Any used presses to avoid?

[GT1]

I'm guessing a purely American company that has found ways to do so much for significantly less must gall folks, for some reason. I don't know why, they should be cheered for their success, being a small-ish American company isn't easy these days..

I think maybe what really might be the issue is folks end up angry that they were steered to a $150-$300 tool and later found out a $90 Lee could do the same job(better, in the case of a classic cast over a chuckler) and last the same several lifetimes..

 

[Bush Pilot]

A few posts back #13 to be exact I did not many defense of Lee, just stated I was surprised it only took to the 1st post to bash them.

What are you implying about Indiana jokes?

It would have been tough to bash them any sooner LOL. BTW, that's not a joke about folks from Oklahoma.

 

[orionengnr]

If you can buy a used Dillon for any amount less than a new one, you will probably never lose a dime.

The flip side of the coin is, if you actually use the Dillon, you will likely never sell it...so you will avoid all of the "upgrade" costs that you would have endured by buying cheap, getting discouraged and moving up.

 

[jcwit]

BTW, that's not a joke about folks from Oklahoma.

What has Oklahoma have to do with this discussion? For that matter what has Indiana have to do with it? Do we really need to bring a comedy into this?

 

[Elkins45]

I would avoid buying a C style press, new or used. It's not that I would expect one to fail, it's just that an O style is less likely to deflect if you are case forming or some other task like that. For most ammo you would likely never see the difference, but for the same price the C is old technology.

My single stage press is an RCBS. Lee wasn't making presses when I bought it. If they were my press might be a Lee. I understand RCBS is having their presses cast in China now, but Lee still makes theres in the USA. So there are used Lees I would buy over new RCBS.

 

[UKWildcats]

Nothing wrong with Lee Single Stage Presses -- at least the "O" Presses.

Have had one for over 10 years without a problem except for the wooden ball coming off arm -- Just glued it back on.

Loaded hundred of rounds of 30-06, 308. and 223 -- never a problem.
-- Accurate
-- Inexpensive
-- Good Product
-- Can not imagine what other people are having problems with

I also have 2 Dillon 550's -- and "A" model I use for rifles and a "B" model I use for 9mm and 45acp -- also great presses with great customer service -- but would not recommend for starter press.


If you can find a Lee Cast "O" Press at a good price you will be fine -- If you can find a RCBS or similar press at a fair press you will be fine -- I would just stay away from presses that are from unknown manufacturers or an old press since it could be obsolete (hard to find parts for).


UK

 

[Kp321]

There are still some old presses out there that don't take standard shell holders, Herters comes to mind. Even some early RCBS presses use set screws to hold the shell holders in the ram rather than a spring.
What ever press you end up with, make sure you get the complete priming setup from the original owner. Replacements are not readily available for some older brands.
By the way, +1 on avoiding a C style press.

 

[Bush Pilot]

What has Oklahoma have to do with this discussion? For that matter what has Indiana have to do with it? Do we really need to bring a comedy into this?

I'm enjoying reading your responses, it calms me down after waiting for a broken aeroplane to get fixed.

 

[Bush Pilot]

To the OP, if you haven't found anything in a few days send me a PM. I can probably dig through some stuff and find a single stage you could try (and probably keep)

 

[Bush Pilot]

There are still some old presses out there that don't take standard shell holders, Herters comes to mind. Even some early RCBS presses use set screws to hold the shell holders in the ram rather than a spring.
What ever press you end up with, make sure you get the complete priming setup from the original owner. Replacements are not readily available for some older brands.
By the way, +1 on avoiding a C style press.

IIRC, somebody used to make a conversion thingy that would allow you to use standard shell holders with Herter's presses.

 

[Oceanbob]

The press is not all you have to buy. The extras can add up as well.

Lee has improved over the years. I own and operate two Dillons; but I am a committed reloading nut.

But if a new reloader who doesn't want to spend a large amount of bucks to get involved then I would recommend getting this for $219.99.

It has most of the extra gear you need. Not that expensive really.....

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/785993/lee-4-hole-turret-press-with-auto-index-deluxe-kit

 

[jcwit]

I'm enjoying reading your responses, it calms me down after waiting for a broken aeroplane to get fixed.

I'm glad I could bring soothing feelings to you. Now lets get back on topic about the presses and all of us out here with differing opinions be they right or wrong.

 

[Kevin Rohrer]

Wow. So much hatred ... even when OP asked for used "single stage" press ...

Okay. ANY press that has 'Lee' on it.

 

[Kevin Rohrer]

Presses To Avoid

I also hear lots of bad things about the Smart Reloader presses.

