Getting a Lee Turret, what else do I need?

[buenhec]

I have done my fair share of reading. I have never reloaded and decided on the Lee turret 4 hole kit. It seems the only other piece I will need are the dies right? Is this kit overkill for 800 rounds per month?

I basically shoot .45 cal, just plinking around and some IPDA. Usually 200 rounds per week max. At $15 box I am spending about $240 p/month!!

What primers, casing, powder, lube and bullets do I need? What formula should I use? And do I need to buy anything else? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[RobZ71LM7]

Before I upgraded to a Hornady LnL I used the Lee Classic 4-hole Turret. The following is a copy and paste from my for sale ad when I sold it off.

1) Lee Classic 4 Hole Turret Press

2) Lee 4 Hole Turret (an extra one-the press only comes with one)

3) Lee Pro Auto Disk Powder Measure

4) Lee Auto Disk Powder Measure Riser

5) Lee Adjustable Charge Bars Auto Disk

6) Lee Safety Prime Small and Large Primer Feeders

Plus a 4-die set of LEE carbide dies with the factory crimp die. All of this will cover you if you're just reloading .45ACP. You can lube, you don't need to lube pistol cases with carbide dies. Is it overkill for 200 rounds a week? It all depends on how much spare time you have and how much you value your time. For a lot of people this setup is just fine for 200 rounds a week. If you go any beyond that I'd strongly consider a progressive.

 

[sandy4570]

I have Lee turret press for a few years now and happy with it .It has a few quirkiness that can annoy you like the turret get out of the index and when you stroke the level too fast and too hard the whole turret can dislodge. Lee web site has the video show how to properly adjust the indexing rod and other problem that you may run into.
You need to get reloading manual at least 3 of them for cross reference . My main manual is Lee book because they are competible with the powder dispensing device that come with the set I order.
Lee Delux pistol die set has everything you need especailly the crimping die ( I think it is taper crimp ) this will be the last stage in the 4th hole and it will save you a lot of time and trouble . The crimping die will squeez the loaded round into spec so it will chamber in your pistol.
You need to get case tumble too ,I think Midway sell them for around $50 then you need the tumbling media and case polisher that you put in the case media .I think that is about it. You might want to read Lee reloading manual to understand all this powder measuring and charging detail with thier tool.

 

[lee n. field]

Is this kit overkill for 800 rounds per month?

Depends. Doing it the single stage press way, that would take you about 8 hours.

If you believe the video on Lee's website, you can do considerably better than that with the turret, if you arrange you bench carefully.

.45 cal What primers, casing, powder, lube and bullets do I need?

Assuming that's ACP, large pistol primers, whatever you can accumulate or scavenge, Bullseye will do nicely, get a dieset with a carbide sizer, and the cheapest 200 or 230grain LRN you can find.

 

[RustyFN]

If you buy the Classic Turret press here http://kempfgunshop.com/it will come with the dies. I would recomend that you upgrade to the Pro Auto Disk and the large and small safety prime. I have owned one of these presses for about a year and have had zero problems. I load 9mm and 223 and it makes great ammo. IMO you can't go wrong with this press. I can load around 200 per hour if I am organized.
Rusty

 

[benedict1]

I agree totally with RustyFN.

Do not get the old style turret press; get the Classic Turret at Kempf's shop. Call 'em and let Sue Kempf guide you through the process. She will not try to sell you something you don't need; will also ship it as cheaply as she can. I recommend them highly.

 

[evan price]

If all you are doing is .45's and don't plan on doing lots of small lots of others, look into a Lee Pro-1000 progresive machine.

They are $129.99 on sale @ Midway or somewhere. The press is already set up for a specific caliber as ordered (you need to adjust the dies for your needs, though). Comes with a carbide 3-die set with powder-through-expander, a powder measure, feeder, etc. Uses 3-hole turrets like the older turret presses. Only other stuff to buy is a powder scale and a bullet puller.

You *can* convert them to other calibers pretty quickly. Worst case scenario, you are going to a caliber that requires different size case feeder & primer feeder, and you don't have a 2nd carrier preloaded, it takes about 5 minutes including adjustments to swap the shellplates, feeders and primer sizes. Or, just buy a 2nd carrier and set it up for the 2nd calibre (For example, a 9mm carrier and a .45 carrier) and the swap is less than a minute. Cost for a complete 2nd shellplate carrier with all the parts, priming system, etc. was $35 plus UPS.

