Troubleshooting "Lee Classic Turret" Reloading Platform

[Shinken]

I have had the Lee Classic Turret reloading machine and I have been reloading 9mm ammo for about 3-4 months. The Lee is my first reloader and I really like it, although I am planning on purchasing a Dillon in the next 6 months to a year.

The problem I am having happens in the final crimping die. The brass flows perfectly through the initial resizer/deprimer, then gets filled at the powder station, and on the third station receives the bullet... all flawlessly. On the last crimping station the brass/bullet combo slam against something and I have to manually tip the ammunition forward to make it go in. The impact is not the bullet, but instead it seems to be the brass contacting a portion of the crimping portion of the die.

Anyone else have this issue? I have tried taking the whole turret apart incuding the crimper die, but upon assembly, same contact happens forcing me to tip the brass/bullet towards the center so it can go in. Any hints?

CC

 

[lgbloader]

Tell your wife you need that Dillon now and it cant wait for 6 months. LOL

Just kidding

 

[Well Regulated]

I have had this problem but it was the first and last dies that it did it on. First thing to do is make sure the shell holder opening is facing the 9:00 position. See if this helps. If it continues move all the dies down one station to see if it still does it on that die station hole or if it's the die itself. If it continues check to see where on the brass it is contacting. For me I had to tip the brass inward or press on the shell holder inward, so to fix it, I got a small half-round bastard file and slightly filed the inside bottom track of the shell holder till it caused the shell to tip/lean in that direction. I haven't had problems since. The problem is most likely caused by the shell holder.

 

[stubbicatt]

I think your powder through expander die is putting too much "bell" on the case mouth. What is colliding is the case mouth on the carbide ring on the Factory Crimp Die.

Either that or your turret is not indexing correctly. Maybe try relocating your dies in that turret, i.e. put the sizing die where the crimp die is, and then move each other die one hole in the turret. If you still get the issue, but this time it is on the sizing die, then you have a defective turret, it seems to me.

My thoughts, for what they are worth.

 

[Shinken]

I think your powder through expander die is putting too much "bell" on the case mouth.

Any way to adjust this?

CC

 

[Snowdog]

Shinken, you should just be able to back the die out a bit and adjust the locking ring.

 

[Shinken]

I will experiment with the shell holder (and) powder through expander die and see if this fixes the issue. I will post my results when done

Thanks for the responses guys.

CC

 

[FullEffect1911]

FWIW, my first thought was too much flare on the expander die too.

 

[cracked butt]

continues move all the dies down one station to see if it still does it on that die station hole or if it's the die itself. If it continues check to see where on the brass it is contacting. For me I had to tip the brass inward or press on the shell holder inward, so to fix it, I got a small half-round bastard file and slightly filed the inside bottom track of the shell holder till it caused the shell to tip/lean in that direction. I haven't had problems since. The problem is most likely caused by the shell holder.

Another easier fix is to remove the shell holder retainer spring, throw it away, and use a rubber O-ring to hold the shell holder in place. The Oring will allow the shell holder to slide into alignment with the die, and more importantly, it will not tip the shellholder like the metal spring will.