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Old 08-30-2011, 06:07 PM
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Default Lee Classic Turret Press: Flaws???

What, what, whaaaaat???

A certain Mr. Some Body just pointed out that the Lee Classic Turret has its own flaws. Other than being slower than a progressive press, I would really like to know what they are. I know I'm using a uppity tone and don't mean to sound defensive. I'm just so proud and satisfied with this press and I'm always recommending it to new loaders. My only real complaints about it are that it was kind of painful to get together the first time and get everything tuned just right, and that... Well... That's really it. Every time I start to think about saving up for a Hornady Lock and Load AP or Dillon I just go back and use the turret and make a bunch of pain free ammo. And it's so easy to swap tool heads. And the rare occasion where something happens and I need to stop, reject, or do over it is just so easy. What is it that some people find negative about this press???
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Old 08-30-2011, 06:10 PM
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I personally am completely satisfied with my lee turret press. I have the auto disc powder measure for it and i can easily load 125rds and hour which is plenty of production for my shooting needs.
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Old 08-30-2011, 06:38 PM
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I have and use one for many calibers, I find no major flaws with it at all. For the price of the press and the price of extra turrets it is a key buy and makes for easy caliber changes. Other press's are perhaps heavier duty but I do not think that makes better ammo. Even though I have yet to break the little plastic square (still have the extra) some complain about that. In the review I always link to, they like it a lot also.

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Paint it Blue and think how great it would be!
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Old 08-30-2011, 06:59 PM
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i have one i use for some of the calibers i shoot less of , and the only problem i have ever had is the nylon indexer getting out of time i have replaced it once due to damage by having the screw in the ram to tight, i have thought about just useing it and indexing it manually. i like it and i have 4 of the dillion square deal presses that are great also.
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Old 08-30-2011, 07:25 PM
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I doubt there's anything wrong with Lee. If there was they wouldn't still be in business. I look at it like cars. Sure Lee will get you there but if you want to go in style with a little more heft, pick another color. I have no dog in this fight, in fact I do use some Lee dies.

I just get tired of reading about "who's best". I'm not sold on blue (Dillon) either for two reasons.
1) You need a spare parts kit. Why? Because pieces break.
2) Excellent customer service. Why? Because that's the FIRST thing you hear about. If all I hear is how good the customer service is obviously there's way to many problems that have to be corrected. Others have engineered out problems. Why can't they?

Lyman, been around a long time as well but neither them or Hornady offered what I wanted. I've been sold on RCBS for over 30yrs. And in that time I've only called them once and it was because a part was missing from a kit I bought. ONCE, that's it and they sent the part free. I've got 3 different presses, chargemaster, case prep center and a host of other things they make and none of it has failed me. Not once.

It doesn't matter what color it is or who made it, they will all work but you get what you pay for. And as one poster pointed out, none of them make any better ammo.
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Old 08-30-2011, 07:52 PM
Skip Sackett Skip Sackett is offline
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Okay, I am the "Mr. Somebody!"

I guess I should have clarified and said that I recommend the Lee Classic Cast Turret press for beginners more than any single press out there!

Saying that though doesn't mean that they are flawless! I love my wife and she is.................................Oh, yeah, perfect! (She has good taste in men too!)

All kidding aside, the indexing system is pretty weak. Within the first few weeks of using mine, I had to put a bolt through it with a double nut so that it would stay together. No big deal, now it is fine.

The square indexing ratchet, well, on my second one, which is fine. They cost me $1 for two. I can live with that.

The priming system functions..........most of the time a primer comes out on the first try.

Then, there are the 4 pulls to get one round, but, that is the design of the press.

I am a firm believer in recognizing the problems with a piece of equipment. I am also a believer in recognizing the good attributes of one.

So here are all of the good things about the Lee Classic Cast Turret press:
1. UM,,,,,,,,

2. YEAH.................


3. I'll think of one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!










Just kidding!


All of that put aside, I really like how easy it is to setup. I like the turrets and how fast they go in and out of the press. No slicker system out there for that, in my opinion. They are cheap to purchase and having one for every caliber is not that big of a deal, money wise.
I like the primer catching system. I modified it a tad and it now goes into a plastic coffee can so it doesn't need dumped so often.
I like the way I can make it a single stage in like 1 second. I use it a lot like that when I am building up a load.
Cost is another factor. I got mine as a Christmas gift several years ago from the wifey so I don't know what it really cost. It was WAY less than any Dillon or LNL-AP and for starters that is a good thing.
I use a Lyman #55 powder measure on mine for the most part, the Lee disk system leaves a bit to be desired but, hey, I am supposed to be talking about the positives here.................forgot!

Honestly, they are a great press and worth the money you pay for them. The work just like they are designed and for the most part, that is fine for a lot of folks.

If you were shooting 1000 rounds a week of 45ACP ammo for competition, it is not the press for you. If you load for accuracy type of shooting, where maybe you need 100 rounds a week, it will do that for years and years and years and years and....................




Okay Bob, how did I do? You feel better now?
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Old 08-30-2011, 08:01 PM
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LOL a Mr. sombody! lol SMITH! Hey guys I didn't want to start an argument. lol you guys are silly.
It is an excellent press, I toyed with one before I purchased my LM. I cant say "I wish I would of went with that!" cause my Lm might hear me.
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Old 08-30-2011, 08:54 PM
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So Some Body suddenly thinks they are someone huh... I'm joking. No, I wasn't unhappy at all. I just don't want to be blind to something. My little plastic bit has yet to go bad on me. I'm still trying to figure out what the second part is. The square that turns the turret head itself? That wears out? How does that wear out? Mine shows no wear at all... Am I missing something or is this not the part to keep an eye on? But if it cost all of a buck then I will buy a dozen of them and never worry again. I'm thinking of upgrading the arm to the Ultimatereloader roller arm. Maybe. It's not like the existing arm doesn't work. But it might be easier on the arm and shoulder during a long run. Less effort = I didn't even know I was loading for that long? Maybe. And no one started any fights. I am just way to guilty of being a fanboy of products that I like and can miss flaws because of that fanboy blindness. I talk up BK grip adapters, Lee products, Ahrends Grips, Altamont Grips, and a few more. But that's not to say they are perfect and the best thing for everyone. I just like them. Some of them, a lot...
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  #9  
Old 08-30-2011, 09:38 PM
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About the only thing I find a better value than my Lee turrets are my revolvers, I wish I could say that about more things in life.
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Old 08-30-2011, 09:48 PM
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I just retired my Loadmaster and got a brand new Classic Turret and I haven't found a single flaw in mine. Out of the box, easily 10x's easier to install and set up than the Loadmaster was. It took me all of 10 minutes to get mine mounted, assembled, tuned, and cranking out rounds. If it gets any easier, they could train a monkey to do it!

I've got 2000 rounds loaded on mine so far and haven't ran into a single problem. The main reason that most people have problems with the plastic ratchet and indexing is because they short stroke the press when the ratchet is in the twisted section of the rod. Just run the ram up a little more to get it out of the twisted section and then bring it back down. I guarantee you'll eliminate 90% of the ratchet problems.

One of the best things I like about the Classic Turret is the spent primer tube. Simply take the plug out of the end and drop a small trash can under the tube and you'll never have to worry about it getting filled up. Or leave the plug and it's still 100x's better than the Loadmaster's system. You need a big tarp to catch all the **** that comes out of the ram of the Loadmaster, I don't care how big your trash can is. And I get tired of running a piece of clothes hanger in and out of the ram trying to unpack and loosen the packed spent primers. I'm a Classic Turret disciple!
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Old 08-31-2011, 12:58 AM
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I've been using a Lee Cast Iron Classic Turret for maybe as long as Skip has. I don't have many indexing problems, but I use mine semi single stage most of the time. Of course, if you finger index, like you were using a Dillon, there wouldn't be any indexing problems.

I have been dumping my spent primers straight into a trash can for as long as I've had the press. That made a happy camper out of me, compared to what I was used to with my Rock Chucker.
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Old 08-31-2011, 01:21 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Maximumbob54 View Post
What, what, whaaaaat???

