Lee Classic Turret Press vs Lee Four Hole Turret Press ?

[Biermeister]

Evening, Been handloading on a single stage RCBS press since about 1974. Thinking about upgrading to either the Lee Classic Turret Press or the Lee Four Hole Turret Press. Most of the reviews I have read, seem to favor the Classic over the four hole turret. Was just wondering what the consensus was here. Thanks. 

[Ellsworth MacDoogle]

Couple years ago I bought the Lee Classic Turret from www.kempfgunshop.com and really like it.  They sell a complete kit which includes 1 die set, some ammo boxes, etc., and seem to have a better price than the big online retailers... (so far have only used for the heathen smokeless rounds, but probably works even better for BP

[Dick Dastardly]

The LEE Classic Turret Press loads all my Cowboy 45 Special, 38 Special, 44 Special, 38-55, 45-70 and others.  I've found that the LEE Perfect powder measure without anything screwed to the spout fits fine in the LEE thru the powder dies.  I use it for all my black powder loading on the Classic press.  Works great.

DD-DLoS

[Biermeister]

Thanks for the info Buffalo Kid and Dick Dastardly.

[Montana Slim]

I've been loading with my Lee Turret press (3-holer) for 20+ years.
Been loadin' cowboy stuff & BP for about 15 years on it...no complaints.

Regards,
Slim

[Cookie]

FYI - The Classic press is much beefier than the standard press. The linkage arms, especially, are much stronger. (I've read about people breaking the arms on the standard press. I don't see it being possible with the classic press.)

I just bought my Classic Turret a few months ago, and love it. It's smooth and plenty efficient for my needs. (200 rounds, or so, a week.) Much, much better than a single stage press.

[Dick Dastardly]

The LEE Classic Turret Press can be used as a single stage press as well as an auto indexing turret press.  I like the versatility.

DD-DLoS

[Wagon Box Willy]

The LEE Classic Turret Press loads all my Cowboy 45 Special, 38 Special, 44 Special, 38-55, 45-70 and others.  I've found that the LEE Perfect powder measure without anything screwed to the spout fits fine in the LEE thru the powder dies.  I use it for all my black powder loading on the Classic press.  Works great.

DD-DLoS

Dick, did you really mean the Perfect Powder measure of the Auto Disk measure that comes with the press?

[Dusty Morningwood]

I use a four hole turret, as like like using the Lee Factory Crimp Die.  Mine is a little fussy (Probably just needs a minor adjustment) and I often have to use my thumb to nudge a couple of the stations into line.  I hardly notice I am doing it anymore.

[Dick Dastardly]

I'm using the LEE Perfect powder measure on my LEE Classic Turret Press.  The spout end, without anything on it, fits snugly into the thru the powder expander die and I like the quick dial in volume feature.  Yes, I'm running the powder measure by hand.

I use the auto disk on my Pro 1000 for loading my 44 ELR ammo and it works fine there, but I prefer the Perfect measure for the Classic press.

DD-DLoS

[Dick Dastardly]

Dusty, there's a free video on the LEE web site that shows how to adjust that indexing problem.  You do it once and forget it.  It's real easy after watching the video.

DD-DLoS

[Cutter Carl]

I too use a Lee Classic.  Just for smokeless now but....smokey stuff soon  .  I have a 2nd plate and powder measure for 9mm.  takes all of about 5-10 seconds to change caliber depending if you need to change the primer arm from small to large primers.

There are higher volume presses but for me I only get to shoot 1 or 2 matches a month so volume is not an issue with me. 

All in all I really like the Lee. I got mine as the fulle kit from F &  M Reloading Equipment, Inc.  www.fmreloading.com

[Dead Dog Jack]

Evening, Been handloading on a single stage RCBS press since about 1974. Thinking about upgrading to either the Lee Classic Turret Press or the Lee Four Hole Turret Press. Most of the reviews I have read, seem to favor the Classic over the four hole turret. Was just wondering what the consensus was here. Thanks. 

Both presses have the four hole turrets. The Classic Turret seems to be just a larger, beefier Turret Press. This would be an advantage if you are doing large rifle sized ammo. For example, I can't use the indexing on the Turret Press with my .303 cases.

Also, I use the Pro Auto Disk with my Turret Press. Works like a champ.

[fourfingersofdeath]

I have been using the Lee1000s for some years now, but recently bought the big mutha Classic. Great press! I will be loading my BP rifle cartridges and my smokyliss hunting rifle ammo on it, but so far have only loaded a few thou 44/40 BP rounds. The lever throw is long and I seem to have trouble with it. I need to get the press up higher I think to take a load off my back. The height I had the rockchucker mounted is too low for this un'

The handle and quick release knob is a bit of a pain. I can see a home made roller handled one in my future.

Good all round value though. I love my RCBS Rockchucker that I have used extensively since 1981, but you only put the case on the shellholder once instead of 3-4 times. Thats a lot easier.

[Biermeister]

Thanks for all the responses. Sounds like the Classic turret is the way to go. Placing my order today!! 

[Johnny McCrae]

Since 2007 I've reloaded over 18,000 rounds on my Lee classic Turret Press. I currently reload .38 Special, .44 Colt, .44-40 WCF, .45 Colt and .45-70 Govt. Each set of dies is in it's own turret so changing calibers is a snap.

Basically I reload single stage, priming and charging off press. Because I use a lot of .38 Special rounds, I have two sizing/de-priming dies and two belling dies in one turret. I have two bullet seating dies and two factory crimp dies in another turret. The press is set to the automatic index mode. With this method you can get two press operations every time you insert a case into the shell holder.