The 3 hole in the Deluxe Reloading Kit?

OR

The 4 hole in the Classic Reloading Kit?

I'm assuming the 4 hole is better since the press seems to be the only significant difference between the two kits and the 4 hole kit costs $100 more than the 3 hole kit.

So in your opinion, which is better - and why?

I believe the 4 hole comes with auto indexing.

Depends on what you want to do. I have loaded with an old three hole for decades, .357M, .44M, 45 ACP. I honestly don't remember what year I bought it in, my 34 year old was in K or first grade IIRC. I loaded bunches of ammo with it and never wanted an extra die but now I have a Lee Factory Crimp die for my 9mm and wish I had the extra capacity. As a work around I bought a spare turret and set up the crimp die in that.

Auto index is not a feature that I would use, too many years of working with automated equipment with price tags of six and seven figures to trust a reloading press that cost a hundred or a thousand.

They make, or used to make, a conversion kit for the 3 hole to turn it into a 4.

I have the 4 hole turret myself, that fourth hole has a factory crimp die in it. I press out a lot of 9mm and 380. I have found the crimp you get from the LEE bullet seating die is not as good as I like to see. With the factory crimp in the fourth hole, I get the taper that I do like.

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15T,15-22,5946 & some not S&W

I have only used the 4 hole but since I also like to use the factory crimp die it would not make sense to use the 3 hole turret. In regards to the auto indexing I don't see any issues. You raise the handle and the ram goes down and the turret moves to the next station. you can see it move and see it click in. I just don't see what the issue is since you are actually advancing it by moving the handle. I have loaded a little less than 20k rounds all combined and it has never caused me any problems at all. Not one, not ever.

Current prices from Titan Reloading.
9mm, prices rounded UP to nearest dollar:

Lee 3 hole turret:
$73

Lee 4 hole turret:
$90

4 die set for either:
$41

Lee Loadmaster Progressive (Dies and powder dispenser included):
$223

I'm not exactly sure what the "Turret Reloading Kit" mentioned is. I presume it comes with something besides the basic press (dies?).

For me, I've always had great results by "buying UP" to the next higher model of anything (4 instead of 3 turret, progressive instead of 4 turret etc). I'm not a big fan of "I'll get the lower model - it's 'good enough' for what I want to do". Because within roughly eleven minutes, I discover it's not.


Sgt Lumpy

4 Hole Classic Kit
Lee Precision Classic Turret Press Kit : Cabela's
4 Hole Deluxe kit
Lee Deluxe Turret Press Reloading Kit : Cabela's

The first link isn't a 3-hole turret, it's the "classic cast" 4-hole turret. It has a cast iron base and stronger linkage than Lee's other turret presses. I have one and really like it. I didn't buy a kit, I bought the press and assorted bits for it separate. I didn't buy the extra stuff that I didn't need, and I got a really nice old Lyman scale for cheap off of ebay. The auto-index is a snap to remove when you don't want it, I almost always use it on mine.
If I started all over again I would do the same thing.

Enjoy!
Jeff

By golly you're right!

I got a Deluxe kit as a Christmas present and I see what you mean - the linkage is a single cold-rolled piece of channel instead of two separate steel beams. It came with the steel rod style operating lever rather than the cast one shown in the picture though. The base is also made of cast aluminum or something other than cast iron.

So the only difference between the two kits is the Classic vs. the Deluxe press. Is the slightly heavier duty Classic really worth the extra $100 - nearly double the price of the Deluxe?

Anybody had any BAD experience with the lighter duty press like the one in the "Deluxe" kit? It got good reviews (4.4 of 5) on over 100 reviews and most of the people who weren't satisfied with were loading rifle shells - something I won't be doing since I don't shoot enough rifle shells to be worth buying the dies and supplies.

Not sure if my press is worth upgrading, it doesn't have the primer catcher for example, the primers end up inside the base casting and I have to unbolt it every once in a while to clean it out. If I were buying new I would buy the 4 hole unit without a doubt. I once read a book by a contractor/architect about home building, he recommended buying the power tool one down from the top of the line because usually on the top of the line you are paying a premium for features that you probably won't need and the next model down is usually just as well made minus the bells and whistles. I have found that a good general guide in many areas.

