358156 hp
At large, whereabouts unknown.
FWIW, I remember when this was going on. Rick ain't exaggerating a bit.
Anyone use a Turret Press????
- Thread starter Elpatoloco
- Start date
JBinMN
Member
For turret presses I have a Lyman Spar-T, a Lyman Tru-Line Jr. with a converted turret ( to the larger dies) , and a Lee 4 hole Classic cast, which is the one I use the most.
Along with about 4-5 single stage of mixed manfrs.. (RCBS,Lee, etc.), that I use mostly for rifle calibers & utility duties like de-capping, bullet sizing, primer pocket swaging, etc..
I can say that I prefer the turrets for the speed & not having to change out dies, but since I was started on single stage, I still have a fondness for them. Particularly for rifle rounds.
I am not going to offer any suggestions about mnfr, as that is up to the one spending their hard earned $$, but The reason I prefer & use the Lee Classic cast the most is the ease of changing out turrets. I have about 10-12 turrets & they are all pre set for the most common setups I use, due to having multiple handgun calibers to reload. To change from one setup to the next is just a matter of maybe a minute to remove one turret & install the next, and not having to change the dies over & over.
Perhaps there are other turret presses that make for easy & fast changeovers, but I have not been in the market for any new presses for some time & so have just stayed with what I have. Besides, right now I think I have enough presses already since I don't have the room to have them all set up at one time. ( I do use the Lee press plate system & I made my own oak "plates" for each press, so I just keep the presses on shelves & take out the one I want to use when I need it. I also have a SS semi permanent setup that I can flip upsidedown for certain tasks like bullet sizing that is removable also, but is generally left in place. )
I don't have any progressive presses, but I think that maybe someday I might, if I find a good deal on one. Otherwise I will stick to the SS & turret presses. I like to take my time & am particular about the "doing" of reloading as well as casting & I have no need to pump out a lot in a short amount of time as others might. So, what I have suits me just fine.
IMO,, it is kind of like the Ford, Chevy, Dodge deal with vehicles when it comes with reloading presses. Some want basic version & one particular make because it suits them, others might find that they have other needs & choose what suits them for their purposes.
So, I don't know what turret would suit you Elpatoloco/Colby ( Lazyduck), but I hope you find something that you can be happy with using, as a complement to your other press(s).
G'Luck~!
Along with about 4-5 single stage of mixed manfrs.. (RCBS,Lee, etc.), that I use mostly for rifle calibers & utility duties like de-capping, bullet sizing, primer pocket swaging, etc..
I can say that I prefer the turrets for the speed & not having to change out dies, but since I was started on single stage, I still have a fondness for them. Particularly for rifle rounds.
I am not going to offer any suggestions about mnfr, as that is up to the one spending their hard earned $$, but The reason I prefer & use the Lee Classic cast the most is the ease of changing out turrets. I have about 10-12 turrets & they are all pre set for the most common setups I use, due to having multiple handgun calibers to reload. To change from one setup to the next is just a matter of maybe a minute to remove one turret & install the next, and not having to change the dies over & over.
Perhaps there are other turret presses that make for easy & fast changeovers, but I have not been in the market for any new presses for some time & so have just stayed with what I have. Besides, right now I think I have enough presses already since I don't have the room to have them all set up at one time. ( I do use the Lee press plate system & I made my own oak "plates" for each press, so I just keep the presses on shelves & take out the one I want to use when I need it. I also have a SS semi permanent setup that I can flip upsidedown for certain tasks like bullet sizing that is removable also, but is generally left in place. )
I don't have any progressive presses, but I think that maybe someday I might, if I find a good deal on one. Otherwise I will stick to the SS & turret presses. I like to take my time & am particular about the "doing" of reloading as well as casting & I have no need to pump out a lot in a short amount of time as others might. So, what I have suits me just fine.
IMO,, it is kind of like the Ford, Chevy, Dodge deal with vehicles when it comes with reloading presses. Some want basic version & one particular make because it suits them, others might find that they have other needs & choose what suits them for their purposes.
So, I don't know what turret would suit you Elpatoloco/Colby ( Lazyduck), but I hope you find something that you can be happy with using, as a complement to your other press(s).
G'Luck~!
RicinYakima
High Steppes of Eastern Washington
All this writing about turret presses made me dig out my Red Head that I haven't looked at in 10 years.
