No one else makes a press that light duty so how could you even ask for a comparison? The Lee classic presses are every bit as good as rcbs, actually better when features are compared. You wouldn't compare the steel/iron presses to the aluminum dillons would you? so why even throw the question out there? My loadmaster is just as good as a dillon in my opinion in that it's just as fast and does the same thing, but yes i do understand that it is not of the same quality and strength.
Positive experiences with Lee presses - No bashing!
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No one else makes a press that light duty so how could you even ask for a comparison? The Lee classic presses are every bit as good as rcbs, actually better when features are compared. You wouldn't compare the steel/iron presses to the aluminum dillons would you? so why even throw the question out there? My loadmaster is just as good as a dillon in my opinion in that it's just as fast and does the same thing, but yes i do understand that it is not of the same quality and strength.
swiftak
Member
uniquedot, that was my point all along
jcwit
member
I've had 3 careers in my lifetime,
1. early in my working career as a purchasing agent
2. then 20 some years as a tool and die maker
3. final few years owning my own business
20 some years as a tool & die maker and owning my own small metal working shop I do know all about metal alloys which you refer to as pot metal, basically the same material that alot of your car is made of. And yes I also know all about folks cross threading bolts, mach. screws and other threaded objects into threaded holes, I've personnally repaired enough of them so I have more than a little experience.
Just what are you implying by that remark? I sincerely hope its not ment what it could be taken as.
As the thread started out as, lets not turn this into a bashing discussion.
Never did answer my question. Just came back with remarks.
Gryffydd
Member
Your point was that a $25 piece of equipment is inferior to a $1,000 press in a completely different category? That's like saying the Ford Escort sucks compared to a Peterbuilt.
If you want to be realistic, at least pair products in the same category.
If you want to be realistic, at least pair products in the same category.
jcwit
member
BINGO-=-
we have a winning comment Gryffydd
we have a winning comment Gryffydd
dickttx
Member
Some people don't even have to try to be a complete jackass.
jcwit
member
Lets keep it civil guys.
jolly roger
Member
I have a Classic Cast turret that is great. I use a Lyman powder through expander die with a Hornady measure case activated. Don't like the auto disk measure too much. Also I do not use the safety prime. I just use the lever provided with a Dillon tray. I find it's just about as quick as fiddling with the safety prime and loading it up after every 100 primers. Size in a Lee die, expand with the Lyman, seat with a Lee and crimp with a Redding Profile for revolvers and a Lee FCD for autos 
A conglomeration that works for me.
Lee neck sizing collet dies for rifle...in a Redding Boss II press. 1/2 MOA in 308 with 168 Sierras is good to go without spending the beaucoup bucks for Redding Comp Dies. Hand prime these with a Lee hand primer. Those things are great too IMHO. All lock rings are RCBS though...don't like the Lee rings.
I do have a Dillon Square Deal for cranking out massive quantities of 45 ACP, 44 Special and 45 Colt....and an RCBS 4x4...that works.
A conglomeration that works for me. Lee neck sizing collet dies for rifle...in a Redding Boss II press. 1/2 MOA in 308 with 168 Sierras is good to go without spending the beaucoup bucks for Redding Comp Dies. Hand prime these with a Lee hand primer. Those things are great too IMHO. All lock rings are RCBS though...don't like the Lee rings.
I do have a Dillon Square Deal for cranking out massive quantities of 45 ACP, 44 Special and 45 Colt.
...and an RCBS 4x4...that works.john16443
Member
Here you are J_McLeod. A simple zip tie around the post held in place with duct tape to keep it from rotating around the post. Make sure you place the tie about a 1/16" above the primer arm so that on the downstroke the tie snaps back to the position shown. The second photo is of the same system installed on the breech lock. Zip ties and duct tape, gotta love a home remedy.
Following the suggestions from Lee when I made them replace both the large and small arms (free BTW), I filed off all the edges all around the part, ran both flat sides over some 600 grit paper, and treated them with some Hornady Oneshot for a dry lube coating.
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j. rap.
Member
my pro 1000 works great. Just takes a little time to square away the primer feeding. All together it is great
RustyFN
Member
That's pretty slick John.
I have a CC I used for depriming, some rifle brass sizing, pulling bullets, etc. Seems like a decent press. Don't care for how it used to spit every fifth or tenth primer out the slot on the side. So I took a little piece of galvanized sheet metal, wrapped it around the ram and a hose clamp keeps it in place. If a primer escapes now, it deserves a pardon. As a bonus, the sleeve shortens the throw 1-1/4", which is still plenty for 30-06, but speeds up things slightly.
jhansman
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Been using a Breech Lock Challenger and Lee dies for a couple of years now and they do everything I need or want. I gave up on the powder measure and replaced the scale that came with my kit for an RCBS 5-0-5, but if I ever move up to a turret, it'll be the Lee Classic.
