Lee classic turret vs Lee turret press

ddhartzell · November 28, 2008, 09:30 PM

the Lee website doesnt really go into great detail about the differences between these 2. From what I can tell the classic is a little heavier built. Is that a correct assumption?

I am looking to purchase my first reloading set up. Will mainly be doing pistol rounds but may down the road do some rifle.

Thanks

D. Manley · November 28, 2008, 10:03 PM

If a Lee turret is the way you want to go, grab the LCT and don't look back. To be honest, I don't know why Lee even offers the other any more.

fourrobert13 · November 28, 2008, 10:37 PM

The classic turret is beefier, and has more clearance to load taller rifle rounds. I have owned the older turret, and I sold it after getting the classic. The classic also has the spent primer tube which makes cleaning up spent primers a joy. The classic is the way to go IMO.

rwt101 · November 28, 2008, 11:22 PM

I bought the regular turret press because I did not research good enough. Don't get me wrong I like the one I have now, but what I have learned I would have gone with the classic turret press.
Bob T

rwilson452 · November 29, 2008, 12:18 AM

I have owned a total of 4 Lee presses. the first was the turret. My 2nd was the LoadMaster. 3rd was the Classic Cast. the last was the classic turret. I gave the original turret to a friend that wanted to start reloading. I don't miss it one bit.

in case your wondering. I do all my rifle loading on the Classic Cast. I do pistol load development on the classic turret, yes I use a FCD in the 4th station. the loadmaster is for big runs of established loads of pistol ammo. The trouble is I'm always looking for a better load. Ah, boys and their toys..

Now that I have an AR I suspect when I find the load I like I will use the classic turret for pumping out larger quantities of .223 for the AR.
I'm sort of anal retentive about rifle ammo I trim every time. and all that stuff. On advise of others I full length resize all ammo for the AR. so the loadmaster is not the way to go.

I have been scrounging LC brass for the AR

benzuncle · November 29, 2008, 12:41 AM

dd, try this: go to the Midway website and bring up the Lee Classic Turret Press. Read the owner reviews. This is one of the things that convinced me to buy the Classic Turret Press. I ended up looking at all of the vendors listed on the Lee Precision website. I chose Kempf Gun Shop for several reasons:
1. Because they had it in a kit form
2. They offered upgrades that were definitely what I wanted (the Pro Auto Disk Powder Measure & the Safety Prime System for large and small calibers)
3. They had the other things needed like a bullet puller, a scale and a tumbler setup
4. They had everything in stock and could ship it to me quickly. (Once you make up your mind to reload and specifically what you want to load it with, you want your stuff NOW!)

I have since added another caliber; all that takes is the carbide dies, another 4-hole turret and for me, the round red box to store it in. I have also added a bar charge for powder. This does not work on smaller caliber charges. I use it for certain 45acp loads. Good luck to you. Wait til you fire that first round you built!

That crap-eatin' grin is gonna look good on your mug.

ah141nj · November 29, 2008, 02:30 AM

Quote:

go to the Midway website and bring up the Lee Classic Turret Press. Read the owner reviews. This is one of the things that convinced me to buy the Classic Turret Press. I ended up looking at all of the vendors listed on the Lee Precision website. I chose Kempf Gun Shop for several reasons:
1. Because they had it in a kit form

Cabela's also had the kit form & probably a little cheaper. For accessories in stock try https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/..cheaper than midway

.45 Vet · November 29, 2008, 08:20 AM

(D.Manley) To be honest, I don't know why Lee even offers the other any more.
Maybe to clear-out old inventory...

10 Spot Terminator · November 29, 2008, 10:58 AM

Keep your eyes open when you go to purchase the Lee classic turret as it has been upgraded recently and the new model has improvements more desireable over the earlier models and some outlets are still selling the older ones. The new ones have a stronger frame and ram, the arm has been redesigned, if comes complete it has the "Pro Auto Disc" powder measure and I believe the riser adaptor normally sold as an accessory to allow use of dies taller than Lees such as RCBS etc.,,, If you are looking at a picture of the unit they are easily told apart as the new model has a round black steel rod for the arm and the older one a silver cast configuration. The older ones come with the earlier model powder measure as well and are not quite as good. 10 SPOT

CortJestir · November 29, 2008, 11:17 AM

Good to know 10 Spot. Thanks for the info.

MDS · November 29, 2008, 11:31 AM

Can I ask a question? I have the Turret press. I don't like the index rod Mine is too easy to "get out of time" The Classic looks much larger and stronger. Is it? Thanks.

rwilson452 · November 29, 2008, 12:54 PM

yes, and the timing adjustment requires two wrenches to adjust because it's really stiff. locktight or some such stuff on the adjustment nut. I set mine once and it hasn't moved since.

Quote:

Can I ask a question? I have the Turret press. I don't like the index rod Mine is too easy to "get out of time" The Classic looks much larger and stronger. Is it? Thanks.

