Every handloader can benefit from a turret press. This type of press features an upper rotating disk that has multiple threaded placements for dies or other tools (such as powder dispensers). There are a variety of turret presses on the market today with the remarkable Area 419 9-Station Zero Press at the top end, and the inexpensive Lee turret presses at the other end of the spectrum. In between are Lyman’s 8-station All-American turret, the Redding 7-station T-7 press, and the RCBS 6-station turret.
Today’s Saturday video showcase features notable turret presses from Area 419, Lyman, Redding, and RCBS. We lead off with a feature on the advanced Area 419 ZERO 9-station turret.
Area 419 ZERO 9-Station Turret Reloading Press — Without Peer
Area 419’s impressive ZERO reloading press is a 9-station turret press with some very unique features. This press was designed to be the most precise turret ever created. As tested by Gavin Gear of UltimateReloader.com, the ZERO turret press delivered very impressive shoulder-bump consistency and ultra-low seated bullet run-out (about +/- 0.0005″). The numbers were as good as you can get from a quality single-stage press, so Area 419 did some impressive engineering. We would expect that, as this represents a big investment — MSRP is $1275.00. SEE FULL REVIEW on UltimateReloader.com.
The ZERO turret press lets you install up to nine (9) different reloading dies in the large top turret, which revolves around a central axis. But unlike most turret presses, the ZERO doesn’t have flex or wobble when you’re loading. This is because Area 419 includes a clever system for locking the turret in position after you’ve selected the die from your array.
Lyman Brass Smith All-American 8-Station Turret Press
The 8-station Lyman Brass-Smith All-American Turret Press is an impressive product. Since its introduction in 2018, Lyman’s All-American 8 has become popular with handloaders. With a $227.50 street price at MidwayUSA, the 8-station Lyman is $148 cheaper than the $375.49 7-station Redding T-7 (current Amazon price). No question, that’s a significant price advantage, which has helped Lyman grab turret press sales from Redding.
More Stations Provide More Reloading Options
Gavin liked having 8 stations, because this offers more flexibility. With eight stations, you can have four two-die sets, or three two-die sets plus a dedicated decapping die and a powder measure. Gavin notes: “I’ve owned many reloading presses, including 3-station, 4-station, 5-station, and 7-station variants, but I’ve never owned an 8-station press until the Brass-Smith All-American 8 came to the shop. I’ll have to say… you can’t get too many stations, especially on a manually-indexed turret. I love the idea that you can leave dies on the press, and load multiple calibers/chamberings using the same turret setup.”
Redding T-7 Turret Press Overview
The Redding T-7 has long been a leading turret press for precision handloaders. It offers one more station than the other “green” turret press offered by RCBS. It has a reliable optional priming system and plenty of leverage. We like the build quality of the Redding T-7, but it is now significantly more expensive than the Lyman turret, which has one more station. See a comparison of the Redding T-7 and Lyman 8-station turret press in the next video.
8 vs. 7 Stations — Lyman Turret and Redding T-7 Comparison
If you’re considering acquiring a turret press, it helps to compare products side by side. Here is an interesting comparison video showcasing the Redding T-7 and the Lyman 8-station turret press. This video offers a side-by-side comparison of the Redding turret and the Lyman turret, showing how each performs key functions.
RCBS Six-Station Turret Press
This Editor has used an RCBS Turret Press for over 15 years. It does not have the most stations or the most sophisticated features, but it has proven very reliable over the years. I use it primarily to use with pistol sizing and seating dies. Having six stations allows me to load multiple cartridge types: 9x19mm, .357 Magnum, and .45 ACP. READ FULL REVIEW on UltimateReloader.com.
Creedmoor Enhanced Turret Heads for Redding, Lyman, RCBS
Creedmoor Sports offers enhanced precision press heads for the RCBS Turret Press, Lyman 8 Turret Press, and RCBS 6-Station Turret Press. The Creedmoor Enhanced Press Head is a direct drop-in upgrade to the factory OEM press head and can be installed in a matter of minutes. This press head is precision-crafted from stainless steel bar stock. Priced at $199.95, these enhanced heads are featured in the video below.
