Reloading press

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Zap01! said:
I 100% agree my load master will not indexed correctly talk to lee about it and they said I don’t have the Shell carrier Adjusted correctly I sent them a video of me adjusting it the way the manual says and still not working They have not responded to that video but I looked on the Internet for hours looking for an answer I found an aftermarket part that might work should be here tomorrow if it does I’ll let you guys know about it if it fixes the problem
Click to expand...

I think part of the problem is the manual and the information they contain.

For example, the manual for Dillon’s 5 station presses is 74 pages.

https://dilloncdn.com/manuals/dillon-xl750-manual-english.pdf

Hornady’s for the AP is 32 pages.

https://press.hornady.com/assets/pc...Load---AP----Press-Instructions1515698795.pdf

The loadmaster is 10.

https://leeprecision.com/files/instruct/LM3231.pdf

As you have found there is critical information to be learned that’s not in those 10 pages.

And that’s up from the 8 page manual they used to have.

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/91GA8YOA-TS.pdf

I spent a week or so learning about them and setting the one I had up and will say if they came from Lee running like it did and they had a better manual so folks could easily keep them running, they would be more popular.



The priming system is actually more of a weakness than the indexing system, once you get it figured out. I had a video on indexing but PB is holding it hostage, this might be worth watching though.

 
Well when I decided many years ago that waiting to reload at my grandfathers farm was taking too long I watched the local paper and swap paper we had. Pounced on the first "O" frame press that was reasonably priced. A RCBS RC built in the 60's. Still have it along with a Lee and an old Pacific. All are "O" type and have worked well for me over the Decades. If you are patient a deal will show up on a used one and you will enjoy that good deal.
 
I've used one of these for 10 years for rifle and pistol. No complaints.

https://palmettostatearmory.com/lee-precision-breech-lock-steel-1-hole-classic-cast-press-90999.html

Just about all single stage presses will be adequate for a beginner. It's when you get into progressives that features start making a difference.

I disagree about all Lee products being inferior. I guess there's always going to the concept that if it cost less it has to be junk. That hasn't been my experience at all. As a matter of fact, I could buy any single stage press on the market but never found a need to replace my Lee Classic.
 
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CoalTrain49 said:
I've used one of these for 10 years for rifle and pistol. No complaints.

https://palmettostatearmory.com/lee-precision-breech-lock-steel-1-hole-classic-cast-press-90999.html

Just about all single stage presses will be adequate for a beginner. It's when you get into progressives that features start making a difference.

I disagree about all Lee products being inferior. I guess there's always going to the concept that if it cost less it has to be junk. That hasn't been my experience at all. As a matter of fact, I could buy any single stage press on the market but never found a need to replace my Lee Classic.
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My father in law refuses to buy Continental tires because he had one blow out the sidewall in 1963. Some folks have one bad experience and it taints them for life.
 
For the OP. Of the Lee presses you posted a picture of. The CAST press is their better press. Yes I have one.

Thank goodness Dillon doesn't make a single stage or) this thread would be BLUE!!:)
(they don't make presses, they call them "machines"
 
Rule3 said:
Thank goodness Dillon doesn't make a single stage or) this thread would be BLUE!!:)
Click to expand...

The 550 is manually indexed, so it can be used as a single stage......;)

But if OP wants a "machine" for mainly sizing -I may suggest the Lyman All American.
Can be set up with sizing dies only ( up to 8 of 'em )....
 
GeoDudeFlorida said:
My father in law refuses to buy Continental tires because he had one blow out the sidewall in 1963. Some folks have one bad experience and it taints them for life.
Click to expand...
Continental tires are high dollar, they put them on Mercedes and other fancy cars.
 
If the cost difference between rcbs and Lee is customer service that's the best money you will ever spend even if the product was of identical quantity....
 
Soonerpesek said:
The 550 is manually indexed, so it can be used as a single stage......;)

But if OP wants a "machine" for mainly sizing -I may suggest the Lyman All American.
Can be set up with sizing dies only ( up to 8 of 'em )....
Click to expand...


As can a Lee Classic Turret.
 
AJC1 said:
If the cost difference between rcbs and Lee is customer service that's the best money you will ever spend even if the product was of identical quantity....
Click to expand...
but the RCBS product don’t ever break. Lee is pretty solid too.

I contacted CS only twice. Lee APP press spring was stretched, I never heard back from them, was during the plandemi. The my Dillion plate came bent, emailed, they responded 3 months later. I just bent the metal flat myself and called it fix.
 
For a single stage press, heavy duty, can’t go wrong with a Lee Classic Cast. But, I got a Rock Chucker Supreme off of Armslist for the same price as a LCC new shipped. So watch around.
 
Rule3 said:
As can a Lee Classic Turret.
Click to expand...

I would go for the Lee Classic Turret Press and use it as a single stage press. You will have the option of adding the indexing rod, if you want to take advantage of the multi-station turrets. The single station press dead-ends your options.
 
Mark_Mark said:
but the RCBS product don’t ever break. Lee is pretty solid too.

I contacted CS only twice. Lee APP press spring was stretched, I never heard back from them, was during the plandemi. The my Dillion plate came bent, emailed, they responded 3 months later. I just bent the metal flat myself and called it fix.
Click to expand...


According to some users on the interwebs the dillon product support ain't what it used to be. Personally I've never had any issue with the Lee junk. ;)
 
Rule3 said:
For the OP. Of the Lee presses you posted a picture of. The CAST press is their better press. Yes I have one.

Thank goodness Dillon doesn't make a single stage or) this thread would be BLUE!!:)
(they don't make presses, they call them "machines"
Click to expand...

So do I. 10K rounds loaded and no issues. But then I'm just a simple man looking for simple reloading solutions.
 
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CoalTrain49 said:
According to some users on the interwebs the dillon product support ain't what it used to be. Personally I've never had any issue with the Lee junk. ;)
Click to expand...
Dillions Email had some attitude too. I was like… OK, must be a case of the Plandemic Monday’s. I still like their stuff and will eventually buy more
 
jmorris said:
I think part of the problem is the manual and the information they contain.

For example, the manual for Dillon’s 5 station presses is 74 pages.

https://dilloncdn.com/manuals/dillon-xl750-manual-english.pdf

Hornady’s for the AP is 32 pages.

https://press.hornady.com/assets/pc...Load---AP----Press-Instructions1515698795.pdf

The loadmaster is 10.

https://leeprecision.com/files/instruct/LM3231.pdf

As you have found there is critical information to be learned that’s not in those 10 pages.

And that’s up from the 8 page manual they used to have.

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/91GA8YOA-TS.pdf

I spent a week or so learning about them and setting the one I had up and will say if they came from Lee running like it did and they had a better manual so folks could easily keep them running, they would be more popular.



The priming system is actually more of a weakness than the indexing system, once you get it figured out. I had a video on indexing but PB is holding it hostage, this might be worth watching though.

Click to expand...

The aftermarket part came in loaded up 100 9mm I would say fix 95% of the problem But I still have the problem with the diys not being lined up with the shell plate Lol I would say it’s a must have for Lee load masters at least with my experience it should’ve came with it factory https://www.ebay.com/itm/234134346013?hash=item36837e991d:g:iYcAAOSwC9hgrq7h
 

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Zahn said:
I have the Lee Breechlock "C" frame press and also the RCBS Rock Chucker 2. There's a huge difference between them, but the cartridges I loaded with the Lee and later with the RCBS all go bang. I thought I'd get rid of the Lee after I acquired the RCBS, but I've found that I like having the ability to do two stages, one right after the other, on those low quantity rifle rounds I'm processing. That is, I can full length resize and then trim to length, and set up and seat the bullet and crimp on the next set up.

As far as I know, you get what you pay for, and they all work.
Click to expand...


I have the same setup. Have used LEE since mid 80's with no real complaints. Friend gave me RC2 and I now use it primarily for sizing work, just feels more solid/stronger. Use the LEE O press for bullet seating and LEE C press for factory crimp die. Like having all setup on the bench so as not to have to do a batch, swap dies for next step etc. Right now working up loads for new .308 win and like having everything setup so that only change I am making is seating depth.
 
Mark_Mark said:
but the RCBS product don’t ever break. Lee is pretty solid too.

I contacted CS only twice. Lee APP press spring was stretched, I never heard back from them, was during the plandemi. The my Dillion plate came bent, emailed, they responded 3 months later. I just bent the metal flat myself and called it fix.
Click to expand...

I bought a LEE O press at an auction, linkage snapped, contacted LEE CS for replacement, they sent me updated/stronger linkage (portion that holds adjustable handle) free of charge. I've never had a problem with LEE taking care of their products. Never have had to contact RCBS, Hornady, or Lyman, been happy with all of their products. But like everything else, some folks like more than the other. Friend saw my RCBS case trimmer that I painted red, thought I had committed sacrilege. (Trimmer was gifted to me from friend, had been in barn for 25 years, had to bead blast it to clean it up, red is what I had on hand and now works like new.)
 
MauriceSam said:
I bought a LEE O press at an auction, linkage snapped, contacted LEE CS for replacement, they sent me updated/stronger linkage (portion that holds adjustable handle) free of charge. I've never had a problem with LEE taking care of their products. Never have had to contact RCBS, Hornady, or Lyman, been happy with all of their products. But like everything else, some folks like more than the other. Friend saw my RCBS case trimmer that I painted red, thought I had committed sacrilege. (Trimmer was gifted to me from friend, had been in barn for 25 years, had to bead blast it to clean it up, red is what I had on hand and now works like new.)
Click to expand...

I have been a Lee user for many years, lots and lots of their stuff.

Try calling them today and see what kind of response you get.
I wrote a long thread on it some time ago.

Not gonna start a bashing, just not gonna buy any more. Not that I need anything now.
Their CS is NOT what it used to be.!
 
Rule3 said:
I have been a Lee user for many years, lots and lots of their stuff.

Try calling them today and see what kind of response you get.
I wrote a long thread on it some time ago.

Not gonna start a bashing, just not gonna buy any more. Not that I need anything now.
Their CS is NOT what it used to be.!
Click to expand...

That sounds like RCBS is the odds on favorite with customer support. Haven't heard anything negative about their support lately.
 
marchboom said:
The "search" button is your friend.
Click to expand...

Yeah if everyone here had a dollar for every time a previously asked question comes up again, we wouldn’t be here.

That said, the OP’s question was.

didn’t know why there were so many different options for single stage press i’m assuming different qualities tighter tolerances ?
Click to expand...

And even with my decent search abilities, I can’t find the post concerning manufacturing tolerances of the various single stage presses. Do you have a link?

I have looked into quantification of tolerance between some myself but my results are fairly meaningless because of the tiny sample size and various amounts of use (cycles). I really lost interest once I figured out what dies and components one uses is much more important than what press they are used with.
 
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