Lee press decision

A

Alchemist

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Due to the cost of accessories and the availability in my local store, I’ve decided on a Lee press as my first reloading press.

Would the classic 4 turret kit or a Lee auto breechlock pro press be the better choice?

I really want this for the higher priced ammo I shoot, .357 and 38 special and .223/5.56 .

The breechlock pro doesn’t come as a kit (as far as I see) so I’d have to get everything separately.

...or...something else?
 
I love my classic cast for pistol. Get a couple of the turret heads and leave them set up. I have never used it for 223. But don't see why not.
I have so much 223 from my AR it will be a while before i reload any again!

If you get the turret, get a extender for the powder measure. That way you don't have to unscrew your flaring die to use the powder thrower on a different set of dies.
 
I use a loadmaster for up to 762x39. I load most the pistol calibers. Once you get to know it, you can do many hundreds of rounds per hour. It’s not a tricked out blue press, but it cost 1/10th as much and gets the job done.
 
I have the Auto Breech Lock Pro and when set up correctly, it cranks out pistol rounds really well. The press is really easy to customize with all available options. I got the Auto Drum powder measure and riser. I didn’t bother with the primer and bullet feed - I hand bomb the primer at the top and the bullet at the bottom of the stroke. It’s a well priced system for my reloading needs
 
I also have the Auto Breech Lock Pro for pistol reloading. I use the Auto Disk, but I will likely switch to the Auto Drum sometime down the road (due to minor ball powder leakage). I just started using it and, even as a new user, I roughly tripled my single stage production rate. Well, worth the money.

Jim
 
Thanks for the input so far. What about versatility for pistol and rifle down the line if I end up with something other than .223/5.56 ?
 
For max versatility and mfr support, I’d say a second hand Dillon 550 on EE is the best value long term
 
Alchemist said:
Thanks for the input so far. What about versatility for pistol and rifle down the line if I end up with something other than .223/5.56 ?
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I have been using the 4-hole Lee progressive (with the progressive feature disabled) for more than 20 years.

I reload .223, .44, .45LC, .357, 9mm, .38/55, .45-70 and 6.5x55. The ability to swap between loading stations and calibers in mere seconds makes this a really handy and versatile tool.
 
I bought the lee classic turret kit as my first press and love it. The kit comes with 90% of what you NEED to start up but you will upgrade some things as you go. I cranked out 223 like a champ on it and 308 plus I remove the indexing rod and load for my 6mm Creedmoor on it as well. Works just ducky for me I would highly recommend
 
stewbud said:
I have been using the 4-hole Lee progressive (with the progressive feature disabled) for more than 20 years.

I reload .223, .44, .45LC, .357, 9mm, .38/55, .45-70 and 6.5x55. The ability to swap between loading stations and calibers in mere seconds makes this a really handy and versatile tool.
Click to expand...

Does that have another name? The models are confusing.
 
Alchemist said:
Does that have another name? The models are confusing.
Click to expand...


Yes, it is confusing.

I had too much slop on my old 4-hole press and upgraded this spring to a new 'Lee Precision Classic Turret Press'. It replaced a very similar looking 'Lee Value Press' , also with 4 holes. I sold the old one for $100 on the EE here when I had the new one set up and running! I understand that it is still cranking them out for the new owner.

All of my dies in the dies plates fit the new press and loaded without adjustment. The new one is much sturdier than the old aluminum cast piece - it should be the last one for me.

I am not a huge volume reloader, but I plink with many different guns - so the quick change feature is very important to me.
 
I'm running two Pro1000 presses. They work OK, but you need to be a bit of a mechanic to keep them set up and running. I only do Pistol ammo, but lots of it. So far, 9mm, .40, .45 ACP, .38/357. Bought them used; and am very happy with minimal investment. The weak link is the primer feed system, but when they work, they work very well.
 
I use a Lee 1000 and a Loadmaster. The 1000 needs a bit of tuning occasionally but otherwise decent for the money. The Loadmaster, although I ran into a problem that caused me to hate it, I found the problem and, well, we are happy again. The square rod had a slight ..... and I mean very slight bent in it at the base where it goes into the main frame assembly, it caused all kinds of problems ..... a new square rod from Higginson's fixed the issue! Lee will get the job done for a lot less $$$ than the blue brand.
 
I had the original classic cast press but also have a breech lock hand press and loved it. I was happy to learn that Lee now provides a kit that allows you to convert classic cast press to breech lock. Search "1 1/4-12 BL Update Kit" from Lee.
 
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