The $199.95 Creedmoor Sports turret top allows greater precision in case sizing and bullet seating. A recent UltimateReloader video covers the advantages of the new precision turret head for the Redding T-7. READ Full Report on UltimateReloader.com.
Share the post "Saturday Movies: Turret Press Showcase — 9, 8, 7, and 6 Stations"
When you’re on a varmint expedition in the Western states you can bet, sooner or later, you’ll encounter serious winds. Here’s some advice on how to minimize the effects of cross-winds on your shooting, and easily improve your percentage of hits. In essence, you want to use your ability to change shooting positions and angles to put the wind behind you.
A benchrest or High Power shooter must operate from a designated shooting position. He must stay put and deal with the wind as it moves across the course, from whatever direction it blows.
Put the Wind at Your Back
By contrast, a varmint hunter can move around and choose the spot that provides the most favorable wind direction. In most cases you’ll get the best results by moving your shooting position so the wind is at your back. This will minimize horizontal wind drift. Once you’re in position, use wind flags to direct your fire in line with the prevailing winds. A varminter who calls himself “Catshooter” explains:
The String of Death
I remember the first time I was on a dog town in the Conata Basin, in the Badlands area of southwestern South Dakota. Along with two other guys, I drove out for 21 days of shooting, and I never saw wind like that before. If all four tires of our vehicle were on the ground, the weather man said these were “mild wind conditions”.
After the first four or five days, we got smart. We would park the truck on the up-wind side of the town so the wind was at our back. Then we took a piece of string on a 3-foot stick, and set it in front of the shooters, and let the string point at the mounds that we were going to shoot.
For the rest of the trip, we didn’t have to deal with wind drift at all. We just shot the dogs that the string pointed to. We started calling our simple wind pointer the “String of Death”.
We were hitting dogs at distances that I would not repeat here (with benchrest grade rifles). After the first time out, I always took a wind rig like that.
Benefits of Swivel Benches
In a large varmint field, you’ll want to orient your shooting position to put the wind at your back if possible. If you have a rotating bench such as this, you can further adjust your shooting orientation to work with the wind, not against it. You may also want to position simple flags (posts with colored tape) downrange to alert you to wind changes you may not notice from your shooting positions. If you can’t get a “wind at back” orientation, the next best set-up is with the wind coming straight at you — that also minimizes the wind drift on your shots.
For many riflemen, reading the wind is the toughest challenge in long-range shooting. Wind speeds and directions can change rapidly, mirage can be misleading, and terrain features can cause hard-to-predict effects. To become a competent wind reader, you need range-time and expert mentoring. In the latter department, Frank Galli, founder of Sniper’s Hide, offers a detailed digital resource: Wind Reading Basics for the Tactical Shooter.
Wind Reading Basics is much more than a 47-page eBook — it has charts, instructions for ballistic calculators, and even embedded videos. Galli explains: “We break down the formulas, walk you through using a ballistic computer, and give you all the information in one place. From videos, to useful charts, we make it simple to get started. It’s all about having a plan, and we give you that plan.”
Galli’s Wind Reading Basics, priced at $7.99, can be downloaded from iTunes for iPads, iPhones and iOS compatible devices. Here are sample sections from the eBook (which includes videos):
Share the post "Wind Reading Basics for PRS and NRL Competitors"
Erik Cortina of Team Lapua has won the 2024 Texas State Long Range Championship for an unprecedented fifth time. Loading Berger 7mm 180 Gr Hybrid Target bullets in his own 7mm PRCW cartridge (formed from Lapua 6.5 PRC cases) Cortina outshot all F-Open competitors and scored a 993-51X. Erik has his own company, Cortina Precision, which produces barrel tuners, tuner/brakes, dies, and other products.
The Texas State Long Range Championship hosted by Bayou Rifles, took place April 12-14 at the Juliff Rifle and Pistol Range in Rosharon, Texas. The Texas Long Range Championship hosted the top shooters from around the USA, competing in both F-Open and F-TR disciplines.
“This year, the Texas State Long Range Championship adopted the Bisley pair fire format. This format requires shooters to alternate shots rather than string fire. Time limit is 45 seconds per shot. Reading the wind and staying focused is essential, so I decided I was going to ignore my partner’s shots and shoot my own match the entire weekend”, commented Cortina. “It worked out and I secured my 5th Texas State Championship with a five point margin. It’s one of the most fun matches I have ever attended.”
