Great Starter set. Its what I started with. Is there stuff out there that is WAY better than Lee? Absolutely. Does it cost more money? Absolutely. I tell everyone, I know that Lee is the best way to get into it. That way, if it isn't for you, won't have as much money dumped into it. The Lee Breech Lock Challenger press is excellent quality.
Lee 50th Anniversary Reloader Kit
- Thread starter Agent666
- Start date
The Lee press works, though it's not as nice as my RCBS #5. I already had a Lyman scale as well so I'm not a huge fan of the Lee scale and I found the powder measure wasn't overly consistant. All in all it's a decent starting point, the priming system works alright and all the included tools get the job done. Just have some patience with that scale or it'll make you nuts. For the $99 it cost me I'm a satisfied customer.
I bought the LEE 50th anniversary Kit about 4 years ago. When I got it home and set it up I thought "OH #### this is the cheapest plastic crap a person could buy" however 4 years later and 600 to 700 rounds loaded i am very happpy with it. There is many online calculators to estimate the cost of reloads to see how much you will "save" LOL. (The reason for the lol is I don't think anyone saves money reloading we just shoot more.)
With the relatively low investment in lee kits i am sure if a person found after a while they wanted a better setup they could discount the kit by $50 and sell it on the buy and sell here. I know for me using the kit answered many questions that could not have been answered without diving in and doing it.
With the relatively low investment in lee kits i am sure if a person found after a while they wanted a better setup they could discount the kit by $50 and sell it on the buy and sell here. I know for me using the kit answered many questions that could not have been answered without diving in and doing it.
My Lee has over 6,000 rounds loaded on it in the last 3 years.
For those who say you can't load precision rounds using Lee here you go.
100y 3x5 shots + 1x3 shots
Meh, your bullets ripped into the black. lol, just kidding. That's awesome shooting. I've done a few hundred rounds through my LEE 308 dies and while I don't shoot like Thump, it got me down to 1/2" MOA from a mass produced Remmy 700 SPS factory barrel.
As for the presses, how much force are guys using to size their cases that they can crack the actual press?
TargetAcquired
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- S. Ontario
I built my reloading bench with a heavy ass 1 1/4" solid top, and it will give before the press will.
I have asked that same question numerous times. Although, my first Challenger press was second hand and the linkage was cracked and I STILL loaded hundreds of .303 and .30-06 rounds.
Lee hand primer.....junk....went in the trash. Now have RCBS universal hand primer and I love it.
.308 win Lee dies......junk.....went in the trash. Got the redding set and never looked back.
Lee universal decapping die.....junk....went into the trash. Got the redding.
Lee scale.....junk.....went into the trash. Got the Hornady electronic and it rocks.
Lee case trimmer.....junk....went into the trash. Got the redding trimming lathe and never looked back.
Armored Metal
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- The People's Republik of Kébekistan
Man! Next time, put it up for sale on the EE and make a few bucks at least. BTW, I decapped app 150 .223 case 2 days ago with my Lee universal decapping die and it worked great...as usual!
Cheers.
N.B: Just wanted to add. At least you tried some of the Lee stuff, you didn't like it and you're not #####ing just to #####. You speak with experience.
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Just got that kit for christmas and the scale has to go asap!!! It works but what a pain in the ¤$$
Armored Metal
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- The People's Republik of Kébekistan
For me, time is also a valuable commodity. When I began shooting pistol I went from the lee o press to the turret press. If you are going to be reloading in larger quantities you should consider a turret press, a good intermediate between the single stage and a progressive. I wish I could go shooting enough to justify a progressive. Pretty doubtful that will ever happen!
Snakehunter
CGN Regular
- Location
- Kenora, Ontario
I think if I bought my Lee Pro1000 as my first Lee purchase I might have been turned off of buying further products. It was an absolute nightmare to set up at first and the owners manual suck so bad;-0
However, my Anniversary Kit was my first and I have had great success with it. I take the time to set it up meticulously and weigh one charge of every 5-10 and I get fantastic results.
I don't have too much good to say about the gimmicky tools that came with it, but the press is awesome. The scale is probably okay if you have the patience, I just prefer the instant digital type. This year I will be loading for varmint class benchrest shooting and I will be experimenting with a few .223 loads. The joy of tweaking loads is almost as much fun as the shooting for me. I get the same satisfaction fletching my own arrows too. It's totally a self-satisfying thrill to reload, for me anyway.
However, my Anniversary Kit was my first and I have had great success with it. I take the time to set it up meticulously and weigh one charge of every 5-10 and I get fantastic results.
I don't have too much good to say about the gimmicky tools that came with it, but the press is awesome. The scale is probably okay if you have the patience, I just prefer the instant digital type. This year I will be loading for varmint class benchrest shooting and I will be experimenting with a few .223 loads. The joy of tweaking loads is almost as much fun as the shooting for me. I get the same satisfaction fletching my own arrows too. It's totally a self-satisfying thrill to reload, for me anyway.
Most important thing about finicky Lee stuff is to read the instructions. Lol
Bitumen, Bitumen... always quick to jump in and trash LEE like a bad ex-girlfriend. No explanations other than "junk".
Well, here's my input with some explanations:
Lee 308Win dies: Awesome! Dies full-size and headspaces cases within SAAMI specs perfectly. Bonus, comes with a shell holder.
Lee 308Win Collect Neck Sizing Die: Awesome! Sizes necks great. Saves my brass by reducing the amount of trimming and no need to lube cases thus saving having to tumble off case lube.
Lee 357Mag carbide dies: Great! Sizes cases perfectly within SAAMI specs. Flares nicely. One seating die for FP or RN bullets. Seater die has a modified roll crimp that places a nice uniform crimp.
Lee 300 AAC Blackout dies: Awesome! FL sizing die works great at forming 223 brass down to 300BLK and within SAAMI specs.
Lee Universal Decapping Die: Awesome! Decaps most rifle and pistol cases with ease. Decapping pin if set with right tension will "pop" safely out if you accidentally try to deprime a berdan primed case.
Lee warranty: Awesome! They will replace parts without any argument just like RCBS.
Like any equipment, read the instructions and know how to properly setup and use them and you shouldn't have any problems. Accidents occur, the world goes on.
Rory McCanuck
CGN Regular
- Location
- Middle of Manitoba
Some folks could break an anvil with a glass hammer.
If it doesn't go, don't force it, figure out why it doesn't go.
Some folks just aren't wired that way, oh well.
It's easier to blame the tools.
If it doesn't go, don't force it, figure out why it doesn't go.
Some folks just aren't wired that way, oh well.
It's easier to blame the tools.
