Used Lee Single Stage Presses

[rickk]

I still haven't figured out what that fourth hole is for, I've been loading on a three hole turret press with auto index since long before they offered a 4 hole model. If you're not going to use the auto index, what is the point of a turret press?  you can batch load till your heart's content with a single stage press.  I use my hand press for that so I can do it in a comfortable chair.

The forth hole is for doing the crimping operation separate of bullet seating. For auto's that headspace on the mouth that is really handy. It makes for a much nicer crimp with no shaved lead that might cause a round to chamber "too long". For revolvers shooting rimmed cartridges there may be some benefit, but probably only superman or his close relatives would notice, unless of course you are trying to crimp in a location where there is no crimp grove... in that case the separate crimp die can be cool to have.

As far as auto-index goes... its a matter or preference. If it works, go for it. The part of the turret press that I do like is that all the dies stay together and it only takes a second to move from one operation to the next, when the time comes to do that.

[longinosoap]

My brother gave me his Lee Anniversary Kit which he bought brand new and never got it out of the box. I've had it about 2 years now and betwixt reading and yoo-toob I learn't myself how to reload.  Probably done about 2500 rounds on it and not a glitch along the way.  When I decide to, I'm going to step up to the cast 4 hole turret but you can bet it will be a Lee.  I'm sold on their quality and price point. I don't understand people who want to pay a whole lot more to do the same job that I can do very inexpensively.  I am very satisfied with all the Lee products that I have used. Like you, I have always tried to buy the best tools I could afford.  But there is nothing wrong with buying a quality product and paying less money for it. You will not be disappointed in Lee tools.

Regards-Soap

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Stu;  I think the fourth hole is for a "factory crimp die".  I load for .44-40 & .38-40 and the collet FCDs are pretty handy.  I also use a LEE hand press and the batch procedure and it is no handicap.  I often use it in front of the TV when I am processing cases.  (Never when charging powder or seating bullets!)

[Bishop Creek]

Stu;  I think the fourth hole is for a "factory crimp die".  I load for .44-40 & .38-40 and the collet FCDs are pretty handy.  I also use a LEE hand press and the batch procedure and it is no handicap.  I often use it in front of the TV when I am processing cases.  (Never when charging powder or seating bullets!)

Same here. I have a three hole turret press and a hand press. I use the hand press to resize and deprime the cases and then the powder through, bullet seating and Lee factory crimp dies on the turret press. I like the extra crimp die for my .38 Special cases for an extra tight crimp as I have had squibs in the past and for an an extra tight crimp when I seat round balls in my .45 cases.

[panhead pete]

I to have a friend who reloads for me ... and at $28/50 Schofield there is not a big rush to go buy something .... he reloads at almost half of what it would cost me to buy it new .... he has also been kind enough to offeer to le t me watch him reload

Since I am a mostly visual learner, if I watch it enough times the reloading manuals will make sense ... right now reading something like that would be akin to taking a sleeping pill ... LOL

So it ia just a matter of getting off my a__ and finding a good B&B nearby and setting it up ... plus how my retirement check will be in September (when I am planning to get a press)... and I go for Social Security on Friday/tomorrow and will know a whole lot more ...

Being retired will give you (hopefully) lots of time to reload.  It is significantly cheaper as well.  I believe I can reload smokeless for about $5.00 /box 50 (my own cast lead).  with lead hovering around 10-17 cents a piece you may end up closer to $8-10.00.  Still a big savings.  I started casting my own bullets when I bought an Armi-Sport Spencer 56-50.  Thirty six cents a round seemed pretty steep, so I started casting my own.  I find reloading to be therapeutic.  Casting is the next step and is fun as well.  It is another can of worms, but another way to enjoy our hobby.

Good luck,

Panhead

[panhead pete]

P.S.

Of course reloading the Holy Black will be a higher cost, but I still think you may be under $20.00.

PhP

[rickk]

Cast your own bullets with scrounged lead and you should be able to get it to under 7 bucks/50.  That kind of savings pays for stuff pretty quick.

[Johnny McCrae]

I've been using a Lee Classic Turret Press since November of 2007. So far I have reloaded over 23,000 rounds in seven different calibers with it. On my high usage rounds I use a "two turret method" which is two sizing/de-priming dies & two belling dies in one turret, two bullet seating & two crimping dies in the other turret. I prime and charge the cases off press. With this method I can get around 125 completed rounds per hour. Attached is a video clip showing the bullet seating and crimping operation done with this method.

http://s278.photobucket.com/albums/kk81/jvsaffran/Reloading/?action=view&current=38specialclip.mp4

[Montana Slim]

Thumbs-up on the Lee Turret press recommendations. I've used mine for about 22 years with no issues, or need to replace or repair the press. I load all my BP cartridges from 38 S&W up through 45-70 with it......as a bonus, it even works with moden cartridges & smokeless powder when you need that capability 

You can start out using it as a single stage machine.

Slim

[WaddWatsonEllis]

Montana Slim,

Thanks for the recommendation ... but now Lee seems to make several models of single stage presses ... and there are all kinds of combinations

I'm so confused ... *S*

[rickk]

This would be my choice right now WaddWatsonEllis ...


http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=814175

If I was doing it all over again, that is what I would get to start with. It didn't exist when I got my first press, but if it did, that is what I would get.

Eventually, I would get a couple of Dillon's too, but I would still be using that LEE turret press alot.


If 20 bucks less makes or breaks it, I would be looking at this...

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=880135


Either will last forever I think, but the 20 buck more one will last more forever than the 20 buck less one.


