Lee Turret Presses: Thoughts, Opinions, and Questions

[Landric]

I know Lee Turret presses get covered a lot, but I couldn't find exactly what I am looking for, so I figured a new post might help me.

I'm going to add a second press to my bench. At the moment I'm using just a Rock Chucker II. I've used progressives, and even owned a Dillon SDB for a while, but at the moment I'm down to just the RCII. I'd like to add a Turret press now, and perhaps some sort of progressive later (that will probably be a Dillon again). I've got enough space on the bench that is under construction for three reloading stations, and that is my goal.

So, I'm looking at Lee Turrets, in part because of cost, and in part because they seem to be well thought of. The priming system offered seems kind of cheap to me, so I'm considering priming in a separate step off press, then using the turret for the remaining steps. With all that in mind, here are my questions:

- Will the Lee turrets use dies from other manufactures effectively? I seem to remember that I read somewhere that some non-Lee dies didn't fit well in the turrets due to size of the lock rings. Most of my dies are RCBS.

- Do powder measures other than Lee brand work with the turrets, and if so, do they work with the Lee powder through expander die? I now have three RCBS Uniflow powder measures thanks to deals on used ones and I really like the RCBS and would rather not spend the money on the Lee.

- If other brands of powder measures work with the powder through expander, I might consider replacing my RCBS expanders with Lee expanders. If I do so, will I need additional parts to use the Uniflow measure with them?

- Given that I am seriously considering off-press priming, which turret models should I consider? At the moment I only load handgun ammunition. If I ever decide to do rifle it will be low volume and done on the RCII. The turret will only ever be used for handgun reloading.

-Can folks post pictures of their Lee turret set ups? Any pics or advice would be great.

TIA

 

[Mainsail]

Lee makes two turret presses. You might want to specify which one you're interested in.

 

[rondog]

Get the CLASSIC! It has a steel bar for the handle, and four holes in the turret. There's also a plastic tube on the bottom of the ram to catch the used primers. THIS ONE! https://kempfgunshop.com//index.php...facturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=41

Don't waste your time or money on the other Lee Turret Press.

 

[Dean Williams]

I have one of the older ones, and I didn't waste any time or money in buying it. I bought it when they first came out, making it over 20 years old, I believe, and have used it for everything up to 30-06. It's been used a LOT!

You might as well get the most current Lee model though, which would be the Classic Cast Turret. I keep waiting for my old turret press to wear out so I can buy one of the new ones, but I fear it will out last me.

My turret has a three die head, but all my RCBS dies work in it just fine. I don't have the answers to your powder measure questions.

 

[RandyP]

+1 on the Lee Classic Turret (LCT) I have, use and like it a lot. The priming system, though it isn't made of cast iron (mostly plastic) works like a charm and even without the two-year guarantee is super affordable if you needed to replace it.

I don't have any 1st hand knowledge to answer your die and powder dispenser questions. I run an all-Lee system and have zero complaints.

 

[Frankl03]

Lee Classic Cast! Thing runs great. I like the priming system very easy to use. The auto disk pro did have a few quirks. I use the micro charge bar. Very consistent charges. If you use the disks just know you will have to do some trial and error stuff.

I use the this press for both 223 and 308. Can't go wrong with this press.

 

[Bear2000]

+1 on Lee Classic Turret. I reload several rifle calibers with it (usually single stage) but can churn out 250 rounds/hour of 9mm. It takes a little getting used to, like anything else, but once you figure it out (especially the AutoDisk Powder Charger and the Primer), it works very well.

If you buy one, try Kempf's Gun Shop in Michigan. Sue will take care of you and beats most prices, including Midways.

 

[Seven High]

Kempfs Gun Shop is in Michigan City Indiana on US 20. They give good service and are cheaper than the prices in Lees catalogue.

 

[RustyFN]

I know Lee Turret presses get covered a lot, but I couldn't find exactly what I am looking for, so I figured a new post might help me.

I'm going to add a second press to my bench. At the moment I'm using just a Rock Chucker II. I've used progressives, and even owned a Dillon SDB for a while, but at the moment I'm down to just the RCII. I'd like to add a Turret press now, and perhaps some sort of progressive later (that will probably be a Dillon again). I've got enough space on the bench that is under construction for three reloading stations, and that is my goal.

So, I'm looking at Lee Turrets, in part because of cost, and in part because they seem to be well thought of. The priming system offered seems kind of cheap to me, so I'm considering priming in a separate step off press, then using the turret for the remaining steps. With all that in mind, here are my questions:
The priming system looks cheap when you look at it but I was surprised how good it works. Once I got mine adjusted right it has worked near flawless for thousands of rounds. It also speeds up the reloading process when you prime on the press.

- Will the Lee turrets use dies from other manufactures effectively? I seem to remember that I read somewhere that some non-Lee dies didn't fit well in the turrets due to size of the lock rings. Most of my dies are RCBS.
Yes other brand dies will work but I'm not sure about the lock rings, I only have Lee dies.

- Do powder measures other than Lee brand work with the turrets, and if so, do they work with the Lee powder through expander die? I now have three RCBS Uniflow powder measures thanks to deals on used ones and I really like the RCBS and would rather not spend the money on the Lee.
Yes the Uniflow will work on the CT but not with the Lee powder die. You would need to use the Hornady or RCBS CAPD with it. Here is a link where Dave installed a uniflow on the CT, very good write up.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=248967

- If other brands of powder measures work with the powder through expander, I might consider replacing my RCBS expanders with Lee expanders. If I do so, will I need additional parts to use the Uniflow measure with them?

- Given that I am seriously considering off-press priming, which turret models should I consider? At the moment I only load handgun ammunition. If I ever decide to do rifle it will be low volume and done on the RCII. The turret will only ever be used for handgun reloading.
My advice would be to get the classic cast turret, it's a four hole. It is a much stronger press and has many features the deluxe press doesn't have.

-Can folks post pictures of their Lee turret set ups? Any pics or advice would be great.
OK you asked for it.


Make sure you by a turret for each set of dies.


I also set it up with my bullet hardness tester for testing my cast bullets. Makes it a lot easier.


Hope this helps.
Rusty

 

[Landric]

Mainsail said:

Lee makes two turret presses. You might want to specify which one you're interested in.

I think its three actually, one of my questions was which I should consider.

Thanks for the replies folks, keep 'em coming.

 

[under_dawg]

I have the Lee Classic Turret kit that was purchased Christmas 2007 from Cabela's. I was unaware of Kemp's at the time. It came with most everything needed including the pro-disk powder measure including the swivel and disk riser, auto indexing rod, safety prime lg & small, scales, rifle charging die and some things I'm probably forgetting. The only additional equipment I needed was dies. At the time the kit was running around $150. It was and still is an exceptional value. At the time I was concerned about the quality of Lee's products from lurking on different reloading sites. Most people either hate Lee or love it with little in between. I love it. I have reloaded several thousand rounds since getting it and have had no trouble with the equipment, just the learning curve as I am kind of new to reloading (about a year). If you get a LCT, be sure not to short stroke it and never turn the turret by hand when the ram is down and engaging the indexing rod at the bottom and you should have no problems with it. The pro-disk powder measure has some powders it likes and some it doesn't. When you find the right combo you will love it.

I'm not going to bash Dillon, RCBS, Hornady, etc. I have never owned or operated any of them. They may be super high quality and slick, but they are expensive. You can turn out great ammo with Lee, and it won't break the bank.

 

[RandyP]

Lee makes the Deluxe (aluminum frame) and the Classic (cast iron frame) turret press.

The simplest way to tell them apart, other than the different base shapes, is that the Classic model has a clear tube attached to the base of the hollow ram to catch the spent primers. The Deluxe (usually sold in a kit) model has a well in the base you must empty out (or drill a large hole thru your bench and attach a can under it to catch the spent primers.

I use the LCT (Classic) and like it a lot. I did buy separate $10 turrets for each caliber I reload to make changeout fast and easy.

Deluxe model - http://leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/browse.cgi?1236094468.4316=/html/catalog/turretpress.html

Classic - http://leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog...l/catalog/turretpress.html#ClassicTurretPress

 

[RustyFN]

one of my questions was which I should consider.

I would only consider the classic cast turret for these reasons.

Deluxe Turret
1: primer disposal into the base, has to be unbolted to clean it out.
2: not tall enough for the larger rifle calibers.
3: cast linkage.

Classic Cast Turret
1: primer disposal through the ram into a tube, very clean and easy.
2: taller and can load even 30-06 in auto index mode.
3: steel linkage. Very strong and better leverage than the deluxe.
4: larger diameter ram than the deluxe.

There is probably more that I'm forgetting but I think the classic is a much better press than the deluxe.
Rusty

 

[The Bushmaster]

LEE CLASSIC CAST TURRET!!! I just retired my old 22 year old Lee 3 hole turret. And if you plan to prime on a single stagepress may I recommend the Lee Auto Prime II. It has a real nice priming die and feed system.

 

[Landric]

I got the cast turret from Midway today. I'm in the middle of building a shop in my garage, so I probably won't get the press set up for about two weeks, but I'm looking forward to giving it a try. Thanks for the advice folks.

 

[RustyFN]

Sounds good. Let us know if you have any questions on set up.
Rusty

 

[benzuncle]

Congratulations, Landric!
Your LCT is a very good press, much better than the accompanying instructions; they leave a bit to be desired. As there are many LCT owners on this forum, help is here if/when you need it.

Good luck. Let us know how you fare; when you have it set up, add your pix to the "Show us a picture of your reloading bench" thread.

 

[RandyP]

The die setup (single stage) as well as the other turret videos are well worth watching while you wait for your press to arrive.

http://www.leeprecision.com/html/HelpVideos/video.html

 

[Landric]

Benzuncle said:

Congratulations, Landric!
Your LCT is a very good press, much better than the accompanying instructions; they leave a bit to be desired. As there are many LCT owners on this forum, help is here if/when you need it.

Good luck. Let us know how you fare; when you have it set up, add your pix to the "Show us a picture of your reloading bench" thread.

Thanks, I might well need some guidance on it.

I actually ordered a spare turret first to see if my RCBS dies would fit before I ordered the press. They fit (closely, but they fit), so I decided to go ahead and order the press. I have Lee dies for .44 Russian, but all my other dies are RCBS. I didn't want to have to buy new dies (or even just Lee lock rings) to use the press. I figured if it didn't work out someone here could have used a spare turret.

I'll be sure to post pics of the bench when I finish converting the garage. It started out as a simple project involving framing four walls and putting in insulation, a door, and a window AC unit and morphed into much more. It has been completely rewired, has a heater installed in one of the walls, and the wall insulation all up. What is left now is putting up the rest of the dry wall, putting in the ceiling insulation, and building the bench its self (mostly out of the leftover wood I have from buying too much for the walls). The window AC might actually have to wait a little while, I spent that money on the LCT.