As a side note, a tiny smear of Lee case lube on the ram of the RCBS primer pocket swaging tool once every 100 cases makes things go a bit smoother.

Terminology of reloading companies is pretty hard to follow sometimes.
As to relative worth between the Deluxe and the Classic, I would say the Classic is worth several times the Deluxe.
Classic is cast iron, has steel linkage and handle, auto advance, primer disposal down the center of the ram, and four hole turrets.
Add the Safety Prime and Pro Auto Disk and you have one of the very best and most economical reloading systems available when used in the auto advance mode. Until your ammunition needs exceed its capacity.
My opinion. Others may not agree. And we can all speak with our dollars.

I have the four hole classic and like it a lot. I do not think the auto advance introduces any problems. I still prime by hand, one at a time, but the auto advance is a nice feature.

I'm only loading pistol at this time - 38spl and 9mm. I deprive on a single stage with a Lee Universal deprimer die and hand prime with their Ergo Hand Primer. I use the Lee 4 hole turret and buy their 4 die sets. For me, the 4 hole works great. I size the primed cases, flare the case on the powder through die and while in that position, put the powder charge in _ I use thier Perfect Powder Measure which is screwed in to a special adapter that slides in to the top of the powder through die, then seat, then crimp. It seems to work great - at least for me.

The 4 hole allows for the use of the four hole die set. If you don't need a 4 die set, it's no big deal to pull and move the turret past the empty hole/holes. I love mine and am glad that I got that model for the cartridges I'm working with.

By the way - some complain about the FC die "swaging" the lead bullet, etc. - I'm not having any problems at all with any of my Lee dies and am very pleased with the results I'm getting. I have six 38s/357s and a SR9 - all of the 38s and 9mms I've loaded so far have worked very well in all of my handguns.

Yea, I'm sold on Lee!

I have the 4 hole turret, use it the way it was designed, I de-prime and size at one time, flare/charge the case, seat the bullet, crimp. I've loaded a couple thousand 9mm and 38spl, no problems. The FC works as advertised, it indexes, the plastic piece hasn't broken, other than fighting ADHD, it has worked great, paid for itself real quick.

I think the Deluxe 4 hole press is nowhere near as good as the Classic 4 hole press. The linkage on the Classic press is much heavier as is the ram. Spent primers are handles much better in the Classic press too. Instead of having to unmount the press every time the base is full like with the Deluxe press the primers fall through the ram of the Classic press into a tube.

BTW, I don't know why to say the Classic press costs almost $100 more than the Deluxe press, I see the kits are $100 apart but the press is not the only difference in the kits, some of the additions are different too. The stand alone 4 hole Deluxe press is $71.78 and the stand alone 4 hole Classic press is $88.99, only a difference of $17.
https://fsreloading.com/lee-precisio...dex-90932.html
https://fsreloading.com/lee-precisio...ess-90064.html

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Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437

Dillon progressive

Let the flames begin.

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S&WHF 366

off topic - but thanks for trying anyway

If you plan to load longer rifle cartridges go with the "Classic Cast."

It features a larger opening and is built like a tank.

As for the one's listed, both have worked well for me. My first was a 3 hole that I later updated to 4.

To be honest the 3 was plenty, this is till I started trying to get heavy loaded 300 grain .44 Mag stay in place under recoil. The Lee FCD was the only way to safely put enough crimp on without case deformation.

The Classic Cast Turret is the best press I've used at anywhere near its modest price.

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GOA
USA Shooting Supporter

I sure appreciate all this great information, since I will be slowly moving into reloading over the next 3-4months of 2014. At least that is the plan. Thanks guys!

$$$ has been real tight for quite some time and it will be after New Year's before I can free up enough to start the process of acquiring reloading equipment. I have been watching CL for anything that might come up within an hour's drive in S. Central Texas (Austin/San Antonio area). I have not seen any deals to speak of, especially since what is available is priced so close to "new" that the gas for the drive pushes the price well above "new" to begin with.

Looks like ordering new equipment online will actually be the cheapest and probably best methodology, and having a warranty covering anything that arrives broken has to be a plus.

