Joining the Red team

[Ursoboostd]

Got my kit and some other goods from Kempf and Cabelas today.







Don't think I'll be able to mount this press on the front where I had planned. You can see the interference at the bottom of the ram. I may move the bench around and mount the press on the side.

[Paul5388]

At first, I thought you might have gotten a Hornady LNL AP, but you made a good choice with that turret!

I mounted mine right up to the edge, because the ram doesn't extend toward the back, like a Rock Chucker does.

I don't how we're supposed to store turrets with dies in them with these new boxes. The old round ones would hold a loaded turret, if you inverted the bottom.

BTW, I'm not real sure I wouldn't add more to the top. I'm not sure how long that slicked up particle board will hold up to the pressures of resizing.

[a1racer]

drill through the top and use bolts to hold it down. the drawers come out pretty easy. if not the particle board will be destroyed pretty quickly. or just replace the particle board with some real wood.

[pinkymingeo]

I'm not sure I'd like my press that close to the wall. You'll be spending a lot of time pulling that handle, so a comfortable position is important. I use a progressive these days but regret selling my Lee turret. The Lee is well engineered and does a great job of loading at a decent rate of speed. Have fun!

[Ursoboostd]

Thanks for all the pointers fellas. I'll take all into consideration. I'm afraid this cheap particle board wont hold up either. I think I may try it just for the hell of it, buy I'm sure I'll end up getting a different top for it eventually. -Wade-

[NMPinNYC]

Wade, the home stores sell thick laminated real wood (maple?) butcher-block style tops intended as countertops; maybe price a slab of that and screw it right onto the existing top. Good luck with that press, I recently bought the cast turret press myself.

[Ursoboostd]

Originally Posted by NMPinNYC

Wade, the home stores sell thick laminated real wood (maple?) butcher-block style tops intended as countertops; maybe price a slab of that and screw it right onto the existing top. Good luck with that press, I recently bought the cast turret press myself.

Thanks. I was thinkin about that too. Maybe drill some perferation holes in the existing top and use some sort of wood glue to attach a butcher block. -Wade-

[sar4937]

You'll need to anchor that box so it doesn't move around as well. You might need a way to level everything.

[bradanita]

Looks like you bought the table for loading also, no oil or greasey wrenches on it. I don't load tons of ammo and still like doing them 1 at a time, Lee single stage. Maybe because I can hide in the basement longer

[ACP230]

I have used a Lee Turret and a Lee C press since the late '70s or early '80s. They are still going strong after loading thousands of .38 Speicals, .45s, .41 Magnums and a few 9mms and .32 ACPs. I also load .30-06s, .308 target and hunting rounds and hunting rounds for my .250 Savage on the turret.

I have mostly Lee dies too, although I do have a couple of RCBS die sets.

[ecam8000]

I've got a bunch of reloading manuals dating from the 60's to current. That Lee book is one of my favorites. I've got my ten year old (girl) reading it now. It has been useful for the beginner, and the seasoned loader.

[tomf52]

Get a piece of 3/4 oak the depth need for the press and about four inches wider on eaqch side and then either clamp or screw it to the existing bench top. That's the way my Lee classic cast turret has been mounted (on a particle board top) since they first came out and nothing has loosened up or broken. Especially reloading pistol calibers there is no rear load on the press. Mine however, does rifle and pistol.

[Ursoboostd]

IKEA | Countertops & wall panels | Countertops | LAGAN | Countertop



I wonder if this would be any good to bolt/glue on top? May just be Swedish junk. Who knows. -Wade-

[NMPinNYC]

Originally Posted by Ursoboostd

IKEA | Countertops & wall panels | Countertops | LAGAN | Countertop



I wonder if this would be any good to bolt/glue on top? May just be Swedish junk. Who knows. -Wade-

At 1-1/8" thick, I'd be looking for something a little thicker. Although it's pretty, it's too pricey to double up (two slabs thick).

[Bill22250]

I used the Dillon Strong mount for all my presses.. including "non-Dillon" presses. Drill the bench top through and use bolts, lock washers. I haven't had any problems with the particle board this way ..it's been about 3 years for this bench. I have 2 Dillon RL550s and a Rockchucker mounted this way and I load a lot.

[ArchAngelCD]

I've been using that Lee Classic Turret Press for well over 4 years now and I like it a lot. I'm glad to see you upgraded to the Pro Auto Disk powder measure because for the few extra Dollars you spent you get a much better powder measure IMO. Along with all my handgun ammo I also load 30-06 and 45-70 Govt. ammo with that press. I take the auto-index rod out and use the press as a single stage. That works well for me and each stage is fast because after you set up all the dies in the turret all you need to do is manually turn the turret to the next die when it's time to go to the next stage.

From what I can see in the picture you posted if you turn the bench 90 degrees clockwise you can probably mount the press on the side where there's nothing to interfere with the lever. It looks like there will be enough room to open the drawers and stand in front of the bench when you need to and you can reload from the side while sitting.

Looks like you are well on your way to getting everything set up. Good luck with all your new toys!!

[Ursoboostd]

Here is my fix. (Hopefully) -Wade

[Skip Sackett]

You get glue on that carpet dude and you won't live long enough to find out what reloading is all about!

You have picked a good piece of equipment. I have long since moved on to progressive machines but, on then end of my bench, there all by itself, sits my Lee Classic Turret Press in 4 hole cast iron version.

I still use it to load small batches of important ammo. Such as bragging stuff, you know the one hole group jazz you take to the range to impress people, and hunting rounds for my friends.

Just got done with a batch of 44mag for that purpose as a matter of fact!


Enjoy!

