Author Topic: Turret Press: Are they a Good Idea? Which one to Get? (Read 4083 times)

StevenTing · « **on:** May 01, 2014, 12:02:51 pm »

I have a Dillon 650 for my handgun and loading .223 and .308. I'm going to be picking up a 7WSM in a little bit and I will need to reload for it and was thinking that instead of spending the money on another conversion kit/toolhead, that I would pick up a Turret Press.

I don't know much about them other than the "top" spins around and I've seen some that have like 6 or 7 stations. My thinking is that I can use it to size/deprime and then use it for seating the bullet. I'd be doing the funnel routine for powder. Haven't decided how I'm going to prime yet.

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Outbreak · « **Reply #1 on:** May 01, 2014, 10:51:52 pm »

Get a single-stage. A friend has a Hornady, and obviously everyone loves the Rockchucker. Get one with dies that have some sort of quick-detach type fitting (I know Hornady does). Forget the turret. I have the Lee Classic Turret, and that press is absolutely the 100% reason I have a Dillon 650.

coelacanth · « **Reply #2 on:** May 01, 2014, 10:59:11 pm »

If you like the idea of a turret press ( they are handy if all your loading is going to be confined to one caliber ) I'd recommend the Redding. They are apparently bulletproof in terms of reliability and the tolerances are such that you can produce high quality reloads. I have a neighbor who's been using his for twenty years or so and swears by it.

only1asterisk · « **Reply #3 on:** May 02, 2014, 03:34:50 am »

A turret press is neither fish nor fowl. I have some limited use for one, but most people can do well enough without.

The little quick change bushing things that Outbreak mentioned are fine for most uses and make changing operations on a single stage effortless.

First Shirt · « **Reply #4 on:** November 24, 2014, 09:37:37 pm »

I've been reloading on a Dillon RL550B for YEARS! I hate to think how many rounds I've loaded on it, with zero hassles, and zero complaints. Right now I load for .45ACP, .45 Colt, .454 Casull, .38 Spec, .357 Mag, .223, .30-06, and 7mm-08. Can't imagine trying to keep up with a single-stage press, and the rifle ammo is as good as the pistol ammo.

And Dillon has the best customer service anywhere.

cpaspr · « **Reply #5 on:** November 25, 2014, 02:11:00 pm »

I'm gonna make a slightly different suggestion. Assuming you're going for precision ammo instead of "meh, good enough" ammo.

First, get a good stand-alone powder measure. Set the powder drop to just below your desired amount of powder, and drop it into the scale pan. Then use a powder trickler to add sufficient powder to the pan to get the exact amount desired. After sizing/depriming/priming on the Dillon, rotate to the next position and size/deprime/reprime the next shell. Pull the shell out of the 2nd position on the shell plate and fill the shell with the powder from the scale pan. Put the powder filled shell back in the shell plate and rotate to the next position. Etc. Etc.

You can use the Dillon to perform all of the steps except filling the case with powder. You still get the speed and versatility of the Dillon for every other step, and get precise ammo at the same time.

I would have done this if I had started with a Dillon and didn't already have the single stage presses.

Outbreak · « **Reply #6 on:** November 25, 2014, 03:50:39 pm »

Quote from: cpaspr on November 25, 2014, 02:11:00 pm

I'm gonna make a slightly different suggestion. Assuming you're going for precision ammo instead of "meh, good enough" ammo.

First, get a good stand-alone powder measure. Set the powder drop to just below your desired amount of powder, and drop it into the scale pan. Then use a powder trickler to add sufficient powder to the pan to get the exact amount desired. After sizing/depriming/priming on the Dillon, rotate to the next position and size/deprime/reprime the next shell. Pull the shell out of the 2nd position on the shell plate and fill the shell with the powder from the scale pan. Put the powder filled shell back in the shell plate and rotate to the next position. Etc. Etc.

You can use the Dillon to perform all of the steps except filling the case with powder. You still get the speed and versatility of the Dillon for every other step, and get precise ammo at the same time.

I would have done this if I had started with a Dillon and didn't already have the single stage presses.

That sounds way more difficult and time consuming than just loading single-stage. Dillon is meant for volume, not mile-shot ammo.

Mikee5star · « **Reply #7 on:** November 25, 2014, 04:42:23 pm »

Quote from: Outbreak on November 25, 2014, 03:50:39 pm

That sounds way more difficult and time consuming than just loading single-stage. Dillon is meant for volume, not mile-shot ammo.

It is a work around. A way to get more out of equipment you already have. I have a single stage, Rockchucker, and a turret, old Redding. I load on the turret like I load on the RCBS, but only set dies once. For me it is time saving. I wish I had a couple more turret plates, but will go with a Dillion when space allows.

Mississippi556 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 03, 2015, 01:43:46 pm »

I do not volume reload. I still use this approximately 45-50 year old Herter Super 234 turret press. It is massive. Cast iron base and one inch thick tool steel top plate. Very heavy and strong. The gigantic square top nut adjusts clearance between the turret and base. It can be pulled down very tight and still rotate. The indexing is very accurate, and for precision reloading the top plate can be completely screwed onto the base to eliminate flex. While it is still technically a "C arm" rather than an "O" press, the sheer weight makes it capable of producing match grade ammo. The shell holder connection is non-standard, but adapters are widely available to convert it to use modern shell holders.

I guess it would be too expensive to make turret presses like that today. I can't find a need for anything new, as I don't do high volume. Old presses like this can be picked upfor a song.

Another example of using what you have and getting great results.

Author Topic: Turret Press: Are they a Good Idea? Which one to Get? (Read 4083 times)

StevenTing

Turret Press: Are they a Good Idea? Which one to Get?

WeTheArmed.com

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Outbreak

Re: Turret Press: Are they a Good Idea? Which one to Get?

coelacanth

Re: Turret Press: Are they a Good Idea? Which one to Get?

only1asterisk

Re: Turret Press: Are they a Good Idea? Which one to Get?

First Shirt

Re: Turret Press: Are they a Good Idea? Which one to Get?

cpaspr

Re: Turret Press: Are they a Good Idea? Which one to Get?

Outbreak

Re: Turret Press: Are they a Good Idea? Which one to Get?

Mikee5star

Re: Turret Press: Are they a Good Idea? Which one to Get?

Mississippi556

Re: Turret Press: Are they a Good Idea? Which one to Get?