Lee classic turret should I get it?

[Katitmail]

I'm shooting 9mm mostly. I need other calibers but maybe 200-300 rounds per month. I have dillon 650 on order which I plan to use for 9mm.

Conversion kits for dillon is kind of cost prohibitive. I'm thinking lee turret will be great for load testing and developing. Also for small batches. Should I get it as addition to my future dillon? Is it a good ideA?

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I have been using a Lee Classic 4 Hole Turret Press for over 8 years now and I think it's a great press. I can safely load 180 to 200 handgun rounds per hour with it. You can produce good ammo quickly using one so it can be used for more than small batches.

 

[GT1]

I have both the LCT and 650.

The LCT is a fantastic little press, and it works a treat for load development, the 650 not so much. They make a great pair for a loading bench.

I load 9mm, 45 acp, .223 and a smidge of 30-30, and mostly on the LCT. The 650 is set up for 9mm, though I have conversions for the others except the 30-30.

 

[floydster]

I have two LCT's and a Hornady progressive and I find I use the two turrets more then the LNL AP, the Lee's are great presses.

 

[stubbicatt]

I like my Classic Cast Turret. It has many features that I really like. The method of catching spent primers is really very good. The primer feed is also very good. For cartridges used for general purposes it is very good, whether pistol or bottleneck rifle. However, for some precision work it is my belief that the play in the turret introduces some variances in your ammunition re: shoulder setback and bullet seating depth. If you know this going in, then you can be happy with what you have.

Caliber change is about a 15 second proposition, assuming you have your dies already set up in another substitute turret, and have the shell holder on hand.

 

[germ]

I started out with a Rockchucker and loadmaster. Absolutely HATE the loadmaster and so got the LNL. The rockchucker is a good press, but I'm lazy and wanted a turret for working up loads and smaller runs, so I got the LCT. Turns out I really like this little press, and much prefer it over the LNL for rifle (but I don't shoot that much rifle...yet). If for some reason I could only keep one of my presses, it would be the LCT.

 

[Katitmail]

Placed order on one. My rationale was that XL650 needed since I shoot many 9mm. I also have 9mm MAK, 45ACP and who knows what else I will get?

With Dillon I will have to get conversion kits and I figured it doesn't make sense financially if I need to load 100-200 rounds per month in "other" caliber. For cost of one conversion kit I got classic turret kit + 45ACP dies. Plus, I think it will work great for developing pistol loads.

I will sell "extra" stuff if anyone needs it. I don't need scale, rifle tools or book.

 

[joecil]

I have 3 Lee presses the Lee Classic Turret, Lee Classic Cast and the Lee Handloader. If their is a better press than either the LCT or LCC, I can't imagine in what they are better at. I load 9mm, 45 acp, 45 Colt, 454 Casull and 45-70 all on the LCT. I use the Lee Classic Cast for depriming (Lee Universal decapping), Bullet sizing, Lee Bulge Buster and black powder shot shells with the RCBS Cowboy dies for 12 ga Magtech brass shells. The two presses work very well and share a lot of the same features such as primer system and even handle sizes. The Lee Classic Cast will take 1 1/4x12 dies or the 7/8 x 14 dies and works as good with the Hornady L&L conversion for quick changing dies.

 

[RustyFN]

The CT is a greaty press. I have had mine for seven years. I bought a Dillon 550 two years ago to speed up a couple of calibers and find I still use the CT as much as the Dillon.

 

[Rule3]

I like my LCT a lot. I do not need huge volumes of ammo, but do reload about every common handgun caliber and 4 rifles. The LCT has allowed me to buy all the dies and extra turrets and still have money left to live on. I can buy a Dillon or a Hornady but have no real need nor the space to put one.

The cost of just shell plates/holders would cost more than my whole st up. Caliber change takes 2-3 minutes. It works and works well. I post this link every time the question comes up.

It's the CLASSIC not the other one.

http://www.realguns.com/archives/122.htm

 

[Lost Sheep]

The Lee Classic Turret sounds like an ideal choice your your needs. You high-volume 9mm out of the 650 and lower quantities from the more versatile Lee Classic Turret. The Lee Classic Turret is the best auto-indexing turret press in current production, bar none*. If you can get by with 4 stations it is my recommendation.

I have multiple turrets with dies installed and adjusted, ready to install on my Lee Classic Turret. It makes caliber swaps very convenient.

I can produce 100 rounds of boxed, labeled product ready to shoot in 45 minutes all day long if I have a mind to (I include replenishing the primer feed and powder hopper in my time calculations) at a fairly relaxed pace.

