hahaha,,,I feel like I should be paying you for all this EXCELLENT informative information brother! IM sure this will help many people in a first time buyer mode. God bless you, and the Family Al! ~John
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I'm very cautious when it comes to buying something new, especially when I'm not familiar with the equipment needed for a new hobby or necessity. I have been watching the progressive press TH-cam videos for over a year, because everybody says that if you shoot a lot that you would regret not buying one in the first place. However, every video about progressives seemed like there is always a lot of tinkering and adjusting and quirks that always needed attending to, and I was spending all my time trying to figure out which press would be the lesser hassle. Well, I'm more of a "Set it And Forget it" kind of guy. I just watched this video of yours and you speak my language and think exactly the way that I do. This is exactly the type of system I want. No more researching presses anymore for me. I'm gonna pull the trigger, so to speak, and buy this press this week and actually start reloading. you're the best... Btw, did I say thank you?
Hi Al, I subbed you a couple years back for your solar videos. And now I noticed all your reloading videos. Thats great, I learned a lot from you on the solar stuff and now enjoying your reloading videos. Definitely leaning towards the LEE turret. Thanx!! Take care.
+mikewillfindgold Thanks, as you can imagine, my solar is now fully done so there's nothing new to report. Now I do videos once in a while about other interests. Thanks
Best little press around! I just buy all new dies and a new powder measure for each caliber I reload. That way there is no readjustments as long as I use the same powder and components. I just drop in the turret head caliber and go. I do check to make sure no outside source has messed up my measurements, but it seriously makes reloading very fast and very affordable. I currently reload .380 & 9mm, 45 ACP, 38spl/357mag, 44 spl/44mag, 30 Carbine, 300 black out, and 223 rem.
I completely agree. I sold my turret press, bought a progressive and regretted it. There's too many things to watch at the same time and there's always something hanging up causing a frustrating delay. Now I'm loading 4 different calibers, the progressive is back in the box and a new Lee 4 turret press will be replacing it tomorrow.
Thank you for the video sir! I have been debating switching out my single stage presses for either a turret or a progressive press. Been looking at Lee and Dillon. RCBS and Hornady aren't even in the running due to too many problems people have. I know two people with Dillon XL650s and they have zero problems with them, but the presses are a little complex. I like how the Lee is priced and how simple they are thanks to your video. Keep up the great work educating your fellow reloaders!!
I have this same set up, Lee turret in 5 calibers. The change over between calibre goes a lot faster when you don't have to explain it ! 😊 Think about how much ammo can you afford to shoot in a outing. Reload speed of 1200 rounds per hour on a expensive progressive press is more than I can spend on a day at the range. This press will load 5 boxes of 50 in 1 hour - that's plenty for me. Also it's pretty much impossible to double charge a case because the turret rotates when you push the lever. This set up is going to be doing everything that you need it to. Cost - very affordable.
Great video, you were very informative. I load right now on a Lee breach lock Challenger press and am looking to get a turret or progressive. I am very hesitant about getting a Progressive as I like to do my decap and prime on the single stage , yes I usually do a few thousand decap and prime in a day... I want to make sure my brass is right as I do get a good majority of Mil crimped brass that I must cut the crimps out on the 5.56 . After seeing your vid I can safely say the 4 hole turret will fit me well , settig up with station one as flair, station 2 powder, station 3 seat, station 4 crimp.
COol thanks for fixing this one brother. My lee is the pro 1000 and is a pain in the butt to make new cals. I just keep mine setup for 9mm I do the rest on one peace at a time. I all so prim with the hand primmer. If you get time would you show us how your solar is doing? Its been a wile and I would love to see how things are going. If not not a big deal God Bless Brother.
I got my Lee turret in 2012 from Dennis at Titan reloading loading about 5k 40sw a year since then with 0 issues. I am getting ready to buy a second press for .223/5.56. Hard to beat the Lee as it comes complete for about 200 with everything you need except dies, powder and primers.
Nice video. I have a lee turret press and a dillon 550. While the lee press is faster to switch calibers, I can switch my 550 in about 5 minutes. Even if I have to change primer size. There is a learning curve though. Btw I use the lee auto drum on my dillon and lee presses. Set the powder charge once and just use a different drum for each load. It is a nice powder measure especially considering the cost.
I did try the auto drum but the mechanism on mine was binding and flexing too much for me to trust it so I returned and stayed with the auto disk. I do have a perfect powder measure so I can also use that separately if I want. Thanks for commenting.
