Question for Lee Classic turret press owners

[stonebuster]

My question is how often have you had to replace your indexing ratchets(plastic square inserts)? I'm only getting through @1K rounds of 38/357 before I need to change one. I try to keep the indexing rod clean & properly indexed. I'm considering using Mothers mag polish on the twist in the indexing rod to see if it prolongs the life of these ratchets.

 

[1KPerDay]

I've replaced one in 45K rounds loaded. I keep the indexing rod lubed with CLP. I make sure not to turn the turret manually (to fix something or re-crimp or something) unless the ram is raised a bit.

 

[jebova2301]

Drop a drip of motor oil or clp or something down there to lube it, and don't slam it when you are lowering the ram and they will last THOUSANDS of rounds. I have probably a dozen spares laying around somewhere since I was originally blasting through one every 500-1000 rounds, but after slowing the ram down as it is going down and adding a little lube has made the current one in there last probably 5000 rounds or so.

 

[Bosn Ski]

I never had to replace one in 9,000 rounds of 9mm.

 

[NapalmMan67]

In years of using mine reloading countless thousands of rounds of a variety of calibers... never. I bought 3 or 5 (?) spares years ago and they have just collected dust, I don't even recall where I have them stored.


.

 

[Hugger-4641]

Between my various pistol and .223 rds, I've got at least 3k rounds on mine and still on all original parts. I spray mine with Rem oil every 100rds or so.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

Some folks seam to get good mileage out of them. Others not so much. I removed all the auto index parts on mine. I can go faster without and less clutter when cleaning the press.

 

[deadeye dick]

Some folks seam to get good mileage out of them. Others not so much. I removed all the auto index parts on mine. I can go faster without and less clutter when cleaning the press.

Me too.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

About 30+ years. My original Pro 1000 still has the original in it. Granted I quit using it about 5 years ago but still pretty impressive.
I kept it greased with Lubri-Plate grease.

 

[Bartojc]

I’m over 20000 rounds easy and I’m on my original one. I’ve replaced a spring in the safety prime at a little over 10000 rounds.

Jeff

 

[WrongHanded]

I started reloading when I joined the forum. So July 2017. I've only used the one press, which is an LCT. Never had to replace that thing. I'm not sure how many rounds I run, maybe 10K.

 

[red rick]

I removed mine and batch load .

 

[docbrown]

Keep it lubed and don't try to turn the turret without raising the ram a little bit. If you don't raise the ram, you can strip out a ratchet real quick. I have thousands of rounds through mine and have yet to replace one.

 

[12Bravo20]

I have had my Lee Classic Turret press since 2005 and have only replaced that part once. And I have loaded a lot of different pistols calibers and quite a bit of 223 ammo with the press over the years.

 

[stonebuster]

Judging from these replies it's something I'm doing to cause premature failure. I'll keep it well lubed, raise ram a bit before indexing manually and go easy with it.

 

[RealGun]

I spray the turret innards with One Shot and then get less resistance. The stations then line up easily with no false calls for adjustment. Much less wear and I can go years without changing an insert. I learned early on that I could move the turret to another position with no consequence, if I just pull the handle enough to feel no resistance.

 

[oldschool45]

I've loaded 1000s and never replaced that part. Keep it clean and wiped down (sizing & depriming occasionally dirty brass creates a mess). I lube the inside of the ring that holds the turret, the twisted rod and the ram.

 

[AK Hunter]

I gave up on trying to keep it going & just took the rod out. Now I index it by hand, I have gotten to where I'm just as fast without it.

 

[outdoorman63]

Ours lasted a few hundred rounds , took it out and never got around to replacing it.

 

[mdi]

After some frustrating "go arounds" when trying to set up some dies right after I got my turret, I took the auto indexing parts out. Hand indexed for about 20 years. Worked great, I felt I had more control and I didn't want a semi-progressive press...

Not sure, but IIRC someone made a ratchet out of aluminum?

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I searched to see if someone made an upgrade. Results were always about copyrights.

 

[kcofohio]

I bought my LCT in 2011. It's still on the original plastic square. I couldn't tell how many 1000s of reloads. Somewhere is the replacement that comes with the press. And I bought 5 back-ups also.
I clean and lube the ram, and occasionally wipe and polish the turrets and turret tracking. I use Mother of Mags polish.

 

[kcofohio]

I removed mine and batch load .

That's the versatility of the press. One can run it to what fits them.

 

[mdi]

I removed mine and batch load .

.

Me too! Often I'd do two or three steps on brass up to ready to charge and seat. Seemed to go faster/easier (but speed, Rounds Per Hour is the last thing I think of)...

 

[Crosshair]

I never wore one out, but stopped using the auto-advance years ago and just manually rotate it.