Questions or comments feel free to ask in the comment section or email me at mrwunderful38@gmail.com Check me out on Instagram at official_slim_cowboy Check me out on GunStreamer and gunchannels also slim cowboy
I have used this press for 3 years now and loaded both rifle and pistol ammo. If you add a drop of 3N1 oil down into the spiral rod where it contacts the plastic bushing it will run smoother and last much longer ( indefinitely). The press is notorious for inconsistent OAL 's but I have found that is mostly due to inconsistent pressure exerted at bullet seating. Like any other press you have to develop a feel and a rhythm. Check out TREETOPFLIER's video on tune up and maintenance of this press; it has helped me a lot. I like this press so much that I shoot more just to reload more.
I saw that video as well and added the oil to the indexing rod. It does make the press feel even smoother. As a side note, the instructions state that you should oil the ram and all pivot points. I also added a little oil to the turret.
Thanks for the info, Steve! I'm curious... I have a single stage press right now, and I don't have any issue with OAL being inconsistent. On that press, the die solid mounts to the body of the press. Since this is a turret... do you think the inconsistent OAL is a result of slop between the turret and press body? Meaning... if you press too hard... the turret is lifting a little bit due to slop.
@@footnotedrummerI'm not Steve but the answer is no. What little slop there is helps everything "find center". As far as vertical slop, Lee seating dies called "Dead Length" do not have a crimp shoulder built into it so are adjusted just like a full length size die. Screw it all the way down to the shellholder, then a little more. The vertical slop is then adjusted out and everything comes to a hard stop. If you are getting up to .007" variance in COAL, that's the bullet itself. Not sure if my words explaining this are the best but the gist of it is don't let the "slop" in the turret concern you.
I have been using this press since 2013 and have loaded thousands and thousands of cartridges with it. I have found that there is definitely a "feel" and "rhythm" necessary. If you're not shooting 1k rounds per month you don't need a progressive press. But if you're shooting a couple hundred rounds per month, this turret press will more than deliver.
I routinely produce 200+ hand gun rounds per hour. It just works without headaches. I do like the Auto Breech Lock Pro better as it produces more rounds per hour and is just as simple.
I picked up the Lee Classic Turret Press Kit about 6 months ago when I decided to get into reloading. I was sold on this press not only because of the positive reviews, but even more so because of its versatility. You can load pistol and rifle, you can have it auto index, you can remove the indexing rod to move the turret manually by hand, and you can batch load as if it's a single stage press if you like to reload that way. The kit cost me $215.00. I'm really happy with the press and the kit. The only things that don't come with the kit are a die set, caliper, and a bullet puller. Thanks for the review.
@@geezerp1982 About 15 sec or so per round. I could reload faster but I don't because of safety concerns. I also stop every 5-10 rounds to check my OAL and weigh my powder just to be sure everything is consistent. I don't know how much time that adds to my reloading time. I haven't had any problems with consistency but I still like to check for my own peace of mind. I assume you're looking to get into reloading and are trying to decide what type of press to buy so let me give you some advice. Don't buy a turret press with the idea that you'll just pull the handle as fast as possible to make as much ammunition as possible in an hour. I've seen videos of guys using a Lee Turret Press loading 9mm at 8 sec per round. That may be fast, but that doesn't matter if you make unsafe ammunition and your firearm blows up in your face. If producing ammo in large quantities is your goal, then look into a progressive press. With a progressive press, you can load 500-1000 rounds per hour while still taking your time. But no matter what press you decide to go with, safety should be your first concern. Get into the habit of making sure that your powder measure is dropping powder into your brass before seating a bullet. You should, also check at least every 10th round to make sure that your powder measure is dropping the right charge by dumping the powder out of your brass and weighing it with a powder scale and then check the OAL of the completed round.
This is the press I got last winter. It was my first attempt at reloading. Although I have nothing to compare this to, I am very happy with it. It was easy to set up & i’m a few thousand rounds in without a hiccup. I did add some led lights to better see the shells during reloading. Thanks for the review.
Slim Cowboy: I wanted to clarify a point you make at 8:10. The part you're pointing to is called the "Auto Index Clamp" this part isn't the part that fails. It's the part inside which fails and it's called a "Square Ratchet" which is made from nylon. I haven't any problems with it so far but I've only had my press for about a year. But from what I've read, the reason it fails is because people manually rotate the turret while the ram is in the down position. To avoid damaging the Square Ratchet, you should raise the ram above the twists in the Indexing Rod before manually rotating the Turret. With that said, it doesn't hurt to have a couple of extra Square Ratchets just in case it does fail. Replacing the Ratchet is easy. All you have to do is remove the screw from the Auto Index Clamp and put a new Square Ratchet inside it.
