New press opinions

[Tiny Tim]

I switched to a turret and won't go back. Such a time saver. I got the Area 419 , with a trick to stiffen it for FL sizing it works great.

What's the trick?

 

[Willys]

What's the trick?

The press only holds down the turret on the left side so you get up to .004 flex when resizing. If you screw a long threaded die like a mandrel die all the way down on the back left hole and bottom it against the press it removes almost all the flex. Only needed for full length resizing. It tightens up consistency even when using stepped shellholders bottomed against die.

 

[Tiny Tim]

The press only holds down the turret on the left side so you get up to .004 flex when resizing. If you screw a long threaded die like a mandrel die all the way down on the back left hole and bottom it against the press it removes almost all the flex. Only needed for full length resizing. It tightens up consistency even when using stepped shellholders bottomed against die.

Good to know. Thanks for sharing.

 

[ARlife4me]

I have 2 550's (1 for large primers and 1 for small primers) + 2 single stage presses (Lee cast iron for 338lm and a breach lock for 5.7x28). Other small reloading items like hand primers and a universal deprime press.

 

[skipglo]

LEE makes great stuff and I have tons of it, lot's of folks bash it it because they think it's cheap, It's not "cheap" it's inexpensive

Inexpensive is good but sounds cheap....how about READILY AFFORDABLE?

 

[Mike Matteson]

I have 2 rockchucker, and now an Area-19 press. If you only loading for a few cases at a time the rocker should do the trick. The Area-19 is a lot of money. I have able to oftain 1/2" groups and under with my rocker, without any problem. With the pressure on the case being resized to a different caliber or reforming a case no problem either.
The Area-19 is the only turret press for rifle reloading. I have been concerned about flex with other press. Again the Area-19 is the only turret press I have. I felt for the money it should do the job. I use something different for primer loading.
You should be able to get a press at E-bay for less money.

 

[MtPockets]

I switched to a turret and won't go back. Such a time saver. I got the Area 419 , with a trick to stiffen it for FL sizing it works great.

Just my opinion but when a press costs that much, there should be no need for tricks to make it work. Or is the runout more of an OCD thing?

I wonder if other, more "readily affordable" turret presses have similar issues?

 

[hemiford]

Has anyone noticed any turret flex on a Redding T-7 ?

 

[Willys]

Just my opinion but when a press costs that much, there should be no need for tricks to make it work. Or is the runout more of an OCD thing?

I wonder if other, more "readily affordable" turret presses have similar issues?

Its really more of an OCD thing - when sizing a case you can see light under the turret as pressure increases and it flexes. If you use selectable shellholders so they firmly bottom against the die then than .004 flex will likely never be noticed in the final result. That said, I am getting more consistent shoulder bumps with the turret preloaded as described.

 

[Tiny Tim]

Just my opinion but when a press costs that much, there should be no need for tricks to make it work. Or is the runout more of an OCD thing?

I wonder if other, more "readily affordable" turret presses have similar issues?

I've seen where the Redding T7 had some issues with a small amount of play. Not sure if they have remedied this but have seen some fixes on YouTube. Minor, but everyman produced item has tolerances to work with that a little customization can improve.

 

[A1C]

I don't think any of the modern day presses are bad. I've used the rock chucker, the hornady press… I also have a Forster co-ax, a Dillon and XL 750 as well as a zero press. I like them all! And haven't sold any of them though that was the plan.

 

[M1A1ABRAMS]

I have never owned a turret press of any kind.
I had a friend that swore by them and would crank out piles of ammo and we never really shot targets to see who was better until one day he was challenging me, I was a little reluctant since he shot all the time, way more bullets down range than me.
When the shooting started he was hitting the targets all over the place and mine were in small tight groups.
Same thing happened with the rifles.
About a year later he asked me to help him with a 270 that blew apart at the range.
I started with his ammo by measuring each one and pulling them down to weigh the powder.
What I found was his powder charges were all over the place and the bullets were seated all different.
I would rather be slow and have ammo that's as exact as possible.

The reasoning for me buying a turret press was once the dies are set to my rifle. I can leave them. Or tweak as needed. I can buy another turret. If I was concerned with quantity I would have went a whole other course.

 

[VinceMule]

I am set up with A Rock Chucker, and Redding Boss II, two RCBS partners, and two RCBS Juniors. The Redding Boss is a class act, and my first choice. Keep the Ram clean and lubed.

I tried two different turret presses, too much slop for me. I will set up two/three presses instead of a turret type, I really learned to hate them as a machinist.

Nothing wrong with Lee presses, if you ever break one, they will happily replace it.

If you are trying to save some money, have a rock Chucker or Redding big boss for sizing, then a small RCBS Jr or Partner for neck sizing or seating bullets. You may elect down the road to use some Wilson dies and arbor press for neck sizing and seating bullets.

I have one set up to load and shoot at the rifle range, two partner presses, and prep the brass at home with another Rock chucker that is screwed to a 2x6 which is C clamped to the concrete bench for full-length sizing. If you can get set up to reload at the rifle range, working up loads in between groups, you will wonder how you ever did load development any other way. Harrells powder measure.

 

[sendero21]

Not bashing Lee products. They have served me well and still use a great deal of them. I simply believe there are better products in the press arena. That said, they have always made good when I've had a problem. It just sucks if you don't have a backup when it breaks and have to wait for replacement. I think it was gingerman that had a broken press toggle recently.

Well, you haven't bought anything from them in 30 years. They have upgraded a great deal in recent years. Their Classic Cast Press is a cast iron monster. A beautiful heavy press, their Classic cast Turret press is the same, just solid.
I have to add, I've never ever had any issues with their dies. Easy to adjust, they produce extremely accurate Ammo. With little to no runout, as accurate as any manufacture.
Funny the perfect powder measure looks like it wouldn't last your lunch break, but it's extremely accurate. No one could fault their universal decap die.
Check out their current catalog, they have upgraded considerably over the past decade.