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Lee Classic Cast Press vs Lee Turret Press Kit
Late-Bloomer
Member Posts: 249 ✭✭✭
Hey guys,
I am a beginner to reloading and hunting rifles. I have no experience whatsoever & need help.
My local gun shop carries mostly Lee Products & just a few of the other name brands.
I would like to get comments on the pros & cons of these two presses. I shoot only three times a month & will have to load for a .270 Win., 6.5x55mm, 7mm Rem Mag, .30/06, and .308.
Are these good beginner/ intermediate level models to start with or should I consider buying something else?
I know I don't want a progressive press, so I thought the Lee Turret might suit me best for the long run.
Also, what other things do I need to get set up with, your brand recommendations would be highly appreciated as I don't know anyone that reloads as of yet. I just hate to have to re-buy components because of ignorance, hence the questions. Thank you very much from a newbie whose been bit real bad by the bug! [:D]
I am a beginner to reloading and hunting rifles. I have no experience whatsoever & need help.
My local gun shop carries mostly Lee Products & just a few of the other name brands.
I would like to get comments on the pros & cons of these two presses. I shoot only three times a month & will have to load for a .270 Win., 6.5x55mm, 7mm Rem Mag, .30/06, and .308.
Are these good beginner/ intermediate level models to start with or should I consider buying something else?
I know I don't want a progressive press, so I thought the Lee Turret might suit me best for the long run.
Also, what other things do I need to get set up with, your brand recommendations would be highly appreciated as I don't know anyone that reloads as of yet. I just hate to have to re-buy components because of ignorance, hence the questions. Thank you very much from a newbie whose been bit real bad by the bug! [:D]
Comments
Like I said I bought the Anniversary Kit. It has everything you need but the componets and dies. Buy the Lee Carbide Dies, they come with a shell holder and are great quality dies. I believe Cabela's has the best deal right now. It's the perfect starter kit.
Try to stay away from the Anniversary edition O frame Challenger press or the turret presses using aluminum (the older models). They are fine for light use but I have had parts break on them when doing heavy duty work. They are still in production concurrently with the new cast iron models. But again to reiterate, the cast iron "classic" series is a great choice.
Jon
Pete
Could you give me a better feel for what I should be looking at in this selection. Thank you! [8D]
quote:Originally posted by jonk
For anyone who naysays Lee, they are probably thinking about old Lee stuff and aren't aware that Lee is now making cast iron presses, just as beefy as the RCBS and at a fraction of a cost (they use old rail stock). The classic cast and classic cast turret are both heavy, solid, great buys. I'd go with the single stage one to start, not the turret press. Also probably better for rifles in general.
Try to stay away from the Anniversary edition O frame Challenger press or the turret presses using aluminum (the older models). They are fine for light use but I have had parts break on them when doing heavy duty work. They are still in production concurrently with the new cast iron models. But again to reiterate, the cast iron "classic" series is a great choice.
Jon
Second, for a starting reloader, a single stage press is a great way to learn the ropes on something as simple as possible.
It's like saying that a shooter should learn on a .22 before moving to a Weatherby Magnum. Keep it simple to start, upgrade later.
Besides, the turret press is, I think, in a no-man's land of uselessness. For reloading rifle it wouldn't save me much time as after I full length size the case, I usually tumble it to remove the lube. Yes, some lubes claim not to contaminate powder if left to dry long enough, and could be loaded progressively, but I am * about things and want to remove lube before loading. Too much lanolin based lube could also effectively lubricate a case in a rifle chamber, resulting in greater bolt thrust and undue wear on the locking lugs- so I size all the cases, then tumble them to remove the lube. Then I prime with a hand primer tool (though the optional primer feed package for the turret would do this) which is much faster than the turret's standard single primer capacity priming arm, then put in a tray, charge from the dispenser, put in press, and seat bullet. To do this on the turret press, you'd have to get a special powder through die, or else you have to remove the case after sizing and priming anyhow. You'd also either have to hand pour the powder with a dipper or use Lee's autodisc powder charging system. And if you are going to go through all that, might as well get a fully progressive press and get it over with. For pistol, that's what I do; but I still use the single stage for rifle.
Still, a lot of guys swear by turret presses and if you want one, and it appeals to you, go for it; I wouldn't want one as it is too much trouble for pistol (too slow) and has no real advantage for rifle due to the case lubing issue.
Could you recommend any manuals and books that I should purchase on reloading? [:D]quote:Originally posted by jonk
Well both will work, don't get me wrong. General feeling is that a single stage press will be better for a few reasons. Off the top of my head, the fact that the force of resizing a rifle case is much greater than to size a pistol case, and the single stage press puts all the force on the center axis, whereas the turret press by design will be off center, i.e. a 1/3 or 1/4 to one side (depending on the number of turret holes). Not that I think that this would matter in practice, but perhaps for the most exacting benchrest applications it might. Also in the accuracy department is the fact that the turret is removable and ergo cannot by design be locked into the press as tightly as if you screwed the die in directly to the frame like on a single stage model.
Second, for a starting reloader, a single stage press is a great way to learn the ropes on something as simple as possible.
It's like saying that a shooter should learn on a .22 before moving to a Weatherby Magnum. Keep it simple to start, upgrade later.
Besides, the turret press is, I think, in a no-man's land of uselessness. For reloading rifle it wouldn't save me much time as after I full length size the case, I usually tumble it to remove the lube. Yes, some lubes claim not to contaminate powder if left to dry long enough, and could be loaded progressively, but I am * about things and want to remove lube before loading. Too much lanolin based lube could also effectively lubricate a case in a rifle chamber, resulting in greater bolt thrust and undue wear on the locking lugs- so I size all the cases, then tumble them to remove the lube. Then I prime with a hand primer tool (though the optional primer feed package for the turret would do this) which is much faster than the turret's standard single primer capacity priming arm, then put in a tray, charge from the dispenser, put in press, and seat bullet. To do this on the turret press, you'd have to get a special powder through die, or else you have to remove the case after sizing and priming anyhow. You'd also either have to hand pour the powder with a dipper or use Lee's autodisc powder charging system. And if you are going to go through all that, might as well get a fully progressive press and get it over with. For pistol, that's what I do; but I still use the single stage for rifle.
Still, a lot of guys swear by turret presses and if you want one, and it appeals to you, go for it; I wouldn't want one as it is too much trouble for pistol (too slow) and has no real advantage for rifle due to the case lubing issue.
--There is a drawback though, if you're shooting in competition or training(using handloads) then the single stage IS PRETTY SLOW FOR LOADING A lot OF SHELLS--
--I just shoot for pleasure now, so I enjoy making sure EACH cartridge is as close to IDEAL as I can make it and also varying powders and loads for accuracy--
--Also, as a beginner you NEED to take your time untill you become confident in your procedure--Good luck
--[:D][:D]--JIMBO
And I love it!!![8D] [8D] [8D]
Thanks everyone for all the info. and insight. It sure gets lonely thinking up all these situations I encounter with my inexperience and just when I get all confused ...
I post my questions and BOOM, just like that I get some real answers & comments that help me TREMENDOUSLY in making the right decision for my particular situation!!!
Again, thanks everyone!!! [:D] [:D] [:D]