Newbie Press Question

[noresttill]

My GF stepdad and I are going to start reloading.

I shoot about 300 rounds of 9mm and 45acp a week (mostly because of cost).

He shoots 30.06 and .257 and I plan on getting a 30.06 myself along with building an AK.

We would like a kit that is all inclusive and have the ability to reload all those cartridges. We are looking at the Lee turret press kit.

As I have never done this and he used to hammer reload when he was young(er) we need some advice. We would like to spend around $150 w/o dies.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Jesse, the lost

 

[dmftoy1]

Pick up a good reloading manual and do some reading before you buy and equipment. (it might help you with your decisions). I would recommend Lyman #48, but there are others that may be better. The reading should help you to identify what type of press etc that you want. If you like to shoot 300 rounds or better of pistol ammo in a week then I'd be thinking about a progressive but you can't pull that off for the price range you're talking. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a used setup from someone though as this stuff seems to be almost indestructible.

Have a good one,
Dave

 

[CodeSlinger]

I agree with dmftoy1, at that rate I suspect you will eventually want a progressive. However, I personally feel that a progressive press should not be a new reloader's first press.

The Lee Turret will handle all your calibers, and I don't think any other press system will be able to set you up with 6 caliber changes for as little money as Lee can.

Plus, when you later upgrade to a progressive, it'll be really nice to leave the Turret set up with one of the rifle calibers or something.

This is the path I followed when I started, and looking back I wouldnt change a thing.

 

[mapwd]

After reading all the bad stories of Lee's customer service and the way Lee could care less if they have me as a customer or not, I would not buy another Lee product. I just bought an RCBS turret press ($169.00 at Gander Mountain) and I could not be happier! Built like a tank (cast Iron) and their customer service is only second to Dillon (which is incredible!). I dropped my turret press of my bench last night while setting up a new reloading bench. I broke the primer assembly off the press. I called RCBS and explained that it was my fault and they are sending me a new primer assembly system for free.
Cant beat that, and Lee would not do that for anybody.

 

[redneck2]

cruise around on e-bay an see if you can find a used turret. I just had a family friend give me one. I'm letting the neighbor across the street use it. You might also check with local gun shops that handle reloading stuff to see if anybody's traded something in

You'll most likely want to upgrade to a progressive eventually particularly for pistol. It's nice to slide the tool head in, knock out 200 rounds in 20-25 minutes, and have plenty to shoot

A good progressive (Dillon, Hornady) can load 450-500 per hour pretty easily. I suspect it's maybe 2-3 times faster (or more) than the turret.

I have a 550 but I still load one at a time for rifle. It's still nice to just slide in the complete tool head (powder measure and all), fill it with powder, and crank away

 

[CodeSlinger]

After reading all the bad stories of Lee's customer service and the way Lee could care less if they have me as a customer or not, I would not buy another Lee product. I just bought an RCBS turret press ($169.00 at Gander Mountain) and I could not be happier! Built like a tank (cast Iron) and their customer service is only second to Dillon (which is incredible!). I dropped my turret press of my bench last night while setting up a new reloading bench. I broke the primer assembly off the press. I called RCBS and explained that it was my fault and they are sending me a new primer assembly system for free.
Cant beat that, and Lee would not do that for anybody.

Purely for the sake of philosophic rigor...

[Fact]

I can't comment on Lee's customer service, because I have never needed it. I've never had a part break, and I've never had a question that wasn't already answered on their web page, which has a thorough Frequently Asked Questions section.

Sure, RCBS may be willing to send you a free primer assembly. But according to current pricing at Midway, I could've bought 3 Lee Turret presses, kept 2 of them just for spare parts, and still have spent less than you did. ($50 for the Lee, $168 for the RCBS.)

Lee's Deluxe Turret Kit is currently $94 ($95 if you want the 4 hole instead of the 3 hole kit), RCBS's Deluxe kit is $320.

For every extra caliber, you'll need another turret head. Lee's will run you $9, RCBS's are $36. To keep this thread somewhat on topic, that means that noresttill's 5 extra turret heads will cost $45 from Lee, vs $180 from RCBS.

[/Fact]


[Opinion]

Economically, RCBS seems to consistantly cost you three or more times more money than Lee. I personally do not feel that the "customer service" is anywhere near worth that price premium.

Besides, TANSTAAFL. RCBS and Dillon and all the other manufacturers can't just produce replacement parts out of thin air. SOMEBODY has to pay for them, and that somebody is the customer -- it's built into the inital price. In addition to a press, you're buying a "replacement part cost buffer". If your parts break, then you start to earn back the value from that buffer....but if everything works right and nothing breaks, you lose! Do you want to get what you pay for? Or do you want everyone else to get what you pay for?

I would rather have the money I spend on a press go towards just the stuff I buy, and buy my own replacement parts (that will still be less than RCBS's). It's that sort of economic philosophy that leads me to support Lee as a company, and it's two quality, hassle free presses that lead me to support their products.

