When it comes to reloading ammo, shooting may be costly. This is why most gun owners prefer to reload their ammunition. If they wish to reload a huge quantity but are new to reloading, then a turret press would be an ideal option for you. Finding the best turret press might be difficult if you are new to reloading.
We have invested hours researching the best Turret press. Reloaded ammunition’s exactness and reliability are also key considerations. In any case, reloading is more than just a cost-saving measure.
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What is a Turret Press?
At first, it’s important to understand what a reloading press is. Once you gather complete knowledge about reloading presses, then you can understand what a turret reloading press is.
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Reloading is an option for gun enthusiasts to purchase fully manufactured, factory-loaded ammo. To begin with, reloading is the procedure of reloading handgun ammo. This process is accomplished by putting together the different components of ammo. Primer, powder, case, and bullet are separate components.
To sum it up, a turret press features a spinning head (the turret) with many die mounting holes. The turret is spun to place the intended die with the ram. Based on the press maker and type, the turret can carry two dies or as many as seven. In any configuration or arrangement, you can install dies, powder measures, headspace gauges, and other accessories on the turret press.
Top 5 Best Turret Press
1. LEE PRECISION Classic Turret Press (Red)
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 3.35 x 5.59 x 1.06 inches
- Weight: 0.9 Kilograms
- Brand Name: LEE PRECISION
- Color: Red
- Manufacturer: Sportsman Supply Inc.
Lee Precision is a well-known reloading company that offers a two-year guarantee on all of its products. The turret disc is stainless steel, and the press is constructed of cast iron. The ram has a diameter of 1 ⅛ inch, which makes it one of the biggest rams in the business. The ram is positioned in the center of the press’s base. A wooden grip completes the lever handle. With each grip draw, the auto-indexing pushes the turret disc to the next location. This eliminates the need to do it manually. Because of the long-stroke and auto-indexing, you can load rifle cases up to three inches long. If you want to fill cases that are longer than four inches, just turn off auto-indexing.
Most consumers are pleased with Lee Precision and have left helpful feedback. This press is adaptable and can easily handle all of those various cartridges. The turret simply pulls off, allowing you to swap out the die set without having to re-adjust the dies. The motion is smooth and requires only a tiny amount of additional energy. The lever arm’s flexible clamp enables you to alter the arm’s length to match the degree of strength required for varied cartridges. For pistol cartridges, you may put them up short for low force and fast repetition speed. You can expand the arms if you require additional power to resize lesser quantities of big rifle brass.
Features
- The primers are dispensed through a PVC tube.
- A 4-hole turret for all necessary dies
- Ideal for a high throughput of rounds
PROS:
- Cast iron base is long-lasting
- Extremely consistent
- Durable and effective
- Excellent for rifle cases
- Affordable
- The handle is made from Hardwood
- Solid press
- Easy to set up
CONS:
- Turret disc wobbles
- Ball powders spill from the powder measure
2. Redding Reloading T-7 Turret Press with Primer Arm
Specifications:
- Package Dimensions: 24 x 12.5 x 8.5 inches
- Package Weight: 13.4 Kilograms
- Brand Name: Redding Reloading
- Color: Green
- Manufacturer: Redding Reloading
Redding manufactures its goods in the United States and backs them up with a lifetime warranty unless they are mistreated or mishandled. Their customer service is also excellent.
This is a tough and durable turret press with a basic design. The T-7 has a seven-station turret head and is built of cast iron. A 1-inch diameter ram is included. This press can handle threaded dies from 7/8 to 14 inches in diameter, along with the lengthier competition dies. You may buy extra turret discs, one for each caliber, and carry the dies installed for quicker reloading if you wish to reload various calibers. The 7-station turret head is simple to take apart and replace. The dies fit perfectly into their slots on the turret disc.
A little ball grip linked to the turret disc is used to index the turret disc mechanically. Even after a lengthy reloading session, the ball of the handle is incredibly pleasant to grasp. Setting small and big primers will be easier with the smart primer arm. Arranging primers into tight pockets can be difficult, particularly for amateurs. The primer slide bar’s end is a little too long, prohibiting the primer ram cup from aligning with the shell holder’s hole.
