New turret press under development with 3/4/5/6 configuration turrets

9mmepiphany said:
I'm pretty sure that would be their targeted audience.

I highly doubt that they expect current Classic Cast Turret users to dump what they have and start over with the new turrets, but the new turrets would offer new users a lot more options depending on what they intend to load.

I really liked that they showed the older turrets next to the newer models so folks could see a size comparison...especially the tool head size
Click to expand...
I know I won’t dump my Classic cast turret I have 10 calibers on 10 turrets so all I have to do is swap turrets between my LCT and my 28 year old Red Base Turret press which is on its very last leg. I have noticed that the current Value Turret press is on sale at quite a few places , last night I ordered one from Titan Reloading for $106.00 plus 2 extra primer arms, i was going to wait for the new Ultimate one but I am retired and don’t need to load all that fast and I couldn’t pass this one up for the price.
 
LV Gun said:
I know I won’t dump my Classic cast turret I have 10 calibers on 10 turrets so all I have to do is swap turrets between my LCT and my 28 year old Red Base Turret press which is on its very last leg. I have noticed that the current Value Turret press is on sale at quite a few places , last night I ordered one from Titan Reloading for $106.00 plus 2 extra primer arms, i was going to wait for the new Ultimate one but I am retired and don’t need to load all that fast and I couldn’t pass this one up for the price.
Click to expand...
Just because Dillon released 750 doesn't mean one has to ditch the 550/650 they are familiar with. Just because Frankford Arsenal released a 10 station press doesn't mean users of Hornady/Dillon/Lee presses now have to buy a new press because of "10 stations".

If you are familiar with your current presses, there's no need to upgrade/buy a new press.

This thread is for those looking for a new turret press with 3/4/5/6 configuration swap-able turrets with additional features. Part of it could be my fault when I sent Lee Precision long list of things to fix/address/upgrade on existing product lines and challenged to include on new product lines with focus on end user/customer needs and wants.

It's good to have options.
 
LiveLife said:
Just because Dillon released 750 doesn't mean one has to ditch the 550/650 they are familiar with. Just because Frankford Arsenal released a 10 station press doesn't mean users of Hornady/Dillon/Lee presses now have to buy a new press because of "10 stations".

If you are familiar with your current presses, there's no need to upgrade/buy a new press.

This thread is for those looking for a new turret press with 3/4/5/6 configuration swap-able turrets with additional features. Part of it could be my fault when I sent Lee Precision long list of things to fix/address/upgrade on existing product lines and challenged to include on new product lines with focus on end user/customer needs and wants.

It's good to have options.
Click to expand...
If I didn’t have 10 calibers setup on my current presses I would definitely get the new ultimate press I really like what it is capable of doing and a lot of the new features it has . I like the fact that you challenged them and they delivered.
 
What I like about the "new" leadership at Lee Precision, is that they are (he is) not afraid to branch out a bit. The company is much more responsive to customer wants than it was 15 years ago.

It appears that the late Richard Lee (RIP) isn't the only inventor in the family.
 
Question on the new turret press.
Do you have to take the top off the press to change the turrets? The 4 hole Classic Cast press used drop in turrets, I don't see any way of dropping these in.
Looks like someone would have to unbolt the top of the press everytime to change turrets.
That would take away all the convenience of the original 4 hole Classic Cast press.
Am I looking at this picture wrong?
1707565905866.png
 
KnightHawk said:
Using the LCT press is a big step up from a single stage.
I looked into getting progressive presses and years ago did buy a Hornady progressive which I unboxed read the instructions, looked at the cost to change calibers and repackaged the Hornady and sold it. I can change calibers for a $10 turret and a $5 shell holder. I have my LCT press set up exactly like Irishlad with the little Dandy and that changes out easily with my Lyman 55 and RCBS UniFlo which are mounted on RCBS powder stands. Two wing nuts and pop in the other powder measure.


View attachment 1192493
I might load 200 38’s or 44 SPL’s which only takes 1 hour 20 minutes. Everything else is smaller batches. I load for 30 calibers, 19 of which are already set up on turrets.
Can’t afford to do progressive press for all that. More accurately no need.
Click to expand...
I love this powder drop setup........
 
tightgroup tiger said:
Do you have to take the top off the press to change the turrets?
Click to expand...
It certainly looks that way, but I would think that Lee has a reasonably quick and easy way to change the turrets. On the other hand, that may be why the turrets have the Breechlock bushing system, so the turret doesn't have to be changed unless going from 4 holes to 5, etc....

chris
 
The new turret press will be my next reloading purchase. I currently load 9mm on the Lee Six Pack Pro and it is a bit of a hassle to change calibers. I'm already invested into Lee's breech lock bushing system, so might as well dive in. Its also nice that I can store my dies in their die box instead of having to store multiple large turret heads.
 
tightgroup tiger said:
I'm sure it's not hard to change and they have a good reason for doing it that way. It's just odd not to see the old tried and true quick change system.
Click to expand...
I'm guessing the turret loads/installs from under the top plate of the press, with some kind of latch to whole it into place.
The force of the cases entering the dies would push the turret up squarely against the top plate for a positive stop.
just spit balling here,
.
 
Last edited:
Hooda Thunkit said:
I'm thinking the turret is not designed to be a quick change at all. That's what the breech-lock bushings do.

Pop the dies in and out, not the turret head.
Click to expand...
That is how I'm leaning also. The trade off is consistency in the placement of the dies, both vertically and laterally

It is much easier to store dies in the bushings than to store loaded turrets. You'll also be able to use the same dies in different turrets depending on your loading process
 
Hooda Thunkit said:
This was my comment earlier in this thread. It seems that Lee is trending towards being a company that sells breech-lock bushings.

