Whats the next press after you master the lee Lee Breech Lock

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jcerillo70

jcerillo70

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So i been reloading for a year or so now. basic pistol. 9mm/.38spl/45.acp> i got it down pat and its a wonderful hoppy that i really enjoy and it helps me relax when im stressed out.

I purchased the Lee Breech Lock Challenger Reloading Kit.
-Kit includes: Breech Lock Challenger Press, Auto Prime XR Priming Tool with a set of 11 Auto Prime Shell Holders, Perfect Powder Measure with stand, Safety Powder Scale, powder funnel, case cutter with lock stud to trim cases, an inside/outside case neck chamfer/deburring tool, primer pocket cleaner and a tube of premium resizing lube. You also get one Breech Lock Quick-Change Die Bushing.

So basiclly i have everything i need. but i think the next step is a progressive press. maybe im wrong thats why im asking the veterans. But i think its time to step up my reloading game now that i have some extra time home recovering.

The only concern would be the precision of a press mounted powder thrower vs. my rcbs scale and dispenser. but i dont know enough about that to make a true statement.

Thanks guys, as always much appriciated
 
My Lee Pro auto-disc is quite accurate so far. More consistent than my Redding, actually.

Have you considered the Lee Classic Turret? about half as fast as a true progressive (250-300rds/hour vs 500ish+) but caliber swaps are very simple, and they work very well.

I'm glad I started with the LCT... but I want a progressive already.
 
The next logical step would be a progressive set up or a turret press if a progressive is too much for the quantity of ammo you load. My Hornady LnL AP progressive came with Hornady's powder thrower and it is very consistent. I reload .45 ACP at 500 round intervals and it is within a tenth of a grain or exact every throw. As I understand it, both rcbs and Hornady's powder measures on their progressives are a similar design to their regular one. Lee changes to the autodisk which I hear can be consistent as well.

I went from a similar progression as yours, Lee anniversary to the Hornady LnL AP. Well worth the price tag to jump to the AP as it is a quality machine!
 
jcerillo70 - the Lee Classic Turret or even the deluxe turret should do you fine. I used the breech lock kit as my first as well, and quickly moved up to the deluxe turret. Like 1kperday indicates, mount a Pro auto measure on top with the adjustable charge bar, and you'll get plenty accurate throws every time. You mentioned the calibers you'll be reloading, but not the quantity. For reference purposes, it is not unusual to crank out over 150 rounds an hour on the turret, and it allows you to monitor each process step along the way. For a new reloader like me, that's important. The equipment you have can be used with the turret, and once you've set the powder dispenser up for the desired weight, you can check loads when you want on your Lee scale. I use my breechlock press as my universal decapper now.

Even though I shoot 400 to 600 rounds per week in 9mm and 45ACP, I'm not ready to jump on the progressive bandwagon... yet:)
 
Lee turret is the way to go, once you get a rythm down it works well. Down the road you may decide to go progressive and if/when you do you will be well prepared and versed in the skills needed to be successful.
 
i probably do 150 rds a nite with the breech lock. I loved the idea of a progressive press and speeding everything up so i can get everything done faster. i go through 200 rds a week, but now im not working so i have alot more range time.

But like you said, precision is my number 1 and i like too monitor everything along the way to until im done. so with that being said.
 
A Lee turret is right up your alley. It's way faster than the breech lock, and no changing dies for each step. I have a separate turret for 9mm and 45 ACP and changing from one caliber to the other is literally 3 seconds. Every 4 pulls of the handle gets you a completed round, and you'll be able to turn that 150 rounds per night into 150 rounds per hour. The other advantage I see is that set up is easy, nothing compared to some of the horror stories you read about on these forums or the feedback at Midway, etc. Lower cost while retaining high quality/Made in USA is another aspect I like about the Lee turret.
 
I'm trying to find the Lee Classic Cast Turret Press. I dont see it on midway

i only see the Lee Classic 4 Hole Turret Press
 
That's the one you want.

I'd get this kit, personally. (I did!)

https://kempfgunshop.com//index.php?...hk=1&Itemid=41
Click to expand...

I like that. I already have all the dies i need except for .223... So that works out. i get dies i need and the entire setup for $200 ;)
-----
They give you for the 223 kit

Rifle Caliber Kits include:
Lee Classic Turret Press
Lee PaceSetter Dies (3 Die set)
Lee Auto Disk Powder Measure
Lee Saftety Prime System (Large AND Small)
Lee Auto Disk Riser
Powder-Thru Rifle Charging Die
Case Lube
Double Disk Kit
Rifle kits do not include boxes

then i get the pro autodisk upgrade and a couple extra Lee 4 Hole Turret for my pistol dies

Am i missing anything?
 
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I went from a Lee kit to a LnL AP, now I spend more time with family instead of been in the garage loading up in steps.
 
Do you have the Lee die sets with their powder-through expanding die? (i.e., die #2?)--
If not, you will want those for your respective (handgun) calibers.

Be sure to get an adjustable charge bar as well. The "Pro" upgrade may include the ACB.

You can install the riser kit to the measure or to each die set--if you choose the latter, then you will want more risers.

Jim H.
 
Do you have the Lee die sets with their powder-through expanding die? (i.e., die #2?)--
If not, you will want those for your respective (handgun) calibers.

Be sure to get an adjustable charge bar as well. The "Pro" upgrade may include the ACB.

You can install the riser kit to the measure or to each die set--if you choose the latter, then you will want more risers.
Click to expand...