You're sadly mistaken and/or confused about switching calibers between the Classic Turret and the Lee Pro-1000, and with a few more minutes change calibers on the Dillon XL650 Having said that, I agree that the Lee Classic Turret press is a damn fine loading press in it's self, but by far not better than any other progressive press. I'm not new at this. I've been loading ammo since 1965 and have been using two progressive presses for the last 6 or 7 years. Keep loading and have fun, but be safe.
I agree...though I definitely enjoyed his video, I chuckled at the part where he said you have to go through some pretty serious steps to change the shell holder on the Lee Pro 1000...ummm...yea it takes me less than one minute to change the carrier plate assembly: you remove the die holder, raise the ram up, loosen an Allen screw, place a small block of 2x4 under the shell holder carrier to keep it up as you lower the ram out of it, lower the ram and take out the carrier, and finally swap the indexing rod to your new shell holder...installation is even easier - just put the carrier plate inside the press, pop in your other die holder (with different caliber dies), raise the ram all the way, and tighten the Allen screw.
Will that press work well with RCBS dies? I have single stage stuff but am looking at a setup like this just for 9mm for now...as a handful of my family will likely be training with that soon...
I've just bought one, as yet unused. I read they must have the drop tube, lifter riser (if fitted) cleaned with Isopropyl alcohol or brake cleaner,then a hopper of powder run through to coat the sides with graphite dust before use. Failure to do so can cause erratic charge weights. I also have a Lee Perfect powder measure which I tried for the first time today. After cleaning and running powder, adjusted to throw 12 grains and the next 20 charges of Unique varied by less than 1/10th grain.
Yes, just a squeak more to change on the progressive. But I don't have to handle the brass as many times as you and I can put out quality at a consistent rate faster than turret press and I can work my press manual just like a turret press. That is why I bought the progressive because I have the choice as with a turret press you do not. And I can if I want have bullet automatically fed again reducing handling stuff but one more time. Start counting how many times from start to finish how many times we handle the bullets from making them insert them in a round, and the same with the cases. If I can reduce some of the handlings I am game and that is why I went with a progressive press.
All great points except rarely do progressives work reliably. That is why most folks using progressives prime off press and spend a good bit of time fixing indexing issues. So in the end, the progressive is faster but only after tweaking and adjusting it to run well for a few runs until things go out of whack again. The forums and FB posts are full of tips and mods that you have to do get them to run reliably. I handle brass just once, when I place the case in the shell holder, the rest is pulling the handle four times. The turret press wins in reliability and consistency every time. It also costs less to change calibers/cartridges so it's more economical. BTW I can also use an automatic bullet feeder on my turret, I have one for 9mm/38spl/357 mag and 45ACP. I also have an automatic case ejector, so you see, the progressive holds little appeal to me as I don't have to deal with the aggravation they bring.
My thought is that Hornady AP press will give you a round on every pull, e.g. progressive. Also with the Lock and load bushing system easy to switch out dies, my opinion
But you forget you have to swap out the case carrier and primer arm in many instances and that is the downside to swapping calibers easily with the progressives, including Hornady.
,Richard Shepler Sr I have dine that as well. I have a head for each of my 3 calibers I reload and each head has its own powder drop. So switching calibers is faster and only requires a quick load check to make sure it is still dripping an appropriate charge.
Hey Al, good video. Trying to decide also on either this press or the Lee Load-Master. The catalog says it is easy to change out to another caliber, but that's the manufacture talking. I like this press because it has the 5th stage which you can put to good use for factory crimp or the RCBS powder check die or even a bullet feed kit. if you load a lot of one caliber ( 38sp for Cowboy Action ) would your thoughts be different ? Thanks, God Bless..........
While you are correct that one (turret vs progressive) is easier to setup than the other -The Lee Turret Press is not a progressive press (its a single cartridge progressive) - so you are comparing apples to oranges!
The apples and oranges analogy does not really apply here. It is perfectly acceptable to discuss the pros vs. cons of each for someone to make an informed decision as to which one to purchase with their hard earned dollars. If you could never make a comparison between the two, what data points could you possibly use to make a purchasing decision??
econewpower thank you for this well done tangerines to oranges comparison (ha!). If folks listen they'll note you didn't actually call the turret press a progressive. And, there's nothing wrong with doing this kind of comparison to help educate folks about the differences.
