Going to start Reloading- Lee Precision Anniversary Challenger Kit II

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andrew223

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So i am looking at getting my feet wet in the reloading world. I have about 400 dollars to spend, i will be loading .308 and .45. I was wondering if anyone has experience with the Lee Precision Anniversary Challenger Kit II sold at Cabela's for $220. I would also buy a tumbler and some dies. From my research i have found the RCBS brand seems to be the way to go as far as quality, but i have read some good reviews regarding the lee products. As i said i am just getting my feet wet and if it works out i would definitely upgrade down the road.
Any suggestions/info would be much appreciated.

https://www.cabelas.ca/product/3534/lee-50th-anniversary-reloader-kit
 
Hi, been reloading for about 3 years. I use the Lee classic turret press. I did that because I reload 5 different rounds and the thought of changing dies constantly just didn't sit well. With the turret press, you buy plates that hold your dies, use a different plate for each calibre you reload. Set up your dies once, done. Also use the Lee dies. For the money they are a decent product. I use the carbon dies for pistol, no lubing required. Also their warranty is great. If you have trouble, contact them, explain the problem, send some pics and in my experience, they will send a new part free, shipping paid. I use a Redding powder measure as I found the Lee auto disk that came with the press just didn't work well for me. Others are happy with it, so perhaps it is "operator error" on my part that it didn't work well!

I do have a tumbler, the stainless steel pin type. I barely use it. As you are just starting out, be aware that a tumbler isn't required. Sure it will shine up your brass, but it won't make the finished product more accurate at this stage of the game. Take that money and perhaps put it into the turret press, and or a decent scale.


Make sure you have a least one good "bible", (reloading manual), maybe two. Follow instructions, avoid double charges, don't do anything stupid and you will have an enjoyable new hobby.
 
terr92 said:
Hi, been reloading for about 3 years. I use the Lee classic turret press. I did that because I reload 5 different rounds and the thought of changing dies constantly just didn't sit well. With the turret press, you buy plates that hold your dies, use a different plate for each calibre you reload. Set up your dies once, done. Also use the Lee dies. For the money they are a decent product. I use the carbon dies for pistol, no lubing required. Also their warranty is great. If you have trouble, contact them, explain the problem, send some pics and in my experience, they will send a new part free, shipping paid. I use a Redding powder measure as I found the Lee auto disk that came with the press just didn't work well for me. Others are happy with it, so perhaps it is "operator error" on my part that it didn't work well! Make sure you have a least one good "bible", (reloading manual), maybe two. Follow instructions, avoid double charges, don't do anything stupid and you will have an enjoyable new hobby.
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Thanks for your input, i do like the sounds of the turret press, looks like it would speed up the process considerably, its $380 right now so that might be the better buy. Thanks!
 
andrew223 said:
Thanks for your input, i do like the sounds of the turret press, looks like it would speed up the process considerably, its $380 right now so that might be the better buy. Thanks!
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Check out the sponsors you can quite often get it cheaper.
ie $318 at Budget Shooter Supply and Henry is GREAT to deal with https://www.budgetshootersupply.ca/product/lee-classic-iron-turret-press-kit/

On my turret, once I got a rhythm figured out, I could load 150-200 rounds of .45 ACP and hour. Trying To load pistol rounds on a single stage would SUCK
 
A single stage is great for learning and engraining the fundamentals of reloading.
I'm very new to reloading and I originally started when Cabelas had the RCBS Partner Kit on sale for $100.

Learned my basics on it, then bought a Hornady LNL AP for large volume pistol caliber reloading.

Just recently purchased the Lee Classic Cast Press since I want the .50 BMG as an option and only use this press for rifle caliber reloading.
Beauty is that I also purchased the Hornady LNL bushing kit for the Lee.
Once I make spacers, the dies will be interchangeable between the Lee and Hornady LNL AP.

Now all my dirty work, trimming using the Lee quick trim deluxe and Lee universal decapping die etc..., exclusively get done on the RCBS Partner press, pistol on the Hornady and rifle on the Lee.

