single stage vs turret?

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  • OLM-Medic

    Banned
    BANNED!!!
    May 5, 2010
    6,588
    Lyman's current turret press is rock solid and you will always have some movement in shell holders. A good seating die will align the bullet and case neck to give you god accuracy.

    I suggest that you be realistic in your expectations. If you are not a MOA shooter, loading a cartridge that will shoot MOA will not make you any better.

    I'm definitely an MOA or sub MOA shooter, but I don't measure group sizes like some guys. I could care less if it's sub MOA, as long as I hit steel at long range. The 1 MOA standard is just a reference that the ammo is accurate enough to me.
     

    OLM-Medic

    Banned
    BANNED!!!
    May 5, 2010
    6,588
    I think I'm just going to get the Lee Turret Kit guys. The progressives are too expensive for a hobby that I might drop, and I'm a bit intimidated by them.

    I'm just debating if I should get the kit, or piece it together myself. The last kit I got with my dad, we barely used some of the components.
     

    LGood48

    Ultimate Member
    Feb 3, 2011
    5,959
    Cecil County
    I think I'm just going to get the Lee Turret Kit guys. The progressives are too expensive for a hobby that I might drop, and I'm a bit intimidated by them.

    I'm just debating if I should get the kit, or piece it together myself. The last kit I got with my dad, we barely used some of the components.

    Definitely get the kit. Saves quite a bit of money over buying each item separately. Comes with the Auto Drum dispenser. I would add a digital scale though.
     

    LGood48

    Ultimate Member
    Feb 3, 2011
    5,959
    Cecil County
    Buy this one, it is a much better press than the Lee and it is in the same price range.

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/Lyman-Turr...725028?hash=item1cb818eae4:g:lu8AAOSwJFhbjC1c

    That's $80 for a used press that currently sells for almost $200 in its current, new configuration. The Lyman kit sells for approximately $250 - $350 depending on where you purchase.

    Lee sells the new model turret for $89 and approximately $130 for the Value edition (cast aluminum base) to $200 for the classic edition (cast iron base).

    FS Reloading has both available.
     

    Pinecone

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 4, 2013
    28,175
    My primary concern is safety. How would you know if you double charged a load while operating the turret? Just curious about this part.

    You watch what you are doing.

    You Deprime/Size case, down stroke Prime. Rotate head, flare. Rotate, add powder. Rotate, seat bullet. Rotate, crimp/remove flare.

    Actually less likely to double charge versus using loading blocks.
     

    Pinecone

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 4, 2013
    28,175
    You charge from a powder measure using loading blocks. You scan the entire block after loading to see if you have any double charged.

    Why would you do that???

    I mounted my powder measure on the turret. So it was Operate, Rotate, Operate, Rotate, Operate Rotate, etc, until a ready to fire round comes out.

    Also, depending on the powder, it is hard to see the powder down in the cases.
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,734
    Socialist State of Maryland
    I have goose neck lights on my loading benches and, under those, you can't mistake what is in a case in a loading block. I find I can do more volume faster by using a separate measure on a stand.
     

    teratos

    My hair is amazing
    MDS Supporter
    Patriot Picket
    Jan 22, 2009
    59,775
    Bel Air
    Some loads you can’t double charge. 5.56/.223 will overflow if double charged. You could overcharge 9mm. It’s pretty easy to figure out where you are, though.
     

    OLM-Medic

    Banned
    BANNED!!!
    May 5, 2010
    6,588
    Why would you do that???

    I mounted my powder measure on the turret. So it was Operate, Rotate, Operate, Rotate, Operate Rotate, etc, until a ready to fire round comes out.

    Also, depending on the powder, it is hard to see the powder down in the cases.

    So those things are accurate enough to throw the right amount and won't accidentally over charge?

    I'm just asking because once you rotate and seat the bullet, it seems there's no way double checking and you're just depending on the device, right?
     

    ras_oscar

    Ultimate Member
    Apr 23, 2014
    1,666
    I generally spot check every 10th round on the scale. Never had an issue, but that's just how I roll.
     

    PowPow

    Where's the beef?
    Nov 22, 2012
    4,712
    Howard County
    I use my Dillon for everything except 30/30, 32/20, 30/06, and 8x57. Double charging will spill powder all over the place with the loads I use for these.

    I load handgun on the 550 and rifle on the Ultramag. I've done .223, .308, 7.62x54R, and .45-70 on the 550, and it definitely makes quality ammo. I just prefer a single stage for rifle. Loads with extruded powders get powder funnel on the 550 + Chargemaster 1500 instead of the Dillon powder measure. Of course, most folks with a Chargemaster have forgotten to close the powder empty hole and later pour powder all over the place when loading it up again!
     

    Pinecone

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 4, 2013
    28,175
    Some loads you can’t double charge. 5.56/.223 will overflow if double charged. You could overcharge 9mm. It’s pretty easy to figure out where you are, though.

    The revolver rounds can EASILY be multi charged with many powders. Talking about .38/.357, .44 etc. VERY long case, and with fast powder, very small amounts.
     

    Pinecone

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 4, 2013
    28,175
    I have goose neck lights on my loading benches and, under those, you can't mistake what is in a case in a loading block. I find I can do more volume faster by using a separate measure on a stand.

    With a single stage, maybe. But with a turret?

    The point was made, you put a case in the shell holder and do every operation, until you remove the loaded, ready to shoot round. Your method defeats the idea of a turret press.

    And when I load on my single stage, I STILL don't get loading blocks. I have a container of primed brass, pick up a piece, add powder, seat bullet done.

    How does using a loading block make things faster, as you are handling the cases an extra time.
     

    Pinecone

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 4, 2013
    28,175
    So those things are accurate enough to throw the right amount and won't accidentally over charge?

    I'm just asking because once you rotate and seat the bullet, it seems there's no way double checking and you're just depending on the device, right?

    Yeap.

    I developed a method to be consistent with charges. When I put the handle on the powder measure up, I would tap it against the stop twice. And when I lowered the handle to drop the charge, tap against the stop twice.

    Once with the handle, the rotate the turrret, no chance of double charging.

    Realize with a progressive, you are doing the same thing. If you don't trust you powder measure, you need to WEIGH every charge, as eyeball will not tell you a 20% overcharge.
     

    Pinecone

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 4, 2013
    28,175
    I generally spot check every 10th round on the scale. Never had an issue, but that's just how I roll.

    I used to do that. Now I check every 100 or so rounds. The Dillon is boringly consistent.
     

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