 

[jcwit]

Okay. ANY press that has 'Lee' on it.

What do you base your findings on?

 

[jcwit]

Lee seems to have carved out a pretty large niche in the reloading community.

 

[jcwit]

I also hear lots of bad things about the Smart Reloader presses.

Ah yes, the Italian Company getting their production done on the Chinese mainland, with very low quality standards.

 

[TexasShooter59]

Since people are bashing Lee...

You know, I don't like Lee either! Using their classic cast breechlock press and those sorry RGB dies, I got this lousy group shown below. I thought they promised "one ragged hole"!

 

[Scimmia]

You didn't mention what you want to load. If you're just talking pistol rounds, even the cheapest C frame presses would usually get the job done acceptably.

If you're going to load normal rifle rounds, avoid the C frames. I'm not a big fan of the aluminum O frame presses, but they would get the job done if you find one really cheap.

If you're talking magnum rifle rounds, I don't think it's worth dealing with anything less than a quality iron/steel O frame press. Lee Classic Cast, RCBS Rockchucker, etc.

Edit: Ok, I just noticed your post where you said it would be 40 S&W and 38 Special. For those, just about any press will get the job done, although a touch of lube will help the 38s in a C frame.

 

[Constrictor]

OK being as others seem the need to turn this into a bash Lee thread, I'll come out of hiding.

There is nothing at all wrong with the Lee Classic Cast Presses, to think otherwise is nothing less than--well I can't describe it as it will get me in trouble. But for the difference in price

Lee Classic Cast Press -------- $93.98
https://fsreloading.com/lee-precision-classic-cast-press-90998.html

Sorta hard to beat for value. Course if braging right are needed?? And remember Lee is not the only one offering a "quality" press made of Cast Aluminum, ever take a good look at the RCBS Partner?

The Lee Perfect Powder Measure if one takes the time to research it is one of the most accurate measures out their. Many tho seem to have trouble with ball powder with them tho, just as many have trouble with other measures and their cut off.

http://www.sniperforums.com/forum/cartridges-calibers/35463-powder-measure-accuracy-thread.html

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbth...topics/7393542/Re_Lee_perfect_powder_measure_

As for those who claim its made of "cheap" plastic, take a close look at your cars dash the next time you go somewhere, or better yet pop the hood even if its a Cadillac and check out all the "cheap" plastic you or the bank owns under there.

Now with all of the above said, just so you'al don't come to the conclusion all I have is "cheap" Lee equipment I also use much in the way of RCBS, Hornady, and Redding equipment. Also much in the way of Sinclair, such as case prepping tools and their Arbor Press, and the Wilson dies they market.

So in closing, a used cast Lee press will serve you well as will just about any cast press from any other manufacturer, in fact even the cast aluminum Lee presses that have not been abused and kept lightly lubed on their wearing surfaces will also serve you well, as will cast aluminum presses from other manufactures that have not been abused and kept lightly lubed.

The repliers to the question posed in this thread have no reason to bash lee, other than the op asked what presses to avoid! Should we not give our honest opioned when asked for it?

 

[Scimmia]

When your opinion is based on either faulty or non existent data, then yes, you should not give your opinion. Especially when the OP doesn't ask for opinions, he asks for facts.

 

[jcwit]

The repliers to the question posed in this thread have no reason to bash lee, other than the op asked what presses to avoid! Should we not give our honest opioned when asked for it?

And what is that opinion based on?

 

[Constrictor]

When your opinion is based on either faulty or non existent data, then yes, you should not give your opinion. Especially when the OP doesn't ask for opinions, he asks for facts.

The op absolutely did ask for opinions, and did not ask them to be backed up by data. When you ask the members on an Internet forums about something, the only answer they can give is their opinion. And for the record my opinion is based on owning several lee presses.

 

[jcwit]

The op absolutely did ask for opinions, and did not ask them to be backed up by data. When you ask the members on an Internet forums about something, the only answer they can give is their opinion. And for the record my opinion is based on owning several lee presses.

OK, so now supply us with what years these Lee presses were acquired and what the models were?

When you ask the members on an Internet forums about something, the only answer they can give is their opinion.

And without facts to back the opinion up it is meaningless, turns into nothing more than a he/she said, he/she said. Lacking any credibility.

 

[Sport45]

Just about any garage sale press should do, except I would stay away from Smart Reloader based on what I've read about their stuff on many forums.

Don't buy it if the ram is rusty or if it doesn't stroke smoothly. Otherwise, if it has the t-slot shell holder as mentioned above and 7/8-14 threads for the dies it should work fine for those cartridges.