-I have the lee 4 piece die sets for all my pistols, so i have that covered.
-I didn't read the pro auto disk having an adjustable charge bar.Do i need that?
-I never heard of risers or latter's in reloading before until now but i don't think it come's with one as part of the kit. so id have to get that separate so i can use the primer system in conjunction
 
Another recommendation for ordering the Lee Classic Turret from Kempfs. Give 'em a call or email them and tell them what you want to do. They'll set you up with exactly what you need (and at a good price). I got mine from them a few months ago with the dies, etc to load .223, 9mm and .45 ACP. I've been averaging around 100 rounds per hour for .223 and .45. For 9mm, i've been priming before by hand and can get around 200 per hour (after primed). Suits my shooting needs fine. Here's a good link to help you get it up and running: http://www.surplusrifle.com/reviews2006/leeturretpress/index.asp
 
A few other things to consider. I would suggest getting extra turrets for each caliber you load that way you can have them set up to make quick changes between calibers.

Not sure what kind of container your dies came in, but some Lee dies come in a round plastic container. These are excellent for holding the turret with all dies installed. My dies came with rectangular boxes, so I had to order the round plastic cases. Well worth it in my opinion.

Another option that I recently did was to purchase a second Auto Disk Pro powder measure. I have one set up for pistol calibers and the second set up for rifle calibers. Just minimizes the time to switch between rifle and pistol. If you're not familiar with how the Auto Disk works, basically there are just little round disks with holes in them to measure the powder. For a small load (pistol), only one disk is required. For larger loads (rifle), you have to stack two disks on top of each other to get the correct load. When you do this, you have to install spacers in the powder measure. Not a big deal, but it does take a few minutes to swap out.

With that being said, another thing you'll need for rifle calibers (which you mentioned) is the double disk kit.

Good luck
 
My dies came in the square containers as well

i shot them an email

"Hi guys,

Im upgrading from a lee breech lock and came across your classic turret kit.

I have dies for 38/357-9mm-45acp

i dont have dies for my .223 rem/556, so it would make sense for me to order the .223 kit

I wanted to know if you could let me know everything i needed besides whats in the kit. (risers,charge bars,etc.) and any other recomendations you have. I was referred to you by my fellow friends from "Thehighroad.org"

Thank you,
Joe Cerillo"
 
There is no Lee Classic Cast Turret Press

jcerillo70 said:
I'm trying to find the Lee Classic Cast Turret Press. I dont see it on midway

i only see the Lee Classic 4 Hole Turret Press
Click to expand...
There is no Lee Classic Cast Turret Press

There is the Lee Classic Cast, which is a single stage press

There is the Lee Classic Turret, which is the cast iron turret press

There is the Lee Deluxe Turret, which is the cast aluminum turret press

Lee's naming conventions could use some improvement. The Classic Turret design is newer and better than the Deluxe Turret, for example.


I quit using my Lee Pro-1000 progressive presses (too many things going on at once for my comfort level and a lot of tinkering to keep it operating smoothly) in favor of a Lee Classic Turret. On my second time using the thing I loaded 100 rounds in 47 minutes, and that included loading the primers.

As has been pointed out already, you can do more rounds per hour on a true progressive, but the Classic Turret (or the Deluxe Turret) is amenable to continuous processing (as opposed to batch processing) and the continuous processing is quite a bit faster than batch because you don't have to insert and remove the cartridge cases multiple times.

I load seven different calibers, and caliber changes are a cheaper and quicker with the Turret.

Lost Sheep

Sue Kempf is a good person and a good person to deal with.
 
To answer your as-yet-unanswered (I think) questions:
no, you don't need an adjustable charge bar for the pro auto disc powder measure. It comes with 3 discs with varying orifices. The ACB makes it easier to fine-tune charges or find exact charges that are in between the orifice sizes of the discs. I don't have one and haven't missed it yet.

And no, the ACB doesn't come in the deluxe or upgraded kit. You need to buy it separately if you want it.

You'll need the rifle charging die if you want to load rifle rounds in your turret press. That will take the place of the powder through expander die in your pistol die sets.
 
IF you want to upgrade your realistic ammo needs and budget will dictate what to buy.

I was happily making 50-75 rounds per hour on my Lee single stage, now making 150-175 RPH at a relaxed pace on my Lee Classic turret. This more than meets MY needs at this point.

You trade $$$ for rounds per hour, regardless of make. If you want a progressive, the Lee Loadmaster is the lowest cost full featured one out there IMHO. Better than their 1000 model most postings seem to indicate.

Cons? It's not the very fine $1000 Dillon 650 setup

Pros? - it doesn't cost $1000.
 
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My E-mail back (wow that was fast)

"Hi Joe,



You are on the right track for sure. You probably will want an extra 4 hole turret for each die set ( 38, 9, 45). The riser and all charge bars are included for the calibers you are loading. I'm assuming you already have a powder scale? If you do, you will have ALL the equipment if you order the kit for 223 because it includes everything for pistol too.



Let me know if you have any other questions.



Thanks,



Sue"

1kperday-Sue says it comes with the risers & charge bars according to the email. Maybe i should order them just in case though. i would hate to be without them and have to pay shipping again.along with the double disk kit for 223
 
If she says it comes with it, believe her. I got the pistol kit so I had to order the rifle charge die separately... but the site says the rifle kit comes with the rifle charging die and the auto-disc riser. YOu should be golden. :cool:


EDIT: wow... the rifle kit comes with the double disc kit also. Even a better deal than the pistol kit, IMO.
 
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