Lee Classic Turret Press Help!

Here's the direct source for a forum: http://loadmastervideos.com/

That should at least dump into the general forum, and maybe into the Turret forum(s) as well.

Then, there's the Lee Instruction videos Here's that link; use the Single Stage setup videos.

Some general tips:

1. Make sure you have the #1 / sizer-decapper die set correctly, then the rest.

2. To make sure the PTED flare is set right, you do typically need to tweak that setting.

You'll need to be more precise in your description of your seating problems--so tell us ALL the details, from caliber and bullet type, weight, etc., etc.

Try making only dummy rounds while you sort out the assembly process--size, but do not prime cases, and remove the powder measure from the #2 / PTED. Make sure you install the #2 funnel top; otherwise, the expander will not operate correctly while you set the die.

If you are buckling cases in the #3 position, then most likely you 1) do not have enough flare--or, much more likely, you have not backed up the #3 die body enough so no crimping is done. If that's the problem, try raising that die, and backing the seater stem 'way up--and see if you can't just get the bullet started.

Now, tell us more--

Jim H.

That's a great site that Jim linked to. What is the problem you are having with the seating die? Most people have it set to low so there is to much crimp before the bullet is seated. That will wrinkle the case. Hopefully you have the four die set with the FCD. If so then raise the seater die up high enough to eliminate the crimp and see if that doesn't help. If you could be a little more spesific about the problem it would be easier to help. I found the insturctions that came with the Lee dies to be very good if I read them slow.
Rusty

OK, by now you may even have some more sleep and are less frustrated.

First things first--it sounds like you can probably ignore the PTED flare setting for the moment. As long as the case is flared, unless it is flared so much that it won't fit inside the #3 / seater die it doesn't matter.

Yes, the Lee instructions are confusing--they rely on a beginner's knowledge of "how much flare is enough"--when you don't know that since you haven't done it before.

So, another version of this instruction can be "put enough flare on the case so that the bullet will sit about 1/16" or so inside the rim and so that it remains steady while raising the ram."

Now, to that bullet seating problem.

If the bullet is seating 'way too deep and your case is NOT being crushed / has wrinkles in it, then the problem is most likely just that the seater stem (the middle knob) has not been turned up.

Turn the seater stem counterclockwise until it is nearly out of the die body.

Try seating a bullet. This time, it may not even go down--so turn the stem clockwise until it's in the case somewhat, but still obviously too long.

Set that assembly aside.

Now take another flared case (BTW, good on you for working with un-primered assembly; many less issues to think about right now) and set it under the number 3 die.

Loosen the locknut so you can move the die body.

Raise the ram to the top of the stroke. Now screw the die body up or down until you can just feel the die (body) touch the case. Now back the body up another 1/4 turn and lock the die down by firmly turning down the locknut. Get that locknut down tight--that will remove slight movement cause by the thread tolerances.

Now, reinsert your partially-assembled case and bullet and stroke the press.

Measure the LOA with your caliper, note it on some paper, then turn down the stem another 1/4 or 1/2 turn. Measure again, not the amount the bullet depth changed, and do the math for "how many more turns" to get to the correct depth.

Turn the stem down to that depth, but now back it up a quarter-turn and measure the LOA. Proceed with small adjustments until you get the LOA you need.

Do at least three or four more assemblies / dummy rounds to this point. Now you probably have enough to work with the FCD die setting.

Setting up the FCD die.

First, it is important to understand that the initial amount of crimp is primarily established by the height of the die body, not the sliding sleeve.

Since this is a semiauto cartridge, you really don't want to put a crimp on, you just want to remove the flare. So, you want to have the die body just touching the case, backing it up maybe a one-eighth turn and locking it down.

Now try running one of your dummy cartridges--one at the correct LOA--through the press. It should make the case mouth look straight (e.g., just remove the flare.)--if there is anything more than some shiny-ness at the case mouth, you probably have the die body set too deep.

Note that the 'crimp' feeling is NOT the feel of the assembly being post-sized--that is a "double bump" as the stroke is completed and the ram is lowered. (Since you are using plated bullets, I hope you don't feel that.)

Now try this assembly in your MAX cart gauge. It should go in smoothly, maybe even easily.

But, check back in and tell us more.

Are your cases new or used?

How did you determine what LOA to use?

What powder and charge weight will you be using?

Do you have the #1 / sizer-decapper die set properly?

Is your #2 / PTED set to flare enough to hold the bullet readily? (now you can try minimizing the flare--that will help case life, but should not be a focus until you have the other operations set up properly.

Jim H.

Here is my new page on setting dies on the Load Master, they should work for a turret press,too. Each step has a video to go with it. Check it out and see if it helps at all.

http://manual.loadmastervideos.com/dies.htm

Are you using the 4 die set? If you are:
1. Sizing die is set so the shell holder just touches on the up stroke
2. Set the expander die like this:
a. Run a sized case up, and hold the lever down
b. Adjust the expander die down and contact the case.
c. lower case, adjust die body down a 1/4 turn at a time while testing your
flare with a bullet. Stop when the bullet sets on top by its self. without
tipping. Lock the lock ring.
3. adjust seating die like this:
a. run an expanded case up into the hole, holding the lever down
b. screw the seating die down until it contacts the case, lock the lock ring.
c. screw the seating plug adjuster up all the way
d. insert a bullet, and start seating it as you slowly turn the plug adjuster
down to your desired OAL. I'm guessing 1.125 or close to it.
4. set FCD like this:
a. run empty shell holder up and hold lever down
b. screw die body down until it contacts the shell holder. lock the ring
c. back off the crimp sleeve adjuster, all the way
d. run a case with a seated bullet, all the way up into the die and hold
down pressure on the lever
e. adjust the crimp sleeve adjuster down untill it contacts the case.
f. turn it down a 1/4 turn, and run the case back up, should be close.

you only need to remove the belling with the crimp die, and if you dont over expand, seating the bullet does this for you Good luck!