modern turret presses

[bender]

I'm starting reloading again, for the first time since 1990 or so. I still have my Lee Turret Press that I bought in the late-80s, and all my Lee dies mounted in turrets.
The stuff I got rid of back when I stopped reloading, such as my tumbler, scale, and a few other things - I bought new today. I think I have everything I need to get started again.

First off, I know there's LOTS of threads around here about presses, and I have browsed thru many of them.

I've seen some comments about Lee turrets being "slightly off" on the alignment with the ram. Is this something with ALL turrets, or just Lee? I know that Lee is alot cheaper than the other brands.

I'm thinking I may like the 6-hole turret, instead of my 3-hole Lees. That way I can put 2 or 3 rifle calibers in only one turret, and 2 pistol calilbers.

I'm not asking "which press is better", I'm just wondering if its worth dumping my Lee Turret, and about 7 or 8 turrets, for a lyman t-mag with 2, maybe 3 turrets. Is the lyman better aligned, or is the "mis-alignment" a problem with all turret presses?

thanks for any comments. btw: I don't want to go progressive, and I probably can't afford an rcbs turret press.

 

[mtnbkr]

The comments about the Lee being "off" refer to it's auto indexing function, something I don't believe the other turret presses on the market have. Therefore, it's a criticism you can't use to differentiate between it and other turret presses.

A friend of mine has used the Lyman Turret, the original 3-hole Lee, and the latest 4-hole cast Lee turret. In his opinion, the new Lee is the best of the bunch. I've used the original Lee and the new one and think the new one is much better, fwiw.

Chris

 

[Unisaw]

Take a look at the Redding T-7. As the name implies, it has 7 holes. I leave my .357 and .45 ACP dies mounted. The Redding is a monster press and will outlast you. The tube to collect spent primers is also great.

 

[bender]

yeah, one of those old threads I mentioned had alot of recommendations for the T-7. Its out of my price range probably. Thats "gun" money I could be spending


My Lee 3-hole turret is the original one from the 80s. Doesn't index. so mine's ok to keep for a while I guess? Back then I don't think I noticed a misalignment, but I could be wrong. Back then I was just starting out.

thanks, mtnbkr, maybe I'll look at the newer Lee 4-hole turret. At least I could put 2 rifle calibers on one turret.

 

[BetaShooter]

I have a newer Lee 4 hole turret that indexes and, IMO, it's great. It indexes very well, no misalignment at all. Midway sells the turrets for under $8, so you don't have to worry too much about keeping multiple calibers in one turret. I bet you'll end up liking the indexing so much (like me) that you will think $8 is money well spent for the amount of time it saves - especially if you use the powder measure, etc.

 

[owenbright]

I recently purchased a Lee classic turret (my first reloading press).
It indexes just fine, but the the alignment is very slightly off w/ the ram.
It works just fine however. Sometimes, the shell would move off center relative to the "primer hole" in the shell holder, due the the misalignment, after
going through the decap/sizer die. So when I try to bring it down to seat the
primer, the shell has to be pushed back just a TINY TINY bit.
(This is all of course, w/ the auto indexing working perfectly)
It's not really an issue, and so far it's worked just fine.

 

[308win]

there are instructions for the three and four loction press to adjust the indexing on the Lee site.

 

[mtnbkr]

Bender, you can get an update kit to change your 3-hole into a 4-hole press. It's less than $25 IIRC. However, I think the new Lee turret is so much better, I'd put that money towards the new one instead.

BTW, the new Lee press has a much improved primer system. It now catches the primers in a tube or you can set it to drain into a trashcan. Either way, it fixes the biggest weakness of the old turret press. It's also much sturdier than the old. Not that it was an issue, I loaded many thousand rounds, rifle and handgun, on that original press.

Chris

 

[benedict1]

Lee New Classic Turret Press--

+1 Lee New Classic Turret Press. The press is great but the real innovation is the Safety Prime System. It is fast, sure and safe. You see the primer and KNOW it is going to be seated.

Be sure to get the Pro Auto Disk powder measure. It is a pleasure to use.

I have loaded over 2000 rounds so far of 9mm, 38 Spec. and 45 ACP and can do 250 rounds per hour with no sweat.

As to the indexing-operate the handle smoothly, without jerking, and you will have no problem. Always make a full stroke--do not short stroke or you can cause the indexing to slip. But if it does, there is a video on the Lee website on how to adjust--dead simple and takes about a minute.

As to the case slipping in the shell plate and having to be moved back slightly into proper alignment--that is caused by either the press not being level and /or not mounted on a solid bench and it vibrates. It is not a fault of the design--it is always the problem with the mounting. I leveled mine with a couple of washers under the front mounting bolts and my bench is bolted to the wall studs of the house. Enough said.

Get the extra turrets and set up all your dies. Buy the DeLuxe Pistol Die sets because you get the Factory Crimp Die which IMHO is a piece of magic--no mystery about crimp and the post sizing makes sure the round will chamber.

I buy from Kempf Gun Shop in Indiana--the people there are very helpful especially if you're not sure what you need.

Try this link http://www.kempfgunshop.com/products/reloading/leeprecision/presses/90064.html