Features
- Turret heads are replaceable.
- Appropriate for die competition
- All standard 7/8′′-14 threaded dies and universal shell holders will work.
- A turret head with seven stations and a regulating grip
PROS:
- It can be easily adjusted
- Lifetime warranty
- Excellent primer disposal method
- It cuts down on installation time
- It has amazing quality and seamless performance.
CONS:
- Setting a primer might be difficult for beginners.
- The handle cannot be used by both hands.
- Rusting is a possibility.
3. Lee Cast Aluminum 4 Hole Turret Press with Auto Index
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 15 x 8 x 6 inches
- Weight: 0.3 Kilograms
- Brand Name: LEE PRECISION
- Color: Red
- Manufacturer: Sportsman Supply Inc.
If you’re searching for a low-cost turret press that delivers comparable results, the Lee 4 Hole model could be worth considering. This press is made of cast aluminum and is much lighter than the other categories. It’s also very easy to move from one location to another. Granted, aluminum is a considerably less expensive and less durable material, but this shouldn’t be an issue for amateur reloaders. There’s also the auto-indexing tool, which may significantly speed up the task.
According to most turret press evaluations, the Lee Cast Aluminum 4 Hole model may not be the greatest auto-indexing turret press among the current top 5, but it is certainly the cheapest. It also has a wider stroke, a built-in priming collector, and a pleasant wood grip for an effortless handle draw.
Features
- Manufactured using cast aluminum material
- Functions with 4-hole
- Supported with an auto-indexing feature
PROS:
- Case trimmings at their finest and best value
- It’s ideal for loading handgun ammunition.
- Caliber modifications are simple and rapid.
- The setup is simple.
- Lightweight and long-lasting
CONS:
- The mount is poor.
- The design is faulty.
4. RCBS Turret Press
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 16.5 x 5.5 x 6 inches
- Weight: 8.82 Kilograms
- Brand Name: RCBS
- Color: Multi
- Manufacturer: Vista Outdoor Sales LLC
RCBS has a lot of expertise, and the RCBS C-frame is one of their most amazing products. They are noted for producing high-quality reloading presses, both single-stage and progressive. They provide a variety of presses, all of which are renowned for high-quality manufacturing components.
A cast-iron frame, toggle block, and turret head make up the RCBS Turret Press. On the turret disc, there are six stations. This allows for numerous die mixtures and patterns. It is even feasible to establish two or more calibers at the same time. By loosening the turret bolt, you may quickly swap the turret discs. It has an ambidextrous grip with a comfortable ball. Primer plugs and sleeves for mounting big and small primers are provided.
This is an amazing press, but the directions for reloading newbies may be lacking. It’s simple to construct this press. For best efficacy, all press sections should be cleaned and lubricated. To retain the primers correctly, use RCBS shell holders with this press. A certain amount of pressure is required to prime the bar. You may lose some primers if you press it too hard or not hard enough. It’s critical to explore and figure out what works best for you.
Features
- Made from cast iron to allow durability.
- It has a six-station turret head that allows it to create two or more calibers at once.
- Includes a safety tube
- Standard Threads: 7/8 inch-14
PROS:
- Provide lifetime warranty
- Durable and strong
- It can be used by using an ambidextrous handle
- One turret disc may hold dies for two calibers.
- Easy to assemble
- Affordable
CONS:
- Easily corroded
- Not a trustworthy shell holder
- For beginners, the guidelines are not particularly extensive.
5. Lyman Reloading Press T-Mag Expert Kit
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 17.25 x 15.25 x 9.75 inches
- Weight: 32.4 Pounds
- Brand Name: Lyman
- Color: Multiple
- Manufacturer: Lyman
The iron chassis of the Lyman T-Mag II press is coated with a robust powder coat for lifetime service. The press features a flat machined base that makes it simple to install on a wood or metal workstation. Because the press handle is ambidextrous, it will appeal to left-handed shooters.
