If you could own only 1 press

[crockett]

What press would it be? Money is no objective.

Love my 1050, but it cranks out way more ammo than I will ever shoot. My 550 makes more sense for range sessions with 200 rounds or so.

That beings said, I think I'd stick with my Redding T-7 turret. It's very tight, and I can still go semi progressive.

[The_Shadow]

Well, I have made do with the RCB Big MAX and Jr. for years. My Dillon 550 that sits on the sidelines with several setups and could be put into action if and when needed. I even have a tool head with spacer for the 10mm/40S&W.

Most of my loading these days are more for precise loads and those which are at the upper end performance where I hand weigh each and every load.  I never really rush my loading processes.  Benefit of being retired...

[sqlbullet]

I have seven presses for cartridge reloading plus a shotgun press.  If I had to only have one it would be a cast iron "O" press, ideally my Rock Chucker.  That is because I use a press for reloading both pistol and rifle as well as sizing bullets, swaging from time to time, reforming brass, etc.

If I had to pick one progressive, it would be the 1050, but any Dillon would be fine.

[crockett]

I wish Redding would come out with a new press. All they do, is add a few dies every other year. Zero innovation in a long time.

The T-7 turret should be upgraded to a Mark 2 version:

- Beef it up even more till its tight to a true 1/1000.
- Make it a 8 or 9 die setup so we can keep 2 calibers on each deck.
- Remove the "auto" primer arm so it is not in the way when using both hands to feed and take away the case.

Lyman has a 8 die turret, so does Area419.

[John A.]

I only do have one.

Likely an early 80's rock chucker.

Every bullet I make is done the old fashioned way.  1 at a time.

[crockett]

I only do have one.

Likely an early 80's rock chucker.

Every bullet I make is done the old fashioned way.  1 at a time.

I like simplicity and making things last.

Unfortunately I'm pretty addicted to really nice tools and online shopping.

Since I started this thread, I discovered the new (to me) AREA 419 ZERO Gen 2 turret press. Just watched a couple review videos. That press is perfect.

Looking at my reloading room, I too only load one-by-one for 90% of the time. The remaining 10% happens on the 550 or 1050 when I really want to crank out ammo for a longer range day in one caliber, such as .380s for my G42 carry piece.

My Redding T-7 is great, but its also a little sloppy.

Now I'm thinking about down-sizing, and making room for the new AREA 419 ZERO Gen 2. In that case I'd sell the Redding T-7, the Redding UltrMag, and the Dillon 550. I'd be down to that 417 turret and my 1050.


This thing is a beast... and Brownell's has regularly 20% discount coupons. I could make it easily happen without spending any money.

[The_Shadow]

Talking about simplicity & control.  Well yesterday I screwed the FL sizer into the RCBS BIG MAX press and placed the shellholder on the ram and fondled each case with some Imperial Sizing Die Wax sizing and deprimed all 263 308WIN cases... I like the close inspection & feel of single stage press. No stuck cases.  That's one step done.  240 Federal 1 Speer 18 Hornady 4 Winchester

Because these are going to be a special project, I'll clean the primer pockets with the pocket brush. (none were staked or crimped)

I will setup the ram prime set up to insure uniform primer seating as well.

[crockett]

Talking about simplicity & control.  Well yesterday I screwed the FL sizer into the RCBS BIG MAX press and placed the shellholder on the ram and fondled each case with some Imperial Sizing Die Wax sizing and deprimed all 263 308WIN cases... I like the close inspection & feel of single stage press. No stuck cases.  That's one step done.  240 Federal 1 Speer 18 Hornady 4 Winchester

Because these are going to be a special project, I'll clean the primer pockets with the pocket brush. (none were staked or crimped)

I will setup the ram prime set up to insure uniform primer seating as well.

I consider turrets to be single stage presses. I don't load an entire round by turning that thing a bunch of times. What I care about is having the dies dialed in and ready to go, if possible for 2 calibers on each turret head.

Primer pocket cleaning, sizing, priming, and charging happens off the press anyways.

When a few rounds don't come out as planned, it's also easier to turn the turret head instead of installing dies one-by-one again.

The main reason why I use the T-7 turret is the full, open front. I place the case into the shell-holder with my left hand, pull the handle with the right hand, meanwhile my left hand grabs the next case, my right hand removes the finished cased to a bin on the right side, while my left hand places the next one into the holder, and my right hand goes back to the handle.

That process ain't gonna happen as easily on a press like the RCBS BIG MAX, both side supports get into the way. And on a press like the Redding Big Boss, the front support is totally in the way.

The Co-Ax is pretty open to the front, but goes way to high with the handle - and I don't stand when reloading single stage.