lee 3 hole,4 hole ?

sjones · November 6, 2006, 11:27 AM

will the 3 hole reload just as well as the 4 hole?if so,why the difference?It would seem like it is one less move you have to make. thanks sj
I should have said for the 45acp,sorry.sj

rwilson452 · November 6, 2006, 11:34 AM

the 4 hole allows for another die. Most use it for a separate crimp die such as the Lee factory crimp die. Yes, another step but consider it worth the extra step. I use a Loadmaster it is 5 hole. 2nd hole is used for primer last hole for crimp.
1st deprime and size
2 prime
3 bell mouth and dump powder
4 seat bullet
5 crimp

cloudcroft · November 6, 2006, 11:38 AM

True,

The consensus is that taking two steps to seat and crimp the bullet is better (but unless you're into serious target shooting, you may not notice any REAL difference when shooting a one-step seated/crimped bullet).

Otherwise, the 3-hole is just fine.

-- John D.

arkie2 · November 6, 2006, 11:42 AM

You can still use a three die set in the Lee 4 hole if you want or have a 3 die set like I do for 38spl/357 but the extra hole has one other advantage. I load my .270 rifle using the 4 hole setup and use the 4th hole for the neck resizing die while still having the full length resizing die immediately available.

benedict1 · November 6, 2006, 12:39 PM

Lee Classic Turret Press--the 4 hole option is best.

Totally agree with 4-hole. But if you get one, get the New Classic Turret Press with the Safety Prime and the Pro Auto Disk Powder Measure--it is a far better press than the older version; this one is all cast iron and steel(turrets are still aluminum, but you don't really need or want a steel turret)

Also, buy the Lee DeLuxe Die set for pistol--Factory Crimp Die is included. It makes crimping auto-loader ammo a no-brainer. It also puts a great roll crimp on revolver stuff. I shoot 9 mm, 45 ACP, 38 Spec and 357 Mag and the ammo is just great.

amamnn · November 6, 2006, 02:02 PM

I do not use it for my rifle match loads, but---

Pistol dies in the 4 hole:
1. decapper/sizer
2. Expander/powder loader
3 Seater
4 crimper

primers do not require a die

Rifle dies in the 4 hole
1. FL sizer decapper
2. Neck sizer/decapper or powder loading die if you use one
3. seater
4. crimper
Again, primers do not require a die.

CrustyFN · November 6, 2006, 05:31 PM

My vote goes to the classic turret press. I bought one about a month ago and it is awesome. It is very well built and easy to use. It will cost you a little more than the old style but IMO it is worth the extra money. Also if you buy the auto disk powder measure make sure it's the pro auto disk. The pro auto disk is teflon coated inside. I also agree with everybody else about the four die set with the FCD, it's the best way to go.
Rusty

November 6, 2006, 11:27 AM	#1
sjones Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 1999 Location: waxahachie,Texas Posts: 337	lee 3 hole,4 hole ? will the 3 hole reload just as well as the 4 hole?if so,why the difference?It would seem like it is one less move you have to make. thanks sj I should have said for the 45acp,sorry.sj Last edited by sjones; November 6, 2006 at 06:03 PM.

November 6, 2006, 11:34 AM	#2
rwilson452 Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2004 Location: Tioga co. PA Posts: 2,647	3 vs 4 hole the 4 hole allows for another die. Most use it for a separate crimp die such as the Lee factory crimp die. Yes, another step but consider it worth the extra step. I use a Loadmaster it is 5 hole. 2nd hole is used for primer last hole for crimp. 1st deprime and size 2 prime 3 bell mouth and dump powder 4 seat bullet 5 crimp

November 6, 2006, 12:39 PM	#5
benedict1 Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2006 Location: Southern California Posts: 245	Same answer I gave you in 1911 Forum Lee Classic Turret Press--the 4 hole option is best. Totally agree with 4-hole. But if you get one, get the New Classic Turret Press with the Safety Prime and the Pro Auto Disk Powder Measure--it is a far better press than the older version; this one is all cast iron and steel(turrets are still aluminum, but you don't really need or want a steel turret) Also, buy the Lee DeLuxe Die set for pistol--Factory Crimp Die is included. It makes crimping auto-loader ammo a no-brainer. It also puts a great roll crimp on revolver stuff. I shoot 9 mm, 45 ACP, 38 Spec and 357 Mag and the ammo is just great.

November 6, 2006, 02:02 PM	#6
amamnn Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2006 Location: WA, the left armpit of the USA Posts: 1,323	4 I do not use it for my rifle match loads, but--- Pistol dies in the 4 hole: 1. decapper/sizer 2. Expander/powder loader 3 Seater 4 crimper primers do not require a die Rifle dies in the 4 hole 1. FL sizer decapper 2. Neck sizer/decapper or powder loading die if you use one 3. seater 4. crimper Again, primers do not require a die. __________________ "If the enemy is in range, so are you." - Infantry Journal

November 6, 2006, 05:31 PM	#7
CrustyFN Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2006 Location: West Virginia Posts: 2,258	My vote goes to the classic turret press. I bought one about a month ago and it is awesome. It is very well built and easy to use. It will cost you a little more than the old style but IMO it is worth the extra money. Also if you buy the auto disk powder measure make sure it's the pro auto disk. The pro auto disk is teflon coated inside. I also agree with everybody else about the four die set with the FCD, it's the best way to go. Rusty __________________ I don't ever remember being absent minded.

November 6, 2006, 11:38 AM	#3
cloudcroft Senior Member Join Date: August 5, 2006 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 565	True, The consensus is that taking two steps to seat and crimp the bullet is better (but unless you're into serious target shooting, you may not notice any REAL difference when shooting a one-step seated/crimped bullet). Otherwise, the 3-hole is just fine. -- John D.

November 6, 2006, 11:42 AM	#4
arkie2 Senior Member Join Date: September 3, 2006 Posts: 475	You can still use a three die set in the Lee 4 hole if you want or have a 3 die set like I do for 38spl/357 but the extra hole has one other advantage. I load my .270 rifle using the 4 hole setup and use the 4th hole for the neck resizing die while still having the full length resizing die immediately available.