Ok. I need everyone's honest opinions on the lee classic turret press please. I'm considering purchasing it for my first press but keep seeing so many different reviews. I'll be reloading 9mm and maybe a small amount of 32 win. special with the reloader. Is this a good reloader or should I look elsewhere? Thanks!!


"Protected by Shield"

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"Protected by Shield"

I've had mine for several years and I like it a lot. I'm patient and do not try to see how many rounds I can load in an hour. I do not use the primer feed, I hand feed every primer. I've never had a single problem with the press.

I buy a new turret for every caliber so I can dial in my settings and not disturb them.

I've never tried it with rifle rounds, only 32, 38, 357, 38 Smith, 44and 45. Like I said it works.

I changed from a single stage to the turret a few years ago and find it meets my needs for a moderate volume. Faster than the single stage, and fewer complexities to manage than a progressive. The progressive seems like a good idea for higher volumes. You will have to define your needs.

I have had ZERO problems with mine. I do use the on-press primer feeder. I load .38 special, .357 mag, 9 mm, .44 special, and .44 mag. I also have a separate turret for each caliber. The disk powder measure works great for me, although very small charges like under 3 grains of Bullseyes or Win 231 do not work well. I just hand weigh those. It does reliably load 3.1 grains W 231. For more normal size loads, it gives me the accuracy and repeatability I want.

You will find a running argument about the usefulness of the factory crimp die. I will not engage in that argument, except to say that I use it successfully.

Spend the money on a good beam scale.

I use it to load 5 rifle calibers up to 30-06 and it works well for that also.

Now, let the equipment wars begin And if anyone says to drink the blue kool-aid, don't believe 'em

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Some collect art; I shoot it!

I have a Lee Classic Turret. I also have a Dillon 650 (used for .40) and a Square Deal B (used for 9mm). I like them all, but the Lee gets the most use (there is nothing I have to reload in volume in a short period of time.) I have separate turrets for all my other calibers (.45-70, .30-30, 10mm, .357, .380, .41, .45acp), and they are quick to switch out. It gives you a lot of control and if you want you can switch to a single stage mode.

I would say it is certainly an excellent choice for a first press.

Here's mine set up on my "Cameron" loading stand, an Inline Fabrication reverse rotation kit and Inline Fab roller handle. Did I forget to say you can customize it?

I've used the Classic Turret Press for a few years now (my first press also) and I love it. I load 380, 38 Special, 9 mm, 40 S&S, 44 mag, 45 LC and just started loading 223 with it and have had absolutely no problems. The press doesn't let me do everything I need to do with the 223 (pocket swaging) but I picked up a cheap single stage press for that.

I'd highly recommend it, it's a great value and a solid product.

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Too many S&W's to mention...

Probably the best press Lee makes, but still slow for handgun. Instead, i would pop for a dillon 550b. Use it as an inverted turret, go as slow as you like. Then you have a speed option should your ammo needs go up. The cost diff isnt a deal breaker & consider that you are doing 2/3 - 3/4 of the work, no brainer.

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NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

This is fair advice but you have to consider your needs. I love my lct it's been a great press and super versatile. I load a fair amount of pistol, but I don't shoot enough to justify a 550 or a lnl. Handloading for me is not at all hurried it's a big part of my down time after a stressful day or week.

That said you will pull the handle a lot less with the progressives and I certainly would like to have one at some point just to fiddle with it because I love fiddeling with machines:P.

The lct is a reasonably well priced nice operating press. Also the new powder measure Lee just came out with is outstanding.

I agree it's the best press Lee makes. Some Lee products take a lot of adjustments to get them to work right the lct does not need a lot of fussing I have been impressed. I even loaded some 500 s&w on it and it handeled the sizing easy peasy.

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Trucks and guns.

My only previous reloading experience was as a preteen/early teen when I reloaded for about 4 years with my dad on a single stage. I had not reloaded for nearly 40 years until just recently.

