Lee Classic Turret Press

I’m a big fan of Lee reloading equipment, as it’s cheap, effective and comprehensively packaged. Their die sets for example come with a shell holder, reloading data, powder scoop and offer the choice of neck or full length sizing and even factory crimping too. All this for around £25 ain’t bad at all. However, many criticize them for the fact a lot of their presses are made from aluminium alloy, wrongly assuming they are not up to the job. Which is not the case; however, I still prefer a cast iron machine.

A few years ago Lee decided to do something about this situation and made their first cast iron press; the single station, O-frame Classic Cast, which for the money was a remarkable achievement. I have had one on my bench since then and use it regularly, with no complaints. So I was pleased to see that they have expanded upon this theme as their turret press is now of the same build and quality.

Speeding Up

By design a turret press is a half way house between a single station machine, where you can only fit one die at a time and a progressive, that offers automated, multiple functions every time you pull the handle. Turrets offer a revolving head (turret) that mounts the dies and can be sub-divided into two types - manual and automatic indexing.

Manual is where you select the function you want then physically move the turret to that position. Automatics rotate the turret every time the lever is operated and this is how the Lee does it, so you can produce one round of ammo from start to finish by pumping the lever according to the number of dies fitted. However it’s also possible to remove the simple drive mechanism (index rod) to turn it to manual operation.

The build goes for a cast iron base unit that bolts to the bench, with a steel, compound leverage system that offers good mechanical advantage for full power re-sizing. The operating handle can be set up for left or right hand use and also angle. The upper plate (planten) that supports the turret is tied to the base by three, thick steel bars. In terms of strength this machine is as strong as an O-frame and offers better access too!

Four Holer

The turret is aluminium alloy and engages with the planten by interrupted lugs and accepts up to four standard (7/8x14 TPI) dies. This in most case will also allow the fitting of a Lee Auto Disk automated powder dispenser. Conversely you can fit a simple powder-through die and charge the case in situ using one of their scoops.

Priming is simple with a pair of (large & small primers) L-shaped arms (Lever Prime Assembly), which slot into the steel ram. These have to be manually loaded each time, but this is not a chore and priming is done on the down stroke. So it’s a simple matter to de-cap/re-size and drop the case down to prime before the turret indexes to the next station. Lee can speed this up for you a little as you can fit their hi-capacity drum feed system - the Safety Prime, which uses the same flat, feed drum as their Auto Prime hand tool. The spent primers fall down the centre of the ram and are collected in a plastic tube with a removable end cap.

Bolt Down, Handle On

The Turret comes assembled with the exception of the operating handle, which takes minutes to fit. All you have to do is set up the dies (this machine will accept a maximum case length of 3 1/16”). Fit the shell holder and primer arm, work out how you want to dispense the powder and you’re ready to go. My example was properly aligned with the dies, but if it’s not it’s a simple matter to adjust it. Lee supply full instruction for setting up!

To get the best out of it in automatic mode you do need to have some form of powder dispenser in the turret, otherwise you will have to take the case off to charge it, then replace it. The Auto Disk is a good option, as it is automatically actuated as the case rises to that station. I’m not certain but their standard, adjustable volume thrower (The Prefect Power Measure) might work too. This is manually operated so you need to be aware of this as you load the ammunition.

Silly Money

As I said you can also use the press in manual mode, as all you do is take off the turret and remove the Auto Index rod. Though not as quick, it’s still faster than a comparable single station machine, as all you have to do to change die functions is to rotate the turret, as opposed to unscrewing and re-fitting. To ensure concentricity a sprung ball is fitted in the side of the planten that ensures the turret indexes correctly.

Likewise you can buy spare turrets and have them pre-fitted for other calibres and changing out the turret is fast and simple. I would say that fully fitted up with Auto Disk and Safety Prime units the Classic Turret will easily offer a capacity of 200-300 rounds per hour maybe more. Given it takes that long to load 100 on a single station machine that’s not a bad increase in production.

With their new Classic Turret Press, Lee has improved an existing design in terms of strength, ability and production at what is, as ever, a very good price. I sometime wonder how the other reloading companies can hope to compete? I shall be getting in an Auto Disk and Safety Prime next month to see how they stack up on the press.

We Reckon:

Cheap and effective
Good capacity
Excellent all-rounder

OPTIONS:
Auto Disk powder dispenser £19.00
Safety Primer system £19.00 (small & large primers)

PRICE:  £75