Obviously, get a 2nd die turret plate to set up the other caliber once and not again.
The three-hole turret press & the Pro-1000 take the same turret plates, they are on eBay all the time cheap.

I picked up extra parts so I can now change from 9mm to .45acp in about 30 seconds.

I can punch out 200-rds from my Pro-1000 in about an hour starting with tumbled brass.

Other than the basic press kit, options for a pro-1000 would include a collater funnel for the case feeder, and of course an accurate powder scale to confirm your load weights, plus a kinetic bullet-puller hammer to fix your mistakes.


Cabela's has a Classic Turret Press Anniversary Kit that includes everything you need to get loading, except the dies & bullet puller, for a very fair price if you are set on a turret press and not a progressive. $149.99 less dies!
http://www.cabelas.com and search for the Lee Turret Press kit. Comes with scale, powder measure, primer tool, etc. just add a set of Lee Carbide dies. (Carbide, because you won't need to lube your cases like with steel dies... highly recommended for pistol!!!)

Check out F&M Reloading in Ohio for great prices on Lee stuff. They run eBay auctions a lot, also.

 

[benedict1]

Lee Classic Turret is a better Solution

I would stick with the Classic Turret Press recommendation for two solid reasons.

1. You can load 200+ rounds per hour with the Classic Turret and not have to worry about the somewhat balky priming system of the Pro1000.
2. You only have three holes for dies on the Pro1000; this doesn't give you a chance to set up and use the Lee Factory Crimp Die, which is worth a bunch. You can put a perfect taper crimp on your .45 ACP rounds with it. And you don't have to worry about bulged cases because of case length variation.

The best deal is not at Cabela's. That kit does not include the dies.

The best deal is at Kempf Gun Shop as mentioned above.

http://www.kempfgunshop.com/products/reloading/leeprecision/kits/KempfKit.html

Here's how to set it up and use it--with plenty of pictures.

http://www.surplusrifle.com/reviews2006/leeturretpress/index.asp

You won't be sorry if you go this direction.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I load between 150 and 200 rounds of 38/357 in an hour with a Lee Classic Turret press. Since I shoot over 300 rounds a week and my son shoots at least that much too I don't consider it overkill at all. I would say you will spend no more than 2 hours a week producing the ammo you need for that week. Like said above, it depends upon how valuable you feel your time is.

 

[davinci]

that's what I started reloading with...here's what the current prices are, and what I bought.

4hole turret (non-classic) is about $65. The "classic" turret press is a bit more solid in how it feels, and has a tube to lead primers down to a bucket or trash can. Since I reload in my garage and don't mind sweeping up primers after, I have the non-classic 4 hole turret press and saved a few bucks. It has worked for 1000's of rounds without any issue.

I would buy the kit, honestly, if I were to do it over again. Would have saved me some $$$. It comes with the lee safety prime system (they work pretty good), the auto disk powder measure and a scale. Maybe some other small parts you won't use much for 45 included. I have a digital scale that I don't use much and I'm always worried about whether the batteries are running down on it. A pro-auto-disk powder measure, which is such a simple device I'm not sure how it could be considered 'pro' anything, but it does work...but probably not any better than the regular auto-disk powder measure.

Note, you'll need to add $30 for a set of 45acp dies. Get the lee dies, the factory crimp die is great....and with a 4 hole press it only makes sense to get 4 dies.

 

[blancoman]

The listed supplies above covers the press. In addition you will NEED a powder scale, either digital or beam, and a set of calipers. Really frustrating to find out that you did not seat the bullet deep enough and now it won't fit in the clip. Nice to have a tumbler and a case trimmer but should not be needed for pistol.

 

[ambidextrous1]

Yes, a powder scale! No one has mentioned reloading manuals!

I use a cartridge gauge, with the length machined to the OAL I use; anything longer than that protrudes from the end of the gauge.

Start slow, take your time; speed results from proficiency.

 

[campbell]

Classic Cast Turret is a great press. I use one, and it makes great ammo.

Since you're buying a Lee press, a good manual is Modern Reloading by...Richard Lee.

