Lyman pro kit vs. Lee Challenger Breech Lock kit

[Bernie Lomax]

I want to get into reloading and am considering either the Lyman pro kit or one of the Lee Challenger Breech Lock kits. On Midway, the Lyman kit costs about $100 more than the Lee kits. Is the extra money for the Lyman kit worth it? Also, I notice that the only difference between the two Lee kits is that one has a "safety prime" system, whereas thee other has an "auto-prime" system. What are the different advantages and disadvantages of these two systems?

TIA for any advice or info anyone can give me.

ETA: Just so everyone knows exactly what I'm talking about here is the Lyman kit I'm looking at:

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=548480

Here are the two Lee kits:

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=423081
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=121744

 

[ArchAngelCD]

While I'm a fan of Lee products and own a Classic 4 Hole Turret Press I'm not a fan of the Challenger press. It's made of aluminum, it's on the small side and the linkage is lacking IMO.

I don't know about the Lyman press you posted so I can't comment in it.

In your price range I would buy either a Lee Classic Cast press or a Lee Classic 4 Hole Turret press. The Classic presses are Cast Iron, are made better and have much better linkage than the Deluxe or standard models. For the slightly higher price you get a much better press IMO. I know you were looking at kits but you are limiting yourself to a press or presses that aren't the best choices. You can buy the turret press in kit form including a set of dies for under $200 when you add both upgrades from Kempf Gun Shop online. If you buy there remember to choose both upgrades, they are well worth the additional $22. With the turret press you can remove the auto-index rod and use it as a single stage press when loading rifle ammo and they speed things up when loading handgun ammo by replacing the auto-index rod. (that's what I do)

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I know perfectly happy users with the Challenger Anniversary kit. My brother has been using a Challenger over a decade and doesn't seem to want anythiing else or he'd have bought it by now.

I believe the safety prime is a tool you use with the press and the auto prime is a hand tool...I've had the hand tool for about 15 years and love it. I can prime cases while watching TV.

 

[Uniquedot]

The Lyman press is better than the challenger, but not as good as the Lee classic cast single stage nor as convenient as the excellent classic cast turret press. The Lyman scale is also easier to use than the Lee scale and has more capacity, but isn't one bit more accurate. If you are just loading rifle rounds and not planning on using swaging dies, either kit will work just as well as the other while the Lee is a bit more convenient. If you are planning on loading pistol rounds take the advise ArchAngelCD gave on the kit from kempf's or cabela's and you will be much happier with the added convenience.

 

[68wj]

I currently load on the Challenger Breech Lock. My comments:

I don't feel that there is any issue producing factory quality ammo. There is some horizontal play in the linkage, but everything locks up tight when you are kissing the shell holder to the die. I might be concerned if I was trying to dial the die to only bump the shoulder for more precision loads though.

The breech bushings are handy, but you also need to factor them into future die purchases (at ~$8.00 a pair). You can always cheap out and just keep a bushing in the press and treat it like a standard setup.

For the deprimer to work as designed, you must keep the primer insert on the ram to divert spent primers into the catch. The system works well.

When compared to my old Rockchucker, the press feels cheap and subpar. A lot of this is due to the lightweight aluminum and play in the linkage. Once it is mounted, and the bolts are tightened a little on the linkage (an option that Lee lists in the manual), it feels no different. My rifle and pistol loads that have come from it perform just as well as anything I have used before.

 

[Bernie Lomax]

You can buy the turret press in kit form including a set of dies for under $200 when you add both upgrades from Kempf Gun Shop online.

That Kempf kit looks interesting. It says they have a rifle kit and a pistol kit. If I buy the pistol kit, do I have to buy the whole other kit to reload rifle rounds, or can I do that just by adding a few add-ons to the pistol kit?

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Is the extra money for the Lyman kit worth it?

Definately. I have a Challenger. I don't like it. It's aluminum, the linkage is crap, and when you full length size, it feels like a toy. But then I started out on a RC Supreme so I went from a nice, large cast iron press to the Challenger, so that's probably part of it.

When compared to my old Rockchucker, the press feels cheap and subpar.

Absolutely.

 

[RustyFN]

That Kempf kit looks interesting. It says they have a rifle kit and a pistol kit. If I buy the pistol kit, do I have to buy the whole other kit to reload rifle rounds, or can I do that just by adding a few add-ons to the pistol kit?
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You will just have to add a set of rifle dies, a rifle charging die and the double disk kit for the pro auto disk measure. At some point you will need a trimmer.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

That Kempf kit looks interesting. It says they have a rifle kit and a pistol kit. If I buy the pistol kit, do I have to buy the whole other kit to reload rifle rounds, or can I do that just by adding a few add-ons to the pistol kit?

What RustyFN said. The 2 kits differ slightly but by no means do you need to buy 2 entire kits. Don't forget to order both upgrades, it's WELL worth the additional $22.

 

[Bernie Lomax]

You will just have to add a set of rifle dies, a rifle charging die and the double disk kit for the pro auto disk measure. At some point you will need a trimmer.

Can I load shotshells, too?

 

[RustyFN]

Don't forget to order both upgrades, it's WELL worth the additional $22.

Yes the upgrade is a must.

Can I load shotshells, too?

No

 

[Bernie Lomax]

>> Can I load shotshells, too?

> No

What kind of set-up do I need to load shotshells? Do I need a whole different press, or what?

 

[rfwobbly]

Do I need a whole different press, or what?

You need a shot shell press. The other presses are for metallic cartridges.

 

[ClemBert]

Don't forget to order both upgrades, it's WELL worth the additional $22.

What's in the upgrade for $22? Can you post the link so we can see what it is?

 

[RustyFN]

What's in the upgrade for $22? Can you post the link so we can see what it is?

The $22 upgrade is from the auto disk to the pro auto disk and both safety primes instead of one.

 

[GLOOB]

I've a Breechlock. I can't comment on build quality, because I don't have a Lyman. But the aluminum sure feels sturdy. I didn't even know it was aluminum until I read this thread. It's a heavy little press.

But I can guarantee the Lee has a better primer catching system. On the Breechlock, the spent primers drop through a hole cut through the center of the ram, then drop into a tube. It's brilliant. The Lyman appears to have a big cup surrounding the bottom of the press.

On the Breechlock, the priming arm is on the right side and quite efficient to load with the right hand. I don't use the Auto Prime hand priming tool my kit came with. The Lyman priming arm appears to be in the front.

Of course, the Breechlock also has the quick change bushings. I have issue with spending money on them, but the ones that come with the kit do come in handy. Even having just the one in place is handy, for when you want to clean a die midway during loading. Just unscrew the top, pop the bushing out, and tip out the seater/expander/crimp ring.

Ergonomically, the Breechlock is close to perfect. I don't see any good reason to eschew it for the aluminum frame. If it ever wears out, I'd probably buy a new one. At $55.00, it's less than the cost of 2 die sets. I don't think presses really wear out, anyway. Play doesn't really figure in with a press. The shell and die guide the ram, anyway.

 

[cfullgraf]

>> Can I load shotshells, too?

> No

What kind of set-up do I need to load shotshells? Do I need a whole different press, or what?

I believe RCBS sells a press that does metallic and shot shells but I will admit, i have slept since I saw that. Metallic cartridge press systems would not lend themselves to efficient shot shell loading. in any case, shot shell dies would be to large to fit a standard 7/8"-14 thread/inch metallic cartridge press.

Most folks get a shot shell specific loader. About the best low cost option is a MEC 600jr. I load 100-125 shells per hour on my MEC 600jr's. Of course, there are lots of more expensive machines out there that load shells faster, not necessarily better.