Which Turret Press to Start With
- Thread starter CardboardDisaster
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benzuncle
Member
flying, when I ordered my Lee Classic Turret Press from Kempf last January, I was presently surprised on how quickly the order was delivered. Get your bench ready posthaste! As Right Wing said, the upgrade to the Pro Auto Disk Powder Measure and Safety Prime is well worth the extra $$$. Good luck to you!
Thanks benz
Yes they have already done the click ship.
Great folks to work with.
I did get the safety prime large & small & instead ordered a lyman 55 powder unit because I had one before & it was great. I will probably have to manually throw it but that is fine I did the same with it on my RCBS 4x4.
Thanks
Yes they have already done the click ship.
Great folks to work with.
I did get the safety prime large & small & instead ordered a lyman 55 powder unit because I had one before & it was great. I will probably have to manually throw it but that is fine I did the same with it on my RCBS 4x4.
Thanks
rockhound758
Member
I stopped by Kempf's a week ago as I was nearby at a state park, and it's a neat place. The guy I talked with there said they send out about 30 LCT presses a week! Good folks.
Frankl03
Member
Another vote for the Lee Classic (Cast) Turret. I load 223 and 308 on mine. Turns out great quality ammo. I also use a Lee single stage for decapping and swaging primer pockets.
Changing calibers is fast!
MY son uses a Dillion 550 but I like the Lee for the reloading I do and the price was right!
Changing calibers is fast!
MY son uses a Dillion 550 but I like the Lee for the reloading I do and the price was right!
Uncle Chan
Member
- Joined
- Nov 3, 2007
- Messages
- 326
I would like to offer up one more option: Dillon AT 500. It is a bare-bones 550B but is entirely upgradable to a 550B, as time and money permits.
And before anyone slams me for mentioning it, contrary to popular belief, you can still order one. I speak from experience.
And before anyone slams me for mentioning it, contrary to popular belief, you can still order one. I speak from experience.
FoMoGo
Member
I am a new reloader... a few months.
I have the Lee classic turret, with seperate turrets set up with the dies and powder measure for both of the calibers I reload.
I cant speak highly enough of it.
Jim
I have the Lee classic turret, with seperate turrets set up with the dies and powder measure for both of the calibers I reload.
I cant speak highly enough of it.
Jim
RustyFN
Member
I got the three ball from Aneat at www.glockpost.com. I think all he has to sell now are eight balls but they look cool also. It is a lot more comfortable than the wooden ball.
Rusty
Im still very green on this subject. I have started placing ordes and reading up on it. Haven't mounted anything or even tried to reload yet.
My question is in regards to the lee classic turret press. I was under the assumption that as far as the press goes, its the same press in bth the classic kit and the deluxe kit? Dont both have auto indexing?
If not, what is wrong with the deluxe kit's auto indexing turret press? I ordered one, and I havent used it yet, so if there is really something I should be aware of, Id love to know so I can correct my situation.
I thought the only difference between the clssic kit and deluxe kit was the lack of the auto prime 2 and the auto measure pro.
Appreciate your time!
edit: Ok one thing I noticed when looking at pictures. The red base of the turret. The classic kit press with auto inexing seems to have a much thinner base. Where as the deluxe seems to have a much wider or thicker base. Maybe different handles too.
My question is in regards to the lee classic turret press. I was under the assumption that as far as the press goes, its the same press in bth the classic kit and the deluxe kit? Dont both have auto indexing?
If not, what is wrong with the deluxe kit's auto indexing turret press? I ordered one, and I havent used it yet, so if there is really something I should be aware of, Id love to know so I can correct my situation.
I thought the only difference between the clssic kit and deluxe kit was the lack of the auto prime 2 and the auto measure pro.
Appreciate your time!
edit: Ok one thing I noticed when looking at pictures. The red base of the turret. The classic kit press with auto inexing seems to have a much thinner base. Where as the deluxe seems to have a much wider or thicker base. Maybe different handles too.
Dean Williams
Member
IsOn3;
The press in the Deluxe Kit is the original style Lee turret press. It's main difference to the Classic turret is the base. The one that looks like it has a bigger base is the original, and the base is made of an aluminum casting. The Classic has a cast iron base. Other than that, they do the same thing as far as having interchangeable turrets, (they use the same one) and they take the same accessories.
I have a number of presses in different brands. I bought the original type of Lee Turret press, with the aluminum base, around 1990 and have used it heavily with no complaints. I use it almost exclusively, for anything up to 30-06.
The Classic Turret press with the cast iron base is no doubt sturdier than the one I have, but how much, I don't know. I haven't been able to wear out the aluminum one yet, and I reload a lot. Hundreds of rounds a week, year in, year out.
