Lyman Brass Smith 8-Station Turret Press

[aakoksal]

Planning to get a Turret press for rifle reloading. Currently using a Redding UltraMag and have reloads with 0.5MOA or better results.

I was looking into Redding unit but Lyman is cheaper as well has an extra station.

I was wondering if anybody has experience with one of these? Are they accurate? If not can they be accurized?

Thanks...

 

[MartyK2500]

I may be missing the point, but never saw what a turret would give me more than a real single stage?
fwiw, your redding ultramag is all you should need.
If die changes are too slow get a Forster Co-ax.

opinion only of course...

 

[aakoksal]

I may be missing the point, but never saw what a turret would give me more than a real single stage?
fwiw, your redding ultramag is all you should need.
If die changes are too slow get a Forster Co-ax.

opinion only of course...

Idea is to set your dies and never touch them again... Not because I’m lazy, but to keep them in the same spot for consistency sake...

 

[MartyK2500]

You would be well serve with a Forster co-ax, look it up!

And even with your Redding die, if you use forster lock rings, you will set it once and never again.
With the inconvenience of screwing them in and out, vs sliding them in and out on let’s say a co-ax.

It’s your wallet in the end, if it we’re me I wouldn’t downgrade a very good press for an easily solved issue...

ps... 10 years ago I used to think that dies need to be ultra tight I would wrench them too tight.
With a lock ring, finger snug and a little more is more than enough.

 

[flange]

I have one and it's been very good. I like the fact you can set dies up and leave them. Other value of a turret in my mind is the reduction in the times you're handling the brass.
Only issue is the on press priming system absolutely blows. I always use a hand priming tool so not an issue for me.

 

[icecold]

I have the 8 position Lyman press. I like it because of the several calibers I can deal with at one time. As stated above the primer system sucks. I have ordered a separate Lee Auto prime for all my priming needs.

 

[coyoteking]

I’m with Marty on this one, get the coax.

A turret press would be great for the occasional handgun reloader that loads only a couple thousand rounds per year.

 

[jethunter]

Idea is to set your dies and never touch them again... Not because I’m lazy, but to keep them in the same spot for consistency sake...

I bought my first turret press with the same theory in mind. It's a good theory when you only load 2-3 cartridges, but even then are you going to have a separate set of dies and a new turret for each different bullet or weight even with the same cartridge? You end up with a whole shelf full of turrets and die sets that just gather dust. For me that theory ididn't prove out, but maybe it will be different for you and anyway it's good for the economy.

 

[aakoksal]

Reviving this thread; looking to hear the experiences of shooters with similar habits... I precision reload (at least try) for three calibres; .308Win, 6.5CM and .338 LM. Just to throw in a curveball, I have two different 308 rifles that I reload for.

With this in mind, would you go for a turret or a coax type press...?

 

[Bigbubba]

I have a RCBS 6 position turret press.
I reload for 308, 22-250, and 260.
I like it in that I set the dies and leave them, and I (so far anyway) only load 1 weight of bullet for 308 and 260 and hope to do the same with the 22-250

I also like that I could buy another turret and set dies in there.

Having said that, a Hornady Lock and load single stage (or progressive) will let you do that same thing.

I am trying for accuracy but I am not anal about it either.

 

['Boo]

With this in mind, would you go for a turret or a coax type press...?

I currently have rifles chambered for about a dozen different cartridges. With the sole exception of 45-70 all get loaded on a single stage - RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme. I set the dies up and set the lock rings and have no problem maintaining consistency while allowing for fast swap-out.

I also have a Lyman Mag-T with 6 station heads. I load .357 Mag, 9 mm, 45 Auto, and 45-70 dies set up in separate heads with all dies and powder measure attached and churn out a good quantity of ammo in a short time.

This is my procedure and your mileage may vary.

 

[bdb.hunting]

Frankford Arsenal also has a coaxial press. Similar to forester but seems to be on sale at Cabela's every so often.

I have a turret press currently (Unused) partially because it was such a good deal and I will also be loading 9mm with it so It was beneficial.

I got it with a kit because it was open box and on clearance.

 

[Burton Urnie]

I recently bought the Lyman turret 8,
It'll be setup so I size and prime on a single stage then use to finish. 1 powder 2 flare 3 seat bullet 4 crimp.
I plan to set it up 4 holes in 308w and the other 4 in 303B.
I have other presses on the bench for the other calibers I reload.

 

[Meroh]

I may be missing the point, but never saw what a turret would give me more than a real single stage?
fwiw, your redding ultramag is all you should need.
If die changes are too slow get a Forster Co-ax.

opinion only of course...

Saves you changing dies; you can leave it set-up. I am using a 45 year old Lyman Turret for my rifle reloading. I can set up six dies and leave them set up. I have two Lee Pro 1000s for my pistol ammo.