Lee Challenger Breech Lock SS Press

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Ok guys, I realized how much I've spent this year on .45 ACP this year (we're looking at 2500 rounds so far), and I am still not shooting it as much as I'd like. I don't mind paying for 9mm, and all the rifle cartridges I shoot will be setup later, but right now, my focus is .45 ACP.

So I'm not too deep into my reloading research, but I am seeing good things about the Lee Challenger Single Stage press... THIS in particular...

Now does that kit include everything I'd need, except for the die set, shellholder, and case-length gauge? I mean it looks all good to me, but I am not the expert here.

For the dies, I'm looking at the 4-die set, and the 3-die set, only difference being that the 4-set has a crimping die. Is that something I would miss, later down the road?

Aside from a loading manual, is there anything I'm missing? A friend of mine has a tumbler he's willing to let me use, so that's taken care of.

Any input is appreciated!
 
You will need calipers. It is a great little kit. I started with it a few years ago. The 3 die set will work just fine. You can still crimp with it, it just doesn't have the FCD. It makes a nice finishing touch but really not needed. You will need the case gauge if you are using the trimmer from Lee which works well and fast. You will end up upgrading a few things I'm sure but it will definitely get you going.
 
Great to hear! It seems like a good deal to me. I've seen the Dillon case gauge. A lot of people say it's an excellent little gauge, so I will probably go that route. I also have a set of calipers already. And of course I assume I'll upgrade some stuff at some point. Where's the fun if you leave things alone?
 
When I got into reloading last year I looked long & hard at this kit. After doing a lot of research, I decided against the kit and just bought the Breechlock Challenger by itself. I opted for the Lee Pro Auto Disk measurer and a Hornady electronic scale. I also bought a beam scale on Ebay to check against the electronic scale. I also bought the Hornady hand held primer. I looked at alot of the reviews for the stuff in the kit form and found better reviews on the stuff I purchased separately. I load 9's and 38 special. I'm not a rifle guy. I also bought the Lee 4 die set. Anyways, what I purchased has worked well for me. Just my 2 cents.
 
I started with the Lee anniversary kit. Most of the same stuff in it as the Challenger kit.

A lot of people don't like the scale, but i haven't had any problems out of it.I did get some check weights to make sure i was using it right.

I went with the 4 die set. Simply becouse if i did need it(the FCD), it was cheaper to get it in the set.You'll get mixed reviews on it,some love it some hate it.

You'll need a set of calipers.I've got an electronic set.But i had those before i started reloading.

There is a thread at the top of the handloading and reloading section that is for begining reloaders, it has a lot of good info in it.

hope this helps
Mark
 
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More stuff you'll need on top of the kit:
1.) Expendables...obviously (powder/primers/bullets).
2.) Tumbler
3.) Reloading manual.
I just bought one of these for my Dad. You'll probably want to upgrade the scale first. Maybe the hand-primer too. I hope you've been saving your factory ammo boxes. Otherwise you may need some plastic ammo boxes. Not too pricey, but all the little nickle and dime expenses get annoying during startup. I'll subscribe to this thread and keep an eye out for more questions. We love getting new reloaders started here!
 
That info is in one of the stickys, reloading library of wisdom.
 
I just did the same thing. I got the anniversary kit and the four die set, the crimp die is pretty much just your own quality control. Do get some calipers to check your OAL. I wouldn't worry about trimming brass on 45acp. Use an uncharged/un-primed "dummy case" to set the bullet depth and do the "plunck" test on the barrel out of the gun. I picked up a $30 Hornaday (sp?) digital scale because I don't have the patience for the Lee beam scale. Go slow and avoid distractions. I got two loading blocks and move one case to the other block as each step is done. Start on the low side for powder charge and work your way up if you like Look into each case for powder before seating a bullet. That first shot will cost you about three hundred bucks but the more you reload the better the investment will have been. Yes, watch out for small primer brass. You can use the primer pocket cleaning tool included with the kit to be sure. Good luck and enjoy, just be very careful.
 
Like others here I started with the Challenger kit you list above. Also like others I do not like the scale. It works and is OK for starting out. It's just finicky and sometimes sticks.

I also load 45ACP and do not bother with a fourth die.

You'll want to expand your tools selection as you go along.

