Maybe starting reloading from scratch

[Dangermouse]

I use a Lee press and it has done me very well, Midway are offering a deal at the moment on what appears to be the same kit, but I have to admit that I use very little/none of the kit other than the press.

I recently researched Turret Presses. As I was getting fed up with cycling through all my cases every time that I had to get them ready for loading, i.e. De capping, resizing and neck sizing. It appears to me that a press that can mount the 3 dies would make my operation quicker. I like the idea of being able to leave the dies in a plate which will help preserve the settings and make things tidier on my bench. (The redding dies do not go back into their box once set up - something that Redding have known about for years but refuse to change their design of the box).
The model that I was reading up on had the ability to use it the same as a single stage press. That being that you could load the primer and add the powder away from the press then add the Boolit when you were ready.
However,
It would appear that most people are not using their Turret presses this way,but more in the manner of a progressive press, so I apologise for the confusion.
I still think that a turret press that can be used as a single stage press would be an attractive option when loading several calibres and potentially have dozens of different dies cluttering up the bench. Sooner or later the wrong die is going to be picked up.

DM

[Doz]

DM - I'd wondered about using a turret press in exactly the way you describe. Seemed like a good idea to me.

[ptheta]

I've recently started reloading .38, .303, and 7.5x55 after having spent a couple of years reloading 12g slug. I spent a few hours with Andy Allwood in Bracknell and got some basic training.

I'm using the turret press exactly as you describe. I de-prime and resize my cases, clean the primer pockets, load the powder off the press, then seat the bullets and crimp on the Lee turret press. I have a separate turret plate for each calibre so I simply have to swap them out to switch calibre. It works really well and I believe you can upgrade to progressive if you want to later on.

[ovenpaa]

I think it is 20series (Alan) who uses some quick releaser fittings in a Lee press as well which means settings can be maintained when swapping die sets. I use locking nuts on my dies for a similar reason, the difference being I have to screw mine in and out.

I can see the point of a progressive if you are running three back to back stages such as de-cap, full length size and then a further neck size assuming you want to ad more neck tension, personally my builds are such that I prefer to do them as single stages.