Want to Upgrade to a Turret

[Axis II]

Been using that same system for more then a few years as well.....you asked about spent primers....you will be friends with your shop vac....they seem to bounce just about everywhere....1 in 10 will go where it is designed to go....but eh not a big deal to me.

Some powder works ok in the disc some works in the drum...I have both....I would say get both you will likely use them both....they are inexpensive enough.

Same goes with the indexing thing...on some things I use it on others I do not....cool thing is you can change back and fourth in about 8 sec.....again no big deal. I don't use the index for anything rifle...but for pistol stuff yea...works real well.

It is a good solid machine....10x better then a single stage.

Do you have the primer arm installed on the press where the primers fall through? this keeps them from falling out.

Been using that same system for more then a few years as well.....you asked about spent primers....you will be friends with your shop vac....they seem to bounce just about everywhere....1 in 10 will go where it is designed to go....but eh not a big deal to me.

Some powder works ok in the disc some works in the drum...I have both....I would say get both you will likely use them both....they are inexpensive enough.

Same goes with the indexing thing...on some things I use it on others I do not....cool thing is you can change back and fourth in about 8 sec.....again no big deal. I don't use the index for anything rifle...but for pistol stuff yea...works real well.

It is a good solid machine....10x better then a single stage.

Been using that same system for more then a few years as well.....you asked about spent primers....you will be friends with your shop vac....they seem to bounce just about everywhere....1 in 10 will go where it is designed to go....but eh not a big deal to me.

Some powder works ok in the disc some works in the drum...I have both....I would say get both you will likely use them both....they are inexpensive enough.

Same goes with the indexing thing...on some things I use it on others I do not....cool thing is you can change back and fourth in about 8 sec.....again no big deal. I don't use the index for anything rifle...but for pistol stuff yea...works real well.

It is a good solid machine....10x better then a single stage.

you need the primer arm in the ram to keep the primers from falling out.

 

[kcofohio]

As RandyP. and others pointed out. Auto-drum, hard to go wrong there. And alot easier to dial in a load. SARuger has some pics posted in other threads with him having a drum set-up for each turret of cartridges he loads.

A riser for each turret, or at least one riser.

Since you use all 4 primer types. Can I suggest you get 2 safety prime sets for each size.

Edit: I originally stated GBExpat had posted some pics of multiple auto-drums, but it was SARuger who had.

 

[Gottcha]

https://kempfgunshop.com/Kempf_Kit_w/_Lee_Classic_Turret_Press_-90064Kit-6575.html

Just add a scale and a book!

 

[fpgt72]

Do you have the primer arm installed on the press where the primers fall through? this keeps them from falling out.


you need the primer arm in the ram to keep the primers from falling out.

Yea...I have this....I was talking about when popping out the old primer. You know that little hole inside the "rod" I guess I will say that moves....it hits the pin to push the old primer out and it is to slide down that hole and out the bottom of the press.....not sure I am explaining this real well.

Yes the primer thing works real well....I don't remember if the OP asked about that but I would get that as well if you have not looked into it....they are two little round discs with a plastic thing that will allow you to mount it on the side of the press...you get two one for small primers and one for large...they work for both pistol and rifle....when the ram is up, after it knocks out the old primer you push this little disc things arm over and it will pop a net primer into the primer arm that I think the poster I quoted was talking about. Pull the ram down and the primer will seat....I did leave out steps like cleaning the primer pocket and stuff but you get the idea I think.

Sorry I just don't explain things well in print.

 

[fpgt72]

https://kempfgunshop.com/Kempf_Kit_w/_Lee_Classic_Turret_Press_-90064Kit-6575.html

Just add a scale and a book!

Yea....this photo has a pic of the primer thing I was talking about...top right the two circle things.

 

[Axis II]

Yea...I have this....I was talking about when popping out the old primer. You know that little hole inside the "rod" I guess I will say that moves....it hits the pin to push the old primer out and it is to slide down that hole and out the bottom of the press.....not sure I am explaining this real well.

Yes the primer thing works real well....I don't remember if the OP asked about that but I would get that as well if you have not looked into it....they are two little round discs with a plastic thing that will allow you to mount it on the side of the press...you get two one for small primers and one for large...they work for both pistol and rifle....when the ram is up, after it knocks out the old primer you push this little disc things arm over and it will pop a net primer into the primer arm that I think the poster I quoted was talking about. Pull the ram down and the primer will seat....I did leave out steps like cleaning the primer pocket and stuff but you get the idea I think.

Sorry I just don't explain things well in print.

your press should have a 2ft clear tube that attaches to the bottom of it with a plug to hold the old primers that are punched out. the metal rod that goes up and down is the ram and there should be a metal piece with a cup that holds primers to press prime. that little piece with the cup should be installed even if your not press priming to help guide the old punched out primers down the tube. you either need a tube or the little priming thing put inside the metal rod or ram. you should have the things linked below and they should be installed to help the primers go down the hole.
http://leeprecision.com/small-primer-arm.html

in your other post the top 2 circle things are the lee safety prime.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

If I read you right, you are saying when you try to put a primer in theorizing arm they pop out. If you power the arm just a hair there will be no pressure against the arm and the primer will center in the arm better and not pop out.

 

[fpgt72]

your press should have a 2ft clear tube that attaches to the bottom of it with a plug to hold the old primers that are punched out. the metal rod that goes up and down is the ram and there should be a metal piece with a cup that holds primers to press prime. that little piece with the cup should be installed even if your not press priming to help guide the old punched out primers down the tube. you either need a tube or the little priming thing put inside the metal rod or ram. you should have the things linked below and they should be installed to help the primers go down the hole.
http://leeprecision.com/small-primer-arm.html

in your other post the top 2 circle things are the lee safety prime.