Also, look at this dealer. They sell that press for about the same price delivered compared to Midway's price.

https://fsreloading.com/lee-breech-lock-challenger-kit-90030.html

Get a good loading book. The Lee 2nd edition and the Lyman 49th are great. I prefer the Lyman book as it's easier on my old eyes. However the Lee book has a larger amount of loads to pick through.

Actually, get more than one book. Cross checking loads is a good safety routine.
 
If you just want it all sent to you in one box and ready to go this would be a good starter kit. As one other poster stated he bought individual items. Generally the things in the kit will work but you soon will want a different scale I would bet. If you spend a bit more and get the individual items from various makers you might be happier. I believe the Lee products are top notch equipment for reloading and any of the presses available from any major manufacturer will last a normal reloader a lifetime. Also do not discount finding used equipment in the trade sell area here or in other places like Ebay/Craigslist and such. Then fill in with whatever you need from the usual sellers. I have made some really good purchases from Natchez Shooters Supplies. They are on the net --natchezss.com.:) Generally better prices than Midway but sometimes sold out of popular things. I just made a good deal on a used Challenger setup with some stuff missing in the reloading items for sale section from mallc for a reloader that I helped to get into reloading. Whatever you do end up doing you will find reloading a rewarding hobby I bet.:D
 
I started with that kit and still use it.

My advice is to lose the scale.

Get a good quality beam like the RCBS 505, Dillon Eliminator or the Redding #2.
 
I started out with that Lee kit. It does a fine job for me for both pistol and rifle cartridges. However, I am limited to about 50 rds or less per hour. If you load 2500 rds, that is 50 hours at the reloading bench. I shoot less pistol than you do, never the less, I am seriously thinking of getting a Lee Classic Turret press. It's also available in a kit here https://fsreloading.com/classic-turret-press-kit-90304.html

At up to about 200 rds per hour, the classic turret press is much faster than the single stage press so, since you mentioned you want to shoot more, this may be the one for you. It can also be used in single stage mode for rifle cartridges and load development.

FSreloading.com or fmreloading.com have the best prices on the Lee products that I have found. Both have good custmer reviews here. FS reloading stocks all Lee products and in my experience the ship quickly and accurately. F&M reloading only stocks a limited supply of Lee gear, the rest is drop shipped by Lee manfacturing, which can take longer to arrive.
 
It's covered in the stickies but it is worth noting that with a single stage you can expect to make 50-75 rounds per hour batch processing. I soon upgraded from my breech lock kit to the very nice Lee CLASSIC turret to get the advanbtage of the 150-175 rounds per hour at a relaxed pace. Same simple operaion, just 4 handle pulls for a complete rounds.

Kits are now available for about $200.

Pistol shooters tend to shoot a lot, and the slower single stage operation could leave you wanting more. I am 100% satisfied with the Lee products that I own and use, though I did swap out the scale chores to a $30 digital, keeping the Lee beam for backup.
 
the Lee Challenger kit (with the addition of a manual and a caliper) will certainly get you started. however, if you think you'll stick with reloading i would suggest spending a little more to get some better equipment. the Challenger has an aluminum frame and i much prefer the cast iron frame of the Lee Classic Cast single stage. the scale works, but can be "sticky" and not very smooth at times. the Perfect Powder Measure will leak fine powders and isn't very consistent. the Lee hand primer is made of pot metal and a lot of folks break them eventually. i'm sure someone will say i'm just bashing Lee, but i'm not. it's a good kit to get you started if you're on a shoestring budget or if you just want to see if you'll like reloading. most serious reloaders would want to replace several items in that kit. the Lee Classic Cast is an excellent press and will last a long time.

i usually suggest the RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Master kit. the rock chucker press is a classic that will last you a lifetime. the 505 scale has been regarded as one of the best beam scales for years. the uniflow measure throws consistently. the rcbs hand priming tool works great and doesn't require special shellholders. it also comes with a good manual. like Lee, RCBS has an excellent warranty policy. the kit is $320 minus a $50 rebate, so $270 plus shipping. that's insignificant when you consider that the equipment will last you a lifetime and will turn out thousands upon thousands of rounds.

if money's tight, go ahead with the Challenger kit, but i believe most folks who stick with reloading would eventually want to replace most of the major equipment in that kit.
 
