PRESS RECOMMENDATIONS

[Marine24]

Folks: Looking for recommedations on a press. Ammunition I'm reloading is principally for my bolt guns (.257 Wby, .308 Win and 338-06), which I shoot approximately 500 rounds per year. I"ll also use the press for 45 Colt and 454 Casull, which is closer to 1000 rounds per year.

Amount of rounds doesn't warrant a progressive, plus I'm a little particular on powder weight for my rifles, but would like to simplify swapping out and resetting dies. My experience is with a RCBS Rockchuker press. Great press but looking at a turret.

Redding's T-7 seems to be one of the best, but any impressions on Lyman's turret press?

Lee Classic Turret is also on the list. Like the flexibility running it in single stage or progressive mode.

RL 550 is also on the list, but more for my 45 ACP and .223 needs.

[Hoser]

It is easy to load bolt gun ammo on a 550. You just dont use the Dillon powder measure. You throw the powder elsewhere and dump it in.

All my bolt gun ammo gets loaded this way.

For a turret press, get the Redding.

[Marine24]

Interesting. Been thinking about how to use the 550 as a quasi single stage press. Cost of the caliber conversion kits on the first kit would be cheaper than buying a second press, but not so much on the subsequent ones. Speed, however, is a plus for the 550 since time is always in short supply.

[Trigger Time 23]

Hoser has great recommendations. I use a Rock Chucker. It was basically given to me by my brother-in-law. Works great for my bottle neck and when I am working up loads on everything else. I have the Hornady die bushings which allow me to set the dies only once.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/116...d-die-bushings

I am happy with this press, but I also have a progressive. A turret may be the way to go if it will be you only press. Be careful you will probably end up with a progressive down the road.

[Marine24]

Expect you are right. A progressive is in my future. Working up an order with Brian Enos.

Appreciate the tip on the bushings. I've heard about them but never used them.

[vossman]

You will enjoy the blue Dillon cool aid. It's a great machine.

[Great-Kazoo]

Interesting. Been thinking about how to use the 550 as a quasi single stage press. Cost of the caliber conversion kits on the first kit would be cheaper than buying a second press, but not so much on the subsequent ones. Speed, however, is a plus for the 550 since time is always in short supply.

It is a "quasi" single stage, without having to change dies for every step. Nothing happens until you move the round to the next stage.

[Marine24]

True. Just need to get past my single stage baggage of swapping dies vs rotating a sprocket. If the caliber changes on the Dillon weren't so expensive, using just the 550 would be a no brainer.

[Great-Kazoo]

True. Just need to get past my single stage baggage of swapping dies vs rotating a sprocket. If the caliber changes on the Dillon weren't so expensive, using just the 550 would be a no brainer.

I thought that way until i set up a dedicated 38 & 357. disconnect the powder "safety" bar pop 2 pins, I'm almost to the point of 1- 550 per caliber. . Good thing i only shoot 2 different center fire's

[Hoser]

I'm almost to the point of 1- 550 per caliber. .

Me too.