Lee Classic Turret!!!

[Quickdraw McGraw]

Got a presskit from Sue at Kempf Gun Shop about a month ago. Finally got it set up in the basement yesterday (temporary spot) till my sons new room is remodeled then I'll have my own room. I gotta say that thing is sweet. I originally set it up for for 44 mag. Took a while but once it is running my only concern is not having enough components.


I then decided to set up for 45 auto (I bought an x-tra 4 hole turret). Now all I gotta do is swap out turrets.

This press is awsome. I didn't want to go to bed last night just wanted to keep popping out ammo.

I also put a flex light on (thanks to RustyFN) so I can see in the casing after I charge just to be sure powder charged. The pro auto disk is extremly accruate (within one to three hundreds) of a grain.

Thanks to everyone here who directly and indirectly offered advise!

 

[benedict1]

Glad you are in the "groove" Now you will spend as much time crawling around on the floor scrounging brass as you do shooting, maybe even more.

 

[drinkoj]

Quickdraw McGraw Which "extras" and/or "upgrades" did you get with your Classic Turret Kit from Kempf?

I've read all the post-its on 1st Reload setup, about to go mind numb from reading all the posts on the single press, Turret, and Load Master, and have decided that once I purchase it will be the Turret Kit from Kempf that I'll get. BUT I also know that it is wise to upgrade:
1) to a PRO AutoDisk Powder Measure
2) to a Lever Prime System for Large & Small Primers

and purchase:
3) a Kinetic Bullet Puller
4) Dial Caliper (digital more than likely)
5) scale (not sure which one yet)
6) tumbler
7) ABC's of Reloading 7th edition book

I am a brand new Glock 22 owner (1st handgun), don't own many other guns that I plan on reloading for, and plan on firing around 100 to 200 rounds a month.

If anyone has other additional suggestions or comments, please post them to me as I don't want to buy unnecessary items or not purchase the goodies I need.

Thought I'd get into reloading cheap, but the more I learn the more I realize startup costs are about equal to a gun purchase. It's just that ammo costs store bought in about 9 months, will be enough to justify my investment and I hate giving money away; I'm cheap that way.

 

[kellyj00]

you can buy the ABC's of Reloading from me if you'd like for a few bucks.
I bought it, read it cover to cover.... and found that the majority of the book is historical stuff, along with a bit of knowledge that you'll get from the fellas at THR.

If you're just planning on pistol ammo and use the internet for research, then the ABC's of Reloading will just sit in the closet.

PM me if you want it.

 

[benedict1]

You are right on target. Right press, right upgrades and right accessories. Then follow these instructions and tips to set up your press and operate it--

This will show you exactly how to set up your press--

http://www.surplusrifle.com/reviews2006/leeturretpress/index.asp

Tips on the Safety Prime operation--video

http://tinyurl.com/lxapv

Operator showing the whole loading process

http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/browse.cgi?1179326635.2822=/html/company/satisfaction.html

There is one thing you don't want to do--it will screw up the auto-index capability--this link tells what not to do and how to fix it if you do!

The ratchet problem---

http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=250345


Save this post-you will need these links.

Good shooting!

 

[drinkoj]

Thanks Amy and Benedictfor your quick responses.

Amy, I think I'm going to just check out the book at the library (once I pay the book fines I have). I've read several posts that agree with you, but the majority say it's a must; think I'll read it for free and decide myself.

Benedict
Remember reading about this nylon item and not understanding what the heck they were talking about, so thanks. Still not sure of everything, but at least I'll be able to figure it out once I purchase and put it together. And btw, your sig, is that because of college affiliation or religious? It caught my eye due to me being able to remember a little bit of Latin from high school.

 

[benedict1]

Religious.

Deo Gratias!

 

[RustyFN]

Quickdraw congrats on the new press. It sounds like you are well on your way to becoming a reloading junkie. Be careful not to reload to many before you have a chance to test them. It's no fun pulling 93 bullets with a hammer puller.:banghead:
Rusty

 

[wally]

Is it just me, or does the Safety Prime work a whole lot better with large primers than small? Maybe I got a bad one. Basic problem is the small primer feed doesn't insert a primer about maybe 1 in 10, Eventually it will if I keep trying. The large almost never fails. Very frustrating interruption of my work flow. I'm using Winchester primers, don't have anything else to try at the moment.

--wally.

