lee classic turret press kit

[tcanthonyii]

Hey I'm probably just as new as you. If it proves accurate then I'd trust it but if do as you are. Test on a beam.

 

[va1911]

The classic turret was my first press and I've only been using for a few months (xmas gift to myself) but I love it and the quality is excellent. I don't think there is a better buy for the quality.

I mail ordered from kempfs and thought they didn't have any 9mm dies they had my 45 and 30-06 dies so that's where I got started and honestly 45 is where my pain point is for ammo anyway so it's where I'll do most of my loading.

http://www.kempfgunshop.com/
https://kempfgunshop.com//index.php...facturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=41

That second link is the whole kit they put together for you and other than a scale it's basically all you need to get started with a single caliber. I ordered an additional 4 hole turret for each caliber and they shipped it in just around 4 weeks minus the 9m dies.

 

[Lost Sheep]

How to break a Lee Square Ratchet

The only major caveat to the Lee Classic Press....is never turn the turret manually by hand UNLESS you raise the ram about halfway first! There's this little square black plastic doodad that's a vital piece of the indexing stuff, and if you turn the turret by hand with the ram all the way down it'll ruin that little doodad. Just raise the ram some first and all is good, it'll last for years.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=606394

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 top of the indexing arm when the ram movement is downward. 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, 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 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

p.s. one exception: If you lift the indexing rod up and then lower it down (there is about 1/8" feee movement), this will disengage the square ratchet no matter what. So, if my ram is at the bottom of its stroke (last movement HAS to have been downward) I just grab the rod with thumb and forefinger, lift and drop.

 

[RustyFN]

I bought a half dozen of those little black plastic ratchet squares thinking omg, I'll break one a week after reading about people snapping them. I think they cost 39 cents each or some such.

I found the little ziploc bag of them the other day looking through my Lee supplies. Still running on the original after a few thousand handle pulls.

I have been loading on mine for seven years and am still on the orriginal ratchet.

 

[Fire_Moose]

Now the real question. Does the square ratchet get replaced with the tiny wall that runs around one side, up or down??

Sent from my CZ85 Combat

 

[ATLDave]

Gadawg88-- why would one need a digital for pistol loading?

Because you can't tare/zero on a primed cartridge and check weigh the actual charge the thrower puts into it without dumping and measuring. Because you can't measure final, finished cartridge weights, or at least can't switch back and forth quickly. I use an electronic scale to do lots and lots of in-process spot checks, and to weigh EVERY single round I make. Beam scales are very good at a few specific tasks, but they are not as flexible as electronics.

 

[deadeye dick]

Love my turet also. What everyone says about the ratchet is correct. The only thing i can complain about is the priming tool. If you don't hold it with your finger after seating the primer it will fall to the floor on the other stations. It seems to stick in the shell holder on the powder drop and seating stations. I think it should be locked onto the ram so it dose not dislodge. Am I doing something wrong? Anyone have this problem?

 

[leadchucker]

I heard all the horror stories about how those "little black square thingies" break all the time with no provocation. Lee includes a spare with the press. They will break if you try to turn the turret while the ratchet is engaged. Lee sends out lots of those to owners who have broken them (at no cost, BTW.) As Lost Sheep said, all you have to do to disengage it is raise the ram a wee bit.

In my two years of ownership, I haven't broken one yet.

 

[Fire_Moose]

Love my turet also. What everyone says about the ratchet is correct. The only thing i can complain about is the priming tool. If you don't hold it with your finger after seating the primer it will fall to the floor on the other stations. It seems to stick in the shell holder on the powder drop and seating stations. I think it should be locked onto the ram so it dose not dislodge. Am I doing something wrong? Anyone have this problem?

No offence. Bur have you tried lubing the sides and inside the ram on that little bar?

Sent from my CZ85 Combat

 

[Lost Sheep]

Love my turet also. What everyone says about the ratchet is correct. The only thing i can complain about is the priming tool. If you don't hold it with your finger after seating the primer it will fall to the floor on the other stations. It seems to stick in the shell holder on the powder drop and seating stations. I think it should be locked onto the ram so it dose not dislodge. Am I doing something wrong? Anyone have this problem?

I have heard of this problem. Aside from what Fire Moose said in post 59, you could try smoothing down any tool marks or burrs that might be catching. Either on the sides of the primer arm or in the channel in the ram or the center hole of the shell holder.

Fine emory cloth or very fine sandpaper should do. Don't take off large amounts of metal, or even small amounts. Just smooth it out.

