4 hole to 3 hole upgrade

Bushmaster · Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 10:54 am Post subject: 4 hole to 3 hole upgrade

I have wanted to upgrade my Lee turret 3 hole press to the new cast iron Lee 4 hole turret, but I didn't want to have four holes to fill as I only use 2 to three holes as it is now. I resize/decap on a single stage press and reprime on a single stage press. Aah the problems generated when you are different (ecentric). But with my uncanny mechanical capabilities I did it...

I now have a Lee Classic Cast "3 hole" turret. Using some of the parts from my 20 year old Lee turret press I did the conversion.

You will notice in the first photo that I used the 3 hole turret adapter, the turning post and the ratchet assembly. Because I didn't want to completely eliminate the use of the four hole capability I used the longer support posts and manufactured a teflon support for the turning post to a accomodate for its shorter length. Photo two is the 4 hole parts that I didn't use. Photo 3 is the old 3 hole turret, or what's left of it...

It acturaly works better then the old 3 hole turret. Much more stable and much less slop in the ram and linkage.

chambered221 · Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 11:11 am Post subject: Re: 4 hole to 3 hole upgrade

Gotta ask, other than being ecentric ,why don't you resize and prime on the turret ?

Bushmaster · Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 11:42 am Post subject: Re: 4 hole to 3 hole upgrade

I usually inspect each case about 5 times during the reloading process.

1. Inspect dirty/fired cases
2. Tumble for around 15 minutes to remove grim and grit.
3. Inspect cases.
4. Resize/decap.
5. Measure and trim as needed and inspect.
6. Tumble for 1 to 2 hours.
7. Inspect and store...Or
8. Prime and reload.
9. Inspect for final time.

The reason that I don't prime on the turret is that I use a Lee Auto Prime II and I would have to shift the shell holder to the top of the priming die and install the priming rod in the ram. Then shift everyting back to continue reloading. Besides I also weigh EVERY powder charge before it goes into a case...

I don't resize on the turret mainly because I'm going to return them to the tumbler anyway...

chambered221 · Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 2:21 pm Post subject: Re: 4 hole to 3 hole upgrade

So, in other words, you don’t use the turret as a semi-progressive press.

I’ve thought about getting the Lee turret to load my low volume rounds.
For me to set up my Dillon in 38 special, 357 mag 44 mag and 40 cal. It would cost me way more for the tool heads, powder funnels and shell plates.

Currently I use my Rock Chucker to do those the slow way !!!

Dawgdad · Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 3:27 pm Post subject: Re: 4 hole to 3 hole upgrade

NIce piece of engineering!!! So what I really want to know is... What does the sign say behind the Red Ryder BB gun? Was that what you used to solicit your significant other?

Sorry Popgun not hijacking the thread just asking for clarification on an image in the relavant post... Very Happy

Bushmaster · Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 4:24 pm Post subject: Re: 4 hole to 3 hole upgrade

It's still used as a turret (semi-progressive?). Some handgun rounds only need two dies (Powder through/belling die and seating/crimping die) and some of my handgun rounds need three dies (Besides the two above, a seperate crimping die). I load all my rifle rounds on the Lee Classic cast single stage press.

My thread. I can hi-jack it can't I?

Dawgdad · Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 4:29 pm Post subject: Re: 4 hole to 3 hole upgrade

Now that will weed out the one you don't want!

DawgMa meets all the requirements Very Happy

ElyBoy · Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 6:55 pm Post subject: Re: 4 hole to 3 hole upgrade

My Wife can't sew, but being married to me for over twenty years, she sure knows how to shovel horse crap Very Happy

Sorry Mr. Popgun---That sure is a nice reloader that you have Mr. Bushy.
[Don't want to get DallEn upset] Mad

Eric

Crackshot · Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 7:06 pm Post subject: Re: 4 hole to 3 hole upgrade

Nice classic Lee Bushy. I have one as well, mine was a 4 hole to begin with though. I later purchased the Lee safety prime and Pro Auto Disk powder measure with the Lee rifle charging die. I now load 22K Hornet semi progressivley and it works great.
Yea Bushy! You heard right. A Dillon press owner who is happy with his Lee. Very Happy

oh and I have to say, that Lee Powder measure is a good one. A bit hinky figureing out what darn disk cavity to use, but once you do its accurate and reliable.

ElyBoy · Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 7:17 pm Post subject: Re: 4 hole to 3 hole upgrade

I have a Lee Classic Turret Press Crackshot.
I also have all of the disks, but I choose to use the adjustable unit instead.
To me, it works much better than the disks, with less hassle.

Eric

Bushmaster · Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 8:59 pm Post subject: Re: 4 hole to 3 hole upgrade

I have the Lee Auto Disk (the early one). I usually dispense just short of the needed charge and trickle up to what I want.

ElyBoy · Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 9:33 pm Post subject: Re: 4 hole to 3 hole upgrade

Can't beat the Lee Reloaders Bushy.
I haven't had a lick of problems with mine.

Eric

Bushmaster · Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 9:37 pm Post subject: Re: 4 hole to 3 hole upgrade

Won't hear me complain. Nary a failure to fire and go down range in 23 years of reloading. All on Lee presses...Only broke one Lee press and that's because I tried to resize .30-06 cases one to many times and it finally had enough.

Crackshot · Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 9:55 pm Post subject: Re: 4 hole to 3 hole upgrade

How much powder will the adjustable bar drop? It looks awful small in the pictures.

chambered221 · Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2009 8:05 am Post subject: Re: 4 hole to 3 hole upgrade

Crackshot wrote:

Yea Bushy! You heard right. A Dillon press owner who is happy with his Lee.

Crackshot, You need to re-read what I typed !!!

Key words: “ I’ve thought about getting”
Didn’t say a thing about happiness with Lee products !!!