Lee Classic Turret over rotates

You may have to adjust the rod that turns the turret just a little. Use a wrench to turn it back as you hold the turret. Make sure the ram is up when you do this as you don't want to damage that plastic square. That nut on the top of the rod is adjustable. Mine does the same thing at times.

I have never (yet) had that problem, but I suspect tkcomer has it right. If so, the amount of over-rotation is probably slight. Is it?

When you get the nut adjusted, you might want to use a little lok-tite on it. It comes in two varieties, one more permanent than the other (can't remember which is which, the blue or the white).

The Lee Manual that came with the press has instructions on how to adjust the thing. Or, I am sure there are videos on the web.

To ensure you don't break the plastic square ratched, the simplest thing is to (before you start turning the turret) lower the ram all the way, then RAISE THE INDEX ROD 1/4" AND LOWER IT. That disengages the ratchet from the ratchet notches.

If you raise the index rod (or lower the ram) while you are making the adjustment and happen to turn the rod the wrong way, you WILL strip the plastic square ratchet. So, that is why I advise lowering the ram all the way down before you start. It can't go any lower if it is at the bottom of its travel. Then disengage the ratchet by raising and lowering the rod.

You have seen the inside of the indexing arm. I am sure you would figure this out pretty quick. I just want to help you figure it out before you spend the 50 cents for a replacement ratchet.

Lost SHeep

Indexing problem

I can't answer your question but one thing to look for is a bent rod. I some how bent my square rod and had all kinds of indexing problems like you are having. I found it after many part changes and many unrepeatable reloading words. I treat my presses like they are made of gold so I have no Idea how it got bent. Keep looking you will find the problem. Good luck!

New puck (turret plate)/powder measure? Anything at all different? Do you have another puck to try?
I know an issue can be caused with too much weight up top, a guy tried running a heavy cast iron powder measure on his and it would over rotate.

Make sure the press is square and tight, meaning all the uprights are indeed up right and bolts snugged down. I have heard of them getting a rack(twisted) and having to loosen them up and retighten to make sure they are straight up and down.

I don't know what else would cause it outside of a puck being machined out of tolerance.

When in doubt? Call the folks that made the thing. I have found Lee's phone customer service to be very good. I'll even save you the need to load their webiste - lol

Lee Precision, Inc.
4275 Highway U
Hartford, WI 53027


Hours of operation: Monday through Friday 7:30am-3:45pm Central Standard Time (CST)
phone: (262) 673-3075
fax: (262) 673-9273

RandyP hit the nail on the head. I called them with my problem and they sent me a handfull of replacement parts for free. I offered to return the parts when I found the bent rod and called to purchase a new rod. They not only declined the return but sent the rod for free. Can't beat that kind of CS.

I've had to adjust the square bolt on top of the indexing rod once for the exact same thing!

Here's the lee help video page. Third row down on the right side shows the procedure for adjusting the turret indexing.

http://leeprecision.com/turret-press-help-videos.html

I'll make a WAG,(Wild A$$ Guess), as to what's happening if the indexing IS correctly set, and it still overshoots in one position, you may be operating the ram too fast. I can create the situation you're experiencing on my classic turret by fast operation of the ram on ANY station of the turret,(PUCK??¿). Just reef on the handle hard enough, the momentum causes the turret to overshoot the detent lock.

Garage Dog said:

Thanks to all who chimed in. I took every one of your ideas and suggestions and explored them. Here's what I came up with. I had several issues. The nut was slightly out of adjustment. The shaft was not bent. As I have loaded more and more rounds, I found my speed has picked up and I'm running the press much faster (and harder) then ever. This was the biggest issue because I found when I slowed down the issue went away. Now, slowing down is not in my DNA so I had to find a way to overcome this. My first thought was to sell this press and buy a Dillon Square Deal B, but it didn't take long to discount that idea. I have to find a way to maximize what I have, so I simply made a shim that sits between the bolthead opposite of the spring loaded ball bearing which takes the slop out of the turret yet doesn't add any extra friction. This helped a bunch, not perfect but much better. I'm thinking about making an aluminum bracket that I can screw a nylon screw into that will ride on the top ridge of the turret. That way I can hopefully adjust it all the way out...but that's another project for another day.

Click to expand...

If I read your post correctly, your solution does add some friction, but works because you are "pre-loading" the turret (puck) toward the ball detent (spring loaded ball bearing), thus increasing its stopping/positioning power.

