As most of you know I just started reloading, got my Lee Classic Reloader in 30-06sprg in today. I've read the instructions on how to change my seating depth, but there's no measuring marks on it, how do I accurately measure my seating depth prior to seating my first round? I have a good set of dial calipers which have a depth gauge, which surfaces do I measure with that to get my seating depth?
Also, once I've set my depth, how much tension should I put on the locking ring to secure it in place without damaging the o-ring?
How accurate is the powder measure scoop, any tips on consistancy o measure (packing the scoop, tapping it, using a card to scrape the excess of f the top)?
Does the bullet seater have the capability to damage the bullet when seating?

Any other tips or suggestions with this kit would be very helpful and much appreciated, thanks.

first let me say get yourself a FEW different books on reloading, read and reread them! then always have them handy for referances, how i did the seating with mine, was i backed the die almost out, and slowly worked the bullet seating, pulled it, measured overal length, and then seated it a bit lower, it takes a bit longer on the first one until i get the seat depth down, but this is just me.. damaging the bullet is possable but i found out if you PAY ATTENTION you will be fine.. powder charging, i would say get yourself a good scale and go this route, but this is personal opinion.. i found reloading is very easy to do, and screwing up reloading is even easier!! hope this helps you but like i said it is what i found that works for me, you may find something works better for you..

What Morax said, except I doubt that you will ruin a bullet as the seating mandril in the die rests on the ocove and not the tip or point. If you are using lead bullets I still doubt that you will not be able to shoot it either...I use the Lee turret and Lee dies also and have been for over twenty years and as Morax said reloading is easy if you have read a few manuals and really understand what you've read...Pay attention and you will have no problems...And as Morax also said, it is easy to screw up too if you don't pay attention to what you are doing or don't understand something...That's where we come in...Ask and help will be forthcoming...

This was my first loading set up to. I use one for 303 brith. for years. I took a factory round and set it in the die like you do for seating a bullet. Put the seater in the die and screw it down until you see it lift off the die. Now back up just a bit and you will have some were to start from. You can now ajust where you what slowly mesuring as you go. You'll find as your get use to it you ammo will be very good. I'am still trying to get ammo that good from my press.

Yep! you either use a factory round or back out the seating punch and start seating the bullet until it gets to the depth you want by screwing down the punch a little each time. Once you have it set fo a given bullet if you change brand or type of bullet you have to readjust it. The best accuracy with a hunting bullet for mine was a 165 grain boat tail Speer. I did get slightly better accuracy with target bullets in the same weight but you can't hunt with target bullets because they are so unpredictable on contact.
It will make the process faster and easier if you get a small arbor press to use that Lee classic loader in. I never did like hitting things with a hammer.