lee Reloader Single Stage vs Lee Challenger Breech lock vs Lee Classic Cast
- Thread starter TennJed
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A closed press frame (O-frame) will be stiffer than an open one (C-frame).
The ram stroke is slightly longer for the Classic Cast (4" vs 3.5"). Also its cast-iron, versus a machine aluminum casting. The breech-lock "press features a the breech lock quick change die system that holds dies in inserts that allow the reloader to quickly remove them from the press."
I have a Challenger, and it's good enough for my loads. 0.5 MOA. Realistically, the Classic Cast might be a hair better, mostly in regards to the length of throw if you're loading long rounds. But strength wise, as beefy as these presses are, and types of loads the parts are seeing, they're even.
So for me, there's no difference. At least not enough for one to be twice as good as the other.
The ram stroke is slightly longer for the Classic Cast (4" vs 3.5"). Also its cast-iron, versus a machine aluminum casting. The breech-lock "press features a the breech lock quick change die system that holds dies in inserts that allow the reloader to quickly remove them from the press."
I have a Challenger, and it's good enough for my loads. 0.5 MOA. Realistically, the Classic Cast might be a hair better, mostly in regards to the length of throw if you're loading long rounds. But strength wise, as beefy as these presses are, and types of loads the parts are seeing, they're even.
So for me, there's no difference. At least not enough for one to be twice as good as the other.
Red Cent
Member
I would advise getting one of the four hole turret presses.
The turret is way more practical. For each caliber you can purchase an inexpensive toolhead and install dies and powder drop. You could change the powder drop but it is a pita. Changing calibers would be a breeze. Twist and change toolhead/calibers. If the budget will allow, purchase powder drops for each toolhead. Each toolhead would be "fixed" for adjustments.
Toolheads are $12.95 each. Powder drop is $34.00 each. A different caliber would cost you around fifty bucks(not counting the dies).Heck of a lot cheaper than a Dillon or equivalent.
To go cheap you could purchase the manual powder drop for $31.00. You will later decide to get individual powder drops.
They have factory seconds toolheads for $9.00
http://leeprecision.com/xcart/Closeouts/
http://leeprecision.com/xcart/Automatic-Powder-Measures/
I have had a Lee Turret for over twenty years.
The turret is way more practical. For each caliber you can purchase an inexpensive toolhead and install dies and powder drop. You could change the powder drop but it is a pita. Changing calibers would be a breeze. Twist and change toolhead/calibers. If the budget will allow, purchase powder drops for each toolhead. Each toolhead would be "fixed" for adjustments.
Toolheads are $12.95 each. Powder drop is $34.00 each. A different caliber would cost you around fifty bucks(not counting the dies).Heck of a lot cheaper than a Dillon or equivalent.
To go cheap you could purchase the manual powder drop for $31.00. You will later decide to get individual powder drops.
They have factory seconds toolheads for $9.00
http://leeprecision.com/xcart/Closeouts/
http://leeprecision.com/xcart/Automatic-Powder-Measures/
I have had a Lee Turret for over twenty years.
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Justin Holder
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I didn't fully understand the differences between the Challenger and the Classic Cast presses until I got to handle both side by side. IMO the Classic IS twice as good as the Challenger. The Challenger feels like a toy in comparison. I ended up getting the Breech Lock Classic Cast press, it is the best of both worlds by combining the BL system with the strength of the Classic.
Joemyxplyx
Member
Justin Holder wrote:
Another perspective is the Classic Cast will take the Hornady LnL adapter so you can interchange your dies in LnL mounts between a LnL AP and the Classic Cast.
You can't use your Breech Lock mounted dies on anything else but the BLCC.
Not a big deal in practice, it just means you only have LnL bushings in your system if you have a LnL AP. No stocking BL and LnL bushings.
Another perspective is the Classic Cast will take the Hornady LnL adapter so you can interchange your dies in LnL mounts between a LnL AP and the Classic Cast.
You can't use your Breech Lock mounted dies on anything else but the BLCC.
Not a big deal in practice, it just means you only have LnL bushings in your system if you have a LnL AP. No stocking BL and LnL bushings.
The BL Classic Cast is great if you have a breechlock system. The older Classic Cast is better if you need to use 1.25x12 dies, want to stick in a Hornady Lock and Load busing system, or add a Lee breech lock adapter to it. The newer BL Classic Cast limits you to 7/8x14 dies and the Lee Breech Lock system.
The older Classic cast drops spent primers down the center of the ram tube while the newer Breech Lock Classic Cast pops them out the side where you "hope" they land in a compartment to be sent down a tube to the side of the ram. I have the BL Challenger and it has this same system. It works about 95-97% of the time meaning that you'll find some, but not too many spent primers lying on the floor after a reloading session.
The primer catcher box also prevents you from using the RCBS primer pocket swaging ejector cup with the press. This is not too bad because you can simply rock and roll the shells off the ram by hand.
The older Classic cast drops spent primers down the center of the ram tube while the newer Breech Lock Classic Cast pops them out the side where you "hope" they land in a compartment to be sent down a tube to the side of the ram. I have the BL Challenger and it has this same system. It works about 95-97% of the time meaning that you'll find some, but not too many spent primers lying on the floor after a reloading session.
The primer catcher box also prevents you from using the RCBS primer pocket swaging ejector cup with the press. This is not too bad because you can simply rock and roll the shells off the ram by hand.
ranger335v
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- 3,797
I've been reloading a LOOONG time and have no use for any 'quick die change' gimmicks. We typically use 2 or 3 dies per caliber, sometimes add another for special reasons, and it takes me maybe 35-45 seconds to swap out screw in dies and about 5 seconds to swap bushing mounted dies. In a typical loading session I may be loading from an hour or two and the costly bushings would "save" me about 2 minutes, tops? For the fifty or so die sets I have, I'm not interested!
The value of a turret or progressive, if any, depends on the volumes we might be loading at once. Unless it's at least a few hundred at a time a single stage press serves most of us pretty well.
The value of a turret or progressive, if any, depends on the volumes we might be loading at once. Unless it's at least a few hundred at a time a single stage press serves most of us pretty well.
If you plan on buying only one press, get the Lee Classic Turret. Highly flexible and makes high quality ammo. I can be used as a Single Stage or an auto indexing turret or a maunal indexing turret. It is dirt simplge to use and probably the best value on the market today.
Hondo 60
Member
The Breechlock uses bushings.
You put the die in the bushing & then it's only about a 1/4 turn in or out.
With the other single stage presses, you lose your setting every time you change dies.
You put the die in the bushing & then it's only about a 1/4 turn in or out.
With the other single stage presses, you lose your setting every time you change dies.
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