Positive experiences with Lee presses - No bashing!

[LiveLife]

This is THR and we still managed to get two threads closed on Lee presses within a day!

How about clearing the air, wiping the slate clean and everyone taking a BIG breath? Everyone good?

This thread is not "Who makes the best press?" or "Who makes the worst press?" but rather what positive experiences have you had with Lee presses. If you solved a particular problem specific to a Lee press, please share to benefit other Lee press users.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Gryffydd]

Hmm, let's see here. When I had a Loadmaster and it was all tweaked and functioning properly I could turn out ammo as fast as a Dillon 650*, at a total cost of ~$300. That's pretty impressive. Of course it did take a bit of tinkering to get/keep it there
*The case feeder has a lower capacity than a 650's, but that primer tray sure is fast to load

I can also say that my Lee Handpress has been one of the most convenient little tools for reloading that I own. It's nice to be able to do batches of certain processes on the couch rather than out in the shop at the bench.

I also am pretty impressed with my Classic Cast press. I was a little concerned when I first got it with how rough the action was, but it really smoothed up quickly. You also have to love the primer disposal on it.

I'll also say that it's probably a good thing you didn't start a post on positive experiences with the Lee "Perfect" powder measure or the scale. I'm sorry, I had to...

 

[CHALK22]

I got my realoading start with Lee, and up until tonight, I owned Lee reloading gear exclusively!(Brown brought me the "other" red tonight) I have never had any issue with thier stuff that I couldn't fix by getting to know my presses a bit better. I have a Deluxe Turret ( I know, I know) and a Classic cast. I use their dies exclusively other than the RCBS dies I have been given for free. I love thier stuff and will continure to use it whenever possible. I highly suggest Lee product to anyone who is thinking of getting into reloading!

Great thread!

 

[hvychev77]

i have a Lee turret press, i got the kit from cableas a year or so ago, and have mainly reloaded for my 300 win mag and 9mm. the turret press has been great for me, since i'm a newbie, because you can disable the indexing of the turret when doing rifle ammo, or put the pin back in and go back to indexing automatic when loading for 9mm. i like the idea of the plate the dies go in also, i can set my dies for that particular caliber, buy another one for $10 at amazon.com for another caliber, and switch 'em out easy as pie when loading both calibers on the same day. i don't have to adjust my dies again. i know it's cheaper than dillon stuff, and i'd love to say i've experienced with dillon equipment, but i have not. so, overall i have been very satisfied with my lee press and dies thus far without any issues. i did however replace my lee safety scale with a RCBS scale......

 

[jcwit]

My experience with Lee Presses and with most all Lee products has been positive. The minor clitches along the way have usually been my fault and easily corrected, except for one and a fellow member here led me thru the steps to solve the problem.

So there you are folks, my opinion of Lee products is good, I do wish they made their scale a little more substantial as in heavier tho.

 

[greyling22]

I've had the challenger single stage, 3 hole turret press, a 3 hole upgraded to 4 hole, pro1000, and loadmaster. The primer feed on the loadmaster is less than 100% perfect (though to be fair, about half my issues come from a random crimped primer pocket on a 9mm), and the empty primer catches let primers escape on the turrets and challenger (issues resolved with the classic cast versions) but other than that they've all performed exactly as advertised. And I've loaded a lot of rounds with them. The lee case feeder is just the most wonderful piece of low cost engineering I have ever seen. I'm a big lee fan.

 

[FWest]

I started on a Lee single stage then got a 4 hole turret and now a Loadmaster. I have been happy with them all. 99% of problems stem from operator error. My bigest problem is keeping stock of components.
The Loadmaster seems like a Thermoquad carb on a small block Mopar- tough to tune at first but once you get it right it will give all others a run for the money.

 

[chhodge69]

I'm new to reloading and learned the basics on a friend's Breech Lock Challenger setup. I'm very happy with my experience and with Lee in general. I'm now shopping for a turret press kit, so if any of you want to sell PM me.

 

[mgmorden]

I use a lot of Lee equipment. I use two Lee Presses - a C-frame and an O-frame Challenger, as well as a powder dispenser and several die sets (mostly Lee for my handguns, but for rifles I've got dies by Lee, Herters, Pacific Chrome, Hornady, RCBS, and Lyman). I also used a Lee Safety Scale for a long time and loved that thing until I lost the powder pan. Ended up replacing it with a Redding scale but truthfully I think I'm going to get another Lee scale shortly.

Overall, whilst I have some miscellaneous equipment from lots of sources, the Lee stuff has always served me well. As a matter of fact, given the volume of handgun ammo I've been shooting lately, I'm about ready to move up from single stages and get a turret press, and I'm pretty certain I'm going to be looking at a Lee Classic Turret for that.

 

[sniper5]

Got a classic turret. Love it.

 

[dickttx]

I started with the $10 Lee Loader in the 60's. Just got completely into the Classic Turret system-primer, Pro Auto Disk and 4 die sets for all five of the calibers I load. So far I have loaded about 2500 rounds on it and think it is absolutely great.
If I shot enough to require it I would have a high dollar progressive, but shooting only a few hundred rounds a week I could no way justify the cost.
One hitch I found was that it often took 2 or 3 pushes on the primer dispenser to dispense the primer. After experimentation I found that if I pushed the dispenser at the top (right at the curve) it kicks one out every time. I still have some issues with the Pro Auto Disk swinging out and hitting the primer magazine. Still working on that.

