Lee Classic Turret Press Grief

I don't think many of the Lee detractors here even read what the problem was.

The OP set up his dies wrong. He had them set for 44 special. He was crushing 44 magnum cases because he had the dies set for 44 special. Big surprise.

This was not an equipment problem. It was a user problem, and at most a problem with the Lee directions (though my 44 spec/mag Lee dies tell you to back the expander and bullet seating dies out 1 3/4 turns if you are loading 44 magnum).

Lee does show a 3-die set specific to 44 mag PN# 90512? and #90863 gets you the 44 Mag Factory crimp die to complete the set.

Anyone have the back side of the double duty 44 spec/44mag die set instruction sheet to see how they explain setting up the die for that shell?

Yes I like Lee products. I started with their Anniv single stage and now mostly use a new Classic 4-hole turret for my .380/9mm/.45ACP needs. I don't brand bash though, all the other players' machinery makes excellent, safe, functional reloaded ammunition. There is something out there to fit all budgets and needs. We all don't drive Rolls Royces, though they too make one fine car. And IMHO the only thing wrong with a $90,000 Mercedes is that I can't afford it - lol

Dean Williams:
Give it a rest, Cowboy Bob. He's not having trouble with the Lee equipment, he's having trouble with Lee's instruction sheet, and you're still no help what-so-ever.
You Lee bashers are all alike. You can find problem threads for all makes of reloading equipment, but you get all jolly about it when you think you see an opportunity to make yourself feel good about the stuff you own. Try to get over it.

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Well said Dean.

Rusty

Give it a rest, Cowboy Bob. He's not having trouble with the Lee equipment, he's having trouble with Lee's instruction sheet, and you're still no help what-so-ever.
You Lee bashers are all alike. You can find problem threads for all makes of reloading equipment, but you get all jolly about it when you think you see an opportunity to make yourself feel good about the stuff you own. Try to get over it.
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Dean W
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+1. I would'nt call myself an enthusiastic fan of Lee products but certainly, no one should condemn the entire lineup. I consider some of their products (their scale, for instance) as not worthy of occupying bench space but on the other hand, I honestly believe their LCT and LCC presses are perhaps the best values on the market. Lee tends to follow his own path and to his credit, has developed & marketed some revolutionary ideas copied by others in the industry. Were it not for Lee, we would all be paying 10 times today's price for carbide dies regardless, of who made them. Bottom line, rating a specific product is one thing but blanket statements are another altogether.

Dont sweat it Mainsail!! Your not alone!! I've just got my LCT "kit" and I'm lost on the directions as well.. Thanfully I found this thread doing a google for "lee classic directions"... Im sure I'll be able to use this thread and the links provided to get it setup and going, but I like you am very good with directions, and have never had a problem putting things together.. But these directions sure do take alot for granted.. They certainly arent sufficient for green newbies like us.. I dont even know what order to put the dies in the turret.. And I think Dean and some of the others are on to something.. Seems alot of the lee detractors like to bash the product, but I've never really heard a bad word about the press itself or its operation.. Just problems with getting it setup to begin with.. I imagine these bashers were too simple (or stubborn) to ask for help, just assumed it was junk, and ended up sellin good equipment and spending way too much on something just like they had, only to pay a premium for a sheet of directions?? Well, the jokes on them, cause I aint givin up that fast!! I'll fall back on my reloading friends here and in other forums and get it setup and throwin rounds in no time!! Thanks again HighRoad for all the help and links in the above thread!!

In clockwise order on the turret.

Sizing-decapping die
Flaring powder thru die
bullet seating die
factory crimp die

the turret itself moves in counter-clockwise direction which performs the operations in the order listed above.

The Lee videos show the process best IMHO, plus the order of the help videos for the single station press is the order of use in the turret.

http://www.leeprecision.com/html/HelpVideos/video.html

A good pictorial of the process is at:

http://www.surplusrifle.com/reviews2006/leeturretpress/index.asp

hope this helps - I reckon part of the low initial cost is the personal sweat equity in getting it running right? It may take a little fiddling, but I think it is worth the effort. I use it, and am happy to respond to any PMs with questions. I ain't no expert ner nuthin' just a satified user of the thing. lol

Thanks Randy!! I was wondering why there werent any die setting videos for the turret press.. I'll use the ones for the single stage press!!

Post any problems you have, there are a lot of classic turret owners here and should be able to help with any problem. Another great place to go is http://forums.loadmastervideos.com/forums/. It's a forum started by Darwin dedicated to Lee presses. I think Darwin, Shadow and Uncle Don know more about Lee presses than Lee themself.
Rusty