 

[RustyFN]

Wally, I have only loaded small primers so far. I had a problem at first because I put a washer under the mounting bracket. Benedict1 straightened me out and after I fixed it, it has worked very well. I will still have a problem with one primer every 1 or 2 hundred but I can live with that. For all I know it could be me doing something wrong. Double check your adjustment and see if that helps.
Rusty

 

[ArchAngelCD]

You will notice the last 2 primers in the Lee Safety Primer won't feed. That's because of the angle at the bottom of the feed neck. You will have to add 2 extra primers if you want to load 100 shells not to have a problem at the end. Your problem “might” be that you aren’t pushing the lever down as you push forward. It took me a few times to get the right feel before I got it to load correctly every time.

I have both the Lee Classic Turret press and the Pro Auto-Disk Powder Measure and I think they are the best equipment for loading pistol cartridges, especially for the price.

 

[Quickdraw McGraw]

Reply to All!

DrinkOJ I upgraded to:
1 ) to a PRO AutoDisk Powder Measure
2) to a Lever Prime System for Large & Small Primers
3) got one xtra 4 hole turret

I bought the Frankfor Arsenal Micro Electronic Scale on sale for $30. http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/productview?saleitemid=713372&t=11082005
I zero it out with a primed empty casing and simply pull it out of the press after charging and set on scale and wala I can check my charge. Man that PRO AUTO disk is accurate. I did have to charge and dump a few (5 to 10) in the beginning till it got broken in a little.

Bullet puller on my short list. Borrowing my brother-in-laws for now.

Did by the following after reading numerous threads on this website.

-RCBS tumbler from Midsouth
-FA electronic calipers at local shop for $17.00
-ABC’s from local book store (I have also copied pages of loads from my brother-in-law’s reloading books and put in binder) - Lymans, Speer, Loadbook USA, etc.
-Lee Reloader pack ($25) and Lee decapping die ($9) from Midway (I use press and die to decap brass before tumbling. Got Lee’s Modern Reloading book with die.
-Lee Auto-Prime at local shop for $13.00. Can prime brass while watching TV (yes I wear safety glasses).

The only thing I didn’t mention was that the white trigger on my Lever Primer System didn’t work correctly. I called Lee yesterday (7/3/07) and explained problem to Dave. The took my address and said they would put one in the mail - NO CHARGE.

RustyFN I reloaded about 10 44’s and 10 45’s and will test them this weekend. Again I learned not to go nuts reloading tons of ammo before testing from reading THR. Man that light idea is GENIUS just took a few minutes to figure out were and how to tape it to the press!!!! I owe you a beer for that one!

Again thanks to everyone! Have a great 4th of July!

 

[RustyFN]

Man that light idea is GENIUS just took a few minutes to figure out were and how to tape it to the press!!!! I owe you a beer for that one!

Not my invention but am happy to pass along good safety tips. I'll still have a beer with you. Sounds like you are off to a great start. Let us know how the first ones shoot.
Rusty

 

[drinkoj]

-Lee Reloader pack ($25) and Lee decapping die ($9) from Midway (I use press and die to decap brass before tumbling. Got Lee’s Modern Reloading book with die.
-Lee Auto-Prime at local shop for $13.00. Can prime brass while watching TV (yes I wear safety glasses).

Why did you get a reloader and a decapping die, when the set of dies that comes with the turret, does that already? Or am I mistaken?

Lee Auto Prime; lost on this thing and why you bought it?

Are both these items for your personal prefference or something that is strongly suggested?

Thx for the suggestion on the scale, once I get everything orgainized I'll look at that one too.

 

[Quickdraw McGraw]

Drinkoj

Why did you get a reloader and a decapping die, when the set of dies that comes with the turret, does that already? Or am I mistaken?

When you get your dies there is one that resizes and decaps (removes old primer) in one operation. I decided that I would like to decap before tumbling brass so I bought a decapping die. Thats all it does, decaps. The brass does not have to be clean or anything. I then tumble then reload. Just personal preference. I read somewhere that it is less where and tear on dies if the brass is clean first. You could tumble then resize and decap. Your option.

Lee Auto Prime; lost on this thing and why you bought it?

This is also personal preference I can sit in living room inspect my tumbled brass and prime them.

By the way I bought my press kit from Kempf Gun Shop. I emailed Sue a few questions and I got a quick honest response. Shipping was quick. The other thing I noticed was that when comparing the press kits between Kempf and Cabelas the prices were comparable. The only difference I saw was that Kempf's included dies of your choice and Cabelas included a scale. A no brainer for me. KEMPF

Good luck. If I can help with any more noob questions let me know, since I am also a noob.