The press in the Deluxe Kit is the original style Lee turret press. It's main difference to the Classic turret is the base. The one that looks like it has a bigger base is the original, and the base is made of an aluminum casting. The Classic has a cast iron base. Other than that, they do the same thing as far as having interchangeable turrets, (they use the same one) and they take the same accessories.
I have a number of presses in different brands. I bought the original type of Lee Turret press, with the aluminum base, around 1990 and have used it heavily with no complaints. I use it almost exclusively, for anything up to 30-06.
The Classic Turret press with the cast iron base is no doubt sturdier than the one I have, but how much, I don't know. I haven't been able to wear out the aluminum one yet, and I reload a lot. Hundreds of rounds a week, year in, year out.
RustyFN
Member
Im still very green on this subject. I have started placing ordes and reading up on it. Haven't mounted anything or even tried to reload yet.
My question is in regards to the lee classic turret press. I was under the assumption that as far as the press goes, its the same press in bth the classic kit and the deluxe kit? Dont both have auto indexing?
Yes they both have auto indexing but are not the same press.
If not, what is wrong with the deluxe kit's auto indexing turret press? I ordered one, and I havent used it yet, so if there is really something I should be aware of, Id love to know so I can correct my situation.
These are the diffrences as I know them.
Deluxe= aluminum base
pot metal linkage
won't load larger rifle cal's
not a good primer disposal
good press
Calssic= steel base
steel linkage
taller to load larger rifle cal's
primer disposal through the ram
excellent press.
I thought the only difference between the clssic kit and deluxe kit was the lack of the auto prime 2 and the auto measure pro.
Both presses will use the safety prime.
Appreciate your time!
edit: Ok one thing I noticed when looking at pictures. The red base of the turret. The classic kit press with auto inexing seems to have a much thinner base. Where as the deluxe seems to have a much wider or thicker base. Maybe different handles too.
The classic cast turret is well worth the extra money in my opinion.
Rusty
My question is in regards to the lee classic turret press. I was under the assumption that as far as the press goes, its the same press in bth the classic kit and the deluxe kit? Dont both have auto indexing?
Yes they both have auto indexing but are not the same press.
If not, what is wrong with the deluxe kit's auto indexing turret press? I ordered one, and I havent used it yet, so if there is really something I should be aware of, Id love to know so I can correct my situation.
These are the diffrences as I know them.
Deluxe= aluminum base
pot metal linkage
won't load larger rifle cal's
not a good primer disposal
good press
Calssic= steel base
steel linkage
taller to load larger rifle cal's
primer disposal through the ram
excellent press.
I thought the only difference between the clssic kit and deluxe kit was the lack of the auto prime 2 and the auto measure pro.
Both presses will use the safety prime.
Appreciate your time!
edit: Ok one thing I noticed when looking at pictures. The red base of the turret. The classic kit press with auto inexing seems to have a much thinner base. Where as the deluxe seems to have a much wider or thicker base. Maybe different handles too.
The classic cast turret is well worth the extra money in my opinion.
Rusty
Dean w.,
Appreciate it. So I can get the auto powder upgrade kit and the auto prime 2 for it? I was thinking I would have to get the lee safety prime.
Nice to hear. I probably wont do near the amount of reloading you do. So far I just plan to do some 45 qcp reloads on it. Using Accurate arms #2 powder and wolf large pistol primers with missouri bullets and once fired brass.
Who knows how much of a bug ill get. Just researching up on it has given me such an interest in it.
Appreciate it. So I can get the auto powder upgrade kit and the auto prime 2 for it? I was thinking I would have to get the lee safety prime.
Nice to hear. I probably wont do near the amount of reloading you do. So far I just plan to do some 45 qcp reloads on it. Using Accurate arms #2 powder and wolf large pistol primers with missouri bullets and once fired brass.
Who knows how much of a bug ill get. Just researching up on it has given me such an interest in it.
thanks rusty. Ill have to give it some serious thought. Compare the diference in going with the classic vs the turret.
I know kempf has the classic kit. Though I gt mine at midway. Not sure they have a similar kit set up for the classic.
I dont have any current intentions or means to shoot/reload any rifle rounds. But I have read and could see how it might b very rewarding to get into it for hunting etc.
I know kempf has the classic kit. Though I gt mine at midway. Not sure they have a similar kit set up for the classic.
I dont have any current intentions or means to shoot/reload any rifle rounds. But I have read and could see how it might b very rewarding to get into it for hunting etc.
rfwobbly
Member
Your answers
You're getting some feedback, but not necessarily the answers you were asking for. Here's your direct answers...
IMHO, you may not be comparing apples to apples.
• The Lyman T-Mag is an old and trusted design. It comes as a kit with everything you need, including the industries leading manual and a case trimmer which will be mandatory for your rifle reloading. True it must be manually advanced and there will be a lot more handling when loading pistol rounds. This press is probably the best of the lot for rifle loading. The primer system and powder feed are metallic, sturdy, and accurate over long periods.
