After a long time absence from shooting and reloading I am looking for info on the T-7 press and Redding dies. Specifically pros and cons of the T-7 and a comparisson of the various styles of rifle dies,Full length, full length plus neck sizing, and competition. Lastly I'd like to limit this to Redding equipment. I already have an RCBS Rockchucker and a Lee Loadmaster. Thanks.

The Redding turret press is one of the best, if not the best. It has a large ram diameter, counter-bearing point opposite the ram to reduce deflection, and seven die stations. The turret is easily and quickly exchanged with a second or third turret with pre-set dies installed. Although I reserve mine for neck sizing and seating, leaving the full-length sizing and case forming to an O-frame single-station press, it will do these jobs, also. I simply prefer to "save" the wear and tear on it.

The Redding conventional dies are made of high-quality steel and finished well. They have the same limitations as other conventional dies.

I have a Redding T-7 press and prefer Redding dies (99% of my dies are Redding). I use the Redding T-7 for a wide range of calibers (for .223Rem on the small end up through 416Rigby & 470NE on the big end) and have no complaints. I usually use a hand priming tool for priming, but also have used the T-7 press for small priming jobs. To date I think I've had a maximum of 3 dies in the press at one time......I typically just load for one caliber at a time so I don't mix anything up.

Reddings whole line of reloading tools is top shelf. Only Hollywood ever made better loading tools.

Redding's Competition seating dies have a micrometer adjustment for seating depth, and a floating alignment sleeve that aligns the bullet with the case mouth prior to seating. They cannot apply a crimp. Their standard seater is similar in design to other conventional seating dies, and can apply a crimp.

Andy

Thanks for the input, keep 'em coming. I missed that the competition die didn't apply a crimp. So far my plan is to load .223, .308 and .30-06. I was thinking about two die sets and a unversal deprimer. The deprimer may end up in the Rockchuker though. I'm shooting High-power with an AR and a .308 Garand so crimp is important. The 06 is a Savage that I shoot target and a little long range.

The only seating die with a sliding alignment sleeve that will also crimp is Hornady. Its sleeve does not engage as much of the cartridge (just the neck and most of the shoulder) as the Forster (all) or Redding (competition) dies.

Or you can crimp separately. I like the Lee collet style FCD for rifle cartridges. Just be careful not to crimp too much with bullets without a cannelure, or you'll deform them.

Andy

As far as I'm concerned, there are no cons to the Redding T-7 turret press. I have all 7 stations on mine filled most of the time.

As for dies, my new die acquisitions have been Redding.

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Originally posted by Sam:I missed that the competition die didn't apply a crimp. So far my plan is to load .223, .308 and .30-06. I was thinking about two-die sets and a unversal de-primer. The de-primer may end up in the RockChuker, though. I'm shooting High-power with an AR and a .308 Garand, so crimp is important. The '06 is a Savage that I shoot target and a little long range.

I'm including a link to another forum that discusses crimping. I'm particularly impressed by the anti arguments.

www.websitetoolbox.com/tool/post/6mmbr/vpost?id=2797116

Forster makes a .308 National Match sizing die for gas guns. Its purpose is to provide reliable feeding. To the best of my knowledge, Forster's seating dies are non-crimping.

I would put the de-capping die in a separate, cheap press where the contamination from the primer residue won't influence any critical tolerances, like the ram bore on a good press. The T-7 has a much better accommodation than the RockChucker for the spent primers, but the residue will still be in the proximity. IMO, the T-7 is an excellent choice.
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I agree with Win69, crimping is not generally an accuracy-improving technique. But there are reasons other than accuracy to crimp (hunting ammo, tubular magazines, etc.)

My personal favorite press would solve the convenience, ultimate accuracy and safe/clean depriming challenges, all in one unit: the Forster Co-Ax. With snap in, snap out, floating die retention, universal shellholder, and 100% flawless spent primer/debri handling far away from the press/ram bearings, it is the best designed, best built single stage press available.

But among turret presses, the T7 is the top of the heap.

Andy

Winchester, the thread you refered me to has some good points on it. I'll have to play with the non-crimp idea once I start loading again. I've done a lot of pistol ammo but I haven't loaded a lot of rifle ammo. I've been trying to decide about depriming based on bench space. I have a 5 foot long table with the Lee on the edge at one end and the Rockchucker mounted on the same edge about a foot from the other end. It will depend more on if I can get three presses in five feet, two is comfortable now.

I've seen the Forester press advertised but I have a certificate for Redding from a match.

I have a large assortment of dies consisting of maybe a dozen brands.
The Redding competition seems to be very good.
The rest of Reddings dies are on par with RCBS and Forster. I think many folks like the Redding dies because the adjustment stem threads turn so smoothly...mostly a result of the thick rust proofing preservative they apply.

Another option for de-capping is a punch and base. Wilson and Lee both have them. When de-capping on your press, the primer residue will find the grease on your press and create grinding compound. Or, you can mount a Lee Reloader press on a board and clamp it to your bench when needed. There are lots of ways to skin a cat. Of course, a lot of people de-cap on press, and the T-7 has an excellent provision. I happen to have a fetish that you may not share and will choose another approach other than mine.

Regarding the dies, you can use the better ones, and, if you run into a problem, obtain the Lee crimping piece to rectify the problem. The better seating dies, Redding and Forster, are definitely worthwhile in reducing bullet run-out.
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quote:

but I have a certificate for Redding from a match.

Ahh, that explains things a bit. Redding UltraMag or T7 presses are their top of the line, and both do much better than RCBS/Hornady on primer handling, but unfortunately don't do much to avoid primer debris in the ram/frame bearing. The slot in the ram for the priming arm almost guarantees primer debris in the ways. I wish they'd offer a slotless hollow ram as an option, given how few users actually prime on the press anyway. A cheap Lee hand press or Win69's idea of punch and cup will work fine for depriming.

Andy

I've no experience with the T-7. I had it's cousin the six station press (I believe it was called a Model 25). It was a well made press but I didn't care for it sloping away from the user. I now have two Ultramag presses on the bench along with a Lee Classic Turret. I haul the Lee to the range for load development.

I like Redding dies as a general rule but over the years I find I use a mix of die manufacturers products. For example, I will usually end up with a Lee Collet Neck Die, a Forster Ultra Seat Die, a Redding Body Die, a Redding FL Sizer Die, and a Redding Taper Crimp Die (or Lee Factory Crimp Die if the Redding is not available). The newest of the Hornady Die Sets are pretty good too.

I've used several different presses over the years and there are lots of good products on the market but in my opinion, it's hard to beat an Ultramag.

quote:

I'm shooting High-power with an AR and a .308 Garand so crimp is important.

I stopped using any crimp die once I found that the Lee Crimp die was swaging the centers of my SMK bullets. I have shot tens of thousands of 308 rounds in the M1A, and in Garands. You do not need to crimp.

Once you get to Camp Perry, you will be surrounded by the absolute best rifle shooters in the world. Ask them, as I have done, if they crimp their bullets. In all the years I have been going, not one, not a single top ranked shooter has ever said they crimp their bullets. Not one. Ever.

This is a picture of 6.5 SMK bullets damaged by the Lee Crimp die. You cannot tell you have damaged your bullets until you pull them. Why spend 30 cents a bullet for the most perfect bullets made, only to mess them up with a crimp die?



PS. I have a Redding T-7. Excellent press. If you are reloading for the gas gun, take a look at my comments on reloading for the AR-10.
https://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/2511043/m/908103488