lee turret press and powder dispensing

30 December 2002, 08:44

penrod72

If I buy a Lee 4 hole turret press with auto index, and reload for 45, 41 mag, 38/357, all of which I have RCBS or Redding dies for, what would I need to also buy to dispense powder to each case?

Which of lee's powder measures would work best, preferably automatically?

, and do they sell a charging die for pistols that would work for all,

or do I have to spend $8 per caliber?

30 December 2002, 09:43

<Martindog>

I use their Auto Disk powder measure, with the update kit on my Turret Press. The measure retails I think for about $35 through most catalogs, and it now includes an adjustable charge bar so you aren't limited to fixed cavities. Works nicely.

Unfortunately, I can't think of how you are going to get around buying their case mouth belling/charging dies. The measure is designed to screw into this die, and as the case mouth gets belled, it activates the measure which slides the cavity over the top of the die and dumps the powder through and into the case. A single die will work for 38/357 but you would need separate ones for 41 and 45. Still, it's a pretty slick setup and when you comapre the cost of other measures you still will be money ahead just by buying their belling dies. JMHO.

Martindog

01 January 2003, 07:17

Dino32HR

Penrod,

If you are CERTAIN you want to buy the Lee, get the Deluxe Turret Press Kit from Midway or Midsouth for around $75. It'll have everything you need including an auto powder measure and a scale.

HOWEVER,

I started with this kit and have "migrated" to a new press (Lyman turret) and a new scale (Redding). I am still using mostly Lee dies, and the Autodisk measure, but the press and scale - they HAD to go.

Just my $.02.

01 January 2003, 07:32

penrod72

Already set up with mostly redding stuff, just wantr to speed up handgun ammo production cheaply for plinkimg (about 100 rounds at a time)
What was the problem with your press?

01 January 2003, 08:32

<Kentucky Fisherman>

I use about the same setup as Martindog, except that my Auto-Disk measure is the one with fixed cavities in disks that you swap in and out to change the charge. I find it plenty accurate for average plinking and it turns out loads as fast as I want from a press.

01 January 2003, 19:14

JerryO

quote:
Originally posted by penrod72:

What was the problem with your press?

In my case, I didn't really have a problem with the turret press (maybe). But, just that the priming system didn't satisfy me. I couldn't get one round in three strokes as advertised, due to the old primers bounceing all over and jamming the arm which inserts the new primers.

Had I deprimed all the brass (and I might as well resize at the same time) first then the other steps would have worked (I think).

But while in the batch mode I would choose to insert primers with my lee hand primer which holds 100 primers at a time.

Then three pulls on the handle would have:
1) flared the case mouth and dropped powder
2) seated a bullet after a quick look at the powder level
3) factory crimped the case mouth

But since I have my pro1000 set up, I can get a round for each pull of the lever with it, which leaves me useing the turret just like any single stage press.

JerryO

04 January 2003, 07:35

Dino32HR

quote:
Originally posted by penrod72:
What was the problem with your press?

THE MAIN REASONS:
1) Hated the priming system
2) De-primed primers flew everywhere
3) Loose tolerancing/machining made for loose part-fits and subsequently a lack of consistent performance.
4) The auto-turret didn't advance consistantly, sometimes over-shooting the next case, sometimes not getting there at all.

Again, the powder measure works well. I make custom inserts for some of the bigger chambers I don't use in order to tweak a specific weight. The dies are great, well - except for the seaters on rifle cartridges.

I also use the Lee case length gauge and cutters. Works fine, consistant lengths produced.

FWIW,
Dino

04 January 2003, 19:04

Leftoverdj

Lyman makes a flaring kit with hollow expanders that will mount most powder measures on the top. You still have to operate the measure manually but you are not limited to the sometimes finicky Lee disc measure. The one body and the pieces in the kit will accomodate almost any pistol caliber you are likely to need.

05 January 2003, 15:22

DLH

I use Mostly LEE stuff, I love their Turret press! but their PRO 1000 never worked for me. I like fine ball powder ( 296, AA #9) and it jamed alot normaly if the primer didn't go in.
If anyone wants it $50 + shipping. Press, Powder droper, primer feed tubes, every thing but dies & turret. Mabey I should post this on the classfides?
Lee's dies are among the best, and their measures are very acc. ALL of them!!

06 January 2003, 09:47

saline

i use the lyman multi-expand die and i bought a lyman accumeasure to use with it. the fixed cavities are fustrating, should have bought a rcbs measure. i bought all the expanders 32 to 45, they are quick and easy to change and i really like the way the case mouth is belled. i use a single station press to load on.

07 January 2003, 06:22

Derald

I use the LEE 3-holer. When loading for pistol cartridges, I've jury-rigged a Lee Perfect Powder measure into one of their 'Powder Through Expander' dies. The Perfect, after a thorough break-in, consistently throws pistol charges within 1/10 grain. Rifle charges, OTOH, aren't so consistent. I'll continue to weigh them out until I find a powder measure that will work for me.