How do the Lee turret presses work?

[Crazy Fingers]

Currently I reload shotshells with a friend on a progressive press, and rifle cartridges with a Lee Classic Loader. Most of the reloading tools (scales, funnels, etc.) are his, so I need to get some of my own anyways and was considering the deluxe turret press kit. The turret press is essentially progressive, correct? Every time I pull the handle, the turret rotates and the next die comes along? After 3 or 4 pulls, I will remove the case and insert another?

How does this autodisk work? Is it similar to a progressive shotshell press where it drops a predetermined volume of powder from a bushing/chamber every time that turret head comes around?

What about priming? I like using the Auto Prime, but don't really see much of a point of having a progressive like press if you can't prime using it.

Finally, for loading both rifle and pistol (a mix of necked cases and straight wall cases) would you recommend a 3 hole or 4 hole? Thanks.

 

[chbrow10]

I'll take a wack at this, based off my set up: 4 hole Lee Classic Cast Turret with Pro Auto disk.

Yes, after 3 or 4 pulls, a loaded cartridge is complete. I think the definition of a progressive is every pull completes a cartridge.

My powder measure uses fixed volume cavities to measure powder. I use Lee Powder thru expander die, so I expand and charge the case in one pull of the handle. The case lines up under the die from the previous pull, and one pull of the handle expands the mouth of the case and charges the case with powder.

I prime on the press, but it takes a bit to figure out how much force you need to seat the primer. I use the Safety Prime, and it is pretty straight forward. You prime on the upstroke on my press (ram going down, handle coming up).

If you intend to use the Lee Factory Crimp Die, then you will need the 4 hole. I use it and recommend it.

I like my press and would recommend it. I have found that if you buy the upper price point of the Lee brand, you get good stuff. So I upgraded to the Classis Cast Press, the Pro Auto Disk powder measure (don't forget to get the riser and he double disk kit), and four hole turret for the deluxe pistol die kit (4 dies).

Hope this helps,

Chris

 

[Luis Leon]

I reload on a Lee Classic Cast Turret Press and really like it. I get one cartridge with 4 pull of the handle. I can load 150 to 200 rounds per hours of 9mm. This is as fast as I want or need to go. I liked it so much I got a second one just to load rifle with. Mine works great over 6k rounds with no problems whatsoever.

best regards,

Luis Leon

 

[rondog]

Lee's own videos.... http://www.leeprecision.com/html/HelpVideos/video.html

 

[Crazy Fingers]

Great, thanks. It works just how I thought it did.

Will a 3 hole turret work in a 4 hole press? For rifle I think I would only need a 3 hole press, and for pistol I should probably use a 4 hole. But I would hate to have to pull the handle 4 times on rifle cartridges (with one of them doing nothing.) Seems like a lot of people don't even use these for rifle cartridges?

 

[RustyFN]

The turret press is essentially progressive, correct?

No, a progressive press will give you a loaded round every pull of the handle.

Every time I pull the handle, the turret rotates and the next die comes along? After 3 or 4 pulls, I will remove the case and insert another?

That is correct.

How does this autodisk work?

The pro auto disk comes with four disk's. There is a chart to look up the brand powder you are using to find out which cavity to use. The chart is usually one cavity light. Check the drop on a scale to make sure you are getting the weight you want.

What about priming? I like using the Auto Prime, but don't really see much of a point of having a progressive like press if you can't prime using it.

I think to take full advantage of the classic turret you would want to use the safety prime. The safety prime has been working almost flawless for me.

Finally, for loading both rifle and pistol (a mix of necked cases and straight wall cases) would you recommend a 3 hole or 4 hole? Thanks.

I would suggest the four hole turret. I would also suggest the classic turret over the deluxe turret. The classic turret is a much better press for just a little more money. I load 9mm, 38/357, 45 auto and 223 on mine. I use four dies for pistol because I like to use a separate crimp die. For loading 223 I still use four dies but it is different than pistol. Here is an example of how I load 223. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOpN9iYOyE8.
I have been loading on a classic turret for two years. I think it's an awesome press. Here is a picture of my setup.

Hope this helps.
Rusty

Edit:

Will a 3 hole turret work in a 4 hole press?

No. The indexing rods are different.

 

[jhansman]

RustyFN, your vid is exactly what I wanted to see. I aim to load a lot of .223, but it was not clear to me if a turret press is the way to go. Your vid makes it clear that much more ammo can be made in the same time with a single stage. Thanks.

 

[Okiecruffler]

First off, let me say I like Lee, I have a couple of their single stages that see alot of use. But I'm not a huge fan of my turret press. It's not bad for loading bulk 45 or 357, range fodder type stuff. But for my accuracy loads the turret just has to much slop to give me consistant OAL's. Maybe it doesn't really matter that much, but I'm kinda anal about those things.

 

[wingman]

But I'm not a huge fan of my turret press. It's not bad for loading bulk 45 or 357, range fodder type stuff. But for my accuracy loads the turret just has to much slop to give me consistant OAL's.

Old style turret or new classic.? Huge difference.

 

[kennedy]

how does a lee turrant press work, very well indeed.

 

[RustyFN]

But for my accuracy loads the turret just has to much slop to give me consistant OAL's. Maybe it doesn't really matter that much, but I'm kinda anal about those things.

I was just curious how much varience you are getting in your OAL. I have loaded a lot of 223 on my classic and have never been off more than .003. Unless you are shooting benchrest I think .003 will be fine.
Rusty

 

[Okiecruffler]

I assume mine is the older one. I bought it probably 5 years ago. It's the 3 hole, manual. With my 6tcu I've seen as much as 0.03 variance. Probably not enough to make much of a diference, but I load that one right to the lands.
I still use it for bulk loading, it's fairly fast and works well, but for my precision stuff I stick with my single stages.

 

[ultramag44]

Crazy Fingers,

This article gives step-by-step instructions on setting up, and using the Lee Classic Cast 4-Hole Turret press, powder measure, and dies.

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

 

[wingman]

I assume mine is the older one. I bought it probably 5 years ago. It's the 3 hole, manual. With my 6tcu I've seen as much as 0.03 variance. Probably not enough to make much of a difference, but I load that one right to the lands.

I guessed you had the older model as I also have one it has more slop then the classic press, the old model also gave me some variance in OAL however duct tape on seater die (It appeared to back out of adjustment)and a very slow controlled seating with out crimp and using the FCD solved that problem. I'm talking only pistol rounds.

 

[BigJakeJ1s]

Lee does not list it on their website, but Cabela's and a few others sell a reloading kit based on the Classic (cast iron) Turret press.

Andy