Lee turret press/ need help/picks

[fido]

I bought this lee used its missing some parts. I need a little help with what I seed to get busy. :mrgreen:
I could talk to Lee but I'd rather hear it from the users.

I will be reloading mostly .44 mag /special. 4 Die maybe 22-250
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v510/sdeering/P9030024.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v510/sdeering/P9030023.jpg
The rod I can figure. The two aluminum parts Powder measurer adapter? The O ring may be not for the press?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v510/sdeering/P9030022.jpg
The primer piece. Is it all there? What is the flat shell holder for? Looks like it has a 4 on it.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v510/sdeering/P9030021.jpg
It looks like I need the turret.

Should I go with the 3 hole, (90497) Is this all I need to get it firing on all 3 cylinders?

4 hole (90269) Will this part make it run on all 4?
Or the 4 hole anniversary special (90933)?

I think I may need a 4 hole, which one, any pros or cons to ether 3 or 4 hole?
Will the new safety prime work with my press, is it good?
Powder measurer?
Are there any other options that will make this press hummm.
Anyone’s help will be greatly appreciated.
Stephen

[Ranch Dog]

http://www.leeprecision.com/graphics/parts/2126.jpg
Identifying 3-hole turret... 6 ears

http://www.leeprecision.com/graphics/parts/3565.jpg
Identifying 4-hole turret... 8 ears

Your press is an older 3-turret. What I would recommend is that the press be converted to a 4-hole with the Auto-Index for your pistol loading needs.

http://www.leeprecision.com/graphics/shoppingcart/4holetpupdatekit.JPG
Lee PN 90933... ($14.25 Boses) (http://www.bosesguns.com/product_p/lee90933.htm)

I've got over 20K rounds through a 4-hole press and I simply would not use another.

For pistol loading I have the turret setup as follows:
Position 1... Sizing Die without the decapping pin installed.
Position 2... Powder thru Expander Die with an Auto-Disk Powder Measurer (http://www.bosesguns.com/product_p/lee90578.htm) mounted on it.
Position 3... Bullet Seating Die.
Position 4... Factory Crimp Die.

How I work the brass through a loaded round is like this...

1. I tumble the brass with the primers installed so I don't have to worry about media in the flash hole.
2. I decap the brass with the Lee Universal Decapper (#90292 & $8.75) (http://www.bosesguns.com/product_p/lee90292.htm) installed on the smaller "C" Lee Reloading Press (or any other press you might have).
3. I then prime the brass with a Lee Auto Prime hand primer (http://www.bosesguns.com/product_p/lee90230.htm). At this point all my brass is ready for the shell holder on the press.
4. Four strokes of the handle and a round is loaded just about as fast as you can read this sentence. Other than operating the handle, the only other operation while the brass is on the press you must place a bullet on the mouth of the brass as that die is encountered.

You can download the turret instructions here... Lee Turret Press Instructions (http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi-data/instruct/TP2131.pdf)

The two aluminum adapters are threaded into the Powder Through Expander Die. The Lee Powder Funnel will fit into these adapters. The O-ring fits on these adapters.

The shellholder you asked about, the #4, is a shellholder for the Lee Auto Prime. They use the same numbering system as the press shellholders but they don't have the shank on them.

When you get this set up for your 44, I will tell you how to make it work with that 22-250.

[13Echo]

If you want to keep the press a 3 holer for a while try loading your pistol cartridges this way. Size and deprime, tumble clean and then prime with the Lee hand tool. It's not a problem to pick out any media stuck in the flash hole and this gives you the opportunity to inspect each case. Load the turret with 1) expander die with the auto disc powder measure if you have it, otherwise use a funnel in the powder through die to add powder, 2) seater and 3) crimp die. I actually prefer the three hole system to the four because I prefer to inspect each case before loading.

Jerry Liles

[fido]

I just purchased an RCBS 4 die carbide set. Can one feed powder through one of these or is it a special Lee die?

I have an older Lyman powder measurer, the one with the rattle weight. Can this be adapted to drop powder though a die on the turret by hand?

