floydster
Member
This sounds like the Harley forum, any other bike is junk---unbelieveable.
If Lee presses are junk, why are used ones so hard to find?
- Thread starter GLOOB
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jcwit
member
Absolutly, agreed 100% floydster.
Lee Makes excellent products in a very affordable price range.
Lyman, RCBS, Redding, Forester, Hornady, Dillon, Sinclare, Wilson, and all the other unmentioned also make excellent products in their price ranges. Some of those I mentioned I consider somewhat overpriced, but thats just my opinion and nothing more, their product is still excellent. Some folks admire the better finish, and possible faster operation, and possibly the bragging rights the higher priced products give, but they produce no better rounds than the cheapest/economical product "more than likely the Lee Orginal Loader Kit, AKA whack-a-mole" still availablefor a mere approx $15.00. It's all in the operator and his ability and knowledge and attention to detail.
Regarding breakage, anything is breakable, just push it pass the envelope for what it was ment to. I broke a Lee "C" frame press once, failed to lube a 30/06 case while resizing. Returned the broken piece to Lee with a note as to how it happened "my fault" and received a new press in less than a week No Charge. Just what more could one ask for.
Lee Makes excellent products in a very affordable price range.
Lyman, RCBS, Redding, Forester, Hornady, Dillon, Sinclare, Wilson, and all the other unmentioned also make excellent products in their price ranges. Some of those I mentioned I consider somewhat overpriced, but thats just my opinion and nothing more, their product is still excellent. Some folks admire the better finish, and possible faster operation, and possibly the bragging rights the higher priced products give, but they produce no better rounds than the cheapest/economical product "more than likely the Lee Orginal Loader Kit, AKA whack-a-mole" still availablefor a mere approx $15.00. It's all in the operator and his ability and knowledge and attention to detail.
Regarding breakage, anything is breakable, just push it pass the envelope for what it was ment to. I broke a Lee "C" frame press once, failed to lube a 30/06 case while resizing. Returned the broken piece to Lee with a note as to how it happened "my fault" and received a new press in less than a week No Charge. Just what more could one ask for.
EMC45
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I like Lee products. I used to bash them. That was before I even reloaded. I bought a set of dies from them for a rifle and they worked fine. How could it be that such garbage equipment made good ammo. I was dumbfounded. Surely it was a mistake, because I was convinced Lee made junk. I now have 2 Lee presses and several of their die sets, also the PPM (the most accurate measure I have used to date). I like RCBS a lot for sure, but if I had to do it all over again I probably would have gone all Lee! The cost savings is there, and they make a quality US made product (for a while RCBS was casting their Rockchuckers in China, yes that China). I find that a lot of people who bash Lee are doing so to justify overpaying for a press, albeit a quality one, that turns out just as good ammo as a "junk" Lee setup. Kind of ironic the Harley analogy...It is what I have been thinking reading through these posts. Pay upward of 30 grand on a bike and degrade everyone else's bike so you can feel good about it while it's in the shop.....
I have several perfectly serviceable Lee products on my bench but I have never used one of their presses.
If it wasn't for the Lee Loader value proposition luring many of us into this hobby, RCBS, Dillon, Lyman, etc... would probably not have been able to survive
If it wasn't for the Lee Loader value proposition luring many of us into this hobby, RCBS, Dillon, Lyman, etc... would probably not have been able to survive
ranger335v
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"This isn't about saying good or bad, it's about saying the truth. Lee presses are garbage. If that's "mean" it doesn't matter --- it's the truth"
No. It's specious ignorance of the truth.
No. It's specious ignorance of the truth.
I love my LEE single stage press.It is another you
won't find on the used "for sale" market.I had a
RCBS Rock Chucker single stage press.Got out of the business
and gave all my stuff to a cousin.Years later I got back
in for mediocore pistol loading so I went with the LEE stuff.
Lee press,Lee dies,Lee powder measure,Lee primer feed.
Good stuff!It works for me.
won't find on the used "for sale" market.I had a
RCBS Rock Chucker single stage press.Got out of the business
and gave all my stuff to a cousin.Years later I got back
in for mediocore pistol loading so I went with the LEE stuff.
Lee press,Lee dies,Lee powder measure,Lee primer feed.
Good stuff!It works for me.
jcwit
member
Nope, It broke where the die was screwed into the press, it was my fault in missing to lube some cases, sleepless night and wasn't going to do any critical loading, just sizing, after all what could possibly go wrong, right?
