lee classic turret press

[bryonbush]

anyone use the lee classic turret press? im looking at getting one to replace the single stager i have. ive seen very good reviews online but wanted to see what people had to say about it here.

 

[codygjohnson]

I've got one, but it doesn't get much use. I'm only using it with a decaping die then a resizing die for 5.56 and 7.62 military brass these days. It's a pretty good turret for the money, but after getting a Dillon progressive, I'm using it very little. If you get one, get the cast model, I've played with both and the cast is the sturdiest one they have. That's the one I bought.

 

[PopsXD9sc]

Loaded many 1000's of 9mm and .45 over the past couple of years. Only thing I didn't like was the powder measure but that can be upgraded to where it works pretty well. For the money I had in the press it was well worth the money. Got a good deal on a Hornady LocknLoad so the calssic turret is used for .223 only now.

 

[bryonbush]

well thats good to hear that its worth getting. i reload 223 and .40 for now but if it works out, then .30-06 soon. i had my eye on the hornady lnl or even the dillon, but i cant justify that in my budget at all. cody- how do i know which press is the cast model?

 

[Charley]

Are you talking the Lee Classic Cast turret? That's the relatively newer cast iron press. I think it is a great value for the money, well designed and plenty strong. I use mine for forming brass and other heavier duty jobs than straight handloading. The older turret press is aluminum. It is reasonably strong, and does the job, but it will wear faster. I wore one sloppy after about 15 years and many thousands of rounds.

 

[codygjohnson]

cody- how do i know which press is the cast model?

When I bought mine, Midway was selling a "Lee Classic Turret" and a "Lee Classic Cast Turret". I checked out both and many people were saying that the
cast was a sturdier unit. I bought it for about $20 more.

One thing you'll notice is that nothing is as precise as a single stage. Every turret or progressive press I've used has had some slop to it, it's just the
nature of moving parts. I still load all of my precision ammo on a single stage.

 

[Texas42]

A turret press is just going to save time switching between dies. If you want to spend the $$ to upgrade. . . .get a progressive. You'll be happy you did. I've got a Dillon, love it. I don't think I'd be sad with the Hornady. Truth is, I've looking to ditch my lyman turret press and get a standard single stage because I'm not thrilled with the consistancy of my turret.