Lee ClassicTurret and .223 reloading.

[Tony k]

I got a lee classic turret around Christmas time and I've been using it and loving it with 9mm .38, 357, and 45acp.

I want to use the LCT to load up some plinking rounds for my AR. 55 grain FMJ, Win 748 powder. RCBS small base dies. I've also got the pro auto disk and double disk kit.

I just started to set it up and realized that the LCT does not have the "cam over" action of my RCBS rockchucker. My understanding is that the cam over is important for properly bumping the shoulder back.

My question is: how do you set up a LCT to properly size bottle neck cases. Do you have to have a case guage? Lee dies? Or can I do it with what I have on hand?

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[stavman11]

Lee shows a Video of them using it for sizing thru Bullet


So dont see why it wouldnt work..

 

[morcey2]

Cam over is part of the design of the RCBS press and is necessary for proper full-length sizing... in an RCBS press. The Lee has a different design and doesn't cam-over. It's not that cam-over by itself is necessary for proper sizing, but that a certain level of pressure and take-up of slack in the system is necessary for proper sizing. I don't have a LCT, but I do have a Lee single stage that doesn't cam-over either. I've used it for thousands of rifle rounds without an issue.

If you follow the instruction on the Lee FL dies, whether you're using Lee dies or not, you'll be fine. With the ram up as far as it goes, screw the die down until it touches the shell holder. Lower the ram then give the die another 1/4-1/3 turn. Raise the ram to put upward pressure on the die (keeps it straight) and then tighten the lock ring. I do the same thing with RCBS dies in my lee press. Works great.

Matt

 

[1KPerDay]

YES you need a case gauge. Anyone reloading for semi-auto rifles needs a case gauge. Wilsons work. Note that they are not "chamber checkers" or SAAMI spec chamber sizes. They don't gauge diameter, only case headspace/shoulder setback and OAL.

And yes you can size/load .223 on an LCT. I personally would recommend, however, that you use your Rockchucker to resize if you plan on doing a lot of rifle resizing. You can't really resize and then immediately load rifle anyway; you have to do a bunch of additional case prep crap first, so it doesn't really save you anything to size on the LCT. I generally resize on an old Bair single stage and prime and seat on LCT. LCT decapping setup is great, so I:

1. decap with universal decapping die on LCT
2. tumble clean/inspect, ream primer pockets if necessary, uniform/clean pockets
3. lube (imperial sizing wax) and size on single stage
4. tumble clean, gauge, re-lube and re-size any that don't pass, repeat as necessary
5. measure OAL and trim/chamber/deburr if necessary
6. prime on LCT
7. (IF I can't get a consistent or adequate rifle charge via double-disk kit on Lee Pro Auto Disc) charge off press using Redding powder measure
8. Seat on LCT

 

[mdi]

"Cam over" is similar to "over top dead center" in a gas engine; the linkage only goes so far in raising the ram, and once the apex is reached, the extent of upward travel, the ram starts to drop. Personally, I can see no great advantage over a "dead length" type die adjustment. With a cam over the ram goes up so far and starts to drop. With a dead length set up the ram goes up so far and stops...

Could be wrong, jes a bit of experience of a 50+ year machinist/mechanic...

 

[Gadawg88]

+1 for what 1KPerDay said. I resize and deprime on the Lee Classic Cast ss press then do all the necessary brass prep. The powder charging and bullet seating gets done on the Classic turret. Get the case gauge to make sure you have the sizing die set properly. Process your brass in whatever quantity you intend to load first. Then move to the LCT.