Got my Lee Classic Turret today. Nice machine but I am having a small problem. I have seen how to adjust the rotation of the turret for fine tuning but my turret is out of alignment as far as forward and backward. Example - When trying to deprime/decap a 9mm shell the brass hits the die (closest to the handle) instead of going into the center of the die. It is almost as if the shell holder or brass is not pushed in all the way (away from the priming arm). It looks like I could loosen the three 18" bolts and slide the turret a bit but I did not want to take anything apart until you guys told me if it was the way to fix it. Thanks in advance for your help.
Lee Classic Turret press
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tcoz
Member
Go to the Lee website and look at the videos. One of them shows how to adjust the indexing. It's really simple.
tcoz
Member
I understand what you're saying now, but I just looked at my turret and I don't see any provision for the kind of adjustment that you're talking about. Did you remove the indexing rod, make sure the turret is rotated to a detention and try it again? I would say that if it continues to hit off center with the rod removed, you should send an email to their tech department or wait until Monday and call them. They've helped me a couple of times.
It probably is the indexing. Even if you don't think it is, check the video as mentioned and just make sure. Mine did the same thing and it will every so often gets off by just a hair and will catch the edge of the case mouth. The video shows how to remedy the issue, quick and easy.
I can look under the turret and see that no amount of turning will help. It is not an indexing issue. Put it like this. Load a piece of brass in a shell holder, now pull it slightly out of the shell holder and note that it will not go into the die. That is what mine is doing. It is not very far off and most of the time it will line up by itself. I have a message into the Lee tech department. I'll see what they have to say. Thanks!
BTW, the turret was an open box unit that arrived from UPS in a slightly smashed package. I'm guessing that a slight rap with a hammer would fix it but I don't want to do anything to it yet. I'll wait for Lee to comment.
Edit - FWIW, I got the Lee Classic (brand new - just no box) with three extra four hole turrets for $100 shipped. I can deal with a slight misalignment. I was only planning on doing 9MM with this thing but since I have the extra turrets I'm going to set it up for 223 as well.
BTW, the turret was an open box unit that arrived from UPS in a slightly smashed package. I'm guessing that a slight rap with a hammer would fix it but I don't want to do anything to it yet. I'll wait for Lee to comment.
Edit - FWIW, I got the Lee Classic (brand new - just no box) with three extra four hole turrets for $100 shipped. I can deal with a slight misalignment. I was only planning on doing 9MM with this thing but since I have the extra turrets I'm going to set it up for 223 as well.
I got a reply from Lee:
Hello Robert,
There is a small amount of adjustment available to you if you loosen the bolts in the turret ring. You won't harm anything by doing so. Just loosen each bolt about 1/2 to 3/4 turn. If that does not solve the problem let me know.
Thanks,
Peter
Customer Service
Lee Precision, Inc.
Hello Robert,
There is a small amount of adjustment available to you if you loosen the bolts in the turret ring. You won't harm anything by doing so. Just loosen each bolt about 1/2 to 3/4 turn. If that does not solve the problem let me know.
Thanks,
Peter
Customer Service
Lee Precision, Inc.
rmcelwee, good that Lee has responded so quickly. Good luck. Hope it's just an adjustment issue. Once solved, enjoy loading. The Lee Classic Turret is a great press for the money and it sounds like you got a real good deal.
ranger56528
Member
Interesting,I just bought a new Lee Classic Turret press but its still in the box,Need to find a place for my Rcbs before I set it up, I'll keep a eye out for this issue when I do.
tcoz
Member
It will take me a week or so to get my first 9mm rounds out of it. Waiting on powder to come in. I'll let everyone know how it works when I make the adjustment.
My Classic Turret press came perfectly indexed and adjusted, but I have heard of this issue a few times.
Here is what worked for one guy and it seems to me the ideal solution: Self-centering.
Run a case up into the sizing die.
