Lee Classic Turret Press - 2 months

[Beentown]

This is a quick review of the Lee Classic Turret Press after using it for 2 months.

I purchased the kit from Natchezs for $186. I have loaded 9mm, 380, 308, and .223 on this press.

Set-up:

I found the press easy to set up. Despite having instructions akin to the ones found in the Harbor Freight gear it was pretty easy to figure out from using basic mechanical knowledge. YouTube, loading forums and Google are you friend when setting up this or any other Lee product. The instructions on some items are less than useless.

The Safety Prime was a bit of a PITA. When I thought I had it working correctly I would end up picking up primers off the floor. It was hard to believe it was the alignment since there is SO much slop in the movement. Well, after loading 200 rounds of 9mm I was frustrated and took a step back. A simple add-on of another washer under the plastic "holder" seems to fix what ailed it.

Also, those new to this press, play with the handle position. After my first few loading sessions I started playing with the position. What a difference. I am 6' on the button and having the handle as far forward as possible has really helped with comfort.

I REALLY like the Pro Auto-disk Powder Measure. I have seen mixed reviews on it. For high volume pistol and 223 loads it really works great. Now if I really want to dial in a load I use a bench mounted powder measure. Sometimes the load you want falls in-between sizes on the disks. So far the powders I have used are Varget, H335, Titegroup, Universal, and TAC. All metered great in this measure.

The Lee Scale is not the most user friendly but I don't see why it gets so much hate. Yes, it could have easier to read partial gr markings but it is reliable albeit slow. It has been replaced for use by a digital. I still use the Lee as a cross check. Cheap scale that works.


Use:

I am up to doing 200 rounds an hour pretty comfortably but usually run about 150. I have turrets set up for different calibers and cleaning. The first turret is a case prep turret. It has a Lee Universal Decapping Die and the RCBS Pocket Swager Combo Die. Then a turret for each of my calibers all with its own dedicated Auto-disk Powder Measure except for 308. This I use a Lee Rifle Charging Die, bench mounted Lee Perfect Powder Measure and a funnel.

Switching between calibers is SO easy. Especially if you buy a powder measure for each caliber. Literally seconds to switch.

You can use this press with the rod in auto-index mode or you can index it by hand. I really like having this option. For a NEWB they can take there time and load/learn like being on a single stage. Once comfortable with the process/press they can start churning out high volume.

Overall:

This press has been everything I wanted and more. Once you consider the value I have to give Lee a hand. Sure if I were a rich man or didn't have other hobbies I would have a dedicated 650 for each caliber but that is not realistic for me or many others.

A quick caliber breakdown:

Turret - $9
Dies - $28
Auto-disk powder measure - $40
Riser or Charging die - $10

So for $87 you can have a complete set-up for each caliber. Mind you the press kit comes with a turret, riser and Auto-disk Powder Measure in it so you have one caliber minus dies ready to go. Change the turret and switch out the included priming arm and you are off and running. Now you can drop the cost by more than half re-using the powder measure on other calibers. Which is quite easy also just not as quick.

Great press, great price and very versatile.

 

[Potatohead]

Awesome thread Beentown. I'm watching closely. I was thinking about getting one.

 

[Potatohead]

Did you get the dies from Nachez or did you already have them?

 

[Constrictor]

i used to have several of these. do you have the 3 or 4 station press? how often do you have to replace the ratchet plastic grommet? it got to be too often for me.

 

[1KPerDay]

i used to have several of these. do you have the 3 or 4 station press? how often do you have to replace the ratchet plastic grommet? it got to be too often for me.

My first one lasted about 12,000 rounds. Still on the spare that came with the press... about 6,000 rounds on it so far. I love this press.

I only have one pro auto disc so I just swap it when I change calibers. Takes 30 seconds.

I do have a turret/head for each caliber, though.

Good writeup, Beentown.

 

[RussellC]

+1 that's the one I have my eye on!

Russellc

 

[GT1]

Good review. I sure like mine, after a few thousand rounds it is as good as the first.


Funny thing about those plastic square ratchet thingies, I bought a few spares(50 cents each) thinking I'd need them after reading about breakage. Still on the first one. Going to take a long time to wear that plastic down.

 

[sellersm]

+1K for this press! It's the best value on the market, imnsho. Like you, I tend to get extra powder measures for each caliber/turret so switching calibers is seamless & speedy.

And thanks for this idea: "case prep turret"! I never thought of doing that, what a great idea...

 

[Rule3]

Good review. I sure like mine, after a few thousand rounds it is as good as the first.


Funny thing about those plastic square ratchet thingies, I bought a few spares(50 cents each) thinking I'd need them after reading about breakage. Still on the first one. Going to take a long time to wear that plastic down.

I am also.

Been using my press for probably 5 years and about every handgun caliber and 4 rifles.

Still on the original nylon turret (square thingy) If it breaks someone is doing something wrong like trying to turn the turret when ram is in the spiral part of the rod.

