment due to the die changes. I guess what you all are saying is that is is quicker to rotate the turret than it is to take the shell out and put it back in again? Is that true for a T7?

Maybe. LOL I mostly load 45LCs and 41mags on my T7 and it’s more of me enjoying the process and thinking how awesome these calibers are and not the fact my wife doesn’t allow me to use the remote on the tv or decide where we get to eat. The T7 take some force to turn but I still think it’s faster than doing 50 cases through each if the reloading steps with die changes. Especially with my less than perfected hands and fingers.

I had a Lee Classic Cast Single Stage and used the LNL bushings, but gave them up. I found my Lee Classic Turret to be faster and easier, even manually advancing the turret. I think the Lee Breech Lock System is just as effective as the LNL. And the pretty colors help me keep calibers straight. But just went back to the regular screw in dies for my single stage. Why? Because I found that the LNL Or BL still had some play in it. And it negated the one true strength of the single stage press, consistent results. I do have a BL Challenger that is used for depriming or swaggering primer pockets when I don’t want to mess resetting the APPs. Wouldn’t use it, in BL form, for seating or crimping.

I think the strengths of the turrets are having dies already set, like a progressive, and ready to go instead of messing with adjustments at the beginning. With the T7, AA8, or LCT I find I can just grab a turret head and mount it and go if the dies were set to the load and bullet type I want. Really helpful on mass consumption rounds like 9mm or 38spec, where a shooter may run a few hundred at a time and not want to sit and do a thousand through a progressive.

 

[Rule3]

Help me out here - I too have thought about getting a turret.
On a single stage - If my die lock rings are good and they snug down the same every time, what time do I save (save the unscrewing a die and screwing in a die) with a turret?

I do want to buy a Redding T-7

A turret press (if self indexing like the Lee) eliminates having to handle the same piece of brass 3 or 4 times. So it is more convenient saving a few hand motions. On a non indexing you still have to turn it each time so not much savings there.but you end up with a finished round
That is the main advantage

Batch loading on single stage has some advantages. I got pretty fast at repetitive motion and you stop at any time