Lee Turret Press

gbrading1974 · May 13, 2001, 08:37 AM

Does anyone use the Lee turret press, or having any experience with one? I'm thinking of starting with this one, and would like to know.

Hal · May 13, 2001, 09:27 AM

Yes.
Own one.
Use one.
Have since they were first intorduced. I've erroneosly(sp) stated to have bought mine 25 years ago, but they weren't made that long ago. (I got hitched agin in '81 and don't remember groveling and swearing to never again ask for anything or any of that other degrading, distasteful but necessary stuff

) Mine's the original one that came in a wooden carry/storage/mounting base case. So far very few problems with it in the thousands of rounds it's turned out. When it finally does break, I'll move on to a Dillon. If you work within the limitations of the product you'll enjoy it for years. It's cheaply made, but gets the job done for plinking ammo. I limit mine to handgun loads and don't try to force the longer rifle cases through it.

Get ready for an outburst of Lee is junk comments. I agree, Lee is junk compared to other equipment that costs 2 or 3 times more money. Yes. You do get what you pay for. Again, I agree. Lee is light use equipment,,period. Mine does show a lot of strain resizing .44mag cases, but breezes through 9mm, .45acp, .38sp and .45LC.

Coolray · May 13, 2001, 01:17 PM

I have been using my Auto-Index Lee turret press(3 hole) for over a year with no problems. I load .44spl,9mm .45ACP and .38/357. I have not tried large caliber rifles. I will be doing some .308 in the near future. The auto-index works great,I use mine with the Auto-Disk powder measure(W231 and Tite-group meter very well) attached to the expander die so I expand and charge the case at the same time next station is the bullet seat die and I finish with the Factory Crimp Die(a must have) I also decap and hand prime prior to starting a reloading session. all my decap dies are on a separate turret.

I bought mine at http://www.fmreloading.com you can also check out http://www.leeprecision.com I bought the Deluxe pistol kit and hand prime for under $100 delivered.

I would not call it junk,I would call it serviceable and even well made it is cost effective. I can load a box in 8 minutes. Works for me. If I decide I need a higher output setup I will go with the Dillon,but for now the Lee suits me fine.

SDC · May 13, 2001, 01:26 PM

I've got one with different turrets set up for 9mm, 45 Auto, 40 S&W, and 38 Spl, and I think it's great. It's not as fast as a Dillon, but it loads everything I need, and it works well. (For rifle loads, I use 3 different single-stages set up with a different die in each.)

**Mike Irwin** · May 13, 2001, 03:09 PM

Yep, I've got one. I'm not 100% happy with it, but hey, I've stuck with it for 7 years now, and it's done everything I've asked of it.

yankytrash · May 13, 2001, 08:30 PM

Hey man - for the price, you can't beat it. Lee, just like all the other major reloading equipment manufacturers, stands behind their products. A quick phone call, and perhaps sending a broken part through the mail, are all that's necessary to fix any problems.

Welcome to reloading....

bedlamite · May 13, 2001, 08:42 PM

For straight wall pistol ammo it works great and the price is right, but don't count on doing anything bigger than 223. Get the Auto-index and the Pro Auto-Disk powder measure right away too.

Labman · May 14, 2001, 11:16 PM

I have a lee auto index press and just bought the 4 die turret kit for it so I could set up my crimp dies. It works very well. If I decap and prime my brass ahead of time I can usually turn out a box of handgun ammo in 8 - 10 minutes. It is not built like a Dillon but most of the parts are reasonably priced and easily replaceable. The pro auto disk powder measure works very well with this press and throws accurate charges with most of the pistol powders I have.

Glocknroll · May 16, 2001, 02:46 PM

Ive been using my Lee turret for a little over a year no problems. I recenty added the 4 hole upgrade and installed the Lee FCD. As was stated, for the money you cant beat it.

seadog · May 16, 2001, 09:16 PM

Lee turret was the first press I bought I believe in 1985. Still servicable and used often, even though I've got a few others now. The turret press is good. Stay away from the fancier Lee's. More to go wrong with them, particularly priming.

gbrading1974 · May 17, 2001, 11:29 AM

What kind of priming system can anyone recommend. I've been looking, but quite frankly, I'm starting to get a little confused. I'm getting info saying I don't need certain equipment, but on the other hand, the Lyman manual I bought and read is telling me totally different things. Not to mention the things in the book I am still trying to figure out.

PaulTX · May 17, 2001, 10:23 PM

I use the Lee Autoprime II, which mounts on a press. It works well and is fast.

plateshooter · May 18, 2001, 05:55 AM

For the turrent press, I use the "T" bar priming system that comes with the press. Works great for me. I can still get a box of 50 out in about 10 minutes.