No I bought it new and I never got a clear tube....at least I do not remember it....the old primers just fall wherever.

 

[Axis II]

No I bought it new and I never got a clear tube....at least I do not remember it....the old primers just fall wherever.

Yeah you need that clear tube. call lee and tell them you never got it with the press. the tube catches the primers so it wont make a mess.

phone (262) 673-3075

 

[Gottcha]

The tube would probably cost about $1.50 at a hardware store.

 

[goldpelican]

I don't use the safety prime any more - switched to hand priming with the RCBS APS setup. *Far* less frustrating, and faster than on-press priming for me.

Also a fan of my Classic Turret.

 

[judgedelta]

I too, couldn't ever get the touch for the safety prime. I deprime, then clean, then prime, then size and charge, etc. on the LCT. If I was shooting a thousand a rounds a month, I'd cut down on the steps, but I like pretty ammo.

 

[thomas15]

This thread has me thinking. If going from a single stage to a turret is upgrading, is going from a progressive to a turret a downgrade?

 

[drband]

This thread has me thinking. If going from a single stage to a turret is upgrading, is going from a progressive to a turret a downgrade?

It all depends on how you like to view the process and what your speed expectations are.

Turrets offer faster throughput than a a SS press while retaining the single case focus. Progressives offer much more speed but it is much more difficult to monitor all cases in all stations. If you get it dialed-in, a progressive is really fast (comparably).

They all can make great ammo!

 

[Hokie_PhD]

[QUOTE="l

Press - https://www.midwayusa.com/product/814175/lee-classic-4-hole-turret-press
Does it come with the spent primer collection system?

[/QUOTE]

The press comes with a hose that the old primers flow down. Depending on how you have it mounted to your bench will determine how you place it. You may need to go to Lowes or Home Depot and get a longer one of the same size.

Overall it's a nice press, and other than what you have listed I'd suggest you get spare turrets for each set of dies you plan to us. Also get a set of the plastic "boxes" to put the turrets and dies into.

Since you've already been loading you probably have all of the odds and ends that you'll need. So the only thing I can think of that you'll need eventually is a few extra indexing washers (the square ones that will eventually go bad).

 

[thomas15]

This thread has me thinking. If going from a single stage to a turret is upgrading, is going from a progressive to a turret a downgrade?

Turrets offer faster throughput than a a SS press while retaining the single case focus. Progressives offer much more speed but it is much more difficult to monitor all cases in all stations. If you get it dialed-in, a progressive is really fast (comparably).

Is the 4 hole turret press made by Lee Precision of greater and robust construction and/or built to higher mechanical tolerances than RCBS Rockchucker?

 

[drband]

You won't cause either one to fail with use.

They both make excellent ammo.

Both offer good warranties. Some differences there but generally very good.

In the case of Lee, make sure you are looking at the Classic Cast Turret press. They also make a turret press with an aluminum base that is not as robust (though I hear it makes excellent ammo also).

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Like said above, you were supposed to get a clear tube with a red cap on one side to catch the primers. The tube holds several hundred before you need to empty it.

The tube part # is BP3064
The cap part # is BP3127

You can see the tube on page 3 of the instructions.
http://leeprecision.com/cgi-data/instruct/90064.pdf

 

[Wreck-n-Crew]

If you have to go and buy another tube from the hardware store you can get it a little long and have them drop straight into an old coffee can. OR you can put one of those small plastic bags from the grocery store on it and secure with a rubber band or hair tie. Makes for an easy cleanup. you don't want to breath in the dust and fine particles from primers either.

 

[greyling22]

Get the classic press, the powder riser, the auto drum, a couple of turrets, and the safety prime system and you're off to the races.

Press has primer collection on it.

I don't really regret my classic press, and I'm not planning g on dumping it in favor of another, and I love the auto index, but if I was starting from scratch, I'd get the Dillon 550 and sell the powder system off it for 80+ bucks and run the Lee auto drum. Yes it costs more, and I am a penny pinching fool who swore by Lee for years and ran every press they had. I still swear by Lee, but Dillon makes a really nice press.

(Not trying to start a Dillon vs Lee thread, Lord knows there are plenty of those, and OP maye have already rejected the Dillon based on cost, which is fine, Dillon is expensive, and primer swap is tedious, but it is just something to consider. )

Also, midway has a $10 off $100 coupon. OFFER201706

 

[2011redrider]

Also look at jet.com, they dont list the priming system or the Drum PM, but the press is 101.00 or kit for 209.00. Use the triple15 code and press is 85.00 with free shipping. I have tried the Hornady PM on the Turret and it is too heavy for smooth turret operation and threw the indexing off.

 

[lpsharp88]

Thanks for all of the feedback! I won't be ordering for a little bit now, but am just trying to get ahead of the curve

 

[Offfhand]

Sometime a picture better explains what folks are talking about, as in the case of discussions of primer drop tube. Attached is photo of a primer drop tube "plumbed" in place under a loading bench so that primers are directed into a bucket. All parts were available at local Lowes hardware shop.

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

Bought a turret press on ebay several years ago. Finally set it up last fall. I think the press and shipping was under $40. Mounted a RCBS measure also bought on ebay, cheap don't recall the exact price. I never attempted to set up the auto index. It works great for my 357, 41 and 44 mag loads which I typically load 50 to 100 at a time. Not enough to be worth setting up my progressive. It's very convenient to just pop in the turret and set the powder charge.
I have considered getting the auto prime but I don't mind using a hand primer.

 

[Ghost In The Fog]

When I used to deprime on the press, I had the tube that is included with the kit feed in to a juice bottle set on the ground (Like the bucket idea) so I never had to worry about emptying the primer collector tube. Great press and I too switched to the AutoDrum and I am very happy with the way it measures most powders.