Lee classic turret press trouble shooting thread

Status
Not open for further replies.
H

horsemen61

Member
Joined
Oct 20, 2011
Messages
6,758
Alright folks it has been brought to my attention that a new thread for this topic is indeed in order so here it is so if you have any questions comments or concerns please speak up

Thanks
Horsemen61
 
Lee Turret Press

My LCT works fine except for what plagues everyone - the safety primer feeder! While the safety primer works pretty reliably on the single stage press it is much less reliable on the LCT. I have adjusted left, right, up and down but it is so flimsy that I am sure that I will never get as reliable as it on the single stage. I would gladly pay more for a sturdier metal design, if Lee would just offer one.
P.S. Yes, I have watched every YouTube video on adjusting the safety primer.
 
As soon as I have any issue with my LCT I will check back, but don't hold your breath.

I will offer that extra locknuts are needed (or some other slim lock ring), if using any Hornady dies, since the Hornady rings are too bulky for a 4 die cluster.
 
My LCT works fine except for what plagues everyone - the safety primer feeder! While the safety primer works pretty reliably on the single stage press it is much less reliable on the LCT. I have adjusted left, right, up and down but it is so flimsy that I am sure that I will never get as reliable as it on the single stage. I would gladly pay more for a sturdier metal design, if Lee would just offer one.
P.S. Yes, I have watched every YouTube video on adjusting the safety primer.
Click to expand...

Try loosening the press nut that holds the base of the primer assembly and realign the swing of the primer arm. Mine works flawlessly but was temperamental until I tried this fix.

WP_20131124_002.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]

778bcf6f-8b73-4b0c-a64d-d04fea1b20ae.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]
 
Or prime off press
Click to expand...

That's a workaround that takes time. The press is designed to do the priming. Just because others hand prime doesn't mean it is the cool thing to do.
 
Yeah there is a bit of a learning curve with all machines, the suggestion of loosening up the nut just slightly for a few tries, you will find the sweet spot.

btw, if you do what i did, that is to de prime about 1500 .45 in one sitting, after never having done this before, you'll get up the next day thinking you have the start of the flu.

My back was killing me! I thought I was sick, then I remembered what I had done. sheesh I felt pretty embarrassed.:banghead:

be safe
 
I was kidding. See the :neener: at the end?


Sorry for veering the thread off topic OP.
 
Last edited:
I always deprime my pistol brass in large batches, then clean and polish them. Then I usually prime hundreds of them and store them, clean polished and primed. To load some up, I remove the decapping pin and git after it. Just have to size, flare/charge, seat bullet and crimp.

Rifle brass - I have to add the resizing and trimming, but I also like to store them clean, trimmed, sized, primed and ready to go.

Just the way I like to do it. And I use a LCT.
 
The turret or progressive press is designed to do the depriming and priming. The case for cleaned primer pockets is pretty weak in my estimation. I think what happens is that the stiff disciplines of rifle loading get carried over to handgun loading unnecessarily.
 
+1 on tweaking the lateral swing of the primer dispenser.

What's everybody using to lubricate the turret itself? Personally I've started using white lithium grease and I find it does a good job.
 
Well not a trouble shoot per say but I really like that the LCT has ramped up my ammo production over my single stage now I can shoot even more
 
Foto Joe said:
+1 on tweaking the lateral swing of the primer dispenser.

What's everybody using to lubricate the turret itself? Personally I've started using white lithium grease and I find it does a good job.
Click to expand...
Until it gathers up all the lose powder and other misc debris. It's to heavy. Clean it off with a degreaser and a light wipe with any gun oil (CLP, Rem Oil) or even a silicone spray.
 
What's everybody using to lubricate the turret itself? Personally I've started using white lithium grease and I find it does a good job.
Click to expand...

I have only had mine seven years, haven't had to lube it yet. :D The more I use it the smoother it gets.
 
I use grease on my turrets too. Just a very thin film of Mobil 1 red grease, same stuff I use on my guns. It does make 'em turn smoother. Grease that little detent ball too.
 
Until it gathers up all the lose powder and other misc debris. It's to heavy. Clean it off with a degreaser and a light wipe with any gun oil (CLP, Rem Oil) or even a silicone spray.
Click to expand...

Your suggestion may be a good one, but I use aerosol lithium grease too and think it does a nice job. You may be right about attracting particles, but the fit of the press base strips it off the ram. The stuff stays put and lasts a long time. Possibly overkill, but I had a can around, tried it, and thought it worked.
 
Last edited:
Rule3 said:
Until it gathers up all the lose powder and other misc debris.
Click to expand...

That hasn't been an issue at all. Keep in mind that I said "turret" though. I use Ballistol on the ram and the sides of the primer seat. Try as we might to keep the "stuff" where it belongs it never works for very long.

I once decided to clean my shotshell loader with brake cleaner. It was a good idea and works well except I was young and didn't take into consideration that I was loading in an enclosed little space. What really got my attention was when I blew all the brake cleaner off with compressed air. I managed to step out into fresh air just before my kisser hit the floor.
 
I'm taking all my Lee presses apart including my new LCT and powder coating anything not all ready covered that will not inhibit the function of the press. Here in Western WA there is constant humidity and it takes a toll on your bare metal parts. Doesn't matter what or how much oil I've applied to those bare spots I still get flash rusting or worse. Now the question is flate black or gloss red powder coat? I'm think the flat black will be a good match up.
 
sauer1911 said:
Yeah there is a bit of a learning curve with all machines, the suggestion of loosening up the nut just slightly for a few tries, you will find the sweet spot.

btw, if you do what i did, that is to de prime about 1500 .45 in one sitting, after never having done this before, you'll get up the next day thinking you have the start of the flu.

My back was killing me! I thought I was sick, then I remembered what I had done. sheesh I felt pretty embarrassed.:banghead:

be safe
Click to expand...
I deprime using the Lee's hand press. First time I did this it was for ~500 cases. My carpal tunnel was sure acting up the next morning.
 
Primer Arm

Only issue I have experienced is with the primer arm assembly. The primer, when in the holder/cup, will sometimes catch on the bottom of the shell holder as the arm swings inward. When that happens the primer will most likely end up somewhere across the room. I have adjusted the arm to center between the bumps on the base. Still happens periodically.
 
Springfield0612 said:
I'm taking all my Lee presses apart including my new LCT and powder coating anything not all ready covered that will not inhibit the function of the press. Here in Western WA there is constant humidity and it takes a toll on your bare metal parts. Doesn't matter what or how much oil I've applied to those bare spots I still get flash rusting or worse. Now the question is flate black or gloss red powder coat? I'm think the flat black will be a good match up.
Click to expand...


Smurf Blue:D
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

H
  • Locked
Lee classic Turret press info needed
2 3 4 5 6 7
Replies
161
Views
10K
Potatohead
Potatohead
G
  • Locked
Lee Classic Turret
Replies
18
Views
1K
RustyFN
R
lckdnldd
  • Locked
  • Poll
Lee Classic Turret Press owners?
2 3 4
Replies
77
Views
6K
drband
drband
E
  • Locked
Interested in fabricating a turret for Lee CLassic for 50 BMG.
Replies
7
Views
468
RandyP
R
S
  • Locked
want to reload with a lee classic turret, help!
Replies
10
Views
1K
BAT1
B
Back
Top