hi all,
newbie here... i've been wanting to get into reloading and the current ammo crunch is even more encouragement. if i wanted to reload for 2 or 3 rifle calibers and possibly a handgun caliber, would you recommend a turret-style press for the ease of set up when switching between calibers? what companies build turret presses? if your answer is "no", please explain why.

my assumption behind this question is that if i have to switch between calibers without a turret press, there is significant setup time and effort involved. is this a correct assumption?

thanks,
kstockfo

quote:

my assumption behind this question is that if i have to switch between calibers without a turret press, there is significant setup time and effort involved. is this a correct assumption?

Not a valid assumption. You set up your dies and set the lock ring. Take them off put them back on and they are in the same place. Screw on the sizer do all your sizing work, remove it screw on the seater or expander if pistol do the next step. Really doesn't take much time to remove and screw on the next die.

I've reloaded for over 40 years rifle, pistol using a basic single stage press. First a RCBS JR the the Rockchucker.

A turret is not worth the cost to me. A progressive for high volume pistol would make more sense. However unless you are into 1000s of rounds at a time a single will still work fine.

I'd agree with ramrod on this. I'd advise getting the RCBS kit since it will have most of what you initially will need. In addition, you'd need a set of calipers, a case trimmer along with your dies and appropriate shell holders. Don't forget several loading manuals as well.
Just my thinking. Good luck & enjoy.
Bear in Fairbanks

i'll stick by the co-ax, no shell holders to buy, no primers hitting the floor, snap in dies etc. etc

quote:

Originally posted by butchloc:
i'll stick by the co-ax, no shell holders to buy, no primers hitting the floor, snap in dies etc. etc

I'll second the Co-Ax. Wonderful piece of engineering.

I like the co-ax press. I have an older one. It does have a shellholder, matter of fact it has 2 double sided shellholders and they're a PITA to flip.

If you buy the press new does it come with both of them?

I started reloading with an RCBS Rockchucker, and added a Dillon RL550B very recently, for bulk handgun reloads. I don't use the Dillon for rifle, for the simple reason that I bring in several 'off-press' steps which I consider important between resizing and seating. (I run my unprimed brass through a sonic cleaner, uniform primer pockets and trim case length after every firing). This may or may not improve accuracy / reliability, but it makes me feel good about my end product. I prime using the RCBS (or Lee) hand priming tool, and I like to throw my powder charge a touch light, and trickle powder in until I have the exact weight for every charge. I have found that only fine ball powders meter accurately from my powder measure - the weight on charges of extruded powder from my powder measure varies too much for my liking.

If any or all of these steps are important to you personally on your rifle ammo, you'll find the benefits of a progressive press largely negated.

I guess that what I'm trying to say is that if I could only own one press, there is no doubt it'd be a good strong single stage. That will do anything yo ask of it.

Good luck

Rikkie

get a rock chucker supreme kit to get started ..

and start saving box tops for a hornady LNL ap ..

quote:

Originally posted by ramrod340:

quote:

my assumption behind this question is that if i have to switch between calibers without a turret press, there is significant setup time and effort involved. is this a correct assumption?

Not a valid assumption. You set up your dies and set the lock ring. Take them off put them back on and they are in the same place. .

I have a Lyman T-Mag II turret and I like it. The way I use it saves me time, but for the most part Ramrod340 is correct. I use a press mounted priming system and a press mounted powder measure and that is what saves me setup time and it is all at my fingertips.

For people just starting out (unless money is no object) I usualy recomend looking for an older cast press on Flea-bay because there are a lot of other things to get as well and it adds up fast. I have an old Pacific cast press which is an excellent press and also an old Beir "C" press which also does a fine job and those things have already outlived their first and possibly second owners and are still vastly superior to a cheap budget press.

I suggest this one!
Lee Precision

and I'd take the advise of Jeffeosso, Save for a Hornady LNL AP.

Even doing one at a time, lots of things can go wrong. Doing them one at a time gives you another chance of detecting any errors. I'd go with single stage. MOST people using a turret, it becomes a place where their dies are stored--much better to store them in the box. Some do load a complete round without removing the case from the shell holder. This MIGHT save a little time, but for me it excludes doing things I like to do---like tumbling the sizing lube off, checking primer pocket etc. It also eliminates an opportunity to handle the brass and possibly find an error as I mentioned. As has been stated, changing the die is just a few second deal. When I was getting started, an old timer gave me his recommendations for equipment. I have several different brands--for that reason I don't recommend the kits. For example, I wound up with a Belding & Mull powder measure. I read all time about this that and the other powder not metering well. With the Belding & Mull, I haven't found a powder it wont throw consistently---but it is slower than most measures. What you want, speed or accuracy? You'll get varied opinions, but one thing that will be consistent is that RCBS has great customer service. I like their products, well I guess I do---whenever I get my RCBS Rockchucker press broken in, I'll report back. Might be awhile, only had it 46 years.

Also there are a lot of great single stage press out there. By defunked manufactures one can normally pick them up cheap.

There is nothing wrong with them one has a hard time screwing up a single stage.

As with anything there are peple out there that can wreak anything.

I brought olders presses an used then a log time.

I agree with Carpetman that you should not buy a kit since the individual items may be better from one or another manufacturer.

I also agree that what you want is a single stage press. Only a couple of VERY big, tough turret presses should be used for tough full length sizing and case forming, but most any single stage O-frame press will do these operations without springing.

Buy a used press, maybe off of fleabay or wherever. The reason it's for sale is that it isn't being used and likely hasn't been much. You can save a bundle and get a perfectly good press this way.

For a beginner the single stage is great way to start. I have been using my RC II Rock Chucker for 20 years this year; have considered a turret or progressive but don't seem to get around to getting one.

quote:

Originally posted by kstockfo:
hi all,
newbie here... i've been wanting to get into reloading and the current ammo crunch is even more encouragement. if i wanted to reload for 2 or 3 rifle calibers and possibly a handgun caliber, would you recommend a turret-style press for the ease of set up when switching between calibers? what companies build turret presses? if your answer is "no", please explain why.

my assumption behind this question is that if i have to switch between calibers without a turret press, there is significant setup time and effort involved. is this a correct assumption?

thanks,
kstockfo

I'm with ramrod340, Swapping calibers on a single stage is a little more involved than with a turret, but only a very small percentage of the time you will spend at your press. Negligible if you use the bushings available from Hornady and Lee, or the excellent Forster Co-Ax in which you don't even have to screw in the dies.

Before answering the rest of your question(s), I would like to know more about your shooting style. What I like has very little bearing on what will suit you.

We could target our advice better is you shared some information about yourself: (What I use has no relevance to you if our needs are not similar.)

What calibers will you be reloading?

What quantities will you be reloading for those calibers?

How much time will you be willing to devote to those quantities

What is your budget?

Will you be putting your gear away after each session or leave it set up permanently?

How much space will you devote permanently to a loading area, if any?

Do you want it to be portable?

What are your shooting goals? Cheap ammo? Ultimate long-range accuracy? Casual plinking, Serious competition - what kind? Cowboy Action Shooting? Strictly hunting?

Thanks for asking our advice. Help us help you.
Lost Sheep