But as I posted, Lee replaced the press even tho I explained what happened.
But as I posted, Lee replaced the press even tho I explained what happened.
Gadzooks Mike
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Otto, how did that happen?
Lee, the Hi-Point of reloading!
That oughta get the haters riled up, we all know how much they despise Hi-Points, although they just keep banging right along and have the lifetime warranty thing. Gee, affordable reloading equipment that makes great ammo and affordable guns that work, both with outstanding warranties....what a concept.
That oughta get the haters riled up, we all know how much they despise Hi-Points, although they just keep banging right along and have the lifetime warranty thing. Gee, affordable reloading equipment that makes great ammo and affordable guns that work, both with outstanding warranties....what a concept.
Searcher4851
Member
I find it interesting how many people on this thread voice a negative opinion, but give no specifics. It leads one to believe they have no first hand knowledge to share, just an uninformed opinion.
On the other hand, seems like the people that have actually owned and used Lee products are generally staisfied with them. Perhaps that's why there is so little used Lee equipment on the market.
On the other hand, seems like the people that have actually owned and used Lee products are generally staisfied with them. Perhaps that's why there is so little used Lee equipment on the market.
philbo
Member
To the OP, you can find used deals on Lee equipment but you have to move pretty fast to get it before it's gone. I have 2 Lee Pro 1000's and a Lee Loadmaster that were all purchased over the last few years from owners who were frustrated with them. All function properly and have been turning out handgun ammo without complaint. Steeper learning curve than other brands perhaps, but once mastered they churn out ammo that goes bang. What more could I ask for?
Steve Koski
Member
dbarnhart
Member
I don't own a Lee press so everything I know about them is from the perspective of a third party reading the pros and cons and trying to learn all I can before making the 'Which progressive press will I buy?' decision.
In my youth I drove a British sports car (Austin Healey). It was a great little car and brought much satisfaction - when it was running right.
My impression of the Loadmaster is akin to my memories of my Austin Healey: Lots of tinkering to keep it running well. Some people enjoy the tinkering and consider it part of the hobby. Some enjoy the tinkering so much that 'requires tinkering' is one of their purchase requirements. I confess that a part of me suffers from this a little bit.
Others simply want the tool to work with little or no tinkering. Any tinkering required is the outwardly manifest symptom of a design defect. Anyone in this category would find no pleasure in constantly trying to keep dual SU carbs synchronized.
I suspect that when I hear these back-and-forths about Lee, what we are really hearing is whether-or-not the press' owner is a tinkerer.
I will probably buy a Loadmaster - just not as my primary press. Just as it's fun to have a 'hobby car', it's no substitute for something in the garage that 'just works'.
A side note: My Austin Healey had an affinity for breaking axel shafts on a regular basis.
In my youth I drove a British sports car (Austin Healey). It was a great little car and brought much satisfaction - when it was running right.
My impression of the Loadmaster is akin to my memories of my Austin Healey: Lots of tinkering to keep it running well. Some people enjoy the tinkering and consider it part of the hobby. Some enjoy the tinkering so much that 'requires tinkering' is one of their purchase requirements. I confess that a part of me suffers from this a little bit.
Others simply want the tool to work with little or no tinkering. Any tinkering required is the outwardly manifest symptom of a design defect. Anyone in this category would find no pleasure in constantly trying to keep dual SU carbs synchronized.
I suspect that when I hear these back-and-forths about Lee, what we are really hearing is whether-or-not the press' owner is a tinkerer.
I will probably buy a Loadmaster - just not as my primary press. Just as it's fun to have a 'hobby car', it's no substitute for something in the garage that 'just works'.
A side note: My Austin Healey had an affinity for breaking axel shafts on a regular basis.
oneounceload
member
As I stated earlier, MY experience is with the Lee Load-All - it has no adjustment for wad depth, no crimp adjustment, every major component is cheap plastic that breaks; it had inconsistent powder drops; there was no easy way to change shot or powder; the bushings weren't even close to the stated weights, the handle torqued badly to one side when starting a new shell..................
Does that fit your requirements for specifics?
Lee gets a big hands-DOWN from me; I'll take RCBS, Hornady, Forster, even a Dillon first
Lee is currently making the best single stages out there and the classic cast turret is very nice too. I have used a lot of their stuff, but i use lots of stuff from other makers as well. The only presses i currently have are lee presses except for my mecs for shotshells, but i also use loadalls by lee and use them quite often for smaller runs.
