Need experienced reloaders opinion on LEE Deluxe 4 Hole Turret Press Kit

Cal45

Cal45

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I have reloaded before, just on a regular Lee press.

Is this press good for me? I will be reloading 9mm. 357mag and 30-06 right off the bat.

Thanks!
 
the 06 might be a problem in that it won't auto-index- i have the 3 holer and have used it for everything including the 338 win mag, but you need to take out the auto-index rod when you get into over 223 length cases- you may not with the 4 holer as it has longer columns
 
t-star said:
the 06 might be a problem in that it won't auto-index- i have the 3 holer and have used it for everything including the 338 win mag, but you need to take out the auto-index rod when you get into over 223 length cases- you may not with the 4 holer as it has longer columns
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From what I can see you can take out the auto-index rod and do 30-06 no problem.

I might be wrong though... :confused:
 
I broke a turret full length sizing 300 win mag after only 20 or so cases. I took the press back to the store and bought a Rockchucker. About a year and a half ago, I got a good deal on another one when I was in the US. I figured I'd just reload my 44 mag and 45 ACP stuff with it. For that, I LOVE it. No problems what so ever. I won't be doing any large magnum rounds with it though.
 
I reload 9mm, 38/357, 40SW and 45ACP on my Classic Cast Turret. 150 rounds per hour (easily) if you are set up with the Safety Prime and the PRO AUTO Disc Powder Dispenser. I have no experience loading rifle rounds on the Classic Turret.

The Deluxe 4 hole Kit comes with the old aluminum based turret, the old Auto-Disc powder measure with the squarish powder hopper, and that famous counter-intuitive POS powder scale, among other things.

While one might make a good argument for owning the aluminum framed turret, for me the Lee powder scale is just too slow and difficult to use. I would rather buy/use an RCBS 505 or similar. The Lee Pro Auto Disc (round powder hopper) is way better than the original Auto disc.

IMO, the Classic Cast Turret 4-holer is the way to go. Not available in a kit so you need to buy the accessories but that is alright since you could buy the better Pro Auto Disc and a better scale as well.

The Classic has virtually indestructible steel, iron and aluminum parts, but buy a good supply of the plastic parts that I think would wear out and need replacing.

I ordered a couple of Auto Index Clamps http://www.factorysales.com/html/xcart/images/P/p-3566.jpg

and a dozen Square Ratchets
http://www.factorysales.com/html/xcart/images/P/p-3567.jpg

Ordering these plastic spares with your press will hardly cost any increase in shipping. Ordered separately, shipping would probably cost as much as the parts themselves.
 
I don't really care about the scale, I have a better one already. As for the powder hopper I can always change it if I don't like it. Probably won't even be using it at first anyways.

What I want is a good press that I can reload both pistol and rifle rounds with.

Thanks for the helps guys.
 
Quote, easyrider 604///// "IMO, the Classic Cast Turret 4-holer is the way to go. Not available in a kit so you need to buy the accessories but that is alright since you could buy the better Pro Auto Disc and a better scale as well.

The Classic has virtually indestructible steel, iron and aluminum parts, but buy a good supply of the plastic parts that I think would wear out and need replacing".

:agree:

The small square indexing piece is the only part I have heard about wearing out.

I have had my Classic Cast Turret press for over three years & I am still on the original. That said if you ensure that the ram is raised a couple of inches prior to turning the turret for turning or removal this piece should last indefinitely.

BTW the press comes with one extra of these items as a spare.
 
first thing I did with mine was disable the auto index and order a couple spare die holders. One for each of my common calibers. I just leave the dies mounted and adjusted for my pet loads, quick switch, check the first few and away you go making your pets. Thinking of another for specialty dies, universal decaper, puller and such. Really handy, and when I can outshoot the ammo it makes, I will worry about better.
 
Cal45 said:
I don't really care about the scale, I have a better one already. As for the powder hopper I can always change it if I don't like it. Probably won't even be using it at first anyways.

What I want is a good press that I can reload both pistol and rifle rounds with.

Thanks for the helps guys.
Click to expand...

I have one and am currently loading .44 Mag, 22-250, 6.5x55 and 30-06 with it. I have the Auto Disk Pro and safety prime, but haven't put them on yet for the .44 Mag. Works well for anything I have done so far. I use an RCBS Chargemaster combo for throwing charges, but will be setting up the Auto Disk Pro for future .44 Mag target loads and 9mm. I bought a couple of spare turret plates and will set one up for .44 Mag, one for 9mm and use the other for all the rifle calibers. I haven't loaded much yet, maybe 750-1000 rounds so far, but it has been flawless for me to date.

Mark
 
I have the old 3 hole turret press. I like the ability to leave my dies set up. I reload handgun and rifle cartridges on mine, including 300WM. Its around 20 years old now and nothings broken on it yet.
 
I have had a 4 hole turret for about 2 years now! Love it! Reload 9mm, .45 ACP, .44 mag, .223 rem, and 30-30. For the rilfles I just remove the indexing rod as mentioned by others and use it like a single stage. Still works awesome! For the money it is the best reloading press out there if you ask me.
 
easyrider604 said:
Not available in a kit so you need to buy the accessories but that is alright since you could buy the better Pro Auto Disc and a better scale as well.
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Sure it is...you just need to look in the right place :)

http s://kempfgunshop.com//index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=630&category_id=190&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=41

Sue Kempf was great to deal with, and our dollar is pretty decent right now too.

Remember to order a couple of spare turrets.
 
I really like my turret press use it to load 5 calibres including 308,303 and 223. also use it for various case prep tasks.
 
Cal45 said:
From what I can see you can take out the auto-index rod and do 30-06 no problem.

I might be wrong though... :confused:
Click to expand...

you didn't get PAST THE FIRST LINE, did you?
btw, the 338 win mag and the '06 are for this argument ROUGHLY the SAME length- 2.5 vs 2.494
 
Rod B said:
The small square indexing piece is the only part I have heard about wearing out.

I have had my Classic Cast Turret press for over three years & I am still on the original. That said if you ensure that the ram is raised a couple of inches prior to turning the turret for turning or removal this piece should last indefinitely.

BTW the press comes with one extra of these items as a spare.
Click to expand...

That is nice to hear. Great to see so much love for the Lee turret in this thread. My buddy's turret had a problem with his plastic parts, so I thought those were regular maintenance replacement parts, much like the oil filter in our cars. Glad that is not the case.

Good tip on raising the ram before manually/turning or removing the turret.

So now it seems I got a lifetime supply of square ratchets:D

+1 on the spare turrets. I think (have to confirm this) the red plastic, round die cases that Lee sells for $2.50 also works to hold and store turrets/dies, and am looking to order a few.

Oh yeah, don't forget to order the "riser" which raises the Auto Disc powder measure to avoid hitting the "Safety Prime".
 
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the die cases will hold a mounted set of dies- just invert the base- however, you have to dismount the powder measure to get the red "cup" to fit-the ratchet thing was sound advice for the 3 hole, however-that nylon part would fail just by looking at it
 
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