Advice on a good quality press?

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westernrover

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I bought an RCBS Summit. It has some defects. I need to return it. There are no more in stock. I could just wait indefinitely, but I'm considering alternatives. While there are numerous alternatives, there are very few good ones presently in stock. I'm considering the Sinclair benchrest press. My other option is to wait for the Summit or something else to come into stock.

My focus is on quality and precision. I have a progressive press with a case feeder that I use to resize straightwall rifle brass, where I can also decap and size necks. So I just need a single-stage or turret to bump shoulders on PPC-size cases and to seat and crimp. I don't do those things on the progressive because I trickle the powder charge. I use Redding seating dies because a chamber-type die is not made for some of the cartridges I reload the most, so I just haven't gone that way.

I got to use the Summit. I like it well enough aside from the defects. The defects are a bad machine mark in the surface under the die lock ring that makes it uneven, and a big ding on the steel main tube. Otherwise, I like the Summit because:

* It appears to be strong and the design minimizes frame flex.
* The design avoids the need for a precision ram fit and eliminates ram deflection.
* I can use it for seating and crimping in the middle of the table-top and it does not torque the edge of the bench.
* The shell holder does not move with the press arm, allowing me to pick and place a cartridge while the arm is moving. This makes it quite efficient even with a long stroke. I'm also using a short handle.

The Sinclair appears to be high-quality. It's aluminum, which I suppose is preferable for a portable press, but I will only use it in my shop. I saw no mention whether it is 6065 or 7075. It has a short stroke that should make it very efficient for seating and crimping. Otherwise I am not familiar with it. Its intended customer seems likely to demand precision, but maybe only for sizing since they're more likely to seat on an arbor press. I would assume it has a precision-fit ram, but I wonder whether the linkage is tight (like a Redding) or looser-fit. The small size is a trade-off for me. I have one magnum cartridge that I don't presently reload for, but might want to in the future. Otherwise, the short stroke and window works nicely for the cases I do reload now.

There were recently some T7's in stock, but not at the moment. I don't especially need a turret, but it could add some convenience especially on cartridges that I crimp. I saw the Area 419 is just now back in stock, but I'm looking for something slightly more humble.

Any advice on this Sinclair press, the Summit, a Redding or another one I should wait to be in stock?
 
The T7 is marketed as a precision press, but there’s more head tilt and resulting runout in a T7 than in a Lee LCT.

Forster Co-Ax for me.

I’m a little confused by a comment above however, please tell me you don’t crimp ppc based precision rifle rounds?
 
I would have no issues with any of the Redding presses and they have the larger ones if you want that magnum capacity. Rumor has it shell holders are unobtainable currently so a coax would get you right to business if you dont have the one you need.
 
westernrover said:
I bought an RCBS Summit. It has some defects. I need to return it. There are no more in stock. I could just wait indefinitely, but I'm considering alternatives. While there are numerous alternatives, there are very few good ones presently in stock. I'm considering the Sinclair benchrest press. My other option is to wait for the Summit or something else to come into stock.

My focus is on quality and precision. I have a progressive press with a case feeder that I use to resize straightwall rifle brass, where I can also decap and size necks. So I just need a single-stage or turret to bump shoulders on PPC-size cases and to seat and crimp. I don't do those things on the progressive because I trickle the powder charge. I use Redding seating dies because a chamber-type die is not made for some of the cartridges I reload the most, so I just haven't gone that way.

I got to use the Summit. I like it well enough aside from the defects. The defects are a bad machine mark in the surface under the die lock ring that makes it uneven, and a big ding on the steel main tube. Otherwise, I like the Summit because:

* It appears to be strong and the design minimizes frame flex.
* The design avoids the need for a precision ram fit and eliminates ram deflection.
* I can use it for seating and crimping in the middle of the table-top and it does not torque the edge of the bench.
* The shell holder does not move with the press arm, allowing me to pick and place a cartridge while the arm is moving. This makes it quite efficient even with a long stroke. I'm also using a short handle.

The Sinclair appears to be high-quality. It's aluminum, which I suppose is preferable for a portable press, but I will only use it in my shop. I saw no mention whether it is 6065 or 7075. It has a short stroke that should make it very efficient for seating and crimping. Otherwise I am not familiar with it. Its intended customer seems likely to demand precision, but maybe only for sizing since they're more likely to seat on an arbor press. I would assume it has a precision-fit ram, but I wonder whether the linkage is tight (like a Redding) or looser-fit. The small size is a trade-off for me. I have one magnum cartridge that I don't presently reload for, but might want to in the future. Otherwise, the short stroke and window works nicely for the cases I do reload now.

There were recently some T7's in stock, but not at the moment. I don't especially need a turret, but it could add some convenience especially on cartridges that I crimp. I saw the Area 419 is just now back in stock, but I'm looking for something slightly more humble.

Any advice on this Sinclair press, the Summit, a Redding or another one I should wait to be in stock?
Click to expand...
Love my T7 vs Lee classic turret—fwiw
 
Varminterror said:
The T7 is marketed as a precision press, but there’s more head tilt and resulting runout in a T7 than in a Lee LCT.

Forster Co-Ax for me.

I’m a little confused by a comment above however, please tell me you don’t crimp ppc based precision rifle rounds?
Click to expand...
I started with a Lee classic turret and switched to T7...there is NO comparison. The T7 is a solid tank. Not sure what you mean by head tilt, but the T7’s turret does not move except sideways to the next station when you want it to.
 