Loosen the three nuts on the vertical suports so the turret ring is no longer confined in place.
Shove the shell holder all the into the ram.
Shove the cartridge case all the way into the shell holder
Wiggle the turret ring a little to center it (or, rather, to center the die, cartridge case, shell holder and ram in alignment)
Tighten the nuts on the vertical supports, carefully ensuring nothing moves.
Test by seeing if you can spin the shell holder around the cartridge case, 360 degrees.
I have never done this, but know of one person who has successfully and none who have failed.
Good luck
Lost Sheep
Here is what worked for one guy and it seems to me the ideal solution: Self-centering.
Run a case up into the sizing die.
Loosen the three nuts on the vertical suports so the turret ring is no longer confined in place.
Shove the shell holder all the into the ram.
Shove the cartridge case all the way into the shell holder
Wiggle the turret ring a little to center it (or, rather, to center the die, cartridge case, shell holder and ram in alignment)
Tighten the nuts on the vertical supports, carefully ensuring nothing moves.
Test by seeing if you can spin the shell holder around the cartridge case, 360 degrees.
I have never done this, but know of one person who has successfully and none who have failed.
Good luck
Lost Sheep
OP
OP
While I have found the cell phone vibrators to work great with the tiny-grain "handgun" powder flavors that I use that meter well (Bullseye, SR7625, BE-86) they don't provide improvement with my "cornflake" powders (Unique, 700x, 800x) ...
... so, when I am loading close-tolerance rounds with any of those 3, I will hand-drop (OHaus) & trickle each one for accuracy/consistency.
I did a 100-batch of .45ACPs this morning using 700x ... started out checking the powder throw-weights and ended-up having to check every single one and correct most of them. It turned into a long, drawn-out, frustrating PITA. <sigh>
Just one more reason for me to develop replacement loads utilizing BE-86 whenever possible.
... so, when I am loading close-tolerance rounds with any of those 3, I will hand-drop (OHaus) & trickle each one for accuracy/consistency.
I did a 100-batch of .45ACPs this morning using 700x ... started out checking the powder throw-weights and ended-up having to check every single one and correct most of them. It turned into a long, drawn-out, frustrating PITA. <sigh>
Just one more reason for me to develop replacement loads utilizing BE-86 whenever possible.
Yes, the adjustment worked. I do have another problem right now. When the priming arm comes up it hits the bottom of the shell holder. I can raise the ram slightly and bring it down again and everything works fine OR I can hold the priming arm in (under the shell holder) as the ram comes down and everything works fine. Strange...
I've heard in the past that the die holders were sometimes drilled and tapped a little off center causing a misalignment problem. Not very often but it did happen
tcoz
Member
Look at the help videos on the Lee website and you'll see the fix demonstrated. It's something that happens pretty often. Basically, the primer arm gets a tiny bit out of line and it doesn't come down just exactly between the two raised nubs on the turret base. All it takes is a couple of taps on the primer arm every so often to realign it. The video demonstrates it much better than I can explain it.
tcoz
Member
No problem. They have quite a few helpful videos and a very good FAQ section that'll answer a lot of your questions and give you a lot of hints.
Another tip...Titan Reloading is located across the street from Lee Precision and they carry virtually every part and accessory for Lee presses. Their prices are very competitive also.
Another tip...Titan Reloading is located across the street from Lee Precision and they carry virtually every part and accessory for Lee presses. Their prices are very competitive also.
I use one of these for 44 Special loading and have found there is about a 10th difference in actual loading and just cycling. There is a different impulse between loading and cycling with the loading powder drops averaging just a hair more than cycling. I found the same difference or a bit more with a Spolar shotshell loader. Shotshell loading is much more forgiving than pistol though....for the most part
Dudedog
Contributing Member
My disk will throw 3.7 or 4 gr of Promo + or - .1gr no problem.
For some reason it just does not like Unique. Looking for 4.4 had + or - .2 swings.