I have had a Lee Classic Turret Press Kit for only about 18 days. For me it has been wonderful. It was easy to set up and has been easy to operate and has been flawless. So far I have loaded only about 1500 rounds with it, all .38 special. I have shot about 300 rounds reloaded with it. Despite some negative discussions about the scale that comes with the kit I found the scale to be user friendly and accurate when compared to another calibrated scale. The "Safety Prime" primer feeder works great. I cannot imagine not using it. The Pro Auto Disk powder measure is consistent and accurate (using HP-38 powder). It is nice to only have to minimally handle the brass. One thing that is reassuring is that as long as you're focusing on what you're doing I think Lee has set up the process so that it would be hard (not impossible) to screw up in a manner that would harm you or your firearm. A cartridge with no charge or a double charge is possible but probably greatly minimized by the overall process. Lee advertises loading 250 rounds per hour but, for me, I prefer a relaxed pace versus trying to crank 'em out as fast as I can, so for me, I can load about 150-200 rounds per hour.

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Scoundrel & Ne'er-Do-Well

Just a note fellas...the new Auto-Drum measure really is outstanding. After 40-50 throws to coat the innards with some dust it settles in and throws very consistent charges. I cleaned off the top of the press and my bench when I started using it and it hasn't leaked even a flake of powder in 250 rounds. I'm presently loading 3.0gr of HP-38 in 380acp and it's making life much easier than the Auto-Disk Pro. Very pleased.

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Trucks and guns.

I have been using a Lee Turret Press for quite a few years & have been pretty happy with it,The semi auto primer system is not as reliable as I would like but otherwise it's been fine.

I like my Lee Classic Turret. I've loaded a couple thousand rounds of 45, 38, 357, 9, and 40 on it and I have no complaints. It's a well made piece of equipment that sells for a competitive price. I would buy it again, no question about it.

Having started on a ss press some 40yrs ago now, more than 300k rds loaded, knowing what i know now, i would not hesitate to buy a 550b as my 1st press, Even if i only loaded 100rds a week. Isnt a lot more $$, especially compated to the cost of factory ammo. Run it slow or fast, you have options. Get deeper onto shooting, you'll just end up buying a progressive anyway.
If you are pinching pennies, buy the BL 550 & run that for awhile & upgrade it to a 550b later. $90 vs $260, about 700rds of 9mm factory. You get a better press, upgradable to progressive for very little.

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NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

Exactly the same as my experience and what I load - in addition to 380.

I got another scale as well - a Hornady electronic. Works quite well for me.

I have used a Lee Turret press for several years, recently upgraded the auto pro powder measure. I have had no problems. I load 308,9mm, 38, 357, 40cal, 44spl 44 mag, 45acp, 45 Colt
5.56, 308win. M1Carbine.each caliber 's own turret.
I use a 550 scale and a electrical scale, the auto pro powder measure is very accurate.

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Carpriver.

Another happy LCT owner. I've been loading on mine for several years. I recently got the new auto drum mentioned. I really like it as well.

Get a couple extra square ratchets. This is the little square plastic part that goes in the indexing mechanism. You will wear a few out. I now go through one every couple years. They run .50. Yes, that is 50 cents, and they take a minute or two to install. Yes, it is plastic. That is to act like a fuse to prevent damage to the rest of the mechanism if it is forced to move in the wrong way. Some may think it a bad design. I consider it cheap insurance.

Great machine to learn on. If you want to move on to a progressive later, you may likely want to keep it as a dedicated decapping station, or whatever. They run about $100 for the press itself. You will spend more than that for a caliber conversion on the Dillon.

I've used a Lee Classic Turret for a little over two years now. I load about 100-150 rounds a week in 9mm, .45 ACP, 30-30, and .223 Rem. The LCT is quite versatile for loading in different ways. For the pistol rounds, I load in full turret mode. Primer feeder, Auto-Pro Disk powder measure, FCD, four die set. I do 100 rounds in about 45 minutes. For .223 I load two different ways. I can load "range" rounds in "fast mode" using the Auto-Disk powder measure. Or, I can load "precision" rounds in a more of a single stage process, and weighing powder charges. The 30-30 I do in precision mode. The point is, the LCT can be used in many different ways. Full turret, single stage, in between. It's adaptable.

I have been using a Lee Classic Turret Press for over 10 years now and I'm very happy with it. When you want to you can remove the auto-index rod and use it as a single stage press. I still have my RCBS Rockchucker but I rarely use it now. I doubt it will disappoint you.

