I am a first time gun owner and a first time reloader, I want to purchase a new Lee classic turret press kit, the one that already has the pro auto powder measure. A couple questions, is it better to use the large or small primers and what is the best way to take the old primers out. I plan on buying once shot .45 ACP brass and just plain 230gr round nose bullets and bullseye powder with cci primers. Looking on line I can make a .45 acp round for between 19 and 21 cent on the first time because I have to buy brass, if I recycled my brass after that it should be 14 to 15 cents per round. Any thoughts. Thanks.

Large or small is really your call.If I was loading other calibers ,it would simplify things just to use one size (I use both).Pistol brass,unless you're loading hot magnums, will last for an incredible number of loadings.Some of mine are ancient.The resizing die has a pin through the center that pops the old primer out.I usually just clean my brass with the old primer still in it

Just Reloading is running a sale on brass with free shipping. The Lee Classic Turret is a fine press and I think you will like/enjoy loading on it. I have an older single stage press that I deprime all my brass with the Lee Universal decapper die, then wet tumble with stainless steel pins before loading. Small or Large primer makes no difference in 45acp-I have/load both. Best of luck on your endeaver, reloading (to me) is as much fun as shooting! :-)

If you're looking for used brass I think there is a lot more of the large primer casings available than the small primer variety.

Primer size will be determined by the cases. Most .45 ACP cases use large pistol, although some of the "clean" rounds use small primers.

Get a good reloading manual and read up.

What SMSgt said, "get a good reloading manual and read up." That should be your first purchase.

You picked a good press. Simple to use and reliable. The lit comes with a reloading book to explain the basics but there are tons of Youtube vids out there to help start out too.
90% of 45acp come with large primers . (Unless you go hunting specifically for small primer 45 acp cases.) The sizing/decapping die (in your first station) will punch out the old primer. the new primer gets loaded into the case on the first down stroke. (The system works very well!)

ps. Reloading costs vary by bullet selection /quantity but I think your very close in your estimate.
That said, reloading is very enjoyable regardless of cost savings.

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Dave

Primer size is dependent on the cartridge case. Most long time 45 ACP reloaders don't like the small primer 45 cases (So you could get them cheap. I throw mine away!)

The Lee equipment you listed, will work fine and hold up very well (if you follow maintaince instructions!)

I prefer the much more expensive Redding T-7 turret press and the much more accurate Redding BR3 or Lyman 55 powder measurers! In person the quality is evident, but so is the increased price!

You really need to buy a loading manual and study it before you buy you components. Lee's manual is good! I like the Lyman better. I have both of these and several others, but for starting out I like the Lyman BEST!!! Some people recommend "The ABC's of Reloading", I have a copy, and met the author a few ties, I still like The Lyman Manual better, they have been instructing reloaders (and correcting them) for about 125+ years! Over twice as long as most companies.

Ivan

My Father-in-law won two national championships in 38 Special and went "Distinguish" in 45 with Bullseye powder and cast target bullets. (146 grain, double ended wadcutters in the 38 & 180/185 grain semi wad cutters in the 45).

I have the older Lee Classic turret press, the one that has the drop tube for the spent primers to fall into. A friend bought the latest Lee press and it has no provision for spent primers, they pile up under the base of the press. He bored a large hole in his bench so that the primers fall thru to a container underneath his bench. I also disabled the the auto turn of the turret and just manually turn it. I use Lee's Auto Bench Primer to load the primers as I found the presse's primer feed inadequate. I definitely recommend this Lee press.

Lyman's 50th is a solid manual with a good bit of information for new reloaders (some of the more in-depth stuff is debatable). I personally like Reloading for Handgunners as a starter read.

The LCT is a solid press. I use one. Just be sure to get the LCT with auto-indexing (note the long corkscrewed bolt in the middle of the assembly).

For .45 ACP, primer size truly does not matter. I set aside my small-primer brass (CCI, mostly) for rainy days and anytime I go to an event that demands I leave my brass on the ground.

Brass cost, especially in .45, is almost a non-issue. It's very easy to acquire, and lasts a fairly long time. If you need to acquire a starting stock of brass, there are many outfits online selling "once-fired" range pickups.

I deprime on the press, myself. After tumbling spent cases, I simply put the clean case on the press, and resize/deprime, and then prime in one lever stroke. This is faster than depriming separately, but doesn't allow you the opportunity to clean the primer pocket. But to be frank, if a clean and uniform primer pocket and flash hole matter to what you're trying to accomplish, you'd be better off first using factory-fresh brass.

All this information is great, I plan on getting some books from my buddy he has been reloading for many many years and he uses the Hornaday LNL. I also noticed there are a couple of different kits for the lee classic turret, one comes with the pro auto disc powder measure and the other comes with the auto drum powder measure, same price, which one would you guys recommend.

The Lee Classic Turret has been a good press for me.

I have not compared the Auto Disk to the Auto Drum measure. I have loaded thousands of rounds with the Auto Disk powder measure and in my experience it works well.

I'm not sure what jake1945 is referring to. I just checked the Lee website and a picture of the Lee Classic Turret Press Kit shows a long clear tube for the spent primers to drop into.

