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08-18-2017, 10:00 PM
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10 (+) Years with the Lee Classic Turret
It's been over 10 years since I switched from the Lee Pro 1000 to the LCT and I've never had a moment of regret for my choice. I used the Lee Pro for almost 10 years, but it became rickety and I had some of the problems that others have complained of. I normally shoot at least twice a week, usually around 100 rounds at a time and I find that I have no trouble keeping rounds ready to go. I like the auto-indexing feature and I find that I can easily load 100 rounds in just over 15 minutes. I also like the way I can keep track of each operation as it occurring, instead of four separate operations, such as in a true progressive. I keep separate turrets on-hand for all the calibers I load and changing between calibers is a snap. In the more than ten years I've been using this machine, I've never had one problem. That's conservatively well more than 100,000 rounds and, while many people may load more, a lot load less. If you prefer something else like a Dillon or Hornady, more power to you! I just wanted to express my opinion of the LCT after happily loading another hundred rounds.
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08-19-2017, 12:18 AM
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Is that 100rds in 15m from scratch??? So your pulling the handle once every 2.5-3sec? Faster than a progressive? The LCT is probably the best press Lee makes, but i'm thinking the math is wrong.
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08-19-2017, 12:35 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fredj338
Is that 100rds in 15m from scratch??? So your pulling the handle once every 2.5-3sec? Faster than a progressive? The LCT is probably the best press Lee makes, but i'm thinking the math is wrong.
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You may very well be right! It. It might be 50 instead, and it is from scratch.
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08-19-2017, 08:01 AM
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Absent Comrade
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I get about 150 per hour from my LCT, but who's counting? It works for me.
Have a blessed day,
Leon
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08-19-2017, 08:21 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ole Joe Clark
I get about 150 per hour from my LCT, but who's counting? It works for me.
Have a blessed day,
Leon
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Same here. I have been completely satisfied with my LCT.
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08-19-2017, 08:50 AM
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I finally upgraded from my original Lee 3 hole turret press, to the Lee Classic Turret about 3-4 years ago. The LCT is a wonderful piece of equipment, no doubt. I did just recently buy a Pro 1000 to try, not so much for speed, but curious because of all the mixed reviews you see online.
The LCT with separate seat/crimp dies holds C.O.L. to +/- .002"; the Pro 1000 with seat/crimp 3 dies is more like +/- .003-.005", with most being +. I haven't found the Pro 1000 to be as bad as some have made it out to be, maybe not as consistent as I would like it to be; but certainly not terrible.
Would certainly like to hear what specifically started getting "rickety" with your Pro 1000, either here or in a PM. :-)
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08-19-2017, 08:57 AM
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[QUOTE=GyMac;139712410]You may very well be right! It. It might be 50 instead, and it is from scratch.[/QUOTE
You know how time flies when you are having fun. It just seems like 15 minutes. Your wife says you were in there for 2 hours but she's not complaining.
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08-19-2017, 10:04 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MyDads38
Would certainly like to hear what specifically started getting "rickety" with your Pro 1000, either here or in a PM. :-)
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I went out to the garage and had a look at the old press. It's the connection between the toggle and the connecting link, specifically the toggle pins. The toggle just wobbles back and forth with an awful lot of play. The machine still worked, that just bothered me. Plus, I really wanted to seat and crimp in separate stations.
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08-19-2017, 11:53 AM
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I've had my lee turret press more then 15 years and see no need to ever buy a higher priced reloader i can change mine between 3 or 4 holes and since the cost of the turret is cheap I keep my dies with each turret I reload everything fron 380 to 45/70 without any problems except for 45 acp for some reason I keep crimping cases it's probably my problem and not press
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08-19-2017, 12:26 PM
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The only problem I've had with my Lee Classic 4 Hole Turret Press with Lee 4 die sets is the rusting of the 3 support columns and the handle.My press is in the garage attached to a Lee plate that is bolted to the bench.
I guess I load anywhere between 150 to 200 an hour if I'm pushing it.
Most of the time loading is slower because I stop>take a sip of whichever drink I have on an adjacent table and thoroughly paying attention to what I'm doing
I've had zero squibs or over charging with the LCP.
I load about 99% hard cast bevel base bullets for target shooting so my case flaring is minimal.
I have separate turrets and powder measures for 38sp,357mag,44spl,44mag,45acp,45AR and 45C
I reload for enjoyment,passing time and I'm very frugal with component purchasing and selection.
Lee Classic Turret Press $100 Amazon Prime
Lee 4 die sets $40 Amazon Prime
Lee Auto Disk Pro $35 Amazon Prime
Lee Riser $7.99 Amazon Prime
Lee 4 Hole Turrets $6.74 Amazon Prime
Cost per box of 50 reloads between $5.00~$6.00
I buy a lot of components from people that are quitting reloading.
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08-19-2017, 12:55 PM
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I just recently bought a Lee Classic Turret Press kit, after using a Lee Challenger single stage for 30 years. I like the press, it is much faster than the single stage. I have turrets with all of the calibers I load for so switching is easy and fast. My only problem is the one I have always had, getting repeatable powder charges. The Lee Kit came with the Auto Drum measure, and I have a Hornady Lock and Load powder measure with a pistol drum as well. My most frequent load is 2.8g Bullseye with a 148g HBWC in 38 special. Both measures throw between 2.5 to as much as 3.1g, not always but often in a 200 round loading period. Same thing with 2.0g Bullseye for 32 Long loads. Maybe I am doing things wrong, but I find I still have to hand measure the little loads. Larger loadings are fine with no issues, within +/-.2g. Rifle loadings also work well.
