Turret vs Progressive vs Single stage reloading presses?

They all have their strong points and weaknesses.

Single stage...(RCBS Rockchucker) Strong, can handle anything from .25ACP to .50 BMG with the right shellholder and dies...Accuracy dependent on operator...dependable in producing reloads exactly alike. ...Slow, but with practice a steady output of fairly high volume.

Progressive ...(RCBS GREEN MACHINE) In line progressive press that when kept clean and continuous and stable movements by operator this machine can put out a lot of good looking ammo. It is dedicated to a single family of cartridges (Mine was .38 Spl/.357 Mag.) Can be temperamental, delicate parts.

Turret ...(RCBS 4X4) sturdy, reliable, can deliver large quantities of ammo in a multitude of calibers when kept clean and proper plates and dies used. operator must keep up with Component status or you end up with a lot of primed, cases with seated bullets. And price....More expensive...Continuous checking of the set-up for 'timing' of each stage....

From your description of your needs I would go with a good quality single stage press and quality dies. Unless your a professional/commercial hunter you won't need the volumes that the other two are capable of. and with the difference in cost you can get a lot of accessories for your reloader...

This is my take on it...as a long time reloader...that doesn't do much reloading anymore because the cost of factory loaded ammo is now cheaper than the individual components.

The turret loading presses are great for pistol shooters that are reloading (1) small (2) straight-walled cases....whereby they simply need to "dump" the powder into the case and seat the bullet, crimp it and be finished. You know how it goes; pistol shooters are generally looking for a cheap way to go out and shoot 100 rounds of ammo in a single outting with each of their handguns. Fine.

On the other hand, when you reload bottle-necked cases and in particular, the large cases like the 30-06 and ESPECIALLY the 300 magnums, then it takes more force on the press handle to resize the cases. In other words, I am not sure that a turret or progressive loading set-up can even manage it, given the amount of arm strength needed to resize the empties.

ALSO, when I shoot a bolt-action rifle, I am typically only using it to sight-in and hunt with. So, what I really need is the ability to possibly load ONLY about 20 cartridges at a time, but do so in a manner where I (1) clean the primer pocket thoroghly (2) carefully place the new primer in the cartridge (3) measure the powder charge to the TENTH of a GRAIN for highly accurate loads, and (4) very carefully seat each bullet. Doing all of this will lead to increased accuracy and performance (no squib loads).

So, from what you are telling me, you are not looking to merely kick-out a lot of loaded rounds to go to the range and have a proverbial buzz fest with your handguns. Instead, you are looking to achieve a higher level of accuracy from your bolt-action, magnum caliber rifles. The answer is simple - you need a single stage loading press.

We mostly reload rifle cases, .223, .243, .308, and .30-06. We do reload .38sp, .357 mag, and .45 ACP. I have a single stage Lee Breechlock Challenger press kit. My son keeps wanting to get a turret press but I am happy with the single state. Each cartridge is handled multiple times so they can be inspected. The single stage press is rigid so the rounds are consistent. With very little load development, we are getting touching rounds out of his AR-15 20" barreled upper that we built, DPMS LR-243, and Rem 700 SPS Varmint in .308 at 100 yds.

Single stage. Better control over powder charge, bullet seating, and other factors necessary to turn out a quality, accurate load for YOUR rifle. If you're simply burning powder and slinging lead real often at pistol games (IPSC, IDPA), a progressive might make sense, but even then you gotta watch what you're doing.

Great point, I'm interested to know more too