Need help with a Lee Turret Press

Creekside · November 12, 2012, 02:28:04 PM

I have a Lee 4 hole Turret press and I am loading 45 lc the problem is im getting
way to many high primers with the priming arm When I use my old lee hand primer
(auto prime ) no problem but that breaks up the whole system of using this turret press
I have tried using diffrent brands of primers and even a double strike when seating them
not much better and realy slows things down I like the press everything else seams to
work fine
Please dont tell me to buy a XYZ press that wont be much help

Thanks Creekside

PJ Hardtack · November 12, 2012, 05:49:41 PM

Why aren't you asking Lee? If they don't offer this kind of customer service, why buy their products?

Whenever I have a problem with one of my Dillon machines, I call and the tech clears up the problem right now.

joec · November 12, 2012, 06:07:01 PM

I use the Lee Safety Prime on both my Lee Classic Turret and my Lee Classic Cast. Never had a problem with it with either. I do have a hand primer by Hornady but have only used it once.

Creekside · November 12, 2012, 06:22:16 PM

I changed the angle on the handle and that helped some maybe I need a stronger bench

Johnny McCrae · November 13, 2012, 07:41:24 AM

I also use the Lee Safety Prime on my Lee Classic Turret press and have no problems. I've gotten in the habit of pulling the lever with my right hand and holding the left rear round upright post with my left hand when seating primers. This seems to give me more leverage when priming. A strong workbench is necessary.

If you continue to have problems, call Lee's Customer Service dept. They have always been helpful in helping me solve problems.

joec · November 13, 2012, 07:45:30 AM

Another option is a handle like this.

Johnny McCrae · November 13, 2012, 07:56:10 AM

Howdy Joec,

How do you like that lever versus the stock straight lever? Did you buy that from Lee or make it yourself?

Ain't those Lee Classic Turret presses great!

wildman1 · November 13, 2012, 08:13:24 AM

RP, Starline give me no high primers. The Winchester cases with Winchester primers seem to be the most inconsistant. Some slide right in others are really tight. I do get an occasional high primer with the Winchester cases. WM

Johnny McCrae · November 13, 2012, 09:12:30 AM

QuoteRP, Starline give me no high primers. The Winchester cases with Winchester primers seem to be the most inconsistant. Some slide right in others are really tight. I do get an occasional high primer with the Winchester cases. WM

That's a good point. I'm wondering if different brands of primers could also cause some inconsistency.

Creekside · November 13, 2012, 10:25:50 AM

I have a lyman shell holder I found thats a little thinner and that has helped a lot
as far as the handle goes I have the round stock curved one and it has a lot of
spring to it not sure if the straight one would have less give They go in so easy
with the hand auto prime I guss I just got spoiled by that
Thanks for the help
Creekside
PS
I use all kinds of mixed Brass
Im shooting about 500 rounds a month
CAS now in the off season Im trying to
work out some reloading problems

joec · November 13, 2012, 11:28:37 AM

Quote from: Johnny McCrae on November 13, 2012, 07:56:10 AM
Howdy Joec,

How do you like that lever versus the stock straight lever? Did you buy that from Lee or make it yourself?

Ain't those Lee Classic Turret presses great!

Sorry I meant to post where I got it. http://www.inlinefabrication.com/LEE.html and I love it. The problem I had with the straight handle is needing to bend over while sitting when reloading. This I don't have to which saves my old back as well as gives me more leverage when needed. They life time guarantee also and stand behind them 100%.

Johnny McCrae · November 13, 2012, 02:05:10 PM

Howdy Joec,

Many thanks for the Inline Fabrication link. In addition to levers, I saw several other items I'd like to buy. The LED lighting system, Press riser and Bullet trays are all items I can use.

joec · November 13, 2012, 06:09:17 PM

Quote from: Johnny McCrae on November 13, 2012, 02:05:10 PM
Howdy Joec,

Many thanks for the Inline Fabrication link. In addition to levers, I saw several other items I'd like to buy. The LED lighting system, Press riser and Bullet trays are all items I can use.

Yes they sell a lot of things for many different presses also. Real easy to work with also. I don't have space for the bullet trays and don't need the LED system but if I did I would have both.

rickk · November 19, 2012, 01:24:00 PM

I used to prime a lot on my Lee turret press.

I eventually switched to using a separate bench mounted RCBS priming tool.

The difference between them is night and day.

On the Lee press, priming all happens in a very short part of the stroke, the portion of which has very poor leverage. There is very little felt feedback as far as what is happening when the primer goes in.

With the RCBS priming tool that I use now the stroke is much longer, there is a lot more feel in my hand to let me know what is going on, and when the primer seats, I know it is seated by the "feel" it gives me when the primer bottoms out.

Sadly, RCBS no longer makes said tool. They have replaced it with something that has a primer feeder in it (APS bench priming tool). I have never used it, maybe someone else has. I guess my biggest point is that the LEE press isn't the best thing you can use when you prime. There are better options.

Rick

Montana Slim · November 29, 2012, 10:48:09 PM

Check your press to be sure a bolt, pin or such hasn't loosened and backed out of it's mating part, thus interfering with the final stroke of the handle. I've seen this happen on my press. Since then I dismantle, clean and lubricate the press linkage annually. A longer handle on the press or changing the height you sit/stand/etc while operating the press can also make a significant difference. I wear a heavy leather glove on my right hand while loading as this allows a better grip and less hand fatigue.

Slim