lock n load or breech lock kit?

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betts

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ignoring the cost which one would be better for starting out from scratch??
only plan on loading 2 calibers and want a single stage

breech lock kit
or
lock n load classic kit
 
I just got all my reloading stuff last week. I started with the Lee B/L classic press ( the big single stage - whatever they call it). I then added the other bits from different manufacturers. I ended up with what I want and didn't get stuck with stuff I didn't want.
I shot my first reloads today! Talk about a butt clencher. They ALL went BANG!! (and I lived!)... C.
 
I think the LNL bushings are a better system than Lee's Breech Lock. You can pretty much find the LNL bushing's at most gun stores that stocks reloading equipment, I've never seen Breech Lock's in stock anywhere.
''
 
I never warmed up to the breech lock, I just look at the interrupted threads and envision future problems.
The Hornady is interlocking coarse splines so it is unlikely to screw up (I have a bunch and they're ok).

One thought; how many cartridges do you have to load for before the cost of extra bushings takes you past the cost of a co-ax press that doesn't need them?

But back to the two kits offered;
-The Lee scale is at best "ok" (most would call it garbage).
-The Hornady electric scale is just that- electric...
-The Hornady powder measure is excellent.
-The Lee powder measure isn't...
-The priming systems are a wash.
-The Hornady comes with a manual.
-The Hornady comes with a trickler.
-Both have several trinkets you need but neither has them all so that`s a wash.
-The Lee is less than half the cost (MSRP, Lee $186.00 , Hornady $383.06)

So my preference would be what you wallet can afford.
 
Hmm, don't mean to sidetrack the thread but I just read another opinion about the Lee powder measure. Said it was one of the best on the market. I dunno 'cause I don't use one, but If I was going to get one, it would have been the Lee. Can someone verify wheather it is good or not so good??... C.
 
Im interested in some more views on the powder measure as well.

when I i stated I wanted to ignore the price tag, its not that I have disposable cash, just that i understand "you get what you pay for". And want to know if the extra cost of the Lock n load was justified.
 
I have both the Lee and Hornady.

I started with the Lee 50th Anniversary kit which includes the Challenger press and got the Hornady kit for $100.00 when somebody was getting out of reloading.
I also have a Hornady LnL AP Progressive.

The Lee press with the breech lock bushings can be setup with the handle on the left or the right side. I prefer to operate the handle with my left and load and unload cartridges with my right hand. With the Hornady the press is angled so that you must load it from the left and pull the handle with the right hand.

The Breech lock bushings have a notch which lines up with a detent so that once locked in the press they cannot rotate.
The Hornady LnL bushings are only held in the press by friction.

The Lee Challenger press uses bolts with Nyloc nuts for the linkages which means you can adjust it so that there is virtually no side to side play in the linkage while the Hornady uses steel shafts with C clips so there is no adjustment and a bit more slop than I care for.

What I like about the Hornady LnL Single a Stage press is that I can setup my dies on the Single Stage using Hornady shell holders and then transfer them to the progressive and they are perfectly adjusted.

The powder measure that comes with the Lee kit is a cheap plastic powder measure but it does a very good job.
The Hornady powder measure is solid cast iron and steel and has 2 different drums for pistol and rifle.
It is very similar to the RCBS powder measure. I actually bought the used Hornady kit just for the powder measure.
In my opinion Lee products for the average reloader are more than acceptable and are capable of making quality ammunition.
As for trimming, deburring and case prep tools I prefer RCBS by a long shot.

I own dies from all the major manufacturers including Redding Competition sets which cost over $250.00 and I don't hesitate to buy Lee sets whenever I find them.

Best of luck and if you have any questions don't hesitate to ask.
 
thump_rrr said:
I have both the Lee and Hornady.

What I like about the Hornady LnL Single a Stage press is that I can setup my dies on the Single Stage using Hornady shell holders and then transfer them to the progressive and they are perfectly adjusted.
Not on mine...(LNL / Rockchucker with bushing)
The powder measure that comes with the Lee kit is a cheap plastic powder measure but it does a very good job.
This is mostly accurate but what I found is charge weights could vary by up to 2 grains depending on powder used and how much the measure is disturbed and actuated...That's a lot of trickling
The Hornady powder measure is solid cast iron and steel and has 2 different drums for pistol and rifle.
It is very similar to the RCBS powder measure. I actually bought the used Hornady kit just for the powder measure.
It is nice and you can get micrometer inserts- it drops accurately every time, for me anyway.
In my opinion Lee products for the average reloader are more than acceptable and are capable of making quality ammunition.
Absolutely, I still use a bunch of it.
As for trimming, deburring and case prep tools I prefer RCBS by a long shot.
Deburr tool; agreed, Trimmer not so much. I played with a RCBS and bought a Hornady and to be honest I wish I bought something else. The simplest is Lee but your stuck to their trim length. I wish I had bought one with a micrometer adjustment (easier to adjust length). I find adjusting the stops tedious at best.
Click to expand...

