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Hey I found a Lee reloading press ket and am wondering if they are any good
lee reloading pressess worth buying?
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205 Posts
I would say that if you are starting to reload the lee kit would be great. I don't like the scale that it comes with and ended up buying a rcbs 1010 which I like a lot. Other than that I would suggest it.
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14,549 Posts
Lee kits are a perfectly good way to start out. Even when you graduate to more expensive specialized tools later, you'll still find use for the Lee kit components for other things. My old Lee press still does decapping and some kinds of portable service.
RCBS dies have the same standard 7/8-14 thread that Lee and most makers use. Most all brands will work. The exceptions are 50 Cal. BMG dies and Dillon Square Deal dies, which are not standard, though Dillon's other dies are.
BTW, Welcome to the Forum.
RCBS dies have the same standard 7/8-14 thread that Lee and most makers use. Most all brands will work. The exceptions are 50 Cal. BMG dies and Dillon Square Deal dies, which are not standard, though Dillon's other dies are.
BTW, Welcome to the Forum.
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283 Posts
Read "ABCs of Reloading" and/or Lyman #49 manual.
Your friend is not much of a friend if he wants you to jump into a 550. That press is good for a particular type of reloader and will drive others crazy.
You might want to consider a Lee Classic Turret press kit. This is a really "ideal" press for bottleneck cartridges and gives you some of the benefits of a progressive press.
You can even start out real simple.
Lee sells the Lee loading manuals and a Lee Reloading Press (it's the little one) as a set for about $35.
You can buy Lee dies and the handgun and rifle full-length resizing sets come with the shell holder and a dipper and loads for the dipper .
You can load with the dipper until you know that reloading is something you will enjoy.
At that point, you can buy a balance (beam or electronic) and a powder measure.
The little press you will keep forever because it is handy for little jobs that come around when you don't want to re-set your main press.
You can then spend time downloading and reading owner's manuals for various presses and watching videos on the manufacturer's web site and on YouTube.
You may decide that a turret that can handle rifle loads would be better than a progressive press that is best for handgun cartridges.
You may also decide that the Hornady L-N-L or Dillon 650 would be better for you and the way you reload.
Your friend is not much of a friend if he wants you to jump into a 550. That press is good for a particular type of reloader and will drive others crazy.
You might want to consider a Lee Classic Turret press kit. This is a really "ideal" press for bottleneck cartridges and gives you some of the benefits of a progressive press.
You can even start out real simple.
Lee sells the Lee loading manuals and a Lee Reloading Press (it's the little one) as a set for about $35.
You can buy Lee dies and the handgun and rifle full-length resizing sets come with the shell holder and a dipper and loads for the dipper .
You can load with the dipper until you know that reloading is something you will enjoy.
At that point, you can buy a balance (beam or electronic) and a powder measure.
The little press you will keep forever because it is handy for little jobs that come around when you don't want to re-set your main press.
You can then spend time downloading and reading owner's manuals for various presses and watching videos on the manufacturer's web site and on YouTube.
You may decide that a turret that can handle rifle loads would be better than a progressive press that is best for handgun cartridges.
You may also decide that the Hornady L-N-L or Dillon 650 would be better for you and the way you reload.
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2,045 Posts
+1 Lee Precision Classic Turret. I use mine in single stage mode. I would for sure get Modern Reloading by Richard Lee if you are going to use Lee Precision equipment. Here is a good kit https://kempfgunshop.com//index.php...facturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=41
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These are the two Lee presses i am looking at.
Lee Challenger Breech Lock Single Stage Press Anniversary Kit
and
Lee Challenger Breech Lock Single Stage Press Kit
Lee Challenger Breech Lock Single Stage Press Anniversary Kit
and
Lee Challenger Breech Lock Single Stage Press Kit
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788 Posts
Go for the non-anniversary kit with the hand priming system rather than the press mounted unit.
The only metallic presses i have on my bench are all lee. They load ammo as well as any other presses. If you are loading in small batches either kit you listed will be fine, but if you will be doing larger quantities the classic cast turret would be about ideal to start with if you can afford it.
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928 Posts
Remember this when you buy, as in all things you get what you pay for. Higher quality is not cheap and cheap is not necessarily quality.
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1,511 Posts
More expensive does not necessarily mean quality either. I have presses by Lyman and RCBS but a couple of Lee presses are what I use the most.
I have dies by Lyman, RCBS, Redding and Lee. I really like the design of the Lyman dies and especially the Lyman "M" die but otherwise the Lee dies are as good as any. The only "bad" die I've ever gotten was an RCBS in 6.5x55 which didn't size the case small enough to chamber in my M-70 Winchester so I got a set of Lee dies and all is well.
The Dillon 550 is a great press for those who want to crank out thousands of identical handgun rounds. For the guy who loads a variety of calibers in rifle and handgun cartridges and may wish to try out 5 rounds of this load and 10 rounds of that, different powders, different charge weights, different bullets, etc, the 550 will be a real pain for that. Plus it costs an arm and a leg for abilities you may never need.
