Lee Classic Turret Kit for beginner

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RustyFN nailed it exactly. If you are using the turret you do not need those things. In fact, if you used them it would disrupt your process greatly.
You need a shallow pan, bowl, or something to put your empty brass in and an ammo box (or empty factory ammo box) to put your completed rounds in. I use a crochet hoop to corral the empty brass and the bullets.
You will need the scale to check the powder charge your disk drops. The disks usually, but not always, drop a lighter charge than the chart shows. I have found that the humidity, or lack of it will affect the charge weight also. i.e., just because disk #56 dropped xxxgn the last time, doesn't mean it will drop the same this time. But, once you get set up and get your powder measure set the LTC outfit works like a dream.
I loaded for over 30 years before I bought a tumbler. They are very nice, but not essential. If you wipe the case, and tap it out before putting it in the die they are clean, just not shiney.
 
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dickttx said:
RustyFN nailed it exactly. If you are using the turret you do not need those things. In fact, if you used them it would disrupt your process greatly.
You need a shallow pan, bowl, or something to put your empty brass in and an ammo box (or empty factory ammo box) to put your completed rounds in. I use a crochet hoop to corral the empty brass and the bullets.
You will need the scale to check the powder charge your disk drops. The disks usually, but not always, drop a lighter charge than the chart shows. I have found that the humidity, or lack of it will affect the charge weight also. i.e., just because disk #56 dropped xxxgn the last time, doesn't mean it will drop the same this time. But, once you get set up and get your powder measure set the LTC outfit works like a dream.
Click to expand...
I used empty yogurt cups to hold the brass and bullets before loading them in the round.
 
I will echo what others have said as well. We started with the single stage kit rather than the turret, but deffinately agree about upgrading the scale. It measures accurately enough, but its not very quick. A generic 30-40 digital will speed things up considerably. Otherwise solid easy to use setup. Helps if you have someone you know that reloads already to walk you through the first few times, otherwise it isn't some sort of mysterious art and is HIGHLY addictive. Have fun, be safe!
 
OK, I was looking all set to order the lee classic kit, when I noticed the lee delux turret kit comes with all the same stuff, and as far as I can tell its pretty much the same press... just about half the price. Can anyone give me any input into the quality of the Lee Turret Delux? Is it just as good as the Lee Classic? Why is it half the price?

Really, any info would be useful.

Thanks,
Chris "the Kayak-Man" Johnson
 
Chris, you want the 'Classic Turret' if for no other reason but the way it handles spent primers.

The spent primers go through the ram and are deposited in a rubber tube at the bottom of the ram. Or, they can be directed into a receptacle of your choosing. The 'Deluxe Turret' scatters spent primers across ~ 10 acres. :banghead: (Yes, I bought the Deluxe first :barf: but I very quickly learned that I had made a mistake and replaced it with the 'Classic'):cool:

There are other differences but this alone makes the 'Classic' the one to buy.

Seedtick

:)
 
Negative, avoid the Deluxe, they're NOT the same press! You want the Lee Classic Cast Turret Press. I've owned both, the LCCT rocks, the Deluxe sucks. Broke mine twice, one time the cast aluminum handle snapped in half. Also 3-hole turrets vs. 4-hole, although the Deluxe may be 4-hole now, or have the option. Spent primer catching is far better on the LCCT. Just an all-around better press, IMO.

This one.

ClassicTP.jpg
 
Hands down, you want the Classic Turret Press and not the Deluxe. It's a little counter to how it sounds, as the "Deluxe" sounds like it should be the new improved model and the "Classic" should be the older design, but it is just the opposite. The Classic is better built, better engineered, and better everything. Don't get me wrong the Deluxe works fine, but when starting new and choosing between the two there's no question. Hope this helps.
 
The Duluxe Press has been crossed off the list. For a handle that won't snap in half, I think I can spend the extra $100.

Thanks for the advice guys!
 
Kayak-man, the Lee Classic presses (turret or single-stage) are NOT "beginner" presses, although beginners can use them fine. They will last a lifetime and are all the quality, if not more, than any other turret out there.
 
Kayak-man, the Lee Classic presses (turret or single-stage) are NOT "beginner" presses, although beginners can use them fine. They will last a lifetime and are all the quality, if not more, than any other turret out there.
Click to expand...

I am glad to hear that. Very, very glad, since this morning before I left for work, I ordered the cabelas Lee Classic Turret Press Kit. I'm shopping around for a set of 9mm dies now...

Thanks for your help everyone, and even though I already made the purchase, feel free to continue posting on this thread.

Chris "the Kayak-Man" Johnson
 
Congrats. I would recommend starting with the Lee die set. You will need the powder/expander die for your powder measure anyway. Once you get experience you can play around with different dies if you want. I have used different dies but own all Lee dies. I think they are a great price and have made great ammo for me over the years.
 
I just bought the Lee classic Turret Press about a month ago and it is Great!
Check with Midwayusa.com for the best price. They run it for $94 on sale or $104 at the regular price.
Buy about 3 or 4 extra Turrets; you will need 1 for every caliber you plan to reload. (This will save set up time) They are on sale for about $8.99 right now.
I bought the Redding scale because they had the best reviews.
Definitely get the Primer Reloader Kit (good for large and Small Primers is included)and the Pro Auto Disk Powder Measure. It has all the disc settings you will need.

Oh yes, you will need a Riser to be able to use this Powder dispenser.

I can tell you it will cost you about $400 to get started for reloading. This includes a couple of sets of dies. Lee has the best dies on the market.

When in doubt, read the reviews from Midway on every item before you buy. It will pay off. Trust me on this.
 
About a month ago I started metallic cartridge reloading. Got the Lee Classic Turret Kit with both options (Pro Auto Disk and Large & Small Primer) from Kempf with .45ACP and 9mm dies, a tumbler, kinetic puller, reloading manual, and some other accessories for about $350. I'm quite happy with the Lee press, and I'm pretty confident that it will meet my reloading needs for a good long time.
 
Just ordered the dies, and since I had the card out, and payday was last night, I got myself an NRA membership to go with it... and a couple reloading manuals... and did you know that Midway USA carries some of Hemingway's work? The credit card is going away for a very long time now.....

Thanks for all your help guys! I couldn't have done it without you.

Chris "the Kayak-Man" Johnson
 
The credit card is going away for a very long time now.....
Click to expand...

Ha! If you're just getting into reloading, that credit card's gonna be smokin' before long! It's an addiction, I tell ya. But a good one!
 
Ha! If you're just getting into reloading, that credit card's gonna be smokin' before long! It's an addiction, I tell ya. But a good one!
Click to expand...

Isn't that the truth. Before you know it you will be buying primers 50,000 at a time and powder 48 pounds at a time. Don't ask me how I know this. :D
 
Hands down, you want the Classic Turret Press and not the Deluxe. It's a little counter to how it sounds, as the "Deluxe" sounds like it should be the new improved model and the "Classic" should be the older design, but it is just the opposite. The Classic is better built, better engineered, and better everything. Don't get me wrong the Deluxe works fine, but when starting new and choosing between the two there's no question. Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
By 'Classic' Lee means iron/steel instead of cast aluminium.
 
rondog, rusty, your comments make me both happy, and sad. I am sad because I really don't enjoy spending money, and I tend to be pretty tight with it. I am happy, because 50,000 primers implies I will be loading a fairly large quantity of amunition, and as most folks that know me understand, large quantities of amunition make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

As far as reloading manuels go, I got the Lyman Reloading Manuel:49th edition and the Lee Modern Reloading Second Edition. I assume that these will cover most of the bases, but we all know what happens when you assume things...

Anyone have any specific reloading manuels that they like, or any experiance with the ones I bought?

Chris "the Kayak-Man" Johnson
 
What I do is go in on an order with a couple of friends. We always max out a hazmat. That's 50,000 primers or 48 pounds of powder or 48 pounds of powder and primers mixed. Find some friends to buy with and that will be the cheapest way to buy components.
 
To me, reloading is a hobby all by itself - seperate and apart from shooting. I'm not sure about buying primers and powder in the amounts Rusty mentioned (not that I doubt he does), but the message is clear: once you start reloading, you end up shooting way more than you would if you were buying ammo at the store.....way more.... :D

Kayak, the Lyman 49th and Lee are the two best out there when someone is getting started, in my opinion. Both have information not found in the other manuals, especially the Lee. All of them are good, however. Another two I like are the Sierra notebook bound (very neat manual) because I like the Sierra bullets, and the Hornady if you end up liking the Hornady bullets. The 8th edition is out now, and it'll have the FlexTip loads and others.
 
Oh, BTW Kayakman, I'm surprised someone hasn't already mentioned this but that little square plastic part on the auto indexer is SUPPOSED to break. It's a sacrificial part that is made that way in the event someone short strokes the press to prevent damage to the more expensive components. Just order an extra few and stash them and you'll be fine.
 
A wealth of great information here. I only wish it had been posted before I bought my classic turret a year ago! Its a wonderful piece of equipment, not perfect, but very forgiving and simple to use. I won't reiterate all the advice except one very important one: ALWAYS verify the powder weights that your disc is feeding. Before I reload, I weigh 10 loads from the disc. I use Unique and the weights will vary slightly. Doesn't take much time and it helps me sleep better...
 
ALWAYS verify the powder weights that your disc is feeding. Before I reload, I weigh 10 loads from the disc. I use Unique and the weights will vary slightly. Doesn't take much time and it helps me sleep better...
Click to expand...

Yes very good point Bruce. I do the same thing even if I'm loading the same load as the time before.
 
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