A Question Regarding Dies and Reloading Kits

[ThePunisher]

I've decided I am going to venture into the world of reloading, and I pretty much have decided to go with a Lee Breech Lock Challenger Press Kit. I have now come to a bit of a stumbling block. The Breech Lock kit comes with either the Safety Prime or the Auto Prime. I have no clue as to which would be better - I am led to believe the Auto Prime can prime off the press - is this a good thing? Or, should I save the few dollars and get the Safety Prime?

2nd, I am not sure which dies to get. I will be reloading .223 for an autoloader, so I know I have to full length size them. Should I go with the Lee Pacesetter die set, or should I go with the Deluxe Rifle 3 Die set? It looks like the Pacesetter does a crimp job, but it does not say the same with the Deluxe set...lord, what decesions...

 

[Doc M]

I have a Lee Breech-Lock Challenger as my main single-stage, and I'm happy with it for its price. I will say this though - you'll probably end up leaving the bushing in the press and just screwing your dies in and out (I know that's how I do it, after so much breech-lock pain in the dink).

At any rate, I also recommend getting a separate hand-priming tool. Messing around with the crappy Lee press-priming systems isn't worth it - the best thing I did was get an RCBS hand-priming tool. The Lee Auto-Prime would be the equivalent - get that if you have a choice.

As for the dies, the Deluxe set comes with a full-length sizer (necessity), a seater (necessity) and a neck-sizer (non-necessity). Depending on what caliber you're shooting, and which bullets, you may want to crimp the rounds. The Pacesetter die gives you necessary full-length and seating capabilities with options to crimp using the included factory crimp die.

The Deluxe gives you two ways to size and one seater - you won't be neck-sizing anything but rounds made for accuracy (e.g. I never neck-size my hunting rounds, because they won't chamber if they get dropped in dirt or snow, unless I wipe them spotless and dry). If you're interested in bench groupings, a Deluxe with neck die is a good way to go - if you're more into field shooting, get the Pacesetter set.

That's my take on it anyway, YMMV.

-M

 

[roberti11]

I have a Lee Breech-Lock Challenger as my main single-stage, and I'm happy with it for its price. I will say this though - you'll probably end up leaving the bushing in the press and just screwing your dies in and out (I know that's how I do it, after so much breech-lock pain in the dink).

At any rate, I also recommend getting a separate hand-priming tool. Messing around with the crappy Lee press-priming systems isn't worth it - the best thing I did was get an RCBS hand-priming tool. The Lee Auto-Prime would be the equivalent - get that if you have a choice.

As for the dies, the Deluxe set comes with a full-length sizer (necessity), a seater (necessity) and a neck-sizer (non-necessity). Depending on what caliber you're shooting, and which bullets, you may want to crimp the rounds. The Pacesetter die gives you necessary full-length and seating capabilities with options to crimp using the included factory crimp die.

The Deluxe gives you two ways to size and one seater - you won't be neck-sizing anything but rounds made for accuracy (e.g. I never neck-size my hunting rounds, because they won't chamber if they get dropped in dirt or snow, unless I wipe them spotless and dry). If you're interested in bench groupings, a Deluxe with neck die is a good way to go - if you're more into field shooting, get the Pacesetter set.

That's my take on it anyway, YMMV.

-M

+++ agree, excellent recommendations

You will definitely want some sort of hand priming tool. My favorite is the Forster tool. I found the lee autoprime to be too hard on my thumb joint, after a few hundred it was time for the Motrin.

http://www.forsterproducts.com/catalog.asp?prodid=627326

 

[hk33ka1]

Get the Lee Breech Lock Kit (not the 50th as it only has the on press priming) it has the Auto Prime hand primer, and also the on the press priming (no safety prime feeder though) A set of .223 Pace setter dies and a .223 case length Gauge from Lee and you are set. I would also recommend the Lee manual, safety glass for priming and a digital calipre to measure your rounds with.

 

[lineofsight]

Like the bushing and use them - simple to set and switch out different dies / different calibers.

Went with the Lee hand prime, will need shell holders for the hand prime (different from the shell holder used in the press and for the lock stud - smacdonald here). Once you figure out the on the press priming it works too, little finicky but if figure out just how then easy after that - and only one primer being worked - some element of safety there rather than a whole stack of them right next to the one you're working with.

The neck sizer works the brass less and may provide you with more accuracy (though Lee claims crimping increases accuracy as more consistent neck tension and .223 brass fairly cheap). Generally crimping recommended for autoloaders but .223 is pretty low recoil so up to you (keep the same round in the bottom of the mag over a number of loads, if OAL changes...).

May also want to see what the kits include in terms of case prep - trimmers / deburrers / pocket cleaner... depending on your planned reloading volume may want to upgrade some tools immediately thus may not want to pay for them in a package I.E. if thinking ChargeMaster combo (fundamentally changes reloading) then scale, powder feeder, trickler may not matter much.

Started with a combo set, all that currently use from it is the press.. (went with RCBS prep tools, RCBS trimmer, RCBS ChargeMaster, Lee handprimer, Lee case length gauge / trimmer (redundant with RCBS trimmer but do like it)... picked up different things at different times but if were to start over probably would have passed on the kit.

Also need kinetic bullet puller (kinetic as cheap, multiple calibers but others work too), calipers (often at CT for $16), safety glasses, and some form of log (can e-mail you one with some macros). Lee reloading book and ABC of Reloading good books to start with (non bullet brand specific also tends to provide greater range of load information though a lot is available on line).