I have dies by Lyman, RCBS, Redding and Lee. I really like the design of the Lyman dies and especially the Lyman "M" die but otherwise the Lee dies are as good as any. The only "bad" die I've ever gotten was an RCBS in 6.5x55 which didn't size the case small enough to chamber in my M-70 Winchester so I got a set of Lee dies and all is well.
The Dillon 550 is a great press for those who want to crank out thousands of identical handgun rounds. For the guy who loads a variety of calibers in rifle and handgun cartridges and may wish to try out 5 rounds of this load and 10 rounds of that, different powders, different charge weights, different bullets, etc, the 550 will be a real pain for that. Plus it costs an arm and a leg for abilities you may never need.
+1 Exactly
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9 Posts
This is the kit i am going to get. Can any one tell me what else i need to buy with it.
I add a Lee Case Length Gage for my .40 s&w and primers. any thing else.
This kit has just about everything needed to get started reloading. The "O" frame design creates a sturdy press for years and years of reloading. The quick change function allows standard 7/8"-14 threaded dies to be changed with the twist of a wrist. The press is made from ASTM 380 Aluminum, has 3-offset mounting holes, a 3-1/2" ram stroke and can handle cartridge lengths from the short 0.905" 25 ACP to the long 3.750" 460 Weatherby
Technical Information
Press Type: Single Stage
Frame Material: Solid Aluminum
Frame Design: O Frame
Frame Offset: 30 Degrees
Frame Opening Size: 4-1/4"
Handle Location: Bottom Right or Left
Die Size Accepted: Standard 7/8"-14 Threaded Dies
Die Bushing Accepted: Yes
Die Bushing Brand Used: Lee Breech Lock Quick Change Bushings
Spent Primer Collection System: Yes
Ram Stroke: 3-1/2""
Ram Diameter: .815"
Priming Feature: No
Number of Mounting Holes: 3
Mounting Hardware Included: No
Kit Includes: Challenger Breech Lock single stage press, 1 Breech Lock die bushing, a Lee Safety Scale, Perfect Powder Measure, powder funnel, lock stud and cutter, a Lee chamfer tool, primer pocket cleaner, a large and small Safety Prime and a tube of sizing lube. A Lee Case Length Gage (sold separately) will need to be purchased for each caliber being reloaded
I add a Lee Case Length Gage for my .40 s&w and primers. any thing else.
This kit has just about everything needed to get started reloading. The "O" frame design creates a sturdy press for years and years of reloading. The quick change function allows standard 7/8"-14 threaded dies to be changed with the twist of a wrist. The press is made from ASTM 380 Aluminum, has 3-offset mounting holes, a 3-1/2" ram stroke and can handle cartridge lengths from the short 0.905" 25 ACP to the long 3.750" 460 Weatherby
Technical Information
Press Type: Single Stage
Frame Material: Solid Aluminum
Frame Design: O Frame
Frame Offset: 30 Degrees
Frame Opening Size: 4-1/4"
Handle Location: Bottom Right or Left
Die Size Accepted: Standard 7/8"-14 Threaded Dies
Die Bushing Accepted: Yes
Die Bushing Brand Used: Lee Breech Lock Quick Change Bushings
Spent Primer Collection System: Yes
Ram Stroke: 3-1/2""
Ram Diameter: .815"
Priming Feature: No
Number of Mounting Holes: 3
Mounting Hardware Included: No
Kit Includes: Challenger Breech Lock single stage press, 1 Breech Lock die bushing, a Lee Safety Scale, Perfect Powder Measure, powder funnel, lock stud and cutter, a Lee chamfer tool, primer pocket cleaner, a large and small Safety Prime and a tube of sizing lube. A Lee Case Length Gage (sold separately) will need to be purchased for each caliber being reloaded
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14,549 Posts
You will likely want three more Breechlock die bushings so you can have one on each pistol die so you can leave them in place after you get the die set up correctly.
You'll need a set of 40 S&W dies. I recommend a Lee set with the separate Lee Carbide Factory Crimp Die and powder through expander die to work with your measure (I think they can do that with the Perfect measure, but call Lee to check).
40 S&W are prone to case bulging, so get a Lee Bulge Buster to use with the Factor Crimp Die to iron bulges out, unless you are only going to load at very light target pressures.
You will need primers, bullets, powder, and brass (if you haven't accumulated that already).
I strongly recommend you get a caliper for measuring lengths. An inexpensive Chinese one is adequate for most reloading measurements.
Don't bother with the Lee case length gauge for the trimmer unless you actually measure your sized cases coming out too long. Most pistol brass doesn't grow to need routine trimming the way rifle cases do.
Get a loading tray to set the charged cases in so you can take a flashlight and look in the cases to see that no accidental missed cases or double-charged cases are there before you start seating bullets.
You'll need bolts and other mounting hardware for the press.
