Lee's new Ultimate turret press, part 2: questions, problems, turrets

[@derekenz2140]

I identified that same problem of over-rotation when I wrote Lee. Since I'd received the first production model, I received a signed base and letter from Mr. Lee. So I wrote them about the over-rotation and Mr. Lee wrote back that those 2 little boxes hanging underneith the turret were where a detent spring and ball were to go. The detent spring and ball idea was scrapped last minute, but Lee had written me that new parts would come out to address this. Presumebly a detent spring, ball and bearing plate.

[@viejo2a]

Aha! Good info. My 4 and 5 hole turrets have tiny detent holes on the bottom. The 6-hole does not. I was wondering what those were for! Its good to hear that there is a planned fix! 🤛🏻🔫🇺🇸

[@derekenz2140]

@@viejo2a One item on your suggestion list is a ball detent. You're in luck,look at the underside of the turret you will see two square projections these are pockets to hold a detent ball and spring. When I originally designed the tool I made provisions for a detent but in testing I found it unnecessary and omitted from the production release. Understand I am the designer and tester of the product. I am now the old man in the reloading tool business, all the greats are gone including my Dad. I have begged and pleaded with my staff to produce videos of our products in operation but for some reason the couple of videos they did produce were made couple of days before introduction of the tool! Guess what, when they made the videos they found a hiccup that required a quick modification and suggested we add the detent. We will be adding the holes to the bearing support ring to allow the use of the detent ball. Tooling to make this new bearing plate is about 10 weeks away.

[@viejo2a]

@@derekenz2140 that is great to hear. I had also thought about a small horizontal friction piece, such as a simple nylon bolt with a rounded end, that could fasten to one of the bolt holes and just push/rub up against the rim of the turret that protrudes above the hold-down clamp. Adjustable so as to stifle the over-run of the turret. I really like the detent pin concept, and the fact that the turret is held securely in the vertical dimension. I believe that a simple ‘Lee-esque’ solution that can be added to presses already in the field is the way to go. Please keep me posted and in the loop! My email is in the ‘about’ section of the channel. I appreciate hearing from you very much! 🤛🏻🔫🇺🇸

[@MegaLostOne]

@@derekenz2140 I just checked my turrets. I have the six, five and four hole turrets and only the four hole has the detents. Did they give an idea of when they would be releasing the parts to upgrade these presses?

[@derekenz2140]

@@viejo2a the holes in the turret where the alignment pin goes through. That is what the ball bearing hits to help align the turret

[@papasplace2]

It doesn't matter what manufacture you use for reloading presses... there will ALWAYS be some "fine tuning" necessary as well as some fiddling with parts and lubes. In the over 40 years of reloading I have never had a press that was perfect out of the box. This one is very interesting... with the ability to have 6 stations to do things with it opens up a ton of possibilities! Looking forward with your adventure with this press. Take care

[@viejo2a]

Thanks, Papa. I have a lot more ground to cover before I can clearly define my thoughts on it. 🤛🏻🔫🇺🇸

[@jh5869]

Great video, Walter. The Classic 4 hole turret press is so simple and intuitive. Seems like Lee got a little bored and really engineered that one. Thanks for the videos on this new press, Buddy. It's gonna help a lot of folks!

[@thorsaxe5881]

Jamie, I believe that Classic 4 hole press is the Best Out (From any Manufacture)of the box for the money. Lee got that one right with little or No fiddling with it. I have my 550's, however, If I was looking for a semi- progressive press, that's the one I would spend the money on. - Dave

[@yukon4545]

Good job Walter. Got one of their bullet feeder doodads. Works like a champ. Had to adjust the ball bearings for 9mm 115's, but then it was off to the races.