• RCBS. Which RCBS?
• Lee CT is their bottom of the line press and comes with few accessories. If you buy one of these, definitely get the 4-position version since you'll need it for pistol. The dies auto-rotate over a fixed ram. IME Lee turrets don't always advance correctly; as has been noted some fiddling is required. The primer system and powder feed are adequate, but plastic and prone to hiccups too. No case trimmer is provided which is required for rifle.
• Basic issues at work here...
1) You get what you pay for, my friend. IMHO, by the time you buy ALL the equipment you'll need, using any brand press you like, you'll be well over $400... not counting the reloading die sets. If you buy a poor manual, you'll be "adding to your library" within 6 months. If you buy cheap accessories, you'll be replacing them within a year. For SOME people going in cheap and then following up every year with $100 equipment upgrades makes sense. For SOME people buying the right equipment once is a cost savings they can afford. You have to figure out which person you are.
2) IMHO there is no single press that works equally well reloading pistol really fast and rifle accurately in your price range. That is due to the reloading process itself. Rifle cases need to be trimmed after sizing, whereas pistol cases do not. If you'll spend an afternoon at a friend's house reloading both, you'll quickly see this.
• No. The Lyman T-Mag has 8 positions. That's 1 set of pistol dies and 2 sets of rifle dies at the same time. Why would you need "fast swap" dies when you are set up for 3 calibers?
• Yes. Hornady LNL bushings can be used on some RCBS presses.
• No. With the Lee you buy additional 4-hole turrets (one for each die set) and that way your dies remain in caliber sets for quick installation or easy storage. One Lee 4-hole turret costs less than 4 individual Hornady LNL bushes anyway.
• How many times can you pull a lever until you elbow hurts? That is not a sarcastic answer. It really depends more on your chair/stool and the height of your workbench than anything. IOW, it is mostly dependent on the ergonomics of your reloading station.
Hope this helps!
You're getting some feedback, but not necessarily the answers you were asking for. Here's your direct answers...
IMHO, you may not be comparing apples to apples.
• The Lyman T-Mag is an old and trusted design. It comes as a kit with everything you need, including the industries leading manual and a case trimmer which will be mandatory for your rifle reloading. True it must be manually advanced and there will be a lot more handling when loading pistol rounds. This press is probably the best of the lot for rifle loading. The primer system and powder feed are metallic, sturdy, and accurate over long periods.
• RCBS. Which RCBS?
• Lee CT is their bottom of the line press and comes with few accessories. If you buy one of these, definitely get the 4-position version since you'll need it for pistol. The dies auto-rotate over a fixed ram. IME Lee turrets don't always advance correctly; as has been noted some fiddling is required. The primer system and powder feed are adequate, but plastic and prone to hiccups too. No case trimmer is provided which is required for rifle.
• Basic issues at work here...
1) You get what you pay for, my friend. IMHO, by the time you buy ALL the equipment you'll need, using any brand press you like, you'll be well over $400... not counting the reloading die sets. If you buy a poor manual, you'll be "adding to your library" within 6 months. If you buy cheap accessories, you'll be replacing them within a year. For SOME people going in cheap and then following up every year with $100 equipment upgrades makes sense. For SOME people buying the right equipment once is a cost savings they can afford. You have to figure out which person you are.
2) IMHO there is no single press that works equally well reloading pistol really fast and rifle accurately in your price range. That is due to the reloading process itself. Rifle cases need to be trimmed after sizing, whereas pistol cases do not. If you'll spend an afternoon at a friend's house reloading both, you'll quickly see this.
• No. The Lyman T-Mag has 8 positions. That's 1 set of pistol dies and 2 sets of rifle dies at the same time. Why would you need "fast swap" dies when you are set up for 3 calibers?
• Yes. Hornady LNL bushings can be used on some RCBS presses.
• No. With the Lee you buy additional 4-hole turrets (one for each die set) and that way your dies remain in caliber sets for quick installation or easy storage. One Lee 4-hole turret costs less than 4 individual Hornady LNL bushes anyway.
• How many times can you pull a lever until you elbow hurts? That is not a sarcastic answer. It really depends more on your chair/stool and the height of your workbench than anything. IOW, it is mostly dependent on the ergonomics of your reloading station.
Hope this helps!
Last edited:
Dean Williams
Member
Quote IsOn3
The basic answer to both your questions is yes.
The auto powder upgrade is actually an upgrade to the Auto Disk Powder Measure, and not the press itself. You won't need it unless you are going to charge rifle cartridges or really big handgun cartridges. (454 Casull, and like that).
The Auto Prime II just screws right into the press turret, but I'm not sure you will be able to use the auto indexing on the press with it installed. You can still use the press with the Auto Prime II with the press in it's non indexing configuration.
