From what I understand, there are 2 different presses, the classic and the deluxe. :rolleyes: Now, not just from this site, but other sites I've noticed that the classic is a better press than the deluxe. The reason I'm asking, I've been thinking of getting a turret press. I've had people advise me that you don't want the deluxe. I'm been thinking also about the classic turret for my handgun applications. If you would could you tell me why the Lee classic press is or isn't better than the deluxe? :confused:
tommy

The Deluxe vs. the Classic aurgement is a bunch of garbage. I have at least 250,000 rounds of ammo through my Deluxe without any problems. PapaJohn over on MarlinOwners has 630,000 rounds (he keeps accuracte records mine is a guess) and he just noticed the need to replace some parts in the linkage from wear.

If my Deluxe four-hole doesn't outlast me, I will buy another in a heart beat.

Ranger53,
looks like RD has had as good of luck with his Deluxe like I have had with my Classic Turret. I just haven't been using mine nearly as long, but if his is any indication, my Classic Turret will last as long.

Either way, good presses.

because the Classic has a priming system that you don't have to fumble with loose primers and it has provisions to catch spent primers...conveniently.

It may or may not outlast the Delux, but it sure feels more robust.

I really like my classic turret press. I think it has a little more room for taller cartridges, which might be nice if you load rifle rounds. I am sure that either would work well for you though.

I've had both of these presses, currently have the classic, the classic has a more solid ram and linkage system than the deluxe, whether or not this makes any difference in producing better ammunition or not is open for conjecture, probably not in my opinion, the classic has a larger working area so longer calibers are easier to load, but that also gives it a longer handle throw, so if you're not loading for the larger rifle calibers not much advantage there. The primer feed and catcher I feel are much better than the deluxe model. With the addition of the safety prime system you don't have to handle the primers by hand and is much quicker. I've read where some people have had problems with this system, however I haven't had any and find it works great. All in all they are both good presses and will do a good job for you. Lot of different ideas about presses and their abilities, but considering their function is to shove a case into a die or a bullet into a case it all seems to me just personal preference. I haven't figured out why a press made of cast metal will make a better cartridge than aluminum just because it weighs more. My first press 34 years ago was a Herters single stage. Since then I've owned several different presses of different configurations, single to progressive, and really haven't seen any difference in quality of ammunition produced from one to another all else being equal. Reloading is a great hobby, buy what you like and like what you buy. Good luck play safe.

I really like my Deluxe turret press. I use the auto primer feed and the auto powder dispenser. Only problem I had was with it not indexing properly even after doing the advised cure. So, I just removed the index rod and turn the turret by hand.

Both are good presses and both are a bargain for the money. The big cast iron one is heavier than the aluminum one.

I've got the aluminum one and It's been putting out good loads for years. I've also got the single stage Lee and it's been just as good.

The big deal about the Turret press for me is all my dies are mounted in their own turret. Just pop one in and your ready to go. I don't use the auto index feature and actually run it as a single state just turning the turret by hand for each loading stage.

I'd highly recommend the auto prime tool for priming. It gives me a much better feel than priming by press and seems quicker to boot. I have one for small and one for large primers. At ten bucks a whack it can't be beat.

Other than that I agree with Ranch Dog and simcoe about 300 percent.

Here's my bench. Lots of red stuff there.

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q172/faucettb/Reloading/Reloadingbench1.jpg

The old turret press at work.

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q172/faucettb/Reloading/RobinKathy.jpg

get the Lee classic turret press it has 4 stations and is cast iron.I have the lee turret(aluminum)and its good as I have 5 Lees.but the classic turret is better.

Ranger:

The Auto Index feature on either press automatically rotates the turret each time you pull the press handle. With the feature turned on, you insert a case, pull the handle four times, (while feeding components), and have a finished cartridge. With manual indexing, rotating the turret is done, well- manually.

The big difference between the presses, is that the Deluxe will not Auto Index for a cartridge longer than a 223. The classic, being a newer design, has a taller opening, and longer throw. It will Auto Index for full length rifle cartriges.

Darrel