Need advice on which reloading press..

[tommycorbin941]

Good afternoon all! I am trying to decide on which reloading press i am going to get, whether new or used. What do you all use ?

I really like the idea of a progressive press, but i also like the single stage for the precision of it and also the price range.

I have been looking at the redding t-7. What are yalls opinions on specifically the t7, if you dont think i should go with that, that what is your best suggestion?

My main purpose is going to be reloading hangun rounds, but eventually large rifle rounds as well. Im looking for the all around best reloading press.

Thank you for your time and consideration!

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[bigdawg86]

You can't go wrong with the T7. I purchased a turret, but to be honest I still use my RCBS Rock Chucker as my primary press. I can't speak for the Redding, but I just like the way the RCBS is set up in leverage and the cam over is smoother. I batch reload as well, so I found I didn't do much "turreting" at all. Also my Lyman turret would have a little play in the assembly which could affect consistency in bullet seating depths or resizing. Would it matter in the end? No, but I just like my RCBS.

[Paul_R]

I have a Redding Big Boss II. I installed the lock n load bushing adapter and changing dies is almost as fast a a turret press. And I can swap dies between my LnL AP without making any adjustments because I shimmed the bushing adaptor to match the deck height of the LnL. Best of both worlds.

[BB-Stacker]

Hey OP, not sure where you hang your hat but if you're anywhere near Angeles Stadium stop by Reload OC and talk to the owner, Brian. He has several presses set up including a T-7 and can walk you through the pros and cons of each. I ended up with a Rock Chucker Supreme and the Redding T-7. Neighbor gave me an older RCBS Jr3 I use strictly for decapping.

If you're closer to ASR they have nearly one of every major press set up so you can get an idea of the space you'll need.

Buy some reloading books and study up. Great hobby, but it can bite you in the butt if you don't pay attention to detail. Highly recommend a reloading class to figure out what you need and what you don't to get started with. I attended one run by fellow CalGunner "Big Bronco" and it was time and money well spent.

Keep your powder dry!

[Bill Steele]

My first press in 1969 was an RCBS Rock Chucker, it is still on my bench today, absolutely bullet proof.

Having said that, if you are going to be loading handgun rounds in any volume, you will want to use something else.

If you have a fair number of different handgun calibers and don't expect needing more than say 500 a month of any one, then a Lee Classic Turret ("Classic" is important). You can comfortably produce 150 handgun rounds an hour on the LCT (some claim more per hour on the LCT, but usually they are not counting all the other time they spend), caliber changes take seconds and the separate caliber setups really inexpensive.

If you are more of a one or two caliber guy, high volume of the same load (like a competitive practical pistol shooter, shooting say 200-500 rounds a week), then get a Dillon 550B minimum or better yet a Dillon 650. You can get that Rock Chucker or T-7 when you start loading long action bottle necked rifle.

Just my $.02

[RandyD]

I own and use two presses. I use a Dillon 650 for reloading large numbers of ammo that I use in handguns and for defense and informal target shooting. I use a Redding Ultramag press for reloading precision ammo where I tend to reload one stage at a time.

[dwalker]

For just starting out I like to recommend a Lee Classic O frame press kit (about $150) that will come with everything you need to start loading minus dies, a set of calipers, and some other odds and ends, or the Lee anniversary Classic Turret press kit, which is pretty much the same thing, just a few dollars more and a turret press kit.

Once you have a feel for it, you can move on in whichever direction you so choose.

Just FWIW- In todays market you almost cannot buy a bad press. Manufacturers might have a misstep with a gadget but all the major manufacturer- Lee, Hornady, Dillon, RCBS, Lyman, etc. have excellent customer service and will help you out within reason. Lee, Dillon, and Lyan have sent me small parts for free before, and spent time on the phone helping to troubleshoot issues.

[diverwcw]

Depends on the volume you will be reloading. I've been reloading for 30+ years and I use a Lee Classic press. It fits my needs perfectly. But I don't reload much, maybe 50 rounds at a time and it is usually 30-06 or 7mm Magnum.

[Sir Toast]

Depends on the volume you will be reloading. I've been reloading for 30+ years and I use a Lee Classic press. It fits my needs perfectly. But I don't reload much, maybe 50 rounds at a time and it is usually 30-06 or 7mm Magnum.

Good advice here. If you don't reload more than 200 rounds in a batch, I'd say stick with a single stage press. I use the Lee Classic Cast press with the Hornady die conversion bushing. I have an RCBS universal priming hand tool and the powder throw and it cranks out excellent ammo. I use that for my precision 6.5 CM, 300 Win Mag and .338 LM cartridges.

I also have the Hornady Lock n Load auto progressive press for bigger batches of [non-precision] .223, 9mm, .357, 30-30 and .308. Both systems work great.

[Eljay]

I'm also a big fan of the classic turret press if your volume is manageable, otherwise it's still a good place to start but expect to get a progressive once you get the hang of it.

How much do you shoot?

[tommycorbin941]

I'm also a big fan of the classic turret press if your volume is manageable, otherwise it's still a good place to start but expect to get a progressive once you get the hang of it.

How much do you shoot?

I shoot a decent amount, maybe 1000 rounds per month, just depends on price of ammo and work schedule.

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[Eljay]

I shoot a decent amount, maybe 1000 rounds per month, just depends on price of ammo and work schedule.

If price is a factor and since reloading is cheaper you might actually want more like 1500 rounds/month then.

So with the turret I would do about 150 rounds/hour "match grade" and more like 220 if I was just cranking out practice rounds. So factor in your time in terms of savings and interest level.

With a Dillon 650 with a bulletfeeder I can do a thousand an hour if I'm really cranking but that's not necessarily the machine you want to start on unless you have a very disciplined personality.

[tommycorbin941]

If price is a factor and since reloading is cheaper you might actually want more like 1500 rounds/month then.

So with the turret I would do about 150 rounds/hour "match grade" and more like 220 if I was just cranking out practice rounds. So factor in your time in terms of savings and interest level.

With a Dillon 650 with a bulletfeeder I can do a thousand an hour if I'm really cranking but that's not necessarily the machine you want to start on unless you have a very disciplined personality.

What do you mean by a disciplined personality?

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[Mayor McRifle]

What do you all use ?

RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme for rifle.
Dillon XL650 for pistol.

[Eljay]

What do you mean by a disciplined personality?

The kind of dude who has a press capable of cranking out 100 rounds in 5 minutes once it's all set up but only makes 10 and goes and shoots them before making any more.

Then gets back and makes 10 each at a few different loads and stops until he can test them.

And only then puts the best one into production.

Otherwise you get threads about the guy who made his rounds too long and they won't shoot out of his gun and he made 800 of them.