So I have decided to get a lee turret. What do I need to get with it. Which lee turret should I get? I figure a 4 hole turret. Set of dies. But what extra stuff should I get? Case feeder? Which powder measure, which primer system, etc. Just want to know what stuff is worth getting and what is superfluous.
Lee Turret selection and setup help
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You want the CLASSIC turret IMHO, not the Deluxe. A very complete setup is sold as a kit for about $200. Just add calipers, dies and components. The Pro Auto disk dispenser works great as does the Lee on press priming system.. I added a $30 digital scale to help my tired old eyeballs. A reloading manual or two would complete the list of 'must haves' if you are reloading pistol.
A tumbler and media is nice to clean range brass. A Wislon case Gage for each caiber is also a plus. On My Classic turret I have a separate turret setup with dies for each of the 4 calibers I reload. Lee stuff is very affordable making this an easy process.
Be sure to check out the great Lee self-help videos plus youtube:
http://leeprecision.com/turret-press-help-videos.html
A tumbler and media is nice to clean range brass. A Wislon case Gage for each caiber is also a plus. On My Classic turret I have a separate turret setup with dies for each of the 4 calibers I reload. Lee stuff is very affordable making this an easy process.
Be sure to check out the great Lee self-help videos plus youtube:
http://leeprecision.com/turret-press-help-videos.html
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pretty much what randyp typed above. avoid that lee beam scale, it's the pits. i'd also forget the cartidge gauge and just make a few dummy rounds and do the barrel plunk test, which you will hafta do anyway. other than that, the lee classic turret is an excellent press for the dollar$,
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802 Posts
you can scale each load or throw each load. you WILL need a good scale, either analog beam or digital. during the powder measure throw setup, you will need to scale perhaps every 5, then 10, then 20 rounds to insure the throw consistency in grains. imo, the lee on-press auto disk powder measure just makes vastly more sense than an off-press measure = speed.
Look at the classic turret at www.kempfgunshop.com. It comes with one set of dies and no scale of you can buy a good scale to start with and not have to fool with the Lee scale. Make sure to get the pro auto disk and both safety primes Sm & Lg.
I don't think you can make it case activated for pistol. I have a perfect powder measure on my CT for rifle and I just cycle it by hand.
when you get one and start reloading let us know how things are going. the classecs turret is the same one that I have be looking at
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shoo...=SBC;MMcat104792580;cat104761080;cat104516280
https://fsreloading.com/classic-tur...ntent=CSE&utm_campaign=google_merchant_center
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shoo...=SBC;MMcat104792580;cat104761080;cat104516280
https://fsreloading.com/classic-tur...ntent=CSE&utm_campaign=google_merchant_center
http://leeprecision.com/reloading-presses/turret-press/
The Deluxe actually refers to the kit that includes the cheaper press mentioned above by RandyP.
The Deluxe actually refers to the kit that includes the cheaper press mentioned above by RandyP.
I'm a classic turret user. Forget about priming on the press. It sucks.... spend your money on a RCBS hand primer instead. You use the same shell holders that the come with the Lee die sets. I can prime 100 cases in 15 minutes easy, plus it gives you another chance to inspect each case for defects. Back to the press... I have loaded 1000's of pistol and rifle rounds without any press issues at all. I use the disc powder measure mounted on the expander die. The rubber wiper will wear eventually and you will notice greater powder spillage than usual. It will have some spillage even when new. For the money invested you can't go wrong. It gives you a chance to learn and become proficient at making proper rounds. I thought originally I would have made the move to a progressive by now but I am still using my Lee Classic and spending the money on components instead. Make sure you have a good solid bench to mount it on and plenty of lighting to peek into each case for powder. You will make mistakes along the way and learn the hard way about some things. Just error on the side of caution.
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802 Posts
the lee on press priming system sorta kinda works NOT reliably. i've used it and dealt with its issues but better to prime off press. also, i'd recommend not using the auto index "feature", and just rotate the head by hand - this allows much greater control of the entire load operation.
my opinionated recommendations ...
set up the lee classic with all 4 lee deluxe dies, adjust each according to the directions. put a lee PRO auto disk powder measure over the expander die. remove the plastic auto index "washer". make up some dummy rounds and do the plunk test in yer gun's barrel/chamber. find a good start load recipe that agrees with the col used in a successful plunk test. start with a spherical ball powder as that will meter better than flake powder (w231 is a goodie). when it's time to make ammo, size and deprime, prime either on or off press, expand and charge - then CHECK EACH THROW on a good scale, you do that until the throws appear consistent and then you can check every 5th throw, then every 10th throw, then every 20th throw. seat a bullet then run it into the lfc die. check your first rounds for proper col - use a digital caliper.
ain't all this fun?
my opinionated recommendations ...
set up the lee classic with all 4 lee deluxe dies, adjust each according to the directions. put a lee PRO auto disk powder measure over the expander die. remove the plastic auto index "washer". make up some dummy rounds and do the plunk test in yer gun's barrel/chamber. find a good start load recipe that agrees with the col used in a successful plunk test. start with a spherical ball powder as that will meter better than flake powder (w231 is a goodie). when it's time to make ammo, size and deprime, prime either on or off press, expand and charge - then CHECK EACH THROW on a good scale, you do that until the throws appear consistent and then you can check every 5th throw, then every 10th throw, then every 20th throw. seat a bullet then run it into the lfc die. check your first rounds for proper col - use a digital caliper.
ain't all this fun?
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3,677 Posts
A little different opinion from the above. The auto prime definitely is the weak link in the system, but it is adequate if you pay attention when dropping the primer into the primer arm. The last primer or two in the tray will never feed! I like the auto index feature, it is faster than hand indexing. However, if you do need to rotate the die holder to a different station, by hand, be sure to have the handle about 1/2 depressed to keep from ruining the square indexing "washer." Finally, get a good scale to verify the powder drops. A decent beam scale (I find Lee's very hard to use) or a quality electronic (in my experience a cheap electronic tends to be unreliable and short-lived) like the Dillon.
With Lee, I agree that the Classic is the way to go. Kits at Kempfs and Lee Factory Sales are good deals for the basic setup.
With Lee, I agree that the Classic is the way to go. Kits at Kempfs and Lee Factory Sales are good deals for the basic setup.
The Lee balance scale works! it is .3 grains over but it works.
I did not have a choice about the scale because it came with the Lee Turret kit but i have since upgraded to a Hornady GS 1500 and it works well for now.
Caliper is a must and adjustable charge bar is a life saver. Let us know what calibers you intend on reloading and we might be able to give you more info on things that you will need.
I did not have a choice about the scale because it came with the Lee Turret kit but i have since upgraded to a Hornady GS 1500 and it works well for now.
Caliper is a must and adjustable charge bar is a life saver. Let us know what calibers you intend on reloading and we might be able to give you more info on things that you will need.
In that case, make sure you get spare turrets and have your dies pre-installed on them. I makes caliber changes a snap. Having extra Lee Pro-Auto Disk Measure pre-installed on each caliber is also a time saver.
Lee case trimmers will be needed for rifle brass but not necessary for pistol.
Lee case trimmers will be needed for rifle brass but not necessary for pistol.
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