Coolray · May 18, 2001, 08:33 AM

I have(pay) my son to decap a bunch of brass then I use hte Lee hand prime while watching tv or sitting at my desk then when the urge strikes me I grab a box of brass and I get to loading.

gbrading1974 · May 18, 2001, 01:50 PM

He He, my son is only 5. Think it's too early for him to start learning?

BAD_KARMA · May 18, 2001, 08:07 PM

The Lee turret press is the best press out there for Non-prgressive reloading. They do make a pro1000 for progressive reloading and they work well also. I think they introduced this press aound 84-85. I have loaded many many magnum shells on mine and a ammo can of 45-70. mine is from the second year of production and has seen A LOT of ammo go through it. You can change calibers in about 30 seconds.

Mike Davies · May 22, 2001, 05:03 PM

I recently bought a Lee Turret 3-Hole press, and immediately upgraded it to the 4-hole turret and auto-index.
I find the priming "system" to be the weak link, but I've gotten used to the primitive "T" bar priming arm, and I can now reload a straight-walled pistol cartridge from start to finish using all four stations...decap/resize; Prime on downstroke; Expander/powder (Auto Disk with adj. Charge Bar); Seat bullet; then Crimp with Factory Crimp Die. Done.
I can load 200 rounds of .40cal S&W easily in an hour...250 if I hustle.
I can see about a dozen things that I could improve on Lee's Turret press, but for the money, what the heck.
Anyone had any problems arise from handling the primers individually with fingers?
Mike

May 13, 2001, 03:09 PM	#5
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	Yep, I've got one. I'm not 100% happy with it, but hey, I've stuck with it for 7 years now, and it's done everything I've asked of it. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

May 13, 2001, 08:42 PM	#7
bedlamite Senior Member Join Date: August 10, 2000 Location: WI Posts: 1,395	For straight wall pistol ammo it works great and the price is right, but don't count on doing anything bigger than 223. Get the Auto-index and the Pro Auto-Disk powder measure right away too. __________________ A plan is just a list of things that doesn't happen.

May 16, 2001, 02:46 PM	#9
Glocknroll Junior Member Join Date: December 30, 2000 Posts: 7	Ive been using my Lee turret for a little over a year no problems. I recenty added the 4 hole upgrade and installed the Lee FCD. As was stated, for the money you cant beat it. __________________ "In the end they will lay their freedom at our feet and say, 'Make us your slaves, but just feed us' http://www.geocities.com/glocknroll40/

May 17, 2001, 11:29 AM	#11
gbrading1974 Member Join Date: April 14, 2001 Location: Paris, IL Posts: 41	What kind of priming system can anyone recommend. I've been looking, but quite frankly, I'm starting to get a little confused. I'm getting info saying I don't need certain equipment, but on the other hand, the Lyman manual I bought and read is telling me totally different things. Not to mention the things in the book I am still trying to figure out. __________________ "There is a time to kill, and a time to die." Ecclesiastes

May 18, 2001, 05:55 AM	#13
plateshooter Senior Member Join Date: September 29, 1999 Location: N.E. Ohio Posts: 522	For the turrent press, I use the "T" bar priming system that comes with the press. Works great for me. I can still get a box of 50 out in about 10 minutes. __________________ Make a hole

May 13, 2001, 08:37 AM	#1
gbrading1974 Member Join Date: April 14, 2001 Location: Paris, IL Posts: 41	Does anyone use the Lee turret press, or having any experience with one? I'm thinking of starting with this one, and would like to know.

May 13, 2001, 09:27 AM	#2
Hal Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 1998 Location: Ohio USA Posts: 8,563	Yes. Own one. Use one. Have since they were first intorduced. I've erroneosly(sp) stated to have bought mine 25 years ago, but they weren't made that long ago. (I got hitched agin in '81 and don't remember groveling and swearing to never again ask for anything or any of that other degrading, distasteful but necessary stuff ) Mine's the original one that came in a wooden carry/storage/mounting base case. So far very few problems with it in the thousands of rounds it's turned out. When it finally does break, I'll move on to a Dillon. If you work within the limitations of the product you'll enjoy it for years. It's cheaply made, but gets the job done for plinking ammo. I limit mine to handgun loads and don't try to force the longer rifle cases through it. Get ready for an outburst of Lee is junk comments. I agree, Lee is junk compared to other equipment that costs 2 or 3 times more money. Yes. You do get what you pay for. Again, I agree. Lee is light use equipment,,period. Mine does show a lot of strain resizing .44mag cases, but breezes through 9mm, .45acp, .38sp and .45LC.

