Lee turret question

[wild willy]

I have an old Lee three hole turret press I got it right after they started making them. Anyone else have a problem with the case hitting the bottom of the die instead of going in. Its not a die problem dies work fine never do it other presses Its like theres enough play in the ram for it to do it.Its done it since new I just put up with it go slow and sorta guide the case in. I was wondering if anyone has any trouble with the newer ones doing this if not I was think about replacing it with newer one. Like the ease of changing calibers. It doesn't do it all the time 2 or 3 outa 10 I turned the ram and tried the shellholders turned every direction

 

[MADDOG]

I have a 3 holer that I bought in 83. Mine has always done the same thing. I just guide every one into the proper place. I thought it was suppose to be like that. Have you called Lee and ask about it. I guess I just load and never thought about it being a problem.

 

[RidgwayCO]

I had problems with my 9mm Luger cases doing that with Lee dies (ironically). Solved the problem by installing some RCBS dies...

 

[jfh]

Mine did it, too--until I checked to see if the benchtop / press was level--dead level.

My bench actually pitches forward slightly--so, with some calibers--the tall ones, like 38 Special, 357 Magnum, etc., it appears that the combination of tolerance in the shell holder and rim thickness / diameter may well allow the case to "wobble" beyond the die mouth when on the upstroke.

My solution has been to simply incorporate a (left) thumb push to guide the case in on the upstroke. I'm now completely habituated to this sequence, and I've only pinched my thumb about twice in the last 5000 rounds...(VBG)

Jim H.

 

[Publius1688]

Yup, just guide it in with your fingers. Like Jim, I don't pinch my fingers very often----but when I do, it hurts!

 

[bionian]

Interestingly, I have been having the same problem with a Lee Factory Crimp die. I am using a Dillon 550 progressive four-stage press. I have RCBS sizing and seating dies, the Dillon expansion/powder measure die, and the Lee die. The cases go easily into all the dies except for the Lee, where the case constantly hits the rim of the die. Dillon has sent me an allignment tool. which I haven't had time to try yet. I found that if I push the handle toward the table during the down-stroke, the cases will go into ALL of the dies.

-Rick

 

[The Bushmaster]

Hi Willy [wild]...I just sold my 3 hole press. It had the same problem. You have a choice. Apply a small amount of pressure on the case until it enters the die or determine what the cause is and file the ram crown just slightly off angle to cause the retainer to lean the shell holder over that much.

I have a RCBS .38 Special that RCBS either didn't put enough chamfer or none at all. I ground and polished it and that solved it's problem..

Just some ideas...

 

[Arbor]

I don't have a lee turret, but if it is worn out I think they will rebuild it for half the current purchase price - might be something to think about.

 

[aerod1]

My press is the 4 hole LCT and I am not familiar with the 3 hole turret but you may find your solution here. http://www.leeprecision.com/html/HelpVideos/video.html

 

[dsv424]

I have the four hole turret and it has the same problem of not quite lining up with the case. I noticed that most of the time I create the problem by not being firm enough when I raise the arm to advance it to the next stage. When I'm in a good rythym I rarely have the problem but I tend to get out of sync sometimes and that is when I hit the case mouth on the edge of the die opening. Not sure if mine is out of adjustment but I do know if I return the arm up briskly it lines up every time. But like I said this is a four hole so it may be different in your situation.

 

[The Bushmaster]

The three hole press has a little different ratcheting system then the four hole press. My three hole press had this problem right out of the box. It took me three days of experimenting to figure out what was going on and two more days to correct it. I used the three hole press for over 20 years before replacing it with the four hole press. I sold the three hole press with nothing wrong with it...

 

[wild willy]

Bushmaster do you have any trouble with the four hole ? I like to crimp as an extra step if the four holes work better I think I'll get one

 

[MrWesson]

I have the same problem with my 4 hole using my charging die it has helped now that I am using the lee safety prime and adapter seems to keep the case in place(9mm).

 

[The Bushmaster]

wild willy...I absolutely enjoy the four hole press. I have had it in operation for the last 6 months and it has operated flawlessly (doesn't seem to have the three hole problem). Can't remember where you're at, but if your near Ava, drop in and try it...