Well now that was a interesting video and I have owned a lee turret press for 10 years and have loaded thousands and thousands of rounds with it and it works just fine plus reasonably quick about the only thing I've had trouble with is the little a square plastic piece that fits around the indexing rod and they do wear out. Too bad that Lee could not have made that more robust.
just got one, unboxed it..went to put the handle on..THE BOLT HAS NO THREAD ON IT. YEAH, YOU READ THAT RIGHT. CALLED lee, THEY ARE SENDING A NEW BOLT...but now im delayed in using it.
Damn that sucks i’ve been hearing about a lot of weird mess ups lately from companies I feel like they’re cranking out stuff as fast as possible for the whole pandemic thing
I have this press and have put a LOT of rounds through it since.... i think 2010? I am thinking about getting the lee loadmaster, but that's because im about to get into USPSA and may be shooting a lot more. I can make 125-175 rounds an hour when i get in a rhythm.
I wished I had bought one of these to begin with.the base on these are cast iron according to the description of the press I can’t where people get the idea that it’s pot metal?
I’ve been running my press for over 5 years now and all I’ve done is put a little oil on the shaft and have had zero issues with the plastic ratchet piece. Best press on the market!!!!
The plastic drive is designed to strip if the press binds up. It’s a design feature so something more expensive doesn’t break. I have over 10,000 rounds without having to replace the plastic square drive. Use a little grease on the drive rod and it will last a very long time.
The only problem I have had with my press is in the powder delivery. I use the Lee perfect powder measure and I found that with fine powders it has a tendency to leak a bit of powder at times and the powder will sometimes get into the ball detent in the press at the top where the die holder turns. I just remove the die holder and with a small punch or screwdriver press the ball in slightly and blow air into the hole to remove powder that has worked its way behind the ball. I mark my die holder with a magic marker and my top of the press where the die lines up with a small mark. If the mark gets out of line I know it's time to clean the hole out. It also saves wear in the square plastic guide on the center rod spiral.
I have loaded over 10,000 rounds of 9mm and thousands of 45acp on this press without a single problem. Smear a little grease on the operating rod and the little plastic piece will last forever. I bought 6 little square plastic pieces that turn the tool head and have never had to use them. I like this press better because it can be used as a single stage press, and the case is always in front where I can see what's going on during the loading process. Progressives spin the case around making it difficult to see what's going on during the loading process.
I have used LEE RCBS MEC and Lyman. LEE is the best, definitely a perfect description, the HENRY Ford approach to reloading. Richard LEE has made reloading a reachable hobby to the common man. He has been a huge innovator, and the LEE reloading manual is a must for every bench. I also like the LEE classic loaders. Great vid.
Big difference in preping(or not) and loading rifle and pistolo brass, Could you do a video comparing the main differences in equipment between 308 rifle reloading and 9mm pistol loading. Thanks
I've got Lee and RCBS both and I would buy Lee even if it was the same price as RCBS. Usually it is half or less. I have not found one thing Lee makes that is not as good and the majority work better and much easier to set up and use.
I have two of these presses and I am very happy! I mounted the Hornady powder drop to my powder die and you couldn’t ask for a better way to reload for the money.
I have one of these and love it. Its well made, all steel construction, the turrets are die case CNC machined aluminum. Rock solid and smooth. I have 3 turrets, .223, .308, .300 bk. Quick changes are a breeze. It will save you time. I bought and used the Lee Bench primer which is excellent. I am now using the Lee ACP press which is incredible for priming. 4 feed tubes, 10 cases per tube, 40 cases primed in under 3 minutes. Wham bam thank you ma'am.
What is the part that you said is the common failure point? I am considering one of these just to keep all 9mm dies set up in... but will still be using much like single stage... decanting, then trimming and cleaning, hand priming while watching TV on whatnot... then do each remaining step to like 50 or 100 prepped cases at a time... so manually indexing the turret between stages of that batch... Would this be possible using this turret? The other lower quantity cartridges like hunting rifle and .40 would be done on current single stage... but may have a handful in the family doing a bit of training with 9mm soon.
I've loaded thousands of 9mm and 223 on mine. I don't use the advance rod, I spin it from the top. For smooth operation, oil the handle linkage pivot points and shaft with a good quality thin oil.
Thank you so much for all the time it took to make this. I just got my Lee Classic with all accessories. as a killer deal from a private seller and I can't wait to get it set up and running. I don't mind saying I'm new to reloading and I have friends that'll help me get set up. As for the handle, I've watched ladies sit at slot machines and pull the same handle all day and all night. :)