[@viejo2a]

Thanks, Yukon. That’s good to hear. I’ll be testing mine out on this press soon. 🤛🏻🔫🇺🇸

[@FortuneCookie45LC]

Walter - After your Part 1, I got my own Ultimate press, and the video will be coming out soon. I wound up having some problems with it as well, but solved. As we were threading before about why Lee insisted in doing this auto indexing Ultimate, I did contact John Lee inquiring why Lee didn't do some kind of "true" turret press a la Redding, RCBS, Lyman etc. - then Lee would "really have something". I was kind of blaming Lee engineers for "dropping the ball". From John Lee's reply, I picked up that I might very well have insulted him as this whole thing might have been in his actual plan. He gave me reasons why this Ultimate is actually superior to the heavy cast iron jobs - I had never thought of a Lee Turret as being superior. So this is going to be a fun video for me to do. My own conclusions are that if I'm loading up a couple hundred handgun rounds for a weekend range session, this Ultimate turret is going to be very good. If I'm in need of 500+ rounds for a Saturday Night Steel Shoot, then the progressives go to work. Same would go for any 223 run and gunners out there. And for varminting or precision rifle stuff, the single stages pop up front and center. We note that our "traditional" turret presses are really single stage presses with quick on demand die changes, whereas the Lee Turrets are really simple semi-progressive presses because of the auto-indexing assembly line. I'm going to keep the Ultimate in its 5 hole mode as I got the bullet feeder after your videos. No need for the 6 for me as it just means a extra handle pull for each loaded round. Thanks for this series of videos - Steve

[@viejo2a]

Thanks for all that, FC. I just became aware that the instruction sheet Lee has online for the press includes a ball-detent with new bearing plate, ball bearing and spring that were not part of my package. I’m hopeful that Lee will make the new parts available soon to us early adopters. 🤛🏻🔫🇺🇸

[@curtislong1987]

Good show, Walter

[@viejo2a]

Thanks Curtis. 🤛🏻🔫🇺🇸

[@Hazzbro1964]

Great work Walter !

[@viejo2a]

Many thanks, Hazz! 🤛🏻🔫🇺🇸

[@macman039reloading5]

Great video walter interesting looking press, have not made my mind up on it yet, I will keep watching and see if it is something I need in my loading room

[@viejo2a]

Thanks, Mac. I haven’t made my mind up about it yet either. 🤛🏻🔫🇺🇸

[@jesseboutdoorsreloading]

Great video Walter. I’ll probably will just be sticking with my classic turret press. If I didn’t have that I might be interested.

[@viejo2a]

Thanks, Jesse! 🤛🏻🔫🇺🇸

[@tonygslc801]

Great Review, Walter. 👍🏼 There are a few things i like about this press and a few that im not too sure about. 🤔 i think my next press might be an MEC single stage for rifle rounds. I already have the Lee 4 hole turret and Lee Breech lock single stage. The Redding T7 would be my wish list Press. I really enjoy watching your videos and learning 🇺🇸

[@viejo2a]

Hi, Tony. Thanks, Amigo. I think either the T7 or the MEC will handle your rifle needs. If you have an account at Midway, you could use your birthday discount there, and wait for a free shipping event, which they do every couple of weeks or so. 🤛🏻🔫🇺🇸

[@Dwayne7834]

Looking like a good press. Thanks for sharing 👍🇺🇸

[@viejo2a]

Hi Dwayne. Thanks for stopping by. The press has some good features, but it isn’t perfect. 🤛🏻🔫🇺🇸

[@ChrisFromThe740]

Awesome video Walter and Happy Easter

[@viejo2a]

Thanks, Chris. I hope you enjoyed some good time with family! 🤛🏻🔫🇺🇸

[@ocean374]

That’s awesome Walter thanks for the update great video and the bullet Feed die I have two of them works great you will like it looking forward for the next video

[@viejo2a]

Hey, Ocean. Thanks for stopping by! 🤛🏻🔫🇺🇸

[@ricktaylor5744]

Great job Walter. Thank you

[@viejo2a]

Thanks, Rick. 🤛🏻🔫🇺🇸

[@ARPatriot1776Official]

Good stuff Viejo!

