Will Lee Challenger press be too small?

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killerbren

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Hi, me and my brothers were looking into getting into reloading. For the amount of rounds we will be reloading we all decided on the lee challenger breech lock press. The only question I have about the press is that some people are telling me the press wont be big enough to reload the bigger cartridges we need (we shoot a .300 win mag, .300 wby and a .300 rum). Has anyone used the press to reload these bigger calibres, and if so how did it turn out? Thanks in advance,
Brennen
 
My advice would be to buy the biggest, heaviest press you can afford. It's a lifetime investment - a good press will last forever and please you every time you use it.

Otherwise, you'll end up buying a bigger press in a year or so anyway. The lighter press will have you cussing it every time you use it....until it ends up on a garage sale.

(These are mistakes I've already made years ago, so I'm just passing on what I've learned from them!)
 
The Lee Classic Cast will load everything up to 50 BMG. It doesn't cost much more than the Challenger. (about $50 more)
 
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I've loaded 30-06 with no problem on the anniversary, breech lock press kit. I'm confident it has the room to spare to do all magnums other than 50 bmg.
 
I have had my Challenger for 20+ years have loaded the 300rum with no problems. Just ensure that it is mounted properly to a good bench and you will have no problems. I used to reload 500+ rounds a year, back when I shot lots and it has stood up to the test of time. The paint is flaking off and the wood ball has needed to be glued back on, but those are minor problems. Is there better??? Probably, but for me it was good investment.

Cheers

SS
 
I picked up a new Lee Classic Cast Turret press a few weeks ago, it has a cast iron base and a steel ram linkage,I'm very satisfied at my first reloading tool purchase,very solid and easy to use!
 
The Lee Challenger press i had lasted about 8 years. It let me down a few days before opening day when i really needed it. The challenger is made out of cheap steel with the main linkage some kind of pot metal. Do as Tumbleweed says and buy the best you can afford. I wouldn't hesitate having a Lee Chalenger as a second press for decapping but i would want a better main press. I went with a Lyman Crusher II bought off a fella off this board and it is skookum strong. The RCBS Rockcrusher would do you well as well me thinks.
 
thanks for all the reply's guys.

Turns out I found a used rock chucker with a trimmer and 505 scale. Hopefully the deal goes through but if it doesnt Its nice to know i could fall back to a lee if need be.

Thanks again
 
+1 on this great press i just bought one and am currently loading 9mm only with it but theres lots of room to load very long cartridges i dunno about 50 BMG like someone said but any of the .30 caliber amgnums or .375's etc you will be fine....

i would reccomend the kit it saves you alot of money little tools add up fast if you dont get it all together!;)....
 
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