[/Opinion]

 

[hoghunting]

I shot IPSC and Hunter's Pistol for 6 years and went through 500 rounds a week. I recommend the Dillon 550. It will cost more than the $150, but after a few months on the turret press you will wish that you could reload faster - that's what happened to me. It is not difficult to set up the Dillon press and if you have any problems, call Dillon and an agent will help you. Their agents are very knowledgable about their machines and can give real answers.

 

[only1asterisk]

I don't think I would by a Lee kit other than the Challenger kit, although I would consider a Lee press if my budget was $150.

I wouldn’t load 9mm or 7.62x39 on a single stage press unless I had absolutely nothing better to do. That leaves 45 ACP, 30-06 and .257 (Roberts, I assume).

With $150 you need to buy:

Press
3 Sets of Dies
Powder Scale
Calipers
Sizing Lube
Shellholder
Case Trimming Tools
Deburring Tool

I don’t think it’s going to happen. I think a more realistic budget is $200 using all Lee equipment and a single stage press. A Dillon Press will require all the same tools and you are looking at a $550 investment to get started.

David

 

[snuffy]

One thing NOT mentioned already is the fact that the lee turret actually is MUCH faster that the RCBS turret. That's because the lee press has an auto indexer that positions each die above the ram as you pull the handle. Another thing, lee just brought out vast improvements in the turret press. It's base is now cast iron, the ram is bigger and has a spent primer control system that can't be beat. The primers go though a hole in the middle of the ram, into a plastic hose that can be dirrected into a trash can. Also the lousy priming arm is gone, replaced by what they call the safety prime. It's similar to the auto prime in that you don't have to handle each primer, placing it on the primer arm.
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=814175

http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/cat...l/catalog/turretpress.html#ClassicTurretPress

http://www.rcbs.com/default.asp?menu=1&s1=4&s2=2&s3=5

It seems that the RCBS turret CAN be operated in an auto index mode, or as a single stage, batch mode. It also has a primer feed system, it's output may come close to the lee. BUT Why in tarnation don't they give you a close-up of the press???!!¿ Geeze, who works in marketing there? Hmmm the technical specs and use on this midway site says there's no auto index feature on the RCBS turret.?? Also you can zoom the image to get a better look at it.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=264187

Okay I'm confused . Anybody actually have one of the RCBS turrets that can tell us about it?

 

[noresttill]

Thanks for all the responses.

We looked at a progressive and for the 30.06 it is a bad idea (according to nantchez).

I believe we will get this turret: $82 http://www.natchezss.com/product.cfm?contentID=productDetail&prodID=LEE90928

with a 30.06 three dies set: $19 http://www.natchezss.com/product.cfm?contentID=productDetail&prodID=LEE90508

45 acp carbide three die set: $21 http://www.natchezss.com/product.cfm?contentID=productDetail&prodID=LEE90808

9mm carbide three die set: $21 http://www.natchezss.com/product.cfm?contentID=productDetail&prodID=LEE90509

Edit: and 2 more turrets: $18 http://www.natchezss.com/product.cfm?contentID=productDetail&prodID=LEE90269

So thats $161+ shipping

I think this is all we will need to start out. The .257 roberts is more on the back burner, and I dont even have the ak yet.

Do we need any conversion plates or anything?

As for used stuff, there is no reloaders available in south Florida. It sounds silly, but we cant find any local new or used.

Again, thanks to you all we are one step closer to reloading (and hope to order this week)

Jesse

 

[noresttill]

oh, and "auto indexing" means the turret rotates automatically? or when you turn it, it falls into the correct spot without lining it uo everytime?

 

[CodeSlinger]

Another thing, lee just brought out vast improvements in the turret press.

Interesting. Looks like Lee could use some marketing help as well...they're about to cause a whole lot of confusion. Looks like they actually introduced a whole new press. They always had their "Classic Cast Press", the single station one, and their "Lee Turret Press". What you've linked to seems to be a completely new press called...the "Classic Turret Press". They need some creativity in naming their products.

Anybody actually have one of the RCBS turrets that can tell us about it?

I'm curious about this too. Especially considering the RCBS press turrets have six holes! Even if it does auto-index, it looks like you'll need twice as many throws of the lever to get back to your starting position? This seems useful if you are really particular about having a lot of specialized dies, but it can't be good for speed.

 

[CodeSlinger]

oh, and "auto indexing" means the turret rotates automatically?

Yes, this is correct.

 

[snuffy]

sequence of operation,

For the lee turret. I HAD one before I got a dillon 650. Mine was a four hole, I loaded 6 different calibers on it, 4 handgun, .223 and .308 rifle.

Put an empty shell in the shell holder, raise the ram to size and deprime. While the ram is up in the size die, you can insert a primer on the primer plug, on the down stroke you prime the shell. During the down stroke the auto indexer turns the turret to present the powder through expander die, this die has the disc powder measure on top of it. The act of expanding and belling the case activates the powder measure, dropping the charge in the case. Lowering the ram indexes the turret again presenting the seater die. Just put a bullet on top of the shell and raise the ram again to seat it. I used a lee final crimp die,(FCD), so another stroke of the handle/ram crimped the shell and presents the sizer die for the next shell.

