Very Pleased with New Lee Classic Turret

[Martowski]

Just got this press in from Graf's today (they are great to deal with, by the way). Cranked out some 9mm with Berry's 124gr plated bullets and am very happy with this press! I'd recommend this to anyone looking for a strong press that can move faster than a single stage but avoids the potential hassles of some of the progressives.

Here's a quick write-up I did based on my initial experiences with the Lee Classic Turret!

http://martowski.wordpress.com/2012/03/04/lee-classic-turret-delivers/

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I've been loading on that press since 2005 and I totally agree, it's a great press.
Good right-up too, thanks...

 

[BemidjiDweller]

I've got one of those puppies sitting under my desk in its box right now. Everything is with it besides a tumbler, which is the only thing holding back my reloading.

 

[Josh45]

Glad you enjoy your new press

Bemid,

Don't let a little bit of dirty brass stop you. There are other methods of cleaning brass.

 

[GT1]

Everything is with it besides a tumbler, which is the only thing holding back my reloading.

Don't let that stop you. Wash the brass and dry it, reload.

I am in a very small apt and while I have a tumbler I am loathe to run it(toxic dust).
So I wash my brass in a gallon of hot water with a tsp of dawn and lemi shine. It actually looks fine. I do a couple hundred at a time that way, couple times a week and it piles up fast.

 

[Uniquedot]

That press has to be the best deal on the market today.

 

[duns]

I have one and it does the job. It cost very little. I have not used any other press but since it works just fine, I'm happy I did not go with a more expensive press.

 

[Martowski]

BemidjiDweller: check out the Cabela's vibratory case cleaner. I have one and love it. It's made by Berry's (the same company that makes the bullets), and Berry's have a pretty good reputation for case cleaners. Just an option.

Loving my Classic Turret. My poor Rockchucker will be lonely now, and my RCBS Partner Press is struggling to understand how it fits into this relationship.

 

[Rugerspyderon]

I like mine too. I just started with it a few weeks ago. I am doing .45 and will soon start 9 mm. I just don't like cleaning brass. I have a traditional tumbler.

 

[Martowski]

My 2nd batch of 50 9mm cartridges was just completed in only 15 minutes. I think I'm going to like this press quite a bit.

 

[RandyP]

Folks have been reloading a LOT longer than tumblers have been around. Many just wipe down the case exteriors and load 'em up.

I too am a very satisfied Lee Classic turret user. Best bang for the reloading buck there is IMHO.

 

[oldreloader]

I bought one last year.I load 9 MM, 45 ACP and 223 on mine. I wish I'd bought it sooner..

 

[Lost Sheep]

I've got one of those puppies sitting under my desk in its box right now. Everything is with it besides a tumbler, which is the only thing holding back my reloading.

I loaded for 30 years without a tumbler (or even washing my brass). I would simply wipe the brass down well with a soft cloth (terrycloth or an old t-shirt). It still looked grungy, but shot just fine, and I never had any problem with scratched dies.

Now I have a vibratory tumbler and my brass is prettier, but shoots just the same.

Lost Sheep

 

[BemidjiDweller]

Thanks for all the advise! Now I can't wait to get back home, currently in the cities visiting the family for a week.

 

[Martowski]

Here's the Cabela's kit I have:

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shoo...=SBC;MMcat104792580;cat104761080;cat104661180

It's the exact same thing as the Berry's 400. The warranty card was even from Berry's.

 

[jim243]

Now I have a vibratory tumbler and my brass is prettier, but shoots just the same.

Congrats on the tumbler, if you are looking to a second unit Lyman makes a pretty good one, mine has lasted 8 years now.

Lost Sheep, ya but doesn't it just feel better with pretty brass.
Jim

 

[[email protected]]

For what its worth make sure to get some of the plastic indexing bushings. They will wear out and will wear out quickly if you dont stroke the press right. I loaded countless rounds with mine any my only gripe is the priming system. It worked but somtimes I had to play with it to get it going 100%. I felt the need to get a progressive press a some time back and I sold my Lee classic turret. I still wish I had it back.

 

[reebtog2002]

Bemidji.. ever thought much about getting an ultrasonic cleaner? I have the one from Lyman. It to me is worth all $89.00 i payed for it and the cleaner lyman puts out "turbosonic" works rally well.

I too just got a lee classic turret press last week. Its the egg McMuffin of presses

Mark

 

[f100owner]

Bought a similar set up about a year ago and am reloading 9mm/.38 special/.357 mag/.45 acp and would not be happier. I bought separate turrets for each caliber and separate turret storage cases marked with the caliber (you don't want to confuse your .38 special with the .357 mag, trust me, its hell on .357 cases).
I recently bought a (forget the name) a fine charge adjusting rod for the disk/auto powder system, but have not figured it out and no real instructions with it. It is supposed to give you the ability to further adjust powder throws from the disks.
Martowski, read your review on-line, too. Nice write up.
Reloading didn't just allow me to shoot cheaper. It gave me another reason to go to the range - always like to test your latest recipe/combination.

 

[Martowski]

Thanks. Yes, I bought the Lee adjustable charge bar as well for my Pro Auto Disk, but haven't used it yet. The disk I'm using is throwing such accurate measures right now that I don't have a need to use the adjustable at this time. But it's sitting on my bench in case the need arises. For $6.49, figured why not?

 

[f100owner]

It is not about the accuracy, I think (at a year I am no knowledge warehouse) that it will allow you to handle those situations where going up to the next disk jumps past the powder charge you want to throw. So you have the option of loading less powder than you might like or more powder than you want. I get into that regularly.
Another option I have been seeing is people using a double disk set up, but I have read "horror" tales of getting inconsistent results doing that.

 

[Searcher4851]

I've got a Classic cast turret as well and am very pleased with it. I like that it is so easy to switch from auto indexing to single stage type operation. There's nothing in it's price range that is as versitile and strong. I like the idea that they included the "weak link" plastic indexer piece to protect the rest of the parts from damage. Even if you break it and don't have a spare on hand, you still have a perfectly useable single stage until parts arrive.

 

[bigtubby]

Just got the Lee classic turret as well, seems a little rough seating the bullet as if the die is not aligned correctly but the turret is locked in the proper position maybe I just need more practice with it.

 

[f100owner]

Just got the Lee classic turret as well, seems a little rough seating the bullet as if the die is not aligned correctly but the turret is locked in the proper position maybe I just need more practice with it.

Bullet seating is always smooth for me - unless you do something idiotic like not make an adjustment for difference in height between a .38 special and a .357 mag (the instructions are written for the standard load and as the 38 and 357 share the same die set, you have to make some other adjustments.
I get a rough response frequently on the fourth position, the factory crimp die. I don't recall if it is the same with all calibers. Oh, if you decided to pull the factory crimp die apart to clean it with alcohol, make sure you actually put the crimping collar in correctly.

 

[badbowtie]

I have the classic also and have had it for years I have only loaded 38 on it I have the stuff to load 45 may even setup the dies in the new turret tonight. I also am going to buy the dies and another turret to load 380 that is all I am missing. I showed my uncle how nice and simple it was the other day which reloads and has for about 10 years with a single stage. He called me yesterday and told me he ordered the same setup as mine. The only problem I have is putting the primers in the little hole since everytime I have tried to use the safety primer it seems it always hits the pro powder setup even with the riser. I am sure it is because I am doing something wrong I have no idea.