Back on topic -- I only plan on reloading two calibers, .357/.38 and .222 Remington. I am just getting back into shooting and do not plan on high volume shooting, "maybe" 50/month of each caliber or less.

That said, I do plan on acquiring Lee equipment... So is the Lee Turret system the best or most economical(in the long run) way to start? I recently purchased the Lee "Modern Reloading" and the Lyman 49th edition "Reloading Handbook" and have been reading up on how to get started.

I would much rather get this right the first time, so that I don't end up being forced to upgrade/change/replace anything in the future. I am just entering retirement so this will probably keep me busy for the next 10-20yr or so.

"I do plan on acquiring Lee equipment... So is the Lee Turret system the best or most economical(in the long run) way to start?"

In my opinion, yes to all.

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GOA
USA Shooting Supporter

The lee classic looks like a decent press and I'm considering it.I'd like to try one before buying it.Ive had mixed results with their equipment.Their pistol dies are a good value,but I had a pair of load alls years ago that were just exasperating.They were replaced with a mec progressive and the load alls went to the land fill.

Whichever press you choose, be sure it's capable of handling the length of your 222 cartridge. One of the Lee 4 hole turrets is capable of 2.313 inch max cartridge length. Your .222 is (I think?) about 2.13 inch total. That's getting close. The "other" 4 hole version is capable of 3 inch cartridge length or 4 inch if the auto advance function is disabled.

I think Lee's online videos are a great source of being able to see what happens. Short and to the point. Not a lot of rambling and heavy metal grunge music like the prepper guys on WhoToobe.
Turret Press Help Videos - Lee Precision


Sgt Lumpy

The Droid you seek is the CLASSIC 4 hole Press not the Delux.

The classic is cast ,not so with the other cheaper one.

Real Guns - Lee Classic Turret, It's Not Just For Kids

Wish I had $1 for every time I linked this

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Still Running Against the Wind

Well guys, the reason I started this thread is that my lovely wife got me the Deluxe kit as a Christmas present. I don't plan on loading anything more than an average of a couple of hundred rounds of handgun ammo per month.

So I'm torn between keeping the kit she bought me and upgrading it by exchanging it at Cabela's for the Classic kit.

The Classic is a much better made and heavier press. 4 holes are better than 3 if you plan on using a separate crimping die.

For the little difference in price you get a much better press.As to Kits, the LEE scale works but is a real PITA to use. I suggest getting a better quality beam balance scale.

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Still Running Against the Wind

FWIW, I loaded on a Lee single stage for almost 20 years, but as my need to increase production grew I went with the Classic turret press. The Classic turret press kit was less than $200 shipped and came with the powder measure and priming tools for both large and small primers. Between the two Lee turret press models the Classic is better hands down, not only is the construction better but the spent primer disposal is better. I usually load 200-300 rds per week and classic meets my needs with no problem.

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M&P 45, M&P9 Pro
M&P Shield 9

The three hole progresive has been in use in my gunroom for the last
15+ years, loading, .38, .357. .41, .44, 9mm. 10mm, 40S&W with no problems, each has it's own disc and auto "powder thrower", nothing better...............Fleet1

Wow...........
Quite a difference in price between it and a RCBS.....
I did not know the spread was so much.

"Built like a Tank"....is good.

There will be thousands of "Reps" done on that unit.
Good loading.

Great article, Rule3. Thanks for the link!

If a new reloader such as I wants to upgrade a "Lee" kit, what would you, or others, say are the BEST TWO of each type with regards to accuracy, ease of use, and value?

• #1 and #2 Beam Balances?
• #1 and #2 Digital scales?

I got a kit. First upgrade was a new scale. Made the mistake of buying an electronic P.O.J. Replaced it with a RCBS 505. Been happy with it.

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Reg. Magnum wants/Rossi wallet

No reason to change the whole kit. You can sell off the press especially since it's brand new and buy the Classic press as a $88 stand alone purchase. You can sell the Deluxe press on a local Paper Shopper, one of the gun auction sites or even Ebay. (although I will not do business with the anti-gun Ebay)

__________________
Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437

I started with the Lee 4 hole (after much research). The problems I ran into were inexperience on my part. I was helped a lot on this forum.

