Question about Lee turret press's

savagelover · February 15, 2012, 08:04 AM

I noticed that Midwayusa has two types of the Lee Turret press..
The one I am looking into it the 4 hole model...Maybe it is
because one is an older model,but I see the prices are quit
different...
Is one supposed to be better than the other or what is the deal
here anyway? Thanks,John Alpine,NY

noelf2 · February 15, 2012, 09:12 AM

Midway lists several Lee Turret presses with various extras. Can you narrow it down to the two you are comparing? URL links?

bossman · February 15, 2012, 09:58 AM

I think the Lee Classic is what most like.

GTOne · February 15, 2012, 10:09 AM

The Lee Classic is the one to have if you are looking to buy, the Deluxe is a lesser press in just about every aspect.

You won't find many that have the classic and don't like it.

savagelover · February 15, 2012, 10:16 AM

I am not sure of the model numbers but I did notice that the bases are different on each of them.....Tell me what makes the classic so much more better....I must be missing something someplace here...John

GTOne · February 15, 2012, 10:29 AM

Better stronger cast iron base, larger diameter ram and heavier linkages, an improved spent primer catcher that works perfectly. It has a longer stroke than the deluxe and can reload most any rifle round if I recall correctly(I don't load rifle).

overkill0084 · February 15, 2012, 10:59 AM

You are looking at the right one. It is the Lee Classic Turret. Much more robust than the other Lee Turret press. All other improvements aside, the better handling of expended primers is worth the price increase alone. It's a rare one that escapes.
The other is the Lee Deluxe Turret. Less steel, more aluminum. To be fair, my father bought one in the early 80s and loaded many thousands of rounds on it with no problems.

**Mike Irwin** · February 15, 2012, 11:17 AM

No matter what you do, get the one with the cast iron base and 4 hole turret.

You'll have a press that will last you the rest of your life, will probably do all of the reloading chores you will ever need, and it won't break the bank.

I love my Classic Cast Turret.

jr05 · February 15, 2012, 11:21 AM

There is a classic and a deluxe. Get the classic.

Olympus · February 15, 2012, 12:18 PM

Classic Cast Turret is the way to go! I started out with a Lee Loadmaster progressive and went to the Classic Turret and I'm SO happy that I did.

dacaur · February 15, 2012, 01:05 PM

I have the deluxe, Definitely looking forward to upgrading to the classic at some point, mostly for the better handling of spent primers. With the deluxe they end up all over the floor.....

totaldla · February 15, 2012, 08:07 PM

The cast iron is weaker than aluminium.

But the rest of the Classic is better.

Olympus · February 15, 2012, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by totaldla

The cast iron is weaker than aluminium.

But the rest of the Classic is better.

Weaker in what ways?

MEATSAW · February 15, 2012, 09:36 PM

I was given a Deluxe kit for Christmas. So since I didn't pay for it I ain't gonna complain about it. So far it has been great! I engineered a primer catch system so that I will never have to dismount it to clean out spent primers. I load 40, 45, and 223. So far its been great.

ScottRiqui · February 15, 2012, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Weaker in what ways?

Because it's more brittle, cast iron doesn't have anywhere near the yield strength of most aluminum alloys. That being said, the cast frame on the LCT is so over-engineered that I don't think you possibly break one with anything remotely resembling normal use.

dacaur · February 15, 2012, 09:49 PM

The cast iron press is in no way, shape, or form weaker than aluminum. Cast iron will ALWAYS win out in durability....

dacaur · February 15, 2012, 09:50 PM

Quote:

I was given a Deluxe kit for Christmas. So since I didn't pay for it I ain't gonna complain about it. So far it has been great! I engineered a primer catch system so that I will never have to dismount it to clean out spent primers. I load 40, 45, and 223. So far its been great.

Pics? I'm getting tired of vacuuming primers off the floor....

ScottRiqui · February 15, 2012, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Cast iron is in no way, shape, or form weaker than aluminum. Cast iron will ALWAYS win out in durability....

It all depends on the use. Aluminum has a much higher tensile strength and yield strength, while cast iron wins out on shear strength and resistance to crushing.

I'd much rather have aluminum bolts than cast iron bolts, but for the frame of a reloading press, either material is more than sufficient as long as you use enough of it.