The F-Open category requires a rifle weighing no more than 22 pounds and chambered in any caliber .35 and under. Rifles are fired from the prone position with rear sandbag and adjustable front rest.
This F-Class John video shows the Texas match and includes an interview with Erik Cortina.
One of the world’s best F-Class competitors, Erik has won many other major F-Open titles in recent years, including the 2023 Southwest Nationals (see below), and the 2023 South African Championships held right before the F-Class World Championships last year. Below is a photo of Erik at the Southwest Nationals in 2023 with his winning rifle:
Great Shooter Interviews on Erik Cortina’s YouTube Channel
Erik also has a popular YouTube Channel with gear reviews and excellent long-format interviews with talented competitive shooters. CLICK HERE to see the videos on Erik’s Believe the Target Channel.
Lapua is a part of the Capstone Precision Group, exclusive U.S. distributor for Berger, Lapua, Vihtavuori and SK-Rimfire products. For more information, visit Lapua.com.
Share the post "Erik Cortina Wins Texas State Long Range Championship"
The Hornady Handbook of Cartridge Reloading is now available in App form. Like the print and eBook versions of the Reloading Handbook, the new Hornady Reloading Guide App provides comprehensive reloading information. It covers rifle cartridges from the 17 Hornet to the 50 BMG and handgun cartridges from the 22 Hornet to the 500 S&W. This is a convenient mobile App, that works with both iOS (Apple) and Android devices. There are versions for both smartphones and tablets (iPads and Android). With this App you can access load data at the range, making it easier to do efficient load development at the range.
Hornady Reloading App Features:
Velocity and powder charts
An impressive lineup of powders
Find reliable loads by cartridge and bullet weight
Information on bullet design and shooting application
Very comprehensive load data from .17 Cal up to .50 Cal
Download FREE APP — Apple and Android compatible
The Hornady Reloading App is FREE to download. The App includes more than 200 calibers with a variety of loads featuring Hornady bullets, such as the A-Tip Match, ELD-X, and ELD® Match line.
Subscription Options
The iOS and Android download pages explain that fees may be required for detailed information: “Derived from extensive testing by Hornady Manufacturing Company, this App includes reloading data for over 200 cartridges and 300 bullets. [Hornady reports] only data that proved safe in our research. Users have the ability to purchase data for individual cartridges, purchase the whole current edition of the handbook, or subscribe and receive the entire handbook plus more. Subscription provides access to all handbook data on your mobile device and real updates for all new data without waiting for the new handbook publication to be produced.”
Share the post "Download FREE Hornady Reloading Apps for iOS and Android"
Larry Vickers is a respected firearms trainer who has served with the U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF). In the course of teaching classes he’s learned that many gun owners waste money on impractical gun accessories. In a well-reasoned Ammoland.com article, “Don’t Be a Tacti-Cool Fool”, Vickers examines today’s trend of over-accessorizing firearms, particularly AR-platform rifles. Vickers doesn’t mince words… he states that too many people are spending too much money on poorly-designed hardware that may be “useless” at best.
Equipment Selection Advice from Larry Vickers
Every class I teach I see and hear students talking about the realization that some things about their gear and shooting in general just doesn’t add up on the range. Everything looks good in a Brownells Catalog but a significant amount of the parts and accessories offered on the market today are: a) useless; b) poorly designed; c) of questionable value; or d) downright dangerous.
No one is better at taking fully-functional, factory-made firearms and turning them into junk than a certain segment of the American gun-buying public.
Some people really don’t apply the common sense approach of not messing with what is potentially a life-saving tool. Sadly some of those same people will get on the Internet and talk bad about how the firearm they modified no longer functions and therefore is junk. Or they will recommend to fellow shooters the same parts and modifications they have used to turn their gun into, at best, a range toy.
Some of this shows up in my classes and usually by lunch on the first day the obvious flaws of the equipment at hand become apparent for everyone in the class, most of all to the owner of said equipment. It may have cost the shooter some money but in turn he learned a serious life lesson –be careful what you read on the Internet about firearms modifications and there is no substitute for shaking out your equipment at the range in a structured class.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: you’ll learn more about guns and shooting in one class than you could in a month on the Internet.
