Lee Turret Setup cost.. alternatives?

[Floppy_D]

Evening all,
I've been reloading for about 2 years now, mostly on a Lee Classic Cast single stage, for .40, 9mm, .357, .38, .308, .223, and .45, in order of what I do the most to the least.

I shoot around 1000 rounds a month, and am looking to up my production a little. I am torn between the Lee Classic Turret and the various progressives that Lee offers. I know there are 900 posts on this, but what I'm looking for is reliability, followed by cost, then space required, followed by speed of production.

The bulk of my shooting is 15yd plinking with a P229 in 40, if that helps.

Shoud I stick with the classic, or is it worth rolling into a turret or progressive, and what is the total cost for the Lee version of either, including necessary knicknacks?

Last, if you have a low opinion of any of the above, and have a good reason why, please share.

Thanks all,
Pat

 

[jfh]

Based on my return to reloading experiences this year, I have made the following observations:

1. The Classic Cast Turret will load about 180-200 rounds an hour once you have it figured out. There is really only one minor problem that seems to show up on Lee Turrets (the index ratchet), and that is easily fixed / maintained once you understand how the press works.

2. There is no doubt that the Load-Master can easily load 300-400 rounds an hour when properly setup--but there is a learning curve to it. Fortunately, there is all sorts of help in getting it set up properly, including superb videos on youtube and at the Lee site.

3. The 4-die setup on the Classic Cast / update option for the standard turret is a genuine step forward. I'm guessing that Lee will be doing a progressive update to the Classic Cast Turret, just as they did twenty years ago to create the Pro 1000 from the standard turret.

4. I see no reason to consider the Pro 1000--and I own one. The 4-die setup is a big enough advancement, and the Classic Cast Turret a noticably better-made product that, unless I just wanted club competition-level fodder for IPSC-like .45ACP / .40 / 10mm, there is no reason to use a three-die setup.

So, for the last six months I have updated both a standard turret and re-setup a Load-Master. I've been involved mostly with load development, so far and away the most reloading has been done on the Turret--about 5000 rounds, I think, mostly in ten-round or twenty-round increments. The Load-Master is "ready to go" for the production fodder, once I get my primary development project out of the way.

One factor for me in which machine to use is that I have a "sore shoulder"--and I am looking forward to producing one cartridge with one stroke as opposed to four strokes. But, it makes no sense to try to do load development on any progressive.

So, one way to look at this would be to talk about your reloading time--with the Turret, even including caliber changeovers, you might spend about six to eight hours a month at the machine, if you have enough measures and the dies set up in turrets. On the Load-Master, you might cut that in half, if you're just doing production ammo. Both machines will do your rifle rounds easily, so that really isn't an issue.

With all this in mind, I'd recommend staying with the Classic Cast Turret. Then, in the not-too-distant future when a Classic Cast Progressive becomes available you can bolt one down next to the Classic Cast Turret and have the benefits of single / turret / progressive presses with ultimate interchangability.

Jim H.

 

[RustyFN]

I agree with Jim. The classic turret is a great press. The thing I like most about the CT is that you don't have the primimg problems that you read about the progressives having. The safety prime on my classic has been flawless. It is also very fast, easy and inexpensive to change calibers including primer size. If 200 RPH will work for you then you can't buy a better press IMO.
Rusty

 

[Phil A]

what I'm looking for is reliability, followed by cost, then space required, followed by speed of production.

With your criteria and 7 different cartridges, the classic turret is the better choice. I use a Lee classic turret for most of my cartridges and it is simple and reliable and turrets are $8.
I have a P1000 for the .45 only. The 3 stage P1000 works fine for me with the .45 using plated or jacketed bullets. I did not have as much success with 9mm or 357 . Since the primers are gravity fed, I find that the small primers are more likely to hang up or flip over. It is not real smooth in operation so powder can fling out of the small 9mm cases. Seating and roll crimping 38 cal. cast bullets in one stage is not ideal. - Phil

 

[stubbicatt]

+1 Classic Cast Turret for all the reasons discussed above. I've owned many presses, including the LoadMaster. For pure versatility the Classic Cast is the best. I love mine.


If you are shooting 1000 rounds of the same caliber, you may find your production rate slower than you might like with the classic cast. I use a Dillon Super 1050 for the high volume stuff I like to shoot alot. Winter, when it is yucky outside, go to the garage, wick up the heater, and start cranking on the Dillon. Typically I can load all the ammo I will shoot in a year in less than half a day on the Dillon.

 

[Floppy_D]

Thanks for taking the time to reply guys, I know this is a dead horse. For right now, I have plenty of free time, so 200/hr is just fine. I think it took me and a buddy 4 hours to get 500 rounds out of a single stage, and that was with us taking turns and the press running non-stop. I've done 500 in a day before on a single stage, but it was an all-day evolution. I think the turret will make life easier. The idea of setting my dies in a plate and not screwing with them much anymore sounds wonderful, since I tend to reload for a couple calibers at a time.

Back to the latter part of this question... what exactly do I need to add to add to the Lee Classic 4 Hole to be in full swing? I see that it does not come with the safety prime, but what else?

Thanks guys,
Pat

 

[strat81]

Floppy, this should tell you everything you need to start a Turret setup:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=311065

Since you already have a press, you probably own some of the stuff already. MidwayUSA carries everything, but I bought most of my Turret stuff from www.fmreloading.com.

 

[Floppy_D]

Thanks Strat! I read that a while back, and forgot about it. Looks like all I'm missing is the safety prime and the auto powder measure. Well, and the turret.

 

[jfh]

Since you're looking at getting the Classic Turret and need to buy the powder measure(s), get the Pro "deluxe" version (or whatever it's called)--the one with the plated base. IMO that version will last much longer. And, Lee powder measures on the Turret require the Riser, so be sure you get one for each measure you buy.

Even though you are loading for Rifle as well as handgun, I think you will find the Pro / Deluxe measure will handle your handgun and .223 reloading just fine. (I am NOT an experienced Rifle reloader--all I've done so far is set up a turret / .223 package; I'm still sorting out rifle-reloading workflow.) For .308, I think charging needs to be done as batch process, unless you look into the Perfect Powder Measure and get the optional dies for turret mounting.

Although you can use the same turret and dies for both .38Spl and 357 Magnum, I do have a separate turret and die package set up for each caliber. That saves much aggravation in changing dialled-in setups.

A final tip: if the Safety Prime becomes erratic in properly dispensing a primer, there is probably a powder granule or metal shaving that has gotten into the head. Try blowing that out first, or using a swab--or simply disassemble it and clean it.

Jim H.

 

[RustyFN]

Since you already have a scale check out Kempfgunshop.com and upgrade to the Pro Auto disk and the large & small safety prime. You can get out the door for under $180.
Rusty

 

[Floppy_D]

Thanks for the heads up,
Pat

 

[Floppy_D]

It looks like I'm heading a different route. I stumbled into an upgraded Dillon 450, and can't pass it up. Pics of the new bench to follow.

 

[Floppy_D]

Hot dog, she runs! I finally got her mounted and adjusted, and cranked out 500 rounds worth of 40sw this morning. A good friend of mine got the Lee Turret for Christmas, and it's a solid rig.

 

[RustyFN]

Glad you found a deal on a press and like it, but you still owe us some pictures.
Rusty

 

[KeithB]

you will be happy with the Dillon