Used Reloading Press Purchase

[rb765]

I just picked up a deal on a used press and needed some input on it. The Press is a Lee Precision 3 hole turret like this one: http://leeprecision.com/3-hole-turret-press.html My question, would this be a good starter press or should I Ebay it and get a single press. Also, it came with 2 die sets that I do not think I will ever use. The first is a 44 spl and the second is a 6.5x55. Since I never heard of the 44 spl, would it be worth putting on ebay or should it be delegated to the round file. The 6.5, I'm will probably put that one up for sale or trade since it is a more popular caliber.

If I keep the press, it will probably be upgraded to a 4 hole. If anyone needs either of these calibers, shoot me a PM and maybe we can work out a trade.

[stand125]

What are you planning on loading? I have one of those presses as a back up press. It is a good press that will be faster than a single stage. The only down side is that you have to set each primer in the primer cup which takes time which is easily resolved with a hand primer which lots of folks like. I believe that 44 spc is a shorter case version of 44 magnum, just like 38 spc is a shorter case version of 357 magnum.

[Fjold]

The three hole will work fine for a starter press. I started loading on one 30+ years ago, and I still have it.
Offer to trade the 44 Spcl dies for ammo or components that you can use.

[rb765]

To start with, I will probably start reloading .223 and 9mm or 380 depending on what CC pistol I get. Then whatever larger rifle caliber I get for my son, but probably .243 or .308.

[rb765]

The 44 spl dies have a bit of rust on the tops, but the bottoms look clean. PM me your email and I will clean them up and send you a picture. They are Lee brand but have no box as they were installed on the press. There was no cartridge holder though. The 6.5 have the red lee box and look pretty good. Email me and we can work out the details.

[rb765]

The 44SPL dies are spoken for.

[bumpo628]

I have one of those presses too. It'll work fine as-is; I don't think you'll need to upgrade it to the 4-hole version. The fourth die is the factory crimp die, so it is not necessary. You'll save money on die sets too.

I recommend getting a turret and Lee Pro powder measure for each caliber that you load. That way you can just drop in the complete unit without any adjustments.

You can remove the auto advance and use it as a single stage if you like. I do that since I use a Lee hand primer.

[rb765]

Thanks for that info. I did not like the looks of that disk auto measure it came with. I will be looking at my options for powder measures after I get all my equipment. I did notice that the auto rotate seemed a little off leaving the turret about 1/8" off from locking to the next station. I'm not sure if this is adjustable and will have to download the manuals next. Thanks again for all the help.

[bumpo628]

Thanks for that info. I did not like the looks of that disk auto measure it came with. I will be looking at my options for powder measures after I get all my equipment. I did notice that the auto rotate seemed a little off leaving the turret about 1/8" off from locking to the next station. I'm not sure if this is adjustable and will have to download the manuals next. Thanks again for all the help.

I use the standard auto measures, but if I was going to buy a new one I would get the Pro. The standard measures work fine, but they take some adjusting to prevent powder leakage.

If the auto rotate is off, then you could try getting a new ratchet. I found that it is still hard to adjust even with a new one, so I just took it off.

3 for $1.50 - http://leeprecision.com/auto-index-hex-ratchet.html

http://leeprecision.net/support/index.php?/Knowledgebase/Article/View/274/0/turret-press-index-problem

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=zRBeoqYdr74

[Cowboy T]

Sounds like you might need a new ratchet. Fortunately, they're very reasonably priced. Mine is the 4-hole Classic Turret, and I once had to replace the ratchet square on it. But that was only once out of several thousand rounds (the failure was my fault anyway).

That turret press is fine for just about anything up to and including .30-06 length. Therefore, every cartridge you've listed will be just fine in that press. There are turret presses like that which have been goin' strong for 25 years and more.

The Pro Auto-Disk Powder Measure is *strongly* recommended over the "normal" Auto-Disk Powder Measure, especially if you're going to be doing multiple cartridges. The regular Auto-Disk meters very well, but it has one design flaw; it was not built to withstand regular changes of the disk. That's because it uses wood screws, screwed directly into plastic, to hold the powder hopper together. That plastic screw-in point wears out eventually. So, it's really meant for one setup where you leave it alone and bang out a million or so rounds of that specific load. The Pro version, by contrast, uses metal screws and a brass nut instead and is thus an improved version of the design. You can change it around as often as you want without wearing anything out.

[Javi]

Get it so I can have the 6.5x55 dies

[BigBronco]

O had a set of the lee 44special dies the instructions indicated they would work with. 44 mag also.

[rb765]

Thanks for the replies. I did get them so the dies are available. The unit came with two of the plastic ratchets already, so I will disassemble it to replace them with one of the new ones. I went ahead and put them on Ebay, but if any Calgunner wants them, I will pull them off.

[rb765]

I went ahead and downloaded the manual which was kind of minimal. There were, however, video's on Lee's website. I put a new ratchet on the press, steel wooled off the surface rust on the verticals, oiled it to prevent any more rust, and gave it a whirl. It still was off, but after adjusting it using a 7/16" wrench as shown on the videos, it works as good as new (I think).

Now I just need the rest of the parts (measures, dies, and stuff) and I am all set. I am still not sure of how the auto disk works (is the spring supposed to be so tight? I cannot even move it with the spring attached). I'm not going to worry about it until I get ready to use it.

I love it when these deals fall in your lap. Thanks everyone with your wonderful assistance. My rifle will be complete in about a month, then a couple more months to make a healthy supply of empty cases, and I will be all set to try my hand at reloading.

[Cowboy T]

Good deal, and congrats! And yes, the .44 Spl dies do work great with .44 Magnum