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01-24-2011, 06:35 PM
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Lee 3 or 4 turret Press?
I want to reload 100/200 rounds of .38/.357 each week and was thinking of a Lee 3 or 4 turret press.
What all comes with the initial order, and is there anything I need to add to make things easier?
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01-24-2011, 07:07 PM
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Get the Classic CAST 4 hole, you won't regret it. Buy a 4 die set.
Check here for price and availability, they usually have some kind of special going on: http://www.kempfgunshop.com/
Be safe and have fun!
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01-24-2011, 08:13 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by smith crazy
Get the Classic CAST 4 hole, you won't regret it. Buy a 4 die set....
Be safe and have fun!
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Absolutely! I have the Lee Classic Cast turret (it is a four hole) and I love it. In the last two days I have made 500 .45 acp 230 RN bullets. Tomorrow I start on my 9mm and then, in a few days I will do some 30.06
for my M1 Garand.
This unit is very versatile, easy you use once you get past the abominable Lee directions. I got mine as a kit from Cabelas and it was quite complete. I figured out that my kit, dies, and reloading components were all paid for at the end of my first 1000 rounds of completed ammo.
Enjoy and be safe. Beware though - it IS addicting.
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01-24-2011, 09:41 PM
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Get the 4 hole...I get much better handgun loads on mine when I have a seperate crimp die. The seperate die requires the 4th hole.
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01-24-2011, 09:55 PM
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And the reason being is that with the 4 hole and 4 die set you can use the Lee Factory Crimp die. Not entirely needed for revolver rounds but if you load semi autos it helps a lot. It also helps with the revolver loads in that your crimping is done as a separate step rather than seating and crimping at the same time.
I also recommend if you have a few extra dollars and are lazy like me Buy two sets of 357 dies and a extra turret plate. You can then leave one set at 38 Special and One for 357 and not have to readjust every time. Just pop one turret out, put the other in. Reinstall the powder measure and you are good to go.
This is not the CAST press but is a kit which gives you almost everything you need. The scale is accurate but not the easiest to use. I recommend another.
The Classic cast press is a better press but you would need to buy the other things listed in the kt. That's why I am showing it. You can buy them anywhere, Midway is usualy more expensive, the place Smith Cray mention must be good if he buys there.
Lee Deluxe Turret Press Reloading Kit with Auto Index - Natchez Shooters Supplies
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01-24-2011, 10:55 PM
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I've had both 3 and 4 hole in the Lee Turret. I didn't even think they sold the 3 hole press anymore but it worked fine . That said, if your just starting out , go 4 hole (classic) and get the 4 die set. I upgraded last year and have been thrilled with it's performance and features. The factory crimp die also sizes/checks the whole round on the last stroke. Great for catching those slightly bulged/bent cases that could otherwise sneak through.
What you'll want is the 4 hole Turret press, 4 die set, 4 hole turret, Safety Prime System, Pro powder measure and (2) powder risers.
That will get the press set up nicely. From there you'll want a powder scale, caliper ( digital or dial) and a relaoding handbook.
BTW, once set up, it's not hard to average 4 rounds a minute on the Turret press.
Search " Lee Classic" here and read the reviews at brownells for details on operation and set-up.
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Dave
Last edited by Wee Hooker; 01-24-2011 at 11:05 PM.
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01-24-2011, 11:15 PM
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01-24-2011, 11:24 PM
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Thank you all for taking the time to hold my hand thru this...
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01-25-2011, 12:28 AM
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Moderator SWCA Member Absent Comrade
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Now that your original question is answered I'll add a comment. With a 4 hole turret press I can safely load 180 to 200 rounds of 38/357 in an hour. You will be able to load what you need for a weeks shooting in an hour or so. IMO that's a good return on your money especially when you didn't have to spend a lot of money.
Good luck and have fun loading...
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01-25-2011, 12:44 AM
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Four hole.
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01-25-2011, 02:04 AM
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4 hole. Factory crimp die. Absolutely.
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