Lee Classic Turret Press for accuracy loading?

[marchboom]

I have numerous sizing and seating dies that I would like to have mounted on a press and they would not be removed once adjusted. I like the Redding T-7 press but not their high price. Buying additional turrets would makes this even more expensive. From all the reviews I've read this looks like the most accurate turret press.

I was looking at the Lee Classic Turret Press (cast iron). I would not use the auto advance feature. It would only be used to hold the adjusted dies and the turret moved manually to the desired die. Being cast iron I "think" it might be rigid enough.

My question to those with experience with this press is, would it be rigid enough? Does the press flex very much when sizing? The biggest caliber I load for would be .308 but mostly .223 and .22-250.

Thanks

 

[BoydAllen]

Rather than buy a turret, I suggest one of the bayonet adapter setups like the Loc-n-Load. The setting stay with the die and adapter and changing dies is a matter of an sixth of a turn to remove or install. I have both a turret press and a Rock Chucker with the Loc-n-Load adapter. With the adapters you have the ability to have any number of dies preset.

 

[scubohuntr]

For something that is "sorta" accuracy reloading (varminting, metallic silhouette, service rifle- 1/2 MOA just fine) I'd do it, but I wouldn't use a turret press for long range or br. Not that it wouldn't do the job, but I would have less confidence in it, and less confidence, for me anyway, means less accuracy. I just couldn't trust the indexing of a rotary head as much as a single die in a rigid "O" press. I won't use a Rockchucker ("C" frame) for the same reason, even though there is no way that frame will flex under normal reloading. I haven't used the bayonet adapters, but they sound like a good idea.

 

[Shrek]

Forster CO-AX will do what you want perfectly. Set the dies up once and you are done until you make a change. The Lee Turret is a sloppy jalopy of a press. The CO-AX is about as accurate a press as is made.

 

[Mark204]

My first press 30 years ago was a Lee Turret Press, it was a total POS. After about six months I sold it to a guy I disliked, went out and bought a Dillon and never looked back. I have little knowledge of how good Lee products are now, but first impression last a life time for me. I would look to the Forster CO-AX and pretend you never heard of Lee.


Mark

 

[ranger3]

I have a Lee classic turret press, they are a very good press and deliver good results. Very concentric ammo
Very good for the price. Yes you can buy better.

 

[Someoldguy]

In my opinion, turret press and accurate ammunition do not belong in the same sentence, no matter the manufacturer.

Just my opinion, and worth JUST what you paid for it.

 

[alb]

I have a T-7 and am very pleased with it. However, you seem to be looking for (a) less expensive than a T-7 and (b) rigidity as the driving factor. If I've interpreted that correctly, then I'd recommend taking a look at the new Hornady Iron Press, as it seems to fit that bill quite well, but you've got the convenience of the lock-and-load bushings that Boyd recommended with it.

 

[Shrek]

The Lee Classic Cast with the Breach Lock will also do what you want and is a fine press. If money is an issue it is the best press for the money imo. It's as good or better than any other "O" press at any cost. The T-7 is a solid press but the plates will eat a bunch of dollars.
With the CO-AX the lock rings a pretty cheap when you buy them by the bag full and the floating action of the snap in die holder makes for very straight loads. The S jaw case holder works great.

 

[AWS]

I have numerous sizing and seating dies that I would like to have mounted on a press and they would not be removed once adjusted. I like the Redding T-7 press but not their high price. Buying additional turrets would makes this even more expensive. From all the reviews I've read this looks like the most accurate turret press.

I was looking at the Lee Classic Turret Press (cast iron). I would not use the auto advance feature. It would only be used to hold the adjusted dies and the turret moved manually to the desired die. Being cast iron I "think" it might be rigid enough.

My question to those with experience with this press is, would it be rigid enough? Does the press flex very much when sizing? The biggest caliber I load for would be .308 but mostly .223 and .22-250.

Thanks

I was in the same position as you, I had a Lyman turret press but I load for about 15 different cartridges. I bought the Lee Classic Turret and eight four hole heads and have a rack above the press for the heads. Now I just grab one and put it in the press, most have a dedicated shell holder sitting on the head and load away. No adjusting dies, just screwing the seating stem up or down for different bullets. I love it, I even have dedicated shell holders set up so I can just bump the shell holder to the die and headspace is perfect for the rifle. I only use my big single stage for heavy duty case forming.

 

[marchboom]

Regarding the Lee Classic Turret, the turret raising (maybe tilting) when a case is put into the die seems to be a factor that some people don't like (me included). Wonder how it would work if the turret was secured to the turret ring with small, but strong, c-clamps? Then the entire setup would be like one piece, maybe even more solid than the T-7. Or, if the gap between the turret and the turret ring is, say, .010", put a .010" shim in the gap to take out the play. Again, I would be using this press as a single station press. I have a Dillon for my progressive stuff. I'm just trying to see if this inexpensive press could be made to be very precise.