Lost Sheep

 

[Lost Sheep]

Now the real question. Does the square ratchet get replaced with the tiny wall that runs around one side, up or down??

Sent from my CZ85 Combat

The wider part should be up. It actually will work either way, but the engagement is fuller if the part that is .43" square is up instead of the 0.30" square part.

I don't know why Lee makes it that shape. As far as I can tell, it would work fine if it was a full .43" wide throughout its full 0.136" height. It would make it stronger, I think and eliminate the pesky question of "Which way is up?".

I hate the question because it took me a LONG time to figure it out. Took the arm apart, strong light, magnifying glass, calipers... and I still wasn't sure until now.

Lost Sheep

 

[leadchucker]

The only thing i can complain about is the priming tool. If you don't hold it with your finger after seating the primer it will fall to the floor on the other stations. It seems to stick in the shell holder on the powder drop and seating stations. I think it should be locked onto the ram so it dose not dislodge. Am I doing something wrong? Anyone have this problem?

If a shell holder is present on the ram, the primer seating piece should not be able to come out of the ram at all. Maybe a non Lee shell holder? Maybe something broken or missing on the primer seating piece or the ram? Maybe the top part of the ram is not aligned properly, causing the primer seating piece to not align with the bosses on the press bottom.

 

[4season]

Well that;s the usually normal statement from somebody that has never owned or used a Lee press. That's how they justify spending three times more for what they have.

Lots of people getting defensive about the Lee stuff.

I DO own a LEE press, not the turret press but my first reloading equipment was the Lee Anniversary Kit. And I reloaded to real accurate ammo with it as well. But I upgraded later to an easier to use scale (the Lee scale is plenty accurate, but is a pain to use) and a better powered measure.

Why is everyone arguing like Lee stuff isn't compromise? Maybe I should have said the Lee kits will get you started but you will find some stuff in the kit that you will want to upgrade later. Actually I did say that. I recommend the Lee Kits to get started with, but if you get serious about loading you will upgrade to something you like better at some point.

 

[RustyFN]

Lots of people getting defensive about the Lee stuff. Why is everyone arguing like Lee stuff isn't compromise?

Because you said everything Lee makes is a compromise. Well everybody that I have seen that own both the RCBS RC and the Lee CC single say the Lee is the better press. So if the Lee is better and is a compromise then does that make the RC a piece of crap?

You also say you owned a Lee anniversary kit press. So from that one press you can tell every thing they make is a compromise? Also the OP was asking about the classic turret which you said you have no experience with but say it's a compromise. Just like I said in my other post, a typical comment from somebody that hase never used one.

 

[ajwinkis]

Need help with LEE reloader

I just got a Lee Turret press from a friend. Its missing parts and was wondering how to tell how old it is. I'm almost 100% sure its a Lee 3 hole turret press after looking it up on Lee's website. But I have I guess you can say just the main peice of it no dies or anything. I looked and found an 4 hole update kit with auto index put the question is that Lees website says pre 2005 for example. How can I find out what all I need to get this up and running. I can email you pics of it if that will help. And I know everyone isout of everythin dealing with reloading but would like to go ahead and get on back order lists. Thanks ajwinkis

 

[Xfire68]

ajwinkis, just contact Lee. They will tell you what too look for if no one here knows the differences.

 

[4season]

Because you said everything Lee makes is a compromise. Well everybody that I have seen that own both the RCBS RC and the Lee CC single say the Lee is the better press. So if the Lee is better and is a compromise then does that make the RC a piece of crap?

You also say you owned a Lee anniversary kit press. So from that one press you can tell every thing they make is a compromise? Also the OP was asking about the classic turret which you said you have no experience with but say it's a compromise. Just like I said in my other post, a typical comment from somebody that hase never used one.

Well let me apologize for saying ALL Lee equipment. My kit came with the Challenger Press, not the Turret Press so I have no knowledge of the turret. However the Turret kit comes with the same Safety Powder Scale that my kit came with that I HATE. I am not saying that it can't be used or that is not accurate, but that it was such a pain for me to use that I upgraded to a better scale within a month of starting reloading. I still use my Challenger Press that came with my kit, but it too has some shortcomings. But it comes back to the old saying "you get what you pay for." If the Lee kit cost less than what some others charge for the press alone, what does that say for the quality?

By all means, get the Lee Kit to get started. There are lots of useful things in it and it will get you loading without a big investment. But be warned that reloading is addictive and if you like it you will be upgrading some of the basic equipment soon.

