Lee reloading/press kits?

[Axis II]

I started reloading 223rem using a buddies lee single stage I have to give back here soon and got the lee perfect powder measure and bolted it to the bench, rcbs dies, small scale, etc.

I'm looking at the lee classic turret but I see the kit comes with the beam scale, book, powder thrower, etc.

since I already have the powder thrower, scale (want a nice rcbs electronic) hornady and lyman books.

do you guys think I should buy the kit or just the press? I want the safety prime but in my novice opinion that's all I really need out of that kit.

am I wrong? any advice welcome.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

IMO there is no reason to pay for tools you and already have. I would buy the standalone press in your situation.

It can be found here for only $99
https://fsreloading.com/lee-precision-classic-turret-press-90064.html

 

[greyling22]

your post is a little hard to follow, but here is my take:

the kits don't really save you any money. They are mostly for convenience. I would not buy anything you don't already have. Buy the press, buy the safety prime and be done with it.

 

[Axis II]

your post is a little hard to follow, but here is my take:

the kits don't really save you any money. They are mostly for convenience. I would not buy anything you don't already have. Buy the press, buy the safety prime and be done with it.

I have the powder thrower but the bench mounted one. the press comes with the die mounted one. I have a scale and books. the only thing I see I would need out of the kit if I got just the press would be safety prime.

never used a press like this so wondering should I get the kit or not.

 

[jradisch]

I bought the LCT kit only because I was starting from scratch. Sounds like you would just need to pick up the press and buy whatever else you need separately

 

[Axis II]

I bought the LCT kit only because I was starting from scratch. Sounds like you would just need to pick up the press and buy whatever else you need separately

did you pitch the scale? hows the powder thrower that connects to the die?

 

[drband]

Do yourself a big favor and get the Lee AutoDrum powder measure. If you're going to get the turret, you need a die-mounted measure. The one in the kit is good but the AutoDrum is much better.

 

[SwaneeSR]

You should skip the kit and purchase what you need.

 

[greyling22]

I know that with the turret press and the suto disk you need a riser so the hopper doesn't hit the primer tray as it rotates around. does the auto drum need the riser as well?

if you are just making .223's, you can put in powder off the press if you want. If you start doing handgun, get one of the press mounted powder drops. If you decide you want to do powder on the press for the 223 you will need a rifle charging die.

 

[alexcue]

You still need the riser with the Auto-Drum.


To the OP, get the Turret and the Primer Feeder, that's about all you will need.

 

[Lost Sheep]

Kempf's does not force the scale or any manual on you, but they do include dies in their Lee Classic Turret kit and a powder measure. .

If you talk to Sue Kempf she might let you substitute

Good luck

Lost Sheep

 

[Mini14Man]

Midway has a nice single stage c type for really cheap. I got my whole set up (lee anniversary kit) for 150 bucks off them. Love it! I load maybe 300 223 rounds a week on it

 

[mgmorden]

Just buy the press and the hand prime if you want. Truthfully on my single stage loading I've just been priming on the press lately. The hand prime tools make my hands hurt after a while (REALLY bad until I wrapped some electrical tape around a pressure point, but still a minor annoyance afterwards).

In general, most of the Lee kit accessories are not that great anyways. They certainly work, but there are better options out there. Lee themselves have even been stepping up their game and offering some more durable options with their classic cast presses (turret and single stage) and their new powder measure. Keep what you have as you can always upgrade it later.

 

[Axis II]

thanks guys!

I want the turret for doing 9mm and 38spl. ill probably do 223 on a single.

just didn't want to skip the kit and find out I needed stuff in the kit. now im doing priming by hand, powder by hand, etc.

 

[WiTom]

Just get what you need, for now, but remember, reloading is like a disease that spreads. Today, you look at what you need but there is always something "better" that you will need in the future, and only money and your time, is stopping you from that next purchase. Warning... it doesn't any easier. LOL Have fun with it and think long term on your purchases.

 

[SARuger]

Here is my take;

I started from scratch 3 months ago and bought the Lee LCT kit from Midway for $164.

I like the Auto Disc powder throw but not as much as I like the Auto Drum that I purchased separately.

The scales are awesome and I was told to never trust digital scales. I bought a set for spot checking my runs but not for setting up the charge, that is done on the trusted beam scales.

Everything else in the kit is worth the money. The safety primer works great and you get some basic case prep tools.

I run a lot of "short runs" of seven different calibers so its all about quick set up for me.

 

[Dudedog]

I have an old 3 hole Lee turret. I Prep all my .223 brass, then hand prime and load it on the turret, works well for me. If you use the Autodisk you really need the double disk kit. (which I have and used to use for .223) I just purchased the Autodrum and really like it, much less hassle for .223. Works well for handgun rounds to. Money well spent on the autodisk.
You will need the Lee universal charge die for rifle if you want to charge .223 on the turret with the autodisk or autodrum. Answer is yes to needing the riser.

 

[SARuger]

You will need the Lee universal charge die for rifle if you want to charge .223 on the turret with the autodisk or autodrum. Answer is yes to needing the riser.

I load .223 on my 4 hole and use the charge die with the Auto Drum. No riser needed with that set up but when i used the Auto Disc I needed the riser but got by without it.

I also used the charge bar with .223 and BL-C2. It works fine but you have to adjust it almost all the way out(largest CC) to get the needed charge. Works fine with the large pills I load for my 1/8 twist bolt gun.

 

[thomas15]

For rifle I have three brands of chamfer and deburring tools, Lee, RCBS and Lyman. While all of them work, the Lyman is vastly superior and at about $23.00 about the same cost as RCBS. I put the Lyman tool heads from the multi-tool on my RCBS case mate works very good, fast and clean.

The Lee again works and is inexpensive but very time consuming.

 

[PapaG]

There are any number of scales out there better than the Lee beam scale with the ball bearing and the vernier scale to try to read.
I have 2 Lee Pro1000s (both used to drop powder, seat and crimp only), one new turret, and a bunch of dies. My go to press for rifle sizing is a Rock Crusher. My go to for most other work is an old Lyman AA Turret. Scales, Lyman 505, RCBS beam. Powder measures, two lyman 55s, and an RCBS. Lots of other dies from Lyman, RCBS, Redding. Keep what is good, don't buy "sets" unless you have nothing.