Oh, and so much for the OP's request of 'no bashing.' Maybe we can just give the haters their own forum?
Oh, and so much for the OP's request of 'no bashing.' Maybe we can just give the haters their own forum?
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Overkilll0084
Member
Geez, why all the emotion over presses? It's a friggen press for crying out loud, not a question of manhood. These Lee threads are worse than the Glock Love/Hate threads or an oil thread on a Motorcycle forum. Why the emotional investment in a reloading press? Is it the same with the other tools in the garage?
I have a Challenger breech lock that sits in a drawer. One of these days I'll set it up with a universal decapper. It's a perfectly serviceable device. Super premium? Not so much. It was replaced with a Classic turret. Lee products are fine, especially considering the price range they play in. They been around a while, I'm guessing that a fair number of people are happy with their products.
If you like your Acme Precision Whizbang Extreme Ultra 650 Deluxe, well good. I don't need one myself, and my press does what I want it to do with decent results.
I have a Challenger breech lock that sits in a drawer. One of these days I'll set it up with a universal decapper. It's a perfectly serviceable device. Super premium? Not so much. It was replaced with a Classic turret. Lee products are fine, especially considering the price range they play in. They been around a while, I'm guessing that a fair number of people are happy with their products.
If you like your Acme Precision Whizbang Extreme Ultra 650 Deluxe, well good. I don't need one myself, and my press does what I want it to do with decent results.
Smaug
Member
I started with RCBS, because they were "The Best." (Rock Chucker Supreme kit in the late '90s)
I got out of reloading for a while.
When I got back into it, I was more open-minded in my shopping. I felt that RCBS' stuff was overpriced for what it was.
I wound up getting a Lee Classic Cast. I thought this was a little nicer than the Rock Chucker, because of the wooden ball grip and the spent primers were caught better.
Later, I got a Lee Turret Press. The construction was not as solid as that of the Rock Chucker or Classic Cast, but there was nothing to complain about either. It was just lighter. It worked great.
Eventually, I decided that single stage loading is what I really prefer, and that the Classic Cast was too heavy for my needs. (I screwed it to a board and clamp that to the bench when I need it, and remove it when not using it, so weight and size do make a difference)
Now, I have a Lee Challenger Breech Lock, with the upgraded linkages, and I'm very happy with it. It is almost as solid-feeling as the Classic Cast, but with a lot less weight and bulk. I think this is the #1 value in single stage presses. Lee's other equipment is at least as important as the press. The press is a basic tool. But if some good engineering thought isn't put into other areas, a company will stagnate.
For example, I like the Auto Disk Pro powder measure, and how it removes one separate step from the loading process, and I like the Factory Crimp Die, even though it adds a step, because there is never an issue with the round chambering in my autos, and I get good crimps even with mixed brass.
I also like how Lee thinks outside the box with things like the Classic Lee Loader for a super compact way to get into reloading. And the dippers, which are also super simple and reliable. Good engineering is often more simple than bad engineering. The Lee balance beam scale was designed so that it is either accurate, or it is broken. No worries about bent beams. It's not as fast as a digital scale, but it is effective and inexpensive.
I may get a LoadMaster or Dillon some day to speed up my handgun reloading, but it'll have to be a day when I have a dedicated reloading area; not sharing with the workbench in the garage, which has to serve many purposes.
The Hand Press also gets pulled out when I want to reload from the couch instead of sitting at a bench.
Check my signature link for some photos, if you'd like.
I got out of reloading for a while.
When I got back into it, I was more open-minded in my shopping. I felt that RCBS' stuff was overpriced for what it was.
I wound up getting a Lee Classic Cast. I thought this was a little nicer than the Rock Chucker, because of the wooden ball grip and the spent primers were caught better.
Later, I got a Lee Turret Press. The construction was not as solid as that of the Rock Chucker or Classic Cast, but there was nothing to complain about either. It was just lighter. It worked great.
Eventually, I decided that single stage loading is what I really prefer, and that the Classic Cast was too heavy for my needs. (I screwed it to a board and clamp that to the bench when I need it, and remove it when not using it, so weight and size do make a difference)
Now, I have a Lee Challenger Breech Lock, with the upgraded linkages, and I'm very happy with it. It is almost as solid-feeling as the Classic Cast, but with a lot less weight and bulk. I think this is the #1 value in single stage presses. Lee's other equipment is at least as important as the press. The press is a basic tool. But if some good engineering thought isn't put into other areas, a company will stagnate.
For example, I like the Auto Disk Pro powder measure, and how it removes one separate step from the loading process, and I like the Factory Crimp Die, even though it adds a step, because there is never an issue with the round chambering in my autos, and I get good crimps even with mixed brass.
I also like how Lee thinks outside the box with things like the Classic Lee Loader for a super compact way to get into reloading. And the dippers, which are also super simple and reliable. Good engineering is often more simple than bad engineering. The Lee balance beam scale was designed so that it is either accurate, or it is broken. No worries about bent beams. It's not as fast as a digital scale, but it is effective and inexpensive.