If you ever see the results that can be had with a tiny arbor press and Wilson dies, you will realize that what dies you use has more effect on accuracy than what press you use them in.

I do like my co-ax though.

Benchrest presses are not something that requires a lot of force. My BR dies are made for the specific chamber, the brass is turned for an exact fit too. Things are so precise that I can load and fire a case more than once, without resizing. Try that with factory stuff and the bullet will just fall into the case. A case blown out to a chamber that’s on the plus size and a die that’s going to squeeze it down to a minus size is going to require more force than one that’s not doing much. That’s why you see BR shooters using tiny little aluminum presses, they don’t need a big hunk of cast iron or even an O frame aluminum press.
 
Varminterror said:
The T7 is marketed as a precision press, but there’s more head tilt and resulting runout in a T7 than in a Lee LCT.
Click to expand...
I have to ask you for more info on this. I have always believed that Lee products were not top of the line. AND I am very happy with my T 7 press.

Please, no Lee debate positive or negative, just the site where they found the tilt difference.
 
Ill try not to sound like Mr. G ...
I have many press some that are C press some are O press some cam over some do not. Each has there place on the bench, my absolute favorite is an older RCBS -RS as the O press design is most comfortable in addition to smooth and solid repeatable performance.
 
CQB45ACP said:
I started with a Lee classic turret and switched to T7...there is NO comparison. The T7 is a solid tank. Not sure what you mean by head tilt, but the T7’s turret does not move except sideways to the next station when you want it to.
Click to expand...

Keep using it. Stick a dial indicator on top. That turret wheel will tilt under load.
 
gifbohane said:
I have to ask you for more info on this. I have always believed that Lee products were not top of the line. AND I am very happy with my T 7 press.

Please, no Lee debate positive or negative, just the site where they found the tilt difference.
Click to expand...

Apparently folks think you kicked their dog for pointing out a design weakness in the beloved T7. I’ve owned two of them, worked up supporting shim wedges, bushed the head, the whole 9... the floating head of the LCT which is supported at the rim instead of a center axle acting as a fulcrum, a press with otherwise inferior quality of manufacture (and resulting much lower purchase price), has less tilt under load, and the same dies used in both presses induced less runout in the resulting ammo.

Having them side by side, it was easy to measure.
 
Varminterror said:
Apparently folks think you kicked their dog for pointing out a design weakness in the beloved T7. I’ve owned two of them, worked up supporting shim wedges, bushed the head, the whole 9... the floating head of the LCT which is supported at the rim instead of a center axle acting as a fulcrum, a press with otherwise inferior quality of manufacture (and resulting much lower purchase price), has less tilt under load, and the same dies used in both presses induced less runout in the resulting ammo.

Having them side by side, it was easy to measure.
Click to expand...
Still have them both and can and have set them up side by side. They don’t compare.
 
If looking for a single stage press, check out the MEC Marksman. It's big and strong, the machining on the ram fitment is a thing of beauty. It also has free floating shell holders that should aid in concentricity.
 
Varminterror said:
The T7 is marketed as a precision press, but there’s more head tilt and resulting runout in a T7 than in a Lee LCT.
Click to expand...

As someone who runs two T7's as his primary presses I have to concur with Varminterror.

"Precision" is of course subjective. I don't compete in any benchrest category or distance matches so my needs and concern over run-out/deflection will differ significantly over someone who does compete.

I just went out before I typed this response and looked at the T7's. There is minimal tilt from front to back. Almost imperceivable. However, it is still there. I didn't see Varminterrors response as a dig on the T7 build quality. Just an observation on the design differences of the two presses and what the results of those design are.

Turret press deflection (head tilt) has been the subject of many threads on various sites with lots of input on what the resulting negative (if any) impact is on the final product. My two T7's will be around long after I'm gone. If not on a grand kids bench then on somebody elses,. Good chance that 25 years in the future while my old T7's are cranking out rounds someone will broach the subject of a Lee Turret Press having less deflection ....."You know Larry, them Lee Turrets have less deflection than your T7". And so this discussion shall continue....

I love these presses:

RmF6HyK.jpg

QLmxqrC.jpg
 
Last edited:
Yup...back and forth action on the turrets settles the powder stack and eliminates voids. For pistol caliber applications it’s the perfect set-up for me.
 
Last edited:
Frulk said:
As someone who runs two T7's as his primary presses I have to concur with Varminterror.

"Precision" is of course subjective. I don't compete in any benchrest category or distance matches so my needs and concern over run-out/deflection will differ significantly over someone who does compete.

I just went out before I typed this response and looked at the T7's. There is minimal tilt from front to back. Almost imperceivable. However, it is still there. I didn't see Varminterrors response as a dig on the T7 build quality. Just an observation on the design differences of the two presses and what the result of the design is.

Turret press deflection (head tilt) has been the subject of many threads on various sites with lots of input on what the resulting negative (if any) impact is on the final product. My two T7's will be around long after I'm gone. If not on a grand kids bench then on somebody elses,. Good chance that 25 years in the future while my old T7's are cranking out rounds someone will broach the subject of a Lee Turret Press having less deflection ....."You know Larry, them Lee Turrets have less deflection than your T7". And so this discussion shall continue....

I love these presses:

View attachment 967951

View attachment 967952
Click to expand...
Does the Hornady wrench fit on the t7?
 
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