Lee turret or load master progressive?

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Kryogen

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(ok goin with the turret)

Hi, right now I have a lee single stage press, but I hate having to change dies all the time, re-adjust them, etc, etc.....

So I was thinking about getting a lee classis cast turret press to at least have all the dies screwed and adjusted on a turret that I can quickly change (I reload 9mm, 223, 300wm, 308 norma mag). Keeps it simple, but it saves me the die changing/storage hassle. All 4 dies are in a turret, easy.

I would keep the single stage press to deprime cases before cleaning, and maybe re-prime on the press (thinking about getting the ergo prime anyway).

Now I am wondering, should I go with something like a progressive press?

Does anyone here use the LEE progressive press? How easy is it to setup?.

Maybe it's just me, but it seems a bit complicated with things hanging from everywhere and everything automatic. How hard is it to change calibers, etc.

So I would say I'm more leaning towards the turret press for the easyness, but not so much for the automation.

Anyone has any advice on this?
 
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I have a pro 1000 for 9mm with bullet feeder and everything. It took some fiddling to get it running great but it runs good now. I bought another pro1000 for .45 as well but haven't put a bullet feeder on it as i don't load as much .45 right now. All that said i am still debating on trying a 650 or LNL AP just to see if the grass really is greener :) Either that or pick up another pro 1000 for .223. I also have the lee classic turret that i use for right now for .223 and .44mag. I was doing around 150rds/hr when i used it for 9mm. Not sure where you are located but i can help if you need it.
 
I chose the Lee turret for the ability to easily change calibers. Right now I am setup for 9mm, 45acp and 308. True enough, swapping calibers takes all of 60 seconds - turret, shell holder, and priming arm. I really like not having to continually readjust my dies like on a single stage.

I have not gone so far as to get a full progressive, although stepping up to one (maybe a Dillon 650!) if I ever win the lottery is on my list.

As I've gotten more comfortable running the turret, I've noticed my production speed increasing. When loading 9mm, its not uncommon to churn out 200 per hour (50 every 15 minutes, give or take).
 
I was going through the same debate before I bought my reloading gear. I load pretty much all the same calibres as you and after a lot of researching, I decided the Lee classic turret was best for my needs. Henry at Budget Shooters is great to deal with and will help you with whatever you decide! Cheers
 
I think ill go the classic turret route...

I think progressive works fine if you set it all up for one caliber, but I dont want anything complicated, and I want to easily change calibers without any trouble....

So the classic turret it's going to be I guess, with the single stage for decap and prime.
 
I wouldn't use the Loadmaster for rifle cartridges. Capable? Yes, but you should get more consistent ammo with a turret or single stage. I keep my LM set up for one lower volume pistol cartridge. High production handgun and rifle goes to a Hornady LnL progressive. Large and precision rifle to a single stage press.

The LM takes some fiddling to set up, a bit of polishing at some contact, push, and sliding points, to get it running really smoothly. They work well after that. If you want a no hassle press, or don't want to fiddle, go Dillon or Hornady.
 
Kryogen said:
So the classic turret it's going to be I guess, with the single stage for decap and prime.
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Why do you want to recap and prime on a separate press? This defeats the efficiency gained by using the turret? I resize and recap on the upstroke, and prime on the downstroke.

Just a friendly heads up: You will really enjoy your Classic Cast Turret if you add the safety prime (about $30) and use a Lee powder-thru expanding die with the AutoDisk Pro powder thrower (about $50).
 
For loading the rifle cases, go with the turret press, you will need to remove the indexing rod as the die plate will advance before the completed round leaves the die. Also I found with rifle cartridges, you need to go through several steps before reloading, such as depriming, lubing full sizing. The turret press can help you do all of that. Buy some extra shell plates. My turret press can load about 150rds an hr for pistol and about 50 rifle.

The Loadmaster is better for pistol cartridges.

this site is very useful
http://forums.loadmastervideos.com/forums/
 
What subneural said. If you want to be anal about it and can't stand the thought of your loads being more than 1/8 of a grain different with your powder charge, the autodisc is not for you. If you are going to crank out lots of rounds to make holes and knock down steel plates it can't be beat. But the autodisc is not for the "precision' shooter.
 
Dillon presses look nice but I dont shoot enough now to justify a progressive press.

I mostly shoot rifle too.

I think ill go with the lee turret. If one day I shoot a crapload of 9mm, then ill get a dillon 9mm Iguess.
 
I have the lee classic turret and i load 9mm, 45acp, 270win, 308win and soon to be .223...I love the damn thing...and the best part is caliber changes are soooooo quick.
 
The Hornady LNL and Dillon are solid machines for loading pistols rounds. Be sure to try them out if you plan on a progressive.
 
How much is a dillon reloading kit complete for lets say 9 mm? I think its greatly out of my budget. I think thats why I will have to stay out of progressive for now
 
the Dillion press are things of beauty, but it comes at a hefty price by the time you have all the bits. My Hornady LNL with case feeder came to around $1,000 with all the bits and pieces. My loadmaster came complete for less than $500.
 
Kryogen said:
How much is a dillon reloading kit complete for lets say 9 mm? I think its greatly out of my budget. I think thats why I will have to stay out of progressive for now
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Have you ever considered the Dillon Square Deal B ? it comes all set for one caliber and is not very expensive.
And it works.
I have one in 45 ACP and I'm considering the option of buying another one for reloading 9mm. instead of buying the conversion kit: much faster!
PP.
 
you wont go wrong with the lee classic cast turret press and you can order it from the fsreloading sight its lees biggest retailer of lee equipment you can save almost 50 percent on all your lee stuff shopping there and they have no problems shipping to canada check them out on the lee sight under online dealers you will be glad you did
 
jimbo45 said:
you wont go wrong with the lee classic cast turret press and you can order it from the fsreloading sight its lees biggest retailer of lee equipment you can save almost 50 percent on all your lee stuff shopping there and they have no problems shipping to canada check them out on the lee sight under online dealers you will be glad you did
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:agree: Thats where I ordered mine!!!
 
Smart choice by going with the Classic Turret. This is my go-to press for 9mm, 45acp and 40SW. At least 5K reloads on it and no issues whatsoever. So easy to switch calibers too. My LM is for .38 spl only.
 
Kryogen said:
How much is a dillon reloading kit complete for lets say 9 mm? I think its greatly out of my budget. I think thats why I will have to stay out of progressive for now
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A 550b ran me 975ish with 2 extra plates, 9mm dies and quick change kit.
 
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