On the turret, there are six seats. Because the handle also serves as a turret-removal wrench, replacing turret discs is a breeze. That implies you won’t require any extra equipment. This turret reloading press works with rifle and pistol cases and takes 7/8 to 14-inch dies. It incorporates a turret attachment mechanism that allows for smooth turret indexing.
However, turret indexing is still done manually. With the little ball grip, press the turret disc to the right station after each reloading process. The press has both the universal priming arm and a primer catcher for speedier reloading.
Features
- 1500XP Compact Electronic Scale is included.
- Made with cast iron which gives it a long-lasting characteristic.
- It has six stations.
PROS:
- A sturdy iron frame
- Rifle and pistol ammunition are compatible.
- The powder coat finish is long-lasting.
- It’s possible to use the handle as a wrench.
- Ambidextrous usage possible
CONS:
- Warranty offered for a limited duration
Advantages of a Turret Press
The turret press is a device that sits halfway between a single stage press and a progressive press. The minimalism of a single stage and the rapidity of a progressive press may both be found. This device may be automatically progressed and have numerous shell holders, allowing it to produce more outcomes each hour.
A turret press may simplify and improve your life. Using a reloading press like this has numerous significant advantages:
- In comparison to the single stage press, this device operates faster. It’s designed for those who shoot between 200 and 300 per hour.
- Because of the low cost, turret presses are popular with beginners and those on a tight budget. As a result, you may save money while also owning a reasonably nice product.
- It’s so simple to put together and run that even an amateur can do it.
How Does a Turret Press Work?
It’s simple; turret presses have rotational heads (known as the turret) with several die attachment slots. The turret will then spin to fit the selected die with the ram. A simple turret reloading press will only have two dies, but a top reloading press will have up to seven.
Turret Press Vs Progressive Reloading Press
Only one shell is positioned in a case holder in a turret press, and the multiple dies are spun over the case on a rotating turret or tool head. The limitation of the turret press is that it can only process one case eventually.
The progressive press outperforms the turret press. This is by maintaining the die holder constant. It also retains the cases in a spinning case holder disk containing the equivalent number of cases as there are dies in the tool head. That is, the amount of tool head stations and the number of cases stored in the case holder disk are equal, and each time the handle is pressed, several instantaneous tasks are performed. As a result, the mean reloading rate will be much greater than single-stage or turret presses.
The average reloading rate is determined by the press’s setup, such as the presence of a case feeder. Progressive presses, like turret presses, feature different numbers of stations—typically 3, 4, or 5, but up to eight. The more stations there are, the more concurrent jobs may be completed, and hence the greater the repetitive reloading rate, ranging from 1000 to 1200 each hour.
| Features | Turret press | Progressive Reloading press |
| Affordability | Cheaper | Expensive |
| Motion of dies | The dies rotate on a disc in every phase, and the turret includes a fixed shell holding. | On a progressive press, the base rotates while the upper dies remain stationary. |
| Work efficiency | A turret press only operates in one direction at a given period. | A progressive works on several cycles at the same time. |
| Learning efficiency | It’s convenient to learn on a turret press since it’s simpler to monitor what’s occurring. | A progressive press uses all of the dies on every stroke of the handle, making it difficult for newbies to keep track. |
Things to Consider Before Buying a Turret Press
Quality of structure
Cast iron, cast aluminum, and stainless steel are the most common materials used in turret presses. A turret press needs to be built well to generate precise ammo. When assembling your turret press, ensure all the components are firmly connected. To work correctly, the press must be secured to a workstation. In the turret disc, there should be no wobbling or movement. The dies should be tightly sealed in the turret disc, and the handle should be firmly fastened to the press.
Options for upgrading
One of them is changing the ball handle lever to a roller handle. Roller handles are highly comfortable, allowing you to use your turret press with greater strength and comfort. A case kicker is another essential addition. It was created to reduce reload time by detaching the completed round from the case holder. The case ejects perfectly with each stroke of the lever. A turret disc with fewer stations can sometimes be upgraded to a disc with a larger set of stations.
