Lee Classic Turret - any good?

[S391]

I'm looking at picking up a reloader and there is something about the Lee Classic Turret press that has caught my eye. It seems to be well built, offer good flexibility if I ever want to load other calibers, and pretty straight forward to operate.

Does anyone here use one and if so, are they any good?

Thanks.

[ems-1]

In my opinion, it's the best press for the money. I've owned one for about 8 years now and loaded thousands of rounds without any problems.

[S391]

Thanks EMS. I've loaded shotshells but want to start loading for the 9mm so that I can shoot more often. The LCT looked like a good option without spending the money on a full-on progressive press.

[rwilson452]

I own one. I think they are the best bang for your buck out there. I might add I also have a Classic Cast and a Loadmaster. I bought the Turret last as I had the older model turret some years ago and found it will fill a niche in my reloading. If I had to have just one press it would be the turret.

[CrustyFN]

I have been loading on a classic turret for close to three years and think it's a great press. Very well built and easy to use.
Rusty

[Jed Eckert]

I think it is a good press for most things.

However, it has too much flex in it to do a good job sizing 308 and larger rifle brass. So I usually size rifle brass on a single stage press, and then use the turret to dispense powder, seat bullet, and crimp.

[wncchester]

"I think they are the best bang for your buck out there."

For a turret press, a non-progressive, it's the best, period.

I don't care for turrets myself but, considering how it's made, I can't see how it can flex much more than any common single stage "O" press. ??

[totalloser]

I have noticed no flex, personally. I did damage a turret from hammering on a stuck case (abusing it), and that made things funky. I've sized tons of thick 7.62nato (.308) mg fired brass with no problems whatsoever.

But I agree with all previous posters. I HIGHLY doubt you will be disappointed if you get one. I think it's a fantastic little press.

[PBinWA]

If you order one that is back ordered then be prepared to wait.

I've been waiting for mine from Graf's for a month and half.

I'd suggested finding one that is in-stock if possible.

[IllinoisCoyoteHunter]

Yes it is a GREAT press!!! You will not be disappointed! I love mine. I got mine in store at Cabelas. They sell the kit or just the press. Good luck!

[wingman]

Overall good press once you learn the process, purchased mine from factory sales.


http://www.factorysales.com/

[bluetopper]

I have one and like it, but I load useing it in large single stage batches at a time.
I like to charge 50 cases at a time. put them in a tray and check powder levels then seat bullets. Just me.

[Russ5924]

Can't go wrong as a first press. Takes a lot of the guess work and mistakes out of reloading. Have since replaced mine with a Dillon 550 but still enjoy using it for short runs of different calibers of a few hundred or less

[S391]

Thanks everyone. I went to my local Cabela's this morning and they had a couple of the presses on the shelf but I was hoping to find the full kit just to make it easier for me. They only had 1 set of 9mm dies in the place and zero pistol primers.

Over all I had a bad feeling, like I was rushing into something and that I was making a mistake, so I held off and I'll do a bit more research.

Since I'm only going to load 9mm, and I like to shoot a fair bit I'm wondering if I should just pony up the money and pick up a Dillon Square Deal or 550 and be done with it....... Maybe I need to back up and take a look at this from another angle......

[CrustyFN]

For the kit check out www.kempfgunshop.com, last I heard they still had some kits in stock.
Rusty

[wncchester]

"I like to shoot a fair bit I'm wondering if I should just pony up the money and pick up a Dillon Square Deal or 550"

Personal opinion: If you ever expect to shoot as much as perhaps 300 rounds a week, get the Dillion. Less than 200 rounds, get the Lee. Between 200-300 is a toss up. Butif you get a Dillon, make it the 550, not the square one, if you think you will EVER shoot another cartridge.

[S391]

Good advice, thanks.

[cbuxton41]

Have loaded thosands of rounds of 8 different calibers in batches of 220- 500 with the Lee classic press with no problems not attributable to me. IHMO I would just buy the press and then get other stuff as you require. Sometimes kits include stuff you don't really need or want. I have a turret head for every caliber I load. Set the dies where I want them and never touch them again just change the heads.
Good Luck

[benzuncle]

S391, after a lot of lurking and due diligence I chose the Lee Classic Turret Press. Too many owners had a lot of good things to say about the LCT, and the price... That was 16 months ago. I have not regretted it. I now load 3 different calibers and like the quick change-out afforded me with the LCT as well as the very competitive price of the carbide dies and turrets. The LCT is well constructed; don't let the price fool you. The LCT has already paid for itself in ammo savings. The loads/rounds are very accurate. I have zero regrets. The Pro Auto Disk Powder Measure and Safety Prime systems is worth the extra few dollars.

I wish you only the best in your dliberations. Let us know what you decide on and after getting it up and running be sure to share your good news with us knowing no matter which loader you decide on, there are owners here that are only too glad to help if you need it.

[Luciano]

S391, pay attention to what some users say: "for the money, it's the best turret". I agree with that, but if you are a perfectionist in any way you might be disappointed with Lee. At least I was. I now have a Redding T7. Me now happy! Also if you have limited spare time, get a progressive.

[cbuxton41]

Benzuncle
I have been mulling over getting the safety prime for my new model classic turret press. Currently I decap and then use the Lee Auto Prime hand held priming tool. If I get a Safety Prime don't I also need the riser so the pro powder measure will clear it when it rotates. Also I have read the alignment is very "finicky" and difficult to adjust correctly. What say you??? Thank you

[aerod1]

Best press for the money. I love mine!

[S391]

I really need to step back and think this through. First off, I don't enjoy reloading. However, I like to shoot (a lot) and these days I can't seem to find a good supply of factory ammo so I thought that reloading would allow me to have access to a constant supply of ammo. I figured that the turret press would allow me to work at my own pace and learn as I go. I always figured that I should have a pretty solid grasp on the entire process before I went to a progressive press.

The only downside is that no one around me has primers..... It seems kind of crazy to spend $300 - $600 on reloading equipment and have the same problem as before.... no ammo.

I'm going to do some more research before I commit to a press. Hopefully I can find a good supply of primers along the way.

[Tucker 2]

quote ... " I always figured that I should have a pretty solid grasp on the entire process before I went to a progressive press."



FWIW I didn't. At a gun show a year ago I found a Dillon Sq. Deal B just back from servicing at Dillon. I bought it on a whim. I paid about $400 and it came with a bunch of extra stuff including dies for 4 pistol calibers. I added a beam scale, bullet puller, bullets, cases, and powder. AND BOOKS. I have to admit I'm the kind of person that learns well from books. Also Dillon has a video. Add some help from the good folks on reloading boards... away you go.

If you're interest is in making ammo think progressive. For me I have found it to be another enjoyable part of shooting, and I'll probably buy a single stage to load for the one long gun I own.

[benzuncle]

cbuxton41,

...If I get a Safety Prime don't I also need the riser so the pro powder measure will clear it when it rotates.

Yes. You obviously have been doing a little checking.

Also I have read the alignment is very "finicky" and difficult to adjust correctly.

I have not found the Safety Prime to be finicky. But having it aligned correctly is definitely important. I would reword that sentence to: It is important to align the Safety Prime properly. Watch the video on the Lee Precision website. If you find that the Safety Prime is hanging up. Remove the mounting bracket and put a washer under it, then reinstall it. If I remember correctly, I adjusted mine 2 times when I set it up and have never touched it since.