Have to spend more time with the wife now

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vaalpens

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My wife surprised me with a Lee Classic 4 hole turret press gift this weekend. I have been reloading with a Lee classic single stage since 2014 at my leisurely single stage pace, but now it looks like I will have to increase my pace to a less leisurely turret pace. Obviously the wife expects that I will be able to spend more time with her and less time reloading.

I have already set up my dies for 9mm (RMR 124gr TC FN FMJ and Power Pistol) and loaded 50 rounds. The first load obviously did not go very fast since I was double checking my progress multiple times to make sure the results were as expected, and trying to establish a new rhythm for adding the components. The plan is to follow this up with another load, but this time with only the necessary checking.

Following are a few quick observations regarding the load process:
-The seating and Lee FCD crimping steps are really fun compared to the single stage since it is much quicker. The additional speed does not add any extra checking or stress since you can see and feel the results of the process.
-The priming is similar to the single stage. I just need to get used to the time when to place the primer.
-The big change is obviously the powder and powder level verification. On the single stage I verified the powder level for all cases at the same time by comparing the levels. With the turret I now have to verify each individual one. With PowerPistol I get a good enough fill, so it was reasonably easy to verify the powder level. I will probably need a higher chair to make it easier to verify the powder level, or add some sort of mirror.

All things considered, it is an easy change from single stage to a turret. I still feel I can do all my checking to fully trust my reloads.

I have a couple of questions for those using a Lee classic turret:
  • Is there anything that I need to pay close attention to that is maybe not obvious. This is specifically regarding safety and the quality of the ammo.
  • Are there any parts that could break easy and would make sense to have spare parts available.
  • Any maintenance issues or tips.
As always, any comments or suggestions will be appreciated.
 
As always, any comments or suggestions will be appreciated.

Buy her something nice. Really nice. You've got a great one there.

Because unfortunately,
Obviously the wife expects that I will be able to spend more time with her and less time reloading.

may not happen until you run out of components.:D
 
You will probably want an extra ratchet or 5. You may not break even one but you might till you get totally used to the setup. (The ratchet is inside the plastic part on top of the ram —causes the spiral turret bar to advance the turret.). Lee will send you several for the cost of shipping. Look on Leeprecision.com in the spare parts section for presses. The part will show a per item cost but will go to zero when you check out, leaving just the shipping cost.
 
edit: Sorry, drband beat me to the square ratchet suggestion.
Congratulations on a fine press.

Doesn't hurt to have a spare square ratchet. It's the part that the index rod slides thru that turns the turret. You should have gotten a spare with the press, but maybe not. I haven't worn one out yet after many thousands of rounds but it can happen. Usually the result of short stroking the ram. They cost 0.50 but don't ship for free so if you don't have one, wait 'till you need something else before you order.
https://www.titanreloading.com/lee-...urret-press-parts/turret-press-square-ratchet

Dave
 
After 15 0r 20,000 rounds the little square indexing thingy on mine wore out, so there is that :)

Get a light. Inline Fabrication sells a nice one for the LCT. Checking powder is much easier with a properly placed light.

You are still making just one round at a time so it's easy to maintain QC. I still check about 1 in 10 for powder charge and OAL. I can maintain +/- .002 with my LCT which, I think, is part LCT and part pace.
 
To quote the great movie, Raising Arizona, "It's self-contained and fairly -explanatory." Not a lot of big secrets to that press! A few things that come to mind:
  • Some people break the little plastic ratchets that are part of the indexing mechanism... I'm going on my 10th year on the original. Don't force changes of direction of the ram/handle near the bottom of the ram's travel (near the base), and you're unlikely to break one. But they're plastic and inexpensive, so lots of people keep them on hand.
  • I've never fooled much with the primer dispensing system. Some people love it, lots can't get it to work... I just use my left hand to feed the primer (and the case and the bullet).
  • Visibility into the cases is maybe the weakest aspect of the press. A dental mirror taped to the side of the press helps, as does an under-press LED. I got one of these a few weeks ago and enjoy it: http://kmssquared.com/ufo_lt_exp.html
  • If the indexing gets a little sluggish, your turret toolhead/ring interface may be dirty (leaked powder is a prime culprit). That whole interface enjoys a little oil. OTOH, if it's overindexing (and you don't want to change how you're running the handle), some white lithium grease or the like will slightly slow it down while keeping it very smooth.
  • Speaking of oil, the indexing rod needs a drop or two on each face every now and then.
That's about all that comes to mind. Others have added various upgrades (case kickers, turn-reversers, etc) to further speed it up, but I think it runs reasonably efficiently OOTB.

