what's "auto index"?
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Manual index requires you to rotate the shellplate by hand
Auto index the press rotates the shellplate for you.
Auto index the press rotates the shellplate for you.
To "index" something means to place it in the right order or position. We can index a turret by hand or let the press do it. Auto indexing a multiple case carrying "turret" is what makes a progressive press work.
Lee's system simply auto-indexes the die turret around a single case so it's not a true progressive but is faster than a conventional single stage. Like any other tool or design feature, it's up to the purchaser/user to determine if it's 'worth it' to him. Most users seem to be happy with the Lee, some aren't.
Seems that how complex it's perceived to be also depends on the user. Anyone who has difficulty with pliers because of all the moving parts likely shouldn't bother with a progressive or auto-index reloading press of any make, nor the Lee Collet Neck Sizer dies for rifles. Otherwise it's no big deal.
Lee's system simply auto-indexes the die turret around a single case so it's not a true progressive but is faster than a conventional single stage. Like any other tool or design feature, it's up to the purchaser/user to determine if it's 'worth it' to him. Most users seem to be happy with the Lee, some aren't.
Seems that how complex it's perceived to be also depends on the user. Anyone who has difficulty with pliers because of all the moving parts likely shouldn't bother with a progressive or auto-index reloading press of any make, nor the Lee Collet Neck Sizer dies for rifles. Otherwise it's no big deal.
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104 Posts
I guess it all comes down to personal taste, but I have no experience to base it on.
I'm sure any major brand press will be ok, & Lee seems to be the least expensive.
I am sure I can handle the learning curve, sounds like fun. I just don't know lingo yet.
Thanks again!
I'm sure any major brand press will be ok, & Lee seems to be the least expensive.
I am sure I can handle the learning curve, sounds like fun. I just don't know lingo yet.
Thanks again!
Joined
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654 Posts
I started reloading at the end of last year. I've learned alot listening to the these guys on this forum and others. I wanted to go w/a single stage first and chose the Hornady Lock N Load Single stage. The reasons being, the busings let me quickly switch dies w/out needing to readust them, so far it's worked great anyways. The 2nd & main reason being, they give you free bullets w/purchase. If they don't have the ones you want on the redemption form, you can call them and they'll substitute what you want for the price difference. So I bought 3 die sets and the LnL kit, and received 800 free bullets. I aiming on adding a progressive press in the future, but figured this would get me started.
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104 Posts
Wow....Dillion looks sweet Halfa!
I'll probably be starting with something more modest, but man-o-man!!
Snaz....was that Hornady Lock N Load a kit deal? Got a link?
I've been leaning toward either the Lee Classic Turret Press, or the Lee Deluxe 4 Hole Turret Press Kit with Auto Index so far.
(If it can handle rifle reloading).
Picking up pieces misc now,
but my birthday is coming up and I might just start dropping hints
Are any dies really better than others (costwise)?
ps....a lotta good stuff on 68forums too.
I'll probably be starting with something more modest, but man-o-man!!
Snaz....was that Hornady Lock N Load a kit deal? Got a link?
I've been leaning toward either the Lee Classic Turret Press, or the Lee Deluxe 4 Hole Turret Press Kit with Auto Index so far.
(If it can handle rifle reloading).
Picking up pieces misc now,
but my birthday is coming up and I might just start dropping hints
Are any dies really better than others (costwise)?
ps....a lotta good stuff on 68forums too.
Joined
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654 Posts
http://www.natchezss.com/product.cfm?contentID=productDetail&prodID=PC085003&src=tpCtg
I bought the kit. Comes w/everything except for the dies.
[I've been leaning toward either the Lee Classic Turret Press,.... (If it can handle rifle reloading). Are any dies really better than others (costwise)?]
The Classic Turret is a good, solid turret press that every owner I've read about loves. It WILL do rifle stuff as well as handgun.
Lee dies are not normally my favorites but they actually do as good a job as any other and for a LOT less money. Get the carbide dies for handgun stuff and add the Factory Crimp Die for any excellant system for straight walled cases.
For rifles, I would prefer Lee's Delux rifle die sets (which includes a shell holder by the way, about $6-8 bucks additional with any other brand of dies). The Delux set includes Lee's excellant Collet Neck Sizing die as well as a standard Full Lenght sizoing die. Again, add a Factory Crimp Die and you will have perhaps the ideal rifle die set for getting started.
All I really don't care for about Lee's dies are the lock rings. They are easy for many folks to change the way they are set up. it's really not hard to reset them, nor does it take more than a few seconds, but it can be an irritant at tmes. Even so, don't avoid Lee dies based on the lock ring design. And some folks love that design, you may be one of them!
If you get some additional Lee turrets you may just want to load them and leave them ready to go. Turret heads would be about the same cost as Hornady's LnL inserts for a set up, maybe cheaper!
The Classic Turret is a good, solid turret press that every owner I've read about loves. It WILL do rifle stuff as well as handgun.
Lee dies are not normally my favorites but they actually do as good a job as any other and for a LOT less money. Get the carbide dies for handgun stuff and add the Factory Crimp Die for any excellant system for straight walled cases.
For rifles, I would prefer Lee's Delux rifle die sets (which includes a shell holder by the way, about $6-8 bucks additional with any other brand of dies). The Delux set includes Lee's excellant Collet Neck Sizing die as well as a standard Full Lenght sizoing die. Again, add a Factory Crimp Die and you will have perhaps the ideal rifle die set for getting started.
All I really don't care for about Lee's dies are the lock rings. They are easy for many folks to change the way they are set up. it's really not hard to reset them, nor does it take more than a few seconds, but it can be an irritant at tmes. Even so, don't avoid Lee dies based on the lock ring design. And some folks love that design, you may be one of them!
If you get some additional Lee turrets you may just want to load them and leave them ready to go. Turret heads would be about the same cost as Hornady's LnL inserts for a set up, maybe cheaper!
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