Benchrest accuracy with Lee Classic Turret Press?

[marchboom]

I been looking at a few turret presses and really like the Redding T-7. But at $300 it seems a bit high. Looked closely at the Lee Classic Turret Press and was impressed with what I saw on You Tube videos. Was also impressed with the price. I like the cast iron base and the steel stands and turret ring. It really looks sturdy.

I want a turret because I want to set the dies and be done with it. I also want the press to be sturdy. I will be using this as a single station press only, turning the die turret by hand. Watching some of the videos I noticed that the turret does raise up approx .010" when a case is raised up into the die. I'm sure the Redding does not raise up, or if it does it is so small that is doesn't affect anything. To eliminate this turret rise I was wondering if shimming this gap would take the slop out of the press. I don't see anywhere else there could be any slop that would affect accuracy.

Has anyone done any "tightening up" of this press to make it less sloppy? Unless I'm missing something here I think this could be a very accurate, benchrest grade press at a great price.

 

[tcoz]

I too started out with the LCT press and was very happy with it until I had a problem sizing 7.5x55 Swiss. There was just too much flex in the press to size that heavy brass consistently. I picked up a used T-7 for about $200 and I've never looked back. I'd recommend that you keep your eyes open for a used one as well as I've seen them pop up on the forums from time to time. Just make sure you have a very solid bench on which to mount it. It's a heavy 25 pound machine and the linkage allows to to generate a lot of force.

 

[GooseGestapo]

I've got two Lee LoadMaster presses set up for large and small primer pistol cartridges. I load my centerfire match/hunting ammo on a Classic cast single stage press. Also have a Pro1000 for "odd" lesser shot calibers and .30carbine. Besides these, also a Jr. press on casting cart for sizing bullets with Lee push thru dies. (Not to mention the Lyman 450 sizer lubricator). Or old RCBS Jr in a storage box...

You'll do well with the classic cast turret for 99% of reloading use. For TRUE benchrest competition level (0.2") groups you'll want a top of the line $$$ press.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

At that price I'd go with the T7.

I typically have two cartridges set up to reload, say .45 Colt and .30-06, plus a universal decapper die. It saves a lot of time to have everything set up so you KNOW it's right, than setting up each die separately by trial and error, then taking it out and setting up another.

 

[LUCKYDAWG13]

Look at a Forster singe stage press

 

[ponchh]

A Lee single stage press and a set of " lock ring eliminators" will work fine if you are going to load single stage. 1/4 turn in or 1/4 turn out. Set em once and your good to go.

 

[thomas15]

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/lee-classic-turret-press-for-accuracy-loading.825061/

 

[RussellC]

Look at a Forster singe stage press

I agree, but he wants a turret so he can have all dies ready to go.

I have the LCT right now, the movement the OP is worried about is a non issue as long as you adjust a little cam over into the equation. I use mine in single stage method, so the dies are all set up.

I have my mind set on the T7 as well, then I will relegate the LCT to mass plinking production.

Another expense of the T7 is the price of the turret heads so you can have one for each caliber you load. With the LCT, they are about 12 bucks. The T7 heads are 70 bucks each.

Also, I am slowly changing dies over to Redding Competition micrometer which are quite a bit more expensive than the Lee sets I started with. Sizing is done with Redding Micrometer neck bushing die, followed by their full length body die. Using the Redding Competition shell holder set, precise shoulder set back is a breeze. The Redding Competition micrometer seating dies seat the bullets...very accurate. There is a nice video over on the Longrangeonly.com site.

For now, the LCT does it and for the money, its a good choice for now.

Russellc

 

[jmorris]

I want a turret because I want to set the dies and be done with it.

Even back in the old days you could set the dies once and be "done with it" if you used a lock ring that clamped to the die or locked in place with a set screw.

These days there are various bushings that hold them or like the Bonanza/Forster that holds them by the lock ring.

Either make for reasonably quick die changes.

 

[Blue68f100]

Your not giving up much if any speed using a single stage press over a turret. Put the Hornady bushing adapter into the SS press it it only takes a few seconds to change. For my precision ammo I use a Redding SS Boss II press. But since you normally batch load with a SS press changing dies are not a problem. If your looking at speed you really need to move to a AP.

 

[RussellC]

True, but no fooling with dies. Just stick the caliber head on, set OAL,Powder drop and go. When dropping powder with autodrum, I weigh each one for the accurate stuff.

Russellc

 

[Varminterror]

The T7 doesn't gap like the LCT, but instead, it wobbles/tilts as much or more. Been there.

 

[marchboom]

Regarding the Lee Classic Turret, the turret raising (maybe tilting) when a case is put into the die seems to be a factor that some people don't like (me included). Wonder how it would work if the turret was secured to the turret ring with small, but strong, c-clamps? Then the entire setup would be like one piece, maybe even more solid than the T-7. Or, if the gap between the turret and the turret ring is, say, .010", put a .010" shim in the gap to take out the play. Again, I would be using this press as a single station press. I have a Dillon for my progressive stuff. I'm just trying to see if this inexpensive press could be made to be very precise.

 

[RussellC]

Which Dillon? If you already have it, maybe it is stiff enough to "single stage" some accurate ammo? I thought of getting a 550 to see if this feat could be accomplished, but dont know if it would be any more capable of "single stage" accurate ammo production than the LCT or T7. This led me to want to try the T7.

