Lee Breech Lock Challenger Press VS. Lee Classic Cast Press

[Schwing]

I have been using the smaller Lee Breech Lock Reloader Press to size bullets. My hands are getting old so I want something with better leverage.

Can anyone enlighten me as to the difference between the Lee Breech Lock Challenger Press and the Lee Classic Cast Press? The opening appears to be a bit larger on the Classic cast press but I am curious as to whether one might be better the the other bearing in mind that it will only be used to size bullets or occasionally use my lead hardness tester.

 

[9mmepiphany]

As you've noted the opening is larger on the Classic Cast (CC) than on the Challenger (Ch), also the ram is a larger diameter.

The biggest difference is that the CC is cast from iron and while the Ch is aluminum. Less important, for your intended use, is the better spent primer handling system of the CC.

If you need more leverage, there are even Youtube videos of how to increase the leverage of the CC.

 

[Toprudder]

Be aware there are two Classic Cast presses from Lee. One is breechlock, the other is not. The breechlock version has the same spent primer handling of the Challenger. The non-breechlock version has a much better system of dropping the primers down through the center of the ram, so no primer residue gets on the outside of the ram to gum things up. This is the same system as on the Classic Turret press as well.

If you like the quick-change feature of the breechlock, then you can buy the Hornady bushings and adapters which will fit the regular Classic Cast.

 

[jmorris]

I have been using the smaller Lee Breech Lock Reloader Press to size bullets. My hands are getting old so I want something with better leverage.

I motorized a Lee Breech Lock for sizing bullets.

This is a video of how it works.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01zbImsdkbg

You can also go to homedepot and get 1/2" steel rod and make the lever as long as you want to gain leverage.

FWIW I prefer the Lee system to the Hornady bushings. Had bushings fall out of my LNL before, can't happen with the detent that Lee uses to lock the bushings in.

 

[Newtosavage]

I bought a Lee Challenger Breech Lock press recently, and although I'm not an experienced hand loader (only about 1K rounds so far) I like it very well. I have both Hornady and Lee dies, and so far, everything I've used from Lee has proven to give me better service at less cost. I only started reloading a few months ago, so I have no loyalties to any brand, but I have nothing but good things to say about Lee products to this point.

 

[Rule3]

I have both as well as the Classic Turret, I started loading with the Challenger bolted to a piece of plywood and than C clamp to a hardwood kitchen table with a pad underneath (Got the OK from (SWMBO)

The Classic as mention is cast not aluminum (heavier press) just generally a better press and for your question, yes more leverage.

If you are thinking about getting the Classic, I suggest just skipping it and get the Classic Turret, it can be used as a single stage also simply remove the indexing rod. Best of both worlds.

 

[mdemetz]

FWIW I prefer the Lee system to the Hornady bushings. Had bushings fall out of my LNL before, can't happen with the detent that Lee uses to lock the bushings in.

So the bushings are not compatible?

 

[alexcue]

the bushings are compatible.

The Classic Cast Press and the Classic Turret Press are very different presses. I own both now, and for me they fill different purposes. You just can't get the leverage on the CTP that you can on the Classic Cast Press. You aren't going to load 50BMG on the Turret, but you can on the Classic Cast with the appropriate shell holder and dies (they sell the conversion for it seperately).

The CTP is fantastic BTW, but I'm using it for pistol and smaller rifle. There is a degree of flex on the turret that is just inherent to the design. The Classic Cast won't have that flex. It's rock solid and comparable to the RCBS Rock Chucker line of Single Stage presses.

 

[jmorris]

So the bushings are not compatible?

No,

LNL bushing is a "spline" style held in place with an o-ring.



The Lee is an interrupted thread design with a notch for the spring loaded detent that keeps it in place.