Lee "Classic" 4 hole turret vs Lee 4 hole turret

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Hello,
I am thinking about moving from my Lee single stage to a 4 hole turret. Not sure how the "Classic" differs from the standard as far as how well it works. There are some obvious changes from the taller based standard to the lower profile on the classic base. I have read that there are issues with the primer feed and capture with the standard? I reload pistol and am not ready money wise or other to get a good progressive. Thanks for your help!

 

[kenjen]

lee makes a great product, althrough i don't have the 4 hole press i have used their 3 hole turet and their pro 1000 presses for well over 20yrs. with only minor problems.

 

[Titegroups]

I own both, the classic is the way to go, it's base is cast iron instead of aluminum, the ram and linkage is much more heavy duty, the ram is bored through to catch the primers as you knock them out, which is a great feature. They both use the same primer feeder which isn't great but works fine, takes a little to adjust and get used to, no big deal, overall a great press. One thing I would do is order some extra "ratchets" for the auto index function, they are tiny little plastic squares, .50 cents a piece direct from Lee, you'll probably need a few extra, I ordered 10. I can get 100 rounds of handgun out of mine in 45mins. Not bad for target shooting.

 

[dave b]

I got one awhile back and it's my "go to" press for pistol ammo for 100-200 rnds or less. I use the "one at a time" primer and bullet feed method.
It takes 4 strokes of the handle and 4 hand feeds to make a bullet. It's faster than a single stage, but slower than a real progressive. It's turrets are kind of sloppy fitting, but the straight wall pistol ammo looks fine. I don't know about larger rifle ammo. If you get one , use the Pro-auto disc powder measure and get the riser for it. Over all it's pretty good.

 

[Rule3]

In addition to what Titegroups said above, here is a very good review of the press.

Real Guns

 

[samwood]

I have a Lee classic turret press. I use it like a would a single stage press except that the separate turret plates for each caliber allow me to keep dies preset in the proper positions.

I use a hand priming tool, and drop my powder with dippers or a powder measure set up off the press. I like being able to inspect my loads in loading trays at each step along the way.

I started using a Dillon 550B for reloading about 25 years ago. Since I purchased the Lee Classic Turret press a few years ago, my Dillon has been collecting dust. Although the Dillon is much faster in comparison to the way I use the Lee press, I feel a little more confident about my powder charges and no longer have to deal with the occasional high primer.

I may go back to the Dillon for some of my reloading, but I don't seem to be in as much of a hurry when reloading. It's probably a result of getting old and being a little more safety concious than I used to be.

If you decide to purchase a Lee Classic Turret press, I don't think you'll regret it, based on my limited experience.

Good Luck.

 

[deanodog]

I have a classic and I like it very much. You can look at the powder in the case before placing bullet for seating. It is much faster than a single stage which I still have. I also have a pro 1000 progressive made by Lee but the classic is my favorite.

 

[RalphP]

classic cast

I got the classic cast 4 hole this summer after doing much research. It works great on the 380 and 41Mag. The turrets are sloppy however does not effect any thing. The primer feed works all the time for me. It is nice to take out the turret and dies from the 41, intall the 380 set, and away you go. I use the same powder of both. As stated, get the upgrades.

I used a 550 Dillion to load my 40 S&W. Although it went faster, there was so much more to keep track of and the primers were a real pain to fill. Because your are going a bit slower, you can watch every thing easier and make sure your loas are safe.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I bought a 4 hole turret press about 6 years ago and within two weeks sold it off and replaced it with the Classic 4 hole turret press. The Classic press is Cast Iron and much more sturdy and the linkage is much heavier too. The ram is about twice as thick and is bored through to allow spent primers to fall through. For a few extra Dollars you get a much better press when compared to the standard 4 hole turret press. It's well worth the extra money IMO!!

BTW, I can safely load between 180 and 200 rounds of .38 Special without rushing or cutting corners. You can also remove the auto-index rod and use the press as a single stage when loading rifle ammo. Having all the dies set up in a turret is a time saver.

 

[JohnnieB]

I switched from a single stage to the 4 hole Lee Classic Turret a few years ago and kicked myself for not making the jump sooner.

One of the things I like better on the Classic over the Standard is the fact you can adjust the length of the lever arm.
I only load .38spl, .357mg and an occasional .45acp, so I don't need much leverage and adjusted it for the most comfortable length for me.
Probably isn't any easier or faster, but I get to choose what I like best.

The auto primer system was smarter than me out of the box, but I eventually got the hang of it.

Be sure to read all 3 pages of the Real Guns review at the link posted by OCD1. There's some good info lurking there.

Also, Lee has some videos on their website that are informative.

John