Reloading presses... I got questions.

I like a single Lee reloader press clamped to my desk for reloading while watching TV on my computer.

I like two RCBS partner presses in my vehicle for reloading at the range.

I like two co-ax presses on the reloading bench in my reloading room.

I have a lot of other presses that do not get used.

One main difference is the materials its made of.
Usually the cheaper presses, sub $100 presses are aluminum, which obviously won't stand up to as much wear and abuse as cast iron, which the higher end ones are made of.

I've had experience with both, and like both. I actually have a Lee Challenger that you can get new for $66.99 from Midway and I love it. It is aluminum and I actually like sizing and depriming on it. I've also had a RCBS Rockchucker Supreme that's north of $150 and I admit it is the better press. Also, Lee makes a cast iron press called the Classic Cast for about $110 and while I've never used one, I've heard nothing but great things about them.

A good cast iron press made by RCBS, Redding, Lyman or Hornady will most likely last two lifetimes. I wouldn't bet on that from an aluminum Lee.

Bottom line, get the best you can afford. If that is a $289 Forrester Co-ax, get it. If it's the $67 Lee, then get that one. You can always upgrade when you're able, and you may decide you don't need to.

There isn't much on a press to wear out. They'll all probably last decades. I have an RCBS that was given to me in 1969. I just repainted it and it's new again.

I use a big Redding for sizing and big stuff, and a smaller RCBS for seating. A Dillon for pistol stuff.... you're going to get a bazillion (that's a lot) recommendations here.

Clark said:

I like a single Lee reloader press clamped to my desk for reloading while watching TV on my computer.

I like two RCBS partner presses in my vehicle for reloading at the range.

I like two co-ax presses on the reloading bench in my reloading room.

I have a lot of other presses that do not get used.

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Now THAT'S dedication.

OP: I only have 2 RCBS presses and 1 Dillon 550B, so I'm not a Lee expert, but if I were to buy a Lee it would be their cast iron (steel?) model. I just don't trust the cheaper aluminum presses.
I DID buy a Lee Loadmaster once when I was just getting into progressive loading, but that's not what you asked about and the story ended badly anyway. I DO use a lot of various Lee equipment and they make good stuff, you just have to pick and choose to get the best results.

I am one of those reviled lee press owners. I have a buddy who bought a Lee pro 1000 a couple of years ago. I had never reloaded before and didn't know much about it but it was less than $200 for everything I needed to start loading 1 caliber so I bought one too and started reloading.

I hear almost constantly about how unreliable and problematic they are. Either I got lucky or others don't have the patience for them. I now reload 6 calibers on it and love it. Ironically, my buddy sold his lee and upgraded to a Hornady that has given him nothing but trouble. He has since bought a top of the line Dillon and, understandably, it works for him. Of course, it cost him more than $1000 to get that one up and running.

I have a Hornady lock n load single, Dillon 650 and a Dillon 1050.

The 1050 starts at $1800 and it serves my needs very well. Actually, all 3 of my presses work well. But I use them differently. I have worn out parts on my Dillon 650 press and they happily replace parts at no charge.

I guess it depends on your needs and how long you are willing to sit at a press to meet your needs.

I spent a buck nineteen on a LCT and she spins like a top. Well, I guess she actually does spin like a top so maybe thats not the right analogy for your purposes. I like it fine and I don't see how it could break really. Mr Lee will tell you that these other companies over-build their presses ( among the other things that he will tell you about them...didn't he invent the internet?).

I have 2 Lee single stage, Lee Classic Turrent, Pro 1000 and numerous other Lee items. They have served the purpose very well over the past few years. The only Lee item I did not care for was the scale.

I picked up a Lee CC for odd jobs. Sure, some of the others are nicer, but really didn't want to spend more for something I didn't plan to use a lot. I think it's a great first press for anyone. Paid less than $100 to the front door from Midway. One thing I'd have to say about it, I bet if I set it on a table at a show for $75, it would not be there for long. I have seen the cheap aluminum ones at shows for 1/2 price not getting any interest at all.

The Lee Classic cast, iron single stage press, you will never wear out. Stay away from the aluminum single stage presses that Lee makes.

sooter76 - So as I start to think about getting into reloading and look around at prices I'm left rather confused. I see single stage presses vary in price from less than $100 for a Lee to more than $200 for a RCBS, Redding, or several other brands. I understand that quality costs and you get what you pay for, but snooping around the internet I've heard alot of reviews saying a Lee press has lasted 20-30 years and even more.

So my initial question is, press for press what makes an expensive brand worth buying over a less expensive brand?

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If you are going to load for rifle, which requires more force on the press than handgun, get a good one, probably cast iron. For handgun, you probably won't use it very much, once having learned the basics and moving to some level of greater automation.

I echo what RealGun says... I have a Redding UltraMag press - very large, with a lot of leverage. Sizing large cases is a breeze. Very smooth, very easy to operate. I do my bullet seating and other operations on smaller presses. If you only buy one press, spend the $$ to get what you think you really want. You do get what you pay for, generally speaking.

