Lee Classic Turret. Index with 9mm. Remove indexing rod for 223 and use as single stage. For me, there’s too much case prep to do off press to just run them. I would love to hear how people deal with trimming and primer pocket reaming on an LCT. I may look into doing those processes before sizing for blammo and just deal with the inconsistent case length.
How do you use a turret press..
- Thread starter Bill M.
- Start date
I run the Lee economy model turret press, as it's what I could afford at the time I bought it.
For pistol cartridges, I run it 4 pulls and a finished round. Powder is done through the die with Lee's volume measuring device (can't remember the name).
For rifle, I use it more like a single stage, with only the last two stages (seat and crimp) run on the pulls. I skip the powder load die, as I use a Chargemaster to weigh the powder and have found that the die/case neck will occasionally not let the powder through properly by causing it to bridge. I use Lymans all in one cup/funnel and am happy with it.
For pistol cartridges, I run it 4 pulls and a finished round. Powder is done through the die with Lee's volume measuring device (can't remember the name).
For rifle, I use it more like a single stage, with only the last two stages (seat and crimp) run on the pulls. I skip the powder load die, as I use a Chargemaster to weigh the powder and have found that the die/case neck will occasionally not let the powder through properly by causing it to bridge. I use Lymans all in one cup/funnel and am happy with it.
Hugger-4641
Member
I do my de-capping, priming , pocket sizing, and trimming in batches on a single stage. I use my 4hole Classic to size/expand, charge , seat, and crimp. I do use the auto index on mine. I use the Auto Drum for bulk plinking rds, mainly 9mm and .223.
Everything else gets measured on my Intellidropper and funneled in on the turret.
Everything else gets measured on my Intellidropper and funneled in on the turret.
That is up to you as to how you want to use it. I've seen it done both ways. I know of an old red model Lyman turret press that is available on the cheap is you are interested.
It's a red model that I believe holds 6 dies. The newer ones hold 8.
It's a red model that I believe holds 6 dies. The newer ones hold 8.
kmw1954
Member
I have 4 different presses and each is used in a different way for different loading. I have a RCBS JR3 I use for prepping brass and removing primers. I have a Lee 3 hole turret with the auto advance I use for load development and loading 223 rifle with just 2 positions. I have a Pro1000 I use for bulk loading all my pistol with the exception or 45ACP which I load on an ABLP using all 4 stations with the Lee FCD.
When loading 223 I use the Lee powder thru die with a Lee Auto Drum measure and then just the seating die. For this the brass is already fully prepped and primed when I start. I then drop a charge, take it out a check weight it, trickle if needed and then replace and seat the bullet. This is al ammo made for target shooting and not just blasting ammo. This had been as consistent as loading it one piece at a time on my Single Stage press and having trays of charged cases sitting waiting for bullets to be placed and seated..
When loading 223 I use the Lee powder thru die with a Lee Auto Drum measure and then just the seating die. For this the brass is already fully prepped and primed when I start. I then drop a charge, take it out a check weight it, trickle if needed and then replace and seat the bullet. This is al ammo made for target shooting and not just blasting ammo. This had been as consistent as loading it one piece at a time on my Single Stage press and having trays of charged cases sitting waiting for bullets to be placed and seated..
barnfrog
Member
I do things a little screwy, partly because some of my press purchases were not really planned. I have an RCBS Reloader Special (first press I bought) that I do all my bottleneck rifle ammo on. I also had a Lee Challenger that I picked up for cheap and used just for de-capping everything.
My Lee Clasic Turret was bought as part of an estate sale and I had planned to re-sell it. Instead, I sold the Lee Challenger. The LCT is a three-hole, so in one turret I keep both of my RCBS universal de-capping dies and a Lee Ram Prime die, so that turret gets put in for primer operations. The other turret is used for loading .357 Magnum, but I seat and crimp in separate steps, so the sizing and crimping dies stay in the turret and the flaring and seating dies get switched in and out. The process goes like this:
De-cap brass.
Tumble with walnut media.
Switch turrets.
Install flaring die in middle hole.
Size and flare brass.
Switch turrets.
Prime brass.
Switch turrets.
Install seating die in middle hole.
Seat and crimp.
I took off the stop that only lets the turret turn one way, and there's no index rod, so I can just move the turret back and forth between the two dies being used.
I still do mainly small batches, but I'm seriously considering taking the 9mm dies out of the Dillon 450 (which I got at a different sale and also decided to keep instead of re-selling) and setting it up to do big batches of .357 target loads.
My Lee Clasic Turret was bought as part of an estate sale and I had planned to re-sell it. Instead, I sold the Lee Challenger. The LCT is a three-hole, so in one turret I keep both of my RCBS universal de-capping dies and a Lee Ram Prime die, so that turret gets put in for primer operations. The other turret is used for loading .357 Magnum, but I seat and crimp in separate steps, so the sizing and crimping dies stay in the turret and the flaring and seating dies get switched in and out. The process goes like this:
De-cap brass.
Tumble with walnut media.
Switch turrets.
Install flaring die in middle hole.
Size and flare brass.
Switch turrets.
