Thinking of a Lee Turret Press

[hyena]

I started reloading 9mm in college using an RCBS Rock Chucker single stage. Quit after a few years, and packed it up in storage. A while back, 40 years later and retired, I got it out of storage and began reloading .38 and .45 ACP. Decided I no longer liked having to handle each cartridge multiple times. My shooting buddy has a couple of Dillon presses, and urged me to go that direction. I used his a couple times, and decided I'd rather go with a Lee Classic Turret. No regrets at all. The couple of times I called them for advice or service, they were great to deal with. I use Lee carbide dies, the primer that attaches to the press, and the auto drum powder dispenser.

To the OP, if you're still following your thread, if you go with the Lee spend just a few bucks and get a KMS squared UFO light kit. Worth every penny.

 

[GypsmJim]

There’s a lot of Lee “Kool-Aid drinkers” on here, so this might be a waste of time.

Oh well, just my two cents.
Feel free to gulp down the “Red Kool-Aid” if you prefer!

My perception of drinking coolade is when you promote a product that ain't so good and you don't know the difference. After using the red stuff for over 50 years I can't say I've ever been disappointed.

My classic cast press is tight and well built. Now, I only load about 3000 rounds a year, so maybe if I was in the dillon class of high volume it would have broken already.

One time I used some old nickle brass and they disintegrated, scratching the die. Lee replaced them (or refurbished, I dunno) for free. My experience with their customer service has been excellent.

Only on one single time did I have a plastic part break. Probably my fault. I ordered a replacement part for a couplabucks and received it in short order.

I have no intention of selling my stuff, so resale value is of no concern. I hear from other coolaiders that some of the new dies are superior. But since my Lee .38 Spl dies from 1971 are still turning out good ammo, I guess I don't need to upgrade.

 

[glenwolde]

I have some gripes with Lee, but I have plenty of their stuff. I have a Lee Classic Cast press that I like. My gripe is their standard die lock rings. I hate those things. So I replace them. Factor in the cost of the replacements and their stuff's not that cheap.

The newer spline drive breech lock rings are $5 a piece with shipping, adding $15-$20 to the cost of dies. All of a sudden Lee dies aren't any cheaper. Of course I guess they are because you'd have to buy the rings for any other brand of dies.

I'd prefer a press without the breech lock quick-change. It's not like it really saves you a lot of time if you have locking rings installed on your dies. How long does it take to screw a die in? 10 seconds?

Yes, you can install a bushing on the press and just leave it there, but that has issues too. The original ones have such a thin flange at the top that the locking notch gets wallowed out and loose over time. I guess you could leave one of the locking spline drives installed. But I hate having a feature that costs more, doesn't really do anything, and requires awkward work-arounds.

 

[venomballistics]

I like to evaluate some of the Lee offerings.
They are our entry level brand, like it or not.
Lee C frame press, powder measure, scale, dies and components ... you're making ammo.
Climbing up the product ladder, there have been some progressives certainly not worth consideration.
6 pack pro, so far, seems to be their apology.
The die bushing argument?!?! ... valid. They are a bit annoying.
The O ring friction fit type can let a die walk over longer production runs, while the locking ones interfere with each other in the press head.

Autodrum measure .... to be honest, it tracks better than I had anticipated and the powder bottle compatibility is a cute feature.
Where Lee always took nickles out of a design till it broke, then put a dime back in, I'd like to see a few more dimes put into the auto drum.
But it DOES work

 

[CajunBass]

I started reloading about 40 or so years ago with a Lee "wack-a-mole" Loader in 38 Special and have basically used nothing but Lee since then. Oh, a piece or two from some other manufacturer once in a while, but basically it's Lee.

I had a Turret press back when they first came out. No problems with it all. I suppose I used iit more as a single-stage press. I'd resize all, then rotate the turret to the next station and start over on the next. I sold it when I quit shooting for about 30 years or so and went to chasing little green fish all over the place.

When I got back to shooting, I didn't have the room for a reloading bench so I got a Lee Hand Press, and am quite happy with it. I load 38/357, 9mm, 44 Special with it now. I have done others in the past. I've got some kind of Lee Powder measure...an adjustable one, but I've forgotten what they call it. Been using it for years. I can't say I load a LOT of ammo, but 100 or so a week is about right. A lot of my ammo, like 38 wadcutters, I just use the little dipper that's right for the load.

Pretty much what it looked like right after the UPS truck dropped it off. Perfect Powder measure...that's what they call it.

I've added an electronic scale, and a case vibrator, and few other odds and ends. It all fits into a desk drawer when not being used.

Well, except the vibrator. It goes on the floor in a closet.

 

[bananaman]

I have a Lee Turret Press that has been flawless for years. Sure not the fastest. I have die plates for .38/.357, 9mm, .40. .45 ACP, .45 Colt, and .44 Magnum. Saves on resetting dies.
Only load when there no distractions. No issues. Bob

 

[Buick]

I was given a Lee Hand Press Kit for Christmas in 1984. I still use it.

 

[AJ]

I started with a Lyman Spar-T press when I switched from a Lyman 310 Tool. I then was enamored with a Dillon Progressive Square Deal B. I then got a good deal on a Lyman T-Mag Turret press. The turret head is changeable in less than 2 minutes and I had six turrets for it. In pistol calibers that is two different calibers per head. So, I have 12 different calibers ready to go in short notice. I only load for twelve calibers as of right now. If I decide to increase my calibers all I have to do is buy more heads. Solid steel and built tough, never had a problem. Did crack the aluminum Dillon frame once........

