Lee turret press HELP

[huskymike]

So I just got a Lee turret press second hand. It was partially taken apart and now I need help.
Does the 3 hole turret auto index? If so, I cannot get mine to do it, I have the twist rod and plastic donut and clamp but cannot get it to auto index. Am I doing something wrong or what?

Nice site here thanks alot!!

[papajohn]

I took the auto-index off mine the day I bought it 28 years ago, so I'm not gonna be much help here, sorry.  I load in batches, and fill trays of brass with ammo that's been deprimed, then reprimed (off the press, in my case) then flared and powder dropped, then seated bullets, each round in the tray rotated through one leg of the cycle before the turret is turned.  It's pretty much idiot-proof, because you can check powder levels for each round (or tray) as you go. 

I love the press, and have 24 turrets full of dies, but I never cared for the auto-index feature.

[huskymike]

PapaJohn, love your Pizza!!

I really do not have time to load the slower way, although it may be better and more consistant, I was just hoping to fill up with primers, bullets and powder and pull a handle and go.

When i got the stuff I was under the impression that it was progressive. I payed short money for it and could probably recover some of it but i hate wasting time!

I am gonna call Lee tomorrow and find out the particulars and possible what it will take to make it progressive.

I have all these turrets and dies (3 hole) Now my question is, What does the 4 hole do that the 3 hole does not?

Thanks for your input!!!

[RustyFN]

Inside the the clamp that the rod goes through there should be a nylon hex ratchet. That is the ratchet piece. If that is missing you will need one. If it is there make sure it is in the right direction, it won't work upside down.



Check out this link. It will show you the ratchet and installation.

http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi-data/instruct/TP2131.pdf

[huskymike]

Yes rusty, That is in there, actually I have many for back up also. I called Lee and they told me that it sounded like a clamp problem. I ordered another clamp and some more of those white washers. I really don't have faith in the clamp idea but I will try it. For 13 bucks, I will at least have a spare.

Thanks

[RustyFN]

Mike a similar problem to yours came up on a different forum and one of the guys said he replaced the clamp and that fixed the problem. Sounds like you should be good to go when you get your parts.

[dhhardw]

Dear Huskymike,

A couple of things come to mind. First on your 4-hole question.  The extra hole allows you to add some die that you want but don't have.  So, for .45 auto, I use 4 dies. Sixing, flare/powder through die, bullet seating and factory crimp.  With a 3-hole, you can't use all of these.  I can't imagine loading .45 auto any other way.  I don't crimp these, except to the extent that the factory crimp die essentially resizes the case after the bullet is seated.  This makes the cartridge chamber properly and has the effect of a crimp.  (It's funny how the thickness of the case makes a big difference on the amount of effort needed on the factory crimp die. )

The second point I was going to make is now moot.  Get in touch with Lee.  They are great.  They really want you to make good, accurate reloads and have almost everything you need to do that.  They are also quite willing to share their knowlege, too.

David