Researching a new press: Redding T-7 vs Dillon RL550 C

[Rolynstone]

I'm used to a single stage RCBS but want to increase the reloading rate to about 200/hr. I don't foresee ever needing more than that. Loading for 223Rem, 30-30 lever, 30-06, 338 Lapua and various pistol calibers. My focus is on precision machine, finished product and ease of use. My investment will be a little less for Redding but with the Creedmore Enhanced Redding only a little less. I've been saving so cost isn't an issue either way. I'd trick out both of them. I have not had hands on but have done alot of research . I'd sure appreciate your opinions. Thankyou

 

[nettlle]

I have both a Redding T7 and a RL550C. Both are precision presses. I reload rifle on my T7 and pistol on my 550. The reason for this is I like to individually weigh my rifle charges instead of being weighed by volume on the 550. IMHO a Dillon 550 is about as good as it gets and if I had to choose between the T7 and the 550 Dillon would win hands down. Be prepared to get about 1,000 uninvited posts about a Hornady LNL.

 

[Soonerpesek]

I have a Dillon 550 and use it as a progressive unit for bulk stuff, but can also use it in a “single-stage” configuration for others…

I do utilize a Lyman All-American turret for sizing bottleneck and larger straight wall cases, but I don’t load on it…

200/hr won’t be a problem on the Dillon once you get your process, but attention to QC is still warranted..

Good luck with whatever your choice is…

 

[9mmepiphany]

Be prepared to get about 1,000 uninvited posts about a Hornady LNL.

I have to admit I've never heard this assertion before...usually it's the other way around. I do believe the Dillon 550 is almost as good as the Hornady when loading rifle cartridges.

But to the question at hand:
The Dillon 550 is inherently superior to to other models in the Dillon lineup simply by how cases are retained by the shell plate. Also it's lack of extra stations when loading rifle cartridges isn't the handicap it would usually be when loading handgun cartridge. The advantage of the Dillon over the Redding is that you have the option of using it as a progressive press to allow producing a completed round for every pull of the handle.

The Redding T-7 is an excellent press for loading consistent ammo as long as speed of production isn't a large concern. The seven die stations do allow a lot of flexibility in how you setup/use your dies.

Extra tool heads for the Redding are a bit more spendy than for the 550, but it has been mentioned that cost isn't an issue

 

[cfullgraf]

The Redding T-7 turret press is a well made press but I'd rather buy something less expensive with more flexibility than the T-7 and put the savings to some other reloading gear. Actually, that goes for all turret presses.

But, many folks like their turret presses. you won't know until you try one.

I have a Dillon BL550 which is the RL550 without some of the extras like the primer seating gear and the powder measure. I use a modified Redding 10-X powder measure or an RCBS Uniflow powder measure on the Dillon so I did not need the Dillon powder measure. Also, I prefer to clean cases after sizing and prime them off the press.

I mostly load some rifle (204 Ruger, 223 Remington) and 460 S&W Mag on the BL550.

As an aside, I also have a Hornady L-N-L, an RCBS Pro2000, and a couple Dllon SDB's. Each works better for certain cartridges. Most of my hand gun cartridges are sized on the Hornady and then after cleaning and priming then loaded on a different press.

But, I'm a reloading tool junkie, have been reloading since 1980, like to try new stuff, and do not get rid of anything that shows it has value to me.

P.S. While I do not use a Dillon powder measure on my BL550, I do on my Dillon SDB;'s and Dillon SL900. They do a good job as long as the charge bar arrangement is geared towards the approximate size of the powder charge.

 

[CQB45ACP]

200 rounds/hour? Soup to nuts? Sizing, priming/expanding, charging, seating, crimping? With a T-7? Good luck!

Why anyone would want to even try that production rate using what is essentially a single stage press I haven't a clue. It's your business of course, but you did ask

I've used a T-7 for five years. 9mm & 45acp only. Love it. But honestly in my view anything approaching that rate of production isn't at all what it's designed for and would be hectic at best. (A self-indexing Lee turret press maybe but not a manual turret press--again it's a single stage press but with more convenient location of the dies you plan to use.)

If your priority is production rate, get the Dillon and I say that knowing absolutely zero about Dillon.

 

[lordpaxman]

I’ve never used a turret press, can’t help you with that but, just got an email that Dillon kits are 15% off, I think for 5 days, if that helps?

 

[Anchorite]

200 rounds/hour? Soup to nuts? Sizing, priming/expanding, charging, seating, crimping? With a T-7? Good luck!

