non-Lee brand dies in Lee Turret press

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desmobob

desmobob

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I have various brands of dies for reloading handgun cartridges. If you use other than Lee brand dies on a Lee turret press, does that make it impossible to use the Auto-Drum powder measure to automatically dispense the powder charges?
 
Are you asking whether another brand of flare/expand dies will work with an auto drum, or whether you can have mixed brands of dies on an LCT?
 
ATLDave said:
Are you asking whether another brand of flare/expand dies will work with an auto drum, or whether you can have mixed brands of dies on an LCT?
Click to expand...

Whether an entire die set of another brand will work...

For example, if my .40 S&W die set is a Lyman set, I can't picture there being a way to drop the powder charge through the bullet expanding die. On the other hand, the Lyman set consists of just three dies, so I'm wondering if there's some kind of "universal" charging die that is put in the turret so the automatic powder dispenser will function.
 
Thanks for the information, folks. I appreciate it.

I scored a Lee Value Turret Press Kit (the new model with the steel base) with the Auto-Drum powder measure, scale, etc. for $119. I was a little leery making the bid (on the big auction site) as the seller had only two feedback ratings. He had three of the kits for sale. I just got the shipping notification... the item was shipped by Brownell's, who currently show them at $153.99 and out of stock. Interesting...
 
desmobob said:
Yup. They have a pair for rifle cartridges of two different length ranges, but each handgun caliber has its own specific powder-through expander die.
Click to expand...
I understand they sell them for each set but you would think they would sell a universal powder through handgun did too so that reloaders can use their on press powder measures without having to buy each separately. They just might increase their market share.
 
desmobob said:
Thanks for the information, folks. I appreciate it.

I scored a Lee Value Turret Press Kit (the new model with the steel base) with the Auto-Drum powder measure, scale, etc. for $119. I was a little leery making the bid (on the big auction site) as the seller had only two feedback ratings. He had three of the kits for sale. I just got the shipping notification... the item was shipped by Brownell's, who currently show them at $153.99 and out of stock. Interesting...
Click to expand...

This is getting more weird... the shipping notification from FedEx says it was shipped FedEx Priority Overnight.

So... I bought the kit from a new eBay seller with only two feedback ratings at a fantastic price with free standard shipping. Then, the item is shipped by Brownells, who show the kit, listed at a price thirty-five bucks higher than I paid, as out of stock on their website. And for free "standard" shipping they used FedEx Overnight.

I think I better go buy a lottery ticket...
...or stand by for some kind of fustercluck to unfold.
 
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ArchAngelCD said:
It seems Lee sells powder charge dies for rifle cartridges but not one for handgun charging.
Click to expand...

desmobob said:
Yup. They have a pair for rifle cartridges of two different length ranges, but each handgun caliber has its own specific powder-through expander die.
Click to expand...

ArchAngelCD said:
I understand they sell them for each set but you would think they would sell a universal powder through handgun did too so that reloaders can use their on press powder measures without having to buy each separately. They just might increase their market share.
Click to expand...

Rifle cartridges do not require mouth expansion for seating - such a simple “funnel die” works for rifles. Handgun cartridges need to be expanded, so you need a caliber specific powder through expander.

Lee does sell the powder through expanders individually.

They’re cheap enough, just buy an expander to leave installed with each die set in the turret head.

Lee Powder Through Expanders
 
@Varminterror,
I'm aware of what they sell, I use mostly Lee dies for my handgun loading. I was mearly saying it would be useful if they sold a handgun powder through die for those who want to use a different expander die like the Lyman M die.
 
ArchAngelCD said:
@Varminterror,
I'm aware of what they sell, I use mostly Lee dies for my handgun loading. I was mearly saying it would be useful if they sold a handgun powder through die for those who want to use a different expander die like the Lyman M die.
Click to expand...

Funny thing... if it wasn't for Lyman coming out with the "M" expander die years ago, most all my handgun dies would probably be Lee and I never would have started this thread.
 
I'm thinking you can still use your M die and adjust the Lee powder through expander die so that it doesn't expand the case mouth at all while dropping the powder. I'm not totally sure but it's seems to me it can be done, I'm just not sure the expanded case will fit into the Lee die without the flare being touched.
 
ArchAngelCD said:
@Varminterror,
I'm aware of what they sell, I use mostly Lee dies for my handgun loading. I was mearly saying it would be useful if they sold a handgun powder through die for those who want to use a different expander die like the Lyman M die.
Click to expand...

Then use their powder through expander, without screwing down far enough to create a flare....
 