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Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437

100% happy with mine. I do use an RCBS bench mounted priming tool instead of priming on the press.

drink the blue kool-aid, funny you say that. I had my glass out and was thinking about trying some. Thanks for the advice!

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"Protected by Shield"

Can you order that through Lee?

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"Protected by Shield"

++1 .

I've loaded with the LCT for about 6-7yrs now and find it works perfectly for all pistol reloading. Will reload cases as well as any press out there. I also use it for 30-06 reloads, but do my powder charging off the press due to the amount of powder dumped. If you think you'll be happy loading 150+rounds per hour, this is the press for you.

I've had several single stages and several full progressives (including a Dillon Square B) over my 20+ years of reloading. I now own a pair of LCTs and see no reason to ever change. They make great ammo, spit out an honest 3-4 rounds /min , take 10 min and $10 to convert calibers and run trouble free for 10's of thousands of rounds. IMHO, the LCT is the best bang for the $ in reloading bar none.
If you do a search here and read the reviews at midway, you'll see I'm not alone in my thoughts.

ps. I do own the drum measure but have never felt the need to set it up. I run the disk powder measure and have had no issues with it. Fine tuning to the tenth of a grain (when rarely needed) only takes a jewelers file. Note you will need two of these though: Lee Auto-Disk Powder Measure Riser

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Dave

Are you all using Lee dies on your turret press?

Mine is only 2 months old and fitted with the Lee Auto Drum and I love the combination. Time to get some more turret plates.

I have be thinking of buying another press to load pistol (probably 40 cal) with. I am still using my Pacific single stage. I prime small pistol with a Lee hand primer. When you guys prime as a separate operation similar to what I do, how does it affect your loading operation? Is it easy to setup to use less priming? If I sound confused, I probably am. :-)

Have a blessed day.

You can get the Auto-Drum here:

Lee Reloading Supplies | Reloading Equipment Lee Precision | Discount Reloading Supplies by Lee | Titan Reloading

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Trucks and guns.

You could do it that way if you wanted. Remove the indexing rod (takes about 2 seconds) and advance through stages manually, or pull your sized case off each time and do it by hand. You could certainly make your own system that way that worked for you.

Knowing Lee products like I do, I was prepared to hand prime when I bought this press but it works so well on the press I didn't have to. It's a very thrifty little press. I use the priming system and it works quite well and keeps things moving right along. 1000's of rounds and no high primers. It has a good feel.

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Trucks and guns.

I hand prime off the press it works great that way. Simply took the decapper pin out of the sizing die and carry on with the auto index intact. I find it to be easier that way, no fiddling with the on press priming system. If the LCT has a weakness, that's it (although once set up correctly it works fine).

I use the pro auto disk to charge, it works great as well. I am just now starting to load 380 and as everyone who's tried knows, its difficult to get below 3 grains......I found a solution for that problem. I drilled a hole thru the side of the disk into the cavity and tapped it for a small adjustment screw. It works perfectly, I can drop 2.6 gr of titegroup every time, and make small adjustments of 1/10 of a gr. with a turn of screw if I want. No need to take apart to rotate the disk. Very happy with this setup. Like most happy LCT users it fits my needs, not in hurry and don't need high output.

Ole Joe, I should add that I also decap off the press (with a lee hand press and universal decapper) then clean the brass, then hand prime, its what works for me. Once I get the prepped and primed brass to the LCT its smooth sailing.

All you have to do is use it in single mode, either by removing the indexing rod, or just don't bring the ram low enough to activate the indexing mechanism. You would need to run all your fired cases through the decap/sizing die, then remove them and prime. The next steps could be done in continuous mode, just advance the turret through the decap station each operation. Sounds more complicated than it is.

I do something similar with .357. I use a factory crimp die as I run these through a lever rifle, and the FCD makes things run a little smoother. I also like to use a powder check die on deep cases, and there are only 4 spaces on the turret. I decap and size on my .38 die turret (no adjustment needed for this die between .38 and .357) in single stage mode. When I get ready to load the cases, I just run them through the dies loaded on the .357 turret. Works very well. Some like to deprime and then clean their cases prior to loading anyway, so this type of operation is common. If you only use a 3 die set, and don't use a powder check die, you will need to advance past the empty turret station anyway. Not a problem. Lots of turret owners mix and match their operations based on needs and likes.