I may get a LoadMaster or Dillon some day to speed up my handgun reloading, but it'll have to be a day when I have a dedicated reloading area; not sharing with the workbench in the garage, which has to serve many purposes.
The Hand Press also gets pulled out when I want to reload from the couch instead of sitting at a bench.
Check my signature link for some photos, if you'd like.
I have loaded up a few thousand rounds on my Lee single stage using Lee carbide dies, not a single problem yet. Very consistent OAL, as long as I clean off the seating plug every few hundred round (my cast bullets sometimes deposit lube there).
ssbn642
Member
Started with (and still use a) Breech Lock Anniversary kit. Although I did replace the perfect powder measure with a SAECO Powder measure and the scale with a RCBS 5-0-5.
The RCBS 505 is great and I have confidence in it, as I do with the SEACO measure.
The RCBS 505 is great and I have confidence in it, as I do with the SEACO measure.
In the interest of 'truth in posting' -lol - I did discard my Lee balance beam scale and bought a $30 MTM DS-1250 digital, much easier on my tired old eyeballs and accurate enough to my realistic needs. I use a maybe $9 Harbor Freight digital caliper for the same reason.
From the $30 Lee Loader (whack-a-mole) to the $30,000 Camdex ammo manufacturing center, they ALL make safe, reliable and accurate ammo and one would be hard pressed to look at a finished round and be able to say what machine made it.
I feel no need to express my manhood in my choice of reloading hardware brand....... or any purchase of anything for that matter. Nor any need to justify MY purchases to any brand bashers. Too often I read threads by some folks who seem to be trying to make me feel bad because I found that "X" fit my needs and budget quite well, and that I didn't spend over my budget and need to buy their brand "Y" thing-a-ma-bob. Such attitudes strike me as being kinda silly.
From the $30 Lee Loader (whack-a-mole) to the $30,000 Camdex ammo manufacturing center, they ALL make safe, reliable and accurate ammo and one would be hard pressed to look at a finished round and be able to say what machine made it.
I feel no need to express my manhood in my choice of reloading hardware brand....... or any purchase of anything for that matter. Nor any need to justify MY purchases to any brand bashers. Too often I read threads by some folks who seem to be trying to make me feel bad because I found that "X" fit my needs and budget quite well, and that I didn't spend over my budget and need to buy their brand "Y" thing-a-ma-bob. Such attitudes strike me as being kinda silly.
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jaimeshawn3
Member
Major Lee fan here.
Started with a Lee Loader, making 300 Win Mag for my nephew. That went so well I bought a regular press to make more accurate ammo for a 308 Mauser, and for my Garand. Then branched out further to support guns in calibers that couldn't be fed surplus.
Classic Cast for depriming and sizing; seating bullets. Great press.
I also use one of their C presses for their priming station.
Started with a Lee Loader, making 300 Win Mag for my nephew. That went so well I bought a regular press to make more accurate ammo for a 308 Mauser, and for my Garand. Then branched out further to support guns in calibers that couldn't be fed surplus.
Classic Cast for depriming and sizing; seating bullets. Great press.
I also use one of their C presses for their priming station.
ranger335v
Member
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- Dec 3, 2006
- Messages
- 3,797
I've been reloading a long time and got over the 'my stuff is better than your (Lee?) stuff" decades ago. I've used a lot of presses and have no VALID complaint against any of them. Fact is, presses are quite simple devices, easy to make and there are no secrets about them. They will all shoulve thin walled brass cases into and pull them out of a sizing die and that's the most difficult task they usually face. That said, obviously any mechanical device has to be used correctly and part of that requries understanding the physical limits of any design; condeming all of Lee's presses because the tiny Reloader C press isn't as strong as a cast iron O press is worse than meaningless, it's silly. And the Reloader press is easily capabile of FL sizing .30-06 so even it's no wimp.
Lee's tools are a GREAT deal, very good at any price and considering the price they're marvels of value! Not that I LIKE all of Lee's stuff a lot but I KNOW it works fine when used correctly. Bottom line, I have never problems with any maker's reloading tools other than what I caused all by myself.
Lee's tools are a GREAT deal, very good at any price and considering the price they're marvels of value! Not that I LIKE all of Lee's stuff a lot but I KNOW it works fine when used correctly. Bottom line, I have never problems with any maker's reloading tools other than what I caused all by myself.
1SOW
Member
Walkalong:
As he said: LEE got me into reloading (along with the ammo shortages).
I saved enough on much better pistol ammo to pay for my LEE equipment in just over 3 months, and that was over 4 years ago.
As he said: LEE got me into reloading (along with the ammo shortages).
I saved enough on much better pistol ammo to pay for my LEE equipment in just over 3 months, and that was over 4 years ago.
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