which Lee single stage press?

A

AlexisCreek

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For low volume loading, will the least costly Lee reloader press ($63 at Budget Shooter Supply) be adequate? Or should I spring for the aluminum Lee Challenger Breach Lock ($110) or the Classic Cast Breach Lock ($179)? I'm already reloading 38 Spl with the Lee Loader hand tool. It works well but won't crimp 45 acp. Might also reload 223, 30-06, or 6.5 Swedish in future. More interested in precision than volume or speed. PS, thank you Justin T, for inspiring me to buy a 1911 in 45acp now instead of waiting any longer.
 
I've been using a Lee single stage for 40 years now and have never had a problem. I don't cry. Friends who spent 6, 7 , or even 8 times what I did are the ones crying.

For your intended use, it should be all you need. I am loading - on average - 50 rounds a week. If you ever go for volume or speed then move up now.
 
Skip the Reloader, I went to the breech lock challenger and it takes everything up to my 7mm Rem Mag without complaint.

I ended up seizing in one breech bushing and using lock rings on the dies. No regrets about it for pistol or hunting rifle use. Full blown fullbore rifle/F class I stepped up to a co-ax for, but whatever.

The reloader press is a glorified decapping press or low volume pistol calibre unit. I owned one and sent it along.
 
If your going to reload more then one caliber look into a turret press
This way you only have to set up your dies once and it’s easy to switch between calibers if you buy extra turrets
 
:agree:

The Classic turret is the same price as the Breech lock classic single, will give you more flexibility and ease of loading.
Think of it as having 4 single stage presses. No more fiddling with die settings.

(E) :cool:
 
Loving my Lee Classic Cast single stage.
If it's strong enough for .50BMG, then it should last a lifetime for "regular" rounds.
 
Classic is the best ss press Lee makes. Costs a few bucks more than the Challenger but the difference is a trifling amount for a tool you'll use for decades.
 
Second the motion on the turret press. You can use it on auto-advance, or leave out the rod and treat it as a single press that changes to the next die with a quick manual twist, and the die set for a given calibre stays together adjusted and in their proper order in their disc, whose cost is at least comparable to the bushing set you'd use in the simple press.
 
The Lee Presses I don't have much experience with. I'm looking at the classic cast turret for my next one. Im pretty particular about tools and something kind of feels wrong with a press being out of aluminum. I'm sure they work ok, Id spend a bit of extra money for the cast Iron.
 
Lee Turret press is ok. That was my first press and made a lot of good ammo on it and still do. But if I were doing it over I'd have bought a good quality cast iron ss press and then moved up to a 550 Dillon from there. Would have saved some steps and some money along the way.
 
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