Shooters Forum - View Single Post - Newbie question on Lee's Classic w/double disc kit

unclenick · #8 06-18-2009, 05:40 AM

Yeah, there's always a fly in the ointment, but here's the thing: Most rifle loading requires you to stop and trim and maybe anneal cases periodically, or to stop to remove military crimps or to clean off sizing lube and whatnot. So progressive loading and turret loading aren't 100% suited to rifle cartridge loading anyway. I use the Forster Co-ax most of the time for that reason, figuring I'll want to decap (separate Lee universal decapping die) and clean before sizing anyway. I also usually stop after sizing for a quick additional tumble in plain corncob to get lube off the cases. You don't have to do that, but I've always been leery of letting it get into my rifle chambers.

The Forster's quick change die system makes up for some of the speed difference from turret loading, though it is still batch processing. I usually prime accuracy loads with a Markel hand tool, and if the rounds are for a gas gun I use the Co-ax press's priming station which forces a guarateed 0.004" below flush primer to guard against slam fires. I don't know of any other priming tool that has that feature? The Co-ax press also floats its dies just enough to let them self-align with the cases for maximum concentricity with the dies.

I'm not saying your choice of the Lee Classic turret is bad, but just that if pistol isn't your main loading activity and you are looking at having to buy a different measure or make other special adjustments anyway, you might want to consider the Co-ax press? I own two Dillons, but my Co-ax press ends up doing almost all the rifle loading. It is also quick and easy for turning out just a handful of test loads, since the dies only have to be set up once, then just pop in and out. I like the thing a lot.