Santoneski
Regular
- Location
- Hamilton, On
Are the lee 50th anniversary kits any good or is the classic cast worth the extra money?
Lee 50th or the lee classic cast single stage.
- Thread starter Santoneski
- Start date
Santoneski
Regular
- Location
- Hamilton, On
What are you loading on it? Do you notice any flex also how's the powder thrower and priming tool?
I got the 50th anniversary as well. It's still going strong. Zero issues other than the powder thrower doesn't like fine powders like H110/W296 etc. I've made ammo with that kit, using Lee dies, that grouped sub-moa from my rifles.
I've been using the Lee Anniversary kit for quite a few years now. No issues and I use Lee, Hornady, RCBS, and Redding dies, loading 223 up to 375 Ruger. This press works well for the money and I'm well past 4000 rounds loaded and no signs of wear or stress.
And the classic cast turret press is even better for not much more.
I own the Lee 50th Anniversary kit along with a Hornady LnL Single Stage and a Hornady LnL AP Progressive.
My introduction to reloading was a little over 5 years ago on my Lee 50th Anniversary kit.
That kit has made over 10,000 rounds of very good ammo for not a lot of money.
For somebody who wants to start reloading without investing a bunch of money it's a great kit.
I still prefer the Lee over the Hornady single stage because it is operated with the left hand while the right hand does all the fine motor skill work.
The down side of the Lee Breech Lock Challenger press is that it is a small press. The largest cartridge I've loaded on it is the 300 Remington Ultra Mag.
To get the bullet onto the case you must angle it so that the tip goes up into the die then straighten it out then pull the ram.
It feels like you shoved a 427 under the hood of a Chevy Cavalier and now you have to work on it.
The Lee Clssic Cast is a much larger press which can handle everything up to and including 50BMG.
If you want to buy once cry once then this is a better press for you.
My introduction to reloading was a little over 5 years ago on my Lee 50th Anniversary kit.
That kit has made over 10,000 rounds of very good ammo for not a lot of money.
For somebody who wants to start reloading without investing a bunch of money it's a great kit.
I still prefer the Lee over the Hornady single stage because it is operated with the left hand while the right hand does all the fine motor skill work.
The down side of the Lee Breech Lock Challenger press is that it is a small press. The largest cartridge I've loaded on it is the 300 Remington Ultra Mag.
To get the bullet onto the case you must angle it so that the tip goes up into the die then straighten it out then pull the ram.
It feels like you shoved a 427 under the hood of a Chevy Cavalier and now you have to work on it.
The Lee Clssic Cast is a much larger press which can handle everything up to and including 50BMG.
If you want to buy once cry once then this is a better press for you.
Rod B
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Only if you are willing to accept the extra movement/deflection that a turret introduces. I prefer the more solid single stage press.
The powder measure is mediocre, the scale is garbage.
Do they prime the same way?
I have been accumulating stuff for many months, but have just started with a kit.
RE lee scales..I have one, and I think I'm going to try to add a filament off the end of the beam, and a marker on the arbour for finer precision. I'm th'newest of the new to reloading, but my scale and Hodgdon's site agree almost exactly. I haven't used any thrower yet (I have a Lee, and a Lyman).
I have been accumulating stuff for many months, but have just started with a kit.
RE lee scales..I have one, and I think I'm going to try to add a filament off the end of the beam, and a marker on the arbour for finer precision. I'm th'newest of the new to reloading, but my scale and Hodgdon's site agree almost exactly. I haven't used any thrower yet (I have a Lee, and a Lyman).
That's cool, but since I read your posts avidly it's kinda surprising too...
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I really don't know how to take that...
I have read, studied, and planned for decades... I've gotten way more than a "nickel's worth of free advice" from your posts in a few short months, only to find out you're kinda new/fresh to th'game. No offence intended, and an open and honest thanks garnered. 2 years is 2 years less a day(almost) longer than I've actually pressed m'own.
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