 

[joecil]

Don't short stoke it and the square plastic ratchets hold up. I'm still on my first one after about 5000 rounds and still dead on. I also have the Lee Classic Cast and use the same Safety prime system on both as it comes with an arm for the single stage presses as well as the Lee Classic Turret. I also added an Inline Fabrication roller handle to mine and love it. Really stops me from having to bend over to get to the bottom of the stroke. I have separate Pro Powder measure on the 9mm, 45 ACP, 45 Colt and 454 Casull but use the Lee Perfect Powder measure mounted for 45-70 Gov on the Lee Powder thru Expander die using a http://store.gun-guides.com/Perfect-Adapters-_c_12.html for it. Works well also.

 

[Beentown]

i used to have several of these. do you have the 3 or 4 station press? how often do you have to replace the ratchet plastic grommet? it got to be too often for me.

Haven't broke a rachet yet. Just gotta be sure to do your messing about with the ram on the top half of the indexing rod. It is the 4 station turret.

The primer feed still drops 1 of 100 and I need to tinker a bit more on it.

 

[Constrictor]

I could only get the ratchet pieces to last 3-400 rounds.

 

[oldreloader]

Good review. I sure like mine, after a few thousand rounds it is as good as the first.


Funny thing about those plastic square ratchet thingies, I bought a few spares(50 cents each) thinking I'd need them after reading about breakage. Still on the first one. Going to take a long time to wear that plastic down.

Same here.. Still on the original and still have plenty of spares.

 

[RustyFN]

i used to have several of these. do you have the 3 or 4 station press? how often do you have to replace the ratchet plastic grommet? it got to be too often for me.

If you have to replace the ratchet often then you are doing something wrong or have a defective part somewhere. Most of the time it happens when removing one turret and installing another without raising the ram first. I have been loading on my classic turret press for around seven years. I load four calibers. I don't know how many thousands of rounds I have loaded. I am still on the original ratchet that came installed with the press, my spare is in a safe place.

Good write-up Beentown.

 

[horsemen61]

I want to read this later though no time now

 

[Lost Sheep]

It's not the position of the ram, but the direction of last movement.

It's not the position of the ram, but the direction of last movement.

The square ratchet (otherwise known as the "little black square thingy") slides up and down the indexing rod, forced by the indexing arm (the square ratchet is trapped inside of it). Since there is some drag, the square ratchet is forced against the interior underside of the indexing arm when the ram movement is down. The underside is where the ratchet notches are. If the square ratchet is engaged with those notches, and you rotate the turret (and the indexing rod) in the backwards direction, you will feel resistance. If you force it, you will break the square ratchet. It's that simple.

Let me simplify it further.

It does not matter where the indexing arm is located. It only matters where the square ratchet is in relation to those notches. But you cannot SEE the position of the square ratchet, so you have to rely on remembering the direction of travel of the ram, the primary determining factor.

If the last movement of the ram was downward, the square ratchet will be up and engaged with the notches. If it was upward, the square ratchet will be down and not be engaged. If not engaged, free travel for the turret in either direction, no breakage. If engaged, you can break the square ratchet, almost guaranteed. Do not pass go, pay 50 cents and start over.

I will repeat. The stationary position of the ram is irrelevant. The position of the hidden square ratchet is relevant. The position of the square ratchet is determined by the direction of the most recent movement of the ram.

Most recent movement up, disengaged; breakage impossible. Down, engaged; breakage possible.

In mnemonic form:

Most recent ram movement up, OK.
Down, not ok

Remember the signal from the Roman Coliseum:
Thumbs up, your square ratchet lives.
Thumbs down, your square ratchet dies.

Lost Sheep

Another thing to remember. No matter what position the ram is in or direction of last travel you can do this: Lift the indexing rod a little (as far at the turret will let it, about a quarter inch) and drop it down. That will disengage the square ratchet from the notches.

 

[horsemen61]

I love that part about the Romans lost that made my night

 

[1SOW]

Remember the signal from the Roman Coliseum:
Thumbs up, your square ratchet lives.
Thumbs down, your square ratchet dies.

Very True.
If you correspond with Lee techs, they suggest white grease on the rod to insure the movement of the ratchet with the slightest change of direction. It works smoothly with either oil or grease, but grease moves it pronto.

The plastic housing for the square ratchet also is sturdier with a "through machine screw and nut", instead of screwing it into the threaded plastic socket.

 

[demerp]

thanks for the writeup on this. have been looking at one for my first press.

 

[Centurian22]

Awesome write up on the LCT! I love mine, I've only used it for .308 and .32 S&W long so far, I'll be adding 7.62x54R and 9mm soon. I think I like the hand press for .32 more than the turret but that could be because I only load 25-50 at a time with it.

 

[Beentown]

Thanks all. Great little press, especially for the money. Whipped out 120, 223 rounds last night after my wife went to bed. 223 takes me longer as I don't lube/prep before hand.

I will once my RCBS swager replacement rod comes in (my own dumb fault).

24.4gr of H335
55gr Hornady Z-Max
R-P Brass
CCI SRP