When i read a thread bashing a lee progressive, the first thing that comes to my mind is that the poster isn't too bright because i have used both progressives they make and still use the loadmaster which has the best primer system imaginable for a progressive. You just have to keep it clean and yes some of the plastic priming parts will wear out and need replacing every few thousand rounds, but they are inexpensive and easily replaced.
If a man can't set up a press properly then in my opinion he has no business loading his own ammunition. I assume that a lot of the bashing has to do with the fact that if one idiot couldn't follow instructions and set his machine up properly, he will start bashing threads to keep others from buying it because if they do they will realize what an idiot he really is.
My next press will be a Dillon, but not because Lee doesn't work, but... well just because i want a blue one.
When i read a thread bashing a lee progressive, the first thing that comes to my mind is that the poster isn't too bright because i have used both progressives they make and still use the loadmaster which has the best primer system imaginable for a progressive. You just have to keep it clean and yes some of the plastic priming parts will wear out and need replacing every few thousand rounds, but they are inexpensive and easily replaced.
If a man can't set up a press properly then in my opinion he has no business loading his own ammunition. I assume that a lot of the bashing has to do with the fact that if one idiot couldn't follow instructions and set his machine up properly, he will start bashing threads to keep others from buying it because if they do they will realize what an idiot he really is.
My next press will be a Dillon, but not because Lee doesn't work, but... well just because i want a blue one.
jcwit
member
I think you hit on something here. Many, many people never read the instructions until the've already discovered they do not have the smarts to assemble said equipment and/or have already broken said equipment or worse yet both.
I have neighbors that only buy vehicles because after so long the engine blows because of failure to check/change oil. I try not to associate with them much.
Greg Mercurio
Member
I have a 550B, a Square Deal, Rock Chucker, a Jr, and a Lee C press. All of them do exactly what they were designed to do. Using the Rock Chucker with a universal decapping die is a waste of time and energy. Using the Lee for the same task is an engineers choice. Short stroke, plenty of leverage and decent ergonomics. Attempting to resize a .416 Rigby on the Lee would be silly, but a no-brainer for the Rock Chucker. Trying to match the output of the Square deal with the Jr is an exercise in futility. Get the point? All of them have their place, all work, and none are junk.
And I WILL add a Forster/Bonanza at some point, just because I WANT ONE!!!
And I WILL add a Forster/Bonanza at some point, just because I WANT ONE!!!
ranger335v
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Ah. Gregg. you just HAD to post some common sense in a war of misguided opinons didn't you!
"A side note: My Austin Healey had an affinity for breaking axel shafts on a regular basis."
A wise old friend used to tell me that English cars in America were designed to be England's revenge for the wars of 1776 and 1812!
"A side note: My Austin Healey had an affinity for breaking axel shafts on a regular basis."
A wise old friend used to tell me that English cars in America were designed to be England's revenge for the wars of 1776 and 1812!
Man I wish I had read this thread last month. I am new to reloading and just got the lee classic turret. While it was easier to set up and operate than I was ecpecting and it did work...if I just had know that this affordable, easy to operate, and seemingly well made tool was such junk I wouldn't have gotten it.....but I also prob would not have gotten anything because I am on a budget.......I guess it is better to not reload than to load on junk..... Anyway I am off to take it down and put it in the trash.....gotta find a new hobby anyone got any suggestions
jcwit
member
Go out and collect love and worry rocks. Its fairly cheap.
Just don't throw them about if you live in a glass house.
Just don't throw them about if you live in a glass house.
I"ll bite on the Hi-Point analogy.
Tell me ONE difference between the terminal ballistics of a bullet fired from a Hi-Point and one from a Sig P210. Answer? There isn't any. Same with a LEE. The end result is the same but the tool that got the job done cost a lot less. Good analogy. Thanks.
Tell me ONE difference between the terminal ballistics of a bullet fired from a Hi-Point and one from a Sig P210. Answer? There isn't any. Same with a LEE. The end result is the same but the tool that got the job done cost a lot less. Good analogy. Thanks.
HOWARD J
Member
TennJad
You let other people tell you what to do--DON"T
You said the machine was working ok---you will throw it away because some jerk said it is junk?
Take care..............
H
You let other people tell you what to do--DON"T
You said the machine was working ok---you will throw it away because some jerk said it is junk?
Take care..............
H
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