I have Dillon 650 set up for 9mm but I’d really like a dedicated press to use to work up loads. It’s obnoxious, to me, to keep adjusting the 650 for changing powder charges and seating depth when trying different bullets.

However, time is still a factor so I’m looking at a T-7 turret press over a Rock Chucker. This will be used for multiple calibers from handgun to small rifle development and possibly general loading of 45/70 and heavier 45 Colt and .357 Magnum.

quote:

Originally posted by Riley:
I have Dillon 650 set up for 9mm but I’d really like a dedicated press to use to work up loads. It’s obnoxious, to me, to keep adjusting the 650 for changing powder charges and seating depth when trying different bullets.

However, time is still a factor so I’m looking at a T-7 turret press over a Rock Chucker. This will be used for multiple calibers from handgun to small rifle development and possibly general loading of 45/70 and heavier 45 Colt and .357 Magnum.

I use a Rock Chucker, keep it bolted to the opposite end of my reloading bench. It is useful for other tasks besides working up a load. And I don't load that many cases to work up a load to make the single stage a burden.

I use a T-7 as my everyday single-stage press. If find it to be quite sturdy and haven't seen any sort of run-out issues using my Forster precision mic seating dies. None of the cartridges you mentioned will even cause the T-7 to break a sweat. I load up to 416 Rigby on mine. I use a Hollywood for my 50BMG.

The T-7 is very convenient when working up loads because you can have all three dies mounted and ready to go, making it a snap to load a single round at a time. If I had to criticize the T-7 for something, it's that it will sometimes not catch spent primers, letting them fall out of the priming slot. Maybe one in twenty. I solved the problem with a 2" piece of straw inserted into my shell holder when decapping to send the primer into the catch tube.

I see that Lyman has a T-7 knock-off and it's eight stations. I haven't seen one personally, so I couldn't speak to it's reliability or quality. I do know that Lyman doesn't have Redding's stellar reputation for customer service, FWIW.

Now, if you really want to get serious, find a Hollywood Universal. 12 stations, and the pictures really don't convey just how massive this press is. It weighs something like 75lbs or so. Only serious reloaders need apply.

f:0" target="_blank">Hollywood Universal

Rock Crusher 100%
Simple and lasts forever.

I use my Lyman turret press for developing loads(and small batches). Once the load is determined, I set up my 650 to load a bunch of it!!

+1 on the Rock Chucker also....The other thing I did was purchased a set of RCBS dies for the calibers I was working up loads on so that I could leave my 650 die head set up and not have to remove and the re-attach and re-adjust the dies on the 650 head.....Mark

I load 9mm on a 650 as well, but use a Square Deal B for working up new loads.

It gives me the option of loading a few or a few hundred without taking a lot of time.

quote:

Originally posted by Riley:
I have Dillon 650 set up for 9mm but I’d really like a dedicated press to use to work up loads. It’s obnoxious, to me, to keep adjusting the 650 for changing powder charges and seating depth when trying different bullets.

However, time is still a factor so I’m looking at a T-7 turret press over a Rock Chucker. This will be used for multiple calibers from handgun to small rifle development and possibly general loading of 45/70 and heavier 45 Colt and .357 Magnum.

For what it's worth, I have been using a T-7 for over 10 years now and it's my only press in use. I load .308, .223, 45ACP. In the last few years, I keep the .45 and the .308 stuff on there: 3 dies for the 45 and 4 for the .308: expander mandrel, bullet pointer, S/B bushing die and competition seater die.

Another vote for the T-7..Without a doubt as strong a press as you would ever need and much quicker than a single stage.. It's my choice for working up loads and loading rifle rounds..I have a 550, 650, a forster co-ax and a rcbs summit along with the T-7 and it's the only one I would not part with under any circumstances!!!

I use a Hornady Iron Press for working up new loads and my precision loads. But any single stage press would work well.

If you are using any kind of measure, you are going to have to adjust powder charge. A trickler or auto trickler will save some time.

I have 2” box tube press mounts that slide into 2” receivers behind vehicles I drive for loading in remote locations where I test.

I don't mind adjusting the measure or the dies really. The 650 is just cramped and more time consuming to keep switching and locking down with all that's going on.

You do realize you can just run one case at a time, right?

It’s not as easy on the 650 as others as it always feeds primers but there are fixes for that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZDT63UZVVE

I have been using a RCBS Jr for over 40 years.

I was using a turret press, then I bought another 550 and I'm much happier.