[Smitty500Mag]

I mounted mine on a piece of 2 x 8 that way I can clamp it on my work bench at home or take with me to my apartment when I'm at work during the week and clamp it on my Work Mate portable bench and reload there. It also makes it nice to be able to get it out of the way when I'm not using it on my work bench at home.

Smitty

[ArchAngelCD]

Smitty,
I'm betting there are just as many presses mounted the way yours is as there are mounted to benches. Your way works just as well as any other way and as long as you can load, there is no bad way!!

[Rule3]

I just got my Turret press also and am installing it now. I have a similar set up. I use a older heavy duty workmate. I originally had the single stage press on piece of 3/4 exterior plywood and C clamped it to the bench. I have now cut a larger piece of plywood (sanded/painted) and have it attached to the bench with 4 carriage bolts and a strip of wood is glued and screwed in the center, so the vise holds it also.The press is attached to the plywood with 3 counter sunk bolts. They whole board with press comes off in a minute if I need to use the workmate.

I have holes drilled on my workbench in the garage for the press/wood but it is not air conditioned out there at it is over 90 degrees and 80% humidity so I am not working out there!

Here in the kitchen it's nice and cool and close to the fridge and coffee.

I only put the scale on the board to show I have something BLUE

[Ursoboostd]

Originally Posted by smith crazy

You get glue on that carpet dude and you won't live long enough to find out what reloading is all about!

hahhaaaaa I thought about doin it in the garage, but got lazy. No matter who messed the carpet up, guess who would be $payin$ for it..............

OCD1 thats a nice little rig you got there. I'll be buyin that same scale. -Wade-

[Rule3]

Well, I loaded my first batch of 9mm with the new Turret Press. I only loaded 50 rounds to give it a test run. I feel a bit uncoordinated as I had a pretty good system going with batch loading on the single stage.

I guess there is a bit of a learning curve and priming on the down stroke of the press was completely new for me. I had been using the RCBS hand primer.

Two things I am not crazy about with this press.

The turret is very small and it is hard to tighten/adjust the dies for the initial set up. Not much room to work, I had to use a wrench.

The second is the Safety prime system. It works OK but it is just to flimsy IMO. Feels like it will break in no time. They could have made it out of heavier plastic or aluminum at least.

I went real slow checking just about every case for correct powder weight so that slowed me up a lot. The bullet seating and factory crimp was pretty slick.

After I get used to it, I'll time it. No way is it as fast as the Lee Video. He did 5 rounds in a minute

Anyway, I have one caliber set up and need a nap now.

[Ursoboostd]

OCD1, are you just using the disks to drop powder? Did you weigh the drop from the disk to verify it? Just curious as I'll be doing this for the 1st time soon. (After road trips for work, ugghh)

Well here is my finished product. I think it will work. I tested it by depriming some 38 spl and 9mm. I also set up my expanding dies and powder dropper. I don't have my primers yet, so that's as far as I can set up. And of course I'm getting so close to being able to start reloading and Monday I have to go to NY for 4 weeks(work).

[Skip Sackett]

Speed will come with time. The thing you need to concentrate on now is consistency and accuracy. Make sure the ram travels to both extremities. Down, so the case goes all the way up, and up so the case comes all the way down to seat the primer correctly.

You will get the hang of it and really like it in a little while.

As dennis40x says, go slow so you can go fast! Good advice.

[Skip Sackett]

Looking good UR!

[Rule3]

Urso,

Yes I have the disks and the charge bar. I have not experimented with the charge bar yet For this first batch I used HP-38 and by the chart the .43 hole should be 4.6 grains. I weighed it on the Dillon scale and it is 4.5, so close enough and within the load range. I had been loading the 115 gr plated bullets at 4.5 anyway so it works out fine.

Before I loaded any full rounds, I filled the hopper to the top and used any empty case and filled and dumped at least 20 times to "break it in" Also, when you are done, turn the hopper to off and use a empty case with spent primer and repeatedly fill it up several times to empty the charge hole. If not when you take the hopper off you will have a small spill. I know this how??

I had some problems with the stupid primer system, it would not put the primer in the primer bar and fall on the floor, I then spent time looking for the damn little things. I think I have it adjusted better now.

Your Kobalt bench looks really nice now with the heavy wood. It's nice to have the drawers down below. What is that strange symbol on the peg board? Some kind of clock?? or a round safe???

[RV4driver]

That Lee will remain long after you move on to a progressive. I use mine for match rifle ammo.
The primer deal seems flimsy, but mine is still going strong after thousands of rounds of pistol and rifle. It just works. Mostly cause it's simple. Once it is set to the proper "angle", it works like magic.
A lot of people use a hand primer so they can "feel" the primer seat, but I never had any trouble feeling my primers seat with that setup. If they go in sideways, you know it.
You need to lube the race occasionally where the turret rotates. It will get dry and screw you up eventually. It doesn't hurt to have an extra little square plastic piece that rides on the twisted rod. Mine ate itself up when I forgot to lube the race that I just mentioned.
One of the nice things about this press, is that it is just plain simple.

Jeff

[ArchAngelCD]

Ursoboostd,
Looks like a good setup. BTW, did you buy an Adjustable Charge Bar (Part #90792) and a Micro Disk (Part #90302) yet? I think you will find it comes in handy when you are trying to charge light weights of Ball powder or precise charges that don't fall within the normal disk measures. Both are listed for $9.98 on the Lee site but can be found online for less. (unless you order from Midway)

[Vulcan Bob]

I use a few of the Lee products and have found them to give good service. I think you will be happy with your purchase. Many moons ago a buddy of mine made me a compact loading bench and made the top out of a piece of bowling alley lane. Talk about heavy duty!

[Ursoboostd]

I bought the charge bar and messed with it a little. It seems to drop pretty inconsistantly so far. Haven't had time to really play with it. Been traveling alot for work. -Wade-