Lee Breech lock cast press

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V-fib

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hello all,

looking at the Lee Breech lock cast press. My question: i know the bushing feature makes it easy to switch from die to die but do you have to use the quick change bushings or can you still just screw in your dies and lock them in with the locknut and adjust as needed?

thanks for your time

v-fib
 
You don't need the quick change bushing to use the press you can just change the dies out that's how I do it
 
hello all,

looking at the Lee Breech lock cast press. My question: i know the bushing feature makes it easy to switch from die to die but do you have to use the quick change bushings or can you still just screw in your dies and lock them in with the locknut and adjust as needed?

thanks for your time

v-fib
The short answer to your question is, "Yes".

The quick change bushings are essentially a sleeve with threads on the inside just like a press without any bushing. Lock the die in and you can swap bushings by pressing down a spring-loaded button and twisting a partial turn and lift.

There are also bushings with a locking ring integral with the bushing which make it almost impossible to lose adjustment. Pretty nifty.

Lost Sheep
 
great! thanks for the quick replies.

I'm new to reloading and have already outgrown my Lee Classic reloader (you know the one you use a mallet with) It's nice but slow and adjusting the bullet seater is tedious.

since I load two different bullets (148gr. dewc and 125gr. xtp) in .38 special, I think it would be easier to set the seating die without the bushings since the seating depth is different between the two bullets.

v-fib
 
Yes, you need the bushings
Well, you need one bushing. With one, you change dies like you do on a single stage press, screwing the die in and out all the way. Takes 20-30 seconds.

If you have multiple bushings (one for each die) changing dies takes 5 seconds or so. Adjusting between different bullet shapes/weights will again take 20-30 seconds.

Not a huge time savings, but it IS convenient.

Lost Sheep
 
Ok, in review... the press I believe comes with one bushing. you would leave that bushing in place and screw in and out your dies. And, in the future if you were reloading a larger number of the same load/bullet etc., you could have a bushing for each die preset. Correct?

Thanks for the input.

V-fib
 
V-fib - yeep. I've been doing the screwing thing for a while (giggidy). It works just fine, though if you want to drop the $$, picking up the locking bushings is worth the expense as it'll leave all the settings of your dies in place.
 
quick change bushings

thanks for the replies guys,

the difference between the two bushings Randy P linked is that the cheaper one you use the lock ring that comes with your die and the more expensive one replaces the lock ring already on your die. Do I have that straight?

what would be the advantage using the bushing with the lock ring already attached?

V-fib
 
My press came with a threaded insert installed that allowed using dies without a breechlock adapter. I took it out and put in the breech lock receptacle.

FWIW Hornady LnL adapters work in the Lee Breech Lock.
 
great! thanks for the quick replies.

I'm new to reloading and have already outgrown my Lee Classic reloader (you know the one you use a mallet with) It's nice but slow and adjusting the bullet seater is tedious.

since I load two different bullets (148gr. dewc and 125gr. xtp) in .38 special, I think it would be easier to set the seating die without the bushings since the seating depth is different between the two bullets.

v-fib

Seating the seating die would not require a change in the the depth of the "whole" die. Just the knob on the top. So you can just leave it in the one bushing. Once the whole die is set for 38 special you can mess with the seating depth all you want between different bullets. Same with the FCD if you use that.

Extra bushings are good when changing between calibers not within the same caliber.

I got tired of resetting between 38 special and 357 so bought two sets of dies and bushings for all of them. Then you just pop them in and out.
 
got it! thanks for the help.

v-fib

Anytime. Bottom line is yes you need at least one bushing which the press comes with. But that defeats the "purpose" of the quick change feature if you screw them in and out. Heck when I bought mine I thought the extra bushings were 3 to a package not two?

So if you buy the press buy 2 packs for a total of 4. (one extra) if you use the LFCD. Once you set the dies you just press the button, turn a bit and take it out.

You are batch loading, resize/deprime all your brass, pop out that die, put in the next etc, etc.
 
Rule3, you must be reading my mind or I'm reading yours.:)

I just ordered the press and the 4 die set and.... since the bushings are 2 to a pack I ordered 2 paks.

thanks all for your input

v-fib
 
"screwing the die in and out all the way. Takes 20-30 seconds. If you have multiple bushings (one for each die) changing dies takes 5 seconds "

And that tells the real story. So at what price is the quick-change gimmicks worth to save 25 seconds on an already simple task that has to be done once or twice in a typical reloading session?

IF someone only has one or two die sets it might be worth considering but I have dies for some 35 cartridges, some of which have extra dies like neck and crimpers; I'll not be interested in equipping them with any breech lock devices! I just don't find swapping dies, or even adjusting them, to be difficult or time consuming.
 
"screwing the die in and out all the way. Takes 20-30 seconds. If you have multiple bushings (one for each die) changing dies takes 5 seconds "

And that tells the real story. So at what price is the quick-change gimmicks worth to save 25 seconds on an already simple task that has to be done once or twice in a typical reloading session?

IF someone only has one or two die sets it might be worth considering but I have dies for some 35 cartridges, some of which have extra dies like neck and crimpers; I'll not be interested in equipping them with any breech lock devices! I just don't find swapping dies, or even adjusting them, to be difficult or time consuming.

Why then have turret or progressive presses?

I load pretty much every handgun caliber and 4 rifles. I had all the dies in separate bushings. I use a turret press now and have them in separate turrets. Yes, I could have one turret and screw all the dies in every time I change calibers.But to me that's a PITA

Life is full of choices;)
 
We have a choice to either buy lock rings or quick change bushings. I doubt there is much difference in price.

I wouldn't be very interested in having to do a setup from scratch each time, unless a dead simple one like a decapping/ sizing, [touch shell plate and go].

I bought some Hornady bushings in a 10 pack, which I have only seen on eBay. They work on Lee or Hornady.
 
Why then have turret or progressive presses?

I load pretty much every handgun caliber and 4 rifles. I had all the dies in separate bushings. I use a turret press now and have them in separate turrets. Yes, I could have one turret and screw all the dies in every time I change calibers.But to me that's a PITA

Life is full of choices
__________________
Occam's Razor


You're very astute. But the OP's question was referenced to a Lee Cast single stage and I don't quite know how what you do with extra turrets advances the issue.

As a quick count, there's perhaps some 50 or so handgun calibers; add your four rifles and you must have quite a die colletion. :what:
 
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