I forgot to mention books, buy lots of books on the subject.
 
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greywolf67nt said:
Check out the sponsors you can quite often get it cheaper.
ie $318 at Budget Shooter Supply and Henry is GREAT to deal with https://www.budgetshootersupply.ca/product/lee-classic-iron-turret-press-kit/

On my turret, once I got a rhythm figured out, I could load 150-200 rounds of .45 ACP and hour. Trying To load pistol rounds on a single stage would SUCK
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My single stage setup allows for 200 rounds per hour, closer to 250 if my son helps.

3E2wAbN.jpg
 
Consider the volume of ammo you need; if loading 100 rounds in a session will keep you going for awhile then the presses you're considering will deliver, but something more like a Dillon will let you box up 500 rounds in an evening. A lot depends on getting a rhythm going, but getting a round each time you pull the handle fills the output bin faster than one every fourth pull.
 
I have a RCBS Single stage Rock Chucker (probably 50yrs old) and load all winter, because I have the time. When it comes to dies I ONLY use LEE dies. I have all types Lymon, RCBS, Hornaday dies, but it seems I always go back to LEE. Every die I own, I have broken the decapping pins on (2-5000 rds per year), but I don't have that problem anymore. You see once you break a factory pin, it becomes a wait for a new one. About 5 yrs ago, I bought the LEE (Decapping die, $15 at Higgisson, with 5 @ $1.25, extra pins, based on how often I was breaking my factory pins), 5 yrs later and over 20,000 decapping operations, I have yet to change/break that original pin. Since I deprime all my brass before I clean, it works well for me. Bonus, during resizing operations it takes less force to resize, now that I am not pushing out primer at same time.

It took me 3 weeks at a couple hours each night, to load 3000 45ACP all on a single stage, with 5 operations handle pulls for each round. I have got my reloading broken into stages, and complete each stage for all brass before moving on.

1. Inspect, deprime
2. Clean (Lymon walnut media, but building a wet media tumbler (PVC and DC motor) Dawn/Lemmie Shine/SS pins
3. Resize
4. Trim (I have the Franklin Arsenault Case Trim Center, for bottle neck case only) huge time saver.
5. powder (Beam scale and digital confirm every 5 rds)
6. Bullet head
7. crimp

At any given time, I have hundreds of pieces of brass ready to stage 4, so if I need 100 @ 45ACP, load up trays, powder, bullet head and crimp.
 
From what I've seen, it's pretty hard to beat a Dillon. The 550C is a pretty slick setup. I have friends with these and they load good ammo at a decent rate. They have 2, one for pistol and one for rifle.

I have a conglomeration of crap, some good, some not so good. I've loaded pistol on a single stage, but finally went to a turret. Mine is an older Lyman, and I've been lusting over the new Redding. Redding makes top drawer stuff, IMNSHO.

Here's an idea, buy a LEE Auto Breech Lock Pro for pistol, and a single stage for 308. I don't have any experience with the LEE, but it looks like it should work for pistol.

Nitro
 
OttawaHunts said:
I have a RCBS Single stage Rock Chucker (probably 50yrs old) and load all winter, because I have the time. When it comes to dies I ONLY use LEE dies. I have all types Lymon, RCBS, Hornaday dies, but it seems I always go back to LEE. Every die I own, I have broken the decapping pins on (2-5000 rds per year), but I don't have that problem anymore. You see once you break a factory pin, it becomes a wait for a new one. About 5 yrs ago, I bought the LEE (Decapping die, $15 at Higgisson, with 5 @ $1.25, extra pins, based on how often I was breaking my factory pins), 5 yrs later and over 20,000 decapping operations, I have yet to change/break that original pin. Since I deprime all my brass before I clean, it works well for me. Bonus, during resizing operations it takes less force to resize, now that I am not pushing out primer at same time.

It took me 3 weeks at a couple hours each night, to load 3000 45ACP all on a single stage, with 5 operations handle pulls for each round. I have got my reloading broken into stages, and complete each stage for all brass before moving on.