Prime brass.
Switch turrets.
Install seating die in middle hole.
Seat and crimp.
I took off the stop that only lets the turret turn one way, and there's no index rod, so I can just move the turret back and forth between the two dies being used.
I still do mainly small batches, but I'm seriously considering taking the 9mm dies out of the Dillon 450 (which I got at a different sale and also decided to keep instead of re-selling) and setting it up to do big batches of .357 target loads.
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Varminterror
Member
- Joined
- Jul 17, 2016
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- 14,969
The Lee Turret (older model, taller aluminum base) is a 3 hole head. The Lee Classic Turret is a 4 hole toolhead.
A lot of guys confuse the “original” Lee Turret Press with the Lee Classic Turret, and things might even be worse now after the introduction of the “Value Turret,” which originally shipped with an old taller base, but now is adapted to the new progressive press base, but both of which use 4 hole toolheads - so the Value press originally looked like an original Turret at the bottom, but a Classic Turret at the top. But the LCT is a 4 hole press.
CQB45ACP
Member
So, OP, have you learned what you expected and how has it informed your decision?
GBExpat
Member
When developing loads I will use my LCT in single stage mode. Unlike most/many my LCT single stage mode involves leaving the auto indexing rod installed and quickly changing the arm adjustment. In this mode the system short strokes and I find that more comfortable.
I most enjoy what I call production mode when I am just cranking out the cartridges, 100, 200, or 300 at a stretch.
EDIT: A related Thread:
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/lct-inlinefab-1hr-production-rate.806894/
I most enjoy what I call production mode when I am just cranking out the cartridges, 100, 200, or 300 at a stretch.
EDIT: A related Thread:
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/lct-inlinefab-1hr-production-rate.806894/
"So, OP, have you learned what you expected and how has it informed your decision?"
Well, I did not hear any compelling reasons to get the turret press. My dies stay adjusted when I take them out and put them back in and I can do it pretty quickly. So just having the head to store dies in does not seem an upgrade to me.
I am still open for information though. I did not know that there are auto indexing turret presses. I think I need to actually see the primer feed on the Redding or the RCBS to decide. My main interest is in priming on the press and if I wlll like the system better than I like the Ram Prime I am using now. My issue is haveing to pick up each primer left handed and install into the seater. cup. Every once in a while I drop one. But I really like the "feel" that system gives me seating the primer. I have used and do have hand primers but do not like them any more.
When we get home in early May I will decide if for a new press and which press. Need is not involved in this purchase. I am loading just fine now.
Well, I did not hear any compelling reasons to get the turret press. My dies stay adjusted when I take them out and put them back in and I can do it pretty quickly. So just having the head to store dies in does not seem an upgrade to me.
I am still open for information though. I did not know that there are auto indexing turret presses. I think I need to actually see the primer feed on the Redding or the RCBS to decide. My main interest is in priming on the press and if I wlll like the system better than I like the Ram Prime I am using now. My issue is haveing to pick up each primer left handed and install into the seater. cup. Every once in a while I drop one. But I really like the "feel" that system gives me seating the primer. I have used and do have hand primers but do not like them any more.
When we get home in early May I will decide if for a new press and which press. Need is not involved in this purchase. I am loading just fine now.
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CQB45ACP
Member
Sounds like you need a different thread on priming methods
"Sounds like you need a different thread on priming methods"
We have "been there and done that" already. That is what led me to think about getting a new press with a auto primer feed. But...I still do not know how the 2 presses mention seat the primer. By feel or to a set depth? I have the little primer arm for the Lee but do not like the way it feels seating the primer and the little auto feed plastic things that I ordered from Lee do not fit on my press because it is the earliest model Classic.
We have "been there and done that" already. That is what led me to think about getting a new press with a auto primer feed. But...I still do not know how the 2 presses mention seat the primer. By feel or to a set depth? I have the little primer arm for the Lee but do not like the way it feels seating the primer and the little auto feed plastic things that I ordered from Lee do not fit on my press because it is the earliest model Classic.
CQB45ACP
Member
Well at least the issue is cut and dried, objective, and without personal preferences. That’s why everyone uses the same product.
CQB45ACP
Member
Here’s what I use for all my priming. Tried the Redding thing and it’s not to my liking but others certainly do.
eddiememphis
Member
I use a Lyman All-American 8.
I still do them in batches but two steps at once. Deprime/resize then expand the mouth. I use a Frankford had primer. The primer on the press works fine, I just prefer the Frankford. I have not set up powder measure on the press so I do that off press as well. Then back to the press. Insert the primed and filled case, set the bullet, turn the turret and crimp.
I find it to be handy not having to change dies. Plus, I have it set up with .45LC one on side and 9mm on the other.
I still do them in batches but two steps at once. Deprime/resize then expand the mouth. I use a Frankford had primer. The primer on the press works fine, I just prefer the Frankford. I have not set up powder measure on the press so I do that off press as well. Then back to the press. Insert the primed and filled case, set the bullet, turn the turret and crimp.
I find it to be handy not having to change dies. Plus, I have it set up with .45LC one on side and 9mm on the other.
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