Turret press vs. Single Stage question...

[Bruiseleee]

I was wondering if a Lee Classic Cast press with the ratcheting device disabled can produce the same quality ammunition as a single stage press. Or will I need to buy one of each?

 

[chise]

The classic cast is a single stage I believe. Do you mean the turret press?

 

[Bruiseleee]

The classic cast is a single stage I believe. Do you mean the turret press?

Yes, it's the turret.

 

[colinjw]

If you are referring to the turret press, I have one sitting beside my Dillon and both see a lot of reloading.

I am happy with the turret press however most of the time I use it without the ratchet feature installed which makes it a single stage.

 

[chise]

Ok I just checked it out. They do call it the lee classic cast turret press

I have a single stage and a turret press and here's the only difference. When you pushing down on the handle and raising the ram in single stage mode on your turret, there is a little give of "give". This is the actual "turret" wiggling around, the piece with the 4 holes that you screw the dies into. The single stage press has a die sealed and locked in so it can't move. I would think this affects accuracy but you'd have to check for runout which I've never done.

 

[saskgunowner101]

Just make sure when you set your dies they take out the play.

 

[chise]

It's the play I don't like though

 

[sunray]

The dies and how meticulously you weigh the powder, etc. is more important than the press.

 

[chise]

The dies and how meticulously you weigh the powder, etc. is more important than the press.

I've never seen a bad quality single stage press, it's pretty hard to screw up.

 

[blacksmithden]

I've got one of Lee's 4 hole turret presses and it works great for pistol ammo. I did manage to split a turret when I tried to full length resize some 300 win mag brass. It only took about 40 to kill it. For my large rifle calibers, I use an RCBS Rockchucker single stage......problem solved.

 

[sunray]

"...pretty hard to screw up..." Exactly. For good ammo, it ain't the press.

 

[(((Echo)))]

I disable mine all the time. I find it a PITA with longer cartridges (re: 6.5x55mm) and if I'm only using two stages, it goes faster without the ratchet.

(E)

 

[Grizzlypeg]

I use mine for rifle cartridges, I like being able to remove the dies as a set and maintain the adjustments. I don't use the ratchet for rifle cartridges, only handgun (which I shoot very little of at this time).

 

[chise]

Breech lock bushings on a single stage allow for you to keep your settings without using a turret press. The problem is those suckers cost like $10.00 each, so it adds an extra $20-$30 per rifle caliber that you're loading.

 

[dan belisle]

Yes you can. I use a couple of turret presses as single stage and I haven't had any complaints about the ammo yet (that weren't directly attributable to my own fumble fingeredness). - dan

 

[Ice-Pick]

It'll depend on what your expectancies are for your reloading accuracy.
I have a turret that works just find for pistol and very basic rifle ..... but.....
If you want extreme match precision all in one hole accuracy type ammo you can depend on at 1000 yds, pay the money for the proper dies and get a rock solid single stage press similar to the rock chucker design.

M.