Rick


Someone else chime in here

[Major 2]

I've been using a Lee Classic Turret Press since November of 2007. So far I have reloaded over 23,000 rounds in seven different calibers with it. On my high usage rounds I use a "two turret method" which is two sizing/de-priming dies & two belling dies in one turret, two bullet seating & two crimping dies in the other turret. With this method I can get around 125 completed rounds per hour. Attached is a video clip showing the bullet seating and crimping operation with this method.

http://s278.photobucket.com/albums/kk81/jvsaffran/Reloading/?action=view&current=38specialclip.mp4

John sent me his DVD took all the mystery out of the dark side of reloading for me...it's so well done. 

Now to get my equipment...I like his two turret method ..so I'll look there as well

[panhead pete]

Montana Slim,

Thanks for the recommendation ... but now Lee seems to make several models of single stage presses ... and there are all kinds of combinations

I'm so confused ... *S*

I think the best thing to do is visit Cabela's if possible or another sporting goods store and compare.  The Lee Classic Cast and RCBS Rock Crusher are the real leaders for a single stage and seeing them "in person" will make that very clear.

Best.,

PHP

[WaddWatsonEllis]

Once tha snow melts but before it gets hot I have a trip to Cabelas/Boomtown (Reno) on my list of things to do and comparing them in person is a great idea .... who knows, I might even get a discount  ... *S*

[Wagon Box Willy]

The Lee Challenger Anniversary Kit is a good unit. Its inexpensive (about a hundred bucks). If your cases are clean ya won't have any problems loading. WM

Another vote for his press, worked flawless for me.

I've since moved up to the Load Master, again it's working flawless.

[Bishop Creek]

Once tha snow melts but before it gets hot I have a trip to Cabelas/Boomtown (Reno) on my list of things to do and comparing them in person is a great idea .... who knows, I might even get a discount  ... *S*

Lot of snow but the roads are clear. I took these pictures at the Reno Cabelas last month:

[Christopher Carson]

I still haven't figured out what that fourth hole is for, I've been loading on a three hole turret press with auto index since long before they offered a 4 hole model. If you're not going to use the auto index, what is the point of a turret press?  you can batch load till your heart's content with a single stage press.  I use my hand press for that so I can do it in a comfortable chair.

I don't care much for the auto-index feature... and my 3-hole press pre-dates that anyway.  I used to keep several sizers/decappers on one turret, and I'd do some batch processing on cases in advance.  Handprime, during TV or something.  Last 3 dies (including separate crimper) on their own dedicated turret, with powder measure pre-installed.  Starting with sized/primed cases, charge all, seat all, crimp all, I could generally come close to about 200 rounds/hour, but that takes some concentration.

About 10 seconds for a caliber change.  About 1 second for a die change on the same turret.

Now I mostly use it for rifle cases and Denver Deb uses it to size/decap her .38 Specials.  She hand-primes whenever, and then I finish the rest of that on the 650.

-Chris

[Christopher Carson]

Montana Slim,

Thanks for the recommendation ... but now Lee seems to make several models of single stage presses ... and there are all kinds of combinations

I'm so confused ... *S*

Some terminology:  usually a single-stage press is thought of as one hole, one die, one case in the shellholder, one arm pull = one operation at a time. 

A progressive is several holes, several dies, several cases, one arm pull = all operations simultaneously.

A turret press falls somewhere in the middle.  Several hole, several dies, one case, one arm pull = one operation at a time.  Although you can do three or four sequential operations with Lee's auto-indexing feature without having to remove the case from the shellholder.   If you don't use the auto-indexing feature, it's pretty much LIKE a single-station press... with potential for real fast die changes.

-Chris

[Johnny McCrae]

A turret press falls somewhere in the middle.  Several hole, several dies, one case, one arm pull = one operation at a time.  Although you can do three or four sequential operations with Lee's auto-indexing feature without having to remove the case from the shellholder.   If you don't use the auto-indexing feature, it's pretty much LIKE a single-station press... with potential for real fast die changes.

Great explanation!

The only cartridge I use two turrets for is .38 Specials. For the other six calibers I use one turret with a set of four dies in it. I use my Turret Press as a single stage press as follows:

Put an un-sized case in the shell holder. Bring the lever down with your right hand and size/de-prime the case. On the the up-stroke with your left hand rotate the turret to the belling position. Bring the lever down again with your right hand and bell (flare) the case. On the up-stroke with your left hand rotate the turret back to the size/de-prime position and remove the case. Repeat the process. This is almost as fast as using two turrets. The advantage of doing it this way is you get two press operations (size/de-prime & belling) with one placement of the case in the shell holder.

After you size/de-prime & bell a batch of cases, you will then prime them off press. After priming the cases, you will then charge the cases. Your are now ready for the final two press operations (bullet seating & crimping).

Put a primed & sized case in the shell holder. Place a bullet in the case. Bring the lever down with your right hand and seat the bullet. On the the up-stroke with your left hand rotate the turret to the crimping position. Bring the lever down again with your right hand and crimp the case. On the up-stroke with your left hand rotate the turret back to the bullet seating position and remove the case. Repeat the process. Again the advantage of doing it this way is you get two press operations (bullet seating & crimping) with one placement of the case in the shell holder. Also with a turret for each set of dies, caliber changes can be made very quickly.

If anyone wishes, I could post a short video clip of this.

[Major 2]

Pards...GET yourself THE VIDEO CLIP 

Thanks John....I watched it again..convenced I'll go your route