Ram up or ram down, the reason for my posting was just to 'defend' the wise use by Lee of that very low cost sacrificial part to prevent more substantial operator induced damage to the press. I have the original spare and I think a couple others but in the last 2 years years have not needed them. The black plastic square is not a Lee 'problem' it is a Lee simple solution to ham handed users.
Moving into a turret press (for handgun only)...
- Thread starter Ridgerunner665
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1KPerDay
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Just curious; when you use your redding, do you batch reload, as you do with a single stage? Or do you turn the turret 3 or 4 times to complete a single round before moving on?
The great advantage of the LCT in my opinion is the auto-indexing feature. If the OP's intent is to greatly speed up the process of loading handgun ammo compared to a single stage, the LCT is an excellent choice.
For precision work/accuracy/heavy duty, I have no doubt that the Redding would be preferable.
I'd buy one before I bought another single stage.I use a lee turret and have gotten very fast with it(~300-340rds per min).
I have it on my back enclosed porch because I don't have anywhere else to put it and it has stood up well to south FL salt air but I do go through the square ratchets and rams.
Over time I have noticed the rams get rough/sharp edges to them and eat through the ratchets(fixed by light sanding) but eventually replacement is in order.
I have the lee deluxe kit which doesn't come with the primer catch but a few DIY options exist out there but I have resorted to vaccum and sweep. The lee deluxe turret kit comes with just about everything you need minus dies for 109.99.
I have it on my back enclosed porch because I don't have anywhere else to put it and it has stood up well to south FL salt air but I do go through the square ratchets and rams.
Over time I have noticed the rams get rough/sharp edges to them and eat through the ratchets(fixed by light sanding) but eventually replacement is in order.
I have the lee deluxe kit which doesn't come with the primer catch but a few DIY options exist out there but I have resorted to vaccum and sweep. The lee deluxe turret kit comes with just about everything you need minus dies for 109.99.
1KPerDay
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LeonCarr
Member
Mr. 1KPerDay,
I "batch it" during resizing, priming, and powder drop(I have a whole bunch of loading blocks). I then move the turret three times for each round to flare, seat, and crimp. I feel it gives the best combination of quality and quantity. On a good day I can do about 150-200 rounds per hour with the brass already primed and charged.
Just my .02,
LeonCarr
I "batch it" during resizing, priming, and powder drop(I have a whole bunch of loading blocks). I then move the turret three times for each round to flare, seat, and crimp. I feel it gives the best combination of quality and quantity. On a good day I can do about 150-200 rounds per hour with the brass already primed and charged.
Just my .02,
LeonCarr
Ridgerunner665
Member
Just to be clear...I wasn't bashing anybody's RCBS or Redding press...I was just explaining why I bought the Lee.
1kPerDay summed it up pretty well...
1kPerDay summed it up pretty well...
I've had the LCT for about a month, loaded a little over 3K rounds with it. If you got the kit from Kempf, call Sue and tell her to throw 6 of the little black plastic square ratchets in the order. They are 2 for a dollar, which is nothing unless you have to pay shipping.
I love the press, had nothing to do today and loaded 550 rounds between the dogs and internet.
I love the press, had nothing to do today and loaded 550 rounds between the dogs and internet.
Lost Sheep
Member
How much does the the RCBS 6-hole turret heads cost? Lee's 4-station turrets cost $10 to $15, depending on where you get them.
And the Auto-indexing clinched the deal for me. It is the ONLY turret that does that. Continuous processing saves a lot of time (inserting and removing cartridge cases) over batch processing.
To each their own. The RCBS turret is, by all reports, a good unit. I am keeping my RCBS RockChucker until I die.
Lost Sheep
I started my reloading career with a Lee 4 hole turret, got another Lee SS, and started shooting USPSA matches, and a lot of .223, and then started to outgrow the turret. I have since upgraded to a Hornady LNL AP. I still use the turret, and I feel I learned a ton from using it. You will enjoy it.
Ridgerunner665
Member
I wanted a progressive....but I just don't have time these days to shoot enough to justify the cost...maybe after I retire. (a long time to go)
All I need is to be able to produce about 1,000 rounds in 1 day of reloading...I'm usually home for 4-5 days when I get there....so if I'm out of ammo, I'll be able to load enough to shoot for a day or 2 without spending my whole time off at the bench.
I enjoy loading too...but my wife has started shooting more, her Mom has joined her, my Dad is getting pretty hardcore about too. Dad always did enjoy shooting but had gotten out of it due to the cost...but with me loading for him he seems to have found a way to spend his retirement, LOL.
I also have a couple of friends that I load for...but their volume is low, hunting ammo only...and its almost all rifle except for some 45 Colt, so I can do those "deer season runs" on the single stage.
Back to my wife...I've spent 10 years creating a monster that I now have to feed (so to speak)...she LOVES shooting, she carries 24/7/365...just like me. She goes through a lot of ammo while I'm on the road...
This is her...getting ready to go somewhere (I forget where)...I snapped this pic while she wasn't looking last week...it was one of those "What a woman!" moments.
