Lee classic cast turret press. Do they ever wear out?

[CoalCrackerAl]

I was resizing 223 and 7.62x39 brass today. And i was saying to myself. Boy you have loaded a lot of ammo. Im probably over 100,000 rounds on it. She will squeak and creak at times. It's her way of telling me time for a good cleaning and lube. It's like a time-ex. Takes a licking and keeps ticking. Even the ram has no slop in it. Just something i wanted to share.

 

[Bobaloo22]

I hope not, I'm retiring on June 5th and my coworkers are buying me one (so a little birdy told me).
Bob

 

[Targa]

It is a very impressive press. I am 50 and have had mine for six years now, I fully expect it to outlast me without much fuss.

 

[jmorris]

Everything wears out at some point, I don’t think the Lee will get as grumpy as some things do.

I seem to get ~ 125k life out of my 223 dies before they are done, the presses are still good to go though.

 

[racepres]

Bought my Hornady/Pacific 007 back in the Late '70's... No Idea how many shucks been thru it....Alot..
I'm gonna say....Nah... can't wear out a Press...only Abuse and/or Neglect can affect them...

 

[N555]

I have one that was probably around for the Nixon presidency and it still works great.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

You shouldn't be able to wear it out in a lifetime if it's taken care of.

 

[OrangePwrx9]

Don't leave it outside and it should be fine.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I have been using my current Lee Classic turret press since 2005 and still going strong. When I first got it I replaced the nylon square for the auto-index twice but that was operator error. It's been good ever since. I think it's the cast bottom that helps it stay tight.

The only trick is, wipe it down after each session and ever so often give it a good cleaning and lube the parts recommended in the owners sheet.

I load all my handgun ammo on it and .223/5.56mm ammo too.

 

[sparkyv]

Nice! I'm just over 17k rounds, so I've got alot more to look forward to!

Boy you have loaded a lot of ammo. Im probably over 100,000 rounds on it.

 

[docbrown]

Have lost track of how many rounds I have done through my 4 hole value press (new design) - but certainly over 20k rounds. Got it when they very first came out. I use it to load 357 magnum, 357 sig, 9mm, 40 S&W, and 223. Still going strong with all original parts. So long as you take care of it, clean it once in a while and lube it, it should be OK and last your lifetime. Had a 3 hole that was well used before I got it and passed it on to a friend after several thousand rounds on it. It is still going strong.

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

I've never bothered to keep count of the number of rounds I've loaded; either as an aggregate or as a tally on a certain piece of equipment.

I have a LCT, had it for 5 it 6 years now. It's loaded thousands of rounds. I expect it will continue, and outlast me.

 

[LiveLife]

I've never bothered to keep count of the number of rounds I've loaded; either as an aggregate or as a tally on a certain piece of equipment.

Keep track of number of primer boxes used for easier count.

 

[kerreckt]

I have had mine since 2009 and it has been used for many reloadings (8-10K?) all the 7mm Mag caliber and larger stuff. Still looks and runs like new. Great USA quality! Best wishes!

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

Keep track of number of primer boxes used for easier count.

I use the sleeves from primer trays for other things - I cut them to to use as ID cards in boxes of brass.


I gave away to a friend a dozen or so of the plastic primer trays - the ones with the small pockets to contain the primers - to be used as coasters. She loved them, had never seen anything like them.

I've never figured out any other use for the trays.

 

[FROGO207]

I first started loading in 1968 and over the years have purchased three used presses. Two of them are RCBS and the other a Lee. All were used well and often before I purchased them and I have added another half a million or more rounds loaded collectively. None of mine show any signs of wearing out in their second lifetime of heavy use. Clean and lube as needed, replace any parts as they wear out and you will be able to pass the press on for a long time to come.

 

[FROGO207]

I use the sleeves from primer trays for other things - I cut them to to use as ID cards in boxes of brass.
View attachment 1151022

I gave away to a friend a dozen or so of the plastic primer trays - the ones with the small pockets to contain the primers - to be used as coasters. She loved them, had never seen anything like them.

I've never figured out any other use for the trays.

I like the idea of using the trays as coasters. I use them as targets when shooting. The cardboard, I use like all the other thin cardboard I collect. Every so often I take out my collection of hole punches and make a pile of overshot/ nitro cards for loading shotgun and BP ammo. I am retired and time is plentiful, $$$ not so much. LOL

 

[rdnktrkr]

I also have a 3 hole along with the LCT, I use both about the same enjoying the shorter stroke of the 3 hole. I use Eds Red cleaner to wipe everything down occasionally. I like the versatility of them and the quick change over

 

[12Bravo20]

I have been using my Lee Turret Press since 2005 to load all of my pistol ammo and 223. For pistol calibers, I reload 380 ACP, 9mm, 9mm Largo/38 Super Comp, 38 Special, 40 S&W, and 45 ACP.

Most will agree that the Lee turret presses are good machines.

 

[doubleh]

Kept clean and lubed it should outlast you and whoever inherits it. When I got into reloading I talked my wife into making dust covers for all my equipment and nothing sits uncovered except when in use.

 

[kmw1954]

My belief is that any reloading press that is taken care of, cleaned and lubricated, and not over stressed, meaning not over worked, beat on and expected to do things it wasn't designed to do, will last more than the original owners lifetime. Regardless of who made it.

 

[N555]

I use mine for sizing and depriming.

 

[Click_Here]

Only problem I had with the LCT is the indexing clamp moving. Solved it by placing electric tape between it and the ram and changing out the crappy screw with a nut and bolt. Has not moved since.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I eliminated the indexing on mine. I can go faster with out it. And if i want to run in single stage mode. No rod to remove.