Lee turret press hack, non Lee dies with auto drum powder measure.

[Butcherbill]

So I have been gathering the final bits to set up a Lee turret press for a couple different pistol calibers and my .45auto die sets is an rcbs and not Lee, so no powder through expanding die that a lee powder measure screws into. Originally I was going to add a factory crimp die but only have 4 stations on the turret plate

What I did in order to be able to drop powder charges on the press with the rcbs die set was to use a Lee short rifle charging die (90668) and powder measure riser (90041), the short charging die is basically the same die body as the powder through expansion die minus the case mouth expansion. The short charging die will work with a .45auto case oal luckily, I put it between the expanding die and the seating/crimp die.

There wasn’t a whole lot of info online about it but after chatting with a tech at Lee I gave it a try, he said it should work but there was a chance the insert in the charging die that activates the powder measure might over flare or turn in the .45 brass case mouth. It does not as it turns out, figured I’d post some pictures. Won’t work with shorter pistol brass but I’d expect it to work with taller cases if someone found themselves in the same situation.

 

[BattleRife]

I've been in the same situation more than once. My Lee turret is an old 3-station, so your work-around isn't viable. I tried charging off the press for a couple of calibers I don't use much, but it was a pain and I missed charging a couple of cases, causing misfires. Finally, I gave up and bought the Lee powder-through expander for all die sets that are not Lee branded. They are available separately for something like $18 each, and I was ordering Lee stuff anyway, so the added shipping cost wasn't worth talking about.

 

[Butcherbill]

I've been in the same situation more than once. My Lee turret is an old 3-station, so your work-around isn't viable. I tried charging off the press for a couple of calibers I don't use much, but it was a pain and I missed charging a couple of cases, causing misfires. Finally, I gave up and bought the Lee powder-through expander for all die sets that are not Lee branded. They are available separately for something like $18 each, and I was ordering Lee stuff anyway, so the added shipping cost wasn't worth talking about.

That was my fall back plan if this didn’t work, I already had the riser insert and the short charging die was easy to find. Would have needed those two things shortly anyway as a turret for .223 will happen as soon as I buy a .223.

 

[Snider shooter]

I have different die sets I use on the Lee turret. I usually just go and buy the power thru the expander die. I do like the Lee auto disk with the extra adjustable powder bar. Much easier to drop the powder on the press than do it separately. And as already mentioned avoiding possible missed charges off press.

 

[quinnbrian]

Yep.powder through die..I've alway used one...started reloading 9mm, the first day I set it up! (12-15 years ago..lol)I only buy factory ammo for the first couple of boxes out of a new gun..then it's reloads from there..easier to dial in. And I need the cases!
Cheers
B

 

[jamesharrison]

Can I ask why you didn't just buy a $15.00 Lee 45ACP powder through expanding die so that the 4th hole could be used for your factory crimp die?

 

[jethunter]

I have different die sets I use on the Lee turret. I usually just go and buy the power thru the expander die. I do like the Lee auto disk with the extra adjustable powder bar. Much easier to drop the powder on the press than do it separately. And as already mentioned avoiding possible missed charges off press.

I like the Lee Auto Disk, it works.

 

[Butcherbill]

Can I ask why you didn't just buy a $15.00 Lee 45ACP powder through expanding die so that the 4th hole could be used for your factory crimp die?

Because I couldn’t find one in stock at the usual suspects at the time, the short rifle charging die was available. They’re both about the same price and I already had the riser. I’m not using a factory crimp die for .45auto either.

 

[Snider shooter]

The Lee auto disc I also use on the Dillion 550. Lee had a good idea with the powder through the expander. I have bought them for non Lee die sets as isn’t a simple solution to on press powder dropping.