REVIEW: LEE deluxe Turret 4 hole auto index press

[xbimmers]

Hello all, this is my review of the LEE deluxe Turret 4 hole auto index press.

My background in reloading

I have been reloading for over 20 years. I reload 9mm, .40 S&W, and 10mm on a Dillon RL550B. I also reload 38 special, 357 magnum, 44 magnum, 45
ACP, and 45 Long Colt on my 75 RCBS RC, and 76 RCBS Jr, and Lyman Spar-T turret press. 30-06 on my Lyman Spartan.

For the exception of LEE dies and case holders, this is my first experience with anything else LEE.


The press

The press came assembled. All that I had to do was tighten the bolt of the press handle arm. The press arm can be set up for right or left handed use. The press was smaller than I anticipated, I was expecting something a bit larger. The linkage of the press arm mechanism is simple and functional for reloading purposes. However, on the cost saving side of doing things.

Auto Index

The parts that actuate the auto index are made of plastic for the exception of the indexing shaft. The parts are not made of strong materials. I would not use this press for reloading with auto indexing. I removed these parts.

Turret

The turret has 1mm of play. However, it is uniform and will provide the same amount of play each time and should provide uniformed results when reloading. The turret has 4 holes to use standard dies. The holes on the turret are very close to each other. You can not use dies with large locking rings. You need to use either the Lee locking rings or similar sized locking rings.

Shaft

The shaft is made well and utilizes standard case holders. Case holders can be snapped in and out with no problem. I am less than impressed with the smoothness of the press motion. There is a stiff feel from the contact between the shaft and the aluminum press frame. This is even after I lubed the shaft. The shaft will hold in place at any point due to the stiffness. There is also a rubbing sound each time you actuate the press.

Priming arm

The included priming arm is well thought out and works very well. There are two arms included, one for large primers and one for small. The design allows for simple installation. The arm hangs on the shaft in a canted position to drop in primers. When bringing the shaft down the primer arm moves into the shaft and the primer plunger makes its way up through the case holder to prime the awaiting case. There is also a pocket in the press frame to keep one primer arm. I am truly impressed with this design.

Reloading Results

I reloading some .44 magnum with this press. I manually indexed the press after finishing all my cases on each stag. I primed and powdered each case as separate steps on other systems. The results were good. Each case was resized, decapped, belled, seated, and crimped properly.

Opinion

This is a value press for an entry level beginner. Even though I believe this to be the case, I would recommend that the beginner use this press without the auto indexing and use it as a single stage press with a turret for ease in changing out dies. I don't recommend this press for reloaders who have experienced quality presses. There is no comparison to the precision between this LEE press and even my 30+ year old Lyman Spar-T turret press.

I am offering this press for sale and if it does not sell, it will become someones Christmas present.

I will be ordering the LEE classic turret press to try it out and review it.

Please feel free to ask questions regarding this review and feel free to leave comments.

[XDRoX]

Good read. I'm interested in your opinion of the Classic Turret. It's a much better built press.

[stand125]

I like the review, but you failed to review the press in its intended configuration, which is auto index.

I have the Classic Cast Turret press and love the Auto index ( same auto index parts ). I have loaded many thousand rounds with no issues with the plastic parts. Even if you have to replace the teflon washer or housing, LEE will send you the parts for free and it takes about 2 minutes to replace. So you did not even attempt to use the auto indexing, which is one of the selling points over other turret presses that you have to manually index the turret. If it is made of plastic and people have loaded thousands of rounds with Auto index then what is the issue?

[Bill Steele]

I like the review, but you failed to review the press in its intended configuration, which is auto index.

I have the Classic Cast Turret press and love the Auto index ( same auto index parts ). I have loaded many thousand rounds with no issues with the plastic parts. Even if you have to replace the teflon washer or housing, LEE will send you the parts for free and it takes about 2 minutes to replace. So you did not even attempt to use the auto indexing, which is one of the selling points over other turret presses that you have to manually index the turret. If it is made of plastic and people have loaded thousands of rounds with Auto index then what is the issue?

I agree. I loaded 15,000+ quality rounds of straight wall pistol with my Lee Turret in the last year and the feature I like best is the auto index. If you keep the turret plates and carrier clean and lightly lubed, the "plastic" components of the index ratchet will last indefinitely. For the first 10,000 rounds I loaded I used no lube and had to replace the little square ratchet about every 5,000 rounds. As indicated above, that is a 2 minute operation and the part cost is $.50 each.

[roadglide2003]

Hi,
Thanks for the review. You mentioned you have experience with the RCBS JR press. I have just attained an RCBS JR press from a friend of mine and it seems to be binding midway on the upward stroke. then when it gets to the top of the stroke and the 7mm case I am resizing and decapping seems to stick real bad and i can actually push down even harder and the press has another popping sound at the bottom. Is this normal? Cases I am using have been tumbled clean and lubed. I am using a redding die. I put this die into my Lee Breechlock press, operation is smooth no binding and case gets resized no problem. Do you have any good information on how I can fix this press or what may be wrong with it if anything? is the popping sound normal at the bottom. If so, I might want to be gone with this JR press for that alone would drive me nuts. Thanks.