A certain Mr. Some Body just pointed out that the Lee Classic Turret has its own flaws. Other than being slower than a progressive press, I would really like to know what they are. I know I'm using a uppity tone and don't mean to sound defensive. I'm just so proud and satisfied with this press and I'm always recommending it to new loaders. My only real complaints about it are that it was kind of painful to get together the first time and get everything tuned just right, and that... Well... That's really it. Every time I start to think about saving up for a Hornady Lock and Load AP or Dillon I just go back and use the turret and make a bunch of pain free ammo. And it's so easy to swap tool heads. And the rare occasion where something happens and I need to stop, reject, or do over it is just so easy. What is it that some people find negative about this press???
I'm gonna take SWAG.... a Dillon fanboi?

Sure, there are flaws. Some of the accessories are kinda cheesy...but they work. They're plastic, but mine's been going strong for around 2 years or so. I have replaced a plastic part. $.50 from Lee.

It's the same mindset that nobody could POSSIBLY be satisfied with a $500 1911 because theirs cost $2K+.

Probably the first thing you learn upon meeting their dog is how much it cost.

Ignore the haters.
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Old 08-31-2011, 04:45 AM
Skip Sackett Skip Sackett is offline
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I'm gonna take SWAG.... a Dillon fanboi?

I'm not a "fanboi" of Dillon but I do have a few of their presses too. 3 Square Deal B's, 2 XL650's and now an RL450B.

All but one XL650 was purchased used. I buy them because they work and work the best. When stuff wears out, I don't pay anything for parts, they are just sent.

I like the Lee for what it is, but please, don't even think of trying to compare it to anything that Dillon makes. Not even in the same class. Nor are they in the same range for functionality.

Apples to apples would be the Load Master to an XL650 and I am pretty sure that no one really wants to go there!

I do want to get a Hornady LNL- AP.

I haven't drank the blue cool-aid, but, there is no comparison that can be made here to Dillon. Cost more? Yep, that is one reason I recommend the Lee to a new loader. Don't let money stop you from getting started. After you use the Lee, get involved in shooting more, reloading more, more calibers, more and different bullets, more and different powders, maybe start shooting in competition, load for a relative or two, you may find that you need a press that does more. When you reach that point, if you ever do, I would suggest a Dillon. By then you are so hooked on handloading that the sale will be an easy one!
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Old 08-31-2011, 07:29 AM
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I had indexing problems with mine. I read on this form somewhere about using 2 of the little black squares in place of a single one. That took care of the indexing problem. It is the only press I have, so that proves that it is good enough.
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Old 08-31-2011, 08:01 AM
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I did think of trying the Dillon BL 550 at some point. Then I could keep building onto it until it becomes the RL 550. But I'm just not sold on the hand indexing. That is the greatest part to the Classic Turret. It seems you can buy the tool heads for the 550 but they aren't as easy to swap out. It's minor but true. But I can see the ammo flow jump since it is doing the four stations at once. So I would guess it would just make ammo 4x as fast as I do know. Maybe when/if I ever need/want that level of productoin then I will go there.
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Old 08-31-2011, 10:25 AM
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Lee has free replacement parts the first two years of owning the press so keep that in mind.

And I can buy a hell of a lot of plastic parts for the price difference of a Dillon! And that's even if they're needed. I don't have time to put the figures together, but I'd say it would take about 20 years of buying the plastic parts from Lee to make up the difference in price of the Dillon.
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Old 08-31-2011, 10:51 AM
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This debate can go on and on and on and on and ...... No one is going to change their mind or the mind of another. We bought our presses with our information in mind, our personalities behind those decisions, um, period.

If you want to clunk along in a Yugo and are happy, fine. If you want to drive a Hummer and all, do that too, I have no problem with either thing.

Just remember, a Yugo is NOT a Hummer and a Hummer is overkill for most folks.

The exact same applies to these two lines of presses, again, period.

If you are shooting 1000's of rounds a month, and you are doing it on a Lee Classic Cast Turret press, more power to you BUT, you ain't got no other life! That I can tell you for sure!