[@viejo2a]

Thanks for the visit, AR! 🤛🏻🔫🇺🇸

[@lens7859]

Happy Easter buddy

[@viejo2a]

Thanks for the visit, Len! 🤛🏻🔫🇺🇸

[@walksfletcher]

Thanks for the review 👍😁

[@viejo2a]

Hiya Walks! 🤛🏻🔫🇺🇸

[@djryan8944]

Thanks for not spending a ton of time talking about useless stuff. Like how you quickly get to the topic we want to hear.

[@viejo2a]

Thanks, DJ. I always start with a quick weather report, but then like to get after it. I can be a little too talkative if I don’t monitor myself. 🤛🏻🔫🇺🇸

[@mrsmel269]

great diy on the rod Walter . enjoy the day

[@viejo2a]

Thanks 👍🤛🏻🔫🇺🇸

[@T.A.B.Videos]

Good job

[@viejo2a]

Thanks, Trees 🤛🏻🔫🇺🇸

[@albatro2676]

Thank you for your video Sir. I am from Argentina, I were in the US at 2017 and I bought my first Lee press, it is the Lee Classic Turret Press, it work fantastic and I have had reloaded tons of ammo with it. This new press it's seems like the upgrade of muy classic turret press. Take care.

[@viejo2a]

Thank you for stopping by! If all the problems get worked out, this new press will definitely be an upgrade! 🤛🏻🔫🇺🇸🇦🇷

[@MrNutmeghunter]

Stick with the Classic Press if all you want is another station for loading bullets use your hamd.

[@jcjustice3786]

Oralie very good info. I think I’m going to look into getting it. Gracias.

[@viejo2a]

Thanks for stopping by my bench! I would hold off on purchasing this press for a little while. Give Lee a chance to correct some of the problems. 🤛🏻🔫🇺🇸

[@Rusty_ok]

Great information thanks for posting. Made me glad that my press is blue. Things are much simpler from changing a turret which takes seconds, to making rounds (each pull of the handle makes a finish round) the Dillon design seems to be more efficient and way easier to use.

[@viejo2a]

Hi Rusty. Just between you and me and the fencepost, I’m done with this press. I’m not “im-pressed” with it at all. On the other handI’ve been using my Lee autodrum with the new expander plugs, coupled with Lee’s bullet feeder system on my Dillon 550. There’s some video up on my Rumble channel to that effect, with more to come. 🤛🏻🔫🇺🇸

[@Rusty_ok]

@@viejo2a I noticed the Dillon bullet tray so I suspected a Dillon in the area. I run a 550 I have had for years. Due to the ease in changing calibers I use it for stuff like 38/357, 45, 300blk, & .223. I also have a 650 with the case feeder and other upgrades that is dedicated to just 9mm as I shoot in competitions and burn up a lot of those. The 650 is like having an ammo factory in the garage.

[@viejo2a]

@@Rusty_ok i ran a 750 for a while, but it was overkill for me. The 550 suits me much better since I don’t compete.

[@michaeldunn150]

Thanks Walter for the info... I do like the thought of this new Lee turret but Lee still got a lot of work to do on them.... can be a lot better..... They will never be as good as RCBS, Redding, or Lyman turrets... I do love the built in reverse kick out.... I had a reverse kit made for my Lee Value turret, another expense I had to do so about time Lee came out with a press with it......

[@viejo2a]

I’m still thinking hard about this one, Michael. Stay tuned! 🤛🏻🔫🇺🇸

[@mckwilly]

Great vid 👍

[@viejo2a]

Thanks for the visit, Mark. 🤛🏻🔫🇺🇸

[@robertpowell2746]

I currently have the breech lock pro, the 4 hole turret and the APP Press this one to me Looks like a pain in the neck. I also had to adjust my index rod The same way on my breech lock pro I figured that out on my own.