MEATSAW · February 15, 2012, 09:59 PM

I'm not nearby the press so I'll do my best to describe what I did. I took a piece of 3/4" plywood and cut it in a rectangle (probably 8" x 5"). I did this so I could mount the press to this piece and allow a bit of overhang off my bench. I then bored out two holes directly underneath where the primers fall. Once this was complete I screwed n glued the plywood piece to the bench, and then mounted the press to the plywood piece. I then used two pieces of old fuel line and reamed out the inner diameter a bit. They fit snugly in the two holes in the plywood. Directly under the press I put a small kitchen garbage can. During use all the primers that go underneath the press find themselves in the garbage can. If you go slow when de-priming they tend to all go there instead of flying every which way. You will still get a few fliers but hell, nothing perfect!

savagelover · February 15, 2012, 10:05 PM

I appreciate all the replies and trust your judgement....So I ordered the Classic modelwith an extra 4 holeturret to go with it...I ordered from TrackOf the Wolf..I get other things from there,so figured I would go back again...I am sure I will like it...John

dacaur · February 15, 2012, 10:08 PM

If you correctly engineer two items, one from cast iron and one from aluminum, its a really good bet the cast iron one will last longer than the aluminum one many times over....

Of course there are situations where cast iron wouldn't be the right material, just like there are situations where aluminum would be a bad choice as well. Without knowing the specific alloy, you really cant say how brittle it is, because there are malleable cast irons out there....

But when you are talking about a lee turret press, saying the cast iron version is weaker than the aluminum version is simply not true.

amamnn · February 15, 2012, 10:20 PM

Either press will be able to use the 4 hole turrets. The Classic does not catch 100% of primers during decapping, but it is a world of improvement over the older (deluxe) design. I upgraded from the old one to the classic--which sounds bassackward, but there it is--- and considered it money well spent.

ScottRiqui · February 15, 2012, 10:20 PM

I agree - one press may in fact be "stronger" than the other, but you'll never find out even with several lifetimes of intended use. You'd likely have to mount both of them to an immovable surface and take a 12-foot crowbar to them to find out.

thedaddycat · February 16, 2012, 11:19 AM

I also just ordered the LCT press yesterday, Happy Birthday to me! I got a few other things like a spare ratchet, 8 each of turrets and round boxes, some die sets and collet die sets, trimmer gages and such. I went through FS Reloading as they seemed to have pretty good prices on everything. This is how it all shook out:

90064 Lee Classic Turret Press $ 84.48 1 $ 84.48
TF3567 Lee Square Ratchet $ 0.50 1 $ 0.50
90712 Lee Collet Dies 6.5X55 $ 24.98 1 $ 24.98
90714 Lee Collet Dies 7X57 $ 24.98 1 $ 24.98
90063 Lee Lock-ring Eliminator Pack of (2) $ 9.98 4 $ 39.92
90535 Lee Die Box Round Red $ 2.30 8 $ 18.40
90269 Lee 4 Hole Turret $ 9.98 8 $ 79.84
90042 Lee TP Safety Prime Up/Kit $ 30.40 1 $ 30.40
90137 Lee Gage/Hldr 30/40KRAG $ 3.80 1 $ 3.80
90555 Lee Pacesetter Dies 30/40 KR $ 22.48 1 $ 22.48
90843 Lee Fact Crimp Die 30/40 Kra $ 9.98 1 $ 9.98
90654 Lee Delux Rifle 3 DI 303B $ 25.98 2 $ 51.96
90826 Lee Factory Crimp Die 303B $ 9.98 2 $ 19.96
90058 Lee Perfect Powder Measure $ 18.88 1 $ 18.88
90578 Lee Auto Disk Powder Measure $ 21.20 1 $ 21.20
90041 Lee Auto Disk Riser $ 7.60 2 $ 15.20
90136 Lee Gage/Holder 30/30 Win $ 3.80 1 $ 3.80
90144 Lee Gage/Holder 303 British $ 3.80 1 $ 3.80
90126 Lee Gage/Holder 6.5X55 Swed $ 3.80 1 $ 3.80
90130 Lee Gage/Holder 7X57 Mauser $ 3.80 1 $ 3.80
Subtotal: $ 482.16
Shipping cost: $ 27.87

Total: $ 510.03

dacaur · February 16, 2012, 07:52 PM

I dont see any "cutter and lock stud" in your order list, its neccisary for use with the gage/holder's for case trimming. its lee part # is 90110, I just get one for each caliber so i dont have to switch the gage between calibers.

Also dont see a scale or calipers, assuming you have those already?

Other than that looks like a great setup.

Why are you getting the auto disk powder measure? Its for use with powder through expander dies, which I dont see in your order. I use one to load 9mm, but just use the perfect powder measure for all my rifle calibers...

February 15, 2012, 08:04 AM	#1
savagelover Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2011 Location: Alpine,,NY Posts: 254	Question about Lee turret press's I noticed that Midwayusa has two types of the Lee Turret press.. The one I am looking into it the 4 hole model...Maybe it is because one is an older model,but I see the prices are quit different... Is one supposed to be better than the other or what is the deal here anyway? Thanks,John Alpine,NY

February 15, 2012, 09:12 AM	#2
noelf2 Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2008 Location: Stuart, VA Posts: 2,473	Midway lists several Lee Turret presses with various extras. Can you narrow it down to the two you are comparing? URL links? __________________ Liberty and freedom often offends those who understand neither.

