Thinking I found the perfect solution\setup for a beginner like myself with little room. Does anyone use the LEE Deluxe Turret Press? This isn't the new heavy duty one everyone raves over it is the lighter model - getting it because it comes in a kit and I can't find much of a complaint against it. The kit has most things I need but it would really help if someone took a look at the kit and suggested which parts are best upgraded or what additions might be recommeded. I will be loading for 260rem Browning Stalker, 44 mag Browning B92(rifle), then probably 6mm older (beautiful) ADL and 270 CZ550. I say probably because both shoot so well with Hornady factory stuff. My next question is the about the bench. Planning on using a B&D workhorse folding bench that others seem to use with satisfaction. Any tips on how best to set it up- perhaps some pics if you have a set up you are proud of? Lastly, about reloading. How do I know which load to start with? I mean, if my 260 sems to prefer 140's in factory should I start with them. Is it more or less likely that someone elses pet load for a similar (or same) rifle will yield results superior to the factory stuff I use. l am just trying to gauge how many differnt bullets and powders I might have to go through before I best factory ammo results. Thanks advance for answering and putting up with me. Oh- and of course , favorite pet loads welcomed.
new to reloading, bench and press questions
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xring44
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My opinion and its just that, opinion. I think you would be much better served with a good single stage press to begin your reloading career. #1, the lee turret press will lack sufficent leverage to full length size the rifle cases,,,it will do it, but, with a lot of effort. I have the press you speak of, I have used it for several years and it really does a admirable job on pistol cartridges. Speed in loading is not necessary for rifle rounds. I have never used the workmate table, a sturdy bench is crucial to loading. You really need a mentor, someone local who will help you get everything set up and running. Few handloaders will balk at helping a newbie get rolling. Others will certainly offer advise, heed it. And welcome to the roll your own crowd..
xring44
Member
Look no farther than 58 grains of RL-22 and a quality 130 grain bullet for your .270 winchester cartridge.
A STURDY BENCH IS A MUST. The top should be at least 3/4th inch and have plenty of bracing under it.
The Lee press will work fine, unless you are going for some huge belted magnum case... .30-06 or .308 you will be good. Pistol not a problem.
Make sure you lube the cases.... properly lubing the cases is 90% of resizing. The other 10% is the monkey pulling the lever.
If you get a case the need excessive force to resize simply toss it. Don;t waste an hour trying to remove a stuck case from a die.... be smart and if the case fights the die toss the case. New brass or brass from your gun should not be a problem, but getting 'X fired brass' from e-bay is iffy. Again, don't force it, trash is.
Many reloader with full progressive presses will resize in a single stage.
The Lee press will work fine, unless you are going for some huge belted magnum case... .30-06 or .308 you will be good. Pistol not a problem.
Make sure you lube the cases.... properly lubing the cases is 90% of resizing. The other 10% is the monkey pulling the lever.
If you get a case the need excessive force to resize simply toss it. Don;t waste an hour trying to remove a stuck case from a die.... be smart and if the case fights the die toss the case. New brass or brass from your gun should not be a problem, but getting 'X fired brass' from e-bay is iffy. Again, don't force it, trash is.
Many reloader with full progressive presses will resize in a single stage.
looking for comments and suggestinos- Forster press
Well I went to Cabela's thinking I would come home with a Lee Turret press but they had none. So I though about the anniversary kit or perhaps Lyman Crusher kit. I then spoke to someone with some knowledge and told him my situation regarding space etc... He asked if I heard of a portable press and I mentioned the Frankford Arsenal one. He said that is the one he meant. I told him I heard of too many of them breaking. He walked me over to the various presses and showed me why they break - because of the way the hinges are on most presses and how it pries on the table top at its mounts. Then he showed me what must be the holy grail of reloaders - the Forster Co-ax. Nice vertical, powerful system with easily swapped dies. It looks pretty wonderful but man I need a loan for the whole setup. Almost $200 for the press alone - so what am I looking at total before I ever crimp a bullet- $350? So, first - comments about this press? Second, suggestions for a scale, powder measure, usefull tools and other things you deem essential. Third, loads for the 260 A -bolt and 6mm ADL. Thanks folks.
Well I went to Cabela's thinking I would come home with a Lee Turret press but they had none. So I though about the anniversary kit or perhaps Lyman Crusher kit. I then spoke to someone with some knowledge and told him my situation regarding space etc... He asked if I heard of a portable press and I mentioned the Frankford Arsenal one. He said that is the one he meant. I told him I heard of too many of them breaking. He walked me over to the various presses and showed me why they break - because of the way the hinges are on most presses and how it pries on the table top at its mounts. Then he showed me what must be the holy grail of reloaders - the Forster Co-ax. Nice vertical, powerful system with easily swapped dies. It looks pretty wonderful but man I need a loan for the whole setup. Almost $200 for the press alone - so what am I looking at total before I ever crimp a bullet- $350? So, first - comments about this press? Second, suggestions for a scale, powder measure, usefull tools and other things you deem essential. Third, loads for the 260 A -bolt and 6mm ADL. Thanks folks.