[@viejo2a]

Hi, Robert. Thanks for stopping by. Good to add your experience to the mix! 🤛🏻🔫🇺🇸

[@derekenz2140]

Found the solution to over-rotation. Lee has new instructions online, but not all the new parts are available. Plus, when I compare the 4 hole vs the 5 or 6, the 4 has dimples underneath it. I drilled my own dimples, drilled holes in my bearing plate, followed the new lee instructions along with adding a 1/4 ball bearing and spring viola perfection.

[@viejo2a]

Thanks for that heads up! It’s good to see that they have recognized the need to address the problem. I read somewhere, perhaps in a comment, don’t remember, that the new detent ball is intended register in the detent rod holes in the turret. Have you heard/seen that?

[@derekenz2140]

@@viejo2a So I did that initially, because the bracket had two boxes labeled "4-6" and "5" and that's exactly where those two boxes would line up. In Lee's new instructions, apparently for the 5 hole turret you insert the 1/4 ball bearing into the box labeled "4-6" and for the 4 or 6 hole turret you put the ball bearing and spring into the box labeled "5". Now what I also discovered is on the 4 hole turret they had little dimples in addition to the index rod holes, but my 5 and 6 hole turrets didn't have those dimples. So, I marked where the box for the 5 hole turret would line up and I drilled 7/32 dimples into my 5 hole turret. I took that same approach back on the 4 hole turret to make the dimples bigger. To say it works great is an understatement. So now, suppose I break that index rod, the ball bearing and spring will line it up perfectly. I should make a video but my quality would be terrible.

[@derekenz2140]

@@viejo2a I did try using the ball bearing in the detent rod holes. work so so, better than what I started with. Read my comment below about drilling 7/32 dimples in the underside of the turret. That is the cat's meow.

[@williemoreno7801]

Thanks for the review. Which do you prefer. The Lee or the Redding T7.

[@viejo2a]

Hi Willie. It’s wayyyy too soon for me to say, except that those 2 presses fill two distinctly different niches. One is probably not better than the other for the first which it is intended. Stay tuned! 🤛🏻🔫🇺🇸

[@tonygslc801]

I've been eyeing the T7 for a few years now... I should have bought one when they were around $350 or less

[@viejo2a]

@@tonygslc801 they have gotten REALLY expensive these days! 🤛🏻🔫🇺🇸

[@williemoreno7801]

Tony

[@williemoreno7801]

Tonygsic801, On the 4th of July and Xmas Redding usually has their big sale . The usually take off about $100 on the T7.

[@johnh4957]

I recently got the Lee 4000 from a single stage press, of many learning opportunities I haven't found a fix using the Safety Prime that at best seats primers flush and often just slightly high. I've heard about making sure no flex or give in mounting and using plenty of force to seat but still end up with 3-5% that I need to hand prime to seat fully, which is a dangerous practice with loaded round. Any thoughts? I'm considering buying/using the Lee APP which would free up a space for a powder check. How is this for priming? Maybe this instead of the APP? Hopefully you or a commenter has an Idea!

[@viejo2a]

This one primes ok using the arm, but I actually prefer a bench prime or hand prime. I’ve noticed a few with this one that weren’t fully seated. I have a couple of APP’s including the newer one that has a priming system, but I’ve never primed on it yet.

[@derekenz2140]

I drilled (2) 1/4 holes in the bearing plate. Installed a 6mm ball bearing and a 6mm x 15mm spring I now have a positive stop at each station.

[@viejo2a]

Hi and thanks for that. I think this is what Lee intended to do in the first place. Why they didn’t follow through is beyond me! Thanks for sharing your fix! I hope Lee comes across with parts for the rest of us. Until then, I’m throwing in the towel on this press. It’s going to just ride the shelf. 🤛🏻🔫🇺🇸

[@thorsaxe5881]

Walter, One thing that is a subject. Lee is a Tinkerers press, Lee relies in user feed back on their products, That is something that people that Buy Lee products have to assume. So- good video and information about what to expect.- Dave

[@viejo2a]

Hi Dave. Yes.. we consumers are beta-testers for new Lee products. 🤛🏻🔫🇺🇸

[@jamespollard1670]