February 15, 2012, 09:58 AM	#3
bossman Senior Member Join Date: November 16, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 996	I think the Lee Classic is what most like. __________________ NRA life member When the going gets tough, I just open another beer.

February 15, 2012, 10:59 AM	#7
overkill0084 Senior Member Join Date: August 7, 2010 Location: Northern, UT Posts: 1,162	You are looking at the right one. It is the Lee Classic Turret. Much more robust than the other Lee Turret press. All other improvements aside, the better handling of expended primers is worth the price increase alone. It's a rare one that escapes. The other is the Lee Deluxe Turret. Less steel, more aluminum. To be fair, my father bought one in the early 80s and loaded many thousands of rounds on it with no problems. __________________ Cheers, Greg “At the core of liberalism is the spoiled child – miserable, as all spoiled children are, unsatisfied, demanding, ill-disciplined, despotic and useless. Liberalism is a philosophy of sniveling brats.” — P.J. O’Rourke

February 15, 2012, 11:17 AM	#8
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,380	No matter what you do, get the one with the cast iron base and 4 hole turret. You'll have a press that will last you the rest of your life, will probably do all of the reloading chores you will ever need, and it won't break the bank. I love my Classic Cast Turret. __________________ "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.

February 15, 2012, 10:09 AM	#4
GTOne Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2011 Location: IL Posts: 210	The Lee Classic is the one to have if you are looking to buy, the Deluxe is a lesser press in just about every aspect. You won't find many that have the classic and don't like it.

February 15, 2012, 10:16 AM	#5
savagelover Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2011 Location: Alpine,,NY Posts: 254	I am not sure of the model numbers but I did notice that the bases are different on each of them.....Tell me what makes the classic so much more better....I must be missing something someplace here...John

February 15, 2012, 10:29 AM	#6
GTOne Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2011 Location: IL Posts: 210	Better stronger cast iron base, larger diameter ram and heavier linkages, an improved spent primer catcher that works perfectly. It has a longer stroke than the deluxe and can reload most any rifle round if I recall correctly(I don't load rifle).

February 15, 2012, 11:21 AM	#9
jr05 Senior Member Join Date: November 3, 2006 Location: NH Posts: 145	There is a classic and a deluxe. Get the classic.

February 15, 2012, 12:18 PM	#10
Olympus Senior Member Join Date: December 15, 2008 Posts: 770	Classic Cast Turret is the way to go! I started out with a Lee Loadmaster progressive and went to the Classic Turret and I'm SO happy that I did.

February 15, 2012, 01:05 PM	#11
dacaur Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 2010 Posts: 733	I have the deluxe, Definitely looking forward to upgrading to the classic at some point, mostly for the better handling of spent primers. With the deluxe they end up all over the floor.....

February 15, 2012, 08:07 PM	#12
totaldla Senior Member Join Date: August 10, 2009 Location: SW Idaho Posts: 1,289	The cast iron is weaker than aluminium. But the rest of the Classic is better. __________________ Lee Auto Bench Prime Castor Oil Case Lube

February 15, 2012, 09:36 PM	#14
MEATSAW Senior Member Join Date: May 1, 2009 Location: Burnet, TX Posts: 727	I was given a Deluxe kit for Christmas. So since I didn't pay for it I ain't gonna complain about it. So far it has been great! I engineered a primer catch system so that I will never have to dismount it to clean out spent primers. I load 40, 45, and 223. So far its been great. __________________ Veteran OEF (2002) and OIF1 (2003) - US Army Member of the Burnet Gun Fighters, Inc. and of course the NRA Oregon State University alum -- Go Beavs!

February 15, 2012, 09:49 PM	#16
dacaur Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 2010 Posts: 733	The cast iron press is in no way, shape, or form weaker than aluminum. Cast iron will ALWAYS win out in durability.... Last edited by dacaur; February 15, 2012 at 09:54 PM.

February 15, 2012, 09:59 PM	#19
MEATSAW Senior Member Join Date: May 1, 2009 Location: Burnet, TX Posts: 727	I'm not nearby the press so I'll do my best to describe what I did. I took a piece of 3/4" plywood and cut it in a rectangle (probably 8" x 5"). I did this so I could mount the press to this piece and allow a bit of overhang off my bench. I then bored out two holes directly underneath where the primers fall. Once this was complete I screwed n glued the plywood piece to the bench, and then mounted the press to the plywood piece. I then used two pieces of old fuel line and reamed out the inner diameter a bit. They fit snugly in the two holes in the plywood. Directly under the press I put a small kitchen garbage can. During use all the primers that go underneath the press find themselves in the garbage can. If you go slow when de-priming they tend to all go there instead of flying every which way. You will still get a few fliers but hell, nothing perfect! __________________ Veteran OEF (2002) and OIF1 (2003) - US Army Member of the Burnet Gun Fighters, Inc. and of course the NRA Oregon State University alum -- Go Beavs!

