Index loading .223 Lee Classic Turret?

[Kevin S]

Hey there folks! I've been loading various rifle calibers with my Lee Classic Turret for the past few months - and have to date - only been doing so with the index rod removed (single-stage bulk process for each operation).

My typical process is;
1. Clean brass
2. Lube, Resize/deprime (in bulk)
3. Trim, Chamfer, Debur, clean/swage primer pocket
4. Clean off lube
5. Prime (bulk)
6. Charge
7. Seat/Crimp (bulk)

I'd like to step up to index-loading .223 plinking rounds. However, I'm concerned that by setting up the Turret to index (resize/deprime, prime, charge, seat, crimp) I'm missing the case prep (trim/lube removal) steps.

Any recommendations out there? Should I resize/deprime "off the turret" (which is would require a separate single-stage, etc.), or for once/twice-fired brass just "let er rip" and spot-check case length?

Thoughts? What do y'all do out there?

Thanks!

[BigBronco]

Yes the case prep should be done prior to priming, charging and seating. if not you might end up loading some brass that is out of spec. I have measured as much as .015" case length stretch from resizing the brass. The case can stretch from the sizing ball being drawn out of the case in the resizing process.

[Mopar85]

I use the lee 3 die set on my turret for .223.
Step one. I size and deprime them on a single stage press.
Step two. tumble in SS media for a few hours and lay them out to dry for a day
Step three. trim in my wilson trimmer, chamfer and debur
Step four. prime all cases and check for SS pins in the flash hole
then I have my 3 hole turret set up for powder drop with auto disk (had to buy the rifle die) stage two is bullet seat and stage three is bullet crimp.

[Kevin S]

Thanks guys! I appreciate the detailed feedback and advice!

It does seem that the safest way is to resize/prep off the turret in batch; then run the rest of the steps indexed.

Thanks again,
-K

[stilly]

Hey there folks! I've been loading various rifle calibers with my Lee Classic Turret for the past few months - and have to date - only been doing so with the index rod removed (single-stage bulk process for each operation).

My typical process is;
1. Clean brass
2. Lube, Resize/deprime (in bulk)
3. Trim, Chamfer, Debur, clean/swage primer pocket
4. Clean off lube
5. Prime (bulk)
6. Charge
7. Seat/Crimp (bulk)

I'd like to step up to index-loading .223 plinking rounds. However, I'm concerned that by setting up the Turret to index (resize/deprime, prime, charge, seat, crimp) I'm missing the case prep (trim/lube removal) steps.

Any recommendations out there? Should I resize/deprime "off the turret" (which is would require a separate single-stage, etc.), or for once/twice-fired brass just "let er rip" and spot-check case length?

Thoughts? What do y'all do out there?

Thanks!

That is the nice thing about the LCT. the answer is YES no matter what.

If It were me, I would do this:
1. case prep (off press)
a. decap & clean brass (I use a hand press with breech lock and universal decapper + SS wet cleaning.)
b. resize and clean off lube (I will dump the shells with lube into the tumbler and fill with rice and spin for 1-2 hours)
2. Final brass prep: trim/chamfer/debur/swage if needed (I would use a CTS trimmer and my RCBS pocket swager die)
3. Prime (either off press or on press, currently I do all priming on press)
4. Charge
5. Seat and crimp...

That is how I would do it with my current setup.

No matter what your routine is, I would agree with anyone else that says to do all brass prep OFF press and when you take that brass back to the press, it should be to prime (or not), charge and seat/crimp. However you get there is up to you and your easiest route. I might actually switch to hand priming just because after a while it kills my arm to seat Tula LPP and prolly even SRP and SPP too now...


As far as indexing goes, you can still leave your indexing rod in your LCT. I just did 370 or so 50 AE shells and I found that while sizing them, I could drop the ram about half way down until it starts hitting that twist and then it was easy enough to remove the shell and put another one in and back up it goes without auto-indexing.

[emptybottle151]

Just get another turret for case prep.

Universal deprimer & swage (if its new brass)
SS tumble & dry.
Measure case length, if its too long throw in trim box, trim cases when box is full or need more cases.

Then lube, full length size, prime, charge, seat, crimp.
Wipe off lube, load stripper clip.

Keep your "new brass" separate from your swaged brass to save time.
I also do brass prep the day before I plan to reload that way I have brass ready to go.
I only load 100-200 at a time.