Problems with my "Lee Classic Turret press"

[khpe]

Hello,
I have now loaded nearly 2000 rounds (.38/.357) with my Lee Classic Turret press. -- With a Lee Pro Auto-Disk Powder Measure.

The Powder Measure is equipped with a;
«swivel adapter» and a
«auto-disk riser» and a
«spring operated return lever».

When everything goes well, the press and the powder-measure is perfect and measure out better than +- 0.1 grain (I scale them all) of Vihtavuori powder. But:

There is however one, and has always been, very unwanted occurrence happening more and more often. And now nearly on every 3-5 load.

The problem occurs when the re-sized and de/re-primed case is entering the expanding/powder through die:
When the case is pressed up into the die (sometimes at once, sometimes further up in the die) there is a distinct metallic noisy clunky abrupt sound, and also a very noticeable punch in the operating handle. I can actually see the hole powder-measure falling down (backlash) a little bit. Sometimes just a half millimeter, sometimes 2-3.

One observation:
This does not happens twice with the same case if I lower the case right after the incident and immediate raise it back again into the die. That is; it does not happens to EXPANDED cases. -- It does only happening with re-sized cases.

When the error occurs the powder-measure drops out 3-5 tenth of a grain to much. Either in the current case or in the next.

I have going around the problem by putting in a separate expander-die just before the expander/powder-trough die in the turret-head. This takes up however one die-location. And therefore there is no room for the «factory carbon pre-size die» I like so much.

If I can not solve this problem. I am afraid I have to consider a new reloading press model. Perhaps a Dillon-550...?

I hope someone on this fine forum can help me and my dearest reloading press with this problem.


Best regards,
khpe

 

[OKFC05]

This is one reason I don't use an auto disk powder measure. (I have a powder measure mounted on the press and operate it by hand)
You can probably help matters by cleaning/polishing the expander, and by chamfering the cartridge mouths lightly before loading. Lee tends to leave the expanders rough.

I use the Dillon for large runs.

 

[deanodog]

I would email lee and tell them this same info and they will help you at [email protected]

 

[Dale53]

That problem is caused by dirty case interiors. It is less when cases have been tumbled and eliminated by lubing the case mouths (one of those graphite case mouth brush set ups).

FWIW
Dale53

 

[shovelwrench]

I haven't run into this problem, you sure your getting a heavier drop when it occurs?

Check your drops for a couple rounds..... The only time I come close to what you describe is if the cartridge catches the edge of the expander. Running the expander up a little against the return spring before the expander falls to the center of the brass, THEN, clunkchunk. Trashes .380 brass, just sounds bad on other calibers.

 

[arthur52]

Been there

Try polishing the expander surface one the powder drop die. I've had to do it on 9mm set

 

[khpe]

Thanks for your answers

After going through the answers to my forum-letter I have done the following.

1.
I have forwarded a copy of my forum-letter to Lee Precision.

2.
I have polished the expander plug in the die. (but still some clunky behavior)

3.
I have ordered case lube from my supplier

4.
I will order a little chamfer tool from my supplier

5.
I will tumble my cases longer. (today only 1 hour)


Thanks for your support!

 

[Rule3]

I was going to suggest cleaning the expander die but you already have. The expander die is made to have a little "hitch" in it to help shake the powder down through the die. Mine always makes a noise between the spring and the the clunk of the die.

I lube all my cases even with carbide dies. I use the Lee lube and mix it one part to 10 parts rubbing alcohol and keep it in a tiny mist/spray bottle. Shake it real well and one or two spritz to 100 cases in a bucket. Shake it around and smooth sailing. Lasts forever.

You probably will have better luck calling Lee, I tried e mail and never got a reply on other issues.

 

[khpe]

Thanks OCD1.

A little correction to my forum-letter. -- Near bottom; it should of cource be written:

... "«factory carbide post-size die»" ...


khpe

 

[Wee Hooker]

Odd. I loaded thousands of 38 rounds on my Lee Turret without ever tumbling the brass at all.
Going on memory, it sounds to me like your hopper is binding and /or coming loose from the base and allowing for slack/ play in the system. The (fixed) hole in the disk to get "topped off". ( How else can a hole of a fixed volume throw more powder??) . I do remember that the measure needed to come apart every now and then to clean the surfaces of the disk where it meets the hopper and base. Otherwise it would bind (and cause no/little powder drop) or work everything loose and give inconsistent drops.
I'd start by a complete disassembly and readjustment of the powder measure.

 

[khpe]

Hello again,

I think my problem now is solved. -- During the loading of the last 150 rounds I have not have one single badly behaved expanding/charging.
A will try to summarize up what I have done and learned.

• I polished the expander-plug (the internal center-plug in the expander/powder through die) with a fine wet emery paper and un-soaped steel wool
• I tumbled my cases for 5 hours
• And finally I put all the cases on a loading block (with the case mouth up), and gave them a tiny sparingly little dust with Hornady "One-Shot Case Lube". And let them dry for ca 10 minutes.
• I also put some lube on the exterior part of the expander-plug.

And that is it. The whole loading process is smooth as never before -- Not just the expanding operation. So my learning is: Yes, you can (should) also lube CARBIDE pistol dies.

I would thank the forum for helping me in this matter!

Best Regards,
khpe


PS I ! I wrote to Lee Prescision and got this answer:

> 10-28-09
>
> khpe,
>
> Sounds like the case expanding plug may need to be polished so it inters the
> case easier.
> This sticking can especially be a problem with new clean brass. Adding a
> little Lee Resizing lubricant to the expander plug may also help. If you
> can't polish the expander, return it to the factory and we will do it for
> you.
>
> Tech Service



See also:

Problems with my "Lee Classic Turret press" - Cast Boolits

 

[Rule3]

Glad to hear you got it solved. Try the Lee Lube as I mentioned, 10:1 rubbing alcohol to Lube (it's in the Lee Manual). Just a spritz and you can use it right away. It does not get all sticky and gummy like some lubes. I just loaded 100 rounds of 38 spl and put the brass in a small plastic bowl and gave it one pump. shook the brass around and that's it.

 

[Wee Hooker]

You should NOT need any lube if you are reloading straight walled pistol cases on Lee Carbid dies. Doing so is just a bandaid for a bigger problem. If you have a die problem get Lee to replace them ( or buy another.).

 

[Rule3]

You should NOT need any lube if you are reloading straight walled pistol cases on Lee Carbid dies. Doing so is just a bandaid for a bigger problem. If you have a die problem get Lee to replace them ( or buy another.).

Been lots of discussion on this. JMO but it makes for a much smoother operation of the press. No you do not need it. As I mentioned I use a minuscule amount and it most definitely makes it easier. Tried it with RCBS dies also, just to take Lee out of the equation.

 

[shovelwrench]

I'd have to agree with OCD1 on this one.

If you've ever loaded new Starline brass they can be extremely sticky and using some lube the first time through makes the process much smoother.