Any experienced on which press is better from these? I don’t need high end. I’m gonna reload smaller batches of 223 and maybe 204 or 308 some day. Want something I’ll b happy with and not wanna upgrade years from now. I’m like the 200$ price on amazon for the lee classic press
Lee classic press vs RCBS or Redding Big Boss II
- Thread starter Mike112288
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Mystic Precision
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If you pay $200 for a Lee classic press... you have paid too much.. unless they have included postage.
The breech lock would be the best choice BUT I would lean you to the smaller Challenger breech lock press. With the goal to load SA cartridge, the Challenger is better sized.
Jerry
The breech lock would be the best choice BUT I would lean you to the smaller Challenger breech lock press. With the goal to load SA cartridge, the Challenger is better sized.
Jerry
Agreed with Jerry above, at 200 bucks you're overpaying for the Lee. The Lee classic cast is on for 150.00 at cabelas right now. I bought mine second hand never used and I've been quite happy with it.
I don't have any other complaints, other than my Lyman Tmag is a lot smoother on the ram stroke, but other than that the Lee is fine for my use.
I've seen a lot of internet info regarding the challenger models breaking but the classic cast is as solid as they get.
I don't have any other complaints, other than my Lyman Tmag is a lot smoother on the ram stroke, but other than that the Lee is fine for my use.
I've seen a lot of internet info regarding the challenger models breaking but the classic cast is as solid as they get.
A big mistake made by many new handloaders is to go CHEAP.
This isn't always a mistake but when it comes to loading presses it is.
The Lee press is OK and will make up OK handloads. IMHO, the heavier RCBS/REDDING/LYMAN cast steel presses are better.
That being said, any press is only as good as the true of the mandrel to the axis of the bore. This isn't that important when assembling pistol ammo but if you're assembling rifle ammo and want it to be accurate at longer ranges it's very important.
I've tried Lee presses on a couple of occasions and have been disappointed. It doesn't matter whether your assembling 50 rounds or a thousand rounds. If you want consistently accurate ammunition you need a SOLID platform to work with. This also includes the bench the press is mounted on.
You can find very good single stage, cast steel presses in the $100 range at gunshows. Maybe put an ad in the EE. Shipping is expensive. Higginson's used to carry some decent Hornady offerings at reasonable prices.
TURF THE LIBERALS IN 2019
This isn't always a mistake but when it comes to loading presses it is.
The Lee press is OK and will make up OK handloads. IMHO, the heavier RCBS/REDDING/LYMAN cast steel presses are better.
That being said, any press is only as good as the true of the mandrel to the axis of the bore. This isn't that important when assembling pistol ammo but if you're assembling rifle ammo and want it to be accurate at longer ranges it's very important.
I've tried Lee presses on a couple of occasions and have been disappointed. It doesn't matter whether your assembling 50 rounds or a thousand rounds. If you want consistently accurate ammunition you need a SOLID platform to work with. This also includes the bench the press is mounted on.
You can find very good single stage, cast steel presses in the $100 range at gunshows. Maybe put an ad in the EE. Shipping is expensive. Higginson's used to carry some decent Hornady offerings at reasonable prices.
TURF THE LIBERALS IN 2019
Ive been running my lee anniversary kit since introduced to the hobby in 1995, granted as I furthered my knowledge and got more into it, I have since upgraded here and there on some items.., but because my capacity of rounds have gone from just hunting to all sorts of styles. the Lee press is still used on my bench to the day, along with a lyman T7 turret(couldn't say no to the price) and another C style press by Lee
(used for bullet pulling)
Like Bear said.. depends how finesse you want to be. if your goal is to get into competition shooting and benchrest, etc , or if you just want to load to go shoot some targets,deer,coyotes.. the Lee kit will suit fine.
(used for bullet pulling)
Like Bear said.. depends how finesse you want to be. if your goal is to get into competition shooting and benchrest, etc , or if you just want to load to go shoot some targets,deer,coyotes.. the Lee kit will suit fine.
whatsa lyman T7 turret? Never heard of it.
I felt obliged to reply. I used a RCBS RC for years, my main issue was ram/die alignment. I just felt it wasn't right. I bought a Redding Ultra-Mag, the design and workmanship are top drawer. It has the power to do the tough tasks, my issue with it is that I am so used to inserting the case with my left hand, I just find that the arms are in the way. Also bought a RCBS Summit, it really shines for seating bullets. I also bought a used Lyman T-Mag II, it is my go to for 30/30, 38-55, 38/357, 44 Spl/Mag. Other than the primer catcher, it is a good working press. My general duty press is a LEE Classic Cast. After a bit of fiddling it works to my liking. Best of all is all the primers and primer junk goes down the center of the ram and into the plastic tube. The Redding U-M has the same feature, a must have IMO. I don't have a Big Boss II, but IMO it should be a pretty fantastic press. It has all the features that I would want in a press. I've also owned and used a Redding #25, a turret. Redding makes good quality stuff.
My must haves for a press are:
- primer disposal away from the works, out a tube out the bottom.
- linkage that has good mechanical advantage
- Linkage that toggles over center
- decent sized opening
- comfortable handle operation, good ergonomics
After those are met I look at some of the other features, the nice to haves.
BTW, I modified my LEE Classic Cast to toggle over center and closed off the opening for the priming doohickey.
If you compare linkages, the LEE Breech Lock Classic Cast has a better (IMO) linkage geometry, but fails on the primer disposal, (again IMO).
My must haves for a press are:
- primer disposal away from the works, out a tube out the bottom.
- linkage that has good mechanical advantage
- Linkage that toggles over center
- decent sized opening
- comfortable handle operation, good ergonomics
After those are met I look at some of the other features, the nice to haves.
BTW, I modified my LEE Classic Cast to toggle over center and closed off the opening for the priming doohickey.
If you compare linkages, the LEE Breech Lock Classic Cast has a better (IMO) linkage geometry, but fails on the primer disposal, (again IMO).
