Turret presses

stephen b · August 21, 2002, 12:30 AM

Greetings fellow reloaders,
I'm thinking of graduating up to a turret press and am wondering if there were any disadvantages to using them. What company rules the roost in the world of turret presses? It looks to me like they can be used one of two ways, either like a sooped up single stage press or a budget model progressive. Is this a correct assesment of these new fangled contraptions? Has anyone read any reports on their quality and success?
Thanks, I needed that.

stephen b.

**Mike Irwin** · August 21, 2002, 12:48 AM

Dillon pretty much sets the standards for turret presses.

There aren't too many downsides to turret presses.

blades67 · August 21, 2002, 02:16 AM

I think the Lee turret press is like a souped up single stage press. The AT 500 is an entry level progressive. It starts out like a turret press, but with a couple of upgrades you have a complete RL550B.

NG Bruce · August 21, 2002, 06:50 AM

The granddaddy of them all the current brands is the Redding #25 - it has been around since the mid-1960's. In the 2002 Redding catalog they have upgraded the press from a 6-hole, turret to a 7-hole model and have completely redesigned the main body casting. In pricing the available turret presses start on the low end with the Lee, then Lyman, then RCBS and finally Redding. Dillon makes a turret that serves as an upgradeable platform to a progressive. The other four are "permanent turrets" (no upgrade packages.)

I love my #25 Redding - it is hell-for-stout and extremely smooth. I have mine set up for exclusively for the 45 Colt; one turret hole used for a carbide sizer, one for the expander and the other four holes each have a seater/crimper set up for the four different .45 caliber bullets I use in my different 45 Colt loads. I never have to readjust a die. All of the manufactures offer extra turrets that can be changed out so you can set up for different calibers without having to set your dies up each time - the Lee is the easiest to change out. I started out with the Lee turret (about $50.00 mail-order) but moved up several years ago to the Redding (about $180.00 mail order). I have a Rockchucker and a RCBS Pro-2000 progressive and use them both - but the turret really has its place for me in revolver loading.

NG Bruce

August 21, 2002, 12:30 AM	#1
stephen b Member Join Date: August 15, 2002 Location: Vashon, WA. Posts: 27	Turret presses Greetings fellow reloaders, I'm thinking of graduating up to a turret press and am wondering if there were any disadvantages to using them. What company rules the roost in the world of turret presses? It looks to me like they can be used one of two ways, either like a sooped up single stage press or a budget model progressive. Is this a correct assesment of these new fangled contraptions? Has anyone read any reports on their quality and success? Thanks, I needed that. stephen b. __________________ stephen b

August 21, 2002, 02:16 AM	#3
blades67 Senior Member Join Date: April 22, 1999 Location: Chandler, Arizona, USA Posts: 6,014	I think the Lee turret press is like a souped up single stage press. The AT 500 is an entry level progressive. It starts out like a turret press, but with a couple of upgrades you have a complete RL550B. __________________ Guns cause crime like spoons cause Rosie O'Donnell to be fat! I hunt, therefore I am.

August 21, 2002, 12:48 AM	#2
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,381	Dillon pretty much sets the standards for turret presses. There aren't too many downsides to turret presses. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

August 21, 2002, 06:50 AM	#4
NG Bruce Member Join Date: February 2, 2001 Location: Beaufort County NC Posts: 51	The granddaddy of them all the current brands is the Redding #25 - it has been around since the mid-1960's. In the 2002 Redding catalog they have upgraded the press from a 6-hole, turret to a 7-hole model and have completely redesigned the main body casting. In pricing the available turret presses start on the low end with the Lee, then Lyman, then RCBS and finally Redding. Dillon makes a turret that serves as an upgradeable platform to a progressive. The other four are "permanent turrets" (no upgrade packages.) I love my #25 Redding - it is hell-for-stout and extremely smooth. I have mine set up for exclusively for the 45 Colt; one turret hole used for a carbide sizer, one for the expander and the other four holes each have a seater/crimper set up for the four different .45 caliber bullets I use in my different 45 Colt loads. I never have to readjust a die. All of the manufactures offer extra turrets that can be changed out so you can set up for different calibers without having to set your dies up each time - the Lee is the easiest to change out. I started out with the Lee turret (about $50.00 mail-order) but moved up several years ago to the Redding (about $180.00 mail order). I have a Rockchucker and a RCBS Pro-2000 progressive and use them both - but the turret really has its place for me in revolver loading. NG Bruce