Mark 7 Apex 10 vs Revolution

Graye2

Sergeant of the Hide
Full Member
Minuteman
Oct 25, 2018
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65
Milton, GA
Hi all…it’s been a while since I posted anything, I guess a function of work keeping me busy and not shooting as much…

I’m trying to get back into the swing of things and have been considering a Mark 7 to help speed things up a bit. I love my 750 but have been considering an Apex 10 or Revolution. I’ve searched and just haven’t found much on the Revolution whereas there are plenty of videos and posts on the Apex. I know both are crazy expensive fully equipped but I don’t want to buy the Apex and regret not giving the Revolution more consideration.

Any if you have any experiences that you could share between the 2?

Happy 4th!!
 
I use a manual Apex 10 & it's great. If you need the stations, I don't think there's a better progressive for precision or just processing brass. Can't comment on the Revolution.

Variance on headspacing is very impressive - my headspacing ES works out to +/- 0.00075 (3/4 of 1 thou) across 200-300 pieces. I can't beat that with my Rockchucker. I've only once seen headspacing ES above +/-0.001", which was due to inconsistent application of lanolin. Seating bullets & primers are very consistent as well.

Issues...
1) Everyone complains about priming, but they're doing it wrong. I was doing it wrong as well & had the same issues. After about 2k loaded rounds, I placed a Cortina mandrel die over the priming station to hold the case in place during primer seating That change immediately & completely resolved all priming issues - I haven't had a single priming issue since.
2) The pawl does tend to come untimed & I don't think there's a solution to this... but it takes 5 seconds to time every few hundred cycles, or you can just run the press untimed & will continue function fine.

It's a progressive with its own nuances, you'll fight it for a bit & then figure it all out. What do you intend to load with it?

e: I have a better example than this, can't find the .xls right now...
Screenshot 2025-07-04 at 5.51.36 PM.png
 
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I use a manual Apex 10 & it's great. If you need the stations, I don't think there's a better progressive for precision or just processing brass. Can't comment on the Revolution.

Variance on headspacing is very impressive - my headspacing ES works out to +/- 0.00075 (3/4 of 1 thou) across 200-300 pieces. I can't beat that with my Rockchucker. I've only once seen headspacing ES above +/-0.001", which was due to inconsistent application of lanolin. Seating bullets & primers are very consistent as well.

Issues...
1) Everyone complains about priming, but they're doing it wrong. I was doing it wrong as well & had the same issues. After about 2k loaded rounds, I placed a Cortina mandrel die over the priming station to hold the case in place during primer seating That change immediately & completely resolved all priming issues - I haven't had a single priming issue since.
2) The pawl does tend to come untimed & I don't think there's a solution to this... but it takes 5 seconds to time every few hundred cycles, or you can just run the press untimed & will continue function fine.

It's a progressive with its own nuances, you'll fight it for a bit & then figure it all out. What do you intend to load with it?

e: I have a better example than this, can't find the .xls right now...
View attachment 8721802
Thank you…that’s impressive headspace results. I would use this press for 556 and 9mm.
 
I’m still surprised by the headspace numbers. It usually works out to something like 75% hitting my 0.0025” target, 10% under sizing to 0.0020”, & 15% over sizing to 0.0030-0.0035”. Again, your lubing process is critical. I never got One Shot to work as well as lanolin.

If you swage, your headspace number will be much worse, I saw about +/-0.004”. I may have had too much engagement, but I didn’t really play with it. I just pulled all the swage stuff out instead.

9mm is probably where the press shines the most

223 are a little more sensitive to the case retention spring around the shell plate. They’ll tip if it’s too tight & the necks will be crushed on part of the die. Very easy to set & adjust, just watch for it
Here, the case is tipped due to an overtight spring & the foot inside my Lyman holddown die would crush the neck if I didn’t stop cycling:
IMG_6413.jpeg
 
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you really can’t compare the Apex 10 to a revolution. The revolution will stomp all over an apex when fully decked out

the Revo is probably the gold standard right now.. but fully decked out is $13,500

i run (5) Ammobot Rev 3 Dillons (1050/2000s). All depends on what you want out of your machines..

more than happy to discuss, as i deal with all the automated stuff regularly (also buy n sell a ton of presses/autodrives)
 
Thank you. Can you please help me understand what is different on the Revolution vs the Apex 10 that makes it that much better. Everything I can find seems to point to the Apex somewhat catching up with the Revolution.

I’m also wondering if I should just start by adding the Mark 7 to my Dillion to see how I like it, cheapest entry point but I also don’t like wasting money and end up selling. As a matter of fact I’ve only sold 1 press ever…I always find a use for my older ones.
 
I’m also wondering if I should just start by adding the Mark 7 to my Dillion
IMO you'd be better off doing this & loading in 2 steps, processing toolhead & loading toolhead

If you're still looking for a new press & can wait, I'd take a look at the Mark 7 Genesys. It will most likely be a much better entry point for an automated progressive than the Apex 10 & starts @ half the price of the Revolution. Don't know when those will ship though
 
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I have an automated Apex 10. I believe the Revo has a bigger case feeder (non-issue for me, you're always adding something to the machine as it runs) and the xpress priming system.

The priming system on the Apex 10 sucks. The Gen 2 system is better. The Primer-xpress upgrade is not much better than loading tubes. There are a ton of mods and add-ons that do nothing to fix it. You have to watch it like a Hawk and constantly tweak shit.

I have one of these on the way and hopefully this is the end of the priming nightmares:

https://hitfactorsports.com/products/hfs-apex-10-primer-collator-copy

As far as the Revo goes, I've never heard anyone say they wish they bought an Apex. If you have the means do it.
 
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The priming system on the Apex 10 sucks. The Gen 2 system is better. The Primer-xpress upgrade is not much better than loading tubes. There are a ton of mods and add-ons that do nothing to fix it. You have to watch it like a Hawk and constantly tweak shit.
What issues are you having?

I have the Gen 2 system & use tubes. I've never had a single primer insert upside down, but had ~2-3% shaved primers (typically with slight deformation) for about 2k loaded rounds until the die solution I mentioned above.

IMG_6745.jpeg
 
What issues are you having?

I have the Gen 2 system & use tubes. I've never had a single primer insert upside down, but had ~2-3% shaved primers (typically with slight deformation) for about 2k loaded rounds until the die solution I mentioned above.

View attachment 8723268
You probably will never have issues using tubes. The volume that I'm doing makes that impractical so I went right to the Primer-xpress. That is my issue.

I have an aftermarket collator in-bound that should fix all the issues I'm having. These would be unflipped primers, primers getting stuck at the ramp entrance and backing it all up etc.
 
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