Just remember about the plastic parts, Dillon's are guaranteed free for as long as they are in business, from day one that you own the press to the day they close the doors.

Case in point: I just bought an RL450B off of the used market. They went out of production in 1984. I needed two springs when I got it. Not because they were broke, because they were rusty. I told the tech that. He said we don't warranty parts because they are rusty BUT, I will send these springs to you free of charge. So, once again, it paid to drive a Hummer, even if it ain't needed!
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Old 08-31-2011, 10:52 AM
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Absolutely the BLUE press is top of the line, and built better than most any but and it's the big but.

You pay more that excellent quality and no BS warranty up front.

If I could afford a BMW then sure I would drive one, but I can't.
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Old 08-31-2011, 10:58 AM
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Absolutely the BLUE press is top of the line, and built better than most any but and it's the big but.

You pay more that excellent quality and no BS warranty up front.

If I could afford a BMW then sure I would drive one, but I can't.
Exactly!

Don't be a liberal then and throw stones at the BMW as it drives by either!

See, that is EXACTLY what they are trying to do in Washington to those that create jobs! Tax them more just because they have more.......

Let's not fall into that trap here..............


p.s. You also pay for production rates. You will NEVER get 1000 rounds per hour on a Lee Classic Cast Turret press, NEVER!
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Old 08-31-2011, 11:36 AM
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You say you haven't drank the Blue Kool Aid but you have 6 (six) Dillon Press's?? One is not enough? How does your poor lonely Lee press feel surrounded by all those big Blue Boys?? Do you make it sit at the Kiddy table?

Yes I think we should tax you more, way more as you have to much disposable income!
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Old 08-31-2011, 01:24 PM
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If you are shooting 1000's of rounds a month, and you are doing it on a Lee Classic Cast Turret press, more power to you BUT, you ain't got no other life! That I can tell you for sure!


I don't shoot thousands of rounds a month, but I've got enough ammo stocked up to do it if I wanted. And I guarantee I've got other lives, including enough time to have a full time job as well as a side business. It's call prioritizing your time. Plenty of time in the winter when it's too cold outside, too much snow, too rainy, etc to get outside. I sit behind my "Yugo" and "clunk away" stockpiling and I guarantee I can turn out just as much ammo at the end of the year as the average Dillon owner does. It's not a matter of "ain't got no other life", it's call being efficient with your time.

Where's that smiley of the guy banging his head against the wall....
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Old 08-31-2011, 01:39 PM
Skip Sackett Skip Sackett is offline
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I don't shoot thousands of rounds a month,
And you make/made my point. If you did shoot that many, and a lot of us either do or did because of the competition we shoot in, couldn't afford the extra time it would take to make it on the Lee.

It isn't a bad press friend, I have no qualms with the press, it is the system of the press. There are FASTER, and no that doesn't mean better, ways to get that ammo.

Do me a favor Cirrus, don't read anymore into my comments than I put in them. I am a HUGE fan of the Lee, but when i want what I want in a short amount of time because I have 5 kids, 9 grandkids, a wife, work over 50 hours a week, church, teach Sunday School and a host of other things (including posting on this forum), I am headed to the Dillon, any one of them................

If I am going to build up a load and want to pay special attention to what is going on and I have some extra time and I only want 100 rounds maximum, I will give the Lee press some love.


Don't argue where there is none to be had.
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Old 08-31-2011, 02:11 PM
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Maybe you should have quoted my entire sentence rather than just taking the little incomplete piece. Taken out of context, sure those few words might look to make your point for you. But if you look at the whole sentence, it far from makes your point.

A Dillon does have a faster round count, nobody is arguing that fact.

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Old 08-31-2011, 02:32 PM
Skip Sackett Skip Sackett is offline
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Maybe you should have quoted my entire sentence rather than just taking the little incomplete piece. Taken out of context, sure those few words might look to make your point for you. But if you look at the whole sentence, it far from makes your point.

A Dillon does have a faster round count, nobody is arguing that fact.
You make my point because of the rest of the sentence!

