New to reloading, trouble with lee 4 hole turret press.

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Zach2288

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Hello all. I was hoping I could find some answers to this problem. I recently received a lee 4 hole turret press with auto index. My plan was to reload 30-06 and 375 win. I understand that the auto index feature doesn't work with cartridges longer than 2.313" and I am fine with advancing the turret manually. The problem I am having is that the bullet does not clear the seating die so I cannot rotate the turret to the crimping die without having to work the bullet out of the press first. I would expect there to be enough clearance to rotate the round through the press in a press advertised to be able to reload anything: "anything longer than the above specs (2.313"), would require the turret to be manually advanced.". I was just wondering If maybe I am doing something wrong, or if The lee classic turret press would be a better option. Thanks.

Attached is a picture of what I'm talking about.
 

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Welcome to the forum.

First off, you don't need to crimp 30 06, so seat the bullet, your done. If you insist on crimping, try backing out the seater die until the bullet tip clears the bottom of the die assuming there is enough die thread to do so and you can adjust the seating stem down enough to get your OAL right.
 
The classic does provide additional clearance. It was discussed in other threads over the last day or two.
 
Yep, the Lee turret is kinda short. I disabled the auto-index on my turret press 2 days after I got it and hand index now (18+ years). I reload 30-06 for my Garand quite a bit and since I batch load there is no problem...:rolleyes:
 
As others have said, disable the auto advance and turn the turret by hand. I load 45-70 on mine all the time and did some Krag before I found a plate for the Hornady LnL.
The Lee is a very good starting press and I still use mine for 45-70 and for sizing installing gas checks.

Reloading is not for everyone, so start with what you can afford, if you like it, then you can always upgrade and sell your old equipment. I started with Lee, and still use the same dies I bought 15 yrs ago, I also use Lee molds.
 
Thanks for asking our advice

Catfish's advice, snarky as it is, has a kernel of truth to it.

You have the Lee Deluxe Turret. The Lee Classic Turret (as lamarw hinted) has a full inch greater vertical clearance (among other advantages) over the Deluxe.

Perhaps a change in procedure would help.

It appears to me from your first post that you are continuous processing (run the cartridge from empty case to finished, shootable cartridge) in one pass without removing it from the press.

Batch processing (using the turret press as if it is a single stage) should solve your dilemma, albeit at a cost of speed.

OR

You could devise a hybrid process. Size, expand, charge your case in continuous mode (with indexing) and setting your partly finished cartridges in a loading block. When the block is full, seat bullets and crimp in a second pass through the press.

Good luck.

Lost Sheep
 
Lee precision got back to me and it was a simple mistake. When I removed the auto indexing rod I did not know I could remove the auto index clamp as well. Removing the clamp gives me the extra length I need. So I will be manually rotating the turret. Thanks for everybody's help.
 
Despite the snarky replies, my Lee Deluxe Turret press has successfully (and easily) reloaded approx. 900, 30-06 with 150, 168 gr HPBT bullets as well as untold thousands of .38/357, .44 Special and Mag., 9mm, 45ACP, .223, 7.62x54, 303 British, 308 Win., and 30-30. All were reloaded as easily as any press I've used (Lee, C-H, Redding Boss)...
 
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