horsemen61
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Hello all I am looking into getting a lee classic turret press the 4 hole model any info is appreciated thanks horsemen61
Lee classic Turret press info needed
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will need to ask more specific questions to get good answers. If you do a search you will find lots of threads with this model involved.
Good press for the money. Will crank out way more then you will on a single stage. Can get close to progressive numbers if you stay with it. Can run as a single stage or can run one case from start to finish.
Good press for the money. Will crank out way more then you will on a single stage. Can get close to progressive numbers if you stay with it. Can run as a single stage or can run one case from start to finish.
LiveLife
Member
Great press to do pistol and rifle cartridges at faster than single stage press.
You can set up dies and simply swap out turrets for easy and fast caliber changes without having to adjust dies.
Midsouth has the kit in stock for $186 - http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=0000690304
What calibers are you looking to reload?
You can set up dies and simply swap out turrets for easy and fast caliber changes without having to adjust dies.
Midsouth has the kit in stock for $186 - http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=0000690304
What calibers are you looking to reload?
flipajig
Member
They are a good press for the money. I have been loading on one for over 6 years with just two small issues. One there is a small square washer on the indexer that wore out the other was in the primer feeder there is a small spring in the head that broke both were easy fixes I now have spare parts on hand. Over all I'm very pleased with the press I load all my pistol ammo on it. With some pratice you should be able crank out 100 rds within 30 min or so.
As stated you can load as a single stage or with the turret I know I'm over 10K with mine.
Flip
As stated you can load as a single stage or with the turret I know I'm over 10K with mine.
Flip
horsemen61
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mostly pistol guys I just purchased one and I have a question for those who use it do you like the powder measure that it uses?
horsemen61
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When I say pistol I mean 380 9mm 40 45 45 COLT 38s 357s for now 
9mmfan
Member
I am just cutting my teeth, but have one. Insofar as the measure goes, I am using Unique for 255 SWC in .45 Colt , and at first the throws were pretty consistent, but then started throwing heavy.
I had run several throws through first to settle, and then did the "double tap" on the handle. I ended up throwing, weighing and adjusting the charge for each round.
As I am green at this, and going without a mentor, I don't see this as a bad thing right now. Keeps me going slow and paying attention.
In the future, I will probably try and make a dipper of some kind, but we shall see. Some folks get it to meter well, and I just might figure it out.
I like the press so far, for what it's worth, and think the versatility will come in handy once I get everything down a little bit better.
I had run several throws through first to settle, and then did the "double tap" on the handle. I ended up throwing, weighing and adjusting the charge for each round.
As I am green at this, and going without a mentor, I don't see this as a bad thing right now. Keeps me going slow and paying attention.
In the future, I will probably try and make a dipper of some kind, but we shall see. Some folks get it to meter well, and I just might figure it out.
I like the press so far, for what it's worth, and think the versatility will come in handy once I get everything down a little bit better.
Feanaro
Member
I got a Lee Classic Turret kit a few weeks back. It's my first press and I really like it so far. I picked it because I wanted to load pistol rounds, knew I would be too lazy to do it on a single station and I'm too cheap to buy a progressive press.
The auto-indexing is fast enough for my needs (100-250 pistol rounds loaded in a sitting) and it can be disabled when you first start, so you can load with the batch method. I love the convenience of the turret heads. I can move between .38 Special and .45ACP in under a minute - it would be 10 seconds but I'm too cheap to buy another Pro Auto Disk powder thrower.
The instructions kinda suck. I got more mileage out of watching YouTube videos on how to set one up. For example, I couldn't figure out for the life of me how to attach the bracket for the Safety Primer system until I looked up a few pictures of it. A certain degree of patience is required to get the hang of things like priming on the press, getting the Pro Auto Disk to throw powder correctly (or learning to settle for what it will throw instead of chasing what it won't) and so on.