That said, if Varminterror says it has " tilt" it likely does.

I like the idea of modding the inexpensive Lee Classic Turret press. This world needs an ultra stiff non auto index turret press for this purpose of "very accurate ammo." Any 550 Dillon owners out there care to comment? Any stiffer and non tilt prone than the T7?

Russellc

 

[tcoz]

I talked to Redding tech support when I first got my T-7 and they said that there is a minute amount of "tilt" in the press that is actually taken into account and compensated for. They also told me not to mix the bushings and turrets as they're manufactured as a matched pair and should always be kept together. Lastly, the turret should be torqued to 40-45 ft/lbs.

 

[jmorris]

Then the entire setup would be like one piece, maybe even more solid than the T-7. Or, if the gap between the turret and the turret ring is, say, .010", put a .010" shim in the gap to take out the play. Again, I would be using this press as a single station press. I have a Dillon for my progressive stuff. I'm just trying to see if this inexpensive press could be made to be very precise.

What are you using to measure the precision of your loaded rounds and in what way?

If "play" had much to do with precision of the end result there wouldn't be the following for the co-ax that there is. With it "floating" is a feature not a problem.

Once you have the tools to measure a finished round for precision in the various areas and you have a variety of presses, you can come to find that the dies you put in any given press have more to do with the end result that what press they are in.

 

[FROGO207]

I have a RCBS turret press and it has very little flex/tilt when sizing the big stuff (like 500 NE & 375 H&H) when I do it.

 

[marchboom]

Which Dillon? If you already have it, maybe it is stiff enough to "single stage" some accurate ammo? I thought of getting a 550 to see if this feat could be accomplished, but dont know if it would be any more capable of "single stage" accurate ammo production than the LCT or T7. This led me to want to try the T7.

That said, if Varminterror says it has " tilt" it likely does.

I like the idea of modding the inexpensive Lee Classic Turret press. This world needs an ultra stiff non auto index turret press for this purpose of "very accurate ammo." Any 550 Dillon owners out there care to comment? Any stiffer and non tilt prone than the T7?

Russellc

I have the Dillon RL550. I gave a thought to using this press but wasn't sure about how the shell plate would work and then there is still vertical play in the die holder when a case is inserted into the die.

I've watched darn near every You Tube video on the Lee turret press and studied tons of photos. It looks like it has the potential to be a very accurate press worthy of very precise match ammo. If everything is snug and stays in alignment I can't see how it couldn't turn out great ammo. But I'm always open for suggestions.

I just can't see paying $300 for a turret press that possibly has some tilt to it. Call me cheap.

 

[marchboom]

What are you using to measure the precision of your loaded rounds and in what way?

If "play" had much to do with precision of the end result there wouldn't be the following for the co-ax that there is. With it "floating" is a feature not a problem.

Once you have the tools to measure a finished round for precision in the various areas and you have a variety of presses, you can come to find that the dies you put in any given press have more to do with the end result that what press they are in.

I use a concentrically gauge and with Forester dies I'm getting less than .001" runout (.22-250) at the neck and the bullet. This was on an RCBS press. I also use the Redding Competition shell holders so I can control the amount of sizing.

I agree with the fact that the dies are the main player in ammo accuracy. But I want to set the dies in a press and not have to take them out again if I don't have to.

 

[RussellC]

You would think someone would have gone down this path before. I did read one deal about removing the spring that holds the shell holder in place, then using a oring to hold the shell holder in place, the claim was it held the shell holder flat unlike the spring. Not a bit of difference could I tell.

Russellc

 

[jmorris]

I use a concentrically gauge and with Forester dies I'm getting less than.001" runout (.22-250) at the neck and the bullet.

What do you get with the same dies and components using the 550?

If you want, you can helicoil a 550 tool head (the two pin holes) and use two screws (instead of the two pins) to pull the head up and eliminate the tolerance but I haven't found a need to, as I said same goes for the co-ax.

On the 550 the shell plate doesn't effect anything. Unlike almost all other presses the shell holder doesn't push the case in, only pulls it out of the die, again a notable exception being the co-ax.

 

[Varminterror]

Guys make very accurate ammunition in LCT's. I would say more guys make very accurate ammunition on T7's, but then again, lots of guys make very accurate ammunition on many presses, and frankly, most of the guys winning big matches aren't loading on any press they bought from a retail reseller - often these are custom presses. The Forster/Bonanza Co-ax seems to be the most well recommended "factory" press.

I have loaded on progressives from Dillon, hornady, Lee and rcbs, turrets from Lee and Redding, and singles from Lee, hornady, rcbs, Forster/bonanza, Sinclair, k & m, and Lyman. I'm not much of a marksman, but any of the above have made more precise ammo than I can usually coax from the trigger myself.

At the end of the day, if we pick enough nits, any of them can have some degree of tilt variance, and some may even have mis-alignments in the bore holes or thread cuts which lock the die tilted itself... But no matter which press we pick, very accurate ammunition can be loaded.

 

[FROGO207]

^^^ The old story of diminishing returns and your quality vs time end point with all this. 1/2 inch at 100 YDS is more than good enough for my shooting skill/needs. Many others strive for much better. Who is the wiser? Let the debate begin.