Turret reloading presses

K

konstan

New member
I've been thinking about reloading for probably the past 10 years. I have saved all the brass and it's not a lot.

I probably won't be saving a ton of money reloading but I am ok with that. That's not why I would be doing it.

I am okay with assembling my reloading tools slowly over time.

I like the idea of a turret press. It just seems like a good balance. I like the idea of depriming a thousand cases, sizing a thousand cases, rather than doing each operation on each case every time.

Having said all this. Are the people here who use a Lee Turret press happy with it, or should I get a green or a blue one? Also -- I realize that if end up really enjoying reloading, I would probably add other presses like I see some people here, that serve specialized functions...

(sorry about the rambling post, just kinda gathering my thoughts at the same time here)
 
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And to add another idea, here is why I am kind kicking my reasearch up a notch, so to speak.

I've been mainly using rifles and shotguns for hunting.

Then I bought a revolver in 357 and then another in 38 spl and I am in love now, so, 38 is going to be the first caliber :) water bottles and pop cans don't stand a chance.
 
I have had a Lee Classic Turret for over 5 years. I have not had a single problem that was not caused by me. (Had to replace the turret ring, and a turret. Lee did send the parts after I paid the shipping price. I was happy with that as it was my fault it broke. I ran an unlubed rifle case, and tried to muscle it out.)

The Lee Classic Turret is a great balance between going a little faster, and still being able to keep up with what is going on. I ran a single stage for 3 years. After I got the turret the single stage started to collect dust. I still use it for large rifle stuff.

If you get the turret go for the kit. Get a riser for the powder measure if you are going to prime on the press. I do use mine for prime on the press for revolver rounds. It is where things speed up greatly. If you use it for rifle loading. Make sure each case is lubed.
 
I started about 15 years ago with the Lee reloaded kits for 3030 and 4570. The wack a mole kits. Then I moved on to the Lee single stage for pistol and rifle. This month I purchased the Lee breech lock pro for the same calibers your into. Loaded 100 rounds in 38 special and found it most enjoying. For $105 bucs I don’t think you can go wrong.
 
An often-asked question. Blue and red are in entirely different ballparks. If you want cheap, go red. If you want long-term quality, go Blue.
 
I have a Lee Classic Cast Turret. I do not use it in the auto mode. I like that I can set up a complete set of dies and get everything set and keep it set. I do not load high volume ammo, I just buy all the 9mm and 5.56 at prices I could hardly load for given the time cost. But various rifle, 45 Colt and other lower volume ammo, yeppers, works great. Love my Lee Classic Cast single stage also set up with Hornady Lock and Load bushings. Use it mostly for big rifle cartridges. 3C
 
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Just throwing a shout out to the Redding T7 press. Ive had it for 6 years now and haven't had a single issue. I only load for my rifles and revolvers as well, serves me perfectly.

Just another option besides the Lee.

-Robb
 
Welcome to reloading.

First off, while it's cheaper per round, i have yet to know anyone that has saved money by reloading.
We shoot a lot more, hence any savings is spent.
I have the Lee Classic Turret kit.
I load half a dozen pistol calibers and probably close to a dozen rifle calibers.
I use it in the auto mode for pistol. Advance manually for rifle.
I have done some forming with mine. Then bought a Lee Challenger press for forming operations.

I would disagree with the earlier comment on others for long term, Lee for cheap.
Just because your not paying the price for the green or blue name doesn't make it any less durable.
 
STDMAG knows what he’s talking about. I posted a few weeks ago of which Turret or Progressive to go with. I took his advise and bought the Turret classic. In less than 20 minutes I loaded all 55 loads I shot of 44 at the range yesterday. Not top speed for someone not new to this press but it would have taken hours to change dies measure powder seat and crimp on my single stage. I’m keeping the single stage but love the Turret.
 
Start with a single stage press. Although I use LEE equipment for reloading, I will tell you it does wear out. I've been through 4-5 turret presses over several years of above average loading volume and that didn't include the "heavy work" of sizing.
 
