Yay or Nay for Lee Turret for first press

I've used the classic four hole turret and really appreciate the easy change of calibers etc.

A couple of modifications - I ground off the stops so it goes over center like a Rockchucker.
If the ram does not line up with the dies, drill the three holes in the turret holder plate out lots oversize so it can be lined up.
Throw out the primer feed jigger and hand feed it from a tray.
Use Lee shell holders - or polish them - some others are rough inside, causing the primer sleeve to catch on its way up through - three of my first five primers went up bad - two flipped over and one went sideways and crushed.
Two pairs of rifle dies fit in one turret - or one set of pistol dies.
After using it, you may not want a press that does a bunch of things at once.
 
Great Crouton said:
Ok so I'm after the 4 hole Classic Cast, right? It's made from a stronger material?
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Yes indeed. Cast iron base and all steel components, except for the quick change turrets. The turret/s is/are the only aluminum part/s. It also has larger proportions and can handle a much larger COL. About a 4" stroke.
Much more robust all around.

The priming unit is very easy to operate. Quite reliable in fact.
 
The Pro 4-hole turret is my first press, and I love it! I had no idea that reloading would be so relaxing. As a matter of fact, once I run out of brass to stuff I get a little sad +grin+

Recoil therapy usually does the trick.
 
Great Crouton said:
So I just happened to find myself at wholesale this weekend so I stopped in the reloading section. They had a Lee Classic Turret press but it only had 3 turrets, I was under the impression it had 4? All the vids I've watched on the net looked as though the turret itself rotated, this one there was a disc underneath the turret that rotated. Is one newer than the other? Pretty sure I want the one with 4 turrets and not 3, yes?
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The one W/S has set up in their display is a PRO 1000 progresive press.
 
I'm currently running a lee classic cast press. I love it, it's my first press and l don't think I will ever need anything more. I use it as a single stage currently for loading 8x57 and .303 British.

So another ya for the list!!!
 
Another Yay - bought a Lee Turret (3 hole - all they had in '87) loaded about 35,000 rounds of 38, then used it for 9mm and 303 Brit. I have a progressive now for 9 and 45, but I'll be loading 223 soon so the old turret will have another set of dies set up, and I'll be cranking out 223 and 303 on the now upgraded 4 station turret. The damn thing must have loaded in excess of 60,000 rounds, and apart from the aforementioned plastic bushing and the upgrade to 4 station, I haven't had to do anything to it. Frankly it's kept me shooting when I ordinarily would not have been able to afford to shoot, so I'll keep it around, regardless of what else I bolt to the bench.
 
I have never used one, but I have heard some pretty good things about them.

FWIW, my first press was a dillon 550, which is a manually indexing progressive press. I found it easy to learn on and it churns out good ammo at a decent rate.
 
YAY! A good starter press if you are on a budget. Of course, there are some better turret presses in the market, but you cannot beat the price and versatility of a Lee Classic Cast Turret Press Kit. Take the 4 hole plate and die sets for each caliber. Remove the indexing rod, and you have a single stage press. Go with the indexing rod, full stroke and you have an almost fool-proof load.

FOCUS, FOCUS and FOCUS. Soon, you will enjoy your new activity.
 
So just to confirm before I hit the "order" button this is the one, right?

http://www.budgetshootersupply.ca/frame.cfm?ItemID=477&CategoryID=0

Also a question. I was at WSS the other day and started looking at the dies available from Lee (bought the .40 cal for the hell of it). All of them only had 3 dies where I was expecting 4 (4 holes in turret, 4 dies), is the missing one the crimping die? I'm still waiting for my Lyman 49 to arrive and I haven't made it all the way throug the ABC's of reloading, I'm sure it's covered in there but thought I would ask anyways.
 
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