single stage or turret?

[gibson_es]

i was going to pull the trigger on the lee 50th anni single stage kit. but i started looking into the turret press and seen the kit is only $20 more, however, it has a few things "missing" compared to the other kit, i may have over looked something, but it seems to be to me, that its mainly the primer system and the resizing lube (it also doesnt come with a powder funnel, but i assume its because of the auto-disk system, it doesnt need it) is there anything im over looking?

also, the auto-disk set up, im not too sure about, it seems to me, based on the loads in the lee 2nd edition manual i was looking at, that your not able to dictate the precise amount of grains going into each load, that its a pre-determined number based on the auto-disk setting you use, and so your not getting very "custom" rounds made, this may be nice at first, as i have never reloaded before, but it seems that i would soon be displeased, at least once i start reloading for my rifles. i am starting with 9mm luger and for that, i dont care too much, just want them to shoot. any thoughts on the difference between the perfect powder measure i would get with the single stage vs the auto-disk that comes with the turret?

another question is, if i do not get the primer system now (i dont want to get a hand primer to start with, i want the one that you attach to the machine its self) is there a way to prime with the turret alone? because i would have to also purchase a riser for the powder measure, and i would like to spend that $40 on powder and get the priming system and riser later if possible.

please, no posts advising to go with a different brand, if i had the money to go with RCBS, Hornady, or Dillion i would do so, i dont, so im going with LEE. Thanks.

 

[WestKentucky]

Nothing wrong with lee. I would suggest starting with single stage to learn on then move up to the turret. If you go with a turret you could use it without the auto disk and simply hand charge as you would in a single stage.

 

[gibson_es]

i figured going with the turret i could always turn the auto-indexing off and use it as single stage... as for hand charging, could you elaborate?

 

[ddgarcia05]

Turret. I bought a single stage and after only two weeks I want a turret press.

 

[119er]

I have never owned a turret and can't speak directly about Lee presses, but I say go turret. Like you said, a turret can be used as a single stage to learn. With pistol rounds it will be much more efficient. I started single stage then went progressive. They both have their uses, just depends on how much you shoot and how much time you can devote to reloading.

 

[Dave Dembinski]

I use the Lee turret press and like it quite a bit. Removed the auto-indexing washer after about half an hour and don't miss it. The thing I like about a turret as opposed to single stage is I can set up all my dies for a caliber and I don't have to touch them again unless I want to fool with the bullet seating or something like that. With a single stage you're removing/installing for each operation.

Also, it comes with these to prime on the press. Works just fine.

 

[KansasSasquatch]

Go turret and forget about kits. Many times you can piece together a complete setup for the same or slightly more money, and get better equipment. The Lee scale is something most people quickly upgrade. It's supposed to be as accurate as any but more of a pain to use.

 

[rchery59]

Go turret and forget about kits. Many times you can piece together a complete setup for the same or slightly more money, and get better equipment. The Lee scale is something most people quickly upgrade. It's supposed to be as accurate as any but more of a pain to use.

Good advice, the turret is a great value. The scale is a bit of a pain but still accurate.
I bought a kit 2 years ago. No regrets. The classic turret is great.

 

[ch84]

Both I like a single better for rifle an turret for pistol.

 

[Rule3]

Get the CLASSIC turret (cast)

Take out the turret rod and it's a single stage.

Throw away the scale and buy a good balance beam scale , dies and a better manual and you will ready to go.

Might what a few more turret plates for other calibers

You must have this riser to use the powder measure with the on press priming unit.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/114080/lee-auto-disk-powder-measure-riser?cm_vc=OBv1114080

http://www.natchezss.com/product.cfm?contentID=productDetail&prodID=LEE90304

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/785993/lee-classic-4-hole-turret-press-deluxe-kit

 

[kcofohio]

I'd order the micrometer adjustable charge bar. It will give you better control of the amount of your powder throw. It replaces the disc. $6-10.

 

[cfullgraf]

If you get seriously into reloading, a single stage press is good to have around. It does some specialized tasks better than a turret or progressive.

Personally, I cannot see any advantage to a turret press although the Lee turret with the auto index does offer some advantages.

Lee presses and dies work well. Some of Lee's auxiliary equipment leave something to be desired or is a pain to operate.

 

[CraigC]

The turret has all the advantages of a single stage with the added advantage of being faster.

 

[RussellC]

I use both. There are a few things the single does better. One is using the CH-
D4 swage unit. It is handy to have both. I also use a Hand press for certain jobs, or utilizing its easy portability.

I like having brass around that is cleaned, decapped, sized, trimmed (if required) and primed, ready to go. This gives me several jobs that I had rather do on the single, especially items that I have fitted with a Lee Breech lock bushings, they will have to be removed before they can be screwed into the turret's holes. Like decapping, I do that first on all brass with a universal decapper, then clean it prior tp sizing and so forth.