READ about guns, gear, and shooting on the Internet. LEARN about guns, gear, and shooting on the range during well-thought-out and useful training. This approach is proven and consistently produces results and shooter confidence.
In this 51-minute video Larry Vickers responds to questions about gun accessories, his favorite firearms, sensible prepping, and other topics of interest.
Larry Vickers is a retired U.S. Army Special Operations Forces veteran with 20+ years of service. Vickers served in Panama, the Middle East (Desert Storm), Somalia, Bosnia, and other locations. During his time with Delta Force, Vickers worked on weapons R&D, and served as a combat marksmanship instructor training new operational members of Delta.
Share the post "Don’t Waste Money on Tacti-Cool Gear Says Larry Vickers"
Here’s something all shooters need — a smartphone App that calculates bullet-hole group sizes from your own photos. The Ballistic-X App is simple to use. Take a photo of your target, set some values (such as bullet diameter and distance to target), then use the touchscreen to place circles around each hole. The App will calculate group size (in MOA or Mils), distance to point of aim, and provide all the info in an overlay. Then click “save” to record your group for posterity!
This App works well, is relatively easy to set-up, and costs just $7.99. It is available for both Android devices and iOS (Apple) devices. There are other ways to measure group sizes from target images, such as the excellent On-Target program, which we have used for years. However On-Target requires a software installation on a Windows platform desktop or laptop. Ballistic-X is a simple, easy-to-install App with versions for both Android and iOS (Apple) Mobile devices.
The Ballistic-X App has a relatively easy-to-use interface. Of course you can choose either MOA or Milrad group values, and Inch or Metric dimensions. There are various labeling options that provide useful info for Load Development. There is even an ATZ (Adjustment To Zero) feature for adjusting your turrets.
How to Use Ballistic-X App
1. Select Photo Source — Choose Camera to take new photo or get image from Photo Library.
2. Set Reference Values — Select Bullet Diameter and enter Distance to Target.
3. Establish Scale on Image — Mark two points on target photo to set scale. For example, if the target has a 1″-square grid lines, mark two points on grid for 1″ distance.
4. Mark Point Of Aim — Put the central X on the aim point.
5. Designate Shot Locations — Place the green circles around each shot.
6. Finalize Data Display — Position Overlay, select size/color options, and export file.
Android Options — Range Buddy FREE App
Along with Ballistic-X, there is another Mobile App, Range Buddy, that also measures shot groups. Range Buddy is currently offered for Android devices only. It is FREE, but has adverts. Range Buddy isn’t bad, but users complained about the program crashing, and there are compatibility issues with newer phones. We recommend you pay $7.99 and stick with Ballistic-X.
Share the post "Measure Group Sizes Precisely with Ballistic-X SmartPhone App"
If you’ve been thinking about a big purchase at Brownells, here are some money-saving codes. Brownells is currently offering 10% Off a $150+ purchase, 15% Off Bullet buys, 15% Off Select Optics, 15% Off AR15 parts, and $10 Off a $100 purchase. It’s simple to get these discounts — there are no buyers’ clubs to join, no forms to fill out. Just use the appropriate Discount Code during online check-out.
Listed below are the Codes to use. Simply use the appropriate Code for your purchase at Brownells.com. NOTE: Most of these codes have no listed expiration date, so Brownells could terminate them at any time. And the first three codes expire on April 30, 2024. Accordingly, we recommend you do your shopping soon. Also if the highest value code no longer works, try a lesser value CODE.
Coupon Code: April120 — $120 Off $1000
Expiration date: 4/30/2024
Coupon Code: April50 — $50 Off $500
Expiration date: 4/30/2024
Coupon Code: April20 — $20 Off $200
Expiration date: 4/30/2024
Coupon Code: AR15 — 15% off AR Parts
Expiration date: Unknown
Coupon Code: BULLET15 — 15% off Bullets
Expiration date: Unknown
Coupon Code: TA10 — 10% off $150+
Expiration date: Unknown
Coupon Code: TTB10 — 10% off $150+
Expiration date: Unknown
Coupon Code: WLS10 — 10% off $150+
Expiration date: Unknown
Coupon Code: TRIGGERED — 10% off $150+
Expiration date: Unknown
Coupon Code: GIFT10 — $10 OFF $100
Expiration date: Unknown
Coupon Code: SMSAVE — $10 OFF $100
Expiration date: Unknown
NOTE: None of the above codes include FREE or Discounted Shipping. But check when you purchase to see if free (or discounted) shipping is offered for your particular item(s). Depending on the weight/size of the item, this might be a better deal than saving $10-$20.
