An economical turret press

[JCHannum]

The Lyman Tru-Line Jr turret press was popular in the 50's. It is a light weight four station press. It is a capable press, but it uses an obsolete die with 5/8"-30TPI threads.

I picked up one at a gun show over the weekend and decided to make a new turret that will accept the more readily available 7/8"-14 dies. They fit up with little problem on the same centers, the turret just needs to be a bit larger in diameter. I used a 4" X 1" thick slice of steel, machined to fit and drilled and threaded on the mill & rotary table.



These presses show up at shows and on eBay frequently and can usually be had for a few dollars. The only negative is no primer feed, it is manual and the shell holders can be missing. I got several holders with the press, but will take a pass at making an adapter to take standard holders. There is enough room and that also looks like a straight forward lathe job.

[wooleybooger]

i may have an odd lyman primer set-up for that press.it doesnt fit the stuff i currently have. let me know and ill try to dig it out. mike

[Bguns]

I made a adapter like what you need, for my old Herters double ram press..
It came with a lot of Herters holders but never can have enough..

The RCBS/modern T slot for the shell holder, I cut with a simple woodruff key cutter. Roughed center hole with end cutting end mill to depth.

Had to open rear under cut of T slot radius up a little,

Came out good only ~.001 of vertical play at joint...

Put an external groove in, and made a modern style C Clip spring retainer.

[JCHannum]

wooleybugger, I would be interested in a primer feed if there is one. I was not aware there was one for this press. If for a different one, it might be adaptable.

Bguns, the shell holder for the Tru-Line Jr. has 3/8" thickness in the shell holder part. This leaves plenty of room for an adapter. I haven't gotten my woodruff cutters out for comparison, but an adapter will be a simple lathe and/or mill project. the press came with several holders, but the one you need is usually the one you don't have. I do have the full range of RCBS holders.

[Bguns]

What primer rod looks like.

[rws]

BTW, those old 5/8" dies are/were used mostly with the 310 tong tools. They aren't really obsolete, they can still be bought. FWIW.

[JCHannum]

I do have the priming punches as well as an accumulation of dies for a half dozen or so different calibers. I just don't have any for the calibers I am most likely to be loading.

With the primer punch being fixed, an auto feed might not be easily adapted. That really does not present a big problem. I have been using a Lee hand primer, and the cases should be inspected after decapping so it does not add an extra step to remove and prime.

[wooleybooger]

i found those things.they fit an o-mag and spar-t press. according to the parts/pics,im missing some pieces. i also use a lee hand primer.