Another thing I usually do on the single is if I am sizing and priming brass to store and load later. I just need the sizer die and the safety prime hooked up to the press....ram goes up to size, ram comes down to prime, next one. If I am going full on and loading them then, I would definitely be using the Turret press, that is where it shines.

Russellc

 

[trigga]

i have the lee 50th anniversary kit as my first kit. a few months later i got the classic turret kit. for what it is i wish i would've went with the turret kit in the first place. The price has gone up a bit since i bought mines ($184) from titan but they have specials once in a while. Midway also has good pricing from time to time. Shop around and you will not regret it.

http://www.titanreloading.com/kits/lee-classic-cast-turret-press-kit

 

[trigga]

i still use the single stage too for resize and deprime as i wet tumble. sometimes even prime on the single stage press.

 

[MILLERTIME]

Another vote for the classic turret cast. I got the kit and not sorry. Like any hobby you'll be collecting reloading accessories from now on to upgrade this or that. You won't be sorry you got the turret setup tho.

 

[shooter1]

The Classic Turret for sure! I keep mine on the bench next to my Dillon 650. I consider it essential for load development and small batches of lower volume calibers. There is NO good reason to start with a single stage. The turret does everything a SS does, and is capable of decent production volume if needed.
Str1

 

[Dudedog]

Get the turrent you won't regret it. You can always remove the auto index. With the turrent you don't have to change dies. If you buy extra plates (about $13) you don't have to deal with changing dies if you change calibers. I bought just the standard turret (don't think they made the classic then) and I have loaded thousands (15+ thousand) and it's still going strong. However now I do think I would spend the extra money to get the classic. The adjustable charge bar is ok but it has issues at smaller charge sizes. (smaller VMD not weight) due to the shape. You can take a disk with a larger size opening than you need and drill the side and put a machine screw in to adjust as well. (threads on this site on this). The Lee scale is OK but slow, gave mine away because I already hade a RCBS 505. Bought a Frankford Arsnel digital and like it ok, I use the digital most of the time because it is much faster. (make sure batteries are fresh)

I use my turret for .32 SW long, 9Mak, 9 Luger, .38/.357, .45 APC, .223 and have also done some 7mm Rem mag on it.

I like to prime using a Lee hand primer because it lets me feel when the primer pockets are getting loose easier than when priming on the press. I reload the 9mm until the pockets get loose or the case mouths split. Most go due to loose pockets.

 

[gibson_es]

im pushing it to get a turret period, not sure i can affor the extra, extra (if you follow me) for the classic. i would like it of coarse, but im working this on a tight budget. thanks so far guys for the input!

 

[Dudedog]

No regrets with my standard turret press. I actually removed the auto index, when I stripped the little plastic piece that casues it to rotate (my fault, order some spares when you order the press, cheap) I got the spares put never put the index back on as I decided I don't mind rotateing turrent by hand. As an FYI but some lube on the rotating plate the dies screw into where it contacts the press. Gun oil/motor oil/Triflow etc.

Everyone goes on about the classic but seem to foget it is more$ than the Standard (non classic) press.
I would be interested to hear feed back from other who own this press as opposed to the classic.
I had a single stage buit the turrent is so much faster, at the time I only had room for one press so I gave the single stage to a friend.

If you can swing for it you will be happy you bought the turrent down the road, and if money is tight upgrading soon is not an option.

 

[frankenstein406]

Turret

 

[TooManyToys]

Titan Reloading has the whole Lee Classic turret package for under $200.
Once you get the classic turret, you will never find yourself wishing you had bought a single stage press.

 

[fiftybmg]

The Classic Turret for sure! I keep mine on the bench next to my Dillon 650. I consider it essential for load development and small batches of lower volume calibers. There is NO good reason to start with a single stage. The turret does everything a SS does, and is capable of decent production volume if needed.
Str1

+1

I bought a Lee classic turret and removed the indexer for loading only rifle. It has more clearance than my Rockchucker.

 

[OrangePwrx9]

I like the turret, but there's one aspect of the single-stage press that does a lot to advance reloading safety.

Typically the single-stage user performs the various reloading steps batch-style working to and from a loading block. After decapping, sizing, priming and neck expanding, the next step is charging. Dropping powder into each case in the batch and putting them all in a loading block offers a great opportunity to eyeball the charge in each case and compare it to the rest. Overcharges and undercharges are quickly apparent and easy to catch. This can save a lot of grief down the road.

You can do this on a turret press if you interrupt the sequence after charging and put the charged cases in a block; but it kind of messes up the flow on a turret and decreases productivity quite a bit.

I make an attempt to get around this shortcoming when I load on a LCT. One hole in the 4-hole turret is left empty; the one ahead of the seater. I raise the charged case into this empty hole and eyeball the powder charge before placing the bullet for seating. Not as good as the loading block comparison, but better than nothing.