Lee Classic Turret [Archive]

Werdna

04-07-2008, 10:13 PM

D. Manley

04-07-2008, 10:27 PM

Hey everyone

I'm thinking of getting the Lee Classic Turret for my first press. What are the general opinions of this one? I have a little bit of experience reloading before, but it was a few years ago. I reloaded 12 gauge and 44 mag with a friend of mine.

The main reason for me picking out this press is reliability and value. I am on a budget so for me, value is a must.

I have used a Dillon press before when loading the 44 mag, and I really liked it but it is a bit out of my reach for right now.

So, GP, what say you in regards to this press? Worth the money, or not?

The calibers I will be loading for are 9mm, 45 acp, and 308win. I would also like to make some good hunting ammo for my 7.62x54R.

Very good value in a press if you do not need high volume output. I would recommend dealing with Kemp's Gun Shop (http://www.kempfgunshop.com/products/reloading/completerelo/KempfKit.html) as they offer a nice kit with several upgrade options (by all means, buy the Pro AutoDisk upgrade). I do my volume loading on the Dillon but the LCT has its strong points as well...full caliber change-over in seconds, simple to do load work-ups on, etc. It turns out great ammo and pretty well works as advertised.

You didn't ask but I'd advise you to pass on the Lee Scale...IMO, its a horrible excuse for a scale -and- you might want to acquire one of the adjustable charge bars to supplement the disk system. There will be times you can't get the charge you need from a disk and the adjustable bar is very inexpensive. If you really want to speed up caliber changeovers all you need is a separate turret w/dies and powder measure for each caliber...just lift out a complete turret, pop another one in and go, just that quick.

Werdna

04-07-2008, 10:32 PM

Sounds like a winner to me. Thanks for the quick reply and the link, the press there comes in a kit with many optional upgrades. I have a feeling this will be the press that gets me started.

D. Manley

04-07-2008, 10:51 PM

Sounds like a winner to me. Thanks for the quick reply and the link, the press there comes in a kit with many optional upgrades. I have a feeling this will be the press that gets me started.

If you have any questions, call the number and speak to "Sue"...she's pretty sharp on Lee stuff and I've found her very helpful. Its a great little press and the bonus is, even if you move up to a progressive later it will still prove to be valuable to you doing other stuff.

Pitmaster

04-07-2008, 11:08 PM

Sounds like a winner to me. Thanks for the quick reply and the link, the press there comes in a kit with many optional upgrades. I have a feeling this will be the press that gets me started.

I bought the same kit as D. Manley and agree with everything he says. Especially skipping the Lee Scale and upgrading to the Pro Auto Disk. I got the scale but can't get it to work right. When I made my decision it was the for the balance of speed and flexiblity while I'm learning. Plus I can use it to work up loads. I'm going to add a Dillon or Hornady this fall or winter for quantity.

I've had some trouble with one of the dies on the 9mm set I bought. They are back at Lee getting fixed. I also had the decapping pin break on the .45 caliber die set yesterday. I called today and they will include a new one when they ship the turret and dies I sent them to fix last week. I'm pretty sure this is just a fluke regarding these two problems. Its frustrating but I still think I got a good bang for the buck.

Watch the sales at Midway and other places including eBay and pick up a a turret and dies for each caliber you are going to load. That makes exchanging calibers easier. I bought a Pro Auto Disk for each caliber but that is not necessary. Its pretty easy to change out.

Sue Kempf has an excellent reputation to deal with on the Internet as does Kempfs Gun Shop. Dealing with her dad at the store is a pain unless you know what you want. Lots of people locally don't like the store but will shop via internet to avoid the old man. Prices are reasonable too.

RustyFN

04-07-2008, 11:09 PM

Yep I think DM nailed it. It has been a great press for me over the last two years. I was in the same boat and I figured it would be better to start with a less expensive press than not start at all. The Lee scale is accurate but not fun to use. KempF has a good kit at the best price. You would also be ahead to upgrade to the Pro Auto Disk and the LG & Sm safety prime, well worth the few extra dollars. Here is my set-up.
Rusty
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8da27b3127cceb7673d512e0000000026100DZOGblm4Yo

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8da27b3127cceb7673d5f2e0e00000026100DZOGblm4Yo

saunderscc

04-07-2008, 11:35 PM

Plus one on the LCT. I have been using for 9mm and love it. I just recently bought a G21SF and so I bought the turret and dies for .45. It is a great press. It is also my first press and has made loading simple. Here is a pic of my setup:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2124/2397900576_a4c1eabbc3.jpg?v=0

I didn't have a nice workbench or anything to mount it on, so I just drilled some holes into a piece of wood and mounted it to my desk with some C-Clamps. It has worked out very well.

