Lee presses and kits, any good ?

Brewster20

Brewster20

CGN frequent flyer
Super GunNutz
Rating - 100%
161   0   0
Location
Ontario
I am looking into reloading, but on a small scale. I shoot .380 ACP, & .226 Rem. I am mainly interested in loading for accuracy, not quantity.
I have been down the "expensive" press route when I was in handgun competitions, (Dillon, Hornady LnL, etc). Got rid of all my reloading stuff years ago. Now, I might take it up again, but on a smaller scale. Looking at the Lee presses and kits (I think a kit is the best bang for the buck!) their prices seem very reasonable, but is the quality there ? I would probably change out the scale, I prefer electronic, but otherwise go with a kit.
Thanks
 
I bought the Lee kit a couple years ago when I started reloading (300 Wby, 25-06, 303 Brit). I have no experience with more expensive equipment, so I can't tell you how the quality compares. The process isn't quick, but I'm quite happy with the results I get. The only piece of equipment I've swapped out so far is the chamfer tool. I found the 45 degree angle to be too sharp, causing some scratches in the bullets as I seated them.
 
I use a Lee Classic Turret press, and a single stage. They do everything I require them to do quite well. A couple fellas that have been reloading for over fifty years, with much more knowledge than most of us here have on reloading, use them as well. The other more expensive presses do the same job in the end. If you are careful in setting up your press properly, and pay attention to detail, you will end up with quality ammo, regardless of the make of press.
 
I have a Lee progressive that I have used to reload for my rifles and pistols for the last 30 years.

It has been trouble free, as have the Lee dies that I employ.
 
I bought the 50th anniversary kit as a new reloaded. It works well for me. Slow to reload but that works well for a new reloaded. I am quite happy with the press overall.
 
Opcx6 said:
Junk! Expensive junk!
Click to expand...
Tourette’s?

The Lee stuff all works. I could spend whatever I wanted on a press but think the classic cast lee is more than good enough. The 50th anniversary kit will do the job. You won’t really lose money if you sell it off to upgrade if it comes to it. Some guys don’t feel the need to upgrade and will use it for years.
 
Opcx6 said:
Junk! Expensive junk!
Click to expand...

I suspect posts like these come from guys who bought something twice the price and need to justify. For someone loading plinking ammo or small volumes and isn’t looking for match grade performance the Lee presses and kits are the best value
 
Got a Lee Auto Breech Lock Pro. It makes excellent pistol ammo for plinking. For my pistol ammo needs, it works great.
Lee’s carbide dies are excellent, especially the FCD.

If I need something more precise, I use my Redding single stage or turret press.
 
When I started reloading I got a lee loadmaster and I’ve loaded thousands of rounds of various calibers with it using lee dies
It does the job well enough for me
 
there's a lot of SNOBS on this board- i've got lee 1000s,( I don't like changing calibers)9mm. 45 and 223- I had to use a bigger powder measure to get the required amount of powder- even the double disc kit wouldn't throw enough powder -748- I also have a Dillon 550 for doing 308 and a LOADMASTER for doing 44 mag/spcl- I also have a turret for doing 338 but that requires a lot of oomph- 1 round at a time, but that's fine for 338- you're also throwing 70 grains a pop- now I've been in this game since 72 and my first was the lee turret- the only downside to the turret is those stupid nylon bushings WHICH HAVE TO BE REPLACED THE MINUTE YOU FEEL ANY RESISTANCE - anyway, if you can't tell by now I have nothing but higher praise for Richard lee and his products
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom