non-Lee brand dies in Lee Turret press

Tom kilgore · Nov 20, 2019

I have been using Lyman M die for over thirty years. When I tried the Lee auto disk and now the auto drum dispenser, I take the sleeve from the powder thru die and turn the flair out and just slightly reduce the diameter so the case pushes on a square shoulder. Best of both worlds.

desmobob · Nov 20, 2019

I ran my first 50 rounds of 9mm with the new turret press today. I like it. Once you establish a rhythm, it seems like a fast but comfortable rate of production.

My only difficulty was with priming. I've always used a hand-held priming device or an RCBS ram primer. I've never primed on the press upstroke before and I wanted to try it. I had to concentrate to remember to complete the upstroke when priming. It didn't take long to get in the groove, though. Maybe I'll pick up Lee's primer feed device in the future. I have more powder-through expanding dies I need to buy for now.

The Lee Auto-Drum powder dispenser did a great job and the loads I checked were on the money. I used my trusty old RCBS scale to check charges. I wanted to set up the Lee Safety Scale I got in the kit but I found I could not read it on the bench. I'm going to have to build a small shelf for it at eye level above the bench surface. It takes a lot longer for its swing to dampen than the RCBS scale despite having a similar dampening mechanism. Interesting.

Anyway, it's all good and I'm smiling!

DMF38 · Nov 21, 2019

desmobob, I think what you're looking for is the Lee Powder Charging Die Kit. It's a powder-through charger but it doesn't expand. So you can expand with the Lyman M die first, then powder charge die.

desmobob · Nov 22, 2019

DMF38 said:
desmobob, I think what you're looking for is the Lee Powder Charging Die Kit. It's a powder-through charger but it doesn't expand. So you can expand with the Lyman M die first, then powder charge die.

That kit is for rifle cartridges. Handguns each need their own powder-through die specific to the cartridge.

DMF38 · Nov 22, 2019

I use the short rifle charging die for pistols and it works fine. I use the Auto Drum powder measure with a riser.

desmobob · Nov 22, 2019

DMF38 said:
I use the short rifle charging die for pistols and it works fine. I use the Auto Drum powder measure with a riser.

VERY interesting! That bit of information could save a person some money...

Speedo66 · Nov 22, 2019

I'm not crazy about the Lee priming device that attaches to the press. Takes too much fiddling around, doesn't always accurately place the primer, either. Just as fast picking up a primer and sticking it in the primer seater by hand, at least for me.

desmobob · Nov 22, 2019

Speedo66 said:
I'm not crazy about the Lee priming device that attaches to the press. Takes too much fiddling around, doesn't always accurately place the primer, either. Just as fast picking up a primer and sticking it in the primer seater by hand, at least for me.

Do you have the latest version? I understand it's improved over the previous one.

Small primers are hard to handle with my big fingers.

D Rock · Nov 22, 2019

desmobob said:
Do you have the latest version? I understand it's improved over the previous one.

Small primers are hard to handle with my big fingers.

The newest version, shown on the left, is a vast improvement. Had to get uset to it not clicking when it dispenses a primer, but it actually loads all 100. I always had to hand load the last couple with the older version.

The new gray version also has guides on the base to guide it onto the primer arm more positively. Well worth the money.

Dave

D Rock · Nov 22, 2019

desmobob, just wanted to add. Lee used to replace your old items with the updated parts for the price of shipping and maybe a small fee. Don't know if they still do but you could call. I just bought new for 20.95 about a year ago. I think Amazon has them now for 23.99. I had the money and just wanted it quick.
https://www.amazon.com/LEE-PRECISIO...ds=lee+auto+primer+tool&qid=1574446291&sr=8-7

Dave

Speedo66 · Nov 22, 2019

No, mine is the older version. At this point I think I'm fine doing them by hand. I'm no rocket ship anyway. lol

desmobob · Nov 22, 2019

The new version is in my Amazon shopping cart. I probably won't order it until after the holidays....

desmobob · Dec 5, 2019

desmobob said:
The new version is in my Amazon shopping cart. I probably won't order it until after the holidays....

I ended up ordering the latest Lee Safety Prime ("3.0") and received it yesterday. It mounted quickly and easily and works perfectly... I think it's a steal for twenty-four bucks!

D Rock · Dec 6, 2019

desmobob said:
I ended up ordering the latest Lee Safety Prime ("3.0") and received it yesterday. It mounted quickly and easily and works perfectly... I think it's a steal for twenty-four bucks!

Merry Christmas!

Dave

desmobob · Dec 6, 2019

D Rock said:
Merry Christmas!

Dave

Same to you, Dave! :thumbup:

Phlier · Dec 6, 2019

desmobob said:
I ended up ordering the latest Lee Safety Prime ("3.0") and received it yesterday. It mounted quickly and easily and works perfectly... I think it's a steal for twenty-four bucks!

I have the previous version of the Lee Safety Prime on my LCT, and other than the fact that the arms sometimes separate and dump primers everywhere, I'm very happy with it. It places primers accurately and consistently. For being so Rube Goldberg-esque, it works amazingly well.

I *really* like my little LCT. I load bulk ammo on a 550 and a 1050, and I view operating those machines as a necessary chore. But if I want to sit down and actually *enjoy* the reloading process, you'll find me at the LCT.

I didn't think it was possible for Lee to make an even more affordable turret than the LCT, but that's exactly what they've done with the Value Turret.

Well done, Lee... well done.

desmobob · Dec 6, 2019

Phlier said:
I have the previous version of the Lee Safety Prime on my LCT, and other than the fact that the arms sometimes separate and dump primers everywhere, I'm very happy with it.

Did you see the fix on YouTube involving a simple bulldog clip to keep the halves of the channel together? I stumbled onto it while researching the Safety Prime.

Phlier · Dec 6, 2019

desmobob said:
Did you see the fix on YouTube involving a simple bulldog clip to keep the halves of the channel together? I stumbled onto it while researching the Safety Prime.

I missed that one, darn it. It sounds like a "TreeTopFlier" video.. I'll have to go take a look!

I've watched quite a few vids on your press, and I'm thoroughly impressed.

non-Lee brand dies in Lee Turret press

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