Deciding on your first or next reloading press can feel like a major crossroads. The choice often boils down to a fundamental question: do you prioritize foundational skill-building and ultimate control, or do you need a setup that can grow with your ambitions for higher volume? Two of Lee Precision’s most popular offerings, the 90045 and the 90932, sit squarely on either side of this divide. My honest assessment is that understanding your own reloading goals is more critical than any single feature.
This isn’t about finding a “winner,” but about matching the right tool to the right shooter. We’re putting the Lee Precision 90045 reloading press head-to-head with the Lee Precision 90932 turret press. Speaking honestly, both are exceptional values in their respective categories, but they serve distinctly different masters on the reloading bench.
Head-to-Head Comparison: Lee 90045 vs. Lee 90932
At their core, these presses represent two different philosophies. The 90045 is a classic single stage press. Each pull of the handle completes one operationsizing, priming, charging, or seating. You process a batch of cases through each stage before moving to the next. The 90932, however, is a turret press with auto-index. Its rotating turret head allows multiple dies to be pre-set. After a completed stroke, the turret automatically rotates to the next die, letting you produce a finished cartridge with each pull of the handle without touching the cases in between.
| Features | Lee Precision 90045 | Lee Precision 90932 |
|---|---|---|
| Press Type | Single Stage Press | Turret Press w/Auto Index |
| Frame Material | Cast Iron | Cast Aluminum |
| Turret Holes | N/A | 4-Hole |
| Primary Advantage | Simplicity, Durability, Teaching Tool | Production Speed, Process Flow |
| Check current price on Amazon | Check current price on Amazon |
Key Feature Breakdown & Specifications
Let’s break down what each press actually offers, based on their core specifications. This is where the rubber meets the road for your reloading bench setup.
Lee Precision 90045 (Single Stage)
- Press Type: Single Stage Press. This is its defining characteristic.
- Construction: Built around a robust cast iron “O” frame. Honestly speaking, this design is legendary for its rigidity and longevity, contributing directly to press durability.
- Operation: Manual, one operation per handle pull. It’s the purest form of reloading.
Lee Precision 90932 (Turret Press)
- Press Type: Turret Press with Auto Index. The auto-index feature is the game-changer.
- Construction: Utilizes a cast aluminum frame. It’s lighter than cast iron but engineered for the forces involved in sequential operations.
- Operation: Features a 4-hole turret head that rotates automatically. You can mount your dies once and forget about them.
- Key Component: Includes the Auto-Drum Powder Measure. This is a critical part of the speed equation, allowing for consistent powder drops as part of the automated sequence.
Performance Analysis: Speed, Precision & Ease of Use
This is where user experience diverges dramatically. Your needs for reloading speed and reloading precision will dictate which performance profile suits you best.
Reloading Speed and Workflow
The 90932 turret press wins on speed, hands down. The auto-indexing turret and integrated powder measure create a semi-progressive workflow. You can easily produce 150-200 rounds per hour of pistol calibers once you find your rhythm. The 90045 is inherently slower, as you’re handling each case multiple times. However, that slower pace is its strength for certain tasks. It forces a methodical, inspect-as-you-go approach that’s perfect for learning or for precision rifle rounds where every case gets individual attention.
Precision and Consistency
Both presses are capable of excellent precision. The massive cast iron frame of the 90045 offers exceptional stability, which can translate to ultra-consistent sizing and seating operations. It’s a favorite for benchrest shooters who want to eliminate all variables. The 90932, while designed for speed, doesn’t sacrifice much in consistency. The alignment is solid, and the auto-index mechanism is repeatable. From my honest perspective, the precision difference for most handgun and standard rifle cartridges is negligible. The bigger factor is the skill and attention of the operator.