February 15, 2012, 10:05 PM	#20
savagelover Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2011 Location: Alpine,,NY Posts: 254	I appreciate all the replies and trust your judgement....So I ordered the Classic modelwith an extra 4 holeturret to go with it...I ordered from TrackOf the Wolf..I get other things from there,so figured I would go back again...I am sure I will like it...John

February 15, 2012, 10:08 PM	#21
dacaur Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 2010 Posts: 733	If you correctly engineer two items, one from cast iron and one from aluminum, its a really good bet the cast iron one will last longer than the aluminum one many times over.... Of course there are situations where cast iron wouldn't be the right material, just like there are situations where aluminum would be a bad choice as well. Without knowing the specific alloy, you really cant say how brittle it is, because there are malleable cast irons out there.... But when you are talking about a lee turret press, saying the cast iron version is weaker than the aluminum version is simply not true.

February 15, 2012, 10:20 PM	#22
amamnn Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2006 Location: WA, the left armpit of the USA Posts: 1,323	Either press will be able to use the 4 hole turrets. The Classic does not catch 100% of primers during decapping, but it is a world of improvement over the older (deluxe) design. I upgraded from the old one to the classic--which sounds bassackward, but there it is--- and considered it money well spent. __________________ "If the enemy is in range, so are you." - Infantry Journal

February 15, 2012, 10:20 PM	#23
ScottRiqui Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Location: Norfolk, VA Posts: 2,905	I agree - one press may in fact be "stronger" than the other, but you'll never find out even with several lifetimes of intended use. You'd likely have to mount both of them to an immovable surface and take a 12-foot crowbar to them to find out.

February 16, 2012, 11:19 AM	#24
thedaddycat Senior Member Join Date: September 25, 2011 Posts: 388	I also just ordered the LCT press yesterday, Happy Birthday to me! I got a few other things like a spare ratchet, 8 each of turrets and round boxes, some die sets and collet die sets, trimmer gages and such. I went through FS Reloading as they seemed to have pretty good prices on everything. This is how it all shook out: 90064 Lee Classic Turret Press $ 84.48 1 $ 84.48 TF3567 Lee Square Ratchet $ 0.50 1 $ 0.50 90712 Lee Collet Dies 6.5X55 $ 24.98 1 $ 24.98 90714 Lee Collet Dies 7X57 $ 24.98 1 $ 24.98 90063 Lee Lock-ring Eliminator Pack of (2) $ 9.98 4 $ 39.92 90535 Lee Die Box Round Red $ 2.30 8 $ 18.40 90269 Lee 4 Hole Turret $ 9.98 8 $ 79.84 90042 Lee TP Safety Prime Up/Kit $ 30.40 1 $ 30.40 90137 Lee Gage/Hldr 30/40KRAG $ 3.80 1 $ 3.80 90555 Lee Pacesetter Dies 30/40 KR $ 22.48 1 $ 22.48 90843 Lee Fact Crimp Die 30/40 Kra $ 9.98 1 $ 9.98 90654 Lee Delux Rifle 3 DI 303B $ 25.98 2 $ 51.96 90826 Lee Factory Crimp Die 303B $ 9.98 2 $ 19.96 90058 Lee Perfect Powder Measure $ 18.88 1 $ 18.88 90578 Lee Auto Disk Powder Measure $ 21.20 1 $ 21.20 90041 Lee Auto Disk Riser $ 7.60 2 $ 15.20 90136 Lee Gage/Holder 30/30 Win $ 3.80 1 $ 3.80 90144 Lee Gage/Holder 303 British $ 3.80 1 $ 3.80 90126 Lee Gage/Holder 6.5X55 Swed $ 3.80 1 $ 3.80 90130 Lee Gage/Holder 7X57 Mauser $ 3.80 1 $ 3.80 Subtotal: $ 482.16 Shipping cost: $ 27.87 Total: $ 510.03

February 16, 2012, 07:52 PM	#25
dacaur Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 2010 Posts: 733	I dont see any "cutter and lock stud" in your order list, its neccisary for use with the gage/holder's for case trimming. its lee part # is 90110, I just get one for each caliber so i dont have to switch the gage between calibers. Also dont see a scale or calipers, assuming you have those already? Other than that looks like a great setup. Why are you getting the auto disk powder measure? Its for use with powder through expander dies, which I dont see in your order. I use one to load 9mm, but just use the perfect powder measure for all my rifle calibers... Last edited by dacaur; February 16, 2012 at 07:57 PM.

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