Redding T7 Turret Press
- Thread starter Kechika
- Start date
nowarningshot
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Most of the negative comments about turrets are about their priming systems. Some people treat them as a series of single stage batch stations, while others take a empty brass and move it through each station until a new cartridge is done. Most people who use the single stage batch method seem to hand prime big batches.
The Redding is sturdy and precise, you match many single stage presses for camming force and concentricity.
The Redding is sturdy and precise, you match many single stage presses for camming force and concentricity.
Never had one but was fortunate to use a friends while I was getting my own stuff set-up. I’m mostly a pistol shooter, not much rifle, so my reloads are a little basic by comparison and I don’t measure a bunch of variables others do. That said, the T7 seemed like a real quality piece and turned out .38, 9mm, .45, & .308 with no problem, though slower than I liked.
That was going to be my next question... what is the speed differential for other comparable presses.
I could see using it to load my 10mm and .44 mag in the future. Is there a better 'in between'?
I like my T7. It’s solid and functions great. Only negative is that it’s on the pricey side and some might opt for blue presses.
I reload mostly pistol with some rifle. Both priming systems work great. I used the tube fed priming system when I am doing larger runs. The included priming system is good for small batches.
Speed wise, I can fully load 100 rounds in just under an hour going at easy pace.
I just got a Lee progressive to handle large runs.
Edit: S&B primers flip inside the tube when sliding the transfer bar. My theory is that the primer has a small to little radius and it catches on the next primer. With CCI and Win primers, there’s no issue.
I reload mostly pistol with some rifle. Both priming systems work great. I used the tube fed priming system when I am doing larger runs. The included priming system is good for small batches.
Speed wise, I can fully load 100 rounds in just under an hour going at easy pace.
I just got a Lee progressive to handle large runs.
Edit: S&B primers flip inside the tube when sliding the transfer bar. My theory is that the primer has a small to little radius and it catches on the next primer. With CCI and Win primers, there’s no issue.
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I am going to assume that you purchased a second primer bar and have one for small and one for large primers. You have to tweak the height adjustment of the spring loaded primer cup. There is a set screw in the bottom of the bar to release the threaded portion of the pin. In the pin, hiding under the spring, there is a small hole into which a paper clip or other small wire will fit so that you can turn the pin, raising or lowering it. Only turn the pin about 1/8th of a turn and make sure you do up the set-screw snugly but not overly tight. You don't want to strip the threads, but it has to be tightened down or the pin will turn and it will also not be loaded on the threads in the bar allowing it to move. Try it out for a while. If it is worse, go the other way, backing out the 1/8th turn you put in and continue with another 1/8th the opposite direction. I have found that once it is adjusted right, I have absolutely no problems once it has been tweaked for height with S&B primers, and they are pretty much all I use.
Yes, getting it set just right can be a royal PITA but it isn't the only thing I don't like about that particular press. Assuming you purchased a spare primer bar, changing it out is a pain as designed since you have to remove the entire assembly. Take a file to the front of the press and remove about 1/32" so that the assembly can be released by removing one of the two screws and just barely loosening the other. It will be able to rotate down 90 degrees and the bar can be slid out of the channel. Slide the other bar in and rotate it back into position. Put back the one screw and tighten both.
I still haven't found a fix I like for that stupid ball that buggers off in whichever direction it prefers when changing out turrets. It should be captured in a spring loaded cylinder that won't allow it to move from where it is supposed to be. I am thinking about making my own. Other than these few 'features' I can't say enough good things about this press. It is so nice to be able to have all the dies I use regularly at my disposal, permanently mounted and set. I only use one shell holder plate with its respective turret so the heights/depth settings are almost exactly repeatable.
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I’m running a Dillon 550 and for me it’s much better press. 100rds/hr sounds about where I was with the T7, with the Dillon 250/hr is average; depending on calibre +\- 100. I’m sure the T7 would make better big rifle ammo than the 550, but if I were doing that I’d take a very hard look at the Forster Co-Ax for the same money as the T7.
If you’re shooting more than 100rds per session of 10mm & .44 Mag you’re a masochist!
Thanks. I’ll try that.
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Somebody with too much free time? I mostly joke.
OP, this is another good point. The press you select needs to reflect your available free-time and desires. If you have loads of time a single stage will work for anything and everything. If you only have an hour a week a progressive will let you accomplish much more in a shorter time. With a full-time career, two kids under four, and working on a masters degree any free time I do get I'd rather spend at the range instead of in front of my reloading bench. Some guys I know love reloading, I'm not one of those people. For me it's means to an end.
I’m also running the Dillon 550. Very happy with the speed and the versatility of this particular press. Highly recommend it!
Greenjoytj
Member
- Location
- Durham Region, Ontario
The problem with presses that hold and store multiple dies is you “set and forget” . You forget how to set up the dies so when the time comes to make die adjustments the fear and anxiety are way up. The other problem with turret presses is people try to use them like a Dillion progressive press, they even mount powder measures on them. Yet the turret press does not have the engineered in safeguards of a true Dillion progressive press. For rifle ctg's stick with a single stage press.
For priming my new favourite tool is the LEE Auto Bench Prime. It works with the least amount of physical effort and is quite fast.
It’s not perfect but it’s idiosyncrasies are easily mastered.
For priming my new favourite tool is the LEE Auto Bench Prime. It works with the least amount of physical effort and is quite fast.
It’s not perfect but it’s idiosyncrasies are easily mastered.
Yeah, that may be true if you're only loading for a couple calibers. I have enough 'toys' to make sure my loading is diversified...
Appreciate all the great feedback here. Sounds like the T7 gets a thumbs up and I may want to look into priming options.
Does anyone have a good solution to charging while the case is in the press (shellholder)?
Yeah, that may be true if you're only loading for a couple calibers. I have enough 'toys' to make sure my loading is diversified...
Appreciate all the great feedback here. Sounds like the T7 gets a thumbs up and I may want to look into priming options.
Does anyone have a good solution to charging while the case is in the press (shellholder)?
I install 2 or 3 dies in the press. But I load by batch.
I size a pail of cases
I prime that pail of cases.
I have a Redding BR30 screwed into one of the turret positions. I charge 50 or 100 or 150 cases, putting them in loading boards.
Then I stick a bullet in each case (aftr looking up and down all the cases to amek sure they all have powder and the powder levels look the same).
Then I seat all the bullets.
So the process is much like using a single stage press.
Greenjoytj
Member
- Location
- Durham Region, Ontario
A LEE powder through the expander die. I think this type of die could be adjusted so it didn’t further expand your already expanded cases, it would act as a funnel extension tube. You would pour powder down through the hollow expander plug, you might need another funnel set into the top of this die.
I recently picked up a Lyman Turret Press and I have to tell ya, I am very happy with it. I graduated from the Lee press that came in the Anniversary kit in '95, although I still utilize it for other jobs, the Lyman works very well for my use. I load only rifle rounds and also utilize the Lee bench primer and hand primer. I don't think I will ever utilize the press to prime.
When I go into the room to reload I don't put a time limit on the tasks I have to complete.., I just sit down and go through the reload stages either completely or a stage at a time, so to know how long it should take or how fast..not an issue with me for my set up.
I don't think you will be unhappy with either the Lyman or Redding that's my 2cents. go spend some money now ! haha
When I go into the room to reload I don't put a time limit on the tasks I have to complete.., I just sit down and go through the reload stages either completely or a stage at a time, so to know how long it should take or how fast..not an issue with me for my set up.
I don't think you will be unhappy with either the Lyman or Redding that's my 2cents. go spend some money now ! haha
