Redding T7

[Buckeyeguy525]

So a few weeks back I was all set to buy a Dillon 550b, but backed out at the last second because I took a realistic look at how much I shoot and couldnt justify the cost. I currently have a Lee Classic Turret and Lee Classic Cast single stage. I like the convenience of the turret, but enjoy loading on the single stage more because of how solid it is...which leads me to a new option; the Redding t7. I am aware of all the specs and pros/cons, but I was wondering what kind of volume you can load on one? Is 125 rounds an hour possible with the primer bar and a case activated powder measure?

 

[ny32182]

If you already have a turret and want more speed, I would just pony up for the Dillon. I doubt any speed increase would be significant going from one turret to another.

 

[cfullgraf]

The auto indexing of the Lee kind of puts it in a different class as the Redding T7. Small difference, but different

Personally, I would not have a turret press. I just do not see any advantage in it. But I load lots more different cartridges than the turrets hold so I would still have to screw dies in and out, or spend a fortune on spare turrets. I load on a single stage using the batch process. I get in a groove and each operation goes quickly.

The Lee turret does not reduce handle pulls to load a round, but it reduces case handling. I prefer to clean my cases between resizing and loading so that advantage is lost on me.

On progressives, I prefer auto index, so the Dillon 550b would not be an option for me.

But, other folks have other opinions on the matter which is why we have such a diverse choice of presses.

 

[rayatphonix]

I have a Redding T7, and I really like it. On 9mm pistol I probably approach 120 rounds per hour, but I've really, really got to go after it. I'd say I average closer to 90-100. I'm not loading anywhere near a maximum load and that's a big help; I don't worry if my powder drop is off a little. On rifle rounds I'm probaby closer to 30 to 40, but I'm loading for precision, not speed. I work in batches, so my numbers are only an estimate, but I've done enough that I believe they're in the ballpark.

All I do on my T7 is decap and size, expand, seat and crimp. I have my powder drop mounted on the wall and will do a tray at a time and then go back to the press to seat the bullets. I'll seat 50 and then go back and crimp them all at once. For priming I have an RCBS bench tool I use. Just like the previous poster, I size and expand prior to cleaning my brass in an ultrasonic cleaner. In other words, I use it like a single stage press and work in batches of 20, 50 or 100.

The only advantage of the T7 over a single stage is that I don't have to reinstall the dies on a regular basis. I've got 3 turrets (9mm & 223, 40 S&W & 308, and "other"). I've gotten some rings that lock onto my dies so they'll return to the same place every time, so it's quick to change out my dies on my "other" turret.

I bought my T7 when I first started reloading. I had to teach myself and was afraid of going progressive until I learned the ins and outs and I figured that the turret was a good compromise. I got a good deal on a used Redding so I went for it. It is a very good, solid press and you won't be disappointed. However I don't think you'll realistically average 120 rounds per hour.

 

[PO2Hammer]

I run 9mm in the 'semi-progressive' mode. Re-size/re-prime at 1, flare at 2, charge with press mounted measure at 3, seat at 4, crimp at 5. Probably around 75 to 100 rounds per hour. If you can combine flare and charge into one station and seat and crimp with one die, you can speed things up.

With some bullets I skip flaring and crimping and just run three stations, then it's real quick, maybe 150/hour.

As pointed out above, the T-7 is manually indexed.

 

[Nanook]

I'm looking at buying a Redding T-7 to replace an older RCBS single stage I've had for years.

I like the idea of having two sets of rifle dies on the turret at the same time. If I had a couple extra turrets, I could minimize the die swapping for rifles. I just find it a pain to constantly fiddle with the dies on a single stage.

I'm not sure what I'll wind up with, but I'm looking hard at the T-7.

 

[JimKirk]

If you do batch type reloading and want quick change die ease... look at the Forster Co-Ax press... you can change dies in a few seconds and never have to change the die settings...

 

[Lost Sheep]

The auto indexing of the Lee kind of puts it in a different class as the Redding T7. Small difference, but different

Personally, I would not have a turret press. I just do not see any advantage in it. But I load lots more different cartridges than the turrets hold so I would still have to screw dies in and out, or spend a fortune on spare turrets. I load on a single stage using the batch process. I get in a groove and each operation goes quickly.

The Lee turret does not reduce handle pulls to load a round, but it reduces case handling. I prefer to clean my cases between resizing and loading so that advantage is lost on me.

On progressives, I prefer auto index, so the Dillon 550b would not be an option for me.

But, other folks have other opinions on the matter which is why we have such a diverse choice of presses.

A different opinion:

"Small difference". No, big difference. If loading in continuous mode (as opposed to batch mode).