I used to do 50-60 rounds per hour on a single stage.

I can swap calibers (not including recalibrating the powder measure) on the turret in 10 to 30 seconds, depending if I have the spare turret at hand or across the room (If I have a spare powder measure mounted on the dies in the spare turret). If I have to remove and install a powder measure, a few minutes.

I can set up the turret press on my portable workbench in about 3 minutes. (I keep all gear stored in a couple of toolboxes).

Thanks for asking our advice.

Lost Sheep

* Lee Precision is currently the only maker of auto-indexing turret presses, and the Classic Turret is clearly superior to the Deluxe Turret in every aspect except price.

 

[oldreloader]

I was using a Rockchucker and bought a LCT for 9MM and 45. I like the LCT so well I sold the 'Chucker and bought a LCC for my single stage work. You will not be sorry you bought the LCT.

 

[TennJed]

Yes get it

 

[PapaG]

They work great. If it was cheap to do, I would convert both of my Pro1000 presses to the same style. I also use a Lyman All American turret (60's), two Spar-T's, a Rockchucker, five MECs and have a Loadmaster (name is misleading, should be a primer waster). I have four turrets for the Lee and can change calibers in a minute.

 

[Lost Sheep]

Wherever you get your new Lee Classic Turret press, be sure to check the kit that Kempf's Gun Shop offers. Other retailers offer good kits, but you want to compare with Kempf's for sure.

It includes a set of dies (which no other kits do) and does not make you take a bunch of other stuff you don't want (which almost all other kits do). You will need a scale, calipers, manual and from there you can load to your heart's content and add other convenience accessories as you find the desire for them.

Lost Sheep

 

[RustyFN]

I agree. I think the kempf kit is the best kit offered.

 

[Hondo 60]

Lee makes 2 kinds of turret presses.

The Classic Turret Press is absolutely worth the money.
I had the deluxe version, which ain't so deluxe.

The Classic is made of cast iron & has a MUCH better primer disposal system.
The deluxe spits spent primers all over the place, is made of aluminum & even the linkage feels kinda chinsy

 

[StretchNM]

Another vote to check Kempf's kit.

 

[jon_in_wv]

I started reloading with a Lee Classic Cast single stage. I moved up to a LCT a few years ago. It does everything I need and I couldn't ask for more.

If I'm full length sizing rifle brass I use my single stage so I don't put too much stress on my LCT. Normally I only neck size so the LCT works fine for loading up rifle too.

 

[stubbicatt]

I started reloading with a Lee Classic Cast single stage. I moved up to a LCT a few years ago. It does everything I need and I couldn't ask for more.

If I'm full length sizing rifle brass I use my single stage so I don't put too much stress on my LCT. Normally I only neck size so the LCT works fine for loading up rifle too.

Oh yes. I had nearly forgotten! I once busted a turret in full length resizing either 243 or 308, I don't remember which. It was a slow failure, as I noticed that headspace was off on a few cases, and without thinking, I threaded the die in a little further, and tore the aluminum turret at the locking lug. This has only happened once using the turret press in many years of use. Nonetheless, I have ordered another brand single stage press for FL sizing of rifle brass, and intend to relegate the CCT to pistol only duty in the near future.

 

[HeavyDuty]

Question - can the LCT auto-index be turned off or temporarily disabled? I'm considering picking one up and using it like a multi die single stage (if that description makes any sense).

I have a Dillon but want a press for working up loads for a .45ACP revolver.

 

[A Pause for the Coz]

Easy answer= Yes
As a matter of fact with you low volume I think a 650 is over kill. But hey better to have more capacity than not enough.

 

[Springfield0612]

HeavyDuty, yes you can disable the auto index. Just remove the indexing rod and manually advance the turret as needed.

 

[chhodge69]

Get the LCT 4-hole press, NOT the deluxe or the 3-hole. You won't be disappointed and they sell fast on the used market if you decide to upgrade.

Buy some extra nylon squares as they break easy. But if you keep some oil on the index bar and don't try to turn the turret with the ram down they last a long time.

 

[Katitmail]

I already got Lee Classic Turret kit. Should get it in 2 days, Natchesz had 45ACP dies also, whole thing shipped was $250 which is pretty good deal IMO to get started.

I watched all videos out there and I think I will keep it no matter what. If I loose interest in matches - I am probably going to sell 650 and keep LCT for economical reloading in multiple calibers. With what I see I will set my Dillon for 9mm only and load everything else (plus develop new loads) on LCT.