I don't know when you made this particular video, but you did a really good job. Are you still using this classic press? Have you made any modifications to it or had any problems crop up? I've been loading since 1965 and currently have a Dillon XL650, a Lee Pro 1000 and an RCBS Rock Chucker. I'm getting up in my senior years and due to some age related health issues including eyesight I do not shoot compatition matches any longer so I do not have the need to load as much as I used to. I'm going to sell my Dillon and am strongly considering getting the Lee Classic Turret to use alongside my Pro 1000. I did have a few issues with the Pro 1000 including primer problems. Over a period of time I have managed to correct all the problems I had with the 1000, but as you have mentioned in your videos you must really pay close attention to each and every step. That's why I'm going for the Classic press this time because it's much easier to keep track of what I'm doing. After watching your videos and those of many other reloaders who swear by the Classic, my mind is made up. Thanks for your vert informative videos and your opinions on the classic press. It's fun shooting and loading from here on.
This video was made in May of 2015 and yes, I'm still using the press. I've never had a major issues with the press, it is really rock solid and works as advertised. The only thing I've had to do is replace the plastic square nut where the indexing rod goes through, that will either wear out or break eventually. Lee includes a free spare in the box when you buy the press and I've gone ahead an purchased four additional ones just in case. I think you'll really like the press.
Thanks Al for the speedy reply. Your video's are of very good quality and I'm looking forward to getting the lee classic and getting it on line. That small square plastic indexing piece is about the only problems I have seen
Good job, good explantion of benefits from your point of view. Steady camera, you stuck to the topic and didn't wander all over the place.
hahaha,,,I feel like I should be paying you for all this EXCELLENT informative information brother!
IM sure this will help many people in a first time buyer mode.
God bless you, and the Family Al!
~John
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I'm very cautious when it comes to buying something new, especially when I'm not familiar with the equipment needed for a new hobby or necessity. I have been watching the progressive press TH-cam videos for over a year, because everybody says that if you shoot a lot that you would regret not buying one in the first place. However, every video about progressives seemed like there is always a lot of tinkering and adjusting and quirks that always needed attending to, and I was spending all my time trying to figure out which press would be the lesser hassle. Well, I'm more of a "Set it And Forget it" kind of guy. I just watched this video of yours and you speak my language and think exactly the way that I do. This is exactly the type of system I want. No more researching presses anymore for me. I'm gonna pull the trigger, so to speak, and buy this press this week and actually start reloading. you're the best... Btw, did I say thank you?
Hey Tone, glad the video was helpful, did you ever buy the classic turret press? How are you liking it?
@@albertollorca5249 I guess he never got the press lol
Excellent video with detailed and concise information. Thank YOU, econewpower!
You're welcome
Hi Al, I subbed you a couple years back for your solar videos. And now I noticed all your reloading videos. Thats great, I learned a lot from you on the solar stuff and now enjoying your reloading videos. Definitely leaning towards the LEE turret.
Thanx!! Take care.
+mikewillfindgold Thanks, as you can imagine, my solar is now fully done so there's nothing new to report. Now I do videos once in a while about other interests. Thanks
Best little press around! I just buy all new dies and a new powder measure for each caliber I reload. That way there is no readjustments as long as I use the same powder and components. I just drop in the turret head caliber and go. I do check to make sure no outside source has messed up my measurements, but it seriously makes reloading very fast and very affordable. I currently reload .380 & 9mm, 45 ACP, 38spl/357mag, 44 spl/44mag, 30 Carbine, 300 black out, and 223 rem.
I completely agree. I sold my turret press, bought a progressive and regretted it. There's too many things to watch at the same time and there's always something hanging up causing a frustrating delay. Now I'm loading 4 different calibers, the progressive is back in the box and a new Lee 4 turret press will be replacing it tomorrow.
Thank you for the video sir! I have been debating switching out my single stage presses for either a turret or a progressive press. Been looking at Lee and Dillon. RCBS and Hornady aren't even in the running due to too many problems people have. I know two people with Dillon XL650s and they have zero problems with them, but the presses are a little complex. I like how the Lee is priced and how simple they are thanks to your video. Keep up the great work educating your fellow reloaders!!
I have this same set up, Lee turret in 5 calibers. The change over between calibre goes a lot faster when you don't have to explain it ! 😊
Think about how much ammo can you afford to shoot in a outing. Reload speed of 1200 rounds per hour on a expensive progressive press is more than I can spend on a day at the range. This press will load 5 boxes of 50 in 1 hour - that's plenty for me. Also it's pretty much impossible to double charge a case because the turret rotates when you push the lever. This set up is going to be doing everything that you need it to. Cost - very affordable.
