In another tread (Lee Turret Press and Tall Cases ) I was trying to solve a problem of being able to see small powder charges in tall cases (357 and 327) using the Lee Turret Press ( basic not classic). I eventually found a work around, but for the long term I need to consider other alternatives. I shoot 150 – 200 rounds per week and growing.
My loading procedure is:
Case Preparation
Tumble cases when I come back from the range using a Lyman 1200 Tumbler
De-Prime and size using a Lee carbide sizing dies on a Lyman Spartan Press
Inspect cases and clean primer pockets
Prime using a Lee Hand Primer (never could feel the primers seating with a press)
These steps are pretty quick and can be done when time is available.
Load with the Turret Press using auto indexing
Set up:
Lee Auto Drum Powder Measure in Position 1
RCBS Powder Checker Die in Position 2
Bullet Seating Die in Position 3 (I manually look into case before seating bullet)
Factory Crimp Die in Position 4.
I like this approach but want to speed things up a bit.
One way is to move to the Lee Classic Turret Press which is taller and should speed up the inspection process of manually looking in the case (as discussed in prior tread), but I may need to think more long term. When I'm using the Lee Turret Press I have to move the handle four times and then manually eject the case. I know there is a mod to the classic turret press to change the turret rotation so the case can be automatically ejected and may be something to consider. But there is some expense to that and I still have three extra pulls of the handle for one round. Not a major problem now, but as my needs grow ……
Again I like the way I'm doing it especially the double check of the powder charge (one mechanical through the RCBS Powder Check Die and the other a visual check) and everything is very deliberate and at my pace. I used a full progressive before and never felt fully comfortable. I would consider a Dillon 550b (650 costs too much and too much happening at once) but it only has four stations. Also I have fully loaded Lee Turrets (dies and powder measures) for the 357 and 327 so I would hate to have to buy them again. I know one work around is to seat and crimp at the same station (4) and in my case leave station 1 open but I like seating the bullet and crimping in separate steps. I also like the Lee Factory Crimp Die which I know is a topic in itself.
Since I size and prime off the loading press, can I set up the Dillon 550b press the same way I do the Lee Turret Press using Lee dies and the Lee Auto Drum Powder Measure in Position 1? I know I can't use the Dillon Powder Measure in this configuration because the way powder charging is configured and activated on the Dillon. Lee on the other hand can be activated by the presence of the case alone. I also would not use the Dillon priming feature just the way the cases flow through the press. This would seem to increase speed dramatically without taking me out of my comfort zone, Can this approach work?
I am at this point just trying to explore all alternatives. There is a lot of expertise here on the forum and would appreciate any thoughts or comments.
Thanks!
My loading procedure is:
Case Preparation
Tumble cases when I come back from the range using a Lyman 1200 Tumbler
De-Prime and size using a Lee carbide sizing dies on a Lyman Spartan Press
Inspect cases and clean primer pockets
Prime using a Lee Hand Primer (never could feel the primers seating with a press)
These steps are pretty quick and can be done when time is available.
Load with the Turret Press using auto indexing
Set up:
Lee Auto Drum Powder Measure in Position 1
RCBS Powder Checker Die in Position 2
Bullet Seating Die in Position 3 (I manually look into case before seating bullet)
Factory Crimp Die in Position 4.
I like this approach but want to speed things up a bit.
One way is to move to the Lee Classic Turret Press which is taller and should speed up the inspection process of manually looking in the case (as discussed in prior tread), but I may need to think more long term. When I'm using the Lee Turret Press I have to move the handle four times and then manually eject the case. I know there is a mod to the classic turret press to change the turret rotation so the case can be automatically ejected and may be something to consider. But there is some expense to that and I still have three extra pulls of the handle for one round. Not a major problem now, but as my needs grow ……
Again I like the way I'm doing it especially the double check of the powder charge (one mechanical through the RCBS Powder Check Die and the other a visual check) and everything is very deliberate and at my pace. I used a full progressive before and never felt fully comfortable. I would consider a Dillon 550b (650 costs too much and too much happening at once) but it only has four stations. Also I have fully loaded Lee Turrets (dies and powder measures) for the 357 and 327 so I would hate to have to buy them again. I know one work around is to seat and crimp at the same station (4) and in my case leave station 1 open but I like seating the bullet and crimping in separate steps. I also like the Lee Factory Crimp Die which I know is a topic in itself.
Since I size and prime off the loading press, can I set up the Dillon 550b press the same way I do the Lee Turret Press using Lee dies and the Lee Auto Drum Powder Measure in Position 1? I know I can't use the Dillon Powder Measure in this configuration because the way powder charging is configured and activated on the Dillon. Lee on the other hand can be activated by the presence of the case alone. I also would not use the Dillon priming feature just the way the cases flow through the press. This would seem to increase speed dramatically without taking me out of my comfort zone, Can this approach work?
I am at this point just trying to explore all alternatives. There is a lot of expertise here on the forum and would appreciate any thoughts or comments.
Thanks!
