[Lochaber]

After much thinking I decided that my next step from a single stage should be a turret press. I load maybe 400 rounds of handgun ammo per month and time is not an issue, and I would like to start reloading for my rifles, but there I am likely to be very slow and deliberate, weighting every charge and so on. Thus I really dont feel the need for a progressive.

However, now I need to decide which press to get I would like your advice. Price is a consideration, but not a huge one. As far as I can tell, every one makes a turret press, from the cheap Lee to "sell your children".

I would appreciate your opionions on what has worked best for you, my only requierments being the ability to change dies without readjusting, and at least 4 die positions.

Loch

[Quantrill]

I have had 2 Lyman turret presses, A All American which is no longer made and the Orange Turret. Both have served me well with just about no problems at all. I also had 2 Lyman Tru-Line Jr presses, which are also no longer made that were garbage. Quantrill

[DillHarris]

I just started reloading with the Lee 4-Hole turret press. It has auto indexing, but I don't use it that way. I'm pretty happy with it. That being said, I think I see why Lee is so "affordable". It's mostly aluminum from what I can tell. It works great for the couple hundred rounds of 357 I reload a month. It would be pretty easy to switch calibers if you get an extra die plate for each one. I imagine it won't last forever, but seems like it'll last a long, long time. I'd give it a B+, imagine all the other major manufacturers would get an A. What brand is your single stage press and are you happy with it?

[Arub]

I also have a Lee 4 hole turret press. I have set up die plates for .38spl, .357magnum, .40S&W and .45auto. All I have to do to swap calibers is to swap die plates - dies already set up. I load about 500 rounds a month, more or less, and the Lee is certainly adequate. I do not use the auto indexer option. I decap and size in one operation, use a hand primer to prime, then I hand weigh each charge. After that, I seat a bullet and rotate the turret to use th factory crimp die, then store finished cartridge for later use.

The Lee has a light weight base, but the working parts seem robust enough to last for quite a while down the road.

I also have a Rock Chucker single stage, but hardly ever use it. The Lee gets the work out.

[Thirties]

I bought the 7 hole Redding T7 turret press.

Very sturdy, well designed and well built. I paid something in the $164 range from Graf and Sons.

I am so glad to have chosen this for my first loading press. I can't imagine anything better.

[Cactus]

I have a Lyman T-Mag that I no longer use. I would be willing to sell it for $100 including shipping.

[Lochaber]

So as far as I can tell there are no bad ones, with maybe the exception of the Tru-Line Jr which is out of production. On the cheaper side I can pick up a Lee for about $60 or a T-Mag 2 for $110, and then go on as high as about $300. The Lee aluminum doesnt worry me (after all I have been in aluminum planes and I shoot aluminum AR's). I guess I'll pick up a Lee for now, spend my money on components and dies, and if it ever breaks I can get a more expensive one.

Thanx Guys.

Loch

[LAH]

Something to consider with a turret is the number of holes. I've used a Lyman All American bought new in 1973. I've loaded bunches of ammo on this thing. It could be just me but I like the 4 holers.

Reason......I've alway rotated the turret one station with each movement of the handle. I know some people use the turret press like a single stage press changing cartridge cases with each movement of the handle and leaving the turret in the same position.

I like to leave the case in the shell holder until it's loaded and with a 4 holer the one rotation yields one loaded round. With a 6 or 7 holer you have to skip a few stations with each rotation. Anyway just my 2.

[444]

I have a Lyman T-Mag II and about a half dozen turrets for it. It is OK. If I had it to do over again, I would buy the Redding. It is a top of the line press and doesn't cost much.
I would offer to sell you my T-MagII with all the goodies, but I am probably too lazy to take it down and box it up. I haven't loaded with it for probably two years.

[Sisco]

I've been using a Lee three hole turrent for quite a while, personally don't know what I'd use fourth hole for.
I screw three different caliber sizing dies into one turrent and size seperately from loading. disable the auto-index and size three calibers changing only shell holders.
The calibers I load using a Factory Crimp Die fills the third hole, the rest have an empty spot.