redding T-7 Turret press?

[traveler1952]

How uses one?
What to you think of it?
Have some Christmas money to spend :-)

[Divernhunter]

I used one.
I prefer to batch process my brass and use a single stage press. It takes 30 seconds to change dies every 50-100-1000 or more rounds. If you are too lazy for that then just go sit and watch TV.
If I want speed or loading 9mm that I hate due to their small size I will just use my Dillon 650.

This is my experience and feeling on the subject and others may differ. To each their own.

[DazedandConfuzed]

I've been using one for a few years and like it very much. I recently read an article in Handloader magazine.

Here's a quote from the article "In 2002 Redding introduced a
turret press called the T-7. It was
so named because the rotating
turret could accommodate seven dies, allowing permanent set-up
for two or three different calibers.
Sierra bought one of the very first
ones and put it to work in its plant
in Sedalia. As might be imagined,
in the course of designing and
testing bullets, Sierra loads an awful
lot of ammunition. That Redding
T-7 certainly earned its keep,
turning out round after round for
15 years. Sierra calculated that,
during that time, it had loaded
more than one million rounds!

In 2017, Redding re-acquired the
press from Sierra, fitted it out with
two dial indicators to show how
little run-out it displayed after all
that work, and took it to several
trade shows. To all appearances,
that press could load another million
rounds without losing one iota
of its precision – and precision in
a press is essential to precision in
ammunition."

[JackEllis]

I only load for rifles and while I occasionally dream of something that will speed up the process, a single stage press does the trick for me, especially now that I'm getting a little more OCD about consistent ammunition, even for plinking.

My opinion, which is worth far less than you're paying for it, is as follows: If you're going to reload, you should have a single stage press no matter what. If you need to be able to load a few hundred pistol rounds per month, get a Dillon 550 or similar but make sure you also have a single stage press.

The only advantage I can see for a turret press is being able to mount all of your tools at one and switch between them by rotating the tool head. It would be handy for removing primers that don't get seated correctly or pulling bullets that are set to the wrong length, but for me at least, a turret press isn't worth the money or the space it would consume.

However I'll be interested in what others have to say.

[Khromo]

I've got a Redding, and it is a fine press, but it is very heavy, the turrets are heavy, expensive, and a pain to store, and the touted speed advantage is not that great, to me and the way I reload.

I think the Forster Co-Ax is the better choice. You don't have to buy and store turrets, the precision is probably a wash for most shooters, and the Forster is considerably faster, and cheaper than a turret press with a couple of extra turrets.

[Troutzilla]

I used one for a long time, it works good. I’ve loaded many calibers on it. If I were to do it all over again, I would have bought a Dillon 550 (which costs more). I recently purchased a Dillon 650, but will still use the T-7 for low-volume calibers such as 44 Mag, 45LC, and 308.

[Ki6vsm]

I was thinking of acquiring one myself. However, it really isn't a turret press in the same way as Lee makes a turret press, with a an automatically rotating turret. One good description I read is that it's a "single stage press with a tool head."

I have a Lee turret press. It's lighter and much less expensive, and makes decent ammo. But I still want new press. Either the Redding or a Forster.

[JagerDog]

I really like mine. I like the ability to go back to a previous die when you mess something up in your batch. Or you decide to do another batch, add to your existing batch, change a component, etc.

[23's Dad]

CO-AX>>>T-7

I think the Forster Co-Ax is the better choice. You don't have to buy and store turrets, the precision is probably a wash for most shooters, and the Forster is considerably faster, and cheaper than a turret press with a couple of extra turrets.

I totally agree here. The Co-Ax lets you set your dies and you never have to change them, unless you change cartridge length (i.e. 38S-357M). The T-7 rotating toolhead will eventually run out of holes and you will start removing and resetting your dies.

[Mesa Defense]

Another vote for the Co-Ax here. The redding got sold after the convenience of the Forester.

[traveler1952]

Well due to sale price and I'm only going to use it for 2 calibers. 223, 6.5 creed.
I'm going to give it a try.

[Mesa Defense]

Well due to sale price and I'm only going to use it for 2 calibers. 223, 6.5 creed.
I'm going to give it a try.

Good luck Traveler. Merry Christmas.

[MongooseV8]

I have two T7s and love them. I like knowing all my dies are adjusted and set ready to go. I use the T7 for precision rifle, and a Lee Classic Turret for everything else.

[Maconga]

I have 2 T-7's too. One large primer one small primer. Good press to work up a new load.

[krfresno]

I really like mine. I like the open front and rigidity that it offers. Works great if you like to tinker with small batches as several calibers at one time. That is likely why Sierra went this type of press. I also have two Hollywood 12 position turret presses for straight wall and pistol cases. Enjoy your new press.