It is very expensive to switch over to the new system. Buying dozens of the bushings is simply not going to happen for me.
Click to expand...
Not at all, with the smart lock bushings you pop the oring out with a knife or pick, leave the bushing installed in the press and you can use any brand of die with any kind of lock ring. It's like any old fashion press thread the dies in and out. Lee has a limited number of die sets with the quick change bushings already installed. So if your starting out simply buy the dies with the bushings already installed. If you are cheap and have a bunch of dies simply thread them in and out like old time. Some people like revolvers and some like pistols.
 
R44 flyer said:
Not at all, with the smart lock bushings you pop the oring out with a knife or pick, leave the bushing installed in the press and you can use any brand of die with any kind of lock ring. It's like any old fashion press thread the dies in and out. Lee has a limited number of die sets with the quick change bushings already installed. So if your starting out simply buy the dies with the bushings already installed. If you are cheap and have a bunch of dies simply thread them in and out like old time. Some people like revolvers and some like pistols.
Click to expand...
My point was that I can pop out the fully loaded turret, with the dies still set.
I can pop in another fully loaded turret for a different cartridge, with the dies already set.

Screwing dies in and out individually is 1980s tech.

It appears Lee is transitioning from replaceable turrets into the (apparently Lee-only) bushings. It's going to be very expensive for folks like me - already invested in the current system - to move to a new Lee press.
To achieve similar convenience, I will need to purchase dozens of bushings. And, re-set all my dies, the dies that are perfectly set now.

Am I being petty? Perhaps. But I feel abandoned by Lee.

It will stop me from embracing new (and hopefully better) Lee press.
 
9mmepiphany said:
Likely no more abandoned than folks dealing with advancement of music they bought on vinyl, than cassette tapes, then CDs, then MP3, and currently downloading on their phones
Click to expand...
I dubbed my vinyl to cassettes.
And later used a machine capable of ripping cassettes to digital.
CDs are already digital, easily ripped to any memory.
Once digital, it matters not onto what device it's played.

And, will Lee Breech-lock bushings work on another press? Say, a Hornady?
Or is the Lee Breech-lock bushing a proprietary system?

Once invested in a Lee Breech-lock system is one then "locked" into Lee presses?

I'm sceptical about the whole concept.
 
I load on a Hornady LNL single stage which uses their bushing system. I love it for the ease and simplicity of die changes, but the bushings can get expensive. I started out with it and bought a few bushings here and there, so never really noticed the expense, but if I were starting over and had to buy bushings for every die I use that would be a real consideration cost wise.

I wonder if Lee has taken that route, sell the press which needs bushings, and then have continued sales of the bushings. Turrets may or may not be cheaper to buy, but might cost more to manufacture, meaning less profit. Not bashing Lee, or Hornady for that matter, just a couple of thoughts.

chris
 
9mmepiphany said:
Hooda Thunkit said:
I'm thinking the turret is not designed to be a quick change at all. That's what the breech-lock bushings do ... Pop the dies in and out, not the turret head.
Click to expand...
That is how I'm leaning also. The trade off is consistency in the placement of the dies, both vertically and laterally ... It is much easier to store dies in the bushings than to store loaded turrets. You'll also be able to use the same dies in different turrets depending on your loading process
Click to expand...
Tilos said:
Looks like the turret has a retaining ring on top.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the pdf.

UTPturret.png

Hooda Thunkit said:
will Lee Breech-lock bushings work on another press? Say, a Hornady?
Or is the Lee Breech-lock bushing a proprietary system?
Click to expand...
No and yes.

Actually, Lee Precision owns the patent for the spline drive breech lock bushing - https://patents.justia.com/patent/8234963

System and method for mounting dies on a press - "... invention comprises a specifically designed press with a socket that is adapted to receive an adapter for mounting a conventionally threaded die."​
Patent number: 8234963​
Type: Grant​
Filed: Aug 13, 2008​
Date of Patent: Aug 7, 2012​
Patent Publication Number: 20100037758​
Assignee: Lee Precision, Inc. (Hartford, WI)​
Inventor: Richard J. Lee (Hartford, WI)​
Attorney: Philip J. Lee​
 
Last edited:
I like the part where it said if money is a concern you can install the bushing and then thread the dies in and out like a normal press. Interesting but kind of defeats the quick install concept.

I don't think the cost of the bushings will be a concern to someone just starting out. Buy a set of dies and buy a set of bushings, done. But for someone switching presses and loading a lot of different calibers, the bushings would be a potentially large up front expense.

I do like the idea of having what is essentially a progressive press with the option of 3,4,5, or 6 holes to suit your needs. The downside is it still takes a stroke for each operation for each piece of brass, unlike a progressive which gives you two finished rounds in five or six strokes, or 1K rounds in 1004 strokes vs. 4K.

chris
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

L
  • Locked
3 hole turret for Lee press
Replies
13
Views
1K
BHump
B
J
  • Locked
converting Lee 4 hole turret press to 3 hole
Replies
6
Views
2K
Dunross
Dunross
G
  • Locked
Lee Turret Press 3 to 4 hole conversion
Replies
9
Views
2K
The Bushmaster
The Bushmaster
kmw1954
  • Locked
Lee Value Turret press
Replies
3
Views
353
kcofohio
kcofohio
B
  • Locked
modern turret presses
Replies
8
Views
534
benedict1
B
Back
Top