Help Me Make The Right Choice For My First Reloading Bench

[sisyphus]

ok I've done my homework and decided on a Redding T7. I have three setups in mind, and I am leaning on your knowledge and experience to push me toward the one that makes the most sense. I will be loading 357, 41 and 44.

1. Redding T7 setup with 41, 44 and my powder measure on the turret. A second turret that I will have to swap out to make 357. Will remove powder measure from the 41/44 turret and use it on the 357 turret.

2. Same as above, but I ditch the idea of the powder measure on the turret and mount it to the bench, saving work when I switch turrets.

3. For not a whole lot more than buying the extra parts to swap turrets on the Redding, instead I buy a Lee Value Turret and a Lee Auto Drum measure and set it up for 357 next to the Redding on the bench. The cost difference is less than $100, and I'm ready to load any of the three calibers and the most work it would cost me is changing the powder drop on the Redding when I switch from 41 to 44.

Option 3 only came to me yesterday, but it seems like it eliminates a little hassle for not much more money. I'd appreciate your feedback because you guys all know a lot more about this than I do. Thanks!

 

[forty_caliber]

Stick with the Redding setup. You can thank me later

.40

 

[PWC]

Don't mount measure to bench, vibration from press operation may cause in inconsistent powder drops.

 

[rfwobbly]

Lee's all plastic powder measures are well made and loaded with value for entry-level reloading, but can be problematic if your reloading area is prone to static. The powder may have the tendency to cling rather than drop. Even small variations in powder weight will have a direct result on your ammo's consistency, and therefore accuracy. This is why better powder measures are mostly metal.

The static issue is not insolvable, but may require you to take extra process steps on a regular, recurring basis.

I see you are in Iowa, and static may be a big concern for you. However, a respondent from (say for instance) warm and humid Louisiana may have used Lee powder measures his entire life and never had this issue. So be advised, all advice is not equal.

 

[sisyphus]

I had intended to get the RCBS Competition for the Redding.

 

[kmw1954]

mlankton,

Selection of reloading presses and setting up the bench are as personal as which firearms we select to use or buy. One size does not fit all. What fits and works for me most likely does not fit or perform for anyone else. Many you will hear from have personal preference or specific needs others just follow the crowd.

I am on my second go-around with reloading and this time I took what I learned the first time and applied it to what I am doing, not what everyone else is doing or thinks I should be doing..

I currently have two benches set up, my primary bench has a 5/16" steel plate inlaid into the benchtop which has been drilled and tapped to allow me to swap out three different presses for doing my pistol work. These presses include a Lee 3 hole turret press, a Pro1000 and a Pro4000ABLP. With these presses I use both a Lee Auto Disk measure and a Lee Auto Drum measure.

On the new small second bench I have an RCBS JR3 press mounted because I recently started loading for a 223 bolt rifle. On this small bench I am doing all my brass prep work. Sorting, De-capping with a Universal Die, wet and dry tumbling, and then sizing all this 223 brass..

I bought these presses and set up the benches because they met my needs and I can get done what I need to accomplish and they do this very well for me. With this I am now loading 380, 9mm, 38/357, 45acp and now 223Rem. But again you are not me and I am not you. So all I can do is relate my experience with them. I'm not going to tell you they are the best or you need to do it this way. That is for you to decide.

Now if I was loading 1k rounds of pistol every month I would most likely be looking for a different press to load my pistol loads and again if I were loading very large bottleneck cases I am pretty certain I would replace that JR3 press but I am loading what I need and these tools get it done reliably and inexpensively.

 

[748]

Go with an all metal (except for the clear plastic to see the powder) powder measure.

 

[markr6754]

"And now for something completely different" with acknowledgement to Monty Python. Having tasted a Coaxial or "M Press" for the first time, have you considered the Frankford Arsenal M-Press Coaxial? It runs about half the price of the Redding turret, while offering a fast swap out of dies (proprietary die blocks). Each new set of die blocks (one included with the press) comes with a storage box that fits loading dies mounted in the FA load blocks.

I have a Hornady LNL Classic and a Lyman Brass Smith All American 8 turret press, and only bought the Frankford Arsenal press because I had free money in my Amazon account, and the thing was on sale dirt cheap...the current $176 price is still a steal in my mind.

I've only loaded about 200 40S&W thus far, but it was quite the amazing experience. I've also decapped and resized about 500 9mm, and it is very nearly effortless....well, compared to the Hornady press.

The money you'd save on turret heads would buy enough die blocks for 8 different calibers, unless you have 4 die sets.

As with Kevin's post, this is surely just an opinion, and every loader has one. We all have to make a decision and go for it...and those of us with supportive wives can 2nd guess that decision and try again. Although I think with 3 presses I dare not 4th guess my bench.