May 13, 2001, 01:17 PM	#3
Coolray Senior Member Join Date: August 10, 2000 Location: Spokane ,wa Posts: 290	I have been using my Auto-Index Lee turret press(3 hole) for over a year with no problems. I load .44spl,9mm .45ACP and .38/357. I have not tried large caliber rifles. I will be doing some .308 in the near future. The auto-index works great,I use mine with the Auto-Disk powder measure(W231 and Tite-group meter very well) attached to the expander die so I expand and charge the case at the same time next station is the bullet seat die and I finish with the Factory Crimp Die(a must have) I also decap and hand prime prior to starting a reloading session. all my decap dies are on a separate turret. I bought mine at http://www.fmreloading.com you can also check out http://www.leeprecision.com I bought the Deluxe pistol kit and hand prime for under $100 delivered. I would not call it junk,I would call it serviceable and even well made it is cost effective. I can load a box in 8 minutes. Works for me. If I decide I need a higher output setup I will go with the Dillon,but for now the Lee suits me fine.

May 13, 2001, 01:26 PM	#4
SDC Senior Member Join Date: January 23, 2001 Location: People's Republic of Kanada Posts: 1,652	I've got one with different turrets set up for 9mm, 45 Auto, 40 S&W, and 38 Spl, and I think it's great. It's not as fast as a Dillon, but it loads everything I need, and it works well. (For rifle loads, I use 3 different single-stages set up with a different die in each.)

May 13, 2001, 08:30 PM	#6
yankytrash Senior Member Join Date: April 17, 2001 Location: Farnham, Va Posts: 2,183	Hey man - for the price, you can't beat it. Lee, just like all the other major reloading equipment manufacturers, stands behind their products. A quick phone call, and perhaps sending a broken part through the mail, are all that's necessary to fix any problems. Welcome to reloading....

May 14, 2001, 11:16 PM	#8
Labman Junior Member Join Date: May 14, 2001 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 3	I have a lee auto index press and just bought the 4 die turret kit for it so I could set up my crimp dies. It works very well. If I decap and prime my brass ahead of time I can usually turn out a box of handgun ammo in 8 - 10 minutes. It is not built like a Dillon but most of the parts are reasonably priced and easily replaceable. The pro auto disk powder measure works very well with this press and throws accurate charges with most of the pistol powders I have.

May 16, 2001, 09:16 PM	#10
seadog Senior Member Join Date: October 27, 2000 Location: Virginia Posts: 287	Lee turret was the first press I bought I believe in 1985. Still servicable and used often, even though I've got a few others now. The turret press is good. Stay away from the fancier Lee's. More to go wrong with them, particularly priming.

May 17, 2001, 10:23 PM	#12
PaulTX Senior Member Join Date: March 9, 1999 Location: Denton, TX Posts: 107	I use the Lee Autoprime II, which mounts on a press. It works well and is fast.

May 18, 2001, 08:33 AM	#14
Coolray Senior Member Join Date: August 10, 2000 Location: Spokane ,wa Posts: 290	I have(pay) my son to decap a bunch of brass then I use hte Lee hand prime while watching tv or sitting at my desk then when the urge strikes me I grab a box of brass and I get to loading.

May 18, 2001, 01:50 PM	#15
gbrading1974 Member Join Date: April 14, 2001 Location: Paris, IL Posts: 41	He He, my son is only 5. Think it's too early for him to start learning? __________________ "There is a time to kill, and a time to die." Ecclesiastes

May 18, 2001, 08:07 PM	#16
BAD_KARMA Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2000 Posts: 171	The Lee turret press is the best press out there for Non-prgressive reloading. They do make a pro1000 for progressive reloading and they work well also. I think they introduced this press aound 84-85. I have loaded many many magnum shells on mine and a ammo can of 45-70. mine is from the second year of production and has seen A LOT of ammo go through it. You can change calibers in about 30 seconds.

May 22, 2001, 05:03 PM	#17
Mike Davies Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2000 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 376	I recently bought a Lee Turret 3-Hole press, and immediately upgraded it to the 4-hole turret and auto-index. I find the priming "system" to be the weak link, but I've gotten used to the primitive "T" bar priming arm, and I can now reload a straight-walled pistol cartridge from start to finish using all four stations...decap/resize; Prime on downstroke; Expander/powder (Auto Disk with adj. Charge Bar); Seat bullet; then Crimp with Factory Crimp Die. Done. I can load 200 rounds of .40cal S&W easily in an hour...250 if I hustle. I can see about a dozen things that I could improve on Lee's Turret press, but for the money, what the heck. Anyone had any problems arise from handling the primers individually with fingers? Mike