Lee Turret Presses

[Sid]

Hi guys,
I have been reloading for many years and use an RCBS Rockchucker. I load for pistols and M1 carbine. Lately I have been thinking of switching over to a turret press to speed up the process. I have heard mixed opinions on the Lee Turret presses. Some fellows seem to love them while others tell me that they just use them as a single stage press. I would like to hear what guys on this forum think about them. I am not interested in Dillon equipment because I want to contain cost. TIA

Information

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[FW!]

I have the Lee 3 hole turret press, use it most of the time. I have the 4 hole conversion but havn't installed. The larger calibers I size with the single stage (Redding Boss), then use the Lee to finish with. I put the powder through die in the first hole, seating die in the second hole, & factory crimp in the third

[Kirk]

I have used both the Lee Pro 1000 & the new Classic Turret presses and prefer the Classic. I've never used any other brand of progressive press so I don't have a basis for comparison.

The Pro 1000 has a rotating base plate & stationary dies; the turret is the opposite. It has a standard ram & the dies rotate in the turret. Cases sometimes became misaligned on the Pro 1000 and had to be positioned under a die but this was not a big problem. The rate of production is higher than the Turret press but not significantly. Having just one case being loaded at a time works better for me. Either press does a good job. Both accomodate the Lee powder measure & it gives first class performance. Powder throws are accutate (I used the adjustable chamber rather than the dics) and consistent. Both have 4-hole turrets. A die change on the Classic Turret press is much quicker. If your second set of dies are already in another turret, It takes about 10 seconds to switch dies & shell holders. Ditto for the Pro 1000 - as long as the two cartridges use the same shell holder size (like switching from .38 Spl to Mag) If you have to switch from .45 ACP to .38 Spl, then you have to switch the entire base plate. The base plate mechanism is expensive so I had just one & changed the shell holder plate whne I changed calibers. That takes me 15-20 minutes & was the main reason I bout the Classic Turret. Changing base plates was such a pain that I left it in 1 caliber for 10 years & did all others on a single stage press. It's a snap to change calibers on the Classic Turret & I've done it several times in the 2 months I've owned the press (more times than in the last 10 years)

Finally the Pro 1000 can only do pistol cases plus rifle cases shorter than the .223 or 7.62 x 39. No .308s, etc. The Classic Turret will load .30-06s progressively.

[DiverseDave]

SID,
Check out the feedback posted on Midway's site about Lee's Classic Turret Press. (This is the newer, all cast iron model )
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=814175

I think you will find the kind of feedback you are looking for.
If you scroll down a ways you will find postings from 2009.

After reading it myself,. it looks like a very good choice!

[Sid]

Hi guys,
Thanks for the help. I just ordered one.
Sid

[DiverseDave]

Hi Sid,
Looks like a good choice!
Who did you order it from? Are they still back ordered,... Any Idea how long will it take to get one?

[dabsond]

I started using one about a year ago. You will like it.

[Sid]

Hi Dave,
I ordered it from Widener's. They have them in stock for only $80.00! You can't beat that price. I also ordered the Auto-Disk Powder Measure, Pro model, the Micro Disk kit and a few other things from them. Unfortunately they did not have all the other needed accessories and neither did any other on line supplier that I checked. I'm talking about things like the Lee Safety Prime Tool, certain calibers of expander dies, etc. So I had to order these from Lee Precision and pay full price. But this did not amount to all that much and the major cost is the press itself. I can't wait to get it and start using it.
Sid

[Rick from Kali]

this is the best deal on theclassic turret. get the upgrade kit, well worth the $22.00

Kempf Kit w/ Classic Turret Press - Kempf Gun Shop

Rick