I was reloading some 45 Auto the other day and it felt like the press was harder to cycle. I could not figure it out as I always clean the ram with solvent and then a light gun oil.

I though maybe I broke the plastic turret nut (still on the original) Nope it was fine. I took the turret plate out ( I have lots of them for every caliber) Everything looked fine and clean.

I decided to wipe down the outside edge of the turret plate and the inside of the Turret ring even though it looked clean and shiny.

There is also that little spring loaded locking ball. I cleaned that and sprayed everything with a silicon and Teflon spray (DuPont)

Re Installed the turret and dies and it literally flew around. I could not believe the difference! It's weird as it did not look dirty or gummed up or anything.

So when you clean the ram and oil the pivot points, do the same to the turret plates.

You can test buy taking out the turret rod and just hand turn the plate to see how easy or sluggish it moves. Clean one and then see.

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Still Running Against the Wind

I brush mine with an old tooth brush soaked with a few drops of oil. Then wipe it up with a rag. I found the same effect you did. Guess it's kind of a duh thing really. I'm sure the tiny bit of powder spill gets built up over time. I just finished loading all my .223 this morning on mine. Guess it's time for another wipe down.

I have mostly Lee Equipment. I use CLP for all of the metal parts.

I live in a high temp, high humidity environment that will cause rust on tools if not treated. The CLP does a great job and I also like to thin viscosity as it does not collect dust and lint etc.

I mostly use that also, It is a Teflon based product once the solvents evaporate.

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Still Running Against the Wind

Every time I replace a turret, and I have one for most dies, I lube them. I have a container of STP that has a pinhole in the plastic under the top. I invert it on my fingertip and lube the turret and the main press ram.

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Front sight and squeeze

I use that Ponsness Warren grease from the outfit in Idaho -really makes the turret spin. I also keep the press covered with a paper nail bag to keep the dust out.

Andy

All mine are manually indexed. I can't handle anything automated.

I'm too anal about case prep for auto anything. I use a drop of oil rubbed around the turrets on a regular basis.

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GOA
USA Shooting Supporter

Do you batch load? ie, resize all first, then flare etc, or do you turn it around for each case?

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Still Running Against the Wind

I do the batch thing. I may prep and prime several cases in a session and load them later.

It spreads the work out and I don't suffer squibs.

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GOA
USA Shooting Supporter

Did not know it was teflon-based. Thanks!

Reelin In The Years - My Favorite SD Tune!

I load some "special" rounds and rifle like that. I still have my Lee Breech lock single and can almost load as fast as with the turret. Main advantage to the turret is not handling the same piece of brass 3 or 4 times.

Batch loading is great for taking your time, being exact and you can stop any time and pick up were you left off. I was laid up after some surgery and had nothing to do, so I killed a lot of time batch loading, it was good therapy for not going crazy.

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Still Running Against the Wind