 

[RandyP]

Like many, I started out a few years ago with the very adequate Lee Anniversary single stage complete kit. After a few months I decided I wanted slightly more outpuit so I upgraded to the very nice Classic 4-hole turret. I have a separate turret already set up for every caliber I reload and use the Pro dispenser with adjustable charge bar. The single stage remains mounted to my bench.

Works great , costs little and the 150-175 leisurely rounds per hour output is a perfect match to my realistic ammo needs.

If Lee wasn't there at the price point they can offer? I would not have been able to afford this hobby. That they are also durable and churn out safe, reliable and accurate ammo speaks for itself. I am completely confident in Lee products, as I am ceratin I would feel for every other manufacturer's goods were I able to afford them.

 

[Sig88]

I have a Lee "C" press that I use for rifle loads. I tried my hand at 9mm but it wasn't very effective but then again I'm still new to reloading.

The press feels a little flimsy but it's an extremely cheap press so I can't complain too much, plus their dies are also nice and cheap.

 

[mgmorden]

I have a Lee "C" press that I use for rifle loads. I tried my hand at 9mm but it wasn't very effective but then again I'm still new to reloading.

The press feels a little flimsy but it's an extremely cheap press so I can't complain too much, plus their dies are also nice and cheap.

I use mine typically for depriming and other miscellaneous stuff. For the cost its hard to complain about that little press. When I bought it, I was in the market for a newer reloading manual. Lee had their manual listed for like $19 at the time. I was about to buy that but noticed there was a package deal where the same manual plus the little C-frame press was available together for around $27. For an uncharge of under $10, it certainly isn't bad.

 

[HOWARD J]

I have a Lee Classic Turret Press not a Lee Classic Cast Turret Press.
My problem of picking spent primers off the floor was solved by this great press.
Amen
H

 

[jcwit]

Guys, lets substitute the word cheap for inexpensive or giving more value. Just sounds better.

 

[Oathkeeper1775]

Deluxe Turret

I'm just starting out; all I know is my Deluxe Turret. I like it, having an issue with the powder drop but making progress. Getting quick and personal customer service from Bill at Lee Precision.

Availability of components-my town is like the geographical oddity mentioned in the movie "Oh brother where art thou"; I have to drive or internet order in almost everything I need, maybe its just me.......but it looks like a bunch of empty hooks on the shelves where all the Lee products used to hang-Lee products rarely collect dust here in Western Oregon.

I'm convinced that any piece of equipment will have its "quirks".

...............editorial comment............................

I'm OK with a guy in a brand new "1 ton" truck laughing at my old "half ton" (pre-bailout) truck............really.

I enjoy any and all the "my press is better than your press" comments too. My "hobby" is to get something done right without throwing a lot of money at it.

Nothing I seen on this forum even compares to the disaster in LA last week where the USA soccer team was "booed" and the game was announced in spanish........

 

[coebam]

I have a classic turret and love it too! Bang for the buck it is the best value in my opinion.

 

[RandyP]

NONE of my Lee gear is "cheap" . Everything I own was affordable.

 

[Cosmoline]

I use the Lee hand press exclusively and have for years and many thousands of rounds. It's never given me any troubles. It can be taken anywhere and used sitting down watching old Westerns. It permits me to have precise control over the pressure and gives my forearms a nice workout.

 

[john16443]

Started reloadng in January of this year, did a bunch of research to make sure I can justify it, decided Lee equipment would suit my needs best for the money required. Figured if it didn't work out, I didn't have too much in it.

First purchase was the Breech Lock Anniversary kit with all the necessary goodies, Lee dies, and the perfect powder measure. Set this up with extra breech rings for 9mm and 45ACP. Used it for about a month with no problems, complaints or need to call for service or assistance.

After the first month of learning the process steps, decided to buy the Deluxe auto indexing turret set up for both calibers with the pro auto disk and adjustable charge bar. Couldn't be happier with this set-up, and found a neat internet 'fix' for the problem of the primer holder falling out of the ram on the upstroke. Placed a tie-wrap around one of the posts so that the arm hits it and makes it release from the shell holder on the upstroke. Perfect home solution that allowed me to use the on-press priming system instead of the Lee XR hand primer. That is the only operational issue with the equipment I've had.

Now use the breech lock as a deprimer only and the turret for loading. For my 300 to 400 rounds per week, it's the best solution for me. If I ever want or need to crank out more, I'll be looking at the Loadmaster before anything else.

I have no experience with any other brand or type of reloading press other than noted above.

 

[floydster]

I just love my Lee presses and my Lee dies and my Lee powder measures and my Lee bullet sizing dies and my Lee bullet molds and my Lee melting pots and anything else of Lee I forgot.

 

[floydster]

I threw in a pic of my LNL just for kicks.

 

[EMC45]

I have Lee gear and like it. I have a couple rifle die sets and a couple pistol dies sets. Got the Classic Cast, C frame, and the PPM. Like it all. No complaints. I even had a Challenger O frame that I gave away to a guy from church. Not because I didn't like it or anything, but because I had 3 presses already. I have also given away a couple hand prime tools and a bunch of Lee shell holders. I do have a bunch of RCBS stuff too. If it is a quality set up it will turn out quality ammo.

 

[jleyring]

Started out with a Lee press and i feel it worked great. It loaded up rounds for me and they shot just fine. Have since upgraded to an RCBS press and i love that one also. I reload mostly as a hobbie and it is relaxing. Im not trying to crank out 5000 rounds a night. (i know its a riduculous number) They both work great for me.