Finally received my press and all the extra goodies to go with it today. The press all by itself is very impressive, but once you get the turrets, dies, powder measure, and primer feed all tweaked, which IMHO does take considerably more time and patience than a single stage press, but isn't anymore complicated than the set-up of a single stage. This press is like owning your own ammunition assembly line.

The Lee Pro Auto Disk powder measure again IMHO is an excellent piece of equipment for the money and comes fully equipped for 35 bucks. Just as accurate as my Little Dandy that cost a few bucks more initially, but without any rotors, which you purchase separately for $11.00 each.

I dropped and weighed 200 charges with the Pro Auto Disk, 100 38 Specials (3.5 grs. of Bullseye) all charges as weighed were -.1 gr. and none were +, 100 9mm's (4.3 grs. of Bullseye) all charges as weighed were -.1 gr. to -.2 grs. and none were +, but as I continued to use the measure the drops were increasingly more -.1 gr. I imagine this is because as the disk became more coated with graphite from the powder the more accurate the drops became as well.

About the only cons I can foresee with this system are primer pocket cleaning and case trimming. I loaded a couple of boxes each of 38 Special's and 9mm's, but the empties had already been trimmed and there pockets cleaned. The way I was taught to reload years ago on my single stage press was to complete all the various operations in stages until all stages were complete, deprime and clean pockets all in one operation, trim and chamfer all in one operation, reprime all in one operation, and so on. I'll figure out something though because this press is just too neat to every go back to my single stage press for the majority of my handgun reloading.

So in summation here's one Lee Classic Turret Press you're not going to have to buy because of your recommendation in a previous thread. This owner is satisfied with his new Lee Clasic Turret Press. Thanks again for steering me in the right direction.

Well, it wasn't JUST me!

A lot of really smart folks have one and use it a ton! As a matter of fact, just the other night, I used mine for some 44Mag test loads and some 7.62X54R loads for son #2's Mosey Naggin!


I am glad that you are satisfied with your purchase, 'cause I'm a little short on cash right now!


Great report too by the way! Enjoy!

Congrats on your Lee setup!

I received my entire Lee Classic Turret press and assorted goodies yesterday. Although I haven't set it up yet, everything looks very impressive. Can't wait to get started!

While I may be accused of blasphemy by some, I don't routinely clean primer pockets or trim cases.
I do it once on new and new-to-me brass, but after that one time, it's straight from the tumbler to my Lee Classic Turret on all subsequent reloads.
Of course, I only load .38spl, .357mag and .45acp, and my loads aren't hot enough to make the brass grow longer.

When I initially process once fired and range brass, I decap it with a Universal Decapping die on a single stage press.
I used to clean primer pockets and check case lengths every time, but haven't noticed any difference since I stopped, other than having more ammo to shoot.
However, I don't hunt or shoot competitively and I'm not all that good of a shot, so YMMV.

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Age + Treachery = JohnnieB

I also bought a Lee classic and like it fine. I had a Lee pro 1000 and a rockchucker single stage before but I hardly ever use them since I got the classic. I got some extra turrets and change dies quickly and the shell holder and ready for another caliber after setting the powder measure. It is easy to look into each case for powder before placing bullet.

Thanks guys for all your replies cause I really appreciate your interest in this thread and the new press.

Skip it was you that convinced me to get the new press cause you were willing to put a little something extra behind your word. It's been my experience when a man feels that strongly about anything it's time to sit up take notice and pay attention. I'm glad I did just that, thanks again.

I'm assuming we're talking about the cast iron turret, which is what I use most. I even use it more than my Hornady LNL AP!

Well, I am humbled! I have to give credit where credit is due. It is in the Lee Classic Cast Turret press itself. Will there be problems? Sure, if you use something you are going to have problems at some time. For the price though, for most folks, it is the best answer going.

Now, if you are a reloading junkie like me, you will end up with several other kinds of presses on your bench before it is all done!

I will probably have to get one of those red L-N-L things at some point!

Most of mine now are Dillon blue ones. All but one I bought used. When I was in the middle of shooting competition, I needed the added production. Since I can't seem to bring myself to sell anything, I gave two of the SDB presses to family, one is still on my bench and the XL650 is getting more and more caliber change kits as we go along.

Like I have said, the Lee is the best for folks with less than a lot of time to load and more time to shoot that are just starting out.

If you were shooting 1000 rounds a week and it took you 10 hours to get that much, it would get kind of discouraging. The Lee will give you less time at the reloading bench and more at the shooting range than a single stage press, and that is a good thing.


I am glad you picked it, there is no doubt about that. Use it and care for it as described in the manual and it will bring you years of service. When you move on to another press or are simply done with it, think about passing it on to someone that will use it. See, I gave one of mine to my oldest son who is tighter than bark on a tree with 4 boys (one girl too) and my son in law that got my Glock 22RTF as well. Since marrying my daughter, he has turned into a gun freak too! He is a poor Holiness preacher and has to save his cash too. Not to mention the fact that they are expecting their first child, my 8th grandkid, in the middle of the year.

It is a hobby that needs to be passed on. I am afraid that at some point it will be a missing skill set in some generation. Hopefully, not in my lifetime!


Be safe and enjoy!

I've had my Lee Classic a couple years now. Still crankin' 'em out.

I've added the adjustable charge bar & micro disc to the Auto disc. The discs just don't cut it when working up magnum loads of 2400.

I've been extremely happy with my press.

My current press is a Lee Classic Turret press and I've been using it for well over 5 years now. I can't tell you how many rounds I loaded on it and the press is making ammo like when it was new. I'm sure that press will serve you a good long time. You made a good choice IMO.

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Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437

Amigo, I think the recommendation is to pump a little powdered graphite through the Auto Disc before you use it, to sort of coat the working parts with some graphite so it DOES measure with the precision you require.

Some people will actually run a pound of ball powder through it, one charge after another for a whole pound, letting it get its graphite ration that way.

Yours should be "broken in" already.

Flash

+1 on what Flash said.

I don't remember where I picked up this tidbit, but I "scribbled" on all the sliding surfaces with a #1 pencil before first use and do it again when I have it apart.
Also, I've heard that wiping the hopper inside and out with a used dryer sheet gets rid of static cling and improves consistency.

I only load middle of the road stuff, so a little +/- isn't a major issue for me, but every time I've weighed charges they've either been spot on or slightly minus, and stay consistent throughout the session. Probably the powder's weight/volume ratio fluctuating due to changes in humidity.

__________________
Age + Treachery = JohnnieB

Clean the primer pockets? LOL. Did that all of a couple times. Never trimmed a case either. Way over 10,000rds through mine. Handgun.