Lee Classic Turret Press?

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OK, if I can avoid any trips to the doghouse in the next couple weeks, I should make it to Santa's nice list. In which case, a reloading kit may find its way under the tree. :)

I have seen many very favourable reviews for the Lee Classic Turret and from what I understand, it will operate quicker than a single stage.

My question is, for someone that has it, are any components in the kit sub-par? What are the must have upgrades? (I am guessing some will feel the whole kit is subpar..lol)

My plan is to load 9mm, .223 and at some point 12g.

Any thoughts/suggestions welcome. I have ordered the ABCs of reloading based on recommendations here.

Thanks!

Frank
 
Good choice if you ask me. That was my first press.
Oh, but you wont be reloading 12ga on it ;)

Way faster than a single stage since you can leave 4 diff dies setup in it and use it like a single stage, or it will auto index for you to speed things up.

I got mine setup with the primer feeder and the powder measure so I can neck size, prime, charge, and seat all automatic.

Make sure to get the classic, it has a cast base instead of a flimsy stamped one.
 
forget 12 guage- 1 if you watch the sales and stock up, there's no excuse to go the reloading route unless you WANT to- or you take some oddball loads or something
2) that press will take care of a good number of things for good years to come, provided you watch the priming system if there is one and you get a good consistant rythm going- make sure you travel to BOTH ends of the cycle- it's stoipping in the middle that gets most people into trouble with lee products- that and frustration at how the thing works
 
Drill out the holes in the top ring - that the posts bolt to - so that the turret can be centered properly over the ram.

Grind off the stops that keep the action from over-centering like an RCBS press does.

Use Lee shell-holders - some others are rough - causing the primer holder sleeve to snag a little on it's way up through the holder - causing the primer to flip over or sideways.

A dab of oil on the turret makes it spin easier and the timing more accurate.

Get a die wrench - and take the o-rings off the die nuts - and get extra turrets - use Lee die nuts on dies that have the old knurled nuts.

Have fun.
 
Great feedback. Thanks gents!

A friend keeps stressing the Rock Chucker Supreme but I think this will meet my needs.

I have read the Lee Scale in the kit is weak, is that correct?
 
I just got a Lee Deluxe 4 hole turret press ( I know ..should have got the Classic) and so far no major problems I will probably get a riser for the powder measure/dispenser to avoid it hitting the primer feed. I needed a kit to allow more powder as I am loading .45 Colt @35 grains Goex FFFG... 200 grn. RNFP cast boolits.
Next... another turret and dies for .45ACP so I can afford to shoot the old 1911....:D
 
I usually 'don't say anything if I got nothing nice to say', so I won't comment
on Lee presses. I will say that my Lee press makes a great stand for my RCBS powder measure. ;) Its also nice to have a little bit of red amongst all the green on my loading bench, very festive you know.:D

All kidding aside, I'm sure it will be great to get you started.
 
Make sure you are getting the Classic Turret kit that is cast iron.

I have one and use it for smaller runs of pistol that I don't wan't to set up the progressive for. I think this is the best combo Lee is offering now, even compared to their 50th Kit that I usually recommend. All you need is dies, a calipre and a case length gauge for bottleneck cartridges.

The scale works but an RCBS/Ohaus 5-0-5 is a lot nicer to run.

I be sure to add the Lee Case length gauge to let you trim any bottleneck rifle calibres you plan to load such as .223. It might be needed even the first time you reload them, so best to have one from the start. You won't need it for straight walled or tapered cases like 9mm.

As you already know you won't be able to load shotshells on this press as they generally have specific equipment just for that.
 
I have the classic turret and beside it a RCBS ChargeMaster. They work great together. I deprime, reprime, flare the case, dump in powder and then seat the bullet. Really speeds up reloading 45/70 cast bullets. Bullets cast with lee molds too! I remove the turret turner for single stage reloading that I want to do. Buy a electronic scale to check the powder weights and your good to go.
 
I have the classic press and i reload .45acp, 9mm, .223, .270 and .308...I know people knock it like a mofo. but it definately does the job for me. Every press requires some finesing to your own needs. Basically i used risers on the power charge die and im using the safety prime system and I think its great especially for the price.
 
My lee press is the most used press I have, I use it to reload 4 calibres and use it for many tasks like swaging primer pockets, depriming rifle brass, crimping. I have 4 other presses as well.
 
Been drooling over one of these 4 hole Lee Classic turret presses, they look and sound like a good deal for the money.I'm not looking for full on progressive speed , I do all my pistol loading on a Dillon SDB, and everything else on an old single stage Lyman Crusher.Would not mind trying one primarily for rifle cartridges, to boost production a bit.

I was in Cabela's the other day, and was quite impressed with the beefiness of a new production cast frame Lee single stage press, a big step up from the Lee single stage I bought as part of an Anniversary kit.So if this press is similar to that, consider one sold, and just in time for Christmas.(C'mon Christmas Bonus!)
 
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