I had one of the original 3 hole turret presses but a few years ago bought the 4 hole classic and am very happy with it. I load many different cartridges, both rifle (up to 338 win) and pistol, 38/357, 45 ACP, 40 S&W, and 9mm. My press indexes perfectly and the ammo seems to always be very consistent. I could afford to buy any press I want but don't see the need.
A Turret Press that works??
- Thread starter Bobbyg00
- Start date
I spoke with one of the tech's at Lee and worked on the operation of the press last night. After adjusting the indexing as stated by Lee and repositioning the location of the dies, the press seems to index more accurately now. Not 100% but definitely better than earlier. For the money, it will work fine now.
I feel your pain...I have a Lee classic that has had its glitches..I put 2 nylon squares in the rod hole,that seemed to work good for me.I load pistol and rifle on my Lee.Currently on a 9mm bender,and can load a 9mm from deprime to fully loaded bullet in 8 seconds.Once I get a bullet feeder and safety primer I'll shave a couple seconds I'm sure 
So try 2 nylon squares..might help?
So try 2 nylon squares..might help?
easyrider604
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Greater Vancouver, BC
Great tips on how to use the Lee Classic Turret. I have two of these LCTs and they have been flawless after I figured out two things.
1. Always do complete strokes of the lever. From all the way to the top, then all the way down to the bottom. And back. Full strokes always. If you stop the lever anywhere in between and go back, you’ll damage the ratchet quickly. This is a good habit to acquire using any reloader. My Loadmaster and 550B also required full strokes.
1. A. You have to develop a rhythm when you stroke the lever. Too fast or too slow, mine would overshoot or stop short of correct index.
1. B. Sometimes you do not insert the shell precisely onto the shell holder. It happens. After some practice, you can feel that shell snag and you can halt your stroke before damaging the casing.
2. Use a Q-tip to apply lube sparingly (Mobil 1 5w-20 leftovers when I change engine oil) to the turret and it’s mating surface on the press.
2. A. Don’t forget to lube the entire index rod as well as the plastic ratchet. My ratchet is 7 years old and has loaded several thousand pistol rounds and still indexes perfectly.
2. B. While lubing, a drop on each of the lever linkage pivot pins will guarantee smooth operation and long life.
3. The nut on the linkage will loosen so a drop of locktite will help hold it.
1. Always do complete strokes of the lever. From all the way to the top, then all the way down to the bottom. And back. Full strokes always. If you stop the lever anywhere in between and go back, you’ll damage the ratchet quickly. This is a good habit to acquire using any reloader. My Loadmaster and 550B also required full strokes.
1. A. You have to develop a rhythm when you stroke the lever. Too fast or too slow, mine would overshoot or stop short of correct index.
1. B. Sometimes you do not insert the shell precisely onto the shell holder. It happens. After some practice, you can feel that shell snag and you can halt your stroke before damaging the casing.
2. Use a Q-tip to apply lube sparingly (Mobil 1 5w-20 leftovers when I change engine oil) to the turret and it’s mating surface on the press.
2. A. Don’t forget to lube the entire index rod as well as the plastic ratchet. My ratchet is 7 years old and has loaded several thousand pistol rounds and still indexes perfectly.
2. B. While lubing, a drop on each of the lever linkage pivot pins will guarantee smooth operation and long life.
3. The nut on the linkage will loosen so a drop of locktite will help hold it.
nowarningshot
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I have a Redding and two Lyman. The Redding is awesome, downside is that the press and a extra turret is the cost of a Dillon. Use single stage as a slave for universal deprime....bullet pulling...
canucklehead
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Calgary, AB
Dillon 550B. Buy a used one, and don't look back. My first press and I love it! No issues, and runs flawlessly. Dillon customer service is top notch as well.
I used a Lyman Spar-T press purchased new in about 1978 , then bought a Lyman T-Mag about 13 years back. It might be a T-Mag II, I'm not sure. I used the primer attachment on the Spar-T for a long time. Required a bit of a learning curve, but worked like a charm for a lot of rifle ammo.
I don't prime with the big presses now. I used a Lee hand held one, the one with a square tray.
My big plan is to set the old Spar-T up and use it for dedicated rifle caliber, say 30-30, 32WS. I love to reload, and keep it simple. For example, a couple of days ago I deprimed and FL sized 50 30-30 and some .303 British. I deprime all my rifle cases with the little decapper pin and base and a small hammer. In days gone by, I loaded thousands of 38 Spl, 9mm, 45acp and 44 mag on Pro 1000 presses.
I don't prime with the big presses now. I used a Lee hand held one, the one with a square tray.
My big plan is to set the old Spar-T up and use it for dedicated rifle caliber, say 30-30, 32WS. I love to reload, and keep it simple. For example, a couple of days ago I deprimed and FL sized 50 30-30 and some .303 British. I deprime all my rifle cases with the little decapper pin and base and a small hammer. In days gone by, I loaded thousands of 38 Spl, 9mm, 45acp and 44 mag on Pro 1000 presses.
Just buy a Dillon. You will never regret it. I have 2 - 650's. One for 9mm and one for 45acp. 1000 reloads an hour. Other than the odd cleaning and lubricating it runs flawless. I have the lee classic for rifle reloading. A lee cheapo for bullet sizing and depriming before cleaning. All presses need lubricating.
I love my Lee Classic Turret Press... but I manual index. I basically load my ammo in two steps.
Step 1 (I'll do a few hundred of these at a time)
Deprime/Size and then Prime
Step 2
Take my primed brass and load them by manual indexing. I like this because I look into each case to check the powder level before I seat and crimp the bullet. I don't think I'd feel comfortable with a progress press or even using the Classic Turret with auto indexing.
Step 1 (I'll do a few hundred of these at a time)
Deprime/Size and then Prime
Step 2
Take my primed brass and load them by manual indexing. I like this because I look into each case to check the powder level before I seat and crimp the bullet. I don't think I'd feel comfortable with a progress press or even using the Classic Turret with auto indexing.