I suspect that you will experienced increased wear on your square ratchet and probably your turret (the puck). Eventually, both will need replacing. 50 cents for the ratchet and (probably years from now) $10-$15 for the turret.

I would suggest, instead of the bracket to increase the force on the turret towards the ball detent, just adding a second ball detent. Machine four notches on the turret (very carefully, precisely 90 degrees apart) and clamp a spring loaded ball detent mechanism to engage those notches.

Or, as GT1 suggested, a new turret. Or you could carefully deepen the detents in your current turret.

Lost Sheep

I just had a thought after posting my earlier post. How old is your turret? If this is happening only (or primarily) on one station, is there a difference in the shape of the detent for that one station? GT1 may be right. A new turret may solve the problem.

In the meantime, if it is happening only on one station, I suggest you mark your turret so you can remember which station has the overtravel problem, then pull your dies, move them over one station and reinstall. If your turret has more wear on that detent, the overtravel will stay with the mark. If the overtravel stays between the crimp and decap die locations, it is the (presumably greater) energy you are applying to that movement.

Lost Sheep

I suggest you mark your turret so you can remember which station has the overtravel problem, then pull your dies, move them over one station and reinstall.

Click to expand...

An excellent idea, a process of elimination. I have not heard of this particular problem with only one station. Something has to have worn or gone strange somehow.

It is up to you though if you are good to go.

You can adjust the rotation mechanism backward to account for the momentum imparted to the turret by the speed you have developed.
It is trial and error, and will result in the turret stopping short of the engineered resting spot with a "normal" speed (-or- as was intended). When that would happen you can "nudge" the turret assembly and it will drop into place with minimal effort.
It is one or the other, adjust it to stop at the detent properly due to your speed, or slow down and have it work as engineered.
I adjust mine like this to work with the added weight of a Uniflow w/ the case detection mechanism. When I stroked the lever hard, it would "jump" past the intended stopping point. It was little involved to adjust it to stop where I needed by simply twisting the connection point in the turret counterclockwise a tiny bit at a time until it stopped at the right place.

I think you have the correct diagnosis overall--e.g., that the momentum of the assembly has increased with the increase in your speed. The result is over-indexing (so to speak).

I solved that by tweaking the indexing slightly, with the adjusting nut--until it would just fall into place at a normal speed of operation--for me, that is about 150 rph.

Other issues can be related to that momentum, too.

1. Make sure the powder measure is mounted with the mass over the inside of the turret circumference--use a riser if you need to do so.

2. Make the adjustments with a full hopper.

I developed a 'ritual' for changing turrets that minimizes the change in mass for my units--and that helped, too.

Finally--if you 'concentrate' while doing the stroke, you will find you can subconsciously vary the stroking speed at different parts of the stroke--and the indexing issue will disappear.

At least, mine did a few years ago. Every now and then I need to go back and tweak things a bit--but it can be removed.

Jim H.

Maybe your turret ring (part #TF3565) spring loaded ball bearing is flat-spotted or seized/gummed up. Or the turret indexing notches are worn.. do you lube it? How many rounds have you loaded with it?

Also, some people use a bit of grease here and there to slow up some over rotation propensity.. I've not had a need to do that.. good luck.

I find that patience is key to making the LCT work reliably. If I try and rush it I wind up with something breaking or with sub-standard ammo. The time I have to spend correcting these mistakes more than blows any gain I made by increasing my pace.

Slow is smooth and smooth is fast, right?

If you just have to maximise throughput go with a progressive.

Maybe there is something to be said in support of manual indexing after all.

I think not, but maybe.

Lost Sheep

It's the square nut on the indexing rod. I actually have to give it a small tweak when switching turrets.

1/4" open end on the indexing rod, 7/16" open end on the square nut. Might take a bit of trial & error. It's common to need to adjust it a bit.

Don't try to tweak it while it's in the press.

Pardon me for chiming in here BUT:banghead: if the rod needed adjusting would it not be at all stations of the press My Lee turret will over index if I get a little happy on the handle and use a little to much SPEED when pulling or pushing it. I found a steady pull and not being in a hurry cured the problem

Have you thought about the TF3567 Square Ratchet which you get a spare with? This can be damaged if you short stroke it while on the spin section of the indexing rod.