The auto-indexing is fast enough for my needs (100-250 pistol rounds loaded in a sitting) and it can be disabled when you first start, so you can load with the batch method. I love the convenience of the turret heads. I can move between .38 Special and .45ACP in under a minute - it would be 10 seconds but I'm too cheap to buy another Pro Auto Disk powder thrower.
The instructions kinda suck. I got more mileage out of watching YouTube videos on how to set one up. For example, I couldn't figure out for the life of me how to attach the bracket for the Safety Primer system until I looked up a few pictures of it. A certain degree of patience is required to get the hang of things like priming on the press, getting the Pro Auto Disk to throw powder correctly (or learning to settle for what it will throw instead of chasing what it won't) and so on.
You did not say if you bought just the press or a kit???
The press is great, The Pro Auto disc powder measure is also very good.
The Lee Scale not so good. It works but is a pain to use. Ditch it and get a better scale.
A good scale (beam balance) is the most important reloading tool to own.
http://www.realguns.com/archives/122.htm
The press is great, The Pro Auto disc powder measure is also very good.
The Lee Scale not so good. It works but is a pain to use. Ditch it and get a better scale.
A good scale (beam balance) is the most important reloading tool to own.
http://www.realguns.com/archives/122.htm
stubbicatt
Member
The CCT is good for pistol and 223 class cartridges. I have broken turrets FL resizing 308 .mil cases in the CCT press, and would not recommend it for that purpose. Even if you don't break the turrets, you still have headspace issues where shoulder setback is inconsistent, due, I believe, to the tolerances in the turret to press fit.
It is a very good press. I like the "Safety Prime" system.
It is a very good press. I like the "Safety Prime" system.
horsemen61
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I purchased the press not the kit
RealGun
Member
I really like my turret press, but I think touting the ease and speed of changeovers is exaggerated, in that one has to swap out the powder measure and recalibrate the charge. To speed that up, one would have to own a powder measure for every caliber (and load/turret). That is not really far fetched, since the Lee "Precision Auto Disk Powder Measure" (not the Pro) is certainly my preference and not very expensive.
When I change a turret, I am removing not only the powder measure but the accessories that go with it. There is the "riser", which allows the measure to stand taller than the other die stations, and the "swivel adapter", which allows the measure to be centered over the die cluster and not sweep the perimeter while the turret rotates. It then does not interfere with the primer assembly nor any flexlight, counters, or other gadgets attached to the press.
When I change a turret, I am removing not only the powder measure but the accessories that go with it. There is the "riser", which allows the measure to stand taller than the other die stations, and the "swivel adapter", which allows the measure to be centered over the die cluster and not sweep the perimeter while the turret rotates. It then does not interfere with the primer assembly nor any flexlight, counters, or other gadgets attached to the press.
joecil
Member
Actually RealGun I have a powder measure mounted on each set of dies in a turret most of which are the Lee Pro Powder measure however for my 45-70 I have a Lee Perfect Powder measure mounted on the powder through die. It takes about 1 minute to change calibers by changing turret, shell holder and primer size if needed. Load it with powder and ready to go. Now if you have to add a powder measure that would take about another minute at most as you just screw it into the extension on the die or leave the extension and powder measure as one piece.
RealGun
Member
You still have to calibrate a powder drop, if it's not dedicated to a turret.
I have 7 other presses, two pro1000, one loadmaster (all three crap), two spar T's, an all American turret, and a Rockchucker. The turret is my go to when I need a box or two, or to load a few for a test. I have six turrets set up for 9mm, 38, 357, 45 apc and ar, and 45 colt. Three have their own powder measures. I like it. No gimmicks, I put the primers in manually.
RustyFN
Member
I think it's a great press. I have been using one for around seven years. The powder measure works good. You are held to what the cavities will throw but they can be modified. From my experience the pro auto disk measure will throw consistent charges all day long. I load 9mm, 38/357 and 45 auto for pistol with Titegroup, Bullseye, HS-6 and WST and all of those powders throw very consistent.
When changing calibers or changing bullet weight, I have all the dies in their own turret. Changing takes less than 5 minutes.
