Turret press vs. single stage

[hanno]

For some reason I just seem more comfortable with the workflow on a single stage, and I have definately decided not to buy a progressive. Anyone else here gone from a turret or progressive press back to a single stage to simplify things? Better yet is there anyone else out there that actually loads a fair amount of handgun ammo on a single stage rather than a turret or progressive press?

I use a Rock Chucker 2 to load pistol ammo. I enjoy the zen of reloading and being retired, have the advantage of time. During the snow months, I will crank out 3000 rounds or so of .38 Special and a like number of .45 ACP. That will do me for the next shooting season.

I stay single stage because I want to see each powder drop, weigh every 10th round, check each tray with a flashlight, etc. That is just how I prefer things.

I have improved my RC2 by adding a Hornady Lock N Load conversion kit for quicker die changes and replacing the lever with an ERGO Roller from Inline Fabrication.

I have a Lee Classic Turret and it is a fine press. I just prefer the old Rock Chucker, lousy primer catching system and all.

 

[ddc]

...I use a Lee Classic 4 hole Turret Press w/auto-indexing for most of my handgun ammo loading. I can safely load between 180 to 200 rounds/hr and sometimes even more if I'm on a roll...

My experience as well. In "burst mode" I've loaded 25 9mm in 5 minutes flat.
I have never tried to maintain that pace and I'm sure I couldn't safely. However 3 to 4 rounds a minute is easily attainable.

I had some challenges setting up my LCT somewhat similar to what you are describing however once I got it up and running there have been relatively few problems.

The primer feed mechanism does take some tweaking and the primer arm has it's own issues. With respect to the primer arm it is absolutely imperative that it be centered between the two nubs that extend up from the base. If it is not centered then you will have problems with the arm prematurely activating and then hitting the shell plate and with primers getting flipped or ejected or some other such nuisance. The top of the ram can be rotated to align the primer arm. There is a FAQ on LEE's site concerning this issue as I recall.

 

[ATLDave]

To each his own, but, OP, I think you must be using your turret in a very sub-optimal way.

I'm a fairly slow loader, in that I weigh every single completed round. But I can do a heck of a lot more than 50 rounds an hour of straight-walled pistol cartridges.

 

[Lost Sheep]

Kyle,

Well that makes sense. Thanks for answering.

I suggest ATLDave (post 28) may have some insight useful to you. In Auto-Indexing mode, operating the lever too quickly can wear the indexing ratchet, resulting in under-rotation and operating the lever too quickly may also result in over-rotation because of momentum of the turret. Alignment of the priming arm with the press' base is important and alignment of the primer dispenser device with the priming arm is HYPER-CRITICAL (one of the weaknesses of the Lee Safety Prime).

Go slower and your throughput speed will likely get faster, I think.

Or, if you like batch processing (single-stage style), take the indexing rod out of the press and use the Lee Turret press as if it were a single stage. Very convenient. (But you still have to take care of the priming parts' alignment.) Like that, you should be able to match the performance of your single stage stroke for stroke.

Good luck.

Lost Sheep

 

[TexasDon]

I've never really timed myself on a turret press or single stage.
Lately, I have been using my T7 turret press for almost everything.
I most of the time am not able to sit at the press for hours, so I have my T7 setup to build one shell at a time.
I really don't like to leave brass in various stages sitting on the bench. (just me!)

To make things a little faster for me, I installed the Hornady shell activated powder drop assy. on a RCBS Uniflow powder measure with the Hornady PTX installed for the caliber I'm loading at the time.
That takes a few steps off the procedure for me.
I do roll crimp or taper crimp (remove taper only on auto pistol brass ) with separate dies.

That way I have a finished round ready to go after a couple of handle pulls.
The T7 will outlast me for sure...and Redding is very helpful.

It's not as fast as a Dillon or other auto progressive press, but it works fine for my ammo needs at this time.

I no longer have a Dillon press...No problems with it, I just sold it because I didn't need the speed any more. Plus the T7 press is kind of like getting back to my roots...

I also still have my RC presses for large rifle ammo.
I do load 223 Rem on my T7 though for a Win M70 223 rifle, not a "Black Gun"...it's kind of fun.

TxDoN

 

[RandyP]

I reload as a relaxing passtime in my semi-retirement and to always have a source of ammo regardless of store shortages.

On my Classic turret at my VERY relaxed pace 150 rounds per hour is my 'normal' output. If I want to go at a 'piecework' pace, I can easily generate 175-200 per hour. But that's not my style.

I too do not understand how a single stage could beat a turret's productivity?

 

[tcoz]

I use a Lee a Classic Turret and being a relatively low volume reloader, I have no plans to switch. I use it on auto-index for my pistol rounds then remove the indexing rod and use it as a single stage for .223 and 300 BLK since there are a lot more steps in the process.

 

[trigga]

i started last year with the lee single stage kit but upgraded to the classic turret a couple of months later. much faster and and i love it although i still use the single stage for resizing and depriming. I got into this because i use to shoot a lot (2k through my ar and 2k through my ak the first year i got it) but now i just load and never have time to shoot anymore. it's good because i have them set aside.

 

[RussellC]

My throughput on my 3 station manual index Lee turret was about 4-5 times your rate. I can easily run 200rds per hour on it. You need to refine your technique. I used a small trays with my primers, cases, and bullets all staged and ready. My process was extremely uniform and consistent.

I was going to say, but you said it fine. I use both the Lee Classic Breech lock press as well as the LEE Classic Turret press. I love the single stage breechlock press, but my output from the Turret press is WAY quicker Than the Classic Breechlock. For me, not even close.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

My throughput on my 3 station manual index Lee turret was about 4-5 times your rate. I can easily run 200rds per hour on it. You need to refine your technique. I used a small trays with my primers, cases, and bullets all staged and ready. My process was extremely uniform and consistent.

I completely agree like I said in Post #25. I can safely load between 180 to 200 rounds an hour on the Lee Classic Turret press. Loading 9mm's are on the slower side because of the small cases and my big fingers, 38/357's are faster.

Like said above, if you have everything staged the loading goes faster without sacrificing safety or quality. Once you get into a rhythm things go fast.

 

[TexasDon]

ArchAngelCD

Like said above, if you have everything staged the loading goes faster without sacrificing safety or quality. Once you get into a rhythm things go fast.

I find this to be very true. The better I prep everything for loading, the faster and better it is.

Kind of like painting, do all the prep work, and the painting is fast and easier.

Getting a comfortable rhythm is good for you and good to keep your powder drop consistent.


TxDon

 

[fecmech]

When I started reloading I bought a Lyman Spar T turret with the optional primer feed. It is a 6 station turret and I have my Redding #3 powder measure mounted on it and load each round to completion turning the turret. I use it for small batches of pistol ammo and 30-30 rifle. Loading pistol ammo a 50 rd box takes me 20 minutes start to finish so that would be 150/hr. If I'm going to load much more than 50 of a particular load I load on a progressive. I know fellows do it but I don't understand using a turret press to load like a single stage.