Lee Breech Lock Challenger Press
- Thread starter KDX
- Start date
I have that press, its pretty great for the price you pay. The quick change bushings are quite nice too. I find a couple things a little annoying,
Firstly - the ram is not quite as butter smooth as an RCBS (from the vids I have watched about the RCBS and using the LEE)
Secondly - The primer seater which attaches to the ram has to be in to direct the primers (which are ejected during sizing) to the funnel tube. This is a little annoying since I dont use this to seat the primers, the auto prime is much better.
Thirdly - if you plan on loading lots of ammo, you may want to consider a turret press, they are not that much more expensive, and gives you the ability to load much faster.
On the upside, the LEE stuff is usually pretty good, the dies are great, the auto prime is great, the powder thrower is pretty darn accurate (to within +/- 0.05 grains) and the other stuff is okay. Definitely upgrade the chamfer/deburring tool to RCBS and probably upgrade the scale to digital (more use for rifle IMHO)
If this is what your budget allows, I don't think you will be disappointed, its a great functioning tool, just not quite the quality of RCBS (and likely Hornady as well)
Firstly - the ram is not quite as butter smooth as an RCBS (from the vids I have watched about the RCBS and using the LEE)
Secondly - The primer seater which attaches to the ram has to be in to direct the primers (which are ejected during sizing) to the funnel tube. This is a little annoying since I dont use this to seat the primers, the auto prime is much better.
Thirdly - if you plan on loading lots of ammo, you may want to consider a turret press, they are not that much more expensive, and gives you the ability to load much faster.
On the upside, the LEE stuff is usually pretty good, the dies are great, the auto prime is great, the powder thrower is pretty darn accurate (to within +/- 0.05 grains) and the other stuff is okay. Definitely upgrade the chamfer/deburring tool to RCBS and probably upgrade the scale to digital (more use for rifle IMHO)
If this is what your budget allows, I don't think you will be disappointed, its a great functioning tool, just not quite the quality of RCBS (and likely Hornady as well)
Rod B
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Spend a little more & get the Classic Cast or the Classic Turret press.
I have a Challenger (now relegated to use with a universal decapping die) & both of the Classic series.
The Classic are a cast iron base & have a much more substantial linkage & ram.
I have a Challenger (now relegated to use with a universal decapping die) & both of the Classic series.
The Classic are a cast iron base & have a much more substantial linkage & ram.
I am new to reloading and have the Lee 50th Anniversary kit with the Challenger Breech lock press and auto-prime.
I've been using the gear since Christmas and am very happy with it. It does everything I need it to do and the accuracy of the ammo I'm loading can't compare with factory Krap.
I've been using the gear since Christmas and am very happy with it. It does everything I need it to do and the accuracy of the ammo I'm loading can't compare with factory Krap.
I have both and I'll agree that it is faster to load ammo on the turret press as opposed to the single-stage press, but that might be a good thing for new reloader. There's less going on, you can't really make a mistake as to which die you're using, and most precision shooters actually use the single-stage press.
Get the kit and some good dies and give it a try! If you want speed down the road go for it but maybe grab a better turret press that's auto indexing (for handgun loads). My $0.02!
Get the kit and some good dies and give it a try! If you want speed down the road go for it but maybe grab a better turret press that's auto indexing (for handgun loads). My $0.02!
I have both and I'll agree that it is faster to load ammo on the turret press as opposed to the single-stage press, but that might be a good thing for new reloader. There's less going on, you can't really make a mistake as to which die you're using, and most precision shooters actually use the single-stage press.
Get the kit and some good dies and give it a try! If you want speed down the road go for it but maybe grab a better turret press that's auto indexing (for handgun loads). My $0.02!
The new Lee Turret presses are auto indexing now, or you can buy them that way. I was thinking of the single stage for precision ammo, but if you disable the auto index feature it should be similar. Either way, each charge will be measured before it's dropped in the shell.
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
I picked up this new Lee press and was amazed at how well it is made.
The reason why the handle is 'stiff' is the tolerance through the case body is very tight. The same level of tolerance that is desired and offered in BR (read big dollar) presses.
I actually put some JB on the ram and lapped through use. That eased up the operation quickly and it is now smooth and easy to use. Will not drop under its own weight but I prefer the tighter tolerance. You will need to put a light oil on the ram to keep things working smoothly.
The lever components are now steel parts. Thinking forged. Built like a SBH. I can lean on the collet neck die and there is no flex or wiggle anywhere in the press. Solid.
The breech bushing makes die changes a snap. The ones that came with the press were a smidge too small and hard to remove. The spare ones I bought were much easier. Definitely a bit of grease on the threads makes things go smoothly. 1/3 twist and out they come.
The Lee die lock rings actually work very well with these inserts. Better then the conventional ones with the allen nut to lock in place.
The primer feed ramp is the only weak spot. It is loose and can come out. Also, the primer ram is permanent but I don't use it (hand primer with the Lee auto primer). I cut it off. Does collect the spent primers very well unlike the orig Challenger
When I bought this to replace the Challenger, I was just expecting the same frame with a few stronger parts. NOPE, completely redesigned and WAYYYY better.
As for accuracy, ALL my rifle ammo is made on my Lee press and my shooting speaks for its performance.
I do each reloading step in batches so don't bother with a turrent type press. Changing dies is just as quick with this press.
If I were to get into high volume loading, I would move straight to a progressive.
Jerry
The reason why the handle is 'stiff' is the tolerance through the case body is very tight. The same level of tolerance that is desired and offered in BR (read big dollar) presses.
I actually put some JB on the ram and lapped through use. That eased up the operation quickly and it is now smooth and easy to use. Will not drop under its own weight but I prefer the tighter tolerance. You will need to put a light oil on the ram to keep things working smoothly.
The lever components are now steel parts. Thinking forged. Built like a SBH. I can lean on the collet neck die and there is no flex or wiggle anywhere in the press. Solid.
The breech bushing makes die changes a snap. The ones that came with the press were a smidge too small and hard to remove. The spare ones I bought were much easier. Definitely a bit of grease on the threads makes things go smoothly. 1/3 twist and out they come.
The Lee die lock rings actually work very well with these inserts. Better then the conventional ones with the allen nut to lock in place.
The primer feed ramp is the only weak spot. It is loose and can come out. Also, the primer ram is permanent but I don't use it (hand primer with the Lee auto primer). I cut it off. Does collect the spent primers very well unlike the orig Challenger
When I bought this to replace the Challenger, I was just expecting the same frame with a few stronger parts. NOPE, completely redesigned and WAYYYY better.
As for accuracy, ALL my rifle ammo is made on my Lee press and my shooting speaks for its performance.
I do each reloading step in batches so don't bother with a turrent type press. Changing dies is just as quick with this press.
If I were to get into high volume loading, I would move straight to a progressive.
Jerry
