Older Turret Presses

[hollywood63]

What was the reason behind making the older turrets at a angle like the Lyman Spar T and others like it? I would think the wouldn't work that well with powder drops attached. Am I incorrect in thinking this? Would there be any issues with mounting them in a more vertical fashion like say the All American or the T Mag II.

[hollywood63]

Well I think I answered my own question :oops: Guess I should have studied pictures closer. My guess is the tilt was built in for linkage clearance??

[dsh1106]

I think part of the "tilt" was for ergonomics, easier loading of shells etc.

Scott

[Ickisrulz]

I have a Redding #25 turret press that is slanted back. I have no problem using a powder measure on it. I actually think the slant makes it harder to look into the case after charging (with some cartridges anyway).

[44magLeo]

The first C type presses were slanted back. Why I don't know. Perhaps ergonomics played a part. I don't think clearance was much of an issue. Most benches the top hung out past what was underneath them.
Because C presses were this way it follows that some of the early turret presses slanted.
Leo

[Pressman]

The slant was a styling thing, supposed to be easier to use. Kind of like those towering vertical stabilizers that were on cars of the late 1950's, tail fins for the youngsters here.. Just a fad that quickly went away.

[jaguarxk120]

Not all of the older presses tilted back, my Texan turret and
Hollywood are straight up and down.
Not a turret but compound leverage press the Pacific Super Mag tilts
back 15 degree's. It is a three ram compound leverage beast.

[country gent]

A part of it might have been to "hold" the shell back in the shell holder. Sort of so it didnt shift when coming out of the die on the down stroke. These presses when first introduced were sort of ran like a progressive is now the shell inserted and the turret rotated thru to a finished round.

[fguffey]

The first recommendation given to a new owner of a Herter press is "get an adapter kit' for RCBS shell holders and old reloaders never notice the difference.

F. Guffey

[Ozark Howler]

Never liked presses that leaned back, seem to make seating awkward, the RCBS A2 gives the user an option to position the angle of the press......still the best press RCBS ever made!

[Baltimoreed]

If you need more leverage elevate the press or sit lower. I also think it was angled to provide access to the shell holder and keep the case at the back of the shell holder so it would stay centered in your dies. There was an extra piece of angled metal/plastic that pacific-hornady sold that bolted between the old ‘c’ press base and bench to make it sit level.

[Gewehr-Guy]

I believe that if the old Pacifics were straight, it would place the handle too far back under the press to be comfortable in use.

[jaguarxk120]

Weather is becoming nicer outside, I'm thinking I'll make
a 15 degree wedge block from hardwood and remount the
press. Yes it might move the operating handle back a bit.

[Rich/WIS]

Tilting back changed the center of gravity on the handle and linkage to help keep the handle from falling on its own. And yes Virginia, if the handle falls and your fingers are in the way you CAN drive the decapping pin through your thumbnail.

[Baltimoreed]

259053
When you build your 15 degree block add a couple inches to raise the press until it’s comfortable to operate your press. Washers or spacers could be used to fine tune the angle. I built my bench based on the height of my tall rolling office chair.

[jaguarxk120]

My son did just that, his loading bench is about 40 inches high.
He can sit on his tall stool and work any press with ease.

By the way the bench to is a door 40x96x2 inches and weighs a ton
Supported on 4x4's, he has plenty of room for presses and tools.
It is set up as a island in his loading room.