What kind of hand clearance does it have ? Like for inserting brass and bullets ? Us old guys like clearance , lol

[@viejo2a]

Hi James. There’s plenty of room. A bigger challenge to me is that the priming arm points to the right. On the 4-hole, it aims to the left. Placing a primer in the cup by hand in this new configuration seems more difficult to me. Maybe just a muscle-memory thing. 🤛🏻🔫🇺🇸

[@derekenz2140]

So now i used a 1/4 ball bearing, positive stop is better. I think either a 6mm or 1/4 ball bearing with a 15mm spring is the best solution. You have to make sure you put them in the right box for 5, 4 or 6 hole turrets

[@viejo2a]

Thanks! 🤛🏻🔫🇺🇸

[@carlopitton1904]

Great video, what press stand are you using.

[@viejo2a]

@@carlopitton1904 thanks, Carlo. That is the ‘quick change’ system from InLine Fabrication. All my presses are mounted with that system. 🤛🏻🔫🇺🇸

[@eufaloelafala438]

Parabens pelo video , ancioso para começar fazer as recargas , infelizmente aqui no BRASIL após a compra da prensa precisamos apostilar no exercito e leva de 30 a 60 dias o apostilamento para que possamos comprar insumos

[@viejo2a]

Obrigado meu amigo. Espero que você consiga começar logo!

[@eufaloelafala438]

Valeu 🤜🏼🤛🏼

[@viejo2a]

@@eufaloelafala438 🤛🏻🇺🇸🇧🇷

[@livincincy4498]

I am on the fence between this press and the 6 pack pro. I don’t know if I will like a progressive press. It might be annoying to me. I remember Thee Reloader Dude went backwards to a Dillon 550BL. He missed his Lee Turret press he gave away… LOL. He said he enjoys the more manual press over a progressive.

[@viejo2a]

I’m on the same side of the fence as TRD. I lateraled from a Dillon 750 to the 550 myself. I’ll hold my tongue on this new one until I’ve used it more. Thanks ‘Cincy. 🤛🏻🔫🇺🇸

[@ThecrazyScotsman]

Good breakdown, Typical Lee and end user being test subjects, They shouldn't have changed the turret design that detent pin just has trouble written all over it

[@viejo2a]

If the pin worked correctly without tons of lubricant, it would be better lock-up than the ball detent on the 4-hole ( which WORKED) Thanks, Scotsman 🤛🏻🔫🇺🇸

[@MrNutmeghunter]

I got mine about three weeks ago and quite frankly hate it. So far both primer arms have broken. The over travel is too much to deal at this point for no gain over my classic turret. I will continue to load bullets by hand and not break primer arms or mangle primers. Changed the main rod to turn clockwise and fabricated a rail to hang a plastic box and finger to knock off the loaded rounds. The problem is I have wasted $300

[@viejo2a]

Hi ‘hunter. I’m leaning in your direction. I don’t hate it yet, but thus far my 4-hole classic turret is more functional. 🤛🏻🔫🇺🇸

[@Tammy-un3ql]

👍👍👍👍

[@viejo2a]

Hi, Tammy. Thanks! 🤛🏻🔫🇺🇸

[@armastiros]

Do you have a problem with small primer arm?

[@viejo2a]

@@armastiros hello, and thanks for stopping in to my bench! I have not had an issue with the primer arms, but have a good friend who has broken both of his. 🤛🏻🔫🇺🇸

[@MegaLostOne]

I unboxed mine today and I have had to buff the bottom of the turret itself because it was digging in with sharp poor machined surfaces. No matter what I do after about the fifth/sixth time around it goes out of alignment (I have taken it apart and seen there is no debris in there) this is at a SLOW pace so it's not wanting to spin the turret past the alignment pin as it comes up but for some reason it does. This is also going to a full stop at the top and the bottom of the stroke. I'm guessing at this point it's something in the ratchet that is having an issue when two points line up. It was between this and a progressive press and I'm thinking I made a mistake with this one. I have the Lee classic cast turret and it has been problem free for probably ten years. I honestly CANNOT recommend this press to anyone with the poor machining I have seen on the turrets and the turret retainer which was binding up the turret itself if I tightened down the retainer ring even with just finger pressure until I buffed off the terrible surface finish on the turret itself. I'm still working on the timing issue and hoping it's just a defective plastic part in the ratcheting mechanism.

