Tweet
To the OP:
I have the 550b, 2 x XL650's, a Redding T7, a rockchucker, a Lee Classic Cast single stage, and an old Lee Challenger without the breechlocks. I am in the process of renovating my home and had to breakdown "The Mancave" in the garage. (I am building a nice new Man Cave in the backyard.)
Since I had to down size the operation to the mini bench in the family room ... I bought a Lee Classic Turret used from one of our fellow calgunners. The idea was to have a single stage with the capabilities of being able to assemble some hand gun ammo and my black rifles a bit faster than single stage with only one press.
The Lee Classic Turret is the in-between single stage and progressive press. The only thing I was worried about was the Lee powder throw. Since the purchase, I have made ammo for a couple of my 45's (ACP), a couple of my 357's and for a couple of my black rifles (223). As it turns out, the throw's I have experienced are acceptable. I have a Uniflow & trickler for other rifle throws so extruded powders are not an issue.
With handgun ammo, I can comfortably assemble 200 rounds per hour on average.
With 223 REM for my black gas rifles, (Brass was processed and primed and no sizer die in the turret) I am able to do about the same round per hour rate, perhaps slightly less on average only because I was a bit weary of the final specs of the assembled ammo.
My final thoughts:
Is it faster than a single stage? Yes, it is.
Is it as fast as a 550b or any other progressive? Definately not.
But lets be real, as long as you are not burning through more 500 or more rounds of ammo a week consistantly, I really don't think you need anything more. When I bought my "Blue Machines", both me and my wife were shooting competitively. Handloading was not fun. It was a chore and a pain in the asprin. But if I was only shooting what I have shot in the past year, I would go with the Lee Classic Turret -- hands down.
Hope this helps,
LGB
I have the 550b, 2 x XL650's, a Redding T7, a rockchucker, a Lee Classic Cast single stage, and an old Lee Challenger without the breechlocks. I am in the process of renovating my home and had to breakdown "The Mancave" in the garage. (I am building a nice new Man Cave in the backyard.)
Since I had to down size the operation to the mini bench in the family room ... I bought a Lee Classic Turret used from one of our fellow calgunners. The idea was to have a single stage with the capabilities of being able to assemble some hand gun ammo and my black rifles a bit faster than single stage with only one press.
The Lee Classic Turret is the in-between single stage and progressive press. The only thing I was worried about was the Lee powder throw. Since the purchase, I have made ammo for a couple of my 45's (ACP), a couple of my 357's and for a couple of my black rifles (223). As it turns out, the throw's I have experienced are acceptable. I have a Uniflow & trickler for other rifle throws so extruded powders are not an issue.
With handgun ammo, I can comfortably assemble 200 rounds per hour on average.
With 223 REM for my black gas rifles, (Brass was processed and primed and no sizer die in the turret) I am able to do about the same round per hour rate, perhaps slightly less on average only because I was a bit weary of the final specs of the assembled ammo.
My final thoughts:
Is it faster than a single stage? Yes, it is.
Is it as fast as a 550b or any other progressive? Definately not.
But lets be real, as long as you are not burning through more 500 or more rounds of ammo a week consistantly, I really don't think you need anything more. When I bought my "Blue Machines", both me and my wife were shooting competitively. Handloading was not fun. It was a chore and a pain in the asprin. But if I was only shooting what I have shot in the past year, I would go with the Lee Classic Turret -- hands down.
Hope this helps,
LGB
Comment