All I need is to be able to produce about 1,000 rounds in 1 day of reloading...I'm usually home for 4-5 days when I get there....so if I'm out of ammo, I'll be able to load enough to shoot for a day or 2 without spending my whole time off at the bench.
I enjoy loading too...but my wife has started shooting more, her Mom has joined her, my Dad is getting pretty hardcore about too. Dad always did enjoy shooting but had gotten out of it due to the cost...but with me loading for him he seems to have found a way to spend his retirement, LOL.
I also have a couple of friends that I load for...but their volume is low, hunting ammo only...and its almost all rifle except for some 45 Colt, so I can do those "deer season runs" on the single stage.
Back to my wife...I've spent 10 years creating a monster that I now have to feed (so to speak)...she LOVES shooting, she carries 24/7/365...just like me. She goes through a lot of ammo while I'm on the road...
This is her...getting ready to go somewhere (I forget where)...I snapped this pic while she wasn't looking last week...it was one of those "What a woman!" moments.
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ArchAngelCD
Member.
Ridgerunner665,
I wish I could get my wife to carry, you're a lucky man. I'm getting a little closer though, she did get her carry permit last week!!!
I wish I could get my wife to carry, you're a lucky man. I'm getting a little closer though, she did get her carry permit last week!!!
DaveInFloweryBranchGA
Member
"Worth every penny. The Lee products are good and priced right, but the cast iron Redding T-Mag is the best turret press on the market.
Just my .02,
LeonCarr"
You obviously haven't ever used a Lee Classic Turret press or you wouldn't be making that statement.
Comparing the older turret designs like yours to the Lee Classic Turret is like comparing a Model T Ford to a current model Cadillac. Lots of iron and steel there, but not much real performance when compared to a modern press.
Just my .02 and I don't even own the Lee press. But I have owned both the Redding and Lee presses. The Lee pushed the Redding and a Lyman turret off my bench. Only reason I sold the Lee was a buddy of mine on a tight budget needed a press.
Just my .02,
LeonCarr"
You obviously haven't ever used a Lee Classic Turret press or you wouldn't be making that statement.
Comparing the older turret designs like yours to the Lee Classic Turret is like comparing a Model T Ford to a current model Cadillac. Lots of iron and steel there, but not much real performance when compared to a modern press.
Just my .02 and I don't even own the Lee press. But I have owned both the Redding and Lee presses. The Lee pushed the Redding and a Lyman turret off my bench. Only reason I sold the Lee was a buddy of mine on a tight budget needed a press.
DaveInFloweryBranchGA
Member
"On a good day I can do about 150-200 rounds per hour with the brass already primed and charged."
For the Lee, this is going slow. I could do about 300 per hour on the Lee with freshly tumbled brass that needed to be deprimed. And that's without straining and with good quality control.
Were the rounds accurate? Very much so.
For the Lee, this is going slow. I could do about 300 per hour on the Lee with freshly tumbled brass that needed to be deprimed. And that's without straining and with good quality control.
Were the rounds accurate? Very much so.
Ridgerunner665
Member
I think Dave is right...and I bet RCBS and Redding will both soon have a similar design on the market.
Whether you like Lee or not (I don't particularly myself...), you have to admit...the concept of that press (the Classic turret) is a step in the right direction.
Whether you like Lee or not (I don't particularly myself...), you have to admit...the concept of that press (the Classic turret) is a step in the right direction.
Fishslayer
Member
Yup. I wasn't aware of the turning by hand thing & wore out the first one in 2 years & many thousands of rounds. A spare one comes with the press but naturally I couldn't find it.
After receiving 10 new ones from Lee, of course I found the spare...:banghead:
But I'm set for 22 years...
So... Ridgerunner... That is a REALLY nice.. ummm... GUN! Yeah! Nice GUN! That's the ticket!
LeonCarr
Member
Don't get me wrong, the Lee Classic Cast is a good design, and I think it is pretty cool that they are made from recycled railroad rails .
I just like having a press with cast iron linkage connecting the handle to the ram. The Lee's linkage is made from aluminum. My Dillon 550B has broken/shattered/cracked its aluminum linkage twice in the past 16 years. The first time I blame on CCI Primers being hard to seat flush and the second time from just flat out use. Dillon took care of it no questions asked both times. The RCBS Junior I have was made in 1978, the RCBS Rockchucker I have was made in 1986, and the Redding T-Mag previously mentioned was made in 2009 and is used almost everyday. All have cast iron linkage and have had no issues whatsoever.
Just my .02,
LeonCarr
. I just like having a press with cast iron linkage connecting the handle to the ram. The Lee's linkage is made from aluminum. My Dillon 550B has broken/shattered/cracked its aluminum linkage twice in the past 16 years. The first time I blame on CCI Primers being hard to seat flush and the second time from just flat out use. Dillon took care of it no questions asked both times. The RCBS Junior I have was made in 1978, the RCBS Rockchucker I have was made in 1986, and the Redding T-Mag previously mentioned was made in 2009 and is used almost everyday. All have cast iron linkage and have had no issues whatsoever.