A lot of people hate the primer arm so much they remove the shell and prime using a hand primer of some sort. I always used the primer arm built into the press. It sped things up to NOT have to remove the shell to prime.

Another draw back is the handeling of the spent primers. They fly everywhere EXCEPT into the primer catcher. Also the base IS the primer catcher, when it fills up, you have to diss-mount the press to empty it.

The new classic cast turret has adressed the above concerns for only a few more dollars.

 

[StrikeEagle]

I can't comment on Lee's customer service, because I have never needed it. I've never had a part break

I have! I broke a few of those 'unbreakable' decapping tools. Lee replaced for free, no hassles. And a couple months ago, I broke a hinge part on a 6-Cav Lee mold. A phonecall to Lee and a replacement was on the way, no charge.

I like Lee a LOT. Inexpensive, innovative stuff. My reloading is done on a Dillon 550B, but I have no problems at all suggesting Lee equipment.

StrikeEagle

 

[Infidel]

I like Lee a LOT. Inexpensive, innovative stuff.

Ditto.

 

[moellermd]

I just started reloading and got the four hole Lee turret press. Works great!! When I first started I took out the indexing rod and worked it like a single stage. Now I reload .40SW and .45ACP with it auto indexing. I can reload 200 rounds in about an hour. When I do rifle I pull back out the indexing rod and use it like a single stage press. With the 4 hole turret I do not have to reset dies when I switch operations. Which I think is a nice option.

 

[Adam_MA]

Right now, I have 3 lee presses, scale, dies, primer tools etc...
I have yet to have an issue with any of their stuff. Their equipment is low cost, QUALITY products. I have called customer support on a couple of different occasions, and have been treated fairly and with respect. The person on the other end of the line, was pleasant, and extremely helpful while walking me through setting up my progressive press.

Nothing but good things to say about LEE, I am now, and will continue to be a customer.

Adam

 

[Zen21Tao]

We would like a kit that is all inclusive and have the ability to reload all those cartridges. We are looking at the Lee turret press kit.

I just started reloading about a month ago so perhaps my newbie experience might be of some help. I began by reading The ABCs of Reloading, a few web sites, and Hodgdon’s Reloading magazine. I would recommend reading on the ins and outs of reloading quite a bit before trying to start reloading.

The press setup I ended up going with was the Lee Turret kit from Midway USA (I love buying from them because they given me great customer service. But I have also dealt with Natchez and find them great to work with as well). Initially I wanted a Dillon 550 but I felt that a progressive press might offer too many opportunities for a newbie such as me to make mistakes. Plus, the Dillon was a lot more money for the press and requires a separate conversion kit for each die set used. So far I find the Lee Turret to be a great press. It does everything for me that I need at this point in my reloading. I especially like how easy it is to go from one caliber turret to another. Just pull down the lever to rotate the turret a little bit and lift up, it will pop right out and another one just pops right in. One added benefit of this turret press is that by simply disabling the auto indexing it can used as a single stage press as well.

 

[bfox]

Hi Jesse

I was going to say get a couple extra turrets
but then I saw you added them in.
I had a Lee scale accurate enough but
I wasn't crazy about it .
Lee makes some cheap case trimmers you can
get for your Rifle loading that work good .

The new Lee cast turret is nice .
As some said it catches all the primers in a tube .
I really like the new safety prime they have
I got fat fingers and it was a pain to handle each primer .
But so far I don't think they come with kits for the classis cast turret that include
powder measure , scale ,etc.

Good Luck to you guys , Bill

 

[donkee]

When I broke a 9x18 Mak die by running a .40 case through it, LEE replaced it, no questions. Broke the linkage on my Challenger, replaced, no questions. Bent the expander in my 7.5x55 Swiss die, replaced, no questions asked. Sold the Challenger press and bought a Lee Classic Cast, no problems at all with it. All my LEE gear works, makes better than factory ammo, is less expensive, easy to use, meets or beats my expectations. Nuff said.........

 

[noresttill]

I had no idea you all had such good experiences with Lee service.

I tried to order everything yesterday but couldnt get the OK.

Ill try tomorrow, thanks again for all your responses.

Jesse

 

[Kamicosmos]

Anybody actually have one of the RCBS turrets that can tell us about it?

I have a RCBS Turret. It replaced my Lee Loadmaster.

The RCBS can't auto index. It has a single ram that lifts up to the head assembly. You twist the turret head yourself to rotate the dies. The head has six holes, which is handy to have 2 pistol die sets loaded, or say a powder thrower and crimp die, or whatever other combination of dies you need. I love my Turret, don't miss my Loadmaster at all!

 

[darwin-t]

I personally would go with 4 die sets. I like the Factory Crimp die and you're buying the 4 hole press.

Also I'd add the new safety prime upgrade. I LOVE mine and it's made reloading MUCH easier. You have to add a riser to the powder measure, though.

 

[noresttill]

I was trying to decide between the 3 or 4 die set. So after the bullet it seated, the 4 die set has a crimper?

Jesse