Best type press for reloading accurate rifle cartridges
- Thread starter Done_Swimmin
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Bluedevil25
CGN Regular
- Location
- Saskatoon, Sask.
I agree with everyone else go with the single stage! Lots of options available.
Can you qualify this statement? I'm curious to know exactly why a quality turret press like a Redding T7 is as good as a crappy single stage like let's say a Lee Challenger. Please explain.
I know what the OPs question was. I was just curious to see why you believe a quality turret press is as good as a crappy single stage. Maybe it's just the wording of your reply that lead me to think that a quality turret press and a crappy single stage both produce crappy ammo.
I've done for quite some time now and the only differences between the two is speed and powder charge variance- the progressive has the single stage beat every time, but the single stage usually has a stand alone powder measure and most reloaders check EVERY charge by scale BEFORE seating the bullet- most guys using a progressive or turret do not, and that can be as much as 1 or 2 grains- that don' amount to much in pistol or if you're in the middle of the field in rifle, but when you get up near maximum loads you could be in dangerous territory and not know it with the progressive- i'll stop every to loads and ck the powder charge , even with a 550- and you can HEAR the difference when the round goes off- it'll seem just a LITTLE hotter and print higher than the rest
I'm still using the single stage RCBS Rockchucker press I bought in 1973 after getting out of the military.
The difference between the type presses is "time or speed".
To me the purpose of reloading is to make high quality ammunition and speed does not enter into making top quality ammunition.
I see no reason to replace or upgrade my Rockchucker press "but" this depends on your mindset on "why" you are sitting at the reloading bench.
Thanks All, I have a Lyman Orange Crusher single stage press that I can use.
In reference to my original question, what is the difference between a turret and a progressive. In searching I see pics of both but they look the same. Does the shell plate automatically advance on a prog but not on a turret?
Can anyone explain the diff?
In reference to my original question, what is the difference between a turret and a progressive. In searching I see pics of both but they look the same. Does the shell plate automatically advance on a prog but not on a turret?
Can anyone explain the diff?
PitBull1973
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
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- Right Behind You
Redding T5 I wish I bought it sooner
Accurate reloads have nothing whatsoever with the kind or style of press you have. Lee used to make, and I believe still does make, a little tool to allow one to bash out ammunition by hand with a hammer, its called the "Lee Loader"!
The quality and accuracy of your ammunition has everything to do with how you reload, what methods you use, and how much attention you pay to detail.
Scott
The quality and accuracy of your ammunition has everything to do with how you reload, what methods you use, and how much attention you pay to detail.
Scott
not entirely true
turrets and progressives equipped with powder throwers are less accurate (powderwise) than individually weighted charges.
A powder thrower is only an accessory to the press, and has no bearing on the 'accuracy or repeatability of the press function.
You can remove the powder dispensing operation from a progressive if the loader so chooses.
Between my Rock Chucker and Dillon presses, they load the same. The difference I have found is in the quality of the brass and dies used with respect to run out. With respect to OAL - they are the same, and ultimately only as repeatable as the bullet Ogive one uses.
So: quality dies, components and loading techniques.
If the press was built properly in the first place, it is quite unlikely to give you issues regardless of colour.
Edit to add: obviously the press needs to be set up properly as well.
You can remove the powder dispensing operation from a progressive if the loader so chooses.
Between my Rock Chucker and Dillon presses, they load the same. The difference I have found is in the quality of the brass and dies used with respect to run out. With respect to OAL - they are the same, and ultimately only as repeatable as the bullet Ogive one uses.
So: quality dies, components and loading techniques.
If the press was built properly in the first place, it is quite unlikely to give you issues regardless of colour.
Edit to add: obviously the press needs to be set up properly as well.
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I asked the same question a few weeks ago and got the following.
If the progressive press is setup well, you use quality dies, and measure each powder drop and adjust it accordingly you can make ammo as accurate as a single stage press.
After reading this, I went to my press and dropped 10 powder throws that I am testing for my .223 AR. That said, the range was .3 grains from the lowest to the highest drop.
I also measured 1o random loads and the range was 0.005"
To me the only thing that leaves as a varience is the crimp, and that comes down to brass prep, and die quality and setup. If you are using brass that was trimmed, and chamfered well your crimp should always be the same.
If I am wrong someone please correct me.
If the progressive press is setup well, you use quality dies, and measure each powder drop and adjust it accordingly you can make ammo as accurate as a single stage press.
After reading this, I went to my press and dropped 10 powder throws that I am testing for my .223 AR. That said, the range was .3 grains from the lowest to the highest drop.
I also measured 1o random loads and the range was 0.005"
To me the only thing that leaves as a varience is the crimp, and that comes down to brass prep, and die quality and setup. If you are using brass that was trimmed, and chamfered well your crimp should always be the same.
If I am wrong someone please correct me.
