Lee Classic turret questions

[Dand]

I saw quite a few comments on another thread about Lee presses but didn't want to hijack that one.

So:  I see lots and lots of good comments about the Lee Classic turret.  I'm not where I can go take a look at one.

I understand the auto advance rotates the die head over the ram is that correct?

And those die heads are aluminum while the top of the press is ?? what material?

My interest and concern is that I'd like to use the turret as a "semi- progressive" press but would the die heads wear quickly used in this manner?
How smoothly does the die head rotate and how well does it align the next die over the ram?

I'm eager to hear more about this press.  I currently use  a Lyman Turret in a similar manner - rotating it by hand but its a bit of a hassle changing turret heads, the heads are expensive.  I have 4 turrets but really need more for the number of calibers I load.

Any comments?  Thanks.  Dan

[Phoneman]

I use a lee. It has a very long handle stroke. Works great though. I load for 4 calibers right now and it does a better job than any other press i have had.

[Marc5000]

Dan,

I have a Lee Classic Turret press and I like it very much. Just to make sure we are talking about the same press, here is a link to a picture from Lee's website.

http://www.leeprecision.com/graphics/shoppingcart/ClassicTP.JPG

Yes, there is an auto advance mechanism that rotates the turret head one quarter turn at every cycle of the handle. It works well. I have removed the auto advance mechanism from my press for I don't reload large quantities. I do it in batches so in my case I don't need the auto indexing, I just rotate the turret manually when I want to use another die.
Manual or automatic, the rotation of the turret is smooth. The die/ram alignment is good in my opinion. The turret itself is made of aluminum. The top of the press is steel. Actually all metal parts are either steel or iron except for the turret and the shaft of the auto advance mechanism, which are aluminum.
I can't say if the aluminum turret will wear quickly if you use the press in "semi-progressive" mode. I just don't use it that way so I can't tell.
The turret has a little bit of vertical play, but that has not caused me any problem. I have used it for seating bullets, and seating depth has been consistent.
Changing turret heads is very easy. I reload for two caliber and have two turret heads ready with all the dies. I believe I paid around $10 for the extra turret head. I got it from either Midway or Midsouth, not quite sure.
I had the opportunity to compare the Lee Classic Turret and the Lyman Turret presses side by side at a Cabela's store before I bought the Lee. Nothing against the Lyman, but I chose the Lee press for it has a positive stop for the upstroke. I also liked the fact that turrets are easier to replace on the Lee press. The ram is hollow and it comes with a plastic hose that attaches to the bottom of the ram to catch the spend primers. That is a nice feature in my opinion.
Lee makes a smaller turret press but I have no first hand experience with that one. However it's my understanding the smaller turret press has a lot more aluminum parts, and is not as sturdy as the Classic Turret press.

Marc

[Dand]

thanks for the info.  I think I'll wait for an opportunity to handle one next time I get to town.  I'm catching up on reloading and doing OK with the lyman.  I'll welcome added comments. 

Happy holidays - hope everyone gets something special under their tree.

Dan

ps just read 2 of the reviews from the provided link - JUST what I was looking for!  Great info. Now I REALLY wish I'd given Santa a short list.

[Blackhawk44]

Go here for a rather thorough evaluation:http://www.realguns.com/archives/122.htm.  I'm still using my old 3 hole, aluminum turret press.  Its only set up for 13 calibers.  It has been my main press almost since it was introduced.  I think that once you try the Lee, you will see how superior its function and handiness are over any cast-head, bolt-on  turret press. PS- turret wear has never been a problem, beside, turret replacement is only about $10 or so.

[Dand]

thanks BH! More good help from the good people on GB!   Now I'm thinking I should have given Santa a list.

 Happy Holidays everybody.

Dan

ps those reviews are really good and helpful

[jgalar]

I have the older 4 station turret press. It's works very well except the priming system is slow, the depriming system drops primers on the floor and their isn't enough room for longer rifle cases. The new classic turret press addresses all these problems and should be an excellent reloading press. The round Lee die storage boxes hold the dies in the turret. Once your dies are set up you don't have to adjust them again. Caliber changes only take seconds to make. For most of the reloading I do the classic turret would be the perfect press...

I use a separate single stage press for forming cases, sizing bullets, de-priming etc.