 

[mdi]

Actually, "vibration" on/around a powder measure is a good thing. The powder settles in the measure and alleviates "bridging", and gives more consistent powder charges. There have been many posts on forums about attaching an aquarium pump on the measure or measure stand and I even read one reloader uses a "feminine massage wand" attached to the hopper on his powder measure...

 

[tightgroup tiger]

I even read one reloader uses a "feminine massage wand" attached to the hopper on his powder measure...

I remember seeing that post. I spit beer all over my keyboard and screen, from laughing at the picture when I saw it. The reloader said that his wife's "feminine pleasure devise" made his powder measure very accurate. He had it taped to the side of the hopper.
I think my measures work fine the way they are,
When I'm showing my reloading equipment to my friends, I don't think I want the Big D taped to the side of my powder measure.
His point was that the vibration was settling the powder and making it more consistent and maybe it did in his case.
My Lee and my Hornady measures hold within .1gr the way they are. You have no worries.

 

[Frulk]

My Redding T7 set up....works great. Rotation from the turret settles powder and in most cases you can actually see the powder level drop in the Little Dandy when the Little Dandy Rotor is turned.



I keep one T7 permanently up for .357 Mag.



Homemade dust covers to accommodate the Little Dandy Powder Measures.

 

[AJC1]

I would install and leave your expander and seating dies and just change out the one sizing die. If you were reloading rifle it would be completely different.

 

[Herman B]

I've used some Lee equipment and can't say I was impressed with all of it. I'm heavily invested in Redding, incl a T-7, and find their hardware to be very good, across the board. About to order more.

Whether you mount the measure on the press or bench depends on how you intend to use the turret; as a single stage performing one function at a time, in which case there's no benefit to turret-mounted measure, or progressive-like where two or more 'pulls' are made after placing brass in the shellholder. I usually try to minimize brass handling; insert brass, size (Sta 1), turn turret, exp/flare (Sta 2), remove brass, return to Sta 1, repeat...back and forth between two stations. Next, charge off-press on a bench-mounted measure using a block. Then back into shellholder to seat (Sta 3), turn turret, crimp (Sta 4), remove finished round, return to Sta 3...again, moving between two stations. Simple.

If charging on the press then a powder-through-exp/flare die makes sense. But then you must turn the turret from Station #4 back to #1 (assuming separate seat and crimp stations). Very inefficient in my book and where a real progressive press enters the picture.

It's not necessary to 'permanently' mount the measure. Clamps make quick work of mounting/removing to keep bench space clear when not in use. Be sure to keep the turret bushings with their respective turret heads and use a torque wrench (45 ft lbs).

 

[AlfieB]

Lee's all plastic powder measures are well made and loaded with value for entry-level reloading, but can be problematic if your reloading area is prone to static. The powder may have the tendency to cling rather than drop. Even small variations in powder weight will have a direct result on your ammo's consistency, and therefore accuracy. This is why better powder measures are mostly metal.

The static issue is not insolvable, but may require you to take extra process steps on a regular, recurring basis.

I see you are in Iowa, and static may be a big concern for you. However, a respondent from (say for instance) warm and humid Louisiana may have used Lee powder measures his entire life and never had this issue. So be advised, all advice is not equal.

 

[AlfieB]

A very simple solution- Wipe the inside of the plastic measure with a dryer sheet - Static gone. I have 2 RCBS powder measures, one with the small drum and the other with the large one, but I also have a Lee Perfect measure (about $20) that I use most of the time. It's very accurate and very handy. Mounted on a piece of 3/4 plywood, I just get it out and set it on the bench. Don't forget the dryer sheet.

 

[Rembrandt]

Another variation to mounting the powder measure without using the turret.

 

[MauriceSam]

I've posted this on similar questions before. A piece of pegboard as a template makes for even spacing of mounting holes along your bench. I have installed threaded inserts or TNuts into the the bench, then mount all of my accessories on suitable thickness of wood (thick for press, thin for trimmers, powder drops etc.). This allows me to arrange multiple presses or whatever components I need in any order on the bench. With the "baseplates" all with same mounting holes spacing, it doesn't matter where you put it. I happened to realize the spacing of my MEC sizemaster press was exactly the same as the pegboard,(6x7, holes in pegboard are spaced one on center) so that was the base parameter I used. The presses mount with four bolts, measures, trimmers, etc usually only two.

 

[sisyphus]

in the end I felt it made more sense to mount the powder measure by itself instead of using the turret. I also opted to go 100% Redding on the whole setup, figured the extra money spent would eliminate any second guessing myself later on.