Its kinda like Ford or Chevy. Your going to find good and bad with both and supporters for each that won't cross the line.

I started out loading on an RCBS press and used the same one till I was 40 years old (I still use it just for smaller lots). Then I bought a Dillon and my color turned to blue. Now I do most of my loadings 1K at a time and never looked back.

WB

I am one of those reviled lee press owners. I have a buddy who bought a Lee pro 1000 a couple of years ago. I had never reloaded before and didn't know much about it but it was less than $200 for everything I needed to start loading 1 caliber so I bought one too and started reloading.

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I will second the Lee Pro 1000 recommendations as long as you are a mechanically inclined person and don't mind/love tinkering with these types of things. She can be a bit finicky but once you get used to what to watch for she purrs like a kitten. Also a few mods help TONS. I've modded mine to where it maybe leaks a half a grain of powder every 100 rounds if that, and so far throws increidbly consistent (according to my lee scale I'm throwing usually less than +-.05 grains with 4.4gr of W231). Only real problem I have is sometimes the Auto-disk pro will hangup on the downstroke and not reset but I think I can get that kink out with some die adjustment. Also this is probably not the best progressive to use if you want to slam ammo out at lightning speed, slow and steady is what works so you know when you have a problem and can fix it before it becomes too much of a pita. BTW I'm loading 9mm and as always YMMV.

I am going to echo what others have said: Get a cast Iron model and stay away from aluminum and it will likely last a lifetime or two.

The one thing I always keep in mind when I purchase anything is what my needs are. This said, I own a LCT and could have purchased a Dillon 550 or 650, but, do I really need that volume of ammo?. Answer is no. I'm new to reloading also, and one of the good things about the LCT is its simplicity of use.

Lee sells the aluminum Turret press and the cast Classic. Following advice (from this forum) I decided to spend a few more € on the Classic. It's just more versatile and will withstand the extra effort whenever I have a rifle and start reloading for it.

RainDodger said:

.... you're going to get a bazillion (that's a lot) recommendations here.

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Yup, sooter76, just choose the press whose color matches the decor in your relayding room. It will serve you well.

Seriously, all of the current manufactured, main brand presses are good. Each has particular features that some prefer over others.

FYI, I have Redding and RCBS single stage presses and Hornady, Dillon and RCBS progressives.

Saying anything negative about Lee stuff around here gets about the same kind of response as telling a guy his wife is ugly.

"So my initial question is, press for press what makes an expensive brand worth buying over a less expensive brand? "

Egomostly, who can you impress by saying you use a Lee press? And some have a gut feeling that all that extra money MUST be buying something! But, any press that looks like it's competion will work like its competion, reguardless of selling price.

Iron is certainly "stronger" than aluminum alloy but high grade aluminum ally is actually more rigid than iron, up to it's yield strength, and with equal care and lubing there won't be a lot of difference in life expectancy between them.

Lee's Classic Cast is all iron/steel and very precisely bored on CNC machinery. It has the best user features of any press in it's class regardless of price. And understand that I say that as one who owns and has used an RC II as my main press since '87 but I'm too old to suffer from blind loyalty to inanimate objects.

Hornady Lock n Load single stage press (500 free bullets rebate).
Hornady dies (100 free bullets rebate)

If you put a value on the bullets (and I do) you will realize that you are going to pay a lot less for the Hornady gear and really enjoy it in the process.

I have a Lee Challenger Breech Lock Single Stage Press.
For the press alone, it runs about $65-$70.

The press is about 5 years old.
I've had no problems, & just don't see the wisdom in spending 2-4 times as much.

Not exactly answering the OPs question but something to consider: I bought a Lee turret (aluminum) kit for about $150, I use it often and make accurate rifle rounds and bulk plinking rounds and thoroughly enjoy the hobby. My uncle saw I was loading and decided he wanted to try it, bought himself a Dillon 650 and set it up for 3 calibers, bought all Dillon accessories, used it once and says he doesn't have the patience for it.

I like my Lee just fine, and recommend it often to new loaders (usually accompanied by this anecdote)...but I'm trying like heck to talk my uncle out of that 650!

They all work.

The big difference from the cheaper Lees and the bigger presses are leverage. Better leverage means less work on your behalf. Also take a look at how spent primers and priming are handled.

Just remember the saying regarding reloading equipment, buy once, cry once.

Sent from my SM-T210R using Tapatalk 2

I would base your decision on your intended capacity. I have a lee single stage, breechlock challenger kit. For what I do with it (which is a few calibers, and less than 200 per run) it works just fine. If your looking into going all out and loading by the thousands upon thousands, perhaps you should spend a little more money on something like RCBS, Hornady, and Lyman. If you're crazy,(Lol) and live in your loading room, and hate dealing with any potential issues, go with a Dillion. They're not cheap, but neither is their product and service. So essentially, its about your intent. But There are so many reccomendations, this is just my $0.02