There is NO advantage in buying the Deluxe model vs. the Classic model. The advantages of the Classic vs. the Deluxe have been stated in the above posts. The Classic is the most efficient and economical of all brands and models of turret presses. Remember to get the "Riser" to use with the Pro Auto Powder Dispenser.

Talk to your wife about why you want to trade up for the Classic, offer to pay the difference, and she will probably go along with you, joyfully.

Neither... If you want a Lee go with the Load-Master. I just got one and it works like a dream.

Classic Turret 4 holer for the win.

It also has a hollow ram & spent primers (usually) drop right through into a catch tube. Nice touch.

+1 . . . the spent primer collection beats my Lee "Precision" four hole press, the one with a tall base like a progressive, all hollow. Pun intended.

If I were not so cheap, I would dump mine and get a Classic. But, I only reload for the Garand and only a few hundred rounds a year, so I will live with it.

Don't you make the same mistake I did by buying the "Precision" press during the most recent weirdness when Lee anything was almost impossible to find. Get the Classic.

OK, well, you guys convinced me. I talked to the wife and when I explained all the stuff that was in the Classic kit that I would have to buy separately if I kept the Deluxe kit (reloading manual, primer feeer, better powder measure, etc.), she was all for me making the upgrade.

So I took the Deluxe kit back to Cabelas and had them order me the Classic. Their price was $229 with a $25 discount and $12 tax for a total cost of $216. Titan is selling it for $185 but adding $24 shipping brings it up to $209.

So I went with Cabelas, even though it is backordered and I have to wait a couple of weeks to get it. Its worth it to be able to go to the store if there are problems - instead of having to ship stuff back & forth to an e-tailer.

I wish the Lee Classic Turret had been made when I started reloading.
I started with an RCBS Partner press kit.
I still use it some.
I upgraded to the Lee Classic Cast press a few years ago.
I recently got a Lee Classic Turret.
I like it.


As far as scales go, I like my RCBS 505 and 502.
I hear the RCBS 1010 is a good scale, too.
I can't really justify buying another powder scale right now.
I'm saving for the primer feeder and powder measure for my Classic Turret.

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What would Jim Cirillo do?

I don't have much experience with different models, but quality in a beam balance comes down to mass/stability of the base, pivots, and dampening. #1 - RCBS 1010, #2 - RCBS 505 These are made by Ohaus for different companies to put their brand name on and if you look at the balance instead of the color you'll see it doesn't matter if it is RCBS, Hornady, Lyman . . . I picked up an old Lyman M5 for cheap, have been really happy with it, and haven't seen any reason to go digital. If you're patient and keep your eyes open you can find a good deal.

Enjoy!
Jeff

I don't think you'll regret it. The classic turret really is a lot of press for the money, and once you have the hang of it the safety prime adds a lot to the convenience of the press. The Lee scale is generally considered to be accurate, just not much fun to use. Die sets, additional turrets, and cartridge-specific trimmer pilots can be added as you go.

Happy New Year!
Jeff

In my limited experience, unless you are purchasing one of the automated scales that dispenses your powder for you, the cheap digital scales from various manufacturers offered by Midway and Brownells all seem to work well enough and are good bargains. Those expensive automated rigs probably deserve some research.

The cheap scales are so inexpensive you can even experiment yourself. I have two.

One is branded "Frankford Arsenal" and cost about what I sold the beam scale that came with my Lee kit for. It reads to 0.1 grains reasonably repeatably while weighing individual 30-06 powder charges for my Garand. But, it occasionally seemed to "drift" enough to make me wonder.

So, I bought the second scale on eBay that is labeled "Horizon" model "PRO-10A". It reads to 0.01 grains. That is less than a single particle of IMR 4064 and makes sneaking up on a specific charge weight easier.

I often use both scales together to check a charge on one after weighing on the other. Overkill I am sure for my Garand, but did I mention I am retired?

Oh, and when shopping for cheap digital scales, limit yourself to those that include a check weight for calibration. The check weights really are essential.

However, for me, the single item that makes weighing each charge easier is not the scale used but a "Lyman Electronic Scale Powder Funnel Pan". They are cheap. So, I bought two to make life easy. Mine are both almost exactly the same tare weight, making checking charges on two scales easier.



One final suggestion for using a digital scale: Believe it or not, they are sensitive enough that you might have to eliminate static charges. You'll know when a charge is present because the scale will drift as you move your had closer and then away. That was a "head scratcher" for me until I realized that misting the bench area with 70% rubbing alcohol from a tiny spray bottle to eliminate the static charge stopped the drifting.

In retrospect, I might not have purchased the second scale if I had understood the effects of the static charge more quickly. But, hey, having two scales is fun. The less sensitive scale can even weigh bullets or charged cases for endless fun pondering the mysteries of reloading.

Admittedly, my "bench" is an oak desk with a piece of plexiglass on top to provide a smooth surface. If yours is plain wood or metal topped, you may not experience this phenomenon.

Best of luck, sir!

If you plan on using the factory crimp die and are doing pistol you need the 4 hole set. It's as easy as that.

OK folks, I just ordered the Lee "Classic" Turret Kit, the RCBS 505 balance beam scale and a whole bunch of goodies totaling over $2k without any powder or primers.

I hit the proverbial lotto last week, when the VA finally acknowledged my disability after +40yr of struggling on my own. Got a nice depo$it, plates and a monthly. Don't want to harp on this but I am FINALLY relieved and financially solvent. Nuf' said... I can now get started reloading my own!...

Hooray! HMike is now a reloader!

And I guess I was wrong. It didn't cost $1k...


Sgt Lumpy

Actually that $1k is about right if you don't count the brass, powder, primers, and bullets. I did take the advice to have a "significant investment" in the latter, in order to actually minimize the overall cost per round.

I estimate that I will have enough for ~3,000 rd of .357 and 3,000rd of .222 for an investment of ~$2,800. And still have 1,000 .222 bullets in stock. By my best guesses,... that is about 46-cents/round for each caliber VS buying ammo at $80-cents(.357) and $1.25/round(.222).

I'll spend that $2,800 for reloads over the $6,150 for the equal amount commercial ammo anytime!

BTW, Went to the range this past weekend and only got to shoot only one box of .222,... No .357 and No 22LR because the range was too crowded with waiting lines. Anyway, the one box of commercial .222 was giving me groups of greater than 6-8in at 200yards. Then I got antsy and pulled a couple of (~1960) reload rounds and shot them. One was dead center and the other was less than an inch from DC at 200yd! I was very cautious of these rounds because the loads written on them were "21gr IMR4198 50 Lovell" bullet. Current load charts are showing Max loading at just 20.5gr for IMR4198. I could not believe how straight these things flew! I still have two full boxes of these 50yr old reloads left!

Did notice the rounds are now kind of tacky and need to be wiped down. I think the old lube on them got gunky or something. I am assuming a rag dampened with Hoppes9 should do the trick, right?

Attached Images

	222-box1.jpg (106.8 KB, 11 views)
	222-box2.jpg (109.1 KB, 10 views)

Welcome to your new addiction, uh, er, hobby. Go slow. Ask questions. Enjoy and most important, be safe.

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Reg. Magnum wants/Rossi wallet

I have been loading on a Lee three hole turret press for over....aw heck! I don't know how many years, at least 20. Anyhow I've loaded thousands of pistol and rifle rounds on it. At one point I bought a conversion kit to make it into a four holer. Them parts are still sitting unused in a box. When I began loading with the three hole turret that was all that was available. If they had made a four hole at the time I'd have bought it.
I recommend that you buy a four holer having never used one myself. That is because the four hole gives you more room to fit your dies in and is more versatile if you ever use 4 dies as I do with my RCBS progressive press. Decapper/resizing die, case mouth flare die, powder drop die bullet seating die and lastly, a crimp die.
Cemoto


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Not sure. I'm not sure I'd use Hoppe's. I'd want something that evaporates pretty quickly. Maybe Naptha. Oil getting into the case would be the concern. Really old rounds might have tired sealant. The Hoppe's might seep in.

On reloading: Glad you came into the money to get the stuff you need. And that you got something that will allow you to make a few rounds instead of something like a hand press.


Sgt Lumpy