Lee Classic Cast - Opinions Needed!

sixty9santa

sixty9santa

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I was looking for a nice tough single stage and came upon the Lee Classic Cast.
Already have an RCBS Partner purely for dirty work (decapping) and a Hornady LNL AP for large quantity reloading.
Was wondering how the Lee Classic Cast are holding up, what to look out for and how do they compare?
If I do get the Lee Classic Cast, will most certainly buy the Hornady LNL bushing conversion set.
 
I began hand loading over 35 yrs ago. About 5 yrs ago the press I was using broke so I began a search for a new one. Not being new to this I knew what I wanted in a press. I looked at the RCBS rock chucker, the Lyman crusher, the Redding Big Boss and the Lee Classic cast. I checked all the websites and searched for features and reviews on all them. I wanted lots of hand space, good primer collection, strong ram to load my 30/378 and 300 RUM, ease of resizing etc. After all of this I decided to purchase the Lee Classic cast. I've been using it now for 5 years, have loaded thousands of rounds and have never had an issue with it and really like it. While I believe that the Froster co-ax is the best of the single stage presses, the Lee Classic cast is at the very least as good or better than the others and at a more attractive price. Just can't say enough good about it. JMO
 
You can get the classic cast with quick change bushing already from lee, save you from buying additional part. I dont really have any other baseline as it is my first reloading press but im pretty confident it will last a lifetime if not more
 
Thanks for the feedback guys!
Reason for getting the Hornady LNL bushing set is for interchangeability with my progressive press.
I hear the Lee Classic Cast (LCC) was so strong due it being made from recycled railroad tracks?
Also, on top of all my many questions, anyone know the length and diameter of the LCC?
If I do end up getting it, I may want to make a more ergonomic roller handle down the line.
 
Been using one since they came out, no issues.
I would skip the bushing set-up, chances are they won't mate up with the ram between the 2 different presses anyway, they add a bit of play, and how long does it take to screw in a die...10 seconds?
 
Classic Cast is a great press. Recommend getting the original and if you want adding the Hornady lnl system. For some reason the classic cast Breechlock doesn’t come with the same primer catch system as the original. And the catch syst on original is awesome
 
First press was a Lee Classic turret. I used it for straight wall rifle and handgun. Couldn't keep up with my handgun ammo addiction so added a Dillon 650. Got a little into rifle shooting so while I initially set up turrets for the Lee Classic Turret, I quickly realized while it was good enough for .223 to .308, it was insufficient for larger quantities of bottleneck and added a Lee Classic Cast for bottleneck cartridges like the .308, 300WM and .338. First thing I added was the Hornady LNL bushing set. Changing out individual dies every time you do something different was and still is a PITA without the LNL bushing. Lost interest in competition style handgun handgun as my back slowly deteriorated with age, so sold the Dillon. As the handgun shooting decreased, I got a lot more into rifle shooting with various calibers so added a Redding T7 turret to speed up reloading of .308. Started adding other rifle calibers and T-7 turrets to keep all the dies required by caliber in caliber specific turrets. Added a Lee Breech Lock Reloader to use specifically for trimming. That is so I don't have to worry about the brass chaff getting into the precision areas of the other presses. As well, in my opinion, that is pretty much all that lightweight Breech Lock Reloader is good for anyway.

In summary, the Lee Classic Cast now gets used for the really dirty work. Pulling bullets, full length resizing the big bottleneck ammo, and anything else along those lines that needs to apply sufficient accurate force. Great press at a good price.
 
I've been using a classic cast as my primary press for quite a few years now. It is a regular threaded one, not the breech-lock. It is great- never considered looking for something "better". I don't prime on it- strictly a hand-primer for me.
 
Perfect, thank you!
Any idea as to the shaft diameter?
Reason for asking is because I know the are made from tubing and I wanted to replace it with a solid and longer shaft.
 
IIRC, the Lee Classic Cast Single Stage is rated for .50 caliber BMG. Cant get much bigger than that.

I sold my Dillon 550B in 2011 or so. Replaced it with a Loadmaster, Classic Cast Single and Classic Cast Turret. Never been happier.
 
Amazing guys!
Thank you so very much!
Now to find the best price on one of these presses...I don't have a Cabelas in my province and they are currently listed at $130 in store only.
 
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