You may want a case cleaning tumbler. They can also polish cases if you want that. The main thing is to remove dirt and grit that can score the loading dies, but just wiping cases off with a rag also does pretty well. You can also wash them in a jug of water with a little detergent in it, or with citric acid or lemon cleaner or vinegar for more vigorous cleaning, then let them dry out for a few days. If you are going to use a wet method though, because water can't get out from under a primer well, you'll then do best to get a separate universal decapping die and remove the primers with that before washing. The universal decapping die is wide enough that won't be scarred by dirt present before the cleaning.
You'll need a set of 40 S&W dies. I recommend a Lee set with the separate Lee Carbide Factory Crimp Die and powder through expander die to work with your measure (I think they can do that with the Perfect measure, but call Lee to check).
40 S&W are prone to case bulging, so get a Lee Bulge Buster to use with the Factor Crimp Die to iron bulges out, unless you are only going to load at very light target pressures.
You will need primers, bullets, powder, and brass (if you haven't accumulated that already).
I strongly recommend you get a caliper for measuring lengths. An inexpensive Chinese one is adequate for most reloading measurements.
Don't bother with the Lee case length gauge for the trimmer unless you actually measure your sized cases coming out too long. Most pistol brass doesn't grow to need routine trimming the way rifle cases do.
Get a loading tray to set the charged cases in so you can take a flashlight and look in the cases to see that no accidental missed cases or double-charged cases are there before you start seating bullets.
You'll need bolts and other mounting hardware for the press.
You may want a case cleaning tumbler. They can also polish cases if you want that. The main thing is to remove dirt and grit that can score the loading dies, but just wiping cases off with a rag also does pretty well. You can also wash them in a jug of water with a little detergent in it, or with citric acid or lemon cleaner or vinegar for more vigorous cleaning, then let them dry out for a few days. If you are going to use a wet method though, because water can't get out from under a primer well, you'll then do best to get a separate universal decapping die and remove the primers with that before washing. The universal decapping die is wide enough that won't be scarred by dirt present before the cleaning.
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9 Posts
Ok so i bought this stuff of midway USA.
Lee Challenger Breech Lock Single Stage Press Anniversary Kit
Lee Case Length Gage and Shellholder 40 S&W
Lee Deluxe Carbide 4-Die Set 40 S&W, 10mm Auto
Lee Bulge Buster Base Sizing Kit (380 Auto, 40 S&W, 45 ACP)
Starline Reloading Brass 40 S&W Box of 100 (Bulk Packaged)
Rainier LeadSafe Bullets 40 S&W, 10mm Auto (400 Diameter) 180 Grain Plated Flat Nose Box of 100 (Bulk Packaged)
And i also just started to read ABC of Reloading.
Lee Challenger Breech Lock Single Stage Press Anniversary Kit
Lee Case Length Gage and Shellholder 40 S&W
Lee Deluxe Carbide 4-Die Set 40 S&W, 10mm Auto
Lee Bulge Buster Base Sizing Kit (380 Auto, 40 S&W, 45 ACP)
Starline Reloading Brass 40 S&W Box of 100 (Bulk Packaged)
Rainier LeadSafe Bullets 40 S&W, 10mm Auto (400 Diameter) 180 Grain Plated Flat Nose Box of 100 (Bulk Packaged)
And i also just started to read ABC of Reloading.
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283 Posts
You will never need to trim a handgun case and can screw up accuracy by making the few good long cases into poor short cases. The longer cases minimize head space and will almost always produce better accuracy.
You will want enough breech locks for all your dies.
I don't care for plated bullets, but that is me. If I can't use jacketed, I use lead. In fact, almost the only types of bullets I shoot are lead.
Get the Lee book (since you are using Lee equipment) or Lyman #49.
You should always reference at least two manuals and start loading at the lower starting load.
Powder: do you want target loads or minor action loads or major action loads? For target loads, I find that AA2 and AA5 are giving me the most consistent tight groups. For action loads, you can ask the many action pistol shooters, but I would look to AA2, 231/HP38, Bullseye, and Solo 1000 for minor loads (I am not too fond of Clays or TiteGroup, though I have gotten some tight groups with Clays in .45 Auto). For major loads, I would look at Power Pistol, AA7, True Blue, Silhouette, or LongShot. Power Pistol and Silhouette (was WAP) have been the most accurate over various bullet weights.
You will want enough breech locks for all your dies.
I don't care for plated bullets, but that is me. If I can't use jacketed, I use lead. In fact, almost the only types of bullets I shoot are lead.
Get the Lee book (since you are using Lee equipment) or Lyman #49.
You should always reference at least two manuals and start loading at the lower starting load.
Powder: do you want target loads or minor action loads or major action loads? For target loads, I find that AA2 and AA5 are giving me the most consistent tight groups. For action loads, you can ask the many action pistol shooters, but I would look to AA2, 231/HP38, Bullseye, and Solo 1000 for minor loads (I am not too fond of Clays or TiteGroup, though I have gotten some tight groups with Clays in .45 Auto). For major loads, I would look at Power Pistol, AA7, True Blue, Silhouette, or LongShot. Power Pistol and Silhouette (was WAP) have been the most accurate over various bullet weights.
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