CCI primers, Starline brass, Penn Bullets. The classic bullet for target shooting in .45 is the 200 Grain H&G 68 Semi-Wadcutter. I use Hodgdon powders. Easy to come by, load data is online, and their loads tend to to perform very closely to their published results. Titegroup is a good powder for plinking and target work, and meters very easily in that Lee powder dispenser.

 

[RustyFN]

A hammer type bullet puller would be good to have to get rid of mistakes you might and will make. We all have one.
Rusty

 

[jfh]

The Kempf kit is the way to go.

And if you have NO other reloading essentials, you can pick them up at the same time and save on shipping costs.

Another excellent resource for reloading purchases is Graf & Sons. They also have an inexpensive media separator that is just right for your usage level. They have perhaps the most complete Lee products list in stock, and are very reliable.

Others have commented on the Kit upgrades, and you also need to get a tumbler and some media. Add in a caliper and a max cart gauge. If you haven't been saving boxes, get some cheap freezer boxes at the grocery store.

For basic components: check into a local shooting / reloading shop to see if their prices are good; you have to pay a $20.00 hazmat fee for UPS primer and powder shipping. You can use pickup brass if you can find it, used brass is cheap, but a basic 45ACP new components list should include Starline cases, a good 200-gr LSWC (see Mastercastbullets.com, or Cheycast.com) Winchester 231 powder, and Winchester Large Pistol Primers.

If you do a search here, I think you'll find a cost-benefit analysis I did earlier with this exact setup. Payback comes in about 2500 rounds--and you'll have learned to build superior ammo, tuned to your firearm.

I have five different Lee presses, and I recently updated (one of) my turrets to the four-hole setup like the Classic Cast--that is definitely the way to go. I have removed the Pro1000 (3-die limitations and the primer-feed finickiness issues) and am setting up the Loadmaster shortly. Were I starting over today, I'd be buying the Classic Cast Turret, per the info in this thread.

You need to get a manual--I would recommend the Lyman Pistol & Revolver book, and a copy of 'The ABCs of Reloading.' Powder pamphlets are available free from the manufacturers, and once you understand load data, there is plenty of reliable info in databases online.

Have fun!--and ask all the questions you need to.

Jim H.

 

[davinci]

reloading manuals are pretty much worthless if you're doing one caliber. Find a recipe for a load you like online, try it out... if it's good, then write it directly on your bench and just use it for a long long time. I've never owned a reloading manual, never needed it. I load 9mm and 45acp... and I have the recipes for the two worked out with the powder that I've got on hand, and I always buy about the same grain weight of bullets, so a manual would just gather dust.

As far as a powder measure goes...don't go too fancy. If you're loading pistol, you won't use it all that much once you get comfortable. I check 1 in powder charges (at best, probably more like one every 500 or so) now on my 45acp loads. I'm comfortable with what the powder charge is supposed to look like, and I haven't weighed a completed cartridge since I started...which is actually fairly worthless as they can vary in weight by 5 grains or so... so how does a guy know if it's double charged or not? It's darned hard to double charge on a auto-progressive turret press. you'd have to be really not paying attention and somehow not lower the ram all the way.

I've got a pal who loads .223 and uses the Lee dippers. He doesn't own a scale, but he does have a set of calipers... occasionally we'll help each other out and swap for a weekend to develop fancy loads. With a .45acp, just use a factory cartridge to determine your overall length, if it's too long (even by just a tiny bit) it will not eject easily from your pistol... so if it's tough to cycle the action, lower your OAL, no big deal. I use truncated cone bullets, and that helps too, as you just seat them to where the flat part meets the cone part....couldn't be easier.

Remember, this isn't a terribly complex process, it can be as exact as you want it to be. Just remember, as long as you don't over seat your bullet or put too much powder in the cartridge, you're not likely to hurt anything. Both of these are nearly impossible with a turret press. I found the process to be simple as pie, and I enjoy it as much as fishing now... except you can't watch TV while you fish.

Also, don't buy anything to tumble your cases.... I use the dirtiest, lousiest looking 45 cases, some very tarnished and I've had no trouble yet. I don't measure the length of the case, ever, never have...couldn't even tell you how long they're supposed to be. I'm sure, though, that i've got some cases that have seen dozens of reloadings. I have yet to find a case that ruptured or had any real signs of stress to be concerned with.

