Lee turret and adding powder

[Enginetech88]

Im very new to all this. Done alot of searching on these threads as to not repost duplicate questions. I am thinking of getting a lee turret press. Not sure if it will be a three hole or four hole yet. But none the less, I am curious as the best way to add powder. I have seen some powder trickelers for use with a single stage but what about for a turret. My question is do they make a set up where the powder automatically dispenses with a turret through a die? Or how does that work? Is it a special die? Or what? THANKS!! Josh

 

[Envisaged]

Lee Autodisk powder dispenser sits on top of the expanding die and automatically drops in the powder. You change the disk size to change the amount of powder.

I set it up and measured a lot of the different sizes with my powders and wrote down the charges in my reloading book for quick reference.

 

[Enginetech88]

Just what I was looking for. THANKS!

 

[Walkalong]

If you change lot numbers on powder, double check your weights that it throws.

 

[snuffy]

First, don't buy the 3 hole! Second, be sure you buy the classic turret, not the older aluminum base press. Third, get the pro disc measure with a riser, so you can also add the safety primer dispenser.

this press;
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=814175

this primer feed;
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=548630

Pro powder measure;

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=348753


then you'll need this riser to clear the disc powder measure above safety prime;

http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/browse.cgi?1228244357.3328=/html/catalog/powhan1.html

With the additions I mentioned, you will have a semi-progressive press, capable of putting out handgun ammo at 200 rounds/hour.

 

[NC-Mike]

Plus one what Snuffy said.

Even if you don't understand it yet.

I know I didn't till I ordered it and put it together.

 

[russ45]

Get the 4-hole and use the Lee factory crimp die, especially if you are going to load semi auto cartridges.

 

[RustyFN]

Yep, what Snuffy said.
Rusty

 

[CU74]

I agree with all of the above, and will add one more suggestion:

Get the Carbide pistol-caliber dies and you won't have to lubricate the cases.

 

[benzuncle]

+1 to what Snuffy and alla others said. CU74's carbide advice is spot on also. You might want to consider the extra $10 and add a Charge Bar for your Pro Auto Disk Powder Dispenser. It works great for "dialing in" powder amounts that end up between disk holes. But. It does not work well on small grain charges like that of a 380acp. I use mine for certain 45acp loads. You will really like the Lee Classic Turret Press. Good luck to you.

 

[RON in PA]

Another thumbs up for what Snuffy said.

 

[cracked butt]

In addition to the above given advice, a Lee Perfect Measure can be adapted to the turret for larger capacity cases. I'm not sure which parts are needed, but I can check tonight and maybe take a photo of my setup. The LPPM needs to be maunually actuated on the turret press, but it works very slick otherwise.

 

[Enginetech88]

THANKS!! What about the regular turret press. I know its got the poorer base but is the primer set-up and powder set-up the same? The reason i ask this is you can get the regular press in the kit and not the classic and save alot of money. Thanks!!

 

[RustyFN]

Enginetech88:
THANKS!! What about the regular turret press. I know its got the poorer base but is the primer set-up and powder set-up the same? The reason i ask this is you can get the regular press in the kit and not the classic and save alot of money. Thanks!!

With the Deluxe press the linkage is not as sturdy. The spent primer disposal in into the base so you will have to cut a hole in the bench for them to fall out of or unbolt the press to clean under it. It is not as tall as the classic and won't load some of the taller rifle cartridges. The Classic is well worth the extra money.
Rusty

 

[rondog]

Definitely get the Classic! The extra hole in the turret comes in mighty handy, and it's a stronger press. My first press was the 3-hole Lee Turret, and I broke a turret ring on it and snapped the cast aluminum handle right in two. The handle on the Classic is a hardened steel rod.

IMO they should drop the 3-hole press from their line, the Classic is just so much better.

 

[snuffy]

Forget the older aluminum based 4 turret press!

Here's the drawbacks to that press;
1. The spent primers are free to go where ever they want to, half will be on your bench/floor, the other half will land where they're supposed to be, in the base of the press, along each side of the ram. They collect there, until it fills up, then you have to DISMOUNT THE PRESS TO EMPTY IT! The classic has a hollow ram with a piece of plastic tubing on the bottom to hold the spent primers, or direct the tube into a trash can.
2. The clearance from the base to the turret is more on the classic. This gives you more clearance for the real long magnum rifle shells, and more room for everything else.
3. The linkage that does the work on the older press is aluminum castings, prone to breakage. The classic's linkage is all steel.

Kempfs has a kit featuring the classic turret. I don't deal with them, so maybe somebody else has a link to their website. Why midway hasn't done a kit with the classic turret, is good question.

 

[jfh]

I have the older Lee turret. I updated it with the 4-hole conversion and the safety prime.

Everything the posters above has said is true insofar as 1) the inherent problems (primer drops, size) and 2) Classic Cast benefits.

Yes, I saved perhaps $40.00, but were I buying new today I would get the Classic Cast Turret.

Use Kempf's as a source for building up a Classic Cast Kit.

Jim H.

 

[Bobwat]

Cabela's also has a classic turret kit. I just bought one a few weeks ago and it is great. It takes a few sessions to get used to the primer system, but once you do it goes smoothly. See the link below.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat602007-cat20847&id=0044122216337a&navCount=3&podId=0044122&parentId=cat20847&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=XJ&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601233&hasJS=true