Great video, you were very informative. I load right now on a Lee breach lock Challenger press and am looking to get a turret or progressive. I am very hesitant about getting a Progressive as I like to do my decap and prime on the single stage , yes I usually do a few thousand decap and prime in a day... I want to make sure my brass is right as I do get a good majority of Mil crimped brass that I must cut the crimps out on the 5.56 . After seeing your vid I can safely say the 4 hole turret will fit me well , settig up with station one as flair, station 2 powder, station 3 seat, station 4 crimp.
Solid plan
Nice video. Another advantage is buying additional powder measures pretty cheap, to keep the turret head all set up for a caliber.
Great video. Thank you for sharing your experience.
Very informative. Thanks Much!
Thank you for this video. Helped me with my decision. All the best to you.
COol thanks for fixing this one brother. My lee is the pro 1000 and is a pain in the butt to make new cals. I just keep mine setup for 9mm I do the rest on one peace at a time. I all so prim with the hand primmer.
If you get time would you show us how your solar is doing? Its been a wile and I would love to see how things are going. If not not a big deal God Bless Brother.
Thank you so much for this video so much useful information in this short video.
I got my Lee turret in 2012 from Dennis at Titan reloading loading about 5k 40sw a year since then with 0 issues. I am getting ready to buy a second press for .223/5.56. Hard to beat the Lee as it comes complete for about 200 with everything you need except dies, powder and primers.
Thanks for a honest opinion!!!!!
Nice video. I have a lee turret press and a dillon 550. While the lee press is faster to switch calibers, I can switch my 550 in about 5 minutes. Even if I have to change primer size. There is a learning curve though. Btw I use the lee auto drum on my dillon and lee presses. Set the powder charge once and just use a different drum for each load. It is a nice powder measure especially considering the cost.
I did try the auto drum but the mechanism on mine was binding and flexing too much for me to trust it so I returned and stayed with the auto disk. I do have a perfect powder measure so I can also use that separately if I want. Thanks for commenting.
You're sadly mistaken and/or confused about switching calibers between the Classic Turret and the Lee Pro-1000, and with a few more minutes change calibers on the Dillon XL650 Having said that, I agree that the Lee Classic Turret press is a damn fine loading press in it's self, but by far not better than any other progressive press. I'm not new at this. I've been loading ammo since 1965 and have been using two progressive presses for the last 6 or 7 years. Keep loading and have fun, but be safe.
I agree...though I definitely enjoyed his video, I chuckled at the part where he said you have to go through some pretty serious steps to change the shell holder on the Lee Pro 1000...ummm...yea it takes me less than one minute to change the carrier plate assembly: you remove the die holder, raise the ram up, loosen an Allen screw, place a small block of 2x4 under the shell holder carrier to keep it up as you lower the ram out of it, lower the ram and take out the carrier, and finally swap the indexing rod to your new shell holder...installation is even easier - just put the carrier plate inside the press, pop in your other die holder (with different caliber dies), raise the ram all the way, and tighten the Allen screw.
Will that press work well with RCBS dies? I have single stage stuff but am looking at a setup like this just for 9mm for now...as a handful of my family will likely be training with that soon...
Yes, I have RCBS, Hornady and Lee dies. They all work, all dies and presses have standard 7/8" - 14 industry standard size.
Hey Al, good video. Have not seen any new videos in a long time ! Hope all is well with you and yours.
Great video, thank you!
Great review!
Great video. Thank you.
The powder dispenser is very inconsistent. Some loads were so low they may have resulted in squibs, and some loads were dangerously high.
I've just bought one, as yet unused. I read they must have the drop tube, lifter riser
(if fitted) cleaned with Isopropyl alcohol or brake cleaner,then a hopper of powder run through to coat the sides with graphite dust before use. Failure to do so can cause erratic charge weights.
I also have a Lee Perfect powder measure which I tried for the first time today.
After cleaning and running powder, adjusted to throw 12 grains and the next 20 charges of Unique varied by less than 1/10th grain.
Yes, just a squeak more to change on the progressive. But I don't have to handle the brass as many times as you and I can put out quality at a consistent rate faster than turret press and I can work my press manual just like a turret press. That is why I bought the progressive because I have the choice as with a turret press you do not. And I can if I want have bullet automatically fed again reducing handling stuff but one more time. Start counting how many times from start to finish how many times we handle the bullets from making them insert them in a round, and the same with the cases. If I can reduce some of the handlings I am game and that is why I went with a progressive press.
