Classic & Deluxe Compared
Lots of discussion about Deluxe vs Classic Turrets today. Third time I am posting this summary of the differences between the two presses.
The upgrade kit (to take the 3-hole Deluxe to become a 4-hole Deluxe) is about $40. I checked about converting my Pro-1000 presses to Turrets last year. They use the same base.
Upgrading the 3-Hole Deluxe Turret to a 4-Hole is, in my opinion, a waste. Sell the 3-hole, add 30 or 40 to it and get a Classic 4-hole. The Classic Turret's advantages outweigh the Deluxe's shortcomings enough that I would consider giving away a Deluxe to a needy loader rather than put up with it. But then, I am spoiled, having my Classic Turret.
The two presses do do the same job. Same speed, same operating modes and techniques.
But there are differences.
Evolution: The Classic Turret is the newer design of the two.
Durability: The Classic Turret's base is cast iron, the Deluxe is cast aluminum. Iron wears better than the softer metal, aluminum.
Ease of use: The Deluxe has a smaller vertical opening than the Classic Turret. Though either is capable of taking long rifle cartridges, the Classic Turret will take longer ones and if you have big hands is the clear winner
Spent Primer Handling: The Deluxe drops primers out of a slot in the ram to fall into a cavity inside the press base. But only about 90% succeed in their intended journey. The Classic drops primers down the center of the hollow ram and into a clear plastic tube which can contain a few hundred primers or be directed into a receptacle of your choice. The difference in the behavior of the debris (products of combustion) from the spent primers is even more striking. With the Deluxe, you wind up with primer detritus all over and have to dismount the press and sweep up the pile of spent primers every several hundred rounds.
More on Durability: The Deluxe ram is smaller than the Classic's ram. This gives a much different bearing surface for the ram to be guided as if moves up and down. The Classic press will last much longer because of the increased surface area and because iron is tougher than aluminum.
Even more on Durability: The Deluxe's linkage is aluminun and stampings. The Classic's linkage is more robust. I believe the leverage on both is the same.
The Deluxe is aluminum, spills spent primers and has a slightly smaller opening (which you may find important when loading long cartridges or long bullets. Unfortunately, Kempf's is the only seller I know of who assembles a kit containing the Classic Turret. All the other kits I found when I was researching turrets last June (2010) were built around the Deluxe.
I think that's about it.
Good luck.
Lost Sheep