Simple design that uses the small bright rod to index through the die holder, very accurate. Originally these used Lyman hand dies for the #3 and #10 tools. CC Johnson had to make his own during WW2 and post war until they got back into production. While they work well, they have limitations. Only neck size rifle cases and 3/4 size 45 Colt cases, but do everything else OK. Depriming is dirty as the spent primer falls down on the reprime punch and has to be brushed off.
This one is set up for 35 Whelen at the moment. The little silver pieces on the base are the drop-in primer punches. Other than a powder measure you are good to go.
Simple design that uses the small bright rod to index through the die holder, very accurate. Originally these used Lyman hand dies for the #3 and #10 tools. CC Johnson had to make his own during WW2 and post war until they got back into production. While they work well, they have limitations. Only neck size rifle cases and 3/4 size 45 Colt cases, but do everything else OK. Depriming is dirty as the spent primer falls down on the reprime punch and has to be brushed off.
This one is set up for 35 Whelen at the moment. The little silver pieces on the base are the drop-in primer punches. Other than a powder measure you are good to go.
Just checked, Midway still sells them. I have had 1 since 2016 have loaded thousands & thousands of rounds without any problems. Ian, lee sells see through round turret holders just for holding turrets with dies for about $5.00. I have 22 of them set up with dies. several I hardly ever shoot anymore. I think I may have an addiction.
An addiction that clearly can not be healed with aversion therapy.
richhodg66
Well-Known Member
Midway has two Lee turret presses, the Ultimate and the turret press with auto index, which one are you guys saying is so great? Tempted to pick one up and give it a try.
CWLONGSHOT
Well-Known Member
The "ultimate" is there brand new one (i believe)
So the Classic Turret (or new economy turret) is the one Im Referring to.
CW
The only one I've mentioned is exactly like the one @david s shows just above.
I get along fine with the three-hole turrets, but LEE seems to be only making four-hole presses now, but I'd go with the "Economy" model if I had to get a new one.
I'd much rather have another old one as a "backup," so I could stay with the three-hole turrets I already have set up and sorted out. The only thing I do NOT like about the original is the spent primer handling system, where they accumulate in the base. I've solve t hat by mounting mine on a 1" thick sheet of PVC and drilling/taping a hole for a 1" PVC pipe plug. Set a bucket under it and unscrew it and I've emptied my spent primers.
I also made a spent primer deflector out of the plastic from a spiral-bound notebook cover to keep them from going everywhere but in the spent primer reservoir.
I get along fine with the three-hole turrets, but LEE seems to be only making four-hole presses now, but I'd go with the "Economy" model if I had to get a new one.
I'd much rather have another old one as a "backup," so I could stay with the three-hole turrets I already have set up and sorted out. The only thing I do NOT like about the original is the spent primer handling system, where they accumulate in the base. I've solve t hat by mounting mine on a 1" thick sheet of PVC and drilling/taping a hole for a 1" PVC pipe plug. Set a bucket under it and unscrew it and I've emptied my spent primers.
I also made a spent primer deflector out of the plastic from a spiral-bound notebook cover to keep them from going everywhere but in the spent primer reservoir.
JBinMN
Member
Below are just 3 places selling the Lee 4 hole Classic turret press, that is all I went to get for here. The bottom one is a "Reloading Kit". The top one, MidwayUSA is the least expensive right now & on sale as well:
1)
www.midwayusa.com
2)
3)
www.midwayusa.com
1)
Lee Classic 4 Hole Turret Press
This press has all the features of the award-winning Turret Press with quality touches that make this the finest, most convenient press to own. The...
www.midwayusa.com
2)
3)
Lee Classic 4 Hole Turret Press Deluxe Kit
The Lee 4 Hole Classic Turret Press features a proven design which utilizes turrets that lock into a solid steel ring allowing the reloader to quickly...
www.midwayusa.com
JonB
Halcyon member
The Press I prefer...and I even Bought a backup (in case Lee discontinues it), is the Lee Classic 4 hole turret press
Lee Classic 4 Hole Turret Press
This press has all the features of the award-winning Turret Press with quality touches that make this the finest, most convenient press to own. The...
www.midwayusa.com
JonB
Halcyon member
I had 4 or 5 of the old alum turret presses I bought here and there for cheap, and when those prices went sky high around 2020, I sold them all with the thought that I'd rather have a Classic cast turret as a backup...So, when Lee started cranking out the Classic cast turret press's and were available for reasonable price, I ordered one.