Lee Classic Turret Press

[Jmick]

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!!


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[Pondoro]

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.

 

[Peak53]

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

 

[10mmauto]

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?

 

[AZ_M&P]

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.

 

[fredj338]

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.

 

[ageingstudent]

Probablt 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.

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.

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.

 

[g8rb8]

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.

 

[ageingstudent]

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.

 

[gmiller0737]

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.

 

[Bosquebass]

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.

 

[fredj338]

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.

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.

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.

 

[BC38]

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...

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.

 

[carpriver]

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.

 

[Clovishound]

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.

 

[ChiefStealth]

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.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

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.

 

[slickracer]

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

 

[Jmick]

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

[emoji23] drink the blue kool-aid, funny you say that. I had my glass out and was thinking about trying some. Thanks for the advice!

 

[Jmick]

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.

Can you order that through Lee?