If you acquire a three-hole turret press, you may upgrade to a four-hole turret press. Adding a primer catcher is one more beneficial addition. It will aid in the collection of old primers and the prevention of clutter in your workspace. The next useful modification would be a powder dispenser on a riser. It will balance out and inject the precise quantity of powder into the cartridge.
Accessories
There are a variety of reloading gadgets present on the market. The following tools will make reloading simpler and quicker:
Powder measure, deburring tool, spray lube, hand priming tool, universal case loading block, powder funnel, powder trickler, and quality and accurate scale.
Comfort of use
An effortless turret press is needed to enjoy reloading your ammo. The ideal turret press will seamlessly shift from one position to the next. Most turret presses have been constructed in this manner. On the upper side of the press is a rotating turret disc with dies for every reloading cycle. These are known as stations.
System for altering dies
Quick-change die bushings are the quickest method for changing dies. They minimize the time required to calibrate the dies once they’ve been exchanged. Instead of rotating the dies, you just lock them into position and begin reloading. If you just have one turret disc, die bushings come in handy. On the other hand, turret discs are rather inexpensive, so you may buy several of them and permanently place the dies for each caliber on one turret disc. In that scenario, you won’t need the quick-change bushings because you won’t be changing the dies very frequently.
Powder changing
Usually, powder charging is a time-consuming procedure. You must physically detach the primed case for various calibers, charge it, and place it again. If your turret reloading press enables powder charging, you must double-check the powder measurement and pull the lever to charge the cases.
Brand and Warranty
This applies to any item offered, not just the turret presses currently in the industry. Prior items establish a reputation, and many people will trust the brand name once it has delivered reliable reloading supplies. They will also not be concerned about offering a lifelong warranty since they know the materials used in their product. If there are problems or damage, they are either unintentional or basic mistakes that occur on all of their items.
Budget
This tends to be associated with brand and warranty since a top-quality product will always be made of top-quality resources, implying a greater cost. The only aspect in which they will compete is in construction. This will assist their users whether they are investing a lot of money on a press for a purpose or not.
Best Turret Press by Editors’ Choice
- Package Dimensions: 24 x 12.5 x 8.5 inches
- Package Weight: 13.4 Kilograms
- Brand Name: Redding Reloading
- Color: Green
- Manufacturer: Redding Reloading
The Redding – T-7 Turret Press is the best turret press on the market. This product’s reloading procedure is created to enable mounting the dies on the station turret as simply as possible. It is a particularly sturdy turret press since it is composed of cast iron. It’s one of the greatest turret presses, with a reliable primer catcher situated in the ideal location. It complements the item’s lock n load function. Last but not least, consumers are guaranteed a lifetime warranty.
FAQs
Does Hornady Make a Turret Press?
No, Hornady does not manufacture Turret Press.
What is auto-indexing on a reloading press?
Multiple dies can be held in both progressive and turret presses simultaneously. Turrets can only contain one case, whereas progressives may carry several. The dies (turret) or cases (progressive) would be “indexed” to the next stage by an auto-indexing press. Moving the dies or casings to the next location is referred to as indexing.
Is the turret press more expensive than the single-stage Reloading press?
The ideal turret reloading press would have high-end functionality at an affordable price. Not all of the time. Turret presses are very cheap and cost nearly as much as a single-stage press yet perform similarly to a turret reloading press.
How fast is a turret press?
A turret press can produce 600 strokes per minute; however, the operator must pull on the handle to speed up the process repeatedly. Everything will still be up to the operator to decide if the turret press should be created further.
Final Verdict
You can choose from the abovementioned list if you are looking for the best Turret press. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, you’ll discover a product that matches your needs. We would, however, suggest the Redding – T-7 Turret Press due to its affordability and functionality.
However, regardless of which press you use, you must carefully adhere to the press’s safety instructions and safeguard yourself and others.