Are you using an Auto-Drum or other powder dispenser on the press?
 
I never used all 4 stations so would manually spin turret back & forth. You have to get used to handle position to do that so you're not tweaking the plastic square index bushing. I would let handle auto index from say powder drop to seating to FCD (if used), but instead of 2 dead handle pulls to auto index back where I wanted, would just spin turret back to powder drop. Was faster.....but that's what I mean about handle position to allow that free spin....

Otherwise, mount to something real solid & have a blast. Works great.
 
Dinner @ Appleby's or TGI Fridays or Outbacks I think would be in order.

If you are going to use a Lee powder measure whether it be a Disk or Drum with fine spherical powders it drops very consistent charges. My biggest fault is that even knowing it drops so nice I still find myself check weighing probably way more than I should but it's just a leftover habit.

You are going to enjoy it.
 
Buy her something nice. Really nice. You've got a great one there.

Because unfortunately,


may not happen until you run out of components.:D

Thanks for the comments, and yes, I have a great one. Probably won't spend more time with her because it takes some time to get up to speed, and I will probably shoot more or carry more inventory. You can never have enough inventory.
 
Load 4X as much ammo...the time will be about the same amount...

Thanks for the info. I will check the time with the next load. I'm not sure yet, but maybe I will change my process to resize now when I load instead of resizing ahead of time.
 
You will probably want an extra ratchet or 5. You may not break even one but you might till you get totally used to the setup. (The ratchet is inside the plastic part on top of the ram —causes the spiral turret bar to advance the turret.). Lee will send you several for the cost of shipping. Look on Leeprecision.com in the spare parts section for presses. The part will show a per item cost but will go to zero when you check out, leaving just the shipping cost.

Thanks. I checked yesterday, and you are correct. The first item is free, but you have to pay shipping. This is partly the reason why I am asking, so that I can get all the possible replacement parts at one time.
 
edit: Sorry, drband beat me to the square ratchet suggestion.
Congratulations on a fine press.

Doesn't hurt to have a spare square ratchet. It's the part that the index rod slides thru that turns the turret. You should have gotten a spare with the press, but maybe not. I haven't worn one out yet after many thousands of rounds but it can happen. Usually the result of short stroking the ram. They cost 0.50 but don't ship for free so if you don't have one, wait 'till you need something else before you order.
https://www.titanreloading.com/lee-...urret-press-parts/turret-press-square-ratchet

Dave

Thanks. The spare square ratchet is definitely on my list. I will even order the auto index clamp since it is plastic and the first is also free. Just need to decide what to include on my first order for the turret.
 
After 15 0r 20,000 rounds the little square indexing thingy on mine wore out, so there is that :)

Get a light. Inline Fabrication sells a nice one for the LCT. Checking powder is much easier with a properly placed light.

You are still making just one round at a time so it's easy to maintain QC. I still check about 1 in 10 for powder charge and OAL. I can maintain +/- .002 with my LCT which, I think, is part LCT and part pace.

Thanks. With my older eyes, I always need more light. For me it will be partly light and partly height. A higher chair will allow me to look down into the case instead of what I have now.

I was concerned first about the COL with the slight lifting of the turret, but was put at ease after I checked a few completed rounds.
 