Werdna

04-08-2008, 12:13 AM

Awesome! Its great to hear such positive things from everyone. I think I may be contacting KempF in the next few days.

saunderscc

04-08-2008, 12:16 AM

bfox

04-08-2008, 12:57 AM

Help me out her guys !
I forget the name .
I think it is called the safety prime .
If you do get it make sure you get the riser so the powder
measure doesn't hit the dies .

Like others said the Lee scale works but there sure are nicer
scales to work with .

Good Luck Bill

saunderscc

04-08-2008, 01:01 AM

I got the riser for my setup. My problem wasn't so much the powder measure hitting the dies, but it kept hitting the safety prime. Now that the riser is on it sits over the safety prime solved my problem.

copdills

04-08-2008, 04:01 AM

I have only loaded handgun rounds on mine but would not trade it for anything, one of the best presses I have ever had

jawjaboy

04-08-2008, 04:50 AM

Excellent press for the dollah. Love mine.. :thumbsup:

creophus

04-08-2008, 09:05 AM

I love mine too. I've loaded lots of quality ammo on that thing. It's making a come back for my rifle reloading. The caliber changes are MUCH, MUCH cheaper than the 550!!!

That Lee scale on the other hand, has frustrated me to no end. I have another scale on order and can't wait until it arrives.

Bush Pilot

04-08-2008, 10:08 PM

If and when you do purchase it, don't hesitate to ask anything. I am sure that if I can't answer something (seeing as I just started myself), everyone else on the board will be more than willing to help out. Good luck with the LCT!

+1 on the help, the only exception would be a poster named "Koski", he's trouble from the get go, I wouldn't trust anything the ahole had to say. Watch out for his tirades about Lee presses, it's what finally what got him tossed on GT.

Werdna

04-08-2008, 10:23 PM

haha I remember Koski from GT

saunderscc

04-08-2008, 10:27 PM

+1 on the help, the only exception would be a poster named "Koski", he's trouble from the get go, I wouldn't trust anything the ahole had to say. Watch out for his tirades about Lee presses, it's what finally what got him tossed on GT.

Really? I thought Koski used one of these as his primary loader:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2326/2400109888_ed850b86a6.jpg?v=0
:animlol: :lol: :rofl:

Bush Pilot

04-08-2008, 10:51 PM

Really? I thought Koski used one of these as his primary loader:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2326/2400109888_ed850b86a6.jpg?v=0
:animlol: :lol: :rofl:

Common misconception, you're thinking of a Load Master.

slowride

04-08-2008, 10:53 PM

LCTP is best press for the $$$. Great way to pump out some quality ammo.

saunderscc

04-08-2008, 11:02 PM

LCTP is best press for the $$$. Great way to pump out some quality ammo.

Agreed.

saunderscc

04-08-2008, 11:05 PM

Common misconception, you're thinking of a Load Master.

I must admit that Lee Loader is mine. Before Shovel66 and I started to reload, he bought that for 9mm and I bought it off him. No ammo so far has been loaded with it yet. I do use the de-primming tool to help clean media when I am sorting brass after cleaning it all up. Other than that it sits and collects dust.

ustate

04-08-2008, 11:15 PM

I also started with the Lee Turret about two years and its a great press. Its faster than a single stage but gives the advantage of only working on one round at a time. I would highly recommend that press.

zdogk9

04-09-2008, 12:04 PM

I had a Lee Turret, it was quirkey and required fiddling, however when it was dialed in it was damned good, (there i said it). By all accounts the LCT addresses these faults and solves them. If I decide I have need of a press with output between my single stage and my L&L AP, the LCT is at the head of a very short list.
Z

96cbr900rr

04-09-2008, 01:03 PM

D. Manley

04-09-2008, 02:06 PM

I have one of the Kempf kits and think it's great. The only issue I have is that I purchased the Pro Auto Disk upgrade with the kit, and while I received the upgraded powder reservoir, the base was not the upgraded Teflon coated unit that comes as part of the standalone pro autodisk measure, I think they could have been more clear on their web page that you were not getting the full pro auto disk, but only the upgraded reservoir.

Hmmm. My upgraded kit came with the normal "Pro" AutoDisk...if yours' did not, you should have called them. Easy way to tell, is whether the base is black and uses thumb-screws vs. the sheet metal screws of the standard measure. Truthfully, I didn't know the Pro version cansiter would fit on the standard base.