Sure, you spent all of those cold winter nights, when you could do nothing else, making your ammo, 12,000 rounds will take you all night, all winter long, with no sleep. It is impossible. Shooting the thousands a month is not the issue, anyone can do that, it is replenishing that supply that is going to be obnoxious on that Lee press.

Someone get me an interpreter!
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Old 08-31-2011, 02:53 PM
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Someone get me a wall! Can't see the forest for the trees comes to mind.

Maybe if I had a Dillon I'd have more time to argue on Internet forums. But alas, I'm stuck with a Lee and need every precious second in order to make more rounds. Please excuse me while I "clunk away" in my Yugo while fanboys blow by me in their Hummers....
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Old 08-31-2011, 03:05 PM
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I did not intend for this to become another vs. thread...

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Old 08-31-2011, 04:44 PM
Skip Sackett Skip Sackett is offline
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Originally Posted by Maximumbob54 View Post
I did not intend for this to become another vs. thread...

The best laid plans of mice and men are sometimes put asunder! hahaha

Anyone for some BLUE-AID? As I zip by your YUGO, just hold out your glass and I'll fill'er up for ya! hahaha


p.s. The Lee press is a great deal for those that don't need a lot of ammo in a hurry. Take a winter and make what it takes me a few days to produce!
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Old 08-31-2011, 06:25 PM
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I'm home now looking at mine and while I get the plastic part at the bottom of the indexing rod could break from short stroking the arm, what is this other part that is known to fail???
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Old 08-31-2011, 08:06 PM
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I'm home now looking at mine and while I get the plastic part at the bottom of the indexing rod could break from short stroking the arm, what is this other part that is known to fail???
Just remember, short stroking the press won't hurt anything as long as you make sure the ratchet is above the twisted section of the index rod before you short stroke the press.

Not sure what other part you are referring to. Mine has yet to break.
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Old 08-31-2011, 09:19 PM
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If you are shooting 1000's of rounds a month, and you are doing it on a Lee Classic Cast Turret press, more power to you BUT, you ain't got no other life! That I can tell you for sure!
If I was shooting thousands of rounds a month I believe I would chug a big jug of that Blue Kool Ade.

When I first started I might have been going at that pace, but it was all I was doing.

Well... that and searching CastBoolits Swap & Sell board for more used brass.

Now that the novelty has worn off (took about 2 years) and I have a decent supply built up (ran out of storage space ) I just roll a batch to replenish the range box or when I want to try something new.
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Old 08-31-2011, 10:46 PM
Skip Sackett Skip Sackett is offline
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If I was shooting thousands of rounds a month I believe I would chug a big jug of that Blue Kool Ade.

When I first started I might have been going at that pace, but it was all I was doing.

Well... that and searching CastBoolits Swap & Sell board for more used brass.

Now that the novelty has worn off (took about 2 years) and I have a decent supply built up (ran out of storage space ) I just roll a batch to replenish the range box or when I want to try something new.

And that my dear friends is the whole point I was trying to make. The Lee has a valid spot on EVERY reloading bench. It is not used for MASS production, unless your mass is small, it is used for lighter tasks. It is one of the BEST presses for that around.
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Old 09-01-2011, 12:33 AM
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This thread started as a "what are the "flaws" in the Lee Turret press and somehow drifted to Dillon is better and faster. I think any progressive press is going to be faster than any turret period. So the thread is not comparing like items and not even on topic.
My motorcycle is faster than your bicycle, so what?

