Lee Deal at Cabela's a Good Start?

[KCAce]

For those familiar with Lee reloading equipment....is the package deal (basic beginners package for $80) on Lee reloading equipment a good way to get into reloading equipment for a new reloader? Other suggestions?

KCAce

 

[john16443]

Don't know what kit you're referring to for $80, but the Lee 50th Anniversary kit they have on sale for $99 is a good way to get into reloading for the first time. I say that from personal experience from earlier this year. You will need a set of dies, and it would be beneficial to have extra breech fittings for each of the dies. I have sets for 9mm and 45ACP that I don't use anymore (moved up to deluxe turret) that you could buy cheap from me.

You will also need at least two reliable manuals, and since you're just starting out, consider the ABC's of reloading as an overall guide, and the Hornady, Speer, Sierra, Lyman, or Lee reloading manuals. If you do buy the kit at Cabela's buy the One Book/One Caliber pamphlets for about $10 and have a reference to everybodies data for the calibers you're planning to reload.

 

[ranger335v]

"...is the package deal (basic beginners package for $80) on Lee reloading equipment a good way to get into reloading equipment for a new reloader?"

Yes, in spite of some possible howls of outrage, it's all quite servicable gear. In fact most of it is quite good. I don't know exactly what's in that kit. You may well want to change some items later - like the scale - but you won't have a lot of money invested in it and you can keep what you replace for back-up so it's not like the money is lost.

IMHO, the 'breech lock' quick-change die bushings are costly gimmics that add nothing at all to reloading. It only takes a few seconds to swap dies conventionally so the bushings are a great solution for a non-existant 'problem' so, IF you have a rational choice, I suggest you avoid the breech lock system.

The ABC's of reloading is good reference book but Lee's #2 loading manual includes very good basic loading instructions and illustrations as well as an excellant range of data. I do suggest noobs stick with ONE reloading manual initially because all manuals have divergent data and that is more confusing than helpful. Everyone should reload a couple of years before even thinking about adding extra manuals, by that time they should have enough experiece to deal with variables without agonizing over 'which is right'!

 

[Whiskey11]

I dunno, I rather like both the LNL Bushings on my AP and the Lee Breech lock on my Lee Single Stage. It takes me 4 seconds to swap dies. At 4 seconds I'd still be unscrewing the first die. Also, Lee Dies do not have locking rings like other brands do, so unscrewing and screwing the dies back in requires resetting the dies which takes more time away from reloading. It's far from gimicky. Neither the LNL Bushings or the Lee Breech Lock effect the quality of the reloads any.

To the OP, the Lee Anniversary kit or the Lee challenger are both great starting kits. I started with the Anniversary kit and don't regret it at all!

 

[cfullgraf]

IMHO, the 'breech lock' quick-change die bushings are costly gimmics that add nothing at all to reloading. It only takes a few seconds to swap dies conventionally so the bushings are a great solution for a non-existant 'problem' so, IF you have a rational choice, I suggest you avoid the breech lock system.

Since Lee dies do not have clamping or locking lock rings, the breech lock bushings are needed to lock the die setting in place. Other alternative is to replace the Lee lock ring with a clamping locking ring or drill and tap the Lee lock ring for a set screw.

Without some way of locking the lock ring in place, you will lose your die setting upon removal and installation of the die in the press.

So, it is a solution for a problem that Lee created.

But, the Lee lock rings work great with their turrets where you swap out turrets and not dies.

 

[capreppy]

I bought the Lee Breech Lock Kit to suppliment my Hornady Lock-N-Load from a Single Stage Perspective.

It is a decent kit. The scale is very accurate, but clumsy to use. I don't have anything to say about the powder drop as I've not used it.

I like the Breech Lock methodology as die changes take second to complete. I've currently got my RCBS decap dies tied to the Breech Lock, but am contemplating moving them to the Hornady. The spent primer catcher on the Lee doesn't always work. Occassionally, a spent primer will go flying. Not often, but one or two per 100 is enough for me to consider moving it to the Hornady. The LnL spent primer is perfect (IMHO).

I've used the hand held primer tool and it works. It does take a little getting used to, but does get the job done. It comes with all of the shell holders necessary to prime any piece of brass and that is a good thing.

 

[Husker_Fan]

I have the kit. It is well worth the money and a great way to get started.

 

[RandyP]

I am a fan of Lee products. I started with their 50th Anniv single stage and rather quickly upgraded for more output to their excellent CLASSIC 4-hole Turret (also a very good way to start)

ALL the various reloading equipment manufacturers make very fine products IMHO. Your realistic ammo needs and budget will guide you to find a good match.

 

[TheCracker]

That's what I started with 3 Years ago. But it cost me 114.99+ tax in the store.

 

[J_McLeod]

In my opinion, skip the challnger kit and get Lee turret kit. I can do everything a single stage can do, but make rounds much faster. I started with a single stage and upgraded to a turret within a few weeks. Now I have a Lee single stage collecting dust.

 

[bubbacrabb]

I just bought a cheap lee press off midway for like 40 dollars with a reloading book. Im not using it to reload though. I load on a 550, Im going to use it for sizing cast bullets. Just the right price for me. I do use Lee dies and I love them. They make good quality bullets for me. I dont think you'll make a poor decision on lee products. I've learned that so far you dont need any one brand to reload. I got a Dillon press, Lee dies, RCBS gear etc. I almost bought that ABC book, but my Hornady book had a pretty good intro, I bought the Lyman 49th also. Both help me a lot. Lee dies come with load data also. I think you should youtube that press also, surely someone has made a video on it. I learned a ton from youtube.