The Lee measure works but I'm not a fan, inconsistent weights drove me to another option, tap the thing or bang it against the stops and watch the weights change considerably, it might work better if it had a baffle?
 
There is a trick to the Lee powder measure.

First you have to go through about a 1lb can of powder "to break it in"..don't ask me why but it seems to bare out from what I have heard.

Then there is the LEE FLICK

Watch these two videos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVSvtM-9FcE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1pxn8yRMp0

p.s. I think the guy has a coke problem lmao
betts said:
Im interested in some more views on the powder measure as well.

when I i stated I wanted to ignore the price tag, its not that I have disposable cash, just that i understand "you get what you pay for". And want to know if the extra cost of the Lock n load was justified.
Click to expand...
 
wasrupzuk said:
The Lee measure works but I'm not a fan, inconsistent weights drove me to another option, tap the thing or bang it against the stops and watch the weights change considerably, it might work better if it had a baffle?


(1) Not on mine...(LNL / Rockchucker with bushing)

(2)This is mostly accurate but what I found is charge weights could vary by up to 2 grains depending on powder used and how much the measure is disturbed and actuated...That's a lot of trickling

(3)It is nice and you can get micrometer inserts- it drops accurately every time, for me anyway.

(4)Absolutely, I still use a bunch of it.

(5)Deburr tool; agreed, Trimmer not so much. I played with a RCBS and bought a Hornady and to be honest I wish I bought something else. The simplest is Lee but your stuck to their trim length. I wish I had bought one with a micrometer adjustment (easier to adjust length). I find adjusting the stops tedious at best.
Click to expand...

By answering inside my quote you make it difficult to reply to your comments.

(1) This is why I point out that for people who will be purchasing a Hornady progressive the LnL single stage with the Hornady shell holders will not require die adjustments.

(2)I was only using the Lee powder measure for pistol till my Progressive and RCBS Chargemaster arrived.

(3)Yes

(4)Me too.

(5) I was referring to the deburring tool, primer pocket cleaners and uniformers, military crimp removers, flash hole deburring tools, and neck brushes.

I use the L.E. Wilson/ Sinclair Ultimate Stainless Trimmer with micrometer and stand for precision rifle trimming and a Dillon RT-1200 for 5.56, 7.62x51, and 30-06 semi auto trimming.

For large volume precision I'm waiting on a Giraud.
 
Last edited:
skeeterC said:
Hmm, don't mean to sidetrack the thread but I just read another opinion about the Lee powder measure. Said it was one of the best on the market. I dunno 'cause I don't use one, but If I was going to get one, it would have been the Lee. Can someone verify wheather it is good or not so good??... C.
Click to expand...

This also applies to the OP, do you have some mechanical aptitude?
Everything Lee makes is just different, they make up for expensive machining with innovative design. Unfortunately, this also means you will likely need to take a file to remove a burr or two.
My Lee Perfect Powder measure has always measured extruded powders very nicely, but leaked ball powder.
A few minutes lapping it with grinding compound trued everything up, and it no longer leaks.
The usual argument is "Well, my ### Brand measure worked right out of the box. Lee junk!"
Except, you get the whole Lee kit for the price of most other powder measures.
A few minutes work, tinkering in the reloading room, doesn't seem too onerous to me.
If you have no mechaincal aptitude, you should probably stay away from Lee.

My Lee works best with extrudeds.
I like my Lyman 55 for flakes.
My CH and Bonanza Bench Rest are the bee's knees with fine ball powders.
Of the bunch, the Lee is the easiest to set to a known load, and is the last I would part with.
Lee's dippers are pretty handy for $12, too.
 
Lee 50th Anniversary Reloader Kit: $150
Hornady Lock-N-Load Classic Reloading Kit: $450
(Cabela's Canada current prices)

If you can manage to find $450 to spare, buy THREE of the Lee Kits and forget about the Hornady Kit...
--- OR ---
Buy the Lee Kit AND 7 sets of Lee Dies and forget about the Hornady Kit...

Cabela's also sells Lee Breech Lock Quick Change Bushings.

(Cabela's is offering free shipping right now so take advantage!)
 
I have the Lee 50th Anniversary kit. I made due with what came in the kit for the first year. Now I got rid of the beam scale and went with the RCBS Electronic scale. I bought a Lyman 5in1 trimming station. As for the Lee powder dispenser, It takes a lot of tweaking to get a close charge. I found it works awesome with ball powders then it does with cylindrical powder (IMR4895).
 
Thanks to the OP for askin' the question and all responders who have way more experience than me. Y'all just saved me a bit of money. I am a weigher and trickler so I think I will cut down an appropriately sized case for a dipper and carry on. I'm all for keepin' it simple, and I have lots of time. I'm turning out to be one of those guys that has to shoot so that I can reload again!... C.
 
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