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08-19-2017, 01:20 PM
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If you are going to load light powder charges I suggest using the Lee Auto Drum instead of the Auto Disk.
Less than 3.5gr of Titegroup requires the Auto Drum Powder Measure.
My 2.8gr loading of Bullseye is consistent but may vary a 10th of a grain.A drop of 3.2gr+ has less variance.I don't leave powder in the measure after loading session.When starting up again I load the measure and drop about 25 charges before seating the 1st bullet.
I've found that pulling the handle down to the bottom with the same power and speed will result in more consistent powder drops.
The 5.0gr BE powder drop from the Auto Disk is very consistent.
Powders like Trail Boss are a no go if less than 4.0gr.A bit more is even better.
I have 8 sets of disks so I'll try the same number cavity from different set to find the one that drops closest 10th consistently to what I want.
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08-19-2017, 03:39 PM
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I bought a Lee Turret in 89 and upgraded to a 4 hole. I have over 24 turrets set up ready to go and will upgrade to the classic when this one wears out. As is, I rarely load and shoot over 500 rds a month. Like most tools if you keep it lubed it runs quite a while.
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08-19-2017, 06:14 PM
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Mine is set up for rifle calibers only.I've had it for 3 or 4 years now and the thing is still doing great.With the toolheads carrying the pre adjusted dies,it is a cinch to change calibers.
While my benches have presses that are blue and green,the little red one holds its end fine.
Qc
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08-19-2017, 06:25 PM
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Well, I can do 100....
Well, I can resizing/depriming 100 cases in about 15 minutes.
Then flare 100 cases in about 15 minute.
Then charge 100 cases in about 15 minutes
Then seat and crimp 100 cartridges in about 15 minutes.
That's 100 cartridges an hour on my RCBS Rockchucker!
I think a turret would be much faster because you don't have to put the case in and take it out of the shellholder for every operation.
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Last edited by rwsmith; 08-19-2017 at 06:27 PM.
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08-19-2017, 06:32 PM
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I load for quality, not speed. All my loads, mostly handgun, are "match" loads as I compete regularly.
Been using my LCT about 15 years. I purchased the "set" when returning to handloading after many years overseas.
Never installed the auto index bit.
Soon discarded the cheesy scale and powder dispenser.
I load in stages. Clean, size, expand and prime cases then store them.
Being a luddite, I still charge the cases in loading blocks, then inspect with a flashlight.
Seat and crimp, turning the turret by hand.
All my dies are in their own turrets stored in the red round boxes.
Data for my standard loads is labeled on the box.
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08-19-2017, 06:44 PM
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Real happy I bought one around five years ago. Excellent press.
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08-19-2017, 07:07 PM
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I do have a Lee Auto Drum, it does do better with Bullseye than Titegroup. I try to pull evenly every time. It normally will be within a 10th of a grain, but more often than I like it will either be 2 10ths light, or 3 10ths over. To me not acceptable. Like others I load for consistency and accuracy not speed. However the turret press does indeed make case prep much faster. Anyone have a powder measure that can be recommended for "light" loads?
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08-19-2017, 08:50 PM
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I bought my first LCT well used off the internet for $50. Used it for about 8 years and it did get a little wobbly. Replaced it with another, but new, LCT. Had it about 5 years or so and it's going strong. Shoot USPSA, steel plate an misc. matches on a monthly basis. Go thru a minimum of 200 to 400 rounds a month.
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08-19-2017, 08:58 PM
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I use Lee Auto Disk powder measures with every set of handgun dies I have installed in turrets. I have never encountered more than +/- 1/10 grain variation in any caliber; even 2.8 grs. Bullseye. So far, I have the same consistency with the Pro 1000 and Pro Auto Disk measure. My biggest disappointment was buying the Lee Adjustable Charge Bar. I found the cavity opening doesn't sit directly under the powder measure opening. I was hoping to get adjustable powder drops, but that's not happening :-(
I also upgraded from my RCBS Reloader Special press (1978 vintage) to a Lee Classic Cast Single Stage for rifle reloading. I had a new RCBS RockChucker Supreme side by side with the Lee, and the Lee just had better options. Being $50 less didn't hurt my feelings either; but that was NOT the deciding factor. No matter the color, I use what gets the job done for me :-)
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08-19-2017, 09:49 PM
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I paid through the nose for the clockwise indexer and loaded shell ejector, but it does speed up the process. I seem to load more 9 mm than anything else, but have the turret plates for the calibers I load. I prime off the press sitting in the rocking chair. I load the bottleneck rifle cartridges on my ole Pacific single stage and it also works like a charm. All of my reloading problems are caused by the ole guy that I look at when I shave.
Have a blessed day, what's left of it,
Leon
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08-19-2017, 10:14 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MyDads38
My biggest disappointment was buying the Lee Adjustable Charge Bar
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I made the mistake of buying the Lee Adjustable Charge Bar also.
I use the Auto Drum for 3.2gr of Titegroup and 2.3 of Clays for 38spl.Works well for me.
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08-19-2017, 11:41 PM
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Hmm...I have one adjustable charge bar that's set up with my .380 Turret. I haven't had any problem at all with it and it throws just the charge that I want.
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