 

[Centurian22]

I started with the lee classic turret but assembled my own kit. Very satisfied.

 

[gerrym526]

Lee Classic Turret Press-Great for a 1st Timer

I've had mine for 2yrs now and it works very well. Load 45ACP, 9mm, 38sp, 357.
It was my first press and I wouldn't be put off from purchasing it as a newcomer to reloading.
I only use it in single stage, not progressive mode, and can still turn out almost 100 rounds per hour. Not the volume of the folks using progressive presses, but a very respectable volume of rounds for a beginner who needs to pay attention to every step of the reloading process for safety considerations.
Gerry

 

[Xfire68]

4season posted:

I still use my Challenger Press that came with my kit, but it too has some shortcomings.

Pretty much all of the presses have some negative that some users would point out.

My Hornady LNL AP with case feeder that cost over $1,000 when all said and done with shell plates for both the press and the case feeder had a number of issues that I ended up fixing and it now runs great. My Lee Challenger press has never had a issue and I would expect it to last much longer then I will be around.

The LCT has loaded well over 10k of 5.56/9mm in the last 4 years and aside from me ruining a plastic ratchet it has never failed me either. For the most part and I will side with you on the scale but, with Lee products you Do "Get what you pay for" and much much more!

 

[leadchucker]

...I have no knowledge of the turret....

Then how can you say that everything Lee makes is a compromise?

...However the Turret kit comes with the same Safety Powder Scale that my kit came with that I HATE. I am not saying that it can't be used or that is not accurate, but that it was such a pain for me to use that I upgraded to a better scale within a month of starting reloading....

I think that if you look back in this thread, you'll see numerous other people agree that a press kit may not be the best option because the Lee Safety scale that comes with it is not really satisfactory.

I still use my Challenger Press that came with my kit, but it too has some shortcomings. But it comes back to the old saying "you get what you pay for." If the Lee kit cost less than what some others charge for the press alone, what does that say for the quality?

If paying more helps you sleep at night, by all means buy something more expensive.

By all means, get the Lee Kit to get started. There are lots of useful things in it and it will get you loading without a big investment. But be warned that reloading is addictive and if you like it you will be upgrading some of the basic equipment soon.

You've based your entire argument against Lee on your experiences with a single Lee KIT. It goes without saying that reloaders will be upgrading equipment at some point. It also goes without saying that most kits do not provide you with the ideal combination of equipment you might need. That's still no argument that Lee equipment in general is some kind of compromise.

 

[RustyFN]

...However the Turret kit comes with the same Safety Powder Scale that my kit came with that I HATE. I am not saying that it can't be used or that is not accurate, but that it was such a pain for me to use that I upgraded to a better scale within a month of starting reloading....

I think that if you look back in this thread, you'll see numerous other people agree that a press kit may not be the best option because the Lee Safety scale that comes with it is not really satisfactory.

Actually the classic turret kit from Kempf does not include the scale. Instead it includes one set of dies. That's why I always recommend that kit. I'm not a fan of the Lee scale either.

You've based your entire argument against Lee on your experiences with a single Lee KIT. It goes without saying that reloaders will be upgrading equipment at some point. It also goes without saying that most kits do not provide you with the ideal combination of equipment you might need. That's still no argument that Lee equipment in general is some kind of compromise.

Exactly,I don't care what somebody starts with they will upgrade some or all of the parts.

 

[Centurian22]

I will be one of if not the only lone supporter of the Lee Safety Scale. I was worried about buying it at first due to the almost constant bashing it receives. I couldn't be happier! It is repeatably accurate, simple, inexpensive, and solid. I can not see why so many people have so many problems with this scale. A new reloaded on a budget is FAR better off with this scale than ANY other possibility available for the same $30 price point.

I believe I will go start a threa to find out what the problems really are.

 

[JRWhit]

I may include a safety notice. As said in my previous post, I'm very satisfied with the LCT press overall.But....

Be aware, when using ball powders and pay special close attention to the auto disc.
After a certain amount of use it can become clogged with powder in the mechanism, keeping it from resetting fully. If this happens it can result in a squib load if it goes unnoticed. I have only had this problem on certain volumes. Make it a point to visually confirm that it reset before proceeding.

 

[ATLDave]

After a certain amount of use it can become clogged with powder in the mechanism, keeping it from resetting fully.

If you're encountering this with ball powder, it may mean that you've got liquid lubricant still somewhere in the drop tube or elsewhere. I've taken to only using dry graphite lubricant on the expander/powder drop dies and the autodisk.