Which turret press is best

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mic2

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I've decided to use a single stage press of some description, instead of my 550B for reloading my long range rifle loads. I like the sound of the turret presses so when the dies are adjusted, calibers can be changed, by changing die holders so dies dont need adjusted every time. Any advice as to which turret. ie redding T7, Lee 4 hole turret(this one scares me),RCBS turret or any others. Hope I am thinking correctly about turret and ease of caliber change. Advice greatfully accepted.

Mike
 
Not sure about your thinking but once a die's lock ring is locked into place after initial setting, it is adjusted, no difference with a turret press.

Changing out a FL die for seater die takes about 3 seconds.

If I WERE to go to turret it would probably be a Redding but not sure if you can buy seperate turrets for it, and cost may be prohibitive unless you ooze cash.

Just my $0.02, take it for what it's worth.
 
The Lyman turret press is built like a tank. I used mine for 15 years before the bolt that held the turret to the main body finally snapped. The replacement part was wayyyy over priced so all I did was drill out the broken bolt, run a half inch tap through the main body to clean up the threads then used a good bolt and bolted the turret on solid. It lined up perfectly and although I can't turn the turret any more I still use the press today as a single stage press.

I bought a new single stage redding press to replace it five years ago but the damn thing still hasn't worn out. :D

I don't know how lyman builds them now but they sure built them well in the past.
 
The dillon 550B has a tool plate that is removeable, so once the dies are adjusted for one caliber the dies dies stay with the plate so there is no need to check them every time.
 
I bought the Lyman T-Mag II and really like it. Buy an extra plate out of the States when you order it. I bought mine from Natchez and bought the plate at WSS and it was something like $60.00 if I remember right. The press is about 1/2 price. Specify USPS for shipping.
 
in my view, you're taking a GIANT STEP BACKWARDS- the 550 you currently have will do everything you want and more- even if you do go to weighing each load and adjusting the powder to meet the same weight- and it's simple enough to just leave the button out of that stage or remove the hopper so you don't charge with powder on the press- i've always found the 550b to be adequate, even with the issued charge bar, but i'm no precision shooter
and if you're just using your 550b for just one caliber , you're SHORT-CHANGING the press- the ONLY fault there is with the 550b is a lack of AUTO-INDEX , but that's no fault if you're using it for rifle
there's CONVERSION KITS for almost every caliber out there with the 550b- it's just a matter of changing the shelplate and dies- the 45acp, 06, 308, 8mm, and a bunch of others all have the same head so there's no need to change plates, just pull the pins and slide in a different dieplate and hopper- takes all of about 30 seconds
if you have to change the shelplate, that takes about maybe 5 minutes
 
I have been running the Lee Classic Turret (4 hole) press for the last couple of years. Loads everything from 9x19 to .338 Win Mag with no issues through several thousand rounds. The plates are ~$12-13 each and change in seconds if you are not using the auto disk powder measure. I can't say it is the best out there, but for the cost of just the parts to set up a new calibre on many presses you can buy the entire press and a couple plates and be set for 4 calibres, assuming two dies per calibre.


Mark
 
you can buy extra turrets for the Redding, it is the highest quality press with a turret. There is a lot of flex in the D550, especially when doing heavy resizing. I broke the link on my 550, resizing .308 .
 
X10 with what mmattockz said. I did have one, and it was great for reloading anything. The cast iron press was very strong and I had no problem reloading anything on it.

I only got rig of it to upgrade to the Dillon merely for a speed upgrade.

I have a Lee single stage press that is now used for all rifle rounds (except 5.56mm)

My $0.02
 
The best turret press on the market today is the Redding. Built like a tank and rock solid.

I load most rifle rounds on a single-stage Rockchucker but use a Lyman T-Mag II for handgun cartridges and 45-70 rifle. While not in the same class as the big Redding it is about half the cost - American Bass Pro $144.99 USD - and is more than capable for re-sizing rifle cartridge cases.
 
Not sure why you would want a turret if you have a 550. I have a 550, and if I wanted a press to load precision rifle, I would likely look at a forster co-ax..
 
Have a Redding, love it, built like a tank as they say. Bought an extra turret from Prophet River just a while back.....have heads set up for 6mmBR, 6.5x47, 300WM, 308, 223 and decapping all on 2 heads....quick swap.
 
I've used the Lyman turret press for years and love it use it for everything from .223 to 375 H+H. Having said that I'd probably buy the Redding as it is significantly beefier.
 
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