 

[stonebuster]

I bought a Lee Classic Turret 4 hole press three years ago and have reloaded about 15k rounds of 38spl & 357. I think it was the perfect choice for me to start on and have been very happy with it. After tumbling & polishing(300-400) I decap single stage & bag for next session. I don't use the primer auto feed because after I set it up I soon knocked it off by accident (empty thankfully) and I've read they can be problematic feeding sometimes. I prime by hand using single stage with the rod removed usually 200 at a sitting, loading next session. After priming I can load about 100 an hour weighing every fifth powder throw on the beam scale. Doing things in stages speeds up the loading process and simplifies the process and helps reduce mistakes in my case. You'll figure out what works best for you. KISS(keep it simple, stupid) works for me. Get yourself a couple good reloading manuals. Good luck and enjoy yourself. Here's my station.

 

[taz666]

Nice set-up.

 

[lwestatbus]

Many Thanks

Many thanks to all who responded to my post. I really appreciate all of the insights and wanted to post what I have done (so far). I don't have all of the components to actually load anything yet but the missing supplies are (reportedly) on the way.

My objective was to have a LOT of control over the process and to minimize the chance of making mistakes. I made the choices I did in order to:

1. Minimize die removal and reseating by setting up turrets for each cartridge type and leaving them (mostly) set
2. Allow expansion into more features as my experience grows
3. Give me tight control over powder

Here's what I've ordered (so far!!!):

1. Lee Classic 4-hole press bare (no kit components--includes one turret)
2. Three extra turrets
3. 2 sets EACH of 38/357 and 44/44 Mag dies for my four turrets with four cartridge lengths
4. The Lee funnel for pouring powder through the sizing die
5. A balance scale AND a digital scale
6. A trickle powder dispenser
7. 4 sets of color coded lock rings plus wrench
8. A boatload of cartridge components including brass, powder, primers, and bullets. So far only have primers for 38 spl and 44 spl as the magnum primers weren't available from my local source. (Had to mail order for unprimed brass and got a supply of all calibers as shipping was free if the order was large enough.)
9. Scale check weights
10. Loading book

I intend to hand place primers in the loading levers and to hand weigh powder to start. This set-up allows me to add capability if my rate of production becomes unsatisfactory (can't imagine it will). I may add .45 ACP and 9 mm if components become cheap enough but for now recovering brass is problematic and I have a lot of pre-pandemic rounds for both calibers. I may start loading .308.

So, that's what I've done so far. I was willing to spend some extra money to achieve my objectives. I'm looking forward to seeing how my reloading goes, though I may be trying to figure out how to fire off the first few rounds while closing my eyes and putting fingers in both ears.

Thanks again to all.

 

[taz666]

You'll enjoy it.

 

[hyena]

In case you missed it, the best $30 I spent on my Lee Classic Turret press was to add UFO LED lighting kit made by KMS squared. It will allow you to more easily visually check powder level in each case after the powder drop. Their customer service is outstanding. When the adhesive failed on my first LED strip, I called and they had a free replacement in the mail to me the same day.

 

[AJ]

I started with a Lyman Spar-T press when I switched from a Lyman 310 Tool. I then was enamored with a Dillon Progressive Square Deal B. I then got a good deal on a Lyman T-Mag Turret press. The turret head is changeable in less than 2 minutes and I had six turrets for it. In pistol calibers that is two different calibers per head. So, I have 12 different calibers ready to go in short notice. I only load for twelve calibers as of right now. If I decide to increase my calibers all I have to do is buy more heads. Solid steel and built tough, never had a problem. Did crack the aluminum Dillon frame once........

This is what I use.

 

[taz666]

Another nice set-up. :thumb-up:

 

[mtgianni]

I have around 12 4 hole turrets. 8 or 9 of them have dedicated calibers and I rotate through the other three when I reload some rifle calibers I don't often shoot. I find that leaving the die nut in the same place gets me very near the adjustment set up I need when the new dies are inserted.
Biggest advantage to the turret for me is the minimal set up with the turrets.

 

[AJ]

I have around 12 4 hole turrets. 8 or 9 of them have dedicated calibers and I rotate through the other three when I reload some rifle calibers I don't often shoot. I find that leaving the die nut in the same place gets me very near the adjustment set up I need when the new dies are inserted.
Biggest advantage to the turret for me is the minimal set up with the turrets.

I have five turrets for my Lyman T-Mag Turret. That gives me 10 calibers in those five turrets. Less fuss and muss when changing calibers. Sometimes the bolt that holds the head on and a shell holder. Sometimes just the shell holder. I do not reload rifle, but if I did that would give me 15 calibers in the five turrets. No adjustments once the heads are set up.

To each their own, that is why there are so many manufacturers.

 

[Model19man]

I currently have two 4 hole Lee Turret presses. Both are equipped with the UFO lighting LED kit - big improvement. I have spares for the plastic square and the piece that surrounds it which is also plastic because they wear out and break unexpectedly and then you have to wait for a delivery - or in my case, just take one out of a drawer and install it.

 

[AJ]

I currently have two 4 hole Lee Turret presses. Both are equipped with the UFO lighting LED kit - big improvement. I have spares for the plastic square and the piece that surrounds it which is also plastic because they wear out and break unexpectedly and then you have to wait for a delivery - or in my case, just take one out of a drawer and install it.

No plastic or aluminum in my presses. After I broke a Dillon Frame on a Square Deal B, I swore off aluminum.

 

[Eddie Southgate]

Does the turret not turn automatically when you pull the lever?

It can be set to use as a manually operated turret press or as a progressive , your choice. I set both sons up with a cast classic press kit apiece and the dies and case trimmers to match what they shoot. They work like a charm but the primer feed is a bit fiddly to get it setup correctly. Once you got it set it works fine but getting there can require a bit of patience.


PS: Never had the first issue with Lee over service even when I broke my round tray priming tool due to my fault. They replaced it and told me not to squeeze so hard, no charge.