Why anyone would want to even try that production rate using what is essentially a single stage press I haven't a clue. It's your business of course, but you did ask

I've used a T-7 for five years. 9mm & 45acp only. Love it. But honestly in my view anything approaching that rate of production isn't at all what it's designed for and would be hectic at best. (A self-indexing Lee turret press maybe but not a manual turret press--again it's a single stage press but with more convenient location of the dies you plan to use.)

If your priority is production rate, get the Dillon and I say that knowing absolutely zero about Dillon.
View attachment 1243511

This.

 

[Skgreen]

I’ve never used a turret press, can’t help you with that but, just got an email that Dillon kits are 15% off, I think for 5 days, if that helps?

More info:

Dillon Precision | The World's Finest Ammunition Reloading Equipment & Firearm Accessories

Dillon Precision is the premiere manufacturer of firearm ammunition reloading equipment in the USA. We sell reloaders, reloader accessories, firearm accessories and gear to retail and B2B customers.

www.dillonprecision.com

 

[CQB45ACP]

I’ve never used a turret press, can’t help you with that but, just got an email that Dillon kits are 15% off, I think for 5 days, if that helps?

Buy two!

 

[buddyd157]

i use a Dillon 550C, for all my pistol dies, but i have a "dedicated" Lee 4000 just for my 9mm

 

[Anchorite]

Seriously, do you have anyone that runs a progressive press that you can sit and spend time with?
I only run single-stage, but for me, it’s a choice. The old, “haste makes waste,” philosophy that is strictly subjective.

I have some shooting buddies that run Dillons, a few Lees, and even some Hornady LnL, that comes to mind (progressives). They aren’t for everyone but those who take the plunge seemingly never regret their choice.

A turret certainly has its advantages but the differences between one and a progressive are quite substantial. And you sound like you’ve been reloading for a while, so you get the whole process. I think, FWIW, you go Dillon and don’t look back. You could likley have a hard time trying to “unload” the Redding that you regret loading on and wishing you’d bought the Dillon. Just MHO.

 

[Buzznrose]

The way I see it, the original post question is flawed. It’s like saying you want production speed and precision and you are comparing a progressive loader (speed) against a single stage (precision).

From my perspective, once you find a powder that throws consistently in the Dillon measure (I find VV powders to be plenty consistent for me), you can probably get closer to precision (relatively speaking) with the Dillon than you can get to speed with the Redding.

Me personally, I’m more into speed and production and I want the ability to take any 10-15 minute break I have in a given day and load up 50-100 rounds, from start to finish (if already set up). I can do that easily on my Dillon.

When I decide to load 500 or more rounds of whatever (and when I set up the press, I plan on at least 500 rounds before I flip to another load), I rarely set aside an afternoon to do it all at once…I get too bored too quickly . I’m usually good for a couple hundred rounds at a time max (about an hour) or better yet, 50 at a shot in. 10-15 minutes.

Preparation is the key. I only have the correct components out for the load I’m working, and I mark my powder tube. I prep the station by bringing all required components to the press. Set it up by filling the primer tube and powder bin. Then, I make sure it’s throwing proper powder charge and bullet seating is correct. Then, I can either knock out a quick batch or walk away and do something else. The only real delay is refilling the primer tube every hundred rounds. I never leave the machine without at least 50 primers in the tube and at least a half cylinder of powder.

That’s my way. I cannot do this on a single stage press. It works with all my handgun and rifle rounds.

 

[bihj]

I learned on a single stage that a friend had. When I decided to jump in, 35+ years ago, I went with Dillon. No regrets!

 

[epags]

I learned on a single stage that a friend had. When I decided to jump in, 35+ years ago, I went with Dillon. No regrets!

We must be twins that were separated at birth.

 

[Frulk]

How many rounds do you shoot a month? Based on that you can extrapolate how much time you’ll spend at the bench producing ammo. Then you can decide if you need more production capacity an hour or less.

I’ve run two Redding T7’s for years. I bell, drop powder, seat bullet, and crimp on them. Nothing else. Only straight walled revolver cases. I like the simplicity of them. They’re anything but finicky.

That process allows me to produce approx 200-220 rounds an hour and still take a break or two.

I can’t comment on the Dillon. The T7’s are quality pieces of reloading equipment. Tanks! I just enjoy using them. I’ve looked into the Creedmore stuff and reviewed most of what’s on the net about it but don’t see $$$ spent really provides any significant benefits in the quality of produced ammo over a bone stock T7. I do like the aesthetic of their ‘stainless’ turret head and have thought about taking one of mine and buffing off the paint and polishing it to a chrome finish and clear coating it. I’ve yet to muster the effort on that.