[xbimmers]

There is "something to be said" about the auto indexing of this press. However, I didn't review it because I was not going to use it and just commented on the material of the index parts. I know about the little square ratchet, I would love to fabricate that part to make the press that much better. I may look into that.

Thank you for adding to the overall review of the press.

I agree. I loaded 15,000+ quality rounds of straight wall pistol with my Lee Turret in the last year and the feature I like best is the auto index. If you keep the turret plates and carrier clean and lightly lubed, the "plastic" components of the index ratchet will last indefinitely. For the first 10,000 rounds I loaded I used no lube and had to replace the little square ratchet about every 5,000 rounds. As indicated above, that is a 2 minute operation and the part cost is $.50 each.

[xbimmers]

Hello, the washers that provide the tention to the press arm might be broken. Take the press apart to verify. Also check for foreign objects and clean the shaft and linkage. If that does not solve the problem contact RCBS directly via their website. Their techs are great and they will send you free replacement parts. Send them pictures and a good description. RCBS provides a lifetime warranty and they are very responsive.

If you decide to sell the press you can get $50 to $60 depending on the condition of the press and accessories you may have for the press.

Good luck.

Hi,
Thanks for the review. You mentioned you have experience with the RCBS JR press. I have just attained an RCBS JR press from a friend of mine and it seems to be binding midway on the upward stroke. then when it gets to the top of the stroke and the 7mm case I am resizing and decapping seems to stick real bad and i can actually push down even harder and the press has another popping sound at the bottom. Is this normal? Cases I am using have been tumbled clean and lubed. I am using a redding die. I put this die into my Lee Breechlock press, operation is smooth no binding and case gets resized no problem. Do you have any good information on how I can fix this press or what may be wrong with it if anything? is the popping sound normal at the bottom. If so, I might want to be gone with this JR press for that alone would drive me nuts. Thanks.

[wash]

I kind of wonder why anyone buys this model. It's a $30.00 price difference to the classic cast. Spread over 1,000 rounds that's a $0.03 savings per round and spread over 15,000 rounds that's $0.002.

If you reload more than a little, the difference in price is almost nothing.

[mnguyen84]

nice write up. pictures would make it sexier.

[drkphibr]

+1 on Lee presses and products

I've seen plenty of threads that praise Lee products and I've seen just as many that bash them. Every manufacturer/product will have the same "divide". I happen to really like Lee products, pricing, performance and customer service.

I think the ability to run either the Lee Deluxe or Classic Turret in either single stage mode or auto indexing is a great selling point. When operated correctly (and that's the key), the auto indexing is great.

I initially ordered a Lee Deluxe, but quickly sold it in favor of the Classic Turret (preferred the spent primer tube config). Never looked back. I initially went through one of the nylon square ratchets and thought, WTF, what a cheap component for such an over engineered product. Called Lee to ask why they put such a cheap component in. Their explanation was that it if they use a stronger material, it would potentially damage the indexing rod and what is cheaper to replace a $.50 piece of plastic (you can find them cheaper online) or a $5.00 rod? Made sense to me after hearing their reasoning.

I also figured out why I was going through the square ratchets so quickly after hearing of folks using one for thousands of rounds. I was completely raising the arm and twisting off my turret, which added tension to the ratchet and "stripped" it as the rod moves when the arm is fully raised. I should have been lowering the arm and then twisting off my turret so there is less stress on the ratchet to strip it. All has been fine since then.

This is an extremely well made product and for what you're paying, there is no better deal in entry to mid level reloading in my opinion. I like the the balance and control the LCT gives me. Satisfied customer for the value/performance.

[GetBulletsandBrass]

The 4 hole turret is a great little press and for the price it can't be beat as an entry level press. The advantage of the press in particular is the fact that you can use it as a auto-indexing or a single stage. Wash does hit on a important consideration, if you want to have a larger range of loading capability (case wise) the Classic Turret is only about $30 more.

[short circuit]

I have the same deluxe turret and am happy with it. I lubed the auto index bar with a little silicone spray. I have loaded 2000 + rounds with it so far and have no complaints. I did make a spent primer catch tray using the cardboard from a cereal box. One thing I found, when mounting the press, do not let the press shaft rub against the table (I mounted it to close) after filing the table a little bit the press is very smooth and makes good ammo.

[roadglide2003]

Thanks for the quick reply sir. I will take all the awsome advice given. Much appreciated!!!

[Dark Mod]

I find auto indexing useless, i like to reload a step at a time, it allows me better quality control and way fewer mistakes. I will charge a few trays at a time, and i can look down inside all the cases and insure a proper charge before moving on.

[xbimmers]

+1!!

I find auto indexing useless, i like to reload a step at a time, it allows me better quality control and way fewer mistakes. I will charge a few trays at a time, and i can look down inside all the cases and insure a proper charge before moving on.