Remember the blue stuff has a lifetime warranty, send it back to the factory and they will rebuild it.
Yes the equipment cost's more but the quality is higher and having the factory support
is well worth it.
 
Dillion has a fantastic progressive product for high volume reloaders but Lee also makes a great turret press too.

I have well over 100,000 rounds though my lee classic turret. I broke one plastic ratchet ( operator error) a few years ago. It was less than a dollar for a new one and i was back up and running perfectly in a few minutes.
Its the best $100 I have ever spent in 40 years of shooting. Buy with confidence
 
I also own the Lee Classic Turret press (LCT), and recommend it highly, especially for someone just starting out. You can't go wrong, especially for the price.

I upgraded a long time to a blue progressive, but it is amazing that I still use the LCT for a lot of things.
 
Hey why not consider orange(Lyman). I've had my turret press for over 20 years with more than 50k rounds. It still going, never a problem both with rifle and pistol. After I manually resize and prime each case I have it set up as a semi progressive using the Lyman powder/expander dies. Its fast enough for me without breaking the bank. You can use it as a single stage if you want.
 
It sounds like the Lee would serve your purposes. The main trick with Lee aluminum presses is to keep them lubricated so they don't wear unduly. If you are thinking that you might want to be able to load some ammunition, like your .38's, fast, but want to take your time with your rifle loads or your development loads, the Dillon 550 lets you load either progressively or singly because the advancement of a cartridge from one station to another on it is manual. That means you could do everything at one station if you chose to. Just don't advance it.
 
I used a Lee turrent for a number of years then decided I needed to upgrade and gave it to my son in law. I miss that press, it had a small footprint on my bench and did everything I needed done and did it well. The son in law might be getting this Rock Chucker soon and I might be getting another Lee
 
A vote for the Lee Classic turret.
It isn't aluminum. :/ You aren't going to wear one out.
The economy of motion efficiency cuts time sitting in front of it by one third relative to single stage loading.
The kits are 200 bucks, it is a world beater.

I am not a fan of any of the center post-supported turrets, they all will have run out inherently, it can't be avoided. The redding RCBS and Lyman are just single stage presses with die storage.

I would call the 550 a manual index progressive, since it operates all station functions at once. It is a good press when optioned out, it is a bit of an investment.
But, happiness doesn't always mean being a bean counter.
Research, make sure you do what makes you happy. It isn't fun to spend 400 bucks and have everything all set up, then realize it isn't all that you thought it would be.
 
Yet another Lee classic turret vote. Yeah, lee equipment is cheap (at least in the reloading world) but it works and is fairly durable. I have 10k rounds on a classic turret I've had a few years. Just as good now as ever.
 
Promised myself that I wouldn't post here, as there are loads of past posts comparing turrets vs. progressive presses for a new reloader to peruse in making a decision but............ OK, I couldn't resist.

After enjoying this great hobby for over 40years and using a variety of single-stage C presses, turrets and progressive presses, I'd recommend anyone wanting to jump into reloading to just get a Lee Classic Cast Turret press and call it done.

Unless you plan to swage bullets, load extremely long cartridge cases, or do heavy case forming, today I see no reason to choose a single-stage press. The Lee Turret press will operate fine as a single stage, if you're uncertain about your process just by temporarily removing the indexing rod. Put the indexing rod in-place and you can easily produce fine ammo at the rate of 150rds/hr or so.

It's not that much more expensive than a single-stage press setup and certainly a lot more flexible when changing calibers to reload. Best bang for the buck out there today IMHO. I used one for many years before selling it to fund a Hornady LnL progressive press. Sold it to another shooter and it's still going strong.

The only reason I switched to the LnL was that I wanted a higher round output/hr. I liked the Hornady free bullet offer, and I'm a sucker for neat mechanical things.
 
I have a Lyman turret and like it. I have a Redding Boss single stage press, and I have a Lee hand press. The one that gets the most use is the Lee hand press. It is also portable, and can be used anywhere. Turrets are great if you switch between calibers, you can have 2 set up and ready to go.
 
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