 

[AbbysDad]

I learned on a single stage that a friend had. When I decided to jump in, 35+ years ago, I went with Dillon. No regrets!

I am the opposite; started with RCBS SS press, went to a Dillon 550; sold it; too many issues trying to get it tweaked so it functioned flawlessly. Years later wound up with a LnL - looked again at the Dillon, but the LnL was on a special and about half the price of the comparable Dillon; so far, so good, but I only load 38/357 and 45ACP; I'll use my RCBS for rifle if I ever get back into shooting rifles. (I'd much rather shoot shotguns)

 

[jmorris]

I do believe the Dillon 550 is almost as good as the Hornady when loading rifle cartridges.

I think the 1/2 index on down stroke and the other half on up stroke was the part I hated most on the LNL (with rifle). All other presses I can set a bullet in the case mouth and raise the ram to seat it. I couldn't to that with the LNL because the bullet tip was already too high to enter the die before the 2nd half of the index, so the bullet would get knocked out of the case.

Putting the bullet up into the die and raising the ram until index is complete and then setting the bullet in the case mouth and completing the stroke got old very fast.

My focus is on precision machine, finished product and ease of use.

The press you use doesn't have as much effect on the finished product as the dies, components and settings you use.

A turret press will require the same number of strokes to complete a round as your single stage. With a 550, once all 4 stations are full, you get a loaded round with every stroke of the handle.

 

[cfullgraf]

I think the 1/2 index on down stroke and the other half on up stroke was the part I hated most on the LNL (with rifle). All other presses I can set a bullet in the case mouth and raise the ram to seat it. I couldn't to that with the LNL because the bullet tip was already too high to enter the die before the 2nd half of the index, so the bullet would get knocked out of the case.

Putting the bullet up into the die and raising the ram until index is complete and then setting the bullet in the case mouth and completing the stroke got old very fast.

This is one place an RCBS Gold Medal seating die would excell.

The bullet is placed in a window on the side of the die and gets picked up by the case as it enters the die.

But, RCBS does not make them for a plethora of different cartridges.

I don’t load rifle on my L-N-L either.

 

[nettlle]

200 rounds/hour? Soup to nuts? Sizing, priming/expanding, charging, seating, crimping? With a T-7? Good luck!

Why anyone would want to even try that production rate using what is essentially a single stage press I haven't a clue. It's your business of course, but you did ask

I've used a T-7 for five years. 9mm & 45acp only. Love it. But honestly in my view anything approaching that rate of production isn't at all what it's designed for and would be hectic at best. (A self-indexing Lee turret press maybe but not a manual turret press--again it's a single stage press but with more convenient location of the dies you plan to use.)

If your priority is production rate, get the Dillon and I say that knowing absolutely zero about Dillon.
View attachment 1243511

That's a nicely set up T-7

 

[CQB45ACP]

That's a nicely set up T-7

Well thanks—lots of advice from folks here and elsewhere.

 

[nettlle]

Not the fact that I own a T7 would prejudice me in anyway . A T7 and a 550 on my bench has turned out to be my perfect set up. My T7 isn't as nice as yours.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I think the 1/2 index on down stroke and the other half on up stroke was the part I hated most on the LNL (with rifle). All other presses I can set a bullet in the case mouth and raise the ram to seat it. I couldn't to that with the LNL because the bullet tip was already too high to enter the die before the 2nd half of the index, so the bullet would get knocked out of the case.

Putting the bullet up into the die and raising the ram until index is complete and then setting the bullet in the case mouth and completing the stroke got old very fast.

Interesting because the 1/2 stroke rotation is one of the things I really like about my LNL and missed when I used a Dillon 650 or 750.

Of course, I'm only loading handgun cartridges, so I've never encountered the issue you've raised. I'm about to explore loading 7mm-08 and 6.5x55mm on my LNL soon, so I appreciate the heads up

 

[nettlle]

Interesting because the 1/2 stroke rotation is one of the things I really like about my LNL and missed when I used a Dillon 650 or 750.

Of course, I'm only loading handgun cartridges, so I've never encountered the issue you've raised. I'm about to explore loading 7mm-08 and 6.5x55mm on my LNL soon, so I appreciate the heads up

....and here we go with the LNL's.

 

[twarr1]

Looks like a consensus is in - get both.