Finally just decided to load ignore the swing.
Don't know about 700 or 800x. I do notice the large flake powders work better with the round disk hole than with the adjustable measure device.
As a side note I dumped some Unique in a powder funnel to put the extra back in the jar. Won't flow thru the funnel either! To bad I like Unique otherwise. Shoots well meters like
Nice that BE86 will meter and flow well.
One solution to the Uniqure metering issue is use Universal Clays, IF and when any shows up again.
Glad the cell phone vibrators worked out well for you.
Would you say the cost of the Lee press was money well spent? (I like mine and it's just Deluxe)
For some reason it just does not like Unique. Looking for 4.4 had + or - .2 swings.
Finally just decided to load ignore the swing.
Don't know about 700 or 800x. I do notice the large flake powders work better with the round disk hole than with the adjustable measure device.
As a side note I dumped some Unique in a powder funnel to put the extra back in the jar. Won't flow thru the funnel either! To bad I like Unique otherwise. Shoots well meters like
Nice that BE86 will meter and flow well.
One solution to the Uniqure metering issue is use Universal Clays, IF and when any shows up again.
Glad the cell phone vibrators worked out well for you.
Would you say the cost of the Lee press was money well spent? (I like mine and it's just Deluxe)
OP
OP
Ab-so-lute-ly!
My next "vibrator" project will revolve around some more serious vibration provided by a small (as opposed to tiny) motor spinning an eccentrically-mounted weight.
Just want to take one more shot at the "cornflake" powders before accepting it as a part of Reloading Life.
I have two types of motors to try. The effort will be in crafting the mounting bracket ...
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Folgers plastic coffee can 10.3 ounce works perfectly and free if you drink coffee and they match the color of your Lee press LOL . Wrap in a clean cloth and desiccant bag for extended storage .
Sorry noob mistake , replying to page 2 topic ... Turret storage with dies .
Sorry noob mistake , replying to page 2 topic ... Turret storage with dies .
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Thanks for the idea Stripesdude , I am loading out 3.0. Gr in .380 cal. Using HP38 . My adjustable charge bar just not giving consistent throws . I just came in from the shop after drilling and tapping the disk and loading out a test batch of 100 grain bullets and 2 out of 20 had a -.1 gr variable weighed on electronic scale and checked on the beam scale . This with three screw adjustments , a whole lot better than the Micro Adustable charge bar !
tcoz
Member
I know it's a big investment, but it's the best reloading investment I've made other than my LCT press...Chargemaster. Using the disks was "OK" , but there were unexplained random times when it just wouldn't throw consistent charges using the same powder and charge weights as just an hour before. That would drive me nuts and then I'd have to confirm every charge by weighing it. Changing calibers would take a while by the time I changed the powder measure to the other turret and then got it to start being relatively consistent after throwing 20+ charges. Sometimes it was almost perfect plus/minus 0.1gr for hours at a time but I could never put 100% trust in it. It was ok when I was only loading pistol but when I started loading .223, 300 BLK and .30-06 where small differences in charge weights can make a big difference in accuracy, I had to suck it up and take the plunge.
It's so much more pleasureable to load now and caliber changes take about two minutes max. If you have some extra cash laying around, think about it. You'll never look back.
It's so much more pleasureable to load now and caliber changes take about two minutes max. If you have some extra cash laying around, think about it. You'll never look back.
Cheaper still than the Chargemaster is to drop powder off-press. Mount your auto-disk on a bracket off-press (using the standard die collar and a funnel for actually charging powder into the case on-press) and operate the auto-disk manually. Or dispense with the powder measure entirely and use a dipper (either the Lee dippers or home-made ones).
I find loading relaxing and almost meditative. But I did have to change my process to make it so. Once I got a process that was easy and secure (safety-wise) I became much happier.
Design your loading process as diligently as you would a factory floor...,because it is.
Lost Sheep
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