I am looking at turret presses, RCBS turret & the Lyman t-mag kits. I started out wanting a Single O press. Now I have some friends who want me to do some loading for them. All will be 45acp. I could get a progressive. But the one I want will not be in stock till June (Hornady LNL) looked on ebay getting kinda expensive! so I am looking at turrets. Any Ideas?

If you are going to be doing any kind of bulk reloading (ie: .45 ACP) then there is absolutely NO substitute for a progressive press.

I mean, None.

Hornady LNL is good. Dillion 450 or 550 is good. RCBS makes one that's good. Fact is, all three have their pro's and con's, but noone will ever truly be able to say which one is "the best".

If you want the Hornady, go with it. It's a good press. And the free bullet offer is a good one. I've got an older Pro-Jector Hornady that I've used for over 18 years and it's still going strong.

But, and I can guarantee it, even the best Turret press around (Redding T7) is still going to be significantly slower than just about any progressive. On my best days I can pump out close to 600 rounds an hour on my Pro-Jector...though normally that number is closer to 450...gotta reload the primer tubes every now and again.

I've got less than a year reloading experience, and started with a lnl ap. If all you're going to be reloading is 45acp, I'd hold out for the lnl. If you're going to do any bottleneck rifle at all, stay away from progressives when you start out, but the speed of the progressive can't be touched for straight wall pistol cartridges. Use the time you're waiting on the press to save more brass, you're going to need it

Don't waste your time loading pistol ammo on a single stage press. Look at the Dillon 550 or 650. I bought a Lee Loadmaster several years ago but would still reccommend holding out for the Dillon. Personnaly I'd go for a 650 with a powder check station.

After rereading your post I'd say even if it your first reloader go progressive. It may take a night or two to get working smoothly but you'll be looking for a progressive within a month of buying a single stage for reloading pistol. I started with a Rockchucker and until recently still used it for rifle rounds. After my first 50 rounds of .45 I knew progressive made more sense for pistol.

I do have to admit that any time I'm doing very small batch pistol reloading (ie: 20 or less) I use my Rockchuker and single stage it. But then, I'm talking about small quantities of heavy hunting magnum loads.

Trust me ...Dillon is the only name one needs to know when talking about progressive presses.

Secondly, I wouldn't recommend a turret press simply because of the price. For a few dollars more one can have a Dillon. FWIW, if you're set on a turret press I'd recommend the Redding.

If you're not $$ sensitive, go ahead and get the Redding turret. It's a great general purpose press and will allow you to develop your loading process. You'll learn how case prep and powder measurement influence how you go about reloading. You'll have much better insight into reloading on a progressive. If case prep isn't a factor, progressives are easily beneficial. The turret will be a great press for your rifle and low production rounds. People who have them are proud of them.

The Hornady press will serve you well when it becomes available. It has a better powder system than its competition, besides being an easier changeover.

If you prefer to experiment with automation, a Lee will provide insight. It may even have some resale value when the Hornady becomes available.

I have 2 Dillon 550 presses a friend has the 650 it is a little temperamental. My 2 550's are easy to use but the only rifle cartridge I load with them is 223. I use a Rock Chucker for all other rifle cartridge currently. I plan on getting a Forester Co-ax and use it for rifle cartridges in the future since I have started reloading in my bedroom (more climate controlled than my Garage especially in the summer) I also weigh all rifle charges with my Dillon electronic scale.

Good luck on your choice

IMHO I can't see why anyone would spend that kind of money for a non-progressive.

Please tell me what you gain over a single stage
you still have to pull the handel at each step you can do the same thing on a single stage for alot less, you just do each step in stages 100 200 300 cases at a time, instead of rotating that head around and you have to think a heck of a lot more with a turret.

If you want speed then buy the progressive 550 - 650 dillon it's all you will need or the RCBS 2000.

Hunt-Ducks:
Who was your question refering to? If it was me I would buy a Forester Co-ax because I have had several other types of presses and I believe it to be able to assemble more accurate cartridges. I also have 3 sets of Wilson Bench Rest dies that I use.

Swede

Just a general reply to the ??? which turret press? like I said I see little advantage with a turret vs a single stage for the money.

Now a progressive that's a whole different animal.

I have 2 dillons a 550 and a SDB along with a RC I use all 3 and each one has it's place.

Take Care

quote:

Originally posted by Hunt-ducks:
Swede

Just a general reply to the ??? which turret press? like I said I see little advantage with a turret vs a single stage for the money.

Now a progressive that's a whole different animal.

I have 2 dillons a 550 and a SDB along with a RC I use all 3 and each one has it's place.

Take Care

I had a Lyman Turret press when I was 30 years younger. It worked ok but took a lot more effort/pressure to work than my Rock Chucker or Dillion progressive. I agree I can't see any big advantage either in a turret.

do yourself a favor and click on this link.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewp...productnumber=622290

best 104$ you will spend.

and i don't mean to sound like an anally-retentive asshole, but i am an insurance claims manager:

have each and every freind sign a waiver before you give them a single round that you loaded. even then, make sure that your PUP is up-to-date and paid-in-full.

don't laugh - i've seen it happen.

quote:

Originally posted by tasunkawitko:
and i don't mean to sound like an anally-retentive asshole, but i am an insurance claims manager:

have each and every freind sign a waiver before you give them a single round that you loaded. even then, make sure that your PUP is up-to-date and paid-in-full.

don't laugh - i've seen it happen.

tasunkawitko, you must mean a "PLUP (personal liability umbrella policy)Not to be another anally retentative insurance type

I don't load a lot of pistol but when I get back into competition again, I will get a progressive. In the meantime, I have found great utility in my Redding turret press. I have 3 extra heads that I leave my most used dies set up on and switch caliber/loads with just the twist of an allen head - no calibration needed. swapping dies and rechecking set up on my single stages is tedious.

All turret presses have some play (flexation)due to the fact that the ram presses against the outside of the axial center mounting point of the turret. IMO, of the turret presses, Redding is by far the best and of highest tolerance. When using competition type seater dies with the alignment sleeves by Redding or Forster I have found no difference in concentricity between the T-7 and my RCBS RCII.

quote:

you must mean a "PLUP (personal liability umbrella policy)

lol - that'd be the one!

bobby o.

in a turret press, lee's classic cast is the best out there, but your requirements lead me to believe a progressive would better serve your needs...and to me, progressive means dillon or hornady. for a single, pistol caliber, you'd best be served by a dillon square deal b, but to accommodate future needs, a 550 or hornady's progressive are be cheaper because standard die sets used...square deals are expensive when die changes are involved.

budman