PsychoKnight

04-09-2008, 04:19 PM

The adjustable charge bar is okay, but you get additional benefit if you get the double disk kit instead of the charge bar. Stacking and using two disks instead of one, you get a greater combination of loads (use smaller cavites in place of the regular sized cavity), and you have greater capacity, such as for your 7.62x54R. A single cavity, the largest, isn't enough for med or large rifle cases.

Warhorse

04-09-2008, 04:27 PM

My LCT has reloaded .38Spl, 9MM, and .40 S&W in the two months or so that I've had it. It was my first time reloading, and I found it very easy to set up and use. I highly recommend it.

jtrade

04-09-2008, 07:11 PM

I just received that kit today. Trying to find somewhere to mount it.

BIG Thanks to saunderscc (http://www.glockpost.com/forums/member.php?u=98) for the Pic cause now I have an idea!!!!

saunderscc

04-09-2008, 07:28 PM

Just be sure to post a pic when you get done so we can see what you came up with.

alank2

04-09-2008, 10:23 PM

Hi,

I've got a 550 which I truly love to load on, but I have to say there is something really cool about the Lee Classic Turret. I think it offers an incredible value to new reloaders at its low price point and excellent performance. I don't think there is anything at its price point that even comes close to its capability. I keep wanting one even though I don't need it!!!!

I say go with the Kempf kit and get crankin!

Good luck,

Alan

96cbr900rr

04-10-2008, 10:43 AM

Hmmm. My upgraded kit came with the normal "Pro" AutoDisk...if yours' did not, you should have called them. Easy way to tell, is whether the base is black and uses thumb-screws vs. the sheet metal screws of the standard measure. Truthfully, I didn't know the Pro version cansiter would fit on the standard base.I definitely is the standard base, the box it came in was a standard autodisk, with "Pro" hand written on it with a sharpie. Guess I will be contacting them. I figured at first that I had mis-understood the site, and that it was the update that lee makes for the standard auto disk, while I thought it was the full Pro autodisk kit. Will update with how it turns out.

ETA: E-mailed Kemp's, the explanation was that they were out of stock on the Pro AutoDisk Measures, and rather than hold the entire order or not ship a measure at all, they upgraded a standard model and forgot to mark the invoice. They will be shipping me the correct part and asked that I keep the original item as a spare.

freakshow10mm

04-11-2008, 08:42 AM

Seems like they are taking care of you.

My second press was a LCT. I load on a 550 right now so the LCT sits in a bucket in the closet.

96cbr900rr

04-11-2008, 10:05 AM

I would have preferred that I was informed of the issue upfront, or some sort of credit issued when the original order was processed instead of having to guess about it. Yes, they did step up when questioned, and with the service I received on the initial order and their willingness to make things right on this issue, I will be ordering from them again with confidence.

Shibumi

06-25-2008, 02:16 PM

Seems like they are taking care of you.

My second press was a LCT. I load on a 550 right now so the LCT sits in a bucket in the closet.

Hey Freak, wanna free up that bucket for empty brass or something equally important?? :supergrin:

I'm currently using the Lee Challenger and think a turret would be a nice feature to have...

Shibumi

06-25-2008, 02:19 PM

For anyone who has used both, is the Redding T-7 worth the price difference over the Lee?

And for reference, I would consider it worth it if the Redding was dead-accurate and repeatable but the Lee was not...

Jim_M

06-25-2008, 08:00 PM

I manage to load 200-300 rounds of USPSA match ammo a week on mine. Earned my third Nationals slot shooting the same ammo over the course of the 2007 season. The auto safety prime system alone makes this a buy over any current turret press. IMO.

Jim

0-16

07-08-2008, 10:11 PM

I have had a LCT for a little over two years. A great press to learn on, and the Lee videos were great in helping set up the dies.

RustyFN

07-11-2008, 07:55 PM

I just loaded 500 rounds last night in three hours. That included filling the primer tray three times, checking the pro auto disk for the right charge, resetting the seating die for a different OAL and a phone call.
Rusty

jawjaboy

08-20-2008, 01:27 PM

A couple of months ago the son-in-law was home and we were setting right here(pic). He was on the Classic Turret on the right cranking out 38's and I was on the Deluxe Turret on the left cranking out 44's.

At a point we were taking a break and I said "lets see who can fill up a box(50) first." I knew he would win on tha Classic, but I wanted to see by how much. Mind you now, he only gets to reload 2 or 3 times a year, and I'm supposed to be the seasoned veteran here. :rolleyes5:

And we're off. In no hurry, paying attention. About ~15/20 minutes later he was through with his box of 50. I had 32 in my box.

The safety prime and the ram through primer disposal is a huge time saver over the Deluxe Turret. Jes say'n.

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g194/jawjaboy/IM000109.jpg