The Lee Turret with autoindexing is likely to be able to out-produce the T-7 by a factor of 2. Maybe more. As long as you don't need more than 4 stations, getting a T-7 would be a step down in output capacity. Now, if you like OTHER features of the T-7, go for it. But speed will be slower than the Lee.

"But I load lots more different cartridges than the turrets hold so I would still have to screw dies in and out, or spend a fortune on spare turrets."

Spare 4-hole turrets for the Lee cost between $8 to $13, depending on where you get them from.

"I get in a groove and each operation goes quickly."

Amen to that. Some folks prefer the batch method for just that reason. Size, size, size, size, size. Perfectly uniform, every time... in the zone. You're finished before you know it. Then, Prime, prime, prime, prime prime... and so forth. Yeah, it works great. It appeals to your sense of order, doesn't it?

I like to conceptualize the assembly of my cartridges in the stepwise continuous mode. Size/deprime, reprime, charge, seat, crimp. It appeals to my sense of order.

"I prefer to clean my cases between resizing and loading so that advantage is lost on me."

Yep, every time you interrupt the continuous flow of processes on the press where you have to remove and replace the round, especially if it is something that changes your body position it takes away a lot of the speed and simplicity (and the ability to concentrate on the process) of loading. For that reason, many people who have the auto-indexing turret presses still prefer to batch process.

As you said, we have so many diverse choices of presses and methods and each of us will find their own best process for each of our particular cartridges. It requires some thought, some experience and some experimentation to find that best process. I don't want anyone to dismiss prematurely any tool or method that might actually serve well.

Thanks for reading.

Lost Sheep

 

[Lost Sheep]

I'm looking at buying a Redding T-7 to replace an older RCBS single stage I've had for years.

I like the idea of having two sets of rifle dies on the turret at the same time. If I had a couple extra turrets, I could minimize the die swapping for rifles. I just find it a pain to constantly fiddle with the dies on a single stage.

I'm not sure what I'll wind up with, but I'm looking hard at the T-7.

Have you considered a breech lock single stage? Almost as easy as the Forster. Minimal fiddling with either.

Lost Sheep

 

[cfullgraf]

As you said, we have so many diverse choices of presses and methods and each of us will find their own best process for each of our particular cartridges. It requires some thought, some experience and some experimentation to find that best process. I don't want anyone to dismiss prematurely any tool or method that might actually serve well.

Exactly.

But sometimes the Lee supporters, and Dillon supporters for that matter, get a bit rabid concerning their reloading equipment of preference.

Lee equipment is good, but not the greatest thing since sliced bread. I am just providing the new reloader another opinion to consider.

 

[rfwobbly]

Mr 525 -

If you were trying to find out what size breaker box you needed in your house, you'd add up all the current used by the A/C, TV, stove, frig, lights... and of course your electric case trimmer! In other words you's start with what your requirement was, and then pick a breaker box that filled the need... and maybe throw in some room to grow.

It's really the same with reloading presses. The first thing for you to do is state the cartridges you want to reload, and then determine the weekly quantities of each. And be realistic. (I'd like 10,000 rounds a week, but I can't really afford that many primers.)

If you really need 500-1000 rounds per week, then you really need a progressive. If you only need 50-200 rounds per week, then while a progressive might be nice to own, the Classic Turret should be more than enough press.

If you really only need one or 2 pistol calibers in volume, then you might look around for a used Dillon Square Deal. These can be had in the $250-$275 range which is half the price of the 550. Then your Lee presses could handle the remaining calibers.

 

[Lost Sheep]

Guilty as charged.

Exactly.

But sometimes the Lee supporters, and Dillon supporters for that matter, get a bit rabid concerning their reloading equipment of preference.

Lee equipment is good, but not the greatest thing since sliced bread. I am just providing the new reloader another opinion to consider.

Yeah. I am a little guilty of that. Regarding the Lee Classic Turret. I am of the opinion that it is the best auto-indexing turret in current production.

Of course, it doesn't hurt that Lee builds the only autoindexing turrets in current production.

Having said that, let me mitigate my rabidity by pointing out its shortcomings. It only has room for 4 die stations. The die stations are REALLY close together. The ram linkage (on the Classic Turret) is pretty strong, but doesn't have (I think, not sure) as much leverage as some of the other turrets on the market. If someone knows for sure, please post.

Lost Sheep

 

[rayatphonix]

CH4D Press

To add some intrigue here's a press I ran across yesterday while surfing...

http://www.ch4d.com/?com=catalog&view=product&alias=044000

For the most part the reviews I've read are very positive. Anyone familiar with this company?