press help

desjardo

desjardo

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Wilkie SK
Looking at upgrading my reloading setup.
I load - 223/243/7mm Magnum and possibly 9m in the future

I am trying to decide if I am better off with lee classic turret or progressive.

Looking for suggestions.

And Im not interested in any other brand.

Also I currently have single stage lee but would like to sell it after upgrading.

Thanks.
 
It depends on how much you shoot
223 Lots ? go progressive but keep the single stage as you have to prep the brass and it is eaiser to do on single stage
size then trim then go progressive after you have preped your brass

9mm lots ? go progressive
243 25-100 a year I would keep the single stage
7mm 25-100 a year I would keep the single stage

if you were shooting 308/243/45acp i would go progressive because the shell plate is the same

different brands have different good or bad points

if it was me i would go to a 5 station press because if you are loading cast or jacketed ie 9mm
you can crimp in a separate station

deprime
flair/prime
charge
seat
crimp
 
The only concern I have with the turret is the auto disc measure.
I don't seem to see a lot of good reviews.

I know its easy to use as a single stage for my 7mm and 243 but would love to be able to pump out a few hundred 9mms or 223s when needed in short time.
 
desjardo said:
The only concern I have with the turret is the auto disc measure.
I don't seem to see a lot of good reviews.
I know its easy to use as a single stage for my 7mm and 243 but would love to be able to pump out a few hundred 9mms or 223s when needed in short time.
Click to expand...

Then don't use it for rifle. I charge my case's in a seperate operation,off press
 
zuke said:
Then don't use it for rifle. I charge my case's in a seperate operation,off press
Click to expand...

OK, I was starting to see that was the direction my reading was taking me.
So basically unless I shoot a ton of 9mm theres really no reason to upgrade it seems.
 
There are pros and cons to the Lee turret press's. My experience is that they are good for about 200 rounds an hour in progressive mode. A Dillon with the right upgrades could do 2 or 3 times this. Your decision really should be around volume.

Depending on the charge accuracy you need, the auto disk or micrometer charge bar is good to +/- 0.2 grains when using ball powders. If you are using stick powders, there is going to much more variation. Also consider that the auto disk system limits the charge weights you have available through the disc holes or combinations thereof. Customizing disc holes is easy but a PITA.
 
desjardo said:
The only concern I have with the turret is the auto disc measure.
I don't seem to see a lot of good reviews.

I know its easy to use as a single stage for my 7mm and 243 but would love to be able to pump out a few hundred 9mms or 223s when needed in short time.
Click to expand...


you are worrying about something that is easily overcome. I use my turret for both h/g & rifle. If I'm loading for a pistol round with easy cutting pistol powder I have a powder measure installed in a powder-thru die and operate the handle manually for every cartridge. I don't use a "disc" measure, the one I have uses an infinitely adjustable tube the same as an RCBS but is plastic. It will significantly increase your production speed over any single stage press.

For rifle powders that are not so easy to cut within a tenth or two I simply leave the powder charging station open in the tool head and when a cartridge is in place (sticking up though the hole) I funnel pour the pre-measured ( your choice of how you do this) charge the same as if it was in a loading block when using a single stage press...another pull of the handle and the case is in position for bullet seating. Again, it will be an improvement in production over a single stage.

Don't let anyone tell you that the ammo built on a turret is inferior to what is loaded with a single stage...it isn't if the same care & attention is used in both processes.
 
fingers284 said:
you are worrying about something that is easily overcome. I use my turret for both h/g & rifle. If I'm loading for a pistol round with easy cutting pistol powder I have a powder measure installed in a powder-thru die and operate the handle manually for every cartridge. I don't use a "disc" measure, the one I have uses an infinitely adjustable tube the same as an RCBS but is plastic. It will significantly increase your production speed over any single stage press.

For rifle powders that are not so easy to cut within a tenth or two I simply leave the powder charging station open in the tool head and when a cartridge is in place (sticking up though the hole) I funnel pour the pre-measured ( your choice of how you do this) charge the same as if it was in a loading block when using a single stage press...another pull of the handle and the case is in position for bullet seating. Again, it will be an improvement in production over a single stage.

Don't let anyone tell you that the ammo built on a turret is inferior to what is loaded with a single stage...it isn't if the same care & attention is used in both processes.
Click to expand...


What kind of measure?
 
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