To quote the great movie, Raising Arizona, "It's self-contained and fairly -explanatory." Not a lot of big secrets to that press! A few things that come to mind:
  • Some people break the little plastic ratchets that are part of the indexing mechanism... I'm going on my 10th year on the original. Don't force changes of direction of the ram/handle near the bottom of the ram's travel (near the base), and you're unlikely to break one. But they're plastic and inexpensive, so lots of people keep them on hand.
  • I've never fooled much with the primer dispensing system. Some people love it, lots can't get it to work... I just use my left hand to feed the primer (and the case and the bullet).
  • Visibility into the cases is maybe the weakest aspect of the press. A dental mirror taped to the side of the press helps, as does an under-press LED. I got one of these a few weeks ago and enjoy it: http://kmssquared.com/ufo_lt_exp.html
  • If the indexing gets a little sluggish, your turret toolhead/ring interface may be dirty (leaked powder is a prime culprit). That whole interface enjoys a little oil. OTOH, if it's overindexing (and you don't want to change how you're running the handle), some white lithium grease or the like will slightly slow it down while keeping it very smooth.
  • Speaking of oil, the indexing rod needs a drop or two on each face every now and then.
That's about all that comes to mind. Others have added various upgrades (case kickers, turn-reversers, etc) to further speed it up, but I think it runs reasonably efficiently OOTB.

Are you using an Auto-Drum or other powder dispenser on the press?

Thanks for taking the time to list all these items:
  • I will definitely order a few of the plastic ratchets
  • I have used the primer dispenser for a while, but went back to just feeding it by hand.
  • I will definitely look into adding some more light and maybe a mirror to make checking of the powder easier.
  • I will keep an eye on the indexing, either sluggish or over indexing. Currently I don't deterct any over indexing.
  • I have wiped down the indexing rod with oil since it felt/sounded dry. It is nice and smooth now.
I am using an Auto Drum without a riser. It is a tight fit but works well.
 
I never used all 4 stations so would manually spin turret back & forth. You have to get used to handle position to do that so you're not tweaking the plastic square index bushing. I would let handle auto index from say powder drop to seating to FCD (if used), but instead of 2 dead handle pulls to auto index back where I wanted, would just spin turret back to powder drop. Was faster.....but that's what I mean about handle position to allow that free spin....

Otherwise, mount to something real solid & have a blast. Works great.

I use the Lee FCD and use 3 stations currently, without the re-sizing die. All my brass have already been resized, so I will probably add the resizing die, then all 4 stations will be used.
 
Vaalpens, with bottleneck rifle cartridges I just take the index ride out and turn the turret manually and do each step in batches.
For pistol rounds, it's definitely much easier to just size while you're making them and run all four stations. It's not a problem if you have a carbide resizing die. If your turret gets out of time, don't freak out just go to the Lee website and there's step by step instructions on how to fix it, and I believe it may have come in the instructions with your press. I have had it happen twice and it's a pita but easily fixed.
 
Dinner @ Appleby's or TGI Fridays or Outbacks I think would be in order.

If you are going to use a Lee powder measure whether it be a Disk or Drum with fine spherical powders it drops very consistent charges. My biggest fault is that even knowing it drops so nice I still find myself check weighing probably way more than I should but it's just a leftover habit.

You are going to enjoy it.

I am so used to using the dipper, trickler and beam scale that it has been tough for me to trust the Auto-Drum. When I document my loads I differentiate between loads where I used the Auto-Drum and loads I weighed manually.
 
I have LOVED my LCT for a bit over 10 years now - same black plastic ratchet too - lol. I have the very consistent Lee Pro auto-disk dispenser.

My mods are 'typical'. Risers for the powder dispenser dies, a nice low cost LED light strip to shine into the case and ease verifying powder charge, spare turrets for each caliber I reload, those Lee red round plastic die boxes to keep each loaded turret dust free, and 2 years ago I did spring for the TERRIFIC Inline Fabrication case kicker system. Best $60 I've spent in reloading - best to have some reloading time with the press under your belt before making that mod though.

I view the LCT as an absolute reloading Best Buy, built to last a couple lifetimes. Auto-advancing is the only way to fly on a turret press.

Oh, and congrats and kudos on that whole 'wife' thing.
 
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