Share the post "Get Major Savings with Brownells Discount Codes — Up to 15%"
The 2024 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits will take place at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center on May 17-19, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. That’s just three weeks away. The Exhibit Hall is open all three days and will showcase over 14 acres of the latest guns and gear from the most popular companies in the Industry. From entertainment to special events, it’s all happening in Dallas. GET More info here: https://NRAAM.org.
Scheduled Events at 2024 NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits
May 16 — NRA Foundation Banquet and Auction
May 16-18 — NRA Voter Verification
May 16-19 — NRA Wall of Guns (with Giveaways)
May 17 — NRA Foundation Nat’l Firearms Law Seminar
May 17 — NRA Clubs and Associations Workshop
May 17 — Co-Ed Women’s Leadership Forum Gala
May 18 — NRA Annual Meeting of Members
May 18 — Hunters’ Leadership Forum Reception
May 19 — National Prayer Breakfast
DATE TBD — NRA Leadership Forum
NRA Convention Exhibitor Floor Plan (Find Company Locations)
Hundreds of leading firearms, ammo, optics, and accessories makers will showcase their products at the NRA convention. CLICK HERE to visit the Floor Plan map page. There you can find booth number for your favorite exhibitors.
MAP for Hutchison Convention Center Area in Dallas
Share the post "NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Texas May 16-19, 2024"
In 2024, the CMP Pistol Matches at Camp Perry will include Air Pistol Nat’l Championships, Small Arms Firing School, M9 EIC Match, Rimfire Pistol Matches, Centerfire Pistol Matches, Revolver EIC Match, .45 Pistol Matches, National Trophy Matches, GSSF Glock Nat’l Challenge, Military/Police Pistol Match, and 1911 As-Issued Match.
Since the turn of the 20th century*, Camp Perry has hosted major marksmanship events. While the rifle competitions get the most coverage, the National Matches also include bullseye pistol competition. Bullseye pistol shooting can bring nearly a thousand competitors to Camp Perry each summer, as part of the CMP National Championships. For these Camp Perry pistol matches, targets are set at 25 and 50 yards. The shooting position is standing, with most events firing one-handed in slow fire, timed fire, and rapid-fire.
Since their inception over a century ago, the National Matches have become a major shooting sports festival with over 4,500 annual participants. Held at the Camp Perry Nat’l Guard Training Base, the National Matches now include both indoor and outdoor events. Adult and junior athletes are welcome.
Camp Perry Bullseye Pistol Competition
Camp Perry is synonymous with the oldest and most prestigious annual trophy matches in our nation’s history. And in a venue renowned for service rifle matches, the sport of precision pistol is no less important, no less challenging, and no less respected. The National Trophy Pistol Matches is all about traditional handgunning — the stance, the intense concentration, and of course, the one-handed grip. It’s all unmistakable as the game of Bullseye Pistol. Every year there are no fewer than 24 separate match trophies for the top Bullseye Pistol shooters, both military and civilian. And the very best will claim National Match Trophies and receive the President’s 100 Tab.
This video shows .45 ACP centerfire pistol competitors at Camp Perry
Civilians and military shooters competed together at the 2019 NTT Pistol Match.
* The first National Matches at Camp Perry were held in 1907. SEE: A Short History of Perry and the National Championships by Hap Rocketto.
This content is Copyright 2024 AccurateShooter.com. No reproduction on any other website is authorized. Use of this content without payment of licensing fees is a violation of Federal law.
Share the post "Pistols at Perry — Registration INFO for 2024 Nat’l Pistol Matches"
Vihtavuori Powders, a leading choice of competitive target shooters and long-range hunters, returns as the title sponsor of the F-Class Points Series V2 Finale. The 2024 V2 Finale will be held May 23-26, 2024 and at the Bayou Rifles Juliff Range in Rosharan, Texas.
