Lee classic cast turret

[kestak]

Greetings,

I am considering to buy a 3rd press (I already have a Dillon 550B and Lee classic cast single stage) because I load a lot...hehehehe. I was considering maybe a second Dillon 550B, but why not try something new.

Anyway....


3 questions:

1 - I read all the reviews and it seems there is some alligment issue with the lee turret but did not read it with the cast turret one. It looks like also the mis-allignment comments are more toward 2007-2008 than 2009. Anyone one of you can comment with experience and/or recent purchases?

2 - Some websites say 4 holes with picture of 3 holes. Does it come with 3 hole that you conver4t to 4 holes or does it come with only 4 holes?

3 - I choose more the classic cast turret than the normal turret because of some comments about the aluminium wearing off. I will NOT deprime and resize with this turret. Am I still better to go with the cast turret?

Thank you

 

[Landric]

I bought a Classic Turret early in 2009. I have had zero problems with it, and I think it is a fantastic press, probably the best press Lee offers. I also have a RCBS Rockchucker, a Dillon Square Deal B, and a Lee Classic Cast. The Classic Turret is by far my favorite. I want to get a 550B eventually too, but that is not in the budget right now.

1- I've never had an alignment issue with mine other than when I first got it and wore out one of the plastic auto index bushings (the press comes with two and replacements are about $.50 each). They are easy to wear out if you try and move the turret with the ram fully down. So, don't do that and they will last a long time. I keep several spares on hand just in case since they are cheap.

2- All the Classic Turrets are four hole, so as long as you buy a Classic Turret and not one of the older turrets, it will be a 4 holer with auto index.

3- The Classic Turret only costs about $20 more than the aluminum turret, and it is about ten times the press, it is worth the extra money no matter what you are going to do with it.

 

[rbernie]

I bought a Classic Cast Turret from Lee about three years ago. I have virtually no quarrel with it at all, and I consider it a fine piece of work (especially for the money). I do not use the auto-index feature because it's not overly robust - I just rotate the turret by hand and life is good.

 

[floydster]

I have had my Lee Classic Cast turret for going on two years and it has loaded over 10,000 rounds, it is one of my favorite presses. I also have a Hornady LNL EZ ject and a Lee Classic Cast single stage.
The Classic turret, in my opinion, is one of the best presses one can buy for the money.
Smokeyloads

 

[possum]

i have one and i love it, i loaded 3000rds on it in about a month, no issues. it is definitely a step up from the single stag that i was using and raised on. i have had no alignment issues at all. mine came with 4 holes the 4th is for the factory crimp die, IIRC you can order it with 3 or 4 which ever you want, i ordered with the 4, however if you get the 3 and want to change it out you can, and vise versa.

 

[SSN Vet]

I bought a Classic Cast Turret from Lee about three years ago. I have virtually no quarrel with it at all, and I consider it a fine piece of work

my experience exactly.... and I do use the auto-index... all the time.

pony up the extra cake for the cast...(and make sure you order the Classic CAST, as the nomenclature between presses is very similar)

size and deprime on it all day untill the cows come home...this press won't let you down

 

[Sport45]

I was corrected on this once but it's worth mentioning. Lee doesn't make a Classic Cast Turret. They make a Classic Turret (the one you want) and a Lee Turret that I believe used to be called a Deluxe Turret. The latter one is made of aluminum and can be had in 3-hole or 4-hole variations. The Classic Cast press is the single stage version with no turret.

 

[Seedtick]

I have the Deluxe Turret Press but I ordered a Classic today. The best price I found was at BudsGunShop. The total cost + shipping was $104.11.

ST

 

[jfh]

Based on what Sport45 said, it looks like Lee has redone their product line / naming slightly. Of the original standard Turrets, there is now just a "Lee Turret Press,' but it is available in 3-hole or 4-hole configurations. They did drop 'Cast' from the Classic Cast sometime.

My old / updated Turret Press still trundles along fine. Earlier--ten years ago--I did update the linkage, and two years I put in the 4-turret and safety prime stuff. I now have loaded at least 35-40,000 round on it. There is wear in the base, and the right ram pivot screw tends to work loose intermittently--but it still works as it did originally.

BTW, Seedtick, Graf's price may have been about $4.00 cheaper; don't forget their price includes shipping; just add on a--what, $4.50? service change--and away you go.

The real advantage to the Classic Turret will be when Lee finally introduces the Classic Progressive--I'm assuming they will do that; the prototyping was all done nearly two years ago.

Jim H.

 

[Seedtick]

:banghead:

jfh -
BTW, Seedtick, Graf's price may have been about $4.00 cheaper; don't forget their price includes shipping

Oh well, I probably saved more buying it at Buds cause I couldn't find anything else I needed. I can always find a bunch of stuff I need at Grafs.

But you are right this is the best price.

ST

 

[RustyFN]

I have been using a classic turret for around three years. I have never had an indexing problem. The safety prime works near flawless and speeds up the loading process on that press a lot. I believe the classic turret only comes in the four hole version. I have loaded on a friends Dillon 550 and thought it was a very nice press. I think the classic turret is a quality press and I can't justify that much money to upgrade yet. You can change calibers and primer size feed in one minute on the CT. If you want to load say 200 and don't want to take the time to convert the Dillon them the CT is the perfect press. I load around 200 rounds per hour at a comfortable pace. I shoot IDPA, GSSF and fun time at the range and the CT meets my needs no problem.

The real advantage to the Classic Turret will be when Lee finally introduces the Classic Progressive--I'm assuming they will do that; the prototyping was all done nearly two years ago.

Jim I couldn't agree more. I can't wait to see that press.