1. Inspect, deprime
2. Clean (Lymon walnut media, but building a wet media tumbler (PVC and DC motor) Dawn/Lemmie Shine/SS pins
3. Resize
4. Trim (I have the Franklin Arsenault Case Trim Center, for bottle neck case only) huge time saver.
5. powder (Beam scale and digital confirm every 5 rds)
6. Bullet head
7. crimp

At any given time, I have hundreds of pieces of brass ready to stage 4, so if I need 100 @ 45ACP, load up trays, powder, bullet head and crimp.
Click to expand...

I have benn using the same Rockchucker for over 35 years, but I have never broken a decapping pin, in my RCBS, or Redding dies.

I know several people that stared with LEE kits, but not one still uses the LEE scale, as it is the most frustrating scale ever made.
 
I agree with what everyone has said regarding the need to decide how many round you want done to keep you happy. If 100 to 200 will do per shooting session then single stage. More then look at a progressive or at least a turret. I have been loading for 20 years on a single stage press so setting up dies i can do in my sleep. I just bought a dillon 650xl progressive, awesome press. Even with all the time I have reloading, this press takes some getting used to, ive already crushed my share of cases. My point is , a single stage press is really the best for a new reloader, a progressive is alot more involved for setup. Not say it can't be learned from scratch but having some time on a single stage.learing the ropes would help.

I think I got a bit off topic but that's my opinion.
Corey
 
I started with the Lee single stage Anniversary kit. I still use it for low volume amounts I need for target or hunting. I also bought a Lee classic turret for higher volume and plinking loads. I have a Lee progressive for pumping out large volumes of 9mm.
I think the OP is going to enjoy starting out with the single stage. As suggested, stick with the Lee carbide dies for handgun loads.
 
Great info from all you guys, i really appreciate it. For now i will buy the lee kit and get started, i will upgrade down the road if i feel the need to do so. I am really excited to take on this new found hobby. Thanks again everyone!
 
Snakehunter said:
I started with the Lee single stage Anniversary kit. I still use it for low volume amounts I need for target or hunting. I also bought a Lee classic turret for higher volume and plinking loads. I have a Lee progressive for pumping out large volumes of 9mm.
I think the OP is going to enjoy starting out with the single stage. As suggested, stick with the Lee carbide dies for handgun loads.
Click to expand...

I started over 40 years ago with an old cast iron Lyman turret press. I still use it for rifle loading. I have just transitioned to a Lee Pro-1000 for Pistol and so far have just loaded 9 mm, but will be ordering accessories to set up for .40 S&W and .45 ACP.

I'm not going to lie; it is a finicky b****, but once you figure it out, it is smooth, fast and easy. The el-cheepo disk powder measure it came with is surprisingly and reassuringly consistent. The primer system is a PITA, but works if you understand it.

I'm keeping it.
 
I started with the Lee kit. It’s great. I no longer use anything from it but I passed it along to a friend who now loves reloading. You can make great ammo with little up front cost. You can do lots with a single stage. The only suggestion is to buy a decent scale.
 
I bought a 50th anniversary kit in 2010 and I am very happy with it. If you search my posts you will find my long term opinion on the kit. I think for $400 you will be able to buy the kit dies and enough components to make some ammo. I found the first few boxes of ammo that I reloaded was huge in the education dept. If you are thinking reloading will save you money??? 95% of people just shoot way more.lol
 
I bought a 50th anniversary kit in 2010 and I am very happy with it. If you search my posts you will find my long term opinion on the kit. I think for $400 you will be able to buy the kit dies and enough components to make some ammo. I found the first few boxes of ammo that I reloaded was huge in the education dept. If you are thinking reloading will save you money??? 95% of people just shoot way more.lol
 
I started with the lee single stage and it worked great. Pumped out lots of accurate bullets with that unit. Throw the scale in the garbage and get a digital one. My only beef the lee press is when you bottom it out seating the bullets if you put to much pressure it will seat the bullet slightly deeper. But still a good press for the buck.
 
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