Thoughts on Lee Classic Turret Press?

[AV8TOR]

I really like using my RCBS universal priming tool and when my Turret arrives I plan on loading with cleaned and primed brass. I would like to hear from those who also load this way or for other options. I deprime my brass with a universal decapping tool so when I resize I will need to remove the decapping pin from the die. Any issues with doing this? Is the Lee primer for the turret press better than a good hand held?

 

[rondog]

I prefer to reload using brass that's already cleaned and primed. But that Auto Prime doodad that came with my press has sat in the box since Day Two. A useless P.O.S. in my opinion, but some people like it. Never worked for me.

 

[WMaximusD]

I really like using my RCBS universal priming tool and when my Turret arrives I plan on loading with cleaned and primed brass. I would like to hear from those who also load this way or for other options. I deprime my brass with a universal decapping tool so when I resize I will need to remove the decapping pin from the die. Any issues with doing this? Is the Lee primer for the turret press better than a good hand held?

I do the same thing. Love the RCBS universal hand primer. I have two, one set up for large primers and one for small primers, so I don't have to switch back and forth. The primed case goes on the shell holder and I reseat the primer on the turret before charging the case just to make sure it's fully seated.

 

[rondog]

Quote:
That is precisely why I sold my Challenger press. I chose to replace it with the Classic Turret specifically for the way it handles spent primers.
It's just swell, except the end cap hangs at puppy height.

Take that cap off and poke the tube into an empty milk jug and you'll never have to empty the tube! A gallon jug can hold a LOT of dead primers.

 

[AV8TOR]

So did you guys remove the pin from your sizing die then or do you size and deprime before you clean?

 

[GBExpat]

So did you guys remove the pin from your sizing die then or do you size and deprime before you clean?

All of my cases get deprimed prior to cleaning.

 

[tcoz]

I use the primer on the Lee Turret press but it does require a certain technique and developing a feel for it. Once you do that it provides pretty much flawless priming.

 

[WMaximusD]

So did you guys remove the pin from your sizing die then or do you size and deprime before you clean?

I'll wet tumble brass with Lemishine and AA (no pins), this cleans the cases 90%, then deprime and resize in one step followed by another hour in the tumbler with pins, AA, LS to get the primer pockets.

 

[AV8TOR]

Please allow me to reword my question as replies have deviated some.

I use a universal decapping die on my dirty brass then wet tumble clean. I was using a single stage press so I resized then used a RCBS Universal hand primeing too to prime. I am switching to a Lee Turret and am thinking through what steps I might use. I could hand prime my cases then use my resizing die without the decapping pin to resize the case and move through the other dies. Is there anything wrong with removing the pin for use like this? Is anyone using the Lee Turret in this fashion.

 

[rondog]

Yes. All of my Lee pistol die sets have the decapping pins removed. Rifle sets are another matter, as those have the neck sizing ball on the decapping pin. You'd have to get an extra pin for each rifle die set and break/grind the actual decapping pin off the end, or just do that to the original one.

I haven't done that yet with my rifle dies, and using pre-primed brass is a bit more of a challenge. I have to resize and trim them to length before I prime them. So all the primed rifle brass I have in storage is all sized and trimmed to length also. Not a huge deal, I just need to buy some extra pins from Lee, I don't want to modify the originals.

Now, this is Lee dies....I can't speak about other brands.

It certainly isn't necessary to pre-prime the cases first, I just like to do it that way myself. When I want to load some ammo, it goes a lot faster that way. Just the way I like to do it, but I tend to wander off the path from the rest of the herd now and then.

I also store my die sets like this, so I can keep the extra parts in each cubby with the die set & turret. Old photo, this drawer is plumb full of them now, might have to go to a second drawer. (I managed to buy several old hardware cabinets that were removed form Home Depot stores from a guy that worked for Crown Hardware. These are NOT available anymore, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. OUTSTANDING cabinets for storing dies, brass, bullets, primers, tools, and all kinds of things!)

 

[RealGun]

I prefer to reload using brass that's already cleaned and primed. But that Auto Prime doodad that came with my press has sat in the box since Day Two. A useless P.O.S. in my opinion, but some people like it. Never worked for me.

