Thinking of a Turret Press

Chizzy

Chizzy

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Hello:

I have a single stage Lee press that I have been using to reload various rifle and pistol calibres (.223, .308, 30-06, 9mm, 10mm, .45ACP, .40 S&W) along with a RCBS 1500 Charge Master Combo. I have up to this point using the Lee Auto Priming hand tool for all of my case priming.

I am interested in exploring the idea of going to a turret style of press that would allow me to have multiple turrets with the respective calibre dies already set up to go after a quick turret swap.

I still want to use the Charge Master to weigh and dispense each powder charge from a safety / precision point of view. I would be willing to pass off the priming task to the press if there was one that performed this task reliably.

Do you have any suggestions on what Turret press would fit my needs if I decide to go in this direction? Thanks in advance for your time.

Regards,

Chizzy
 
I use the Lee clasic turret press and it works well for me.

For pistol/handgun reloading I have added a disk powder thrower mounted on the expander die that drops the charge while expanding the case(it is +/- .1grain).

For rifle loading you can pick up a rifle charge die and either mount the disk powder thrower on top with the double disk kit to use the same as the pistol set up, or put in a powder funnel and then use your charge master to measure the load and drop in manually.

I still prime off the press as it allows me the time to complete all my case prep. When using the turret press try this order of operations to prime off the press. Size/deprime, swap the deprimed case for a primed case, expand case mouth/drop powder, install bullet/crimp.
 
Hello Travel240z;

Thank you. I have been looking at that model on the Lee Factory Sales web site and it looks interesting. Given the number of calibres that I want to reload for I am attracted to the low cost of the different turrets. Thank you for your time.

Regards,

Chizzy

Travel240z said:
I use the Lee clasic turret press and it works well for me.

For pistol/handgun reloading I have added a disk powder thrower mounted on the expander die that drops the charge while expanding the case(it is +/- .1grain).

For rifle loading you can pick up a rifle charge die and either mount the disk powder thrower on top with the double disk kit to use the same as the pistol set up, or put in a powder funnel and then use your charge master to measure the load and drop in manually.

I still prime off the press as it allows me the time to complete all my case prep. When using the turret press try this order of operations to prime off the press. Size/deprime, swap the deprimed case for a primed case, expand case mouth/drop powder, install bullet/crimp.
Click to expand...
 
I also use the lee classic 4 hole turret. and I currently load 9mm, 45acp, 270win and 308win. and it does exactly what i want it to do!
 
I was basically set up the same as you, I had the Chargemaster combo and the Breech Lock press. I bought a Lyman T-Mag II and really like it. The extra turrets aren't cheap though. I use a LEE hand primer as I prefer doing them that was as opposed to doing it on the press. Natches was the cheapest I could find.
 
+1

I also have a Lee Turret Press. I currently load 223, 308, 7.54r, 303, and 44 mag, more to come.

I use the auto index to speed load 223 and 44 mag.

When I load for the other, plus precision 223, I just use it as a single stage with a separate powder measure.
You actually cannot auto load mid/large rifle on my press, as a seated bullet won't clear the die before the indexer tries to twist it. For 223 and anything pistol, you're laughing.

It's a good handy all round system. It's great just snapping on the turret of choice. I usually keep my resizing dies separate from my loading dies cause they are never really used together, and it keeps spare room on my loading dies for "floating" dies like my bullet puller, rifle powder dropped, ram primer, etc.
 
I started out using a Lee Turret press but I have since switched to an RCBS turret press.
The Lee will do the job but I was not happy with the play I was getting in the turret and operating handle of the Lee, I see that some of the newer turret presses look as if they have been beefed up to eliminate some of that play I was getting. The RCBS turret press is a much more robust built press with very little play anywhere and has the bonus of the lifetime warranty.
Lee will work fine but RCBS, Lyman, or the Redding turret presses will be built more rigid than the Lee but you will have to pay more for them as well.
A turret press is nice to use as all you have to do is chance the head to change calibers.
If you have a chance to try some different types before you make the final decision that would help you make up your mind.
Go with which ever press you can afford, if that is the Lee then get it and later if you want to upgrade I am sure that someone will be looking at getting into reloading and you can sell your old press and get a new one.
 
With 7 calibers to do you might want to consider switching to a SS press with a bayonet die mount system. Lee has one and the Hornady LnL system can be used with several appropriate makes of press
 
I have a Lee Turret pres, it was the first press I bought and it has at least 50,000 rounds on it. The turret is a great way to produce excellent quantities of rifle ammo, with decent quality control - easily as good as factory 'match'. For extreme accuracy you still need specialized tools, there's no way around it. I loaded 30,000 rounds of the 50,000 in 38 Special - for volume pistol ammo there's no substitute for a full progressive press, but if you have the time, the little Lee will produce excellent pistol ammo reasonably quickly. I'd strongly recomend the turret for someone in your position who shoots a wide range of calibres, as it is easily the most flexible reloading solution.
 
I'd look at the Lee Classic Turret press and or kit. If loading pistol get the auto disk riser for the powder measure. I like priming and charging pistol rounds on press and I prime rifle on press and charge manually.
 
Hello,

Thank you for all of the replies. I ordered the Lee Classic Turret press with additional turrets so I could pre-set all of the different calibres that I need to load for. Thank you for your input, it is much appreciated!

Regards,

Chizzy
 
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