ftierson
Member.
The Lyman Crusher II (Orange Crusher, renamed) is just as heavy-duty as the RCBS Rockchucker...
And it has a nice, big opening, too...
Forrest
And it has a nice, big opening, too...
Forrest
I broke my press last night :(
- Thread starter davidjblythe
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davidjblythe
Member
- Joined
- Nov 20, 2007
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- 126
I ordered replacement links and a Classic Press last night. I'll let everyone know how it does as soon as I get it in.
neal7250
Member
Get yourself a rock chuker, or one of them old herters
Steel Talon
Member
Hi Dave,
I didnt read through the post so if most of this is allready coverd then the hive mind is at work
* You need a solid bench, Your current bench needs to be replaced or fortified.
*Your Lee Press is more than strong enoungh to handle Swiss cases. Once you observed the first failure then you should of STOP all action and repair dont get PO"D and force on..
*Rockchucker is you friend for all single stage needs its "rock solid" can it be broken sure so can a blacksmiths anvil
dies will switch out.*Upgrade to a turret? Sure, Lee classic cast or the Lyman. The Lee will put out some fine cartridges.
Here is a good deal/place to ordera lee turret
http://www.kempfgunshop.com/products/reloading/leeprecision/kits/KempfKit.html
Peace
ST
Floppy_D
Member In Memoriam
I have a Dillon 550, Rockcrusher and Lee Classic Cast. For single stage stuff, the Classic is my go-to press. You won't be dissapointed.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
davidjblythe,
Any one of the 3 heavy presses mentioned above would have been fine. The Lee press probably cost you a little less and will work just as well as the others.
dpote
Member
Wow, this is really strange. I broke my Lee Challenger on a 7.5 Swiss case around the same time you did. This was after about 20 or 30 thousand rounds on that press, though.
It was my fault, I didn't use enough lube on the case. I find the 7.5 Swiss cases really need the lube. I use Lee lube and if I'm paying attention to how much I apply I don't have a problem.
I put the toggle/handle from my Pro 1000 on the Challenger, and ordered a Classic Turret to replace the Pro 1000, which has 100K rounds through it, but is now missing a handle...
Dave
It was my fault, I didn't use enough lube on the case. I find the 7.5 Swiss cases really need the lube. I use Lee lube and if I'm paying attention to how much I apply I don't have a problem.
I put the toggle/handle from my Pro 1000 on the Challenger, and ordered a Classic Turret to replace the Pro 1000, which has 100K rounds through it, but is now missing a handle...
Dave
Hunter0924
Member
For strength in a single stage press I recommend Hornady.
ftierson
Member.
As far as I know, the Hornady presses are made out of aluminum (like Dillon).
While there's not anything necessarily wrong with aluminum for this application, why buy aluminum when you can get cast iron for the same price (or cheaper)...?
Forrest
While there's not anything necessarily wrong with aluminum for this application, why buy aluminum when you can get cast iron for the same price (or cheaper)...?
Forrest
I agree. This is also a good reason why lots of people like the RCBS presses. (nope I don`t have a rockchucker) They never hear of this type of breakage and RCBS will replace the parts or press free forever if they do fail. Buy once and forget about it. Once you start loading mid sized and up rifle cartridges instead of handgun cartridges the toughness of the press becomes much more important.
I doubt you can hurt a cast iron Lyman or Redding either.
Everyone I know (that reloads) swears by the immortal "RockChucker", they seem pretty solid by what I've seen. (They like the availability of dies, shellholders and accessories in our local Sportsman's Warehouse and Mom and Pop shops....)
I HAD to be different and went with a Lee LoadMaster. Been reloading 9mm, 45 ACP and .223 for about a year and not having any problems with the press. The frame is solid, change-overs are a snap. Have only reloaded about 5000 rounds so far, but once the thing was set up it has functioned like a champ.
I have not personally experienced anything negative enough to justify the venom I see folks spewing about the Lee equipment. (Maybe in 10 years, when my LoadMaster has paid for itself 100 times over, it'll break and piss me off too.......)
Bottom line, in my personal experience, RockChucker Single stage or LoadMaster presses have been working fine for a wide range of cartridges. Good luck on your search.
I HAD to be different and went with a Lee LoadMaster. Been reloading 9mm, 45 ACP and .223 for about a year and not having any problems with the press. The frame is solid, change-overs are a snap. Have only reloaded about 5000 rounds so far, but once the thing was set up it has functioned like a champ.
I have not personally experienced anything negative enough to justify the venom I see folks spewing about the Lee equipment. (Maybe in 10 years, when my LoadMaster has paid for itself 100 times over, it'll break and piss me off too.......)
Bottom line, in my personal experience, RockChucker Single stage or LoadMaster presses have been working fine for a wide range of cartridges. Good luck on your search.
jcwit
member
I've been using Lee and Lyman products for years. My personal experience Lee has been that Lee offers excellant value for money spent. I did have a single stage Lee (C) press once while resizing 30/06 cases, boxed up the bad part and returned to Lee with note and return address, less than 1 week later I've got a new part, pretty good for customer satisfaction. It makes me wonder about so many people cutting down Lee, but I venture to say they rush to Walmart to get their Chicom crap. I believe Lee has done a hell of a job promoting the reloading hobby here in the good old USA.
stubbicatt
Member
I've used nearly every single stage press under the sun, the Rockchucker was my favorite until the Classic Cast Lee came out. Now it is the best, with the turret being a close second.
jpwilly
Member
I have the Lee Classic Turret Press and use it to resize the 7.62x54r (lee full length size die). My bench gives some and at times I wonder about my mounting plate - but not the press...it could probably size up to 50bmg. I don't think it's going to break!
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