[DML2007]

Lee Classic Turret Press Reloading Press / Kit

Im brand new, have an AR-15, and am looking to roll my own. Will this work? It fits in my budget, and doesnt seem to need too many extras...please advise.

Or, give your opinion...I have budget of 300 (would like to include dies, and all extra tools, etc).

Thank you...DML

[tkcomer]

It's what I use. I use it as a single stage to size/deprime the shells. Off to the tumbler to clean. Check the length of the shell and back to the press to prime, charge, seat bullet and then use the factory crimp die.

[CZ223]

it will work. The main problem that I see with it is this. If you were loading a straight walled pistol case there would be no problems. You would simply mount your dies and your powder measure on top and after 4 pulls of the handle you would have one completed round. The problem with the 223 is the neccesity of lubing the case. Now, you can clean your brass and spray lube them and take them all way the trough the process and then wipe them down individually. If you don't mind doing it this way then fine. You should be all set. Most reloaders will clean their brass, lube and then resize/deprime then rewash the cases to remove the excess lube. Then we prime powder and seat the bullet. I also prefer to prime using a hand primer rather than the priming arm on most machines.

Three hundred is probably enough to get you started with good equipment but it is not enough to get set up with a progressive press which, if you shoot several hundred rounds at a time it is something you will want eventually. Since the press you were looking at is "essentialy" a single stage press I will suggest that you start with a good single stage press. Before I go any further I will tell you that I am not a fan of Lee products but there are plenty who are. I am a firm believer in buying good used equipment. It is readily available, generally at bargain prices, on E-bay and in the back rooms of gun shops. I have several Single stage presses, mostly RCBS and Lyman along with 10 Powder measureas because I pick them up everytime I find a good deal on one. Before I go any further I would like to point out that Hornady is offering free bullets along with the purchase of their presses as well as one of their kits.

http://www.hornady.com/get_loaded.php

Check out Midway and Midsouth for prices and I think that you will see that the single stage press with the 500 free bullets is one heck of a good deal. You can also get another hundred if you buy a set of dies from them which I like as well. You can also get another hundred with the purchase of their powder measure. That means you could get 700 free bullets. If will also be loading for other calibers you might want to choose the bullets that give you the most bang for your buck.

To get started you will need the following:
Manual
Press (I suggest single stage like the RCBS Rockchucker or Hornady etc.)
Powder Measure and Scale (not one or the other but both) don't bother with dippers.
Dies (buy new dies even if you buy Lee)
Shell holder
Loading blocks
primer flipper tray

Recomended but not absolutely neccesary at least not immediately:
Vibratory cleaner
Media seperator (plastic colander will do in a pinch)
Hand primer (I do like the Lee but they will break eventually RCBS is solid)
Dial Caliper
case trimmer
*Primer pocket swager* essential for removing thecrimp from military brass
chamfering tool
primer pocket cleaners small and large
plastic ammo boxes

I am sure that I have forgotten some things but they should be minor. If there is a place that sells reloading equipment locally I would suggest going there and checking it out. Just touching the and looking will give you a sense of the quality that you are buying. Once you know what you like andhave an idea odf prices check out E-bay and the classified sections of bords like this. If you have any questions you can PM me.

[RustyFN]

I load 223 on a classic turret the same way TK does. After resizing and the case prep is done I can load them around 275 to 300 per hour. You will have to do case prep no matter what brand press you use. I am very happy with the way the classic loads 223. I also load 9mm and 38/357.
Rusty

[DML2007]

I appreciate it..Dave

[RustyFN]

Case prep is checking the cases to see if they need to be trimmed, trimming the ones that are too long and then chamfering and deburing after trimming. It sounds like a lot but I can trim, chamfer and debur a case in about five seconds with the Lee case trimmer. Some people also like to clean primer pockets. All of that will add a little time over loading pistol because you don't have to do the case prep for pistol.
Rusty

[bullseye308]

Here is my reloading process for the 223. I have the Lee Reloader single stage press. http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=0000690045 I first use the Lee decapper http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=0000690103 to deprime all my cases while inspecting them. Next I resize them in the press then prime with the Auto Prime http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=0000690230 if they don’t need to be trimmed. If they need to be trimmed, use the Lee cutter and lock stud with the correct case length gauge. Next I weigh each powder charge with the safety scale and fill up a loading block with charged cases. Switch the die to the bullet seating die and seat the bullets. Switch to the crimp die and crimp them and you are done. Some crimp, and some don’t. The choice is yours; there are lots of discussions about this topic. This way does take quite a bit of time, but you tend to pay more attention to what you are doing. With a 300.00 budget I would get the Lee four hole turret kit http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=0000690928 some dies, and spend the rest on bullets, powder, and primers. It all depends on how much time you want to put in, I really enjoy loading and a single stage keeps me busy. I load my pistol ammo on a Loadmaster though.