Compare progressives to progressives and turrets to turrets.
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Old 09-01-2011, 06:57 AM
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I'm trying to twist someone's arm at UltimateReloader to sell me their replacement arm with the roller handle. If I get that then that will help with a minor wuss problem I have with the standard arm. The wood ball on the handle is smooth but after a while I have to put on a cotton jersey glove or hold a rag as that wood sliding through my hand will just iritate the skin after a while. Like I said, it's a wuss problem but as much as I can get into it and load for an hour or two it does start to get annoying. And the replacement is longer and sets a little farther apart from the priming system so I hope I don't bump my knuckle agaist it any more. Shall see...
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Old 09-01-2011, 07:43 AM
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I know what you mean about the wooden knob. I've seen someone turn a billiard ball into a new knob and they said it was nicer than the wood knob. I've been trying to find something like that too.
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Old 09-01-2011, 11:10 AM
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I usually wear nitrile gloves while reloading. Good grip on the ball, slick brass & bullets, also keeps my hands clean.
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Old 09-01-2011, 11:54 AM
Skip Sackett Skip Sackett is offline
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I usually wear nitrile gloves while reloading. Good grip on the ball, slick brass & bullets, also keeps my hands clean.
I get mine from Harbor Freight. They have some heavier ones that are XL, which works well for my gorilla hands!
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Old 09-01-2011, 12:33 PM
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I tried some latex, vinyl, and then the nitrile gloves. They all made my left hand sweat like mad even with powder added. I guess I'm a sweaty guy. I wore those on the left hand with a jersy knit glove on the right hand. I guess I didn't explain that too well if anyone thought I was wearing jersey knit gloves on both hands... but to be honest most of the time I just load with bare hands and make sure to wash VERY well when I'm done.
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Old 09-02-2011, 12:48 AM
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I could have used any press for the last 3 decades, but the fact is that I bought a Lee 3-hole Turret on the advice of a friend 31 years ago, still have it, and still use it for 98% of the ammo I load. I neutered it to single-stage the day I got it, and have adapted my reloading style to the abilities of the press. I didn't care for the priming system, too slow and cumbersome, so I reprime and prep brass off-press, then drop powder and seat bullets in separate steps. Loading in batches lets me check the powder levels in EVERY round I load, not really necessary but it sure is good for peace of mind! And I can still crank out 300 rounds an hour if I start with primed brass.

The Lee system incorporates several ideas I like, the flaring die doubles as a "powder through" charging die, and you can seat and crimp in separate steps if you want to, which is why they added a 4th hole to the turret. I used to use the Auto Disk powder measure system, but upgraded to the Pro version several years ago, and felt it was enough of a better mousetrap to buy eight of them, one per die set/handgun caliber I load for.

Priming off-press is done with either a Lee Auto-Prime (more fragile, but faster) or a much pricier RCBS unit that I have to fight with a lot. I've broken literally dozens of handles on the Lee unit over the years, but they still work better than the others, and the price is right. I have yet to try the newer "redesigned" version, but I hear it's better, and hopefully sturdier.











I couldn't really tell you what the weaknesses of the Lee Turret are, I detoured around them years ago and only use the press for its strong points. And there ARE some. I've heard it said that the turret has a lot of slop in it.........and yes, it has some, but when seating bullets to the chosen length, it has exactly the same deflection every time. To me it's a non-issue. I've loaded ammo for a dozen calibers that's been sub-MOA in my guns, and to me, that's all that matters. I shoot when the weather is decent, and stockpile ammo when I can't do other things. I have loaded an obscene amount of pistol ammo on this press (well over 500K) and it shows no signs of wearing out. Other presses may be stouter, but no one ever said your press needs to be built like an anvil to crank out good ammo!
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Old 09-02-2011, 10:33 AM
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Very nice set up!, I might have to invest in a few more powder measures also. At least for the 3-4 basic calibers I shoot.

Sure would save some time in my busy schedule.
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Old 09-02-2011, 11:00 AM
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Default Nice Setup

I also use a Lee Turret,many thousands of .45ACP through it and NO problems. All go BOOM and are accurate. Who could ask for more?.
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Old 09-02-2011, 04:19 PM
Magnumdood Magnumdood is offline
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You guys in your Yugos & Hummers wave at me on my skateboard as I'm reloading on my Redding Supermag press. I can load tens of rounds per hour...if I get careless and hurry. I've been loading exclusively for long range precison rifle work. I just bought the first handgun that I think will benefit (I'm speaking only of accuracy, not saving money) from the careful attention of a single stage press. I handload my primers with a K&M tool that has a dial caliper so I can load each primer 0.05" below flush. I'll weigh each powder charge, etc...

If I decide to start loading for my two Glock 20s, a Dillon would be just the ticket. I friend of mine has one set up, and it's a sight to behold to just watch the loaded rounds pile up.
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