All great points except rarely do progressives work reliably. That is why most folks using progressives prime off press and spend a good bit of time fixing indexing issues. So in the end, the progressive is faster but only after tweaking and adjusting it to run well for a few runs until things go out of whack again. The forums and FB posts are full of tips and mods that you have to do get them to run reliably. I handle brass just once, when I place the case in the shell holder, the rest is pulling the handle four times.
The turret press wins in reliability and consistency every time. It also costs less to change calibers/cartridges so it's more economical.
BTW I can also use an automatic bullet feeder on my turret, I have one for 9mm/38spl/357 mag and 45ACP. I also have an automatic case ejector, so you see, the progressive holds little appeal to me as I don't have to deal with the aggravation they bring.
@@econewpower Fair enough. Good points as well. We will both be happy doing what we like. Reloading and shooting. Namaste.
@@1stFlyingeagle very well said. Regards.
My thought is that Hornady AP press will give you a round on every pull, e.g. progressive. Also with the Lock and load bushing system easy to switch out dies, my opinion
But you forget you have to swap out the case carrier and primer arm in many instances and that is the downside to swapping calibers easily with the progressives, including Hornady.
and I have a powder drop for each caliber as well. so it's even faster....
,Richard Shepler Sr I have dine that as well. I have a head for each of my 3 calibers I reload and each head has its own powder drop. So switching calibers is faster and only requires a quick load check to make sure it is still dripping an appropriate charge.
Robert Marin good to know! I was just wondering if I could do the same and minimize tinkering.
Hey Al, good video. Trying to decide also on either this press or the Lee Load-Master.
The catalog says it is easy to change out to another caliber, but that's the manufacture talking. I like this press because it has the 5th stage which you can put to good use for factory crimp or the RCBS powder check die or even a bullet feed kit.
if you load a lot of one caliber ( 38sp for Cowboy Action ) would your thoughts be different ? Thanks, God Bless..........
Absutely Nick. That press is very nice, if I was doing cowboy shooting like you I'd have that press if I was dedicating it to one caliber.
While you are correct that one (turret vs progressive) is easier to setup than the other -The Lee Turret Press is not a progressive press (its a single cartridge progressive) - so you are comparing apples to oranges!
The apples and oranges analogy does not really apply here. It is perfectly acceptable to discuss the pros vs. cons of each for someone to make an informed decision as to which one to purchase with their hard earned dollars. If you could never make a comparison between the two, what data points could you possibly use to make a purchasing decision??
econewpower thank you for this well done tangerines to oranges comparison (ha!). If folks listen they'll note you didn't actually call the turret press a progressive. And, there's nothing wrong with doing this kind of comparison to help educate folks about the differences.
Thank you brother!
I don't know when you made this particular video, but you did a really good job. Are you still using this classic press? Have you made any modifications to it or had any problems crop up? I've been loading since 1965 and currently have a Dillon XL650, a Lee Pro 1000 and an RCBS Rock Chucker. I'm getting up in my senior years and due to some age related health issues including eyesight I do not shoot compatition matches any longer so I do not have the need to load as much as I used to. I'm going to sell my Dillon and am strongly considering getting the Lee Classic Turret to use alongside my Pro 1000. I did have a few issues with the Pro 1000 including primer problems. Over a period of time I have managed to correct all the problems I had with the 1000, but as you have mentioned in your videos you must really pay close attention to each and every step. That's why I'm going for the Classic press this time because it's much easier to keep track of what I'm doing. After watching your videos and those of many other reloaders who swear by the Classic, my mind is made up. Thanks for your vert informative videos and your opinions on the classic press. It's fun shooting and loading from here on.
This video was made in May of 2015 and yes, I'm still using the press. I've never had a major issues with the press, it is really rock solid and works as advertised. The only thing I've had to do is replace the plastic square nut where the indexing rod goes through, that will either wear out or break eventually. Lee includes a free spare in the box when you buy the press and I've gone ahead an purchased four additional ones just in case. I think you'll really like the press.
Thanks Al for the speedy reply. Your video's are of very good quality and I'm looking forward to getting the lee classic and getting it on line. That small square plastic indexing piece is about the only problems I have seen
when you are reloading 5.56/.223, do you use the 3 die set or 4 die set?
I use 4 dies, the Lee Pacesetter die set which has 3 dies plus the Lee universal rifle charging die.
Thanks
You need a repad under your press