Lee bullet feeder on LCT press?
- Thread starter RussellC
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1KPerDay
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No, because unlike a true progressive, the turret head rotates, and thus the dies. You could fashion a moving bullet feeder/vertical tube that could be refilled periodically I guess. I don't see the point of that myself.
1KPerDay
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One thing that speeds things up for me is the order in which I dump the completed round and prime. I originally was quite slow. I started out completing/starting the sequence like this:
1. completed load removed from shellholder and dumped in bin/inserted into box
2. grab fresh piece of brass and insert into shellholder
3. push safety prime assembly to insert primer
after a while I realized it was quicker and more efficient to grab the brass first, and swap it with the completed round in one step:
1. grab a piece of brass, remove loaded round with middle/ring fingers and swap new case in the shellholder with thumb and first finger, dump the loaded round in my bin or cartridge box
2. push safety prime assembly to insert primer
My current method which is even quicker is:
1. grab a piece of brass, remove loaded round with middle/ring fingers and swap new case in the shellholder with thumb and first finger, (RETAIN LOADED ROUND IN MY LEFT HAND)
2. Push safety prime assembly with thumb to insert primer
3. dump completed round/insert in box
The latter allows time for the right hand to be priming/charging/expanding while you dump the round and grab a bullet with your left. It takes just about as long to do those tasks with your right hand as it does to grab a new bullet and orient it properly, check powder, and place it atop the charged case.
1. completed load removed from shellholder and dumped in bin/inserted into box
2. grab fresh piece of brass and insert into shellholder
3. push safety prime assembly to insert primer
after a while I realized it was quicker and more efficient to grab the brass first, and swap it with the completed round in one step:
1. grab a piece of brass, remove loaded round with middle/ring fingers and swap new case in the shellholder with thumb and first finger, dump the loaded round in my bin or cartridge box
2. push safety prime assembly to insert primer
My current method which is even quicker is:
1. grab a piece of brass, remove loaded round with middle/ring fingers and swap new case in the shellholder with thumb and first finger, (RETAIN LOADED ROUND IN MY LEFT HAND)
2. Push safety prime assembly with thumb to insert primer
3. dump completed round/insert in box
The latter allows time for the right hand to be priming/charging/expanding while you dump the round and grab a bullet with your left. It takes just about as long to do those tasks with your right hand as it does to grab a new bullet and orient it properly, check powder, and place it atop the charged case.
As others have said, due to the design of the press itself, it's impossible to use a bullet feeder. This press will produce up to 200 rounds per hour if you go really quick, but I found that at my pace, making sure I always have powder in the case and without stressing my elbow, I can crank out 50 rounds in 20 minutes, take a small rest, and go on. In an hour, I'll have a 120-150 rounds and that covers my shooting needs for the week.
If you want more speed, put your eyes onto a true progressive. I have already seen the value of them and I'm saving for a Dillon 550. It's not that the LCT isn't fast enough, it is that with one pull you have a complete cartridge, versus 4 pulls in the LCT. That is what really makes the difference. The LCT won't leave my home, though, she'll still find use for other calibers I plan on reloading in the future and as a back-up press in case something goes wrong with the 550.
If you want more speed, put your eyes onto a true progressive. I have already seen the value of them and I'm saving for a Dillon 550. It's not that the LCT isn't fast enough, it is that with one pull you have a complete cartridge, versus 4 pulls in the LCT. That is what really makes the difference. The LCT won't leave my home, though, she'll still find use for other calibers I plan on reloading in the future and as a back-up press in case something goes wrong with the 550.
jmorris
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Most Lee products are a great value and work just as well as products that cost 4 times as much, some don't.
He Lee bullet feeder wins top honor as the worst reloading product I have ever owned. I should have sent it back when I read the instructions and it said to boil parts of it when it started spitting bullet everywhere.
MA Systems used to sell a pneumatic bullet feeder that operated in the same fashion but grabbed the bullets with spring adjustable metal arms, that worked although it cost much more.
He Lee bullet feeder wins top honor as the worst reloading product I have ever owned. I should have sent it back when I read the instructions and it said to boil parts of it when it started spitting bullet everywhere.
MA Systems used to sell a pneumatic bullet feeder that operated in the same fashion but grabbed the bullets with spring adjustable metal arms, that worked although it cost much more.
floydster
Member
I don't see a need for a bullet feeder, heck last week I loaded 750 rounds on my LCT in 4 hrs. while baby sitting and washing cloth's.
dickttx
Member
This will work:
RCBS Pistol Bullet Feeder Die Kit (380 ACP, 9mm Luger, 38 Special, 357 Magnum) 90 to 158 Grain Bullets
Product #: 560110 (Midway)
You have to give up a space on your turret though. I sized single stage with only the sizing die in my turret. Then changed it for a turret that had the powder through die, the bullet feeder die, the seater die and the FCD.
I didn't see much advantage so far as speed and soon went back to my regular routine.
As others said, probably more speed gained by streamlining your procedures.
RCBS Pistol Bullet Feeder Die Kit (380 ACP, 9mm Luger, 38 Special, 357 Magnum) 90 to 158 Grain Bullets
Product #: 560110 (Midway)
You have to give up a space on your turret though. I sized single stage with only the sizing die in my turret. Then changed it for a turret that had the powder through die, the bullet feeder die, the seater die and the FCD.
I didn't see much advantage so far as speed and soon went back to my regular routine.
As others said, probably more speed gained by streamlining your procedures.
frankenstein406
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- Jan 9, 2011
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- 816
A guy on youtube made his own that seemed to work well.
They make a collar that spins on the shaft. When the round is completed it knocks it off into a bin or whatever you have set up. Might be a better option.
They make a collar that spins on the shaft. When the round is completed it knocks it off into a bin or whatever you have set up. Might be a better option.
Potatohead
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- Mar 9, 2013
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Watcha in such a hurry for, Russel? Enjoy!
This may be an option, I usually reload with brass already sized and primed, so I usually have an opening for something on the turret. Not so much speed as just less fiddling with bullets, then only the brass needs handled.
As to progressives, just dont have the comfort level without being able to see the stages happen, checking for powder in the case, etc.
That said, When I first started I was leery of the turret, so I may gain more comfort level as time goes by. The LCT Press is fast enough for now. For the price of the Dillon I would want, I can buy an awful big pile of reloading components!
Russellc
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