Beginner's info to start with Turret presses for plinking/target shooting

[fly boy]

Just like everyone suggests.... grab a book and start reading. Looking for personal experience with turrets.

I have a buddy who's looking at buying some equipment. He wants to reload just basic 5.56 and eventually a couple pistol rounds. I suggested to him a Turret press over a single stage just because he wants quantity. I told him eventually he will want a progressive, but that will be much later down the road.

What experience have you had with Turret presses? I suggested the Redding T-7, RCBS, or Lee CTP. Was I wrong? Also, what would be the mandatory equipment list to start buying?

Thanks!

[kwando]

I just started reloading and I am using a 4 hole classic turret. I rarely use the Indexing rod and mainly use it as a single stage. Being a newbie I'm double checking everything so I don't want to rush anything

He can start by prepping cases. Tumble and inspect brass he already has. Get a good trimmer if he plans to reload 223. And stock up on powder.

[thedave1164]

I would suggest a Dillon RL550b, vs a turret press.

Faster, more flexible, and the same kind of money

[Hound]

Wrong area.... This should be in "Reloading".

[hurley842002]

Wrong area.... This should be in "Reloading".
Ok mod...

[thedave1164]

Wrong area.... This should be in "Reloading".

Why? No one will read it or respond there. ;)

[crays]

Wrong area.... This should be in "Reloading".

You mean the PWT, don't you.

[fly boy]

Wrong area.... This should be in "Reloading".

Damnit! overlooked the "for sale" when I clicked.

Mod's please move.

[thedave1164]

thread will die now :(

[Marine24]

If quantity is his primary objective, the turret press is better than a single stage, but have to agree that the Dillon 550B is the way to go. Powder drops may not be as consistent compared to measuring them individually, but expect a tenth of a grain or two variance may not be a big deal for his application.

I use a Redding T-7 for my purposes, but it is a compromise. Really wanted a T-7 for my precision reloads and a 550B/650B for my handgun/AR ammo, but stuck with the T-7 because I didn't shoot enough to warrant the Dillon progressive.

If he is looking to produce 300+ rounds an hour starting out, the progressive is the right way to go.

[Great-Kazoo]

Bang for the buck, overall ease of use.https://sp.yimg.com/ib/th?id=JN.LXnLBFk2uwE%2f%2fIFXld0G9g&pid=15.1&P=0. 550B

[fly boy]

If quantity is his primary objective, the turret press is better than a single stage, but have to agree that the Dillon 550B is the way to go. Powder drops may not be as consistent compared to measuring them individually, but expect a tenth of a grain or two variance may not be a big deal for his application.

I use a Redding T-7 for my purposes, but it is a compromise. Really wanted a T-7 for my precision reloads and a 550B/650B for my handgun/AR ammo, but stuck with the T-7 because I didn't shoot enough to warrant the Dillon progressive.

If he is looking to produce 300+ rounds an hour starting out, the progressive is the right way to go.

THIS is why I suggested T-7 or Lee CTP. The progressive 550b is just a bit much for a beginners first press. - Even though a year or two later he will want to upgrade.

Any thoughts on the RCBS turret?

[KS63]

Just get the Dillon 550. He can still use it as a single stage while he's learning. When he's ready to start cranking rounds out, he won't need to but another press and components. Cheaper in the long run, plus Dillon's retain their value.

[fly boy]

Just get the Dillon 550. He can still use it as a single stage while he's learning. When he's ready to start cranking rounds out, he won't need to but another press and components. Cheaper in the long run, plus Dillon's retain their value.

And he can do precision reloading with it as a single stage?

[Great-Kazoo]

And he can do precision reloading with it as a single stage?

It is a single stage. Just happens to have a rotating shell plate and places for 3 dies & powder fulle / drop. AND yes, you can do precision loading with the 550. Look at 1 in person before dismissing it. For the price point it's a life time investment, that pays off after the first 100 or so rounds. YMMV.

Not to negate other presses. It's the one i found to be the most user friendly press out there. The only down side owning a Blue Press. IS getting the Blue Press sent to your mailbox every month. They're pacing the NRA for monthly reading material.

[Irving]

I see the 550 pushed on here a lot. Is it like the base model progressive? Maybe I should upgrade.

[cstone]

I will always keep a single stage on the bench, however, if you are putting out quantity plinking rounds there is nothing like a progressive. I used a Lee Pro 1000 and feeding it primed brass produced good ammunition. Stepping up to a Dillon 550 was a great move. The 550 is a quality press and makes ammo production an enjoyable hobby.

[Great-Kazoo]

I see the 550 pushed on here a lot. Is it like the base model progressive? Maybe I should upgrade.


Drop by, pull the handle for a few rounds. I'm set up to run 45 at the moment.

[Zombie Steve]

550 is a great press and long term, the best choice IMHO.