ArchAngelCD said:
I'm thinking you can still use your M die and adjust the Lee powder through expander die so that it doesn't expand the case mouth at all while dropping the powder. I'm not totally sure but it's seems to me it can be done, I'm just not sure the expanded case will fit into the Lee die without the flare being touched.
Click to expand...


That’s exactly what I do. I have the M die in station 2 and drop the charge in station 3 with the powder through expanding die. Never have had any trouble that way.
 
desmobob said:
Thanks for the information, folks. I appreciate it.

I scored a Lee Value Turret Press Kit (the new model with the steel base) with the Auto-Drum powder measure, scale, etc. for $119. I was a little leery making the bid (on the big auction site) as the seller had only two feedback ratings. He had three of the kits for sale. I just got the shipping notification... the item was shipped by Brownell's, who currently show them at $153.99 and out of stock. Interesting...
Click to expand...

I had something similar happen 25+ yrs ago. It came out to be a guy using stolen CC, so nothing was out of his pocket. After it was all and done I was told to keep the product which I got for less than 1/2 price of the normal selling price.
 
The Lee Value Turret Press Kit showed up today. It was shipped via overnight FedEx (the auction details said free standard shipping) directly from Brownell's. It was a brand new kit, latest model, sealed in perfect factory packaging from Lee and had an invoice from Brownells for their normal selling price.

I got the new steel-base turret press, Auto-Drum powder measure, Safety Scale, case trimmer & lock stud, and primer pocket conditioner tool for $119 with overnight shipping! This is a great price and the kit is a nice upgrade from the older kit where the press had a magnesium base and came with the Auto-Disk powder measure. I am very pleased so far.
 
Set it up and post a pic. Congrats on your purchase. I like the entire Lee system for pistol loading. I even use the Lee Pro 20 lead pot and Lee bullet molds and Lee bullet sizers and Lee Classic Turret press and Lee dies and Lee Auto Drum or Lee Dipper Cups. I use the Lee Taper Crimp Die for handguns. I have to admit I prefer my RCBS Dial-O-Grain scale and I prime off press with the old style RCBS bench mount priming tools, but all else is Lee.

Like I said, I like the Lee ... s y s t e m. It's well thought out at all levels and it turns out beautiful ammo.
 
I unpacked everything and mounted the press to my bench. My only gripe is that the fine adjustment part of the Lee Safety Powder Scale is a challenge to read. I need younger eyes! ;)

I'll stick with my trusty old RCBS scale, but it's nice to have the Lee as a backup or second scale to keep preset.

My 9mm powder-through expanding die should arrive tomorrow and I'll load some ammo to get acquainted with the turret press.
 
desmobob said:
The Lee Value Turret Press Kit showed up today. . It was a brand new kit, latest model, sealed in perfect factory packaging from Lee and had an invoice from Brownells for their normal selling price.

I got the new steel-base turret press, Auto-Drum powder measure, Safety Scale, case trimmer & lock stud, and primer pocket conditioner tool for $119 with overnight shipping! This is a great price and the kit is a nice upgrade from the older kit where the press had a magnesium base and came with the Auto-Disk powder measure. I am very pleased so far.
Click to expand...

I think you will like this new press and yes you got it for a bargain.
When Lee released this press last year I fought with myself for months going back and forth between this new Value press and the Auto Breech Lock Pro because I needed a four station press for the FCD. I finally went with the ABLP over the Value press because I already had a Pro1000 and like the speed of the progressive and I also have an old 3 hole Value Press that serves very well. Though I am now thinking of passing along my 3 hole press to our new SIL and getting the new 4 hole Value to replace it.
 
I've been using a pair of single-stage presses for over thirty years. This new turret press will feel like the cutting edge of high-volume reloading technology to me. ;)

Well... not really; I've had a MEC 9000G for almost that long. But the turret should be a nice advance in convenience in my metallic cartridge reloading. I'm hoping to find out this evening, provided my powder-through expanding die shows up in the mail today.
 
One last note on this weird purchase experience: I was just on my "My eBay" page to look at something and I noticed that the little thumbnail photo of the turret press kit in my "Orders" section is gone. Even the title of the item is gone. Here is the note in that item section:
"We removed this listing from the site. For more information and next steps go to Messages. For information about delivery, view your order details."
I looked in my messages but found nothing new. Now, I'm really curious!

Also, I clicked on the link to the right for "more actions" and there was a link to "View PayPal transaction". I clicked it and brought up an error page: "Oops. That page doesn't exist."

I checked with PayPal and all is well there... I was charged the correct amount. Next, I called eBay. They said the listing was removed because the seller violated eBay policy but I still was covered if I needed to make a return, etc.

Looks like I lucked out and got a good deal and free overnight shipping.
 
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