Just my .02,
LeonCarr
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Ridgerunner665
Member
Everything I have read says the Classic Turret has steel linkage...same as the Classic Cast.
Example...
http://www.midwayusa.com/Product/814175/lee-classic-4-hole-turret-press
LeonCarr is thinking of the "Deluxe turret"...that is sold in the kits, different press.
My press has arrived at my house (too bad I haven't), but I still need some other odds and ends before I'm ready to roll. I long ago stopped crimping 45acp ammo (no need for it) but I'm thinking since I have 4 holes on the turret to fill...I may get a set of Lee dies (4 die set) since that is what the press and powder measure are designed to work with (it can be made to work with other dies though)...I still gotta get the Pro Auto disk measure too...and a riser.
I did order 10 of the little plastic ratchet things from Lee...Midway wanted $1.99 for 1 of them, Lee has them for 50 cents.
Example...
http://www.midwayusa.com/Product/814175/lee-classic-4-hole-turret-press
LeonCarr is thinking of the "Deluxe turret"...that is sold in the kits, different press.
My press has arrived at my house (too bad I haven't), but I still need some other odds and ends before I'm ready to roll. I long ago stopped crimping 45acp ammo (no need for it) but I'm thinking since I have 4 holes on the turret to fill...I may get a set of Lee dies (4 die set) since that is what the press and powder measure are designed to work with (it can be made to work with other dies though)...I still gotta get the Pro Auto disk measure too...and a riser.
I did order 10 of the little plastic ratchet things from Lee...Midway wanted $1.99 for 1 of them, Lee has them for 50 cents.
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LeonCarr
Member
Ya got me Ridge...I stand corrected on the linkage material.
The Classic Turret will serve you well.
Just my .02,
LeonCarr
The Classic Turret will serve you well.
Just my .02,
LeonCarr
Ridgerunner665
Member
OOPS!
I let my thread get behind...
I have set up my new press and loaded 320 rounds of 45acp on it...All rounds functioned fine, I am seating and crimping in separate operations just like I always have (seating with my old RCBS seater and crimping to .470" with the Lee seater die with the seating stem removed)...no bullet setback, accurate ammo, reliable function...at about 100 rounds per hour. I now have the Safety Prime, but haven't actually used it yet...I figure that will speed me up to at least 150 rounds per hour.
I have only used Power Pistol powder so far but I'm gonna see how Unique runs through it next round...also Red Dot, WST, and 231.
I was home last weekend and spent all weekend reloading and shooting but most of it was working up 243 loads for two different rifles for some friends, also loaded me 30 rounds of 308 ammo to get me through deer season...
I have 10 spare plastic ratchets, but so far haven't broken any...I lubed the operating rod, the turret, and the turret ring with with CLP and everything functions smoothly.
I really like this press...$$$ well spent!
Don't mind the mess, this bench saw a lot of action in those 2 days...slightly blurry cell phone pic
I let my thread get behind...
I have set up my new press and loaded 320 rounds of 45acp on it...All rounds functioned fine, I am seating and crimping in separate operations just like I always have (seating with my old RCBS seater and crimping to .470" with the Lee seater die with the seating stem removed)...no bullet setback, accurate ammo, reliable function...at about 100 rounds per hour. I now have the Safety Prime, but haven't actually used it yet...I figure that will speed me up to at least 150 rounds per hour.
I have only used Power Pistol powder so far but I'm gonna see how Unique runs through it next round...also Red Dot, WST, and 231.
I was home last weekend and spent all weekend reloading and shooting but most of it was working up 243 loads for two different rifles for some friends, also loaded me 30 rounds of 308 ammo to get me through deer season...
I have 10 spare plastic ratchets, but so far haven't broken any...I lubed the operating rod, the turret, and the turret ring with with CLP and everything functions smoothly.
I really like this press...$$$ well spent!
Don't mind the mess, this bench saw a lot of action in those 2 days
...slightly blurry cell phone pic
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Bmac1949
Member
I started reloading about a year ago with the Lee Challenger SS press and ended up ordering a Redding T-7 turret press. I prep, size and charge my brass in batch. And then flair, seat and crimp as I rotate the head of the press. My method is somewhat faster than loading on a SS, but the convience of having two sets of dies mounted in the head is good to have and the press is extreamly solid. It weighs 30 pounds. Before I got the Redding I looked closely at the Lee (I like his products for the most part) because the auto-indexing is really a great feature and extra turrets are priced right but in the end I thought that the over-built Redding would provide a little more precision.
My Lee Classic has loaded thousand of rounds,some learning curve at beginning broke one ratchet in early hours but after that none and I have extra, also use the charge bar with success never used the disc.
Confusion on ratchet in this thread is easily figure out by using lee instructions any doubts call or email a lee tech.
Confusion on ratchet in this thread is easily figure out by using lee instructions any doubts call or email a lee tech.
RustyFN
Member
I have been loading on a classic turret for five years. I have been very happy with it. I like to reload at a comfortable pace. I sit down for three hours and load 500 rounds. I could speed it up to 600 rounds in three hours and still be loading very safe but I am comfortable with the 500.
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