Turret presses sit between single-stage and progressive presses. Only one case is in the press at a time, so you can see every step clearly. But the dies stay mounted in a rotating head, so you don't have to thread them in and out. That makes turrets a favorite for new reloaders and for people who load a little of many cartridges.
This comparison is about equipment only. There's no load data here. Use a current published manual for all of that.
At a glance
| Feature | Lee Classic Turret | Redding T-7 | Lyman Brass Smith All-American 8 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Die stations | 4 | 7 | 8 |
| Indexing | Auto-index (can be disabled) | Manual | Manual |
| Removable turret head | Yes, quick to swap | Yes | Yes |
| Main strength | One finished round every few strokes | Rigid frame, many stations | Most stations, heavy frame |
| Price tier | Budget | Premium | Mid-range |
Lee also sells a lighter "Value" turret, which is a different press. Make sure the listing says Classic Turret if that's the one you want.
Auto-indexing: the Lee's big trick
On the Lee Classic Turret, the turret head can rotate automatically to the next die each time you raise and lower the handle. That means one case can go through sizing, powder, seating and crimping with four strokes, then come out as a finished round. It's not as fast as a progressive, but it's a lot faster than batch loading on a single-stage.
The auto-index is driven by a removable index rod. Take the rod out and the press works like a manual turret, so you can do a whole batch of one step at a time. Many new reloaders like that flexibility: batch mode while learning, auto mode once comfortable.
The Redding T-7 and Lyman All-American 8 don't auto-index. You turn the head by hand to the die you want. That's slower for complete rounds, but it fits batch-style loading well, especially for rifle cartridges that need off-press case prep anyway.
Station count: why more can help
Four stations on the Lee covers a typical pistol setup. More than that isn't needed for one cartridge.
The Redding's seven and Lyman's eight stations work differently. Instead of fitting more steps for one cartridge, many owners mount dies for two cartridges at once, or keep a universal decapping die and a few specialty dies in the head full time. If you load several rifle cartridges in small batches, those extra stations mean fewer die changes.
Swapping turret heads
All three presses let you pull the turret head and drop in another with dies already set. For the Lee, spare turrets are relatively inexpensive, so many owners keep one per cartridge. Spare heads for the Redding and Lyman cost more, but you need fewer of them because each holds more dies.
Label every head clearly, and store spare heads where dies won't get knocked out of adjustment. Our guide to die and tool-head storage covers racks and shelving ideas.
Rigidity and rifle work
A common concern with turret presses is flex, since the head rotates instead of being one solid piece. The Redding T-7 and Lyman All-American 8 are both built heavy, and both makers market them for rifle sizing. The Lee Classic Turret uses a cast frame and is widely used for rifle too, though its main appeal is pistol volume.
If you'll be full-length sizing a lot of large rifle cases, the heavier Redding or Lyman may feel more solid. If most of your loading is pistol, the Lee's speed probably matters more than any small difference in stiffness.
For the basics of picking a press type, see our guide on single-stage vs turret presses.
Priming and spent primers
All three can prime on the press with the right attachments, but many owners prime off the press with a hand or bench tool. If spent-primer mess bothers you, the Lee's through-the-ram primer disposal is a noted strength. Check the current listings for the Redding and Lyman primer handling details.
Whichever press you use, wear safety glasses and follow the maker's priming instructions exactly.
The picks
How to decide
- Mostly pistol, want speed, tight budget: Lee Classic Turret.
- Mostly rifle, small batches, want the stiffest feel: Redding T-7.
- Mix of everything, want lots of stations: Lyman Brass Smith All-American 8.
Not sure a turret is right at all? Our turret press guide and press type selector can help.
Budget for the whole setup, not just the press
Whichever turret you choose, the press is only part of the cost. You'll want a die set for each cartridge, a powder measure that mounts to the turret or a separate scale-and-trickler routine, a priming solution, and probably a spare turret head for each cartridge you load often. On the Lee, spare turrets are inexpensive, so the add-ons stay modest. On the Redding and Lyman, each head holds more dies, so you may buy fewer heads but pay more for each one. Add a solid mount and good lighting, then price the full list before deciding. Our starter budget planner makes that comparison quick.
It's also worth thinking about where your loading is heading. If you expect to add a progressive press for pistol within a year or two, a heavy manual turret may become your rifle and specialty press, a role both the Redding and Lyman fill well. If you expect one press to do everything for a long time, the Lee's auto-index gives you more pistol speed without giving up batch loading for rifle.
Frequently asked questions
Is a turret press good for beginners?
Yes. You can see every step clearly, and only one case is in the press at a time. The Lee Classic Turret is especially popular for this because you can switch auto-indexing off while you learn.
Can I add auto-indexing to the Redding or Lyman?
No. Both are designed as manual turrets. If auto-indexing matters to you, the Lee Classic Turret is the one in this group that offers it.
Do these presses use standard dies?
Yes. All three accept standard 7/8-14 threaded dies.
Is a turret faster than a single-stage?
For complete pistol rounds, an auto-indexing turret is faster than a single-stage. Manual turrets mainly save time by removing die changes.
Where do I get load data?
From a current published reloading manual or the component maker's published data, exactly as written. This site doesn't publish load data.
Editorial note: This comparison is based on manufacturer information, retailer listings and published references. We haven't tested these presses hands-on for this article. Specs and prices change, so check the current listing before buying. We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases through links on this page.
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