I don't usually get into hardware wars, and I certainly don't endorse Lee much, but the Lee Classic turret is one of the few Lee products I'd endorse, and an inexpensive way to get some rounds cranked out. Like everything else, it has its idiosyncrasies, but for a hundred bucks, it will work. I'm certain the T7 is a better turret, but three times the price.

[Irving]

Just looked up the Dillon 550. Under $500 seems like a no brainer for progressive AND a Dillon at the same time.

[Zombie Steve]

http://www.dillonprecision.com/uimages//RL_550_cat_shot.jpg



Typical price as shown with optional accessories is $736.60

[fly boy]

It is a single stage. Just happens to have a rotating shell plate and places for 3 dies & powder fulle / drop. AND yes, you can do precision loading with the 550. Look at 1 in person before dismissing it. For the price point it's a life time investment, that pays off after the first 100 or so rounds. YMMV.


4 station progressive loader
Station 1) resize/deprime/prime
Station 2) powder drop/flare
Station 3) seat
Station 4) crimp

This is what is confusing me. I know there is a difference between single, turret, and progressive. The 550b looks like a turret that you can make into a progressive. Is that what I understand?

[fly boy]

this is what he is drawn too...

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/622290/lee-4-hole-turret-press-with-auto-index-value-kit?cm_vc=subv622290

[Zombie Steve]

4 station progressive loader
Station 1) resize/deprime/prime
Station 2) powder drop/flare
Station 3) seat
Station 4) crimp

This is what is confusing me. I know there is a difference between single, turret, and progressive. The 550b looks like a turret that you can make into a progressive. Is that what I understand?

On a turret, you still have to pull the handle the same amount of times as a single stage... it's just that the other dies are already lined up and you index to the next station. On a progressive (like the 550), one pull of the handle and 4 things are happening at once. The base is essentially one big ram with 4 shellholders. You could use a 550 like a single stage, but I've found your powder drops will change if you don't have brass in all 4 stations. Nothing wrong with getting a 550 and a single stage press.

[KS63]

4 station progressive loader
Station 1) resize/deprime/prime
Station 2) powder drop/flare
Station 3) seat
Station 4) crimp

This is what is confusing me. I know there is a difference between single, turret, and progressive. The 550b looks like a turret that you can make into a progressive. Is that what I understand?

From your first post, you said he wants to load basic 5.56 and some pistol rounds. IMO, if a person wants absolute precision rounds, then a dedicated single stage press would be best. But, that's not where he's at. Many have made superbly accurate ammo on a 550b, so it's capable of this task. The Dillon 550 isn't a Automatic progressive press ie: you need to manually advance the shell plate to the next station; where as a true auto progressive like the Lee Pro 1000, Hornady Lock n Load, Dillon 650/1050, advance it for you. The 550 is just the most versatile machine out there. I use my Lee Pro 1000 now just to decap brass really fast and keep the Dillon clean and Blue.

[fly boy]

okay. Just youtube'd a couple reviews and understand the difference now. The 550b looks like a TON is going on at once, almost to much for a newbie reloader. Maybe I will suggest a Single stage until he understands the process and then could step up to a progressive.

[Zombie Steve]

Not a terrible idea. He'll get good at setting the dies.

[fly boy]

Not a terrible idea. He'll get good at setting the dies.

I think that's why I was leaning more towards a Turret..... He would still have to pump it as man times as a single stage, but still couple pump out a few more rounds.

[Great-Kazoo]

okay. Just youtube'd a couple reviews and understand the difference now. The 550b looks like a TON is going on at once, almost to much for a newbie reloader. Maybe I will suggest a Single stage until he understands the process and then could step up to a progressive.

It's so simple, even a texan could understand it. Probably take 2 to figure out the shell plate and not tool head rotates.

[smchop]

THIS is why I suggested T-7 or Lee CTP. The progressive 550b is just a bit much for a beginners first press. - Even though a year or two later he will want to upgrade.

Any thoughts on the RCBS turret?

I disagree with this, I learned on a Dillon 550 and couldn't be happier that I did. I would have been disappointed in upgrading shortly after. A little time with a person that knows how to run one goes a long way. I have added a single stage to my kit since, mainly for larger rifle rounds and larger powder capacities. I started on a 550 and ran it until a week ago until I got a 650, I see no reason for me to go above a 650 at this point going forward. Just an opinion is all, some peoples learning curves may vary (not as an insult, just truth, I'm mechanically minded).

[KS63]

Fly Boy, maybe your friend could try your machines to see if he will even like reloading.

[fly boy]

Fly Boy, maybe your friend could try your machines to see if he will even like reloading.

HA, I don't reload..... YET. I have a pipe dream, but I need a year and a half before I can see it coming to reality. I personally will be doing a Single stage for precision 308's, and eventually a second progressive for pistol and 556.

I am going to try and see if there are local people on base that reload so he can see first hand. Sounds like the 550 would be the best, but would have a slight learning curve.