I drilled some of mine out and put in a thumbscrew to make it more precise. That is an option that works well.

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Trucks and guns.

I have a Lee Classic Turret press and it has been trouble-free for many thousands of rounds. I load 9mm, .38/.357, .45acp, and have recently added .40 S&W to the list.

I started out with a Lee loader, pounding away on the kitchen table; moved to RCBS single stage, then the Lee Turret. I have no desire to move up to blue paint. (And now that I'm loading .40 S&W, the RCBS single is handy for case sizing with a Lee bulge buster.)

Hello, Ole Joe!

I use the Lee Turret Press primer tooling, right on the press. I have virtually no trouble with either the large or small primer insertions. Saves you hand-priming, and the extra affort required is just an extra thumb- nudge.

If you do get a Lee Turret, give the primer device(s) a fair try.

Another solid +1 for the LCT. Fantastic bargain for someone looking to speed up loading smaller batches of bulk. I have mine set up to do .40 s&w , 460 s&w mag, and 223/5.56 . My only suggestion is for the beginner to first learn all the reloading basics on a single stage before moving up to a turret. There takes a good amount of reloading knowledge to "tweak" the LCT press to run 100% trouble free. The only issue i've had with mine is the fact the LEE pro auto dual disk setup does NOT meter Unique flake powder well. If you can dump Unique using only a single pro auto disc then it will function consistent.

I started with a Forster to reload .223 for a rifle for target shooting (not official or anything, just like shooting at 100 and 200 yds to see how small of a group I can shoot). Learned the basics on the single stage, then picked up a Lee Classic Turret that arrived this past Monday. Today, the Safety Prime, Lee Auto Drum, Inline roller handle all arrive I did 400 rds with the LCT between Monday afternoon and Tues afternoon, including a trip to the range in between to test the new rounds out. I am using my Lee PPM currently off press to add the powder to a 38 special case, which I then use to dump the power into the expanding die to charge the case. I am also picking up the individual primers by hand and putting into the primer arm. Once I get the Safety prime and Auto Drum installed, I am expecting to be going at a much faster pace. I am doing around 100 rds in an hour roughly currently with the 2 added steps.

Progressives work faster, but with the upgrades, I am expecting around 130-150rds/hr which is a good pace for me and I get to watch each step with each round to make sure it's done right, which to me right now, is more important than speed!

Have used the Lee Classic press for the past four years and have found it to be adequate and reliable. Still use single stage press for rifle cartridges but do not shoot rifles as much.

They are a little cheaper at Grafs but i see they are out of stock.

Yeah I think Titan is owned by Lee. Or at least affiliated.

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Trucks and guns.

Thanks! And I'll make sure to order those when I order the press. 🏻

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"Protected by Shield"

Not really. Tool head w/ powder thru & conversion, $80. You need a tool head for the turret too, unless you just want to screw the dies in & out, so less $13, $67 for a 550b conversion diff. Consider the speed potential, longevity & 75% of the work load, the 550b is a bargain even for the beginner. Want to sell it, it will always be worth 80% + of a new one. If you even think you might want a progressive down the road, buy once, it's cheaper in the long run, JMO.

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NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

I've had mine for about a year. Load .45, 9mm, .357, 40 cal and 5.56. Works fine for me. I thought it was a little bit of a pain to set up but then again I don't read the instructions until I have to.

I've had mine for 3 years put almost 10,000 rounds through it
like previous reply's I hand prime ,the priming system on the press is a little finicky. after about 1000 rds I disassemble and clean lube and adjust . Customer support is excellent the only problem I had was a bent depriming pin bent on a .357 Sig speer because of the small flash hole they use. Lee sent a new one no charge. I load .9mm,38spc 357 mag, 357 Sig .223,45 colt. and soon .44mag

Before I had the turret I would resize every unloaded case that I had, then sit and lime them with a hand primer. I stored everything clean, sized and primed.

Now I store everything cleaned, but I feed the primers into the LCT by hand anyway.

What a difference a year and a couple of months make. In October of 2013 when I was thinking about buying a LCT, I started a thread asking about it and at least half - maybe two thirds of the people who responded advised against buying one. I'm glad I got enough positive responses to go ahead with the purchase.

So is the new drum measure that much better than the auto disk? I see where for about $50 I can get one and a set of extra drums so I can pretty much set 'em and forget 'em for the 6 calibers I load (as long as I stick with the same loads anyway)....

Well so far I really like it. It doesn't leak at all (although aa#7 will be the ultimate test) and it throws very accurate charges. I've only loaded HP-38 and about 300 rounds so far. Small sample.

Additionally, I didn't think I would use the safety disconnect lever/button that is designed to all but eliminate double charges, it looked kind of sketchy, but it's set up quite well and works smoothly. They tell you how to disconnect it in the instructions if you choose to. I'm really impressed with it so far. It fits on and works with the lct as if they were designed as one unit. We'll see about longevity, but so far it looks like it's worth the money. Pretty slick.

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Trucks and guns.

That answers my other question about the customer support after you purchase. Thanks!

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"Protected by Shield"

Thanks for all the quick responses to my questions. I have one more. Would you recommend buying the kit or just cherry picking each item? I have dies, powder measures, and various tool and accessories collected over the years. I really don't need another reloading book or bullet lube.

Have a blessed day.

If you already have dies, powder measure and other misc. items, I'd just purchase the press. I'd also recommend picking up another turret for loading more than one cartridge.

There are some things that come with the kit like the priming apparatus that might be handy but you could buy that later if you wanted to try it. You really don't need the kit if you have been at it like you have for years. I find the manual useful as a starting point for research because it has such a large collection of data from other sources. When I find a load I want to try I look for specifics and confirmation in another manual. If I was in your position I'd probably just get the press and as many turrets as I needed to load each caliber and an extra for adding a caliber.

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Trucks and guns.

Joe,
Assuming you have a scale to verify powder weight, since you likely have the other items, I recommend you will want the following in addition to the Lee Classic Turret Press:
1."Safety Prime" primer feeder. There is one for small primers and one for large primers. It works great. I cannot imagine not using it.
2. The Pro Auto Disk Powder Measure and the Auto Disk Riser that goes with it.
3. Double Disk Kit. Disks that go with the Pro Auto Disk Powder measure. I do not think they come with the Pro Auto Disk Powder Measure but I'm not completely certain.
4. If you intend to load more than one caliber get at least one extra turret, referred to as a "Classic 4 Hole Turret Press Turret", so you don't have to reset your dies when you change from one caliber to another. They're only about $10-$15 each.

You may find as you add up the various components it's about as cheap to get the kit although a quick check at the Lee website suggests it might be less expensive for you to get the individual components.

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Scoundrel & Ne'er-Do-Well

My 2 cents:
You no doubt you can save a few $ if you need (!) to but in my experience (read: been there-done that), it's false economy to try to adapt other brand components into the LCT. What happens is that the equipment (powder measures, priming tools, etc) must often be jury rigged or used separately. This increases the risk of an "opps" in the process and costs time in both reloading and set-up. It's my experience that the Lee equipment as designed for the LTC, costs little and works flawlessly as a system. Even their 4 die system makes set-up and reloading on their press simple and fast. ( BTW, I converted all my old dies over so I now have 11 sets of Lee dies (with factory crimp) that run on my LCTs.)

My advice, either buy the kit or cheery pick all but the book , scale etc if not needed. p.s. Don't forget the powder risers. I still don't know why they don't include them in the kit. Any caliber I've loaded on this press requires two of these stacked under the powder measure to clear the Safety Prime.
hth

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Dave

Well that's interesting mine clearances fine with a single riser?

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Trucks and guns.

In some instances I need to adjust the Pro Auto Disc so that the body offset is facing inwards. If I have it facing outwards sometimes it can hit the top of the Safety Prime housing. It's kind of a "hit or miss" thing, no pun intended. LEE makes a couple different size extensions that fit the powder through charge dies to raise the height of the Pro auto disc assembly. I pretty much stick with the longer extension.