If you want to use the indexing feature of the press, I think you will need the Safety Prime, which is a bolt on upgrade. I have one on mine. About a 10 minute job to install it.
The basic answer to both your questions is yes.
The auto powder upgrade is actually an upgrade to the Auto Disk Powder Measure, and not the press itself. You won't need it unless you are going to charge rifle cartridges or really big handgun cartridges. (454 Casull, and like that).
The Auto Prime II just screws right into the press turret, but I'm not sure you will be able to use the auto indexing on the press with it installed. You can still use the press with the Auto Prime II with the press in it's non indexing configuration.
If you want to use the indexing feature of the press, I think you will need the Safety Prime, which is a bolt on upgrade. I have one on mine. About a 10 minute job to install it.
CardboardDisaster
Member
- Joined
- Jan 2, 2009
- Messages
- 7
Thanks Wobbly...
I ran across a thread somewhere talking about problems with the Lyman TMag's priming system being faulty. I don't remember when that post was made so maybe they've fixed whatever the problem was..Do you know anything about it?
One of the reasons Im looking at lyman is b/c I found one on the shelve at a local retailer. Everything else is on backorder so i figured I might pick that up so I wont have to wait but of course I want something that will be the least problematic as possible both in the short & long term. The extras in the Expert kit also make it enticing
CBD
I ran across a thread somewhere talking about problems with the Lyman TMag's priming system being faulty. I don't remember when that post was made so maybe they've fixed whatever the problem was..Do you know anything about it?
One of the reasons Im looking at lyman is b/c I found one on the shelve at a local retailer. Everything else is on backorder so i figured I might pick that up so I wont have to wait but of course I want something that will be the least problematic as possible both in the short & long term. The extras in the Expert kit also make it enticing
CBD
RustyFN
Member
My opinion would be that the classic cast turret is a top of the line Lee press. It is built very solid.
I have had mine for two years. I have never had an alignment problem, the safety prime has worked near flawless and I have never had trouble with the powder measure or plastic parts. Maybe I have been lucky. I think if you buy the kit at kempf or Cabela's for a rifle caliber it will come with the trimmer.
I think press design will have a lot to do with out put. The other turret presses are manual indexing and the Lee is auto. Everybody I talk to that owns a lyman or other brand turret has told me they don't load much faster ( 50 to 75 RPH ) than a single stage. I own the Lee classic cast turret and can load at a rate of 200 rounds per hour.
I'm sure you can save a lot of money and have a press as good or better by buying the Lee CCT. I have the CCT and load for four calibers and have a trimmer, caliper, tumbler, hammer type puller, digital scale and am still under $400. Everything you see here and more.
rfwobbly I know I quoted a lot from your post and it might seem like I'm picking on you but I'm not. You brought up a lot of good points but your information about the Lee classic cast turret seems to be the opposit of my experience and everybody I know that has one.
To the OP, there are a lot of good presses out there. You just have to find the one that meets your needs and enjoy. Good luck with whatever you decide to go with.
Rusty
Ive had a few guys asking about the billiard balls.
They are $10.00 each.
Here are some pics of what are available.
They will thread on to most reloading press's
On the Lee it needs to be glued on
Thanks; Adam
http://www.glockpost.com/forums/album.php?albumid=28
They are $10.00 each.
Here are some pics of what are available.
They will thread on to most reloading press's
On the Lee it needs to be glued on
Thanks; Adam
http://www.glockpost.com/forums/album.php?albumid=28
RustyFN
Member
Hey Adam, the picture of the CT at the bottom with the three ball looks familiar.
Rusty
Rusty
another newbie question. Witht he auto disk powder measure, either with the pro kit upgrade or just the pro itself.. It still uses the disk measure system right? If you get the adjustable charge bar, does that replace the disk system or do you still use it too?
jfh
Member.
IsOn3: The ACB replaces the disks when it is used.
Although, I suspect, you could try to integrate them, I see no benefit.
If one wants to have reliable / repeatable powder drops for loads requiring a two-disk setup, a better alternative is extra disks tweaked to provide the measurement one wants--IMO.
Jim H.
Although, I suspect, you could try to integrate them, I see no benefit.
If one wants to have reliable / repeatable powder drops for loads requiring a two-disk setup, a better alternative is extra disks tweaked to provide the measurement one wants--IMO.
Jim H.
RustyFN
Member
You can use a disk by itself or the charge bar by itself. I prefer the disk. I have a charge bar and found it to be not as consistent as the disk. I think it's because of the oval opening instead of the circle. I also have been able to find loads that shoot good in all of my guns with the normal disk without having to modify them. But like Jim said you can drill a cavity out a hair at a time until you get the charge you want, then mark that disk as modified. I also use the double disk for loading rifle.
Rusty
Rusty
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