 

[McGlockster]

Thanks to everyone who posted in this thread. The information I've gained on this site after joining a few days ago is invaluable. Much appreciated. I just ordered a Kempf Kit in .45 ACP this morning, and am looking forward to reloading.

 

[davinci]

welcome aboard McGlockster. I look forward to hearing about your experience in the future.

 

[RustyFN]

reloading manuals are pretty much worthless if you're doing one caliber.

I believe there is a lot of valuable information in a manual even if you are just loading one caliber. Especially for a beginner. You will branch out into other calibers some day, may as well buy the manual now.
McGlockster, congrats on the press and welcome to the addiction. Pay attention to the setup and operating instructions and you won't have any trouble. Benedict has some great links for the Classic Turret setup and help. If you need help don't be afraid to ask, we are happy to help. Keep us updated when you get it and let us know how you enjoy it. All I can say is that there is nothing like the feeling of shooting your own reloaded ammo for the first time.
Rusty

 

[McGlockster]

I will definitely feel free to ask questions, and will update you on my reloading journey. I DID order the Lee manual with my kit as I'm one of those "too much information is okay" type of freaks. Funny you call it an "addiction" as I'm already pondering 9mm and .223. Time will tell. Take care all, and thanks again for the warm welcome.

 

[davinci]

rustyFN: i started reloading after the internet became what it is. I don't own a set of encyclopedias because I have internet access.

There's some technology that's kind of past it's prime, and I'd say that most reference books are past their prime. I don't even have a cookbook anymore, I have an ms access database, so I can more effectively find a recipe that uses 'instant coffee' for example.

I'm not trying to give you a hard time, just explaining my opinion on buying information when it's all free for the taking, especially if all you need to know is charge weight for your bullet. I've got hodgdon's website in my favorites, and every time I want to try something new with one of their powders, I just select it.... takes me all of 2 minutes and I don't have to fumble with the index in the book.

Different strokes different folks, hoping to save a new reloader an expense that I found unnecessary...though I did contemplate it before deciding to buy components with that money instead.

 

[RustyFN]

davinci no hard time taken. I understood your point the first time and wasn't trying to argue. I have only been reloading about one year and got a lot of help from here and TFL. I bought the Speer # 13 manual and learned a lot from reading it that I don't think I would have picked up from the interweb. I'll have to check out hodgdon's website, I use a lot of their powder also and no book has all the info one needs. Take it easy.
Rusty

 

[buenhec]

Thanks all. Im sure glad I started this thread. I purchased the classic 4 hole turret, with dies in .45 and 9mil as well as an extra turret, all from kempfs for about $210 shipped. Quick and easy.

I also purchased the Win 231 powder, win primers, Berry's FMJ and 100 cases to start. I should get my UPS package on Friday and plan to reload that night.

 

[jfh]

leave the indexer rod out while you do the setup--it will make it much easier to do.

When you are doing the die setup, use the Lee videos on Die adjustment right from the beginning. Get the first / sizer die set right, and the others follow much easier. FWIW, I find the expander die needs about - 3/4 turn, not 1 turn, to get a minimal flare and still make setting the bullet easy to do.

When you put the indexer rod in, be sure to follow the instructions carefully--and until you understand how the indexing works, do full-stroking only. There's a plethora of complaints about the cheap nylon 'ratchet'--but it is no problem when the press is operated correctly.

Finally, when you get the package finally ready to go, put some oil on the turret, on the bottom side of the upper flange, where it rides on the press frame. That, and oiling the index rod slightly make for smoother operation.

You'll probably want or need to tweak your final setting for indexing, but that comes later, after you've gotten this far.

There are excellent threads in this forum on the various Lee Turret Presses--do a search, and then post questions if you have any problems.

Jim H.

 

[BAT1]

Lee Classic

I like the ability to change caliber by dropping in a different turrent. I tumble, take out the cam rod and de-prime size single stage. Then I hand prime. I put back in the cam rod in the timed position and I then charge, my Lee Pro Auto disk is mounted on the table and it drops into my pan on the digital scale. I hand trickle [always look] and press and factory crimp. Follow directions and DO NOT SHORT STROKE the rod, use full motions. Re- loaders shoot tighter groups.