The Safety Primer Feed is what comes with the Turret press (our topic). Once I got it aligned, mine has worked great, and I got more for each type of primer.

 

[AV8TOR]

Thanks Ron and nice storage by the way

 

[rondog]

The Safety Primer Feed is what comes with the Turret press (or topic). Once I got it aligned, mine has worked great, and I got more for each type of primer.

I couldn't remember what it's actually called, thanks! Yep, works great for some people. I just don't have the patience for it, it makes me talk bad about its mama.

 

[2011redrider]

I use the LEE decapper prior to wet tumbling. Then prime with a bench mounted RCBS ASP Priming Tool or hand prime with the APS unit from RCBS.

When I load I just remove the decapper from the resize die.

 

[AV8TOR]

So I just received my new Lee Classic Turret Press today and one thing that seems missing is the spare square plastic ratchet that some mentioned getting a spare of. Is this something they stopped giving or was I just shorted this part? I only got one plastic bag and not in there.

 

[rondog]

Hard to say. It should be in there, but it's very small, not even 1/2" square. Easily overlooked. And I remember there wasn't anything in my kit that even said what it is. I thought mine was a piece of trash, but at least I didn't throw it away.

 

[tcoz]

I'm sure that if you call Lee and explain, they'll send one out to you or you could just order a few from Titan Reloading. They're under a dollar apiece. If you don't try to turn the turret with the indexing rod in while the ram is at the bottom of its travel, you'll probably never need it anyway. I've never had to replace mine.

 

[dragon813gt]

I don't remember receiving one w/ mine. Ordered up five so I had spares. Haven't had to use any of the spares yet.

 

[AV8TOR]

I spoke with Lee today and she said that they stopped sending out the spare but was kind enough to send me one.

 

[Dudedog]

The outdoor range where I shoot has sandy/gritty soil. Usually I toss the cases in a bucket of soapy water for a day to wash off the dirt. I let them dry then do a quick tumble then resize/deprime. Then I tumble more and had prime.
Since the pistol decap pin is just round and not sized to the case mouth like the rifle ones I don't see any need for it if you want to resize after priming, just remove the pin.

As a side note the Universal decap die pin works in the pistol dies, it is just a bit longer than the pistol pin so it sticks out the top more.

 

[kconeal]

Love my Lee turret but I am old and slow...but never failed me. Can't beat the price.

 

[Dudedog]

Off thread but Welcome to THR kconeal.

Lots of great people here.

 

[StrutStopper]

I dry tumble before I deprime and I deprime on the press. I use the safety prime system that I borrowed from my Lee single stage press. I didn't know the bracket for the priming system would come with the press so I ordered one when I ordered the press. Now I have an extra... I didn't order extra small plastic squares, but I don't see the one that came with the press breaking any time soon.

I have no problem using the Safety Prime system. Occasionally, I'll drop a primer, but not very often. The biggest issue I have with priming on the press is if the priming arm doesn't rotate out when I raise the ram when its a little gritty, the spent primer ends up back in the cup. I think I'm inserting a fresh primer but I end up putting the spent primer back in. This happened about 3 or 4 times in the several thousand rounds I've loaded. I usually catch this before it happens, but I have had to pull those 3 or 4 bullets.

Overall very happy with the press and for the volume I load, it's just perfect for me.

 

[AV8TOR]

So I was at Cabela's today and I picked up the Safety Prime system for my turret. I have been using my RCBS Universal hand prime. I have to admit that it works pretty good. I am leaving 2 in the tube that don't feed pretty much like everyone. I might just stick with it now. A new rhythm to learn but won't be hard. I am going to need to bend more offset in my handle though as it seems too close to the primer assembly now.

Do you guys remove the Safety Prime from the press when not using it?

I also picked up a nice $1 gooseneck LED light from Dollar Tree that seems made for this press. The clamp fits the black rods perfect.

 

[tcoz]

The handle is pretty close to the Safety Prime but it shouldn't be necessary to bend it any further than the offset that's built into it. I would adjust the positioning of the bracket that holds the Safety Prime first and also be sure that the handle bend is away from the primer.