Lee Classic Turret press

[bauerr3]

I am brand new to reloading, and have been reading anything I could for the last month or so. I'm loading 9mm for now (maybe 5.56 down the road), with more time than money on my hands, and I want to shoot between 400-500 rounds a month. I think I am going with the Lee Classic Turret, since using it as a single stage will benefit me the most while being able to transition it out of single stage might be useful.

Does anyone have objections and/or advice on this press? A better alternative?

Also, does anyone know if there is a shop in Indiana that sells them? I figured it would be better to support a local business and not pay shipping at the same time, as long as it isn't too far away (+/- 30 miles from Camby)

 

[VERT]

The Lee Classic turret is a great budget press that offers a lot of flexibility. Not sure about local to Greenwood. The best prices I have seen are online. Try FS reloading or Titan reloading.

If you just want to load 9mm for USPSA and don't mind giving up the flexibility of the turret, I would recommend a Dillon Square Deal. They are about $400 new and good presses for loading 9mm. They are pistol only and kind of expensive and a pain to switch cartridges.

 

[bauerr3]

The Lee Classic turret is a great budget press that offers a lot of flexibility. Not sure about local to Greenwood. The best prices I have seen are online. Try FS reloading or Titan reloading.

If you just want to load 9mm for USPSA and don't mind giving up the flexibility of the turret, I would recommend a Dillon Square Deal. They are about $400 new and good presses for loading 9mm. They are pistol only and kind of expensive and a pain to switch cartridges.

I have looked on FS Reloading and was planning on ordering it on there if there wasn't anything local, but figured it was worth a shot

Loading just for USPSA crossed my mind, but I wasn't sure if limiting myself like that may be a bad move right off the bat...Also the Lee is about half as much

 

[MoparMan]

I started off with the Lee Classic about 4 months ago. It was fine starting out and for some people it can be a great option. I bought mine off Amazon i believe as it was the cheapest option.

It just depends on how much you shoot. I started USPSA at about the same time and shoot approximately 700 9mm a month. With my Military schedule and other life activities it didn't take long for me to realize I needed something more efficient so I bought a used Dillon 550 from Bobcat. I plan to keep the turret for less used calibers and the Dillon only for 9mm/45acp.

 

[bauerr3]

...I started USPSA at about the same time and shoot approximately 700 9mm a month. With my Military schedule and other life activities it didn't take long for me to realize I needed something more efficient so I bought a used Dillon 550 from Bobcat. I plan to keep the turret for less used calibers and the Dillon only for 9mm/45acp.

This is kind of what I was planning on, getting into the swing of reloading and updating my equipment if I need to. Like I said, right now I have more time than money, so I don't have a problem taking 5 hours a week to reload if that means I get to shoot when I want..

 

[87iroc]

I loaded on a turret for a couple years. Great press, but when I started USPSA I upgraded to a progressive(Loadmaster) and load 9 mm quickly. Turret is still hanging out on the bench to load lesser calibers and rifle.

 

[VERT]

More time then money? Go with the turret press. I really enjoyed loading on mine. I did not find it to be much slower then the progressive. Always same like something is slowing down the progressive. This is usually a spent primer not popping out or the primers failing to feed. With the turret you can usually catch this stuff right off the bat. Plus switching calibers is a breeze.

 

[red_zr24x4]

I started with the Lee, it will do the job. I also have a RCBS Rockchucker I use for depriming rifle. I upgraded to a 550.
Not local to you but, Kempf's in Michigan City is a Lee dealer, they have a web page, or at least they used to.

 

[rooster]

I like my lee pro 1000. Gave me some trouble getting it properly setup but once its dialed in it works great.

Get a good scale and set of calipers. Shop around and find deals on your components.

 

[mdemetz]

I started with the Lee, it will do the job. I also have a RCBS Rockchucker I use for depriming rifle. I upgraded to a 550.
Not local to you but, Kempf's in Michigan City is a Lee dealer, they have a web page, or at least they used to.

https://kempfgunshop.com/

 

[throttletony]

I have the Lee Classic Turret press and like it.
It is faster than a single stage. I like that I can run it like a single stage, or speed it up a bit. If I understand your position (balancing budget and time), it should be a great press for you.
Don't forget online sites like Midwayusa -- if you catch them with a generic sale (like $25 off of $200, etc) it can really help to make the cost very competitive.

I pieced together my own kit, but their starter kit is ok as well. (I'd suggest getting a second manual and a different/better scale)

 

[VERT]

Yeah the scale in the kit sucks! But if all a person does is uses the autodisc measure then it is really all you need. The size of the hole in the disc determines how much powder is dropped. You need a scale to double check the disc, but otherwise there is no adjustment. I actually liked the autodisc.

 

[throttletony]

Yeah the scale in the kit sucks! But if all a person does is uses the autodisc measure then it is really all you need. The size of the hole in the disc determines how much powder is dropped. You need a scale to double check the disc, but otherwise there is no adjustment. I actually liked the autodisc.

Yeah, the autodisk is actually pretty great for basic handgun loads!
I got the double disk set to get a bit more variety.

 

[Johncandy]

I am brand new to reloading, and have been reading anything I could for the last month or so. I'm loading 9mm for now (maybe 5.56 down the road), with more time than money on my hands, and I want to shoot between 400-500 rounds a month. I think I am going with the Lee Classic Turret, since using it as a single stage will benefit me the most while being able to transition it out of single stage might be useful.

Does anyone have objections and/or advice on this press? A better alternative?

Also, does anyone know if there is a shop in Indiana that sells them? I figured it would be better to support a local business and not pay shipping at the same time, as long as it isn't too far away (+/- 30 miles from Camby)

Try Bradis 2 in camby. That's where I got mine.

 

[Mgderf]

I have a classic Turret and like it a lot, but I'm new to reloading as well.
Titan reloading is my go-to as a rule, if you can't find one locally.
They have quick shipping and charges are usually reasonable.
Titan Reloading is a Master Distributor of Lee Precision

 

[VERT]

Titan has a very good selection of parts for the turret press as well. I ordered from them and was happy.

 

[mannus]

If you end up with a Lee press, get the auto drum powder measure instead of the auto-disk. It's a more accurate with drops and easier to dial in.

 

[Ngdonut]

If you end up with a Lee press, get the auto drum powder measure instead of the auto-disk. It's a more accurate with drops and easier to dial in.

I agree! I have never used the auto disk powder measure, but do have the auto drum powder measure on top of my classic turret press and really like it. I do not see any reason why I would go to the disk with how well the auto drum works. And, it is seems more intuitive to set up and use.

Side note: Buy the Lee Riser to set the powder measure up a little higher so that you dont have an issue with your other dies being in the way.