DaveInFloweryBranchGA
Member
1. Shop online - They'll have it in stock most of the time and you'll save money and won't have to drive anywhere.
2. The only thing I've heard people complain about related to the Lee kit you mentioned is the scale. RCBS, Hornady and Redding make fine scales. I have a Redding, but were I to spend the money again, I'd pay more and get the RCBS 1010, simply because of the way the fine adjustment is made.
3. Websites to shop from:
http://www.bosesguns.com/
http://www.kempfgunshop.com/index.html
http://www.midwayusa.com/ebrowse.exe/browse
4. Reconsider the Classic turret press and ordering items individually. Generally with kits, you get stuff you don't need or find out you don't like, while you order individually, you get exactly what you want. Also, the ability to use the new safety prime setup the classic cast turret press has is worth the difference in costs, because the priming setup will speed your loading up that much. Also, you can get the Pro Auto Disk, which is a bit better powder measure, with some improvements over the auto disk.
5. Don't get blinded by sales pitches. You're much better off to listen to advice on the various reloading forums or reading those posts, rather than listening to a salesman. Because, in almost every case, he'll try to "up sell" you, just like the fellow you mention did.
Hope this helps,
Dave
2. The only thing I've heard people complain about related to the Lee kit you mentioned is the scale. RCBS, Hornady and Redding make fine scales. I have a Redding, but were I to spend the money again, I'd pay more and get the RCBS 1010, simply because of the way the fine adjustment is made.
3. Websites to shop from:
http://www.bosesguns.com/
http://www.kempfgunshop.com/index.html
http://www.midwayusa.com/ebrowse.exe/browse
4. Reconsider the Classic turret press and ordering items individually. Generally with kits, you get stuff you don't need or find out you don't like, while you order individually, you get exactly what you want. Also, the ability to use the new safety prime setup the classic cast turret press has is worth the difference in costs, because the priming setup will speed your loading up that much. Also, you can get the Pro Auto Disk, which is a bit better powder measure, with some improvements over the auto disk.
5. Don't get blinded by sales pitches. You're much better off to listen to advice on the various reloading forums or reading those posts, rather than listening to a salesman. Because, in almost every case, he'll try to "up sell" you, just like the fellow you mention did.
Hope this helps,
Dave
portable press...
i mounted my lee turret press to a 2x6 and drilled out the base to add a piece of vinyl tubing to catch my primers.....then i can take my press anywhere and use a c-clamp to anchor it down.....seem to work fine on my 45 colt
i mounted my lee turret press to a 2x6 and drilled out the base to add a piece of vinyl tubing to catch my primers.....then i can take my press anywhere and use a c-clamp to anchor it down.....seem to work fine on my 45 colt
BigJakeJ1s
Member
I started with a Lee hand press, and like it very much. Then I bought a Huntington Compac hand press, and I like it much better. More rigid, more leverage, better alignment. Like the Forster, the Compac's design cancels torque & off-axis forces on the "ram", but in a cheaper (<$100), smaller, lighter package. I still use my Lee for depriming, since it captures the spent primer debris very well in the hollow ram. I deprime (Lee), size (compac), reprime (Lee autoprime), and bell (compac) from my easy chair. I seat and crimp at the kitchen table with the compac. I put a small 4" circle of hardwood on the bottom of it so it can stand up on its own if I need two hands for something else. This press is plenty strong for anything short of caseforming. When I'm done, I pack up my whole setup in a rubbermaid tote and put it away. The only space I use when I'm reloading is my easy chair or the end of the kitchen table. Well, there's a tumbler in the garage...
Hope this helps,
Andy
Hope this helps,
Andy
rick_in_lb
Member
Howdy
Well let me tell you partner... I use the "lightwieght" Lee turret. I have now problems relodading pistol and rifle. Works for me. It has enough UMPH. Depending what you reload really is how much arm you are going to use. I know a few reloaders who have been using the original turret for a while now with no problem. The Lee was not a waste of money for me and I don't think it would be a waste for you. Of course this only my opinion
Just remember to be safe.
Well let me tell you partner... I use the "lightwieght" Lee turret. I have now problems relodading pistol and rifle. Works for me. It has enough UMPH. Depending what you reload really is how much arm you are going to use. I know a few reloaders who have been using the original turret for a while now with no problem. The Lee was not a waste of money for me and I don't think it would be a waste for you. Of course this only my opinion
Just remember to be safe.
Kamicosmos
Member
You C-Clamped your press to your .45? Interesting!
BigJakeJ1s
Member
Sure! the barrel makes a great bullet seating guide, and it "pre-riflles" the bullet for you as you seat it!
Andy
Andy
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