November 28, 2008, 09:30 PM	#1
ddhartzell Member Join Date: October 13, 2008 Location: Alabama Posts: 71	Lee classic turret vs Lee turret press the Lee website doesnt really go into great detail about the differences between these 2. From what I can tell the classic is a little heavier built. Is that a correct assumption? I am looking to purchase my first reloading set up. Will mainly be doing pistol rounds but may down the road do some rifle. Thanks

November 28, 2008, 10:03 PM	#2
D. Manley Senior Member Join Date: July 13, 2008 Posts: 299	If a Lee turret is the way you want to go, grab the LCT and don't look back. To be honest, I don't know why Lee even offers the other any more. __________________ *"Old School" ain't all bad...*

November 28, 2008, 10:37 PM	#3
fourrobert13 Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 2005 Location: South West Ohio Posts: 336	The classic turret is beefier, and has more clearance to load taller rifle rounds. I have owned the older turret, and I sold it after getting the classic. The classic also has the spent primer tube which makes cleaning up spent primers a joy. The classic is the way to go IMO. __________________ Be aware of yourself and everything around you.

November 29, 2008, 08:20 AM	#8
.45 Vet Senior Member Join Date: May 21, 2004 Location: Western Penn. Posts: 387	(D.Manley) To be honest, I don't know why Lee even offers the other any more. Maybe to clear-out old inventory... __________________ For those who've never fought for it, the price of freedom shall never be known... Last edited by .45 Vet; November 29, 2008 at 08:26 AM.

November 29, 2008, 11:17 AM	#10
CortJestir Senior Member Join Date: July 7, 2008 Location: Southern CT Posts: 1,406	Good to know 10 Spot. Thanks for the info. __________________ "They have men amongst them who know very well what they are about..." - Lord Hugh Percy, on the events of April 19, 1775 Do you know what you're about? Find out at an Appleseed near you.

November 28, 2008, 11:22 PM	#4
rwt101 Member Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 87	I bought the regular turret press because I did not research good enough. Don't get me wrong I like the one I have now, but what I have learned I would have gone with the classic turret press. Bob T

November 29, 2008, 12:18 AM	#5
rwilson452 Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2004 Location: Tioga co. PA Posts: 2,647	I have owned a total of 4 Lee presses. the first was the turret. My 2nd was the LoadMaster. 3rd was the Classic Cast. the last was the classic turret. I gave the original turret to a friend that wanted to start reloading. I don't miss it one bit. in case your wondering. I do all my rifle loading on the Classic Cast. I do pistol load development on the classic turret, yes I use a FCD in the 4th station. the loadmaster is for big runs of established loads of pistol ammo. The trouble is I'm always looking for a better load. Ah, boys and their toys.. Now that I have an AR I suspect when I find the load I like I will use the classic turret for pumping out larger quantities of .223 for the AR. I'm sort of anal retentive about rifle ammo I trim every time. and all that stuff. On advise of others I full length resize all ammo for the AR. so the loadmaster is not the way to go. I have been scrounging LC brass for the AR

November 29, 2008, 12:41 AM	#6
benzuncle Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2008 Location: Central Florida Posts: 357	dd, try this: go to the Midway website and bring up the Lee Classic Turret Press. Read the owner reviews. This is one of the things that convinced me to buy the Classic Turret Press. I ended up looking at all of the vendors listed on the Lee Precision website. I chose Kempf Gun Shop for several reasons: 1. Because they had it in a kit form 2. They offered upgrades that were definitely what I wanted (the Pro Auto Disk Powder Measure & the Safety Prime System for large and small calibers) 3. They had the other things needed like a bullet puller, a scale and a tumbler setup 4. They had everything in stock and could ship it to me quickly. (Once you make up your mind to reload and specifically what you want to load it with, you want your stuff NOW!) I have since added another caliber; all that takes is the carbide dies, another 4-hole turret and for me, the round red box to store it in. I have also added a bar charge for powder. This does not work on smaller caliber charges. I use it for certain 45acp loads. Good luck to you. Wait til you fire that first round you built! That crap-eatin' grin is gonna look good on your mug.

November 29, 2008, 10:58 AM	#9
10 Spot Terminator Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2008 Location: Central Oregon Posts: 348	Keep your eyes open when you go to purchase the Lee classic turret as it has been upgraded recently and the new model has improvements more desireable over the earlier models and some outlets are still selling the older ones. The new ones have a stronger frame and ram, the arm has been redesigned, if comes complete it has the "Pro Auto Disc" powder measure and I believe the riser adaptor normally sold as an accessory to allow use of dies taller than Lees such as RCBS etc.,,, If you are looking at a picture of the unit they are easily told apart as the new model has a round black steel rod for the arm and the older one a silver cast configuration. The older ones come with the earlier model powder measure as well and are not quite as good. 10 SPOT

November 29, 2008, 11:31 AM	#11
MDS Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 492	Can I ask a question? I have the Turret press. I don't like the index rod Mine is too easy to "get out of time" The Classic looks much larger and stronger. Is it? Thanks.