Three pieces of advice:
Get the CLASSIC and not the Value Turret press.
Make sure you order the Powder Measure Riser for the Auto Disc or Auto Drum Measure so you can have proper clearance.
Make sure you get the Safety Primer Feed to perform priming on the press. It works well and is very efficient.

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Scoundrel & Ne'er-Do-Well

I agree with many of the above - get a couple of manuals first and then start to make your decisions as to equipment.

As to once fired brass, I really don't find the savings over new Starline (for example) to make up for the differences in various head stamped brass cases. Go to the Starline website and look through their offerings - they generally don't charge for shipping either.

Then you are starting out with brass that has a history that you know. After you gain some experience, you will be much better prepared to deal with "once fired" brass, which is not always once fired. I can tell you that any brass that I leave behind is not worth picking up.

This. I use the T7 and their custom competition dies. Personally, I can't stand Lee stuff. Also try RCBS' web site. They have a great download for noobs and those needing a refresher course.

I have used both of those powder measures and they both work.
But since I bought an Auto Drum the Pro Disc stays in the box. The Auto Drum is more accurate with a wider range of powder types than the disc in my experience.
One thing you have not mentioned and that's a scale. If you buy Lee's kit the scale that comes with it is very difficult to use. It's accurate enough but very sensitive to air movement and the numbers are tough to read for me.
RCBS sells some great mechanical scales or you may want to consider a small digital scale as a "second" to the Lee.

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"I gots to know"

I have a LCT from a few years ago equipped with the primer disposal tube and originally the Auto Disk powder measure and Adjustable Charge Bar. A few months ago I converted it over to the Auto Drum and have not looked back. I have gotten the "feel" for the Safety Primer feed and life has been good. I load the most common pistol calibers and .300 Blackout rifle caliber. Auto Drums and turrets are so inexpensive that I bought extras so that all changing calibers requires for me is swapping out the turret and Auto Drum and I'm immediately producing rounds with no additional fine tuning usually needed. Also do yourself a favor and order an extra pistol caliber decapping pin and package of extra Square Ratchets as these wear out over time from normal wear and tear from indexing.

I throw all small primer pocket .45ACP brass I encounter away.

I have always advocated K.I.S.S. for new reloaders. If you don't already have some, get some reloading manuals and texts. I'd recommend the ABCs of Reloading, a Lyman 50th Reloading manual, and one from the bullet manufacturer that makes the bullets of your choice (if you choose Hormady bullets, get a Hornady manual, Nosler bullets, Nosler manual, etc.). These books will explain the reloading process and equipment needed.

A Lee turret is a good starter, but I often recommend disabling the auto-index feature and not use the press as a semi-progressive for now. I have a Lee turret I bought 19 years ago and disabled the auto-index 18.9 years ago. I have used the press for prolly 17,000-18,000 rounds and prefer the "control" of hand indexing (I have other presses I use too). I batch load doing one or two operations at a time and hand index between steps. I normally clean some brass, the size/decap and flare the case mouth at one sitting. Then I'll prime a bunch and on a final session I'll charge, seat, and crimp. That's for handgun ammo, as I'll size then trim rifle rounds in a session, then prime, and lastly charge, seat and crimp (if necessary). I normally have at least 100 primed and ready cases laying around waiting for a load...

The first step/die used for reloading is normally the "sizing/decapping die" which returns the case to spec. and knock out the primer. For 45 ACP, I'd stick with large pistol primers over the small primed cases because the large primed cases have been in use for over 100 years and are readily found.

I don't count costs for my reloads, it can be pretty confusing (costs on 12 year old powder. Costs for 15 year old primers. Free lead for casting bullets, or cost of 5-25 year old bullets, brass from range pick ups, factory fired by me, once fired or new brass purchases? etc.) and besides it's my hobby and I like to reload...

Go slow, double check everything, and most important, have fun...

About a week ago the was a listing in the Accessories for sale forum of a member wanting to sell a Lee Classic Turret Press with a lot of extras.

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NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN

It's sold.

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"I gots to know"

My suggestion is get the the Lee Reloading Manual and read it. I will explain a lot about reloading and a lot about the Lee equipment. I have been using the Lee Classic Turret Press for a lot of years. I don't think you can go wrong with your choice of Lee. Reloading can be a enjoyable hobby, but it can be dangerous if you don't pay attention to what you are doing. always start low and go slow.

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Carpriver.

The lee classic turret is a great press. I myself just started reloading 9mm on one. As for the brass go hang around you local range and collect brass that guys are not keeping. That is where your savings comes in by not having to buy the brass. Make sure you get the classic and not the basic turret as the classic is cast iron and has the deprime catch tube. Get the kit it is a better deal saves you money over buying everything seperately.

I am a brand new user of the Lee CTP and I like it a lot. I've loaded almost 1000 rounds with it and as long as I understand the inherent loose tolerance of the turret in its' stanchion, I can account for that when I set up my die(s).

About an hour ago, I sat decapping about 200 38spl cases, and then 50 40cal cases. Switching between the two calibers was literally a 15 second job.

When I was done, I found a stray few 38 cases in the corner and switched back again in even less time. No die adjustments were necessary for either turret swap, and that is a beautiful thing.

BZimm

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