LEE Press Failure!

[sahara]

I have to agree with a previous post. Lee suff is well designed and engineered, just manufactured with cheap "stuff". Most "stuff" isn't even aluminum; that's too expensive. They use potmetal, a zinc alloy.
I have one of their first ever shotgun presses. An absolute amazing piece, makes better loads then most other makes. Their Perfect Powder measure? Fantastic! My original Lee Loader that I bought in '71 is still perfect, after THOUSANDS of rounds. I use the little kit of powder scoops constantly. The hand press lets me deprime while my brain rots watching TV. However, even the quality of these products has declined considerably over the years, and their dies are good for throwing at the neighbors cat.

 

[blindman]

I had nothing but problems with my Lee loaders. Sold them and went with an RCBS single stage loader, and a Dillon progressive. I am one happy camper.

 

[punkrockboy]

Did you have the famous primer issues?

I use the hand-held auto prime tool so that was never an issue!

 

[rollie100]

same thing happened to me too, so i bought the lee classic cast press with steel linkage and cast iron frame LOVE IT, the broken challenger's in a pail somwhere.

from what i can tell the new challenger type presses have steel linkage arms (they dont make the cast challengers anymore) dont know about the other presses from lee but that one is updated, they offered me replacement parts as well but i went with a whole new press instead, figured the problem would just happen again since i reload 7mmmag.

 

[Z06corvette]

They have upgraded the Challenger press in the last couple of years, but if you want a beautiful upgrade, check out the Classic Cast press. They retail around $100 and will last your liftime and the next one.

That's what I just did. The old Challenger still has some life in it so I'm giving that to my son as he's just starting out. Now my new Classic Cast sits beside my Dillon 650.

 

[Mystic Precision]

I went through the same thing and Lee replaced every part I asked for. I have mine in reserve now.

I have now switched to the new Breach Lock Challenger press and it is amazing. The inserts make changing dies a 1/3 turn affair.

The ram is a near perfect fit in the press and actually needed a break in. I would call it a near interferance fit. SUPERB. There is absolutely no slop in the ram unlike some product now produced overseas.

The toggle is now steel and looks like it will support a bus. They have also redesigned the press making it much more rigid.

From the ammo I have loaded, and lots of it, the performance is top notch. The fact that this press is cheap like rice is a huge bonus. Just make sure to get a bunch more inserts so all you dies are a simply swap away.

As for the Lee dies, the collet neck sizer is one of the best neck sizers on the market today and offers some very positive features not available from any other manf.

Their seaters are about as good as any other standard seater - some work, some don't - all great for the hunter or varminter, no go for the match shooter.

Their hand primer is used by more accuracy minded shooters then any other I am aware of.

The scale, powder measure are as good as any similar product.

What really sucks are their primer pocket cleaner and neck deburring tools....YUCK.

The group you see in my banner below was shot with ammo loaded on Lee equipment.

Jerry

 

[blacksmithden]

Anniversary kit ??? Is that the little C shaped thing ?? If it is, mine broke too. I pulled the remaining handle and ram bits out, screwed my powder dispenser in there, and that's what it's used for now.

 

[Silverado]

Nope, all the Challenger presses that have been included in the various anniversary kits are O style presses.

 

[Why not?]

..... they will fix it for the cost of the parts and shipping, but you have to send it to them, Stateside....

I have never had to send anything to LEE for warranty. They have replaced, free of charge on different occasions, a handle on my Autoprime, a push rod on my Autoprime, a top cap on my custom 270 Wby collet die, and the same broken part shown in the original post for a friend of mine.

Ted

 

[Tex Critter]

For the price of Lee equipment you can't beat em. Most of my presses are Lee including the now defunct progressive shotshell loader. Lee has replaced my 2 broken parts just by emailing them a picture. I continue to use Lee equipment. (over 20 years of service!)

 

[downwindtracker2]

The links off the 1000 fit,the Factory Crimp die is tough on the pot metal.

For you RockChucker fans,grap the ram at the top of it's stroke,if you feel wiggle it's time for a new one.

 

[Hi-Standard]

Broke my Lee Challenger a few months back while forming some 7.65 Argetine brass out of 30-06 brass. That's a lot of strain for a little Challenger press, so I don't half blame the press. I only cracked one half. Switched them around and I was good to go again. In the mean time I ordered 2 new ones from Higginson Powders for about $5 each and have them on standby. I must have thousands of rounds loaded with that little press, so for the price, it can't be beat!