Lee clasic cast press
- Thread starter lorne19
- Start date
Ya I meant slop. I was leaning more toward the single stage version, I though maybe I might get a classic turret later when i get into pistol reloading. I only load a few hundred rifle rounds a month on average so i'm not sure if the extra cost of the turret press and extra turrets is worth it.
even with your old 3 holer, you're still MORE efficent than having to screw/unscrew like you do with a single stage- twere me, i'd never go BACK , even when i started with the single stage, i had 2- and a powder measure in between- decap, resize, prime on one, then powder charge and bullet seat/crimp on the other- and then i switched to the 3 holer turret, and my production went up by at least half , even without the auto-index- i ended up getting a dillon 550 in the end as i had 4 m14s to feed and the turret couldn't put out enough- but that was when we had 20 round mags- now, all over again, i'd go classic cast turret 4 holer= even for a few bucks more
I have heard great things about both the Lee Classic Cast single stage and the Classic Cast Turret. At around $75 and $85 respectively and $10 turrets I'm thinking of adding them to my collection and retiring the Rockchucker. I have been very happy with the Lee Breech Lock, so I only imagine the Class Cast single stage being even stronger.
I have and use the Classic Cast single stage and it is a great press for low volume shooting. I bought it when I started reloading in January. At the time I loaded 9mm but knew I would be loading rifle as well so went with the CC press.
It takes me aprox a couple hours to load a box (50) 9mm mostly because I measure each powder charge on the scale, but everything else is done on the press. You won't break any speed records with it but it is VERY sturdy and a great press if you are not a high volume shooter.
Being a weekend shooter for the most part and shooting a box or two of 9mm along with a box or two of .303 Brit and 7.62X39 it keeps up with that volume over a couple evenings a week. If you plan to shoot more than that I suggest a higher volume press.
Cactus
It takes me aprox a couple hours to load a box (50) 9mm mostly because I measure each powder charge on the scale, but everything else is done on the press. You won't break any speed records with it but it is VERY sturdy and a great press if you are not a high volume shooter.
Being a weekend shooter for the most part and shooting a box or two of 9mm along with a box or two of .303 Brit and 7.62X39 it keeps up with that volume over a couple evenings a week. If you plan to shoot more than that I suggest a higher volume press.
Cactus
I couldn't agree more, its a lot cleaner than my old 'chucker and has a much larger opening.
Mine has loaded a lot of 50 BMG without any issues and a lot of smaller cartridges.
Cheap press for the money, not even close to the Forster Co-ax or some of the Redding presses when it comes to quality, I wouldn't scrimp on a reloading press, my experiences with Lee stuff has been mostly bad, the aluminum and pot metal doesn't hold up to serious use.
This press is cast iron and steel.
The Lee Classic Cast is NOT a cheap press for the money, and its better than the Forster Co-ax in many ways.....I know because I have both on my bench.
The Forster is fine providing you load only smaller cartridges because dies for larger cartridges won't fit. The shell-holders are a pain to switch around unless everything you load has the same rim size. Cartridges like the 375 H&H and 45-120 Sharps are too long for the Forster to handle properly.
I have nothing against the Forster Co-ax having used one for decades, but it does have a few limitations.
Every press has its good and bad points, I also have an old 3-station CH press as well as an Ammomaster and a Dillon 550 on my bench, they all have their purpose....
easyrider604
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Looks like you haven't seen or used a Lee Classic Cast Press, which doesn't have a whit of aluminum or pot metal in it. This press is well worth its price.
I can vouch for the Classic Cast, which I've borrowed from easyrider there. Bloody good at what it does and really, solidly built with no potmetal that I can see, except maybe in the primer arm thing.
I do have to say, the RCII I bought recently off the EE (thanks xcaribooer!) is easily twice the weight of the Classic Cast the feel and linkage is very different. I'm looking forward to reloading on that one. My understanding is that RCBS put a stamp of the year of manufacture on the ring at the top nut of the press. If that number is right, mine was built in 1982!! Incidentally, the priming arm for the RCBS is also pot metal, by the looks of it. The priming arm looked bent on mine, and a quick call to RCBS and they're sending me a new one. I understand that Lee's warranty is equally good.
I do have to say, the RCII I bought recently off the EE (thanks xcaribooer!) is easily twice the weight of the Classic Cast the feel and linkage is very different. I'm looking forward to reloading on that one. My understanding is that RCBS put a stamp of the year of manufacture on the ring at the top nut of the press. If that number is right, mine was built in 1982!! Incidentally, the priming arm for the RCBS is also pot metal, by the looks of it. The priming arm looked bent on mine, and a quick call to RCBS and they're sending me a new one. I understand that Lee's warranty is equally good.
For the price, for a handloader, they are excellent. I have used one for years and produced many thousands of rounds of different caliber.
For a reloader, they aren't fast enough.
The difference between reloader and handloader, when I use the words, is, the reloader is interested in just that, reloading bullets as fast as they can. Good for semi auto firearms. Not so good for precision shooting. A handloader looks at each round at each step of the process and is careful to ensure all rounds are as close to identical as possible. For the handloader it is not about mass production but quality.
I am a handloader. I was a reloader but changed focus. I won't ever give up my Classic Cast. I may add a turret press in future but I would still only be using it as a single stage loading tool.
Just my opinion.
For a reloader, they aren't fast enough.
The difference between reloader and handloader, when I use the words, is, the reloader is interested in just that, reloading bullets as fast as they can. Good for semi auto firearms. Not so good for precision shooting. A handloader looks at each round at each step of the process and is careful to ensure all rounds are as close to identical as possible. For the handloader it is not about mass production but quality.
I am a handloader. I was a reloader but changed focus. I won't ever give up my Classic Cast. I may add a turret press in future but I would still only be using it as a single stage loading tool.
Just my opinion.
