Progressive vs. Turret vs. Single Station Presses

A lot will depend n you and how consistent you are with the equipment you're using. Also a factor is how much ammo will you be needing? If not a lot, a good single stage is the way to go because, at least for me, I want accuracy and will be neck sizing brass, weighing each charge, etc.
If you're just going to be cranking out tons of .223 or similar, then a progressive fits the bill.

Impossible to quantify 'how much depends on the press' but certainly enough, above and beyond a progressive, that long-range/BR/precision shooters use a rock solid single-stage or turret. I have a Redding T-7. Very happy with its' output and time saved not futzing with dies.

bmarsolais said:

I'd like to try out long range rifle shooting, but I want to count the costs if/before I start down that trail.

I've read that the most accurate ammo is what you make yourself. I'd guess some of that depends on the press, but how much? I have a Hornady Lock-n-Load progressive press. Is there any advantage to using a turret or single station press instead of a progressive press if your goal is real accurate ammo? Any actual test data? I'm sure my Hornady could get me a long way down the trail before it's the limiting factor, but just thought I'd ask.

There's a poll attached to this post. IF YOU'RE A LONG RANGE SHOOTER, how about sharing with us all what kind of press you use (if you use one)?

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I’m not an expert, but I’m big on consistent ammo.
For long range I wouldn’t think you’d use lots of ammo. So as others said, you really need a solid press with good dies if you get serious. Beyond that, it’ll be all about your processes and how good you are at making each round as close to the others.

The dies aren’t that expensive relatively speaking. But they’re going to be more expensive than the basic Lee, Hornaday, etc dies.
I’m not sure which press to get. But the serious long range folks get a bit snobby here. Personally, if you’re not sure, I’d get the best single stage I could afford. If you can find a used one even better. A good single stage press is always nice to have and worse case you can easily sell it and not take a bath.

Long range shooting can get expensive in a hurry. I’d see if you can find some folks that do it. See if you can try their gear, or get some used gear.

Maybe buy the components and see if they’ll let you learn their processes?

At the least, I’d talk to as many folks as you can and learn what they use, what they have used and don’t like and what to get to get started.

Finally I’d set a budget and stick to it.

Keep your Hornady press for handgun and .223 ammo but IMO your most accurate centerfire rifle ammo will be made with a Good single stage press. A Forsters Co-Ax press produces excellent ammo although I use a RCBS Rockchucker because I have had it for a very long time. My handgun ammo is produced on a Lee Classic Turret Press.

You didn't say which cartridge you will be loading. If you are loading large cartridges like the .338 Lapua you might want a heavier press like the MEC Marksman or the RCBS Summit Single Stage press instead. I mention those 3 presses not only because of their strength but because they are self-centering which produced more accurate ammo.

Of course the Redding Boss II, Lee Classic single stage, Hornady L&L Classic and a few others are great presses but they are "O" presses and the others I mentioned are just a little better for accuracy, IMO of course.

You can assemble very good ammo with a Lee Classic single stage and quality dies. The Forster Co-Ax is probably the Cadillac single-stage press. And while you will likely want a good press and dies for brass forming, a lot of guys use a chamber-type seating die and an arbor press for bullet seating.

The advice to set a budget is good. It's easy to spend a lot of money with diminishing returns on this sport/hobby.

I load most of my rifle ammunition on a single stage press.

I charge and seat the bullets of 204 Ruger on a progressive after they have been resized on a single stage, then cleaned, trimmed and primed. Larger quantities of ammunition needed over a short amount of time.

All my long range/ best accuracy ammo is loaded on a Redding Big Boss II Singe Stage brass. I use my LNL-AP for high volume use ammo.

There is a lot more to it than just the press. You will be jumping off the deep end .......

All of the above for me but I find I don’t use my turret presses as much as I used to.

Of the things that matter what press I use is pretty far down the list.

Shooter, rifle, optic, projectile, preparation, dies, brass, powder, primer, press.

You might build or buy tools to measure runout on fired cases from your rifle, then again at every step along the way.

If the case is perfect out of the chamber and your first process gives it runout, you need to fix that step. Nothing down the line is going to make it better.

Once You have everything figured out, it makes very little difference what press you are using.

I load my LR rifle's ammo on my single-stage, but I load almost all of my rifle ammo on my single-stage. I have not fallen into the worm-hole of money and time that is precision reloading for a LR rifle... my handloads are adequate for my purposes with standard tools and components. For those guys, I don't think the press matters... it's all the case prep that goes before that final pull of the handle.

FWIW, I always have a box of FGMM along for the ride... if my handloads can't beat those, it's back to the drawing board.

I load precision rifle ammunition on a Lyman Brass Smith All American Eight. The turret saves time on changing dies between stages and adds the ability to change turrets between calibers. I'm happy with the performance of the example that I own. It's rock solid and runs true from pull to pull.

That said, the press is a tool like any other. The skill and technique of the user is more important than the press itself. Attention to detail to each step in the process is the real key to make precision ammo.

.40

FWIW, I always have a box of FGMM along for the ride... if my handloads can't beat those, it's back to the drawing board.

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This is actually one that lots of reloaders miss. They run around in circles in search of why their load doesn’t shoot one hole without ever knowing how the rifle will shoot with good factory ammo.

I’ll admit to having a number of firearms that one can’t even buy ammunition for but they were not my first.

I'm curious at what the OP refers to as long range shooting. If 3-600 yard NRA highpower is what he is referring to, I would just load them up on the L-n-L he already has. The powder measurer is plenty accurate and the press is solid. You also go through enough ammo that something faster than a single stage is desirable.

This guy uses a 550 although he weighs charges.

http://www.davidtubb.com/About-David_Tubb

Looking over his site, but cant find where he talks about presses....or did you just know this? I tend to favor turret over all, but rarely use it in true turret fashion. I tend to prepare brass separately, then load the finished brass, weighing the charges for accurate rifle loads or sometimes pistol loads.

If Im running off a bunch of plinking ammo, brass is prepped ahead of time, then more traditional turret type finishing. Because of this I always figured progressives would be a waste for me. That said, I am interested in how Mr. Tubb utilizes the 550, and which one or version he uses, and his thoughts on why.

Now using a Lee Classic Turret Press, I am considering a Redding T7, but your mention of Mr Tubbs using the 550 in a similar fashion gives me pause.

Thanks for any additional info,

Russellc

Te main issue with AP is the flex in the base plate. This alone will throw off the alignment. Show up if you test for run out..

One of each: Forster CO-AX for precision rifle, LnL progressive for high volume 9mm, and Classic Turret for everything else.