As to changing the Deluxe Powder disc, that takes a whole 1 minute more. I write down the disc used for every powder weight charge/powder I use. I write it on the box label. So there is no messing around trying to find the correct weight all over again, I keep dummy rounds labeled to set the seating dies.
As to changing the Deluxe Powder disc, that takes a whole 1 minute more. I write down the disc used for every powder weight charge/powder I use. I write it on the box label. So there is no messing around trying to find the correct weight all over again, I keep dummy rounds labeled to set the seating dies.
1SOW
Member
The Cast turret press is the best bang-for-the-buck out there. For pistol loaders who don't need over 250 rds/week it's ideal.
There is a learning curve, especially for powder drops and on-press priming. Once learned, they both run smoothly.
JMO based on experience with both types: The "Pro-Powder Disc system" is well worth the extra money for both the convenience and durability/reliability.
The Lee scale is very accurate, but eventually becomes irritatingly slow to set up. A 505 or Dillon OHaus beam scale will eventually be seen as a good investment.
A dedicated "light" is needed to shine into the empty cases and critical for both loader and pistol safety---mainly to VIEW EVERY POWDER DROP. Many versions are shown here on the forum.
Oh yes, the little square plastic ratchet. Once you resort to using the press correctly, the ratchet will last for 10K rds or more---it's 50 cents. At first, having a few might be a good $2.00 investment.
There is a learning curve, especially for powder drops and on-press priming. Once learned, they both run smoothly.
JMO based on experience with both types: The "Pro-Powder Disc system" is well worth the extra money for both the convenience and durability/reliability.
The Lee scale is very accurate, but eventually becomes irritatingly slow to set up. A 505 or Dillon OHaus beam scale will eventually be seen as a good investment.
A dedicated "light" is needed to shine into the empty cases and critical for both loader and pistol safety---mainly to VIEW EVERY POWDER DROP. Many versions are shown here on the forum.
Oh yes, the little square plastic ratchet. Once you resort to using the press correctly, the ratchet will last for 10K rds or more---it's 50 cents. At first, having a few might be a good $2.00 investment.
I've used that powder measure for .380, .38 spcl, .357, .41 mag, 10mm, 44 mag, 44 spcl, 45 colt, and tons of .45 ACP...it's a good piece of gear.
The powder measure i have is the one with the discs. Do I wish I could fine tune it a little better...yeah...but it's really not a big deal. I keep a notebook with load data so I know exactly which disc to use for a specific charge weight for each powder I use. (they provide a chart but it's always wrong...close in many cases...but wrong.)
oldreloader
Member
I'm well satisfied with mine!
Lennyjoe
Member
Mine has served me well. The indexer doesn't work so I turn manually. Would be nice to have extras like primer feeder, case and bullet feeders too but that stuff costs $$.
Quilbilly74
Member
Lee classic turret
I just don't think you can really go wrong with the Lee classic. I just love mine. Didn't buy the kit though. Been using corn flake IMR-800x for powder so I have to hand weigh each charge but I don't mind. I just need a couple more four hole plates which are around $13 from Lee. Cheap enough for me!
I just don't think you can really go wrong with the Lee classic. I just love mine. Didn't buy the kit though. Been using corn flake IMR-800x for powder so I have to hand weigh each charge but I don't mind. I just need a couple more four hole plates which are around $13 from Lee. Cheap enough for me!
under_dawg
Member
I don't want to repeat the stuff above, but I have had the LCT for severl years and love it. I would add that I was hesitant to try try the Adjustable Charge Bar, but once I tried one, I bought an Adjustable Charge Bar for every turret. It really helps dial in your charge and you don't have to take the powder hopper off to change discks. I have the double disk kit as well, but wish I would have bought the charge bar from the get go. As far as the little square ratchet goes, always lower the handle (raise the ram above 1/2 way) when you are changing turrets or removing the indexing rod, and never short stroke (don't go half way and lower the ram again) and you will not have any problems with it. Make sure your rythem is consistant and the LCT will serve you well.
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