Ease of Use for Beginners
So, which Lee press is better for a beginner? Honestly, I believe there are two valid answers. The 90045 is the ultimate teacher. It breaks the complex process of reloading into simple, discrete steps. You master one operation before moving to the next, building fundamental skills and confidence. There’s less to go wrong mechanically. The 90932 is easier in terms of workflow and output. It’s less tedious, which can keep a new reloader engaged and rewarded with finished ammo faster. However, it introduces more moving parts (the index mechanism, the powder measure) that a beginner must learn to troubleshoot.
Ideal User Profile & Recommended Applications
Matching the press to your primary shooting discipline is key. Let’s talk about specific use cases like Lee 90045 vs 90932 for pistol reloading.
Who Should Choose the Lee 90045 Single Stage?
- New Reloaders: Anyone asking about reloading for beginners should seriously consider it. It builds impeccable habits.
- Precision Rifle Shooters: If your focus is .223, .308, 6.5 Creedmoor, or other precision rifle rounds where you weigh every charge, the single-stage process is ideal.
- Low-Volume Reloaders: If you only reload a few boxes a month for hunting or occasional target shooting, the speed of a turret isn’t necessary.
- Those on a Tight Budget: The initial investment is lower, letting you allocate funds to quality scales, calipers, and dies.
Who Should Choose the Lee 90932 Turret Press?
- Pistol Shooters: If you shoot 9mm, .45 ACP, or .38 Special in volume, the turret is a revelation. The speed advantage directly addresses the high-volume nature of pistol shooting.
- Reloaders Seeking Efficiency: If you’ve used a single-stage and feel bottlenecked by the batch process, the 90932 is a logical, affordable step up.
- Those Wanting a “Do-It-All” Press: With extra turret heads, you can have one set up for 9mm, another for .223, and swap them in seconds. It handles caliber conversion with ease.
Addressing Key Considerations
Competitors often miss a few practical details. First, warranty & customer support: Lee Precision is known for standing behind their products, a significant factor for a mechanical device. Second, specific caliber limitations: The 90932 handles all standard pistol and most rifle cartridges with ease, but the frame size can make processing very large magnum rifle cases (like .50 BMG) impractical, where a larger single-stage might be better. Third, long-term maintenance: The 90045 requires almost nonejust keep it clean. The 90932’s auto-index mechanism may need occasional lubrication and a check for plastic gear wear after tens of thousands of cycles.
A common question is, can you use Lee dies on both 90045 and 90932? Absolutely. Lee’s standard 7/8″-14 threaded dies work perfectly in both presses. This interchangeability is a huge benefit. You can start with a 90045 and your die set, then move those same dies to a 90932 later if you upgrade. For more on a robust turret option, read our classic turret press review.
Final Verdict & Buying Recommendation
So, is the Lee turret press worth the extra money? My honest take is that it provides tremendous value for the right shooter. The investment in the 90932 buys you a significant upgrade in production capability and workflow smoothness. If you see yourself reloading hundreds of rounds at a sitting, the extra cost is justified many times over by the time and frustration it saves.
However, the Lee 90045 remains an indispensable tool. Its simplicity is a virtue. Its durability is proven. It’s the press you’ll keep forever, even if you later buy a progressive, for those precision tasks or working up new loads. For an in-depth look at how a single-stage stacks up against another popular turret, our comparison of precision reloading tools offers further insight.
The Bottom Line:
- Choose the Lee Precision 90045 if you are new to reloading, prioritize learning and precision over speed, reload primarily for rifle, or have a very constrained budget. It’s a timeless, reliable workhorse.
- Choose the Lee Precision 90932 if you shoot high volumes of pistol ammunition, want a more efficient workflow than a single-stage offers, and need a versatile press that can grow with your hobby. The auto-index and included powder measure transform the experience.
Both of these presses exemplify Lee Precision’s commitment to making reloading accessible. They are gateways to a deeper understanding of your ammunition and your shooting. For further technical information, always consult the manufacturer’s official source. Remember, the best press is the one you’ll use consistently to make safe, accurate ammunition. That’s the Honest Opinion from someone who has used both extensively.