What is the better deal?

[smrtprts]

Hey guys I am brand new to reloading and I am pretty set on the Lee 4 turret kit however I do not know if I should go with the value or deluxe edition?

Value:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/622290/lee-4-hole-turret-press-with-auto-index-value-kit

Deluxe:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/785993/lee-4-hole-turret-press-with-auto-index-deluxe-kit

I see the FAQ says I will need:

1.Reloading Manual
2.Press: Single Stage, Turret or Progressive
3.Dies
4.Shell holders (if the die set doesn't have them)
5.Case Tumbler: Media, Polish, Sifter, Bucket and Clear Lid
6.Loading Block (caliber specific)
7.Case Lube (you won't need if using carbide dies)
8.Case Neck Brush
9.Dial Calipers: Stainless Steel or Electronic
10.Case Trimmer
11.Deburring Tool
12.Primer Pocket Clean
13.Primer Tray
14.Priming Tool (if the press doesn't come with a primer attachment)
15.Powder Scale
16.Powder Funnel
17.Powder Trickler
18.Powder Measure (nice for faster powder charges)
19.Bullet Puller
20.Plastic Ammo boxes and labels

and then obviously brass, bullets, powder, dies and primers.

Which kit would I be better off with or do you recommend something else? Thanks.

[stand125]

The deluxe has the classic turret press which is cast iron and well worth it.

[john16443]

The deluxe press in the value kit is cast aluminum, the classic press in the deluxe kit is cast iron. Don't know why Midway screws around with the naming.

Both will work, and I have the deluxe press shown in the value kit. The fact that one is aluminum and the other cast is not an issue with me and my 9mm and 45ACP relaoding. HOWEVER, I deprime before case cleaning/tumbling, so the lack of a proper spent primer chute on the deluxe was not an issue with me. If you don't plan on depriming before sizing, and not reloading for rifle, the 'value kit' would be my choice. If I were to do it again, I would spend the extra $20 and get what Midway calls the 'deluxe kit' that contains the classic press. It will direct primers down the center of the ram.

[CalTeacher]

Get the second option with the classic turret press. The classic turret is better than their standard four hole press by leaps and bounds.

[sofbak]

I just went through the same decision process in May. Get the deluxe kit with the classic turret. It is very easy to set up and the kit comes with all the basics you need excdept dies. And the hollow ram for the primer catcher tube is a big convenience too.

And the bonus is that you can remove the indexing rod, and use it in a single stage mode. I have been using it in single stage mode while I get used to the whole process. this allows me the check every case/cartridge in each step and prevents me from loading a quantity of mistakes.

If you are loading for multiple calibers, I would suggest you also invest in a universal de-capping die. I did so I could de-cap all my cases at once before tumblind and re-sizing.

One other item to consider is the adjustable powder bar. My first experience with the disk set-up and unique powder was not very good. All the disks throw a charge that is smaller than listed in the manual. In my experience, trail boss was typically 10% under the stated disk size, and unique varied from 13% to 16% under the listiings in the manaul. And in many cases, I could not find an appropriate single disk or even a combination of two that would give me the weight charge I was trying to get. And I spent a lot of time and arithmetic trying to find a disk size or combo that would work.

I haven't had a chance to try the adjustable powder bar yet, but it was recommended by many on this board, and it's only $10 or so from Midway, so should be good insurance to get the right charge if the disks won't.

[JNunez23]

The Charge bar will be more helpful for those loading heavier rounds. From what I have been told, the bar will not really help with lighter loads like 9mm..

[sofbak]

The Charge bar will be more helpful for those loading heavier rounds. From what I have been told, the bar will not really help with lighter loads like 9mm..

I was loading unique for long colt, and to get the target weights, I was trying to do two throws with small disks, like .46 and .49, and .53. Got a really wild spread of dispensed weights. I may have been having a static "cling" issue", but didn't think to look all the way through the disk and the expander die. I could see the top of the charge drop, but some may have been clinging to the walls of the hole.

Hopefully with the adjusto-bar, I won't have to double throw, or worse, do one throw with a small disk, and a second with a larger disk to get the right weights.

To the OP, I forgot to point out that the deluxe kit also comes with a Lee loading manual. Also the deluxe has the Lee Safety Prime, which in my experience was a real dream to use. I have no idea what the "lever" prime system is with the other kit, but the safety prime made priming a breeze.

[BACKTOSHOOTING]

What ever you decide check out F & M reloading,
part# 90304 - 199.00
part# 90928 - 105.99

[smrtprts]

Okay so based on the replied, I am looking at this so far:

1. http://www.midwayusa.com/product/785...dex-deluxe-kit

2. http://www.midwayusa.com/product/292..._vc=S014150005

3. http://www.midwayusa.com/product/885..._vc=S015242098

4. http://www.midwayusa.com/product/136...-decapping-die

5. http://www.midwayusa.com/product/672...-case-lube-kit

And for tumbling I think I will just use a home depot bucket and fill it with soap.

Anything else you guys can think of?

So with this kit I should be able to de-prime, prime, powder and press the bullet in with the 4 stages of the turret?

[john16443]

The kit and the set of dies for your caliber will get you a finished bullet. It appears that you will be reloading 9mm so you can easily forget about the case lube kit, you only need this for rifle rounds.

Another thing to consider would be to add a Lee Taper Crimp Die (TCD): http://www.midwayusa.com/product/274...-die-9mm-luger

You can either add this to your order, or change the dies to the 3 die set and buy the TCD. For pistol reloading with lead bullets, your factory crimp die may end up resizing the lead bullets leading to more problems. Many folks consider the FCD a 'solution looking for a problem', and not necessary. For pistol reloading, you will have better, more consistent results when you separate your bullet seating operation from your crimping or flare removal operation. The taper crimp die becomes your flare or bell removal operation.

Your 4 stations could be set up as follows.

#1 Size, deprime and prime
#2 Flare (bell) case and insert powder
#3 seat bullet to final depth
#4 remove flare from pistol case

For inexpensive brass cleaning options, consider these if you don't get a tumber.: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epIG4...5&feature=plcp

[stand125]

Because 9mm is a short case it can be tough ( not terrible, just tough ) to size without lube. I just wipe a little canning wax on every 4th or 5th case and it makes a world of difference. The adjustable charge bar can be a very inconsistant with very small charges so if the disk will get you where you need to be then stick with those on the 9mm. I use the .43 disk to drop 4.4 gr of W231 under a 115gr Exteme plated bullet.

[smrtprts]

Okay so you are saying go with the 3 die set and one of these:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/136543/lee-universal-depriming-and-decapping-die

I would also like to reload 5.56 eventually. What else would I need in addition to the links a few posts back and the dies?

[stand125]

Okay so you are saying go with the 3 die set and one of these:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/136543/lee-universal-depriming-and-decapping-die

I would also like to reload 5.56 eventually. What else would I need in addition to the links a few posts back and the dies?

The taper crimp die lets you crimp seperate from seating your bullet. The taper crimp die does nothing beneficial as a function on dies newer than 1986 since newer dies have a taper crimp built into the seating die that can be used to seat and crimp the bullet in one step. It sounds confusing but you only need a 3 die set unless you choose ( key word is CHOOSE ) to crimp your bullet after you seat the bullet.

The decapping die that you linked to does nothing for you since your die set will come with a sizing/depriming die.