“We’re thrilled to extend our partnership with Vihtavuori for the 2024 V2 Finale event! As one of our original sponsors, their direct support has been instrumental in bringing this event to life and supporting its growth, commented Tod Hendricks, F-Class Point Series member. “Now serving as the lead sponsor, Vihtavuori’ s continued generosity ensures that events like ours can flourish, offering fresh and exhilarating experiences in the competitive shooting sports arena.”
The F-Class Points Series is a yearlong F-Class points system and leaderboard, that culminates in the V2 Finale, which pits F-Class competitors against each other in a bracket-style double elimination match. Sixty-four competitors, 32 for each class (F-Open and FT/R), are invited to the Finale based on their series ranking. Since the V2’s inaugural series in 2021, partnerships have begun in Canada, South Africa, Italy, and Australia. The 2024 Finale will be held May 23-26 at Bayou Rifles in Rosharon, TX.
CLICK HERE for V2 Finale and F-Class Points Series rules. For more information on the F-Class Points Series and V2 Finale, visit FClassPointSeries.com.
This new-format match pits F-Class competitors against each other in a bracket-style double elimination match. The elite field (32 per class) is selected via a preceding Points series. In the past targets were placed at 1000 yards. In something unusual for an American F-Class match, in the V2 Finale all shooting will be done via PAIR FIRING, with shooters going head-to-head with alternating shots. The listed course of fire for 2024 is:
3.1. 2 CONVERTIBLE SIGHTERS AND 15 SHOTS FOR RECORD AT 1000 YARDS, PAIR FIRE
3.2. 2 CONVERTIBLE SIGHTERS AND 10 SHOTS FOR RECORD AT 1000 YARDS, PAIR FIRE
3.3. 5 SHOTS FOR RECORD AT 1000 YARDS, PAIR FIRE
Share the post "Vihtavuori Returns as Title Sponsor for the 2024 V2 Finale"
Every Tuesday an interesting technical feature is posted on the Applied Ballistics Facebook Page. For today’s 4/23/24 “Tech Tuesday”, a fascinating video of a bullet in flight was posted. This Schlieren video illustrates a 6mm 109gr Berger LRHT bullet traveling at 3163 FPS. The stunning video reveals the bullet shockwave and the turbulent wake. Check it out:
About the Schlieren Imaging Process — What It Shows
Schlieren Imaging is a way of making airflow features visible. You can clearly see the compression (shock) wave at the front of the bullet. A compression wave is formed when the air has to move faster than the speed of sound to get out of the way, which is certainly the case for this bullet which is moving about 2.5 times the speed of sound (Mach 2.5). That shock wave is the ‘snap’ you hear when bullets fly past you if/when you’re downrange. Also, compressing the air into a shockwave takes energy, and that energy comes directly out of the forward velocity of your bullet and gets converted into heat and noise as the shock wave forms and dissipates. The turbulent wake at the base of the bullet shows where/how base drag applies. The third and smallest component of drag for a supersonic bullet is skin friction drag, which is a viscous boundary layer effect, and is the least visible in this image.
Above is a second Schlieren imaging video. This shows a 6mm 109gr Berger LRHT bullet at ~2800 fps as fired from a PRS rifle at the Applied Ballistics Lab. Bryan Litz notes: “You can clearly see the compression (shock) wave at the front of the bullet. A compression wave is formed when the air has to move faster than the speed of sound to get out of the way, which is certainly the case for this bullet which is moving about 2.5 times the speed of sound (Mach 2.5).”
Science of Accuracy Exclusive Content for Subscribers
Applied Ballistics has a huge archive of shooting-related ballistics and technical information plus exclusive videos. You can access all this information plus great members-only podcasts by subscribing to the Science of Accuracy Academy for $9.95/month.
A benchrest or High Power shooter must operate from a designated shooting position. He must stay put and deal with the wind as it moves across the course, from whatever direction it blows.
Benefits of Swivel Benches
Velocity and powder charts
May 16 — NRA Foundation Banquet and Auction
The CMP has opened 
