Newbie reloading Question.

[longhorngunman]

I'm about to get into reloading finally and just want the basics, I don't have the time to shoot very much right now. Will the Lee Challenger press handle rifle rounds? I've heard great reviews on pistol rounds but some say it won't handle very many rifle rounds. I will use it for 30-06, 7.5 swiss, .223, and maybe .308. I also will be buying some used dies from a lady who also has a RCBS special-5 press and has a Speer reloading book. Would it be wise to buy the RCBS press for the rifle calibers.

Also, after buying the kit I figured a case trimmer, caliper and some good lube is the only things I need to get started?

 

[Grumulkin]

Reloading Kits

I have an RCBS press that I've used for years and am happy with. After having loaded thousands of rounds from 44 Magnum to 458 Lott I have no plans to go to a turret or progressive press. I think the RCBS kit would serve you well. RCBS products have a lifetime warranty while Lee dies have only a 2 year warranty (though dies admittedly are hard to break).

I've never used a Lee Challenger press but I think it would work for what you have in mind and it's on sale at www.midwayusa.com if you want to take a look and read the reviews. One reviewer said "excellent press for long rifle cases" so I think it would do what you want it to.

The basics that you need are press, dies, scale, case trimmer, reloading manual and caliper (or case length guage). Nice to have but not necessary are a case cleaner and chamfering tool (a pocket knife will also work). If you are loading for bolt action rifles, you could use Lee Collet dies which work without lube.

 

[YellowLab]

Wow... seems like Grumulkin has stock in RCBS.

To actually answer your question, YES. The challenger 'O' frame gives it a very sturdy base to full length size rifle calibures. It probibly would choke on the more exotic large game cases... but .30-06, .308 not a problem.

Do make sure that you have the damn thing bolted down to a FIRM table. I hear of guys C-clamping presses... I have no idea how that could hold up to full length resizing without a lot of flexing.

 

[Lennyjoe]

Yea, the challenger press will work fine.

Only rifle rounds I load on a progressive is .223 for the AR. All other rifle rounds are loaded using a single stage press. Powder is measured for each load by hand. I'm very meticulous on my rifle rounds (except the .223 AR rounds).

For the AR rounds I use a Lee turret press and the Lee Autodisk for H-335 powder loads.

 

[SASS#23149]

one more basic;

case lube.Or your first session will be over very fast.:banghead:
a small can of Imperial sizing wax will last forever pert near.Other lubes are available too...sprays and lube pads.
I started with a Challenger.thenwent dillon.
If I were starting over I'd spend more and get more press.Too many reports latey of VERY premature parts breakage.ymmv