Lee classic turet a hidden gem?

[NoirFan]

I started reloading last year on the Lee turret. I haven’t used another press so I have no frame of reference, but it’s worked really well for me. Very beginner friendly operation. I only have a couple small complaints:

The priming feature seldom works right on the first try. I often have to push up, back off, and push again for it to seat fully.

The auto index on mine feels imprecise, as it almost always rotates either a little too far or not enough. I end up having to nudge it into place by hand anyway.

 

[RealGun]

I started reloading last year on the Lee turret. I haven’t used another press so I have no frame of reference, but it’s worked really well for me. Very beginner friendly operation. I only have a couple small complaints:

The priming feature seldom works right on the first try. I often have to push up, back off, and push again for it to seat fully.

The auto index on mine feels imprecise, as it almost always rotates either a little too far or not enough. I end up having to nudge it into place by hand anyway.

I spray my turret juncture in a single spot with a short burst of One Shot. Before inserting a turret, I clean the turret receiver if there is any gunk around the rim where the turret will ride. The turret's own mating surface can get gunked up, mostly from loose powder. The turret will quickly free up after spraying and can over rotate a bit at first without care but soon settles in running very nicely. The turret can have some momentum, if going too fast with the handle, so get a feel for what is needed to avoid overshooting the detentes. If the turret is chronically misaligned, follow the instructions for setting the timing.

The priming can be affected by a binding turret as well. There should be minimal problem when the turret is settled at its position, snapping into the detentes. The rest is likely variation in the condition of primer pockets on the brass. If there is any real resistance when priming, try finessing the turret back and forth by hand. You should be able to feel when the primer is lined up and partially inserted. That is usually a sign that another shot of One Shot is needed. There are probably other good grease ideas for aluminum parts.

 

[drband]

If the little square plastic index ratchet thing is cracked, the timing will be unpredictable. You should check it before adjusting turret timing. It’s inside the plastic index rod holder on the top of the ram.