Maksim 1,504 Posted February 11, 2010 Let me know if anyone wants in, or you want dealer pricing on it. I am picking up a lee classic turret press.... it really is the best value in my mind, and will be a good stepping stone to a full progressive in the future. I did all the numbers yesterday, and after spending $400 on a Hornady/Dillon progressive, you are then spending another $300 to $400 for all the accessories, shell plates, etc. For the calibers I plan to reload, I counted that I need 6 different shell plates, at $30 a pop.... $180 in metal. lol. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
matt6669 71 Posted February 11, 2010 Dude, Maks ebay is your friend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You can find a used square deal with 4 different caliber setups for 400 bucks. You can find a 550b with 3 or 4 caliber setups for like 5-550 Your in this sport for the long haul, don't cheap out on a press that will only last you a few years and has a craptastic warranty. Get a Dillon or a RCBS and you won't regret it. Plus I highly advise you to get a progressive for pistol a la square deal, and get a single stage for rifle, a la a JR3 or a rock chucker. FYI I just called RCBS today and they are sending me a new primer swing arm, and large and small primer cups for free even after I told them I bought the press used off of ebay!! FTW Plus you can't allow Joe to have a better press than you!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
coldsolderjoint 84 Posted February 11, 2010 yall be hatin on teh lee.. tsk tsk tsk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Maksim 1,504 Posted February 11, 2010 I need for rifle, so the SDB is a waste of money for me. 550 doesnt auto index, I would want the 650. =) its ok, will get the AP later on.... but come on... how bad can a turret/single stage press be? but go read the reviews for the Lee Classic Turret press. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tony357 386 Posted February 11, 2010 I actualy like the 550 better, you have control over the rotation which could be a benefit.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tony357 386 Posted February 11, 2010 http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?p ... ber=121744 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Maksim 1,504 Posted February 11, 2010 I actualy like the 550 better, you have control over the rotation which could be a benefit.. yup. and the 550 or Lnl AP will be the next press. For $400, at dealer pricing and shipping, was able to get everything... press, priming system, powder dispenser, with all of the upgrades, seperate powder measure, extra turrets, all of the case prep stuff, and 5 sets of dies ( 3 rifle & 2 pistol) with both full size and collet dies for rifle, reloading manual. good thing is, when getting a bigger press, most of the stuff will work with the others. all of the reviews are pretty dang good too. http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?p ... 75#enlarge Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Maksim 1,504 Posted February 11, 2010 blah, 5:30 already, time to go to meeting.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rscalzo 3 Posted February 11, 2010 I love the Dillon but each caliber change costs me about $170.00. But it can be cheaper as some use the same shell plates and locater buttons like 30-06/308 and 45ACP. I haven't seen any great deals on Ebay for some time. But the time you factor in some of the outrageous shipping costs, you are better off getting it new. I have a few dealers that stock Dillon but it really doesn't matter who you get it from because the orices are all about the same. No one discounts Dillon. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tony357 386 Posted February 11, 2010 When i purchased my square deal, dillion was very competitively priced, it seems they are the snap-on of reloading these days. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wolfy 51 Posted February 11, 2010 Matt are you saying the LNL Single stage is a beeter press than the Lee Turret? I think anything Hornady is better. Thank goodness I am not blind to one brand. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sigman 41 Posted February 12, 2010 You'll be fine starting out with a turret press. Even if you get a progressive later on, you can still use the turret press for rifle or testing recipes. It's also nice to have a back up press. I've been using a RCBS single stage for a while with no problems. Granted, it isn't the fastest, but I don't mind spending a few hours by myself loading. I enjoy it almost as much as shooting. I also keep a quantity of preped cases which helps speed the process. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lunker 274 Posted February 12, 2010 I need for rifle, so the SDB is a waste of money for me. 550 doesnt auto index, I would want the 650. I think autoindexing is overrated. A quick flick of the thumb after each lever pull, and you've indexed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tbtrout 141 Posted February 12, 2010 My next rifle press will be a LCT, good choice. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
matt6669 71 Posted February 12, 2010 After seeing some of the Lee parts up close and personal I think most of their add-on stuff is junk. It's clearly not built to last as most everything is plastic. Joe I would definitely say the Hornady is a better press than the Lee, hands down no questions asked. But I will say though, I doubt you'll get the same customer service from Lee than you would from Dillon or RCBS But to each their own, post a review of the CLT when you get it up and running!! M Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chad 3 Posted February 12, 2010 Eddie...I think he just said Lee = teh suck! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Maksim 1,504 Posted February 12, 2010 http://www.surplusrifle.com/reviews2006 ... /index.asp Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
coldsolderjoint 84 Posted February 12, 2010 Eddie...I think he just said Lee = teh suck! Ehh.. Matt = teh suck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wolfy 51 Posted February 12, 2010 Matt what is a "CLT"? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lunker 274 Posted February 12, 2010 Matt what is a "CLT"? Classic Lee Turret. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chad 3 Posted February 12, 2010 Eddie...I think he just said Lee = teh suck! Ehh.. Matt = teh suck L0LZ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crazyboy 13 Posted February 13, 2010 Eddie...I think he just said Lee = teh suck! Ehh.. Matt = teh suck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
matt6669 71 Posted February 13, 2010 I read that review and it should work fine for you Maks but I can't believe the amount of plastic on that thing. Though I am quite interested in how those changeable heads work out. Seems to be a nice concept for sure. It's kinda the same concept as a Dillon 550B except the dillon's head stays in place and the shellplate moves. Keep us posted!! oh and Chad = teh suck Ed = EPIC FAIL Lee = minor fail Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites