Lee Classic Turret Press--Index ratchet gear, Turret Indexing and Proper turret alig

[benedict1]

There seems to be real confusion about turret alignment and the role the square, nylon ratchet plays in rotation of the index rod on The Lee Classic Turret Press. An experienced reloading friend who has one of these presses, as I and many others do, put together a brief writeup to clear up why the ratchet is made of the material it is; what it does; how to align the turret, if necessary, and NOT strip the nylon ratchet; and how to replace it if needed. In normal use the ratchet should last for years but if abused through wrong attempts to correct turret misalignment it will be damaged.

Remember, the press also carries a two year warranty. If you should have trouble with a ratchet gear call Lee and ask for a couple of replacements under the warranty.

THIS APPLIES TO THE CLASSIC TURRET PRESS or older models of the 4-hole press also. It does NOT apply to a 3-hole turret press; they are adjusted in another manner.
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Many of us have tried to help new press owners with this issue and we hope that this will go a long way toward solving the problem.

 

[RustyFN]

I own a Lee Classic Turret press and think it is an awesome press. I also think Dillon, Hornady and RCBS make great presses. The only press I have loaded on so far is my classic. I met somebody recently that offered me a chance to try his Dillon 550. I can't wait to pull the handle to see what all the hype is about. chingon I would like to know why you think the Lee safety prime should be made out of something other than plastic. For the job it does I don't see the need to make it different. I can understand your point about pulling the handle once per round instead of four. The Classic was in my budget when I started and I will have to shoot a lot more before I out grow it. I guess when I get tired of pulling the handle so many times I will look for a progressive also. As long as everybody is happy with the press they bought, who cares what brand it is.
Rusty


Edit: OK am I going nuts or what. When I replied to this post there were a lot of other posts. After I submitted it the other posts were gone.

 

[RustyFN]

I guess they figure the lee owners have enough to overcome without allowing anything that bruises their ego.

Or it could be coments like this from Dillon owners that don't realize there really are other presses out there. I know you owned a Classic at one point but I don't see anything I have to overcome being a Lee owner. So now tell me again where the ego is. I thought I asked an honest question about the safety prime and I thought I could get an honest answer. The safety prime has no pressure and I don't see any problem with the plastic for me. I haven't had a problem with it yet and from what I read about priming problems on progressives I'm wondering if it isn't one of the better priming systems out.
Rusty

 

[jfh]

chingdon: I suggest that you lose a bit of the attitude

While I fully understand the two kinds of press buyers for Dillon and Lee, and I can appreciate these endless debates, the bottom line is--

1. The OP offered a solution for a problem that seems to crop up with the Classic Cast Turret.

2. For various reasons, moderators have chopped up this thread.

3. Because of the chopping, whatever discourse between you and RustyFN now makes no sense--and although I read it earlier, it was an unnecessary diversion from the nominal topic of the OP.

So, enjoy the forum--this is one of the non-political areas of guns; we can all learn something, without castigating others.

Jim H.

 

[RustyFN]

jfh, your right thanks. Sorry everybody for the highjack. Great post Benedict I'm sure it will help a lot of people out.
Rusty

 

[dhomoney]

I agree, I am just about to start reloading and have chosen the Lee Turret press. It offered a very good product at a good price. I didn't feel like spending the $500+ for a "Dillon" just because it is a Dillion. This is like the BS between Linux and Windows, Ford and Chevy, BMW and Audi, and Mac and PC. Get over it, more people are driven off by stupid argueing over a brand than anything else.

 

[RustyFN]

dhomoney, congratulations on your new press and welcome.
Rusty