[@MegaLostOne]

Update: I think I got it fixed or at least hoping so. I was using a thick oil (chainsaw bar oil, but it is a winter blend so not as thick as summer bar oil) and it was still advancing on me so I figured what do I have to lose so I tried chainsaw bar grease since it has a tacking agent in it like the oil has and it is doing fine so far. I was able to get it to turn probably 20 revolutions or so and still be in timing. I may try some chain oil that's used on motorcycles and see if that works also since it has a heavy tacking agent built into it if I can find where I hid it from myself. Also I am applying it to the friction base as well as around where the retaining ring holds the turret.

[@MegaLostOne]

I don't understand why Lee didn't place a thin leaf spring coming out of the side of each of the turrets to place drag on the inside of the retaining ring. This way any wear would try to happen on the steel retaining ring and not on the aluminum turret. This would have placed enough drag on the turret to keep it from trying to advance.

[@viejo2a]

It sounds like just the issue I was having until I started using the STP as a lubricant. That pretty much solved my over-travel issue. I’m with you on a friction brake, though. I’m considering drill/tapping a hole through the hold-down ring and screwing a nylon bolt through it. Then just tighten that bolt just enough to add some friction against the turret. There HAS to be a way to overcome the inertia of the free-wheeling tendencies. 🤛🏻🔫🇺🇸

[@MegaLostOne]

@@viejo2a i was thinking of something similar as well. I am also trying to come up with something simple Lee could do to solve the issue without having to replace the main top ring which so far only leaves modifying the turret itself. Something similar to what you are thinking would be to make a threaded tube into the side of the ring with a nylon or delrin plunger with a spring behind it and then a screw so you could adjust the pressure on the spring and control the pressure on the plunger, this would have a bit more give than a solid connect. I have a lathe and a milling machine in a little home shop and may try this project later myself once I finish my current project.

[@viejo2a]

@@MegaLostOne i like the idea of a spring-tensioner behind a nylon ball bearing. Something simple like on a ball-point pen.

[@MrNutmeghunter]

Did you hear of anyone else breaking primer arms? I broke two large and one small. Close to $40 now and really don't want to buy another replacement. 😒

[@viejo2a]

No! That’s really weird. I only know of a couple other youtubers reviewing this one, but none have reported that problem!

[@MrNutmeghunter]

I may call Lee tomorrow. Thanks

[@livincincy4498]

You gotta wear the same clothes across multiple days so we don’t think you are filming at home in your garage…

[@viejo2a]

Hehe.. yeah, there IS that! 🤛🏻🔫🇺🇸

[@BamaDad]

I read @Papasplace2 comment and from my experience I agree 💯%! I know I got the one Dillon XL750 that had to be completed at 4:45 on a Friday afternoon. Man for what that thing cost it should have run like a brand new Ferrari ! Missing parts, broken parts, etc. I thought I would never get it to run. I can see why so many people give up on reloading. If your not willing to get in there and put in the effort to get your gear running at its best then stick with a simple design Like a single stage press or a good turret press like a Redding T7. Thanks for the video Walter, like I said I gain so much from watching you! You make it look easy but you always detail the effort it took to get there!

[@viejo2a]

Thanks so much, BamaDad! 🤛🏻🔫🇺🇸

[@poopymcface9792]

This is the most helpful video I’ve found on the Lee Ultimate Turret Press. Very informative! Thank you!

[@viejo2a]

You are so welcome! Thanks for stopping by! 🤛🏻🔫🇺🇸