lee challenger kit?

That's the kit I started with. Except mine was pre quick-connect. I still use most of the components. The priming tool broke and had to be replaced after what seemed like not too long but was probably over 1000 rounds. You'll probably want to replace that. I have also replaced the linkage on the press. The original broke and was temporarily fixed with JB weld (that lasted 1000's of rounds). The newer linkage is much more sturdy.

I think it's a good kit, especially for the money. There are better ones out there but they cost more. I really like the relative light weight as I move mine around and use C clamps to set it up. This press might weigh a third of my RCBS Rockchucker but I think the Rockchucker produces more consistent bullets.

The press & some of the other stuff is very good.

The scale? That's the first thing I replaced.
It's accurate, but takes forever to stop bobbing.

And the powder measure leaks - bad!
If you buy this kit, place a plastic bag under the PM to reclaim the powder.

Never used the Off-the-press priming stuff.

You might be better off buying the press by itself & the other stuff you want or need separately.

But this is the kit I started with.

I started with the same. The press will flex a little on larger cases but it's ok. The scale is a real hassle get a 5-0-5 or similar. The powder measure is ok, once you fix it, it's accurate and well worth the money. The kit is decent for the money IMO.

In hindsight I'd rather have went with thishttp://www.midwayusa.com/product/785993/lee-classic-4-hole-turret-press-deluxe-kit?cm_vc=ProductFinding but both are just starters and you'll probably want to acquire more stuff along the way anyhow.

I have a Lee Chalenger pre breach loc. Links broke pretty quick but they were only $4.00 to replace. I use a Hornady Loc & load mostly for small batches and all case decap and size. If you decide to reload mil brass I'm not sure the Lee press will hold up long.

The Breechlock Challenger kit is a very good kit for starting out. It has just about everything you need to start loading rifle and handgun rounds other than the components (brass, powder, bullets, primers), dies and manuals. I like the fact that you can prime with the press or off the press with the hand primer. I don't like the new hand primer as much as the old one, but it still works decently. When I bought my LnL AP, I also bought a used BL Challenger kit to learn the ropes on a single stage before moving on to a progressive. After about a month of loading, I moved up to the progressive, but I still use the press for rifle rounds, bullet sizing and when fixing problem rounds that I need to take off the progressive line.

The breechlock system is fine, it makes switching dies easy, but it only saves about 30 seconds compared to screwing in a die with a pre-adjusted lock ring like the Hornady rings.

The scale can be made to stop bobbing by holding it gently with the finger tip, then letting it settle. Amazon has the 5-0-5 on sale for $40 with free shipping if anyone is interested. I don't mind the Lee scale and the powder measure works fine, you simply need to run a pound of powder through it to get graphite into the cylinder and you might have to adjust the tension on the screws when switching from bulky flake powder like Unique to fine ball powder like H335.

mokin---just curious how the rock chucker could produce more consistant bullets?

new guy here.

Click to expand...

I meant cartridges. The Rockchucker has a smoother mechanism and that, along with the increased mass make it easier to control while seating the bullets. That is, make it easier for me to keep my movements more consistent.

It's a good kit to start with I still use mine I bought way back when. Only problem I had was with the toggle link on the handle breaking but they updated that part and it works fine now.

Don't forget to look around for the best price.

Amazon - press alone is cheapest here
After 5 years of HARD use I broke mine & want to replace it, so I've been shopping around.

Graf & Sons
Midsouth Shooters Supply
Natchez Shooting Supply

I'm sure there's more I'm not recalling at the moment

For a little more, consider the Lee Classic Turret (and I believe that complete kits are available if you wish). I started with the Quick Connect Challenger and it does a decent job. However, since I reload a number of different rounds, I ended up buying the Classic Turret simply to ease swapping dies in an out. I buy a new head for each caliber that I reload, adjust the dies, and then take the head+dies off as a unit. To change calibers, simply change heads--takes about 5 seconds on the dies.

The Perfect Powder Measure is not--like others mine leaks on fine grained powders. When I used it, I loaded the brass in a shallow plastic tray to recapture the leakage.

On the other hand, the Pro Auto Disk works great for me with few problems. It only dislikes a few powders such as Unique. Usually manages to keep loads +/- .2 grains or less. I use electronic scales to check powder measures but I also make sure to recheck zero often and use a powder checker die.

In sum, the Challenger is a decent starter press but for about 40-50 more, you can get the Classic Turret which also works in single stage if you wish.

It is the kit I started with, and I have no complaints. The powder measure is fine. Hondo said it leaks bad, but I guess his was defective. I have 2 of the PPM and neither leaks after I adjusted the screw a tad. The scale takes a moment to settle, but I don't mind taking a little extra time to be sure the weight is right. I was using this equipment for 6 months, loading great ammo, before I joined this forum and learned that "lee is all junk"!!

The quick change bushings work like a charm. I decided to change over to the lock ring eliminators on the dies. They secure the die so once you're set, no adjustments. https://fsreloading.com/lee-precision-lock-ring-eliminator-90063.html

You will want to add another manual or 2 as well. Lee's manual has some good info, and lots of great data, but all manuals take a different tack in explaining the processes.

Good luck!

These guys usually have a good price on Lee equipment.
https://fsreloading.com/reloading-equipment/kits/

(I do buy a lot of stuff from Midway and have purchased froma Midsouth, Graf and Sons, Natchez and others)

Are you planning on loading mostly rifle or mostly pistol?
If most of your loading is for 9mm and .223 and you can swing the extra $70 or so
stepping up to the Classic Turret kit would allow you to load the pistol much faster. About 200 rnds and hour doing pistol.
Of course you can do rifle on it as well. If you want you can remove the index rod and just use it as a single stage press.
I really like my Lee turret and it is the old 3 hole "Deluxe" model, the Clasic is supposed to be much nicer.
I have been happy with my Lee equipment and think it is a good value for the money.

Just to let you know the .223 will need to be trimmed so you will need a trimmer, the little Lee tool for the inside and outside of case necks in the kit can remove primer crimps in .223
but this tool is much easier.
I really like the Worlds Finest Trimmer from Little Crow gun works (Midway has them I believe) (Video at Little crow gun works site) they are fast but about $70. Money well spent IMO.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/99...est-trimmer-223-remington?cm_vc=ProductFindin

I also have a Hornady lathe type trimmer but it is MUCH slower and about the same price, but can be set up for multiple calibers.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/804809/hornady-primer-pocket-reamer-package?cm_vc=ProductFinding

I have the PPM and I don't have any leaking issues with H335, or 8208 but I have heard reports that some people have issues with finer ball powders. Mine works well with stick powders H4831 for example.
I had the Lee scale and it worked but I didn't care for it a lot. (I already had a RCBS 5-0-5) got the scale in a kit.
I have a Frankford DS750 digital that I use the most. They are about $30. I also have a GEM20 which works really well. I believe they are about $25. (got the GEM20 off Amazon)

There was a comment about that Lee press flexing, I have never used that one but I have a no doubt it should do .223 just fine. My "deluxe" turret does .223 just fine and it is not as beefy as that press or the classic turret.
I would reccomend one of these for depriming the .223
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/13...riming-and-decapping-die?cm_vc=ProductFinding
About $13, do yourself a favor and order a couple of spare pins if/when you order it. Bummer to have to pay shipping for just a couple of pins, bigger bummer if you mess one up and don't have a spare on hand.
(Don't ask me how I know this )

There will be those who say you need a XYZ press, Lee stuff is junk, ignore them. JMO
I have probably loaded 20000 rounds on my "Deluxe" turret and it is still working fine. The ammo shoots as good as my firearms and I can.
(which of course may not be saying a whole lot. )


BTW
Welcome to THR, lots of great people here.

All of my reloading is done with a 50th Anniversary version of this kit. The press works great and the quick change feature is nice. I purchased the Lee Lock Ring Eliminators to ensure that the dies would remain in the adjusted position.

Both Titegroup and Autocomp are very consistent in the Lee Perfect Powder Measure but Autocomp leaks a lot.

I prime on the press and find that it works pretty well. The balance scale remains in the box since I like the speed of electronics.

I started out with that kit too. Never had any trouble with it, but the scale does take a long time to settle. I use a digital scale. I upgraded to a classic turret press, you can use that as a single stage as well to learn and you can crank rounds out faster once you get the hang of what you're doing. I kept my single stage though, I figure I'll use it for low volume loading of rifle rounds eventually since I've already got a bunch of quick change bushings.

I bought the kit you're looking at and probably have 12,000 rounds loaded on it without problems. I upgraded to the turret press a couple years ago.

Do yourself a favor and start with the turret press, you can remove the advance rod and use it as a single stage. The auto disk powder measure is great too.

I upgraded to a Hornady beam scale and like it much better than the Lee. Being able to switch out the turret head is great, the heads are only $10 and I put a powder measure on and leave it set.

I still use my Challenger for load work up and sizing bullets.

I also started with that press. Loaded a lot of ammo on it,

There is the Classic Breach lock which is much better press.

The cons:

The scale sucks
You will have to buy more bushings otherwise you will still have to screw and unscrew so what's the point.
The Lee manual is marginal.

For $100 more or so get the RCBS Rock Chucker, there is not junk there and it is a LIFETIME warranty Search for the best price.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/93...r-single-stage-press-kit?cm_vc=ProductFinding

That press kit does the job, it has started thousands of loaders on the way to making ammo.
Making consistent ammo is in the hands of the person.

If a person has the means to go a little beyond that, the classic turret is a press that will likely never leave one's bench and will get used for your ammo making lifetime. There is no better deal in reloading.