Lee Breech Lock Hand Press

The Lee "Reloader" press is even less expensive than the hand press, and is bench mounted. It's not much of a press, but for handgun cartridges it's fine.

I use one for small batches (50-100) of test loads when I'm trying out new bullets/powders and I don't want to convert my progressive. I've loaded 1,000's of rounds on it.

I've always been dubious of the "breech lock". Not that it doesn't work, but it seems like an ingenious solution to a non-existent problem. Lee needs it because they don't give you die lock rings with set screws to lock them in place. If you replace their ring with a locking one, you don't need the breech-lock. OK the breech lock is nominally faster to change out, but how long does it take to screw a die in? Not long. The time savings in minimal. The breech lock is more expensive than a $3.00 locking die ring.

I use a Lee hand press all the time, not familiar with the breech lock version though. The hand press works fine and you can easily get 50 rounds per hour if all your components are in a ready to load state. It is very slow when you consider deprime/resize, prime, seat, crimp. I bought an automatic powder dispensing scale that greatly increases my productivity with the single stage (but obviously is an expensive gadget you're not likely looking to get right now). A good, repeatable powder dispenser would still be necessary to acheive any kind of speed unless you are going with the scoop method.

I'm not overly concerned with acheiving the best possible accuracy and really like the idea of putting the hand press back in the box and storing it away when done. There is a lot of slop in the mechanism and I'm pretty sure that hinders the ability to make precisely repeatable ammo if that is important to you, though its probably no worse than other Lee aluminum C-presses.

I have one and use it also and keep it in my range bag. Comes in real handy sometimes for if nothing else decapping using the Universals decapping die. My main loading press is a Lee Classic Turret with a Lee Classic Cast for the heavy stuff. This pretty much handles all my current needs completely.

As for the breech lock I find it a nice feature so much so that my Lee Classic Cast (one that takes 1 1/4 as well as 7/8 dies) I picked up a Hornady Lock N Load quick change setup for it. If you want locking rings Lee actually make them now for the breech locks and Hornady and other make them also for with locking setups without the breech lock.

it all depends on how many rounds you want to produce right off the bat. you can get the hand press then later on keep it to go to the range with or as a back up if another press breaks.

if you have the room and you can justify time to produce ammo, i would suggest a Lee combo package. you get goodies you need, and a nice little bench mount press.

i started on a lee hand press and then moved to a RCBS rockchucker. and still have the hand press for that "what if" factor if the RCBS breaks and i buy a new toy and need to work up loads.

I'm not crazy about it. It will build good ammo but the slop sucks. I do like the Classic Cast. It is a really nice press & very easy to use.

I have a RCBS Jr which is the same as the Partner. Or also works but takes more effort to use. The Classic Cast is a much nicer press.

I have a hand press. Its what ive done all of my reloading on. No issues with any size of rifle cases. Can toss all my reloading stuff in a shoe box and not having to bolt it down is nice since I don't have a lot of space. I don't use the breech lock thing.

I have one, and I have used it for everything, but I still pretty much always use the bench press in the garage for seating rifle bullets. It's nice, because you can size, de-cap, bell, and prime while you watch TV. However, I don't recommend charging cases with distractions like that. I would recommend measuring and charging the cases in a quiet place, like the garage, double-checking them, and if you want to take them inside and use the hand-press to seat the bullets, it's less risky. Just make sure you don't tip them as you are handling them.

I wouldn't make the decision based on cost, but for the portability factor. You will need to add a scale, calipers, a powder measure of some sort, and dies no matter which system you choose. The Lee 50th anniversary kit contains a bench mounted press, a powder measure, scale, and priming attachment for about $120 (when I bought two years ago it was $93). Add the die set you need - $40 and calipers $30. You don't need much for a bench. Mine is made out of an old solid core door and 2x4s for legs. It's in the little space under a staircase. I do everything in that area, so portability is not a factor for me.
I do my reloading when my wife watches television. My setup is about as entry-level as they come, but it works.

^^I am in the process of assembling a travel hit, to keep beside the lamp table in the living room, out to the range, or to loan to a friend. If I HAD to throw a load together, I could.

I bought a hand press to take to the range, but it occurs to me that a single stage bench press and a couple of bog C-clamps would also work IF one could carry it easily.

Check this thread

You two are virtual twins.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=699264

Thanks for asking our advice. Welcome to handloading.

If you load in any kind of quantity, you will want a bench-mounted press eventually. Probably sooner than later. I am jumping to a conclusion from the fact that your chosen calibers are all semi-automatic.

A bench-mounted press does not necessarily have to mount on a bench. Mounted on a board, it can be clamped onto an end table or simply wedged into a drawer.

When you want to upgrade, consider the Lee Classic Turret. It is the best 4-station auto-indexing turret available in the world today, bar none.

Lost Sheep

p.s. My final sentence is helped by the fact that Lee is the ONLY maker of auto-indexing turret presses amd the Lee Classic Turret is superior to the Lee Deluxe Turret.

I loaded thousands through my HP, and gave it to a friend when it developed some linkage slop. The breech Lock version was the only one available but i never use that feature.

No bench needed, I reload watching a movie or football game. Or Fox News.

If i ever went with a bench mount it would be the Classic Cast turret. No need for it yet, despite loading two pistol and three rifle calibers.

Hand press is worth the $30

Hi all,
I have been looking into getting into reloading. I don't want to spend a lot of money to start. I see Lee makes the Breech Lock Hand Press. It gets good reviews on Midway. Is it worth buying as a starter or should I get a conventional press, like the Lee Challenger or RCBS Partner? I was thinking I could get the hand press and some accessories for what a regular press kit costs and be ahead with the "extras".

I am not looking at reloading a large volume if I can load a box of 50 in an hour that would be fine.

Thanks ahead of time.
Keith

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Hi Keith
Ive just started reloading and much like your situation cost was a concern as well as space.
I did buy the lee handpress with breech lock and I am happy with my purchase.
For about $200 I am making my own 9mm rounds, easy to make 50 in 1 hour.
This was my shopping list that I had:

lee breech lock hand press kit
lee perfect powder measure
lee safety scale
1 2 pack of breech lock fittings
lee 9mm 3 die carbide set
lymans 49th manule
frankfort arsenal stainless calipers

add components to the above prices (whatever they are now) and you will be making bullets easy. Just be sure to read all of the chapters in the begining of lymans 49th, lots of good info in there.