 

[Overkilll0084]

In my opinion, skip the challnger kit and get Lee turret kit. I can do everything a single stage can do, but make rounds much faster. I started with a single stage and upgraded to a turret within a few weeks. Now I have a Lee single stage collecting dust.

Get the "Classic Turret Kit." You can use it as a single stage if the need arises. The rest of the time, it is more productive. I was not a fan of the Lee scale. I purchased another pretty quickly, YMMV.
My Lee challenger is also collecting dust.

 

[GaryL]

The ABC's of reloading is good reference book but Lee's #2 loading manual includes very good basic loading instructions and illustrations as well as an excellant range of data. I do suggest noobs stick with ONE reloading manual initially because all manuals have divergent data and that is more confusing than helpful. Everyone should reload a couple of years before even thinking about adding extra manuals, by that time they should have enough experiece to deal with variables without agonizing over 'which is right'!

Actually, multiple manuals doesn't hurt anyone. Part of the confusion comes from not realizing that there is a difference in the components used, so if you can't exactly match a recipe, it's good to have an idea of how much things can vary, especially bullets, and choose your load carefully based what you do know, and work up to where you want to get to.

Personally, I have a hard time recommending Lee's book for a beginner. It does have some useful data reprinted from some older powder manufacturers manuals that is otherwise hard to find. But Lee's self promotion, personal opinions, and occasionally less than scientific 'experiments' detract from what would other wise be a fine manual. As always, YMMV.

Disclaimer, I do have a Lee CC, and a number of Lee dies, as well as other manufacturers products. Lee makes some fine products. But when I read "the Lee xxx is the best on the market", and can directly compare it to another brand, well, lets just say the BS gets old.

I would recommend the Lyman 49th manual. It's well written, has a nice step by step breakdown of the reloading process, and contains a nice set of reloading data. And you don't have read about how superior Lyman is and how bad every other company's design is.

 

[Hondo 60]

MHO, the 'breech lock' quick-change die bushings are costly gimmics that add nothing at all to reloading.

I'm sorry, but I too think that that poster is wrong.
I started with the 50th Ann kit with the bushings & found it was so easy to set it & never have to change it!

 

[GLOOB]

I agree they are useful, but I also agree they are costly. A set of bushings costs more than a turret plate! They cost as much as the dies, themselves!

With a bit of practice, I can now remove/install Lee dies without having to readjust the settings. I'm too cheap! If I were to buy more, I'd only buy one for each seating die.

 

[SilentVectorX]

I also started with the Breechlock Challenger kit. Totally worth the money, but I wish I would have gone with the Turret kit instead, so I could load faster once I got the hang of things.

I love the powder measure. The scale, trimmer, chamfer/deburr tool, WORK, but I have replaced them with faster equipment.

 

[KCAce]

thanks for all the comments. I'll head up to Cabela's and have a look. Really appreciate all the tips. Also reading throught the stickies. Lot's to learn. thanks again for all the info.
KCAce

 

[Gato Montés]

I agree they are useful, but I also agree they are costly. A set of bushings costs more than a turret plate! They cost as much as the dies, themselves!

Are you sure? $8.99 for a set of two at Cabela's.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Lee-Breech-Lock-Quick-Change-Bushings/731941.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Dlee%2Bbushings%26x%3D0%26y%3D0%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts&Ntt=lee+bushings&WTz_l=Header%3BSearch-All+Products

The 50th Anniversary kit comes with 3 bushings. BTW.

I like my Challenger press, the whole kit for that matter. I've never had a problem with the scale, although I don't have anything to compare it to. The only thing I've added as of late was a Pro Auto-Disk, which greatly expedited the whole process.

As others have mentioned, the right press for you is greatly dependent on your needs. If you plan on shooting competitions with range time in between on a weekly basis, chances are a single stage ain't right for you. But for a simple, quality single stage to get you into reloading, I can't think of a better option than the Lee Challenger, especially at that price.

 

[Otis is DaMan]

Something else to consider. Rifle or pistol/Ar-15 ? Or, simply a question of quantity of ammo needed. Yeah, a single stage could get tiresome if you commonly blast 200 - 500 rounds a time at the range or whatever.

But,

If you want to develop a rifle load, tune it, accurize it in your weapon, then hunt or get some range time, a single is better in some ways. You will touch every round. Thats' a good thing for a beginner. It slows it down, let's things take their course.

The Lee equipment is less expensive, but it is entirely up to the task of producing quality and quantity ammo. The dies are as good as other non-benchrest competition dies. The Anniversary kit is how I got started 16 years ago.

Good luck and have fun.

 

[OH_Spartan]

Thanks for posting KCAce. Just ordered mine online tonight. Happy Father's Day to me.

 

[thump_rrr]

If an extra $20.00 doesn't break the bank then the Lee 4 Hole Turret Press with Auto Index Deluxe Kit for $109.00 from Midway would be my suggestion.

I have the Lee 50th anniversary kit and I would prefer the 4 hole turret press if I would have known then what I know now.

All that is required in addition to that kit is a set of dies, a couple of loading blocks and a good manual or 3..

 

[john16443]

thump rrr, that's exactly where I am. Started on the Breech lock Anniv. Kit in January, bought the 4 hole deluxe in Feb and am very pleased. have it set up for 9mm and 45acp, keep the breech lock as my decapper for everything. I have no problems keeping up with a steady diet of 400 - 600 total rounds per week.