Hello all. I'm looking into reloading for a few rifle calipers and have been leaning towards the lee reloading press kit. Can anyone tell me what all else I'd need to get on top of that. Is it a decent press? I'd load maybe 200x 223 and 500x 25-06 a year. Possibly 45-70 as well. I'm not looking for the greatest press out there just a simple cheap reliable easy to use press. Is a tumbler really needed? Thanks for any help
LEE reloading kit
- Thread starter brybenn
- Start date
(((Echo)))
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Old Man Land, AB
Without knowing exactly which kit you're interested in, it's hard to say if it's a decent press. I'd personally stay away from their C press, and I presume that you'll want a bench mounted unit so the hand press is out as well.
The obvious extras are: calipers, dies.
The nice extras would include an electronic scale and a tumbler. Are they necessary.....no. But they sure are nice to have.
(E)
The obvious extras are: calipers, dies.
The nice extras would include an electronic scale and a tumbler. Are they necessary.....no. But they sure are nice to have.
(E)
The Lee Anniversary Kit is currently on sale at Wholesale Sports for $100. The Challenger press included is a decent one. All you really need on top of that is a die set for each cartridge. I like their 3 die Deluxe set. Tumbler not necessary -- cosmetic only. After a few reloads you will need to trim the case length. Lee makes an excellent trimmer. You need a basic cutter, and then a length gauge for each cartridge.
I bought the 50th anniversary kit and am very happy with it. For the money I don't think you can go wrong. For case trimming I bought the Lee zip trim which is a cool little tool for $15 or so. Basically it's just a little case lathe that you spin by hand with a pull rope. After using the calibre specific length rod and case cutter I just brush the case lightly with a scotch brite pad and it's shiny clean, quick and easy. The first upgrade for me will probably be a better powder scale, because the little one in the kit, while it works fine and has proven accurate, is a little awkward to use just because of it's small size. All in all though it's a great way to get started.
Lee 50th Anniversary Kit or
Lee Breech Lock Challenger kit (same kits, different priming tool)
Lee Dies for each calibre
Lee case length gauge for each calibre (don't bother for .45-70 or other straight walled cases, they wont grow longer) cutting tool included in Lee kit
If other die brands a shellholder for each calibre too.
Lee Breech Lock Challenger kit (same kits, different priming tool)
Lee Dies for each calibre
Lee case length gauge for each calibre (don't bother for .45-70 or other straight walled cases, they wont grow longer) cutting tool included in Lee kit
If other die brands a shellholder for each calibre too.
Thank you for the reply I think I'm going to order it and a chronograph for now to see if I have the patience for rifle loading. Did yours come with a plate with pre drilled holes? Or is that a seperate not needed thing? I'm planning on just building a table for everything to keep it separate from my shotgun stuff
i gave up on a single stage long ago- go TURRET instead- even with the increase in price, it's still cheaper and more convient to have whole die sets mounted in a turret than having to screw/unscrew all the time- even when i had a single stage, i got 2- and put the powder measure in between- that way i could get a production line going, and do batches- as far as the lee zip drives go, look it up- it's a POORLY DESIGNED GIMMICK- you're better off getting a cheap drill from ct if you havn't got one, and mounting the trimmer stud in that
The Lee Bench plate with the pre drilled holes is sold seperate from the press kits.
The Lee zip trim for spinning cases to trim/chamfer/polish actually works pretty good for the money and I find I use it more than other methods for working on brass. You can stick the Lee trim lock stud in a drill or dril press too though.
The newer Breech Lock Challenger is a much nicer press than the old Challenger that is known for breaking linkages. No flex in mine.
The Lee zip trim for spinning cases to trim/chamfer/polish actually works pretty good for the money and I find I use it more than other methods for working on brass. You can stick the Lee trim lock stud in a drill or dril press too though.
The newer Breech Lock Challenger is a much nicer press than the old Challenger that is known for breaking linkages. No flex in mine.
I wouldn't bother with the zip tool. I use a drill to drive mine if I have a lot of brass and am cutting a lot off them (I'm been negligent and should have done it sooner). But, if just taking a skim every second load or so, then just doing it by hand is fastest. No need for that ball thing either.
(((Echo)))
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Old Man Land, AB
I don't know what you guys are resizing that flexes your presses, but I guess I should count myself lucky. Mine is fine.
As for the zip trim. I'd count it as a luxury item. If you get one, fine, but you can do all it does with a cordless drill. The cutter tool with the ball end is a nice addition to have if your hands are starting to show signs of arthritis like mine.
(E)
As for the zip trim. I'd count it as a luxury item. If you get one, fine, but you can do all it does with a cordless drill. The cutter tool with the ball end is a nice addition to have if your hands are starting to show signs of arthritis like mine.
(E)
My opinion differs as I found that I need to trim every case, every time I reload. Some will get trimmed and some wont but if you load a case that is too long it won't chamber. I don't take that chance as it is a pain to pull the bullet and start from scratch.
I also find that the tumbler is important as once the brass has gone though it will show any flaws in the brass.
I own 2 Lee presses (Load Master and a Breech Lock Challenger) and think they are a great press for the money. I've had the Load Master for 3 years now and loaded mostly 9mm, 10mm and 223. I was also loading my 308 and 300WM till I got the Breech Lock so it is a very versatile press.
