Problems with Lee breech lock press toggles !!!!!!

rooster22

rooster22

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I am very unhappy with the quality of the Lee Breech lock toggles, I popped the original bought 2 more to have an extra spare, put the 2nd new toggle in last night and I wasn't even halfway through the 50 casings that I was sizing and it popped again. My last one. My supplier is out of stock 6 to 8 weeks, it would appear I'm not the only one having this problem if you can't buy them. If I can't find another toggle I'm moving on bye bye Lee press. I bought the breech lock press kit, and the press is the last thing to go, I've replaced everything else with RCBS, the lee products are ridiculously cheaply made and the perfomance proves it.
 
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I've resized several hundred cases with mine without issue. Did the spring loaded pin that holds the breech lock bushing fail? Or the bushing push up through the threads? I've noticed that I have to ensure that the bushing is fully seated and the detent depressed to rotate into lock position for everything to stay secure. I'm not sure what you are describing.
 
By the toggle, do you mean the linkage that attaches to the handle/ram?

I've sized many, many .50BMG cases and have even done some swaging on my classic cast with nary a problem. I've had it for 7 years. Only modification I have made to it is a solid handle (instead of the hollow one).

Contact Lee, they should send you new/free ones if they broke.
 
If you are referring to the breech lock bushings, you can always switch to Hornady's Lock n Load bushings, they work great in my Lee press.
 
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Are you referring to the breech lock bushings for the quick die change? I've never had an issue with them over the past yr, even using the Lee Hand Press at the range.
 
I've been using a LEE 1st generation turret press for about 25 year's now and have never had a problem.
There's no steel in it,all white metal.
It get's pulled down once every couple year's for a cleaning and a greasing.
 
Weird, I'm through a couple hundred rounds on mine....even a stuck case or two without incident. I'm guessing it happens during sizing? What cartridge? The way I understand it the Lee press doesn't "cam over" like an RCBS so I start with ram all the way up then turn down the sizing die(for FL sizing) until it just makes contact and that's it. My reload bench would probably flex before anything broke(3/4" plywood). Too bad its happening, I'm liking mine.
 
rooster22 said:
Yes the linkage from the handle to the ram, the square piece slides throught the toggle, and the handle is connected to the square holder, it snaps the star shapped toggle when you press down on the handle. It doesn't seem to be able to take any extra torque.
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I think you are doing it wrong. I had a second-hand Lee Challenger for 15 years or more that came to me with a broken linkage. I still loaded thousands of FL resized rifle rounds on it before I got it replaced, THOUSANDS. And that only happened because I snapped my turret press turret when COMPLETELY abusing the press while mis-using a collet necksizing die. Since I had to send the turret and die back, I figured I would throw in the linkage. They replaced it free with a steel one. No trouble, ever, so I am not sure why you have broken numerous ones.
 
My Breech Lock Challenger broke the toggle 3rd day I owned it, I was sizing 243 brass with sizing wax in Lee dies, die was setup to contact the shellholder, then backed off 1/2 turn for bumping the shoulder back. Lee replaced it asap and it has been good since. It seems it is hit and miss with the challenger linkage and toggles.

I read somewhere on here where a fellow was making aftermarket linkages for the challenger, I would have hunted one down, but all I use the Challenger for now is large and small universal decapping dies.
 
So, you broke three of them, but it must be because its
ridiculously cheaply made
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it couldn't possibly be something you are doing wrong, and forcing hard enough to break, repeatedly?
Check the square block the bolt goes into, there is something wrong there. It is either sized wrong or warped, and is causing a pressure point.
 
I bought 2 brand new pro 1000's one in 9mm and one in 45. I set the 9mm up fist to learn on. After doing 3000 9mm i set my 45 press up. After getting everything set properly i started to crank off some ammo and the toggle literally broke into 5 pieces. Lee sent a new one right away. I have since done around 10,000 45
And have not had another issue. The one that broke was so porous it looked like swiss cheese. I know its white metal but even for white metal it was still way to porous. Like other have said " i have had mine for 25
Years no issues" well they sure dont make things like they used to and that we can all agree on.

Lee makes a good product and for a good price. Yep you might have more issues than a dillon but even thoes dillons on the high chair have there own issues, But for the price you cant complain. All 3 of my lee presses run like champs and make a damm good round.
 
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