Concerning turret part I need. I may have access to a used one. It looks like my press takes a 3 banger. Is this one single piece with the 3 holes in it, or is there more to it?
Thanks
Stephen

[13Echo]

Go to the Lee Precision site and download the instructions for the Turret Press near the bottom of the list.

http://www.leeprecision.com/html/instruct/index.html

It will show how to set up. It looks to me like you have a complete press except for the three hole turret. The turret is a single piece of aluminum.

I don't think the RCBS has the "powder through" adaptation, but I may be wrong. The Lyman 55 powder measure is an excellent piede of equipment but it just doesn't lend itself to automation. If you have a powder through die then it may be able to take a funnel in the die (like the Lee dies do) so you can pour in the powder charge when the case is expanded.

Jerry Liles

[fido]

Thanks Jerry I have looked at the lee stuff. It would sure be nice if they had an exploded view of all the parts. I have lots of machining equipment I may be able to build an adapter fot the lyman powder measurer.
Thanks for the help
Stephen

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

fido,

You'd be better off and cheaper just to buy a set of Lee deluxe pistol dies in .44. It'll end up costing you less time, money and effort than building an adapter. They're not expensive and you can then use the Lee Pro Auto Disk powder measure.

Ranch Dog is giving you very good advice to upgrade your press to a four hole operation. I strongly suggest you follow it before you buy any turrets.

Regards,

Dave

[Sixgun Symphony]

Fido,

I have some extra LEE 3-die turrents. Send me an email and I will send them to you for the cost of shipping.

[fido]

WOW!PM sent.
Stephen

[boogerred]

fido the rod you have is 6-sided which means you have a three hole press. to change to 4 hole you need a 4-sided rod,cam,turret,and top plate. right now it looks like you have everything to get the PRESS(only) going except a turret.the #4 shellholder you have is for an auto-prime. it fits the .222,.223 rem and .32 S&W long and .32 H&R mag along with a few less common cals.those white plastic cams will wear,so get a coupla extra,whatever you decide.

[fido]

Yep the plate has six indexing luges so I will try it 3 hole for a while. Then order some goodies for it if it works well.
Thanks
Stephen

[MT Gianni]

The large size O ring is lees answer to keep the die from slipping on the press. It fits under the sizer or crimp die and is supposed to eliminate a locking ring. Gianni.

[fido]

Ok thanks Gianni.
Stephen

[Sixgun Symphony]

WOW!PM sent.
Stephen

We got a deal. Check your personal message box.

[fido]

Thanks to sixgun for the turrets. I got them today and they work dandy.
Stephen

[mooman76]

I took the piece out that turns the turret and i just turn it as needed by hand. Works well for me!

[Sixgun Symphony]

Thanks to sixgun for the turrets. I got them today and they work dandy.
Stephen

Glad to see that they got to you in a timely manner. :)

BTW, what calibers are you loading for? :castmine:

[fido]

I am going to try 44 mag. in the turret and maybe 22-250.
I reload 30-06 and will be loading 243 in the near future but I dont think the turret is up to the bigger calibers. Maybe im wrong?
Stephen

[13Echo]

Fido,

I'm using my Lee turret to load .45-70 for the Trapdoor. It handles full length resizing with no problems. However you have to disable the auto advance for the longer cases.

Jerry Liles

[rbstern]

I am going to try 44 mag. in the turret and maybe 22-250.
I reload 30-06 and will be loading 243 in the near future but I dont think the turret is up to the bigger calibers. Maybe im wrong?
Stephen

I've loaded 303 Brit and 7.5x55 on mine. Works good.

[fido]

Thanks guys I will try it out on the larger stuff in manual.
Stephen

[Sixgun Symphony]

I am going to try 44 mag. in the turret and maybe 22-250.
I reload 30-06 and will be loading 243 in the near future but I dont think the turret is up to the bigger calibers. Maybe im wrong?
Stephen

I prefer using a single stage press for the rifle calibers. I weigh out each load, so I am not concerned about speed.

I like the speed of the auto-indexing feature for mass production of handgun cartridges.