Like Randy I would recommend the Lee classic turret if it's within your budget. You can remove the auto indexing rod and batch load like a single stage. When you want to load faster you just add the auto indexing rod and about triple the output. Check out www.kempfgunshop.com for a classic turret kit.
 
I would suggest a progressive. The Pro1000 is a nice press for most handgun rounds. It has to ether have the indexing rod removed or a turret mod for most rifle tho. The Load Master is anorher nice press & will load handgun & most rifle rounds. I still prefer SS most of the time for rifke rounds.

If you do chose a SS for handgun rounds then a suggest adding a Pro Auto Disk measure or at least some kind of measure so you don't get burnt out loading handgun.
 
Everything that NeuseRvrRat and others have said about the weaknesses of the kit are true, however, I've worked through them and to date have thousands of pistol rounds through mine.

I've added a Lyman brass tumbler and case trimmer, callipers, loading blocks etc but pretty much everything you need is in the kit.

The powder measure can be a pain. There is an adjusting screw that needs to be set "just so"...too tight and you cant swing the handle; too loose and it leaks powder. I've found that the longer I've had mine the better it is. Mabe some of the graphite from the powder has helped lube the thing. With easy measuring powders like HP-38 and HS-6 it is very consistant.

Like everyone who has owned the hand primer (Autoprime) I've broken the handle. In my case that became a plus. While I was waiting for a replacement I discovered that I could prime faster on the press anyway so I really don't bother with the hand primer anymore. BTW I think the new design with the square tray "blows"...it keeps tipping primers and doesn't work as well as the old one.

The press shaft needs to be greased regularly. Even if you upgrade later, everything in this kit makes for a good backup.
 
I'm with Randy and Rusty. Lee Classic Turret.

If you do go single stage, I would not opt for the 4-die set. You will increase your processing time by 4/3 for no probable benefit. If you get the turret, the 4-die set is nice to have, as it is easier to set up, if for no other reason. There is a lot of disagreement over whether the Lee FCD (Factory Crimp Die, which is the 4th die in the 4-die set) is a benefit, a detriment or what.

The Challenger press is nice, but the Classic Cast is a superior single stage press. Better leverage, better spent primer handling and cast iron instead of aluminum (which is not as abrasion resistant as aluminum, so requires cleaning and lubrication less often).

edit: Thanks for post #20 NeuseRvrRat. My example of the shell holders was ill-chosen. The kit has a full set of shell holders, which is kind of a waste, since when you buy Lee dies, the die set comes with a shell holder. (Other makers of dies do not include the shell holder, so if you are going to use their dies, maybe not that much of a waste). However, not off the mark, as I consider the whole hand-priming tool to be superfluous anyway. I like to prime on the press. But I may be in the minority among single-stage users.

Most kits have several items you will trade off or never use. They also usually lack some things you will want. So, the savings you perceive when pricing a kit is largely illusion. Besides, if you take the time to assemble your own kit, you will have gained some education about the learning process that will serve you well when you start cranking the handle.

When I repopulated my loading bench in 2010, I did a lot of research which informed this thread:

"Budget Beginning bench you will never outgrow for the novice handloader" It is what I would have done 35 years ago if I had known then what I know now.
rugerforum.net/reloading/29385-budget-beginning-bench-you-will-never-outgrow-novice-handloader.html
www.rugerforum.net/reloading/29385-...you-will-never-outgrow-novice-handloader.html

Seeing your intended shooting goals and your estimate of your 45 ACP consumption, I recommend the Lee Classic Turret kit from Kempf's gun shop. It is one of the few that do not force upon you (except for the 6 plastic ammo boxes) stuff you may not want. And it includes one set of dies.

Lost Sheep
 
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The kit has a full set of shell holders, which is kind of a waste, since when you buy Lee dies, the die set comes with a shell holder. (Other makers of dies do not include the shell holder, so if you are going to use their dies, maybe not that much of a waste).
Click to expand...

the shell holders that come with the challenger kit are for the Lee Auto Prime only. they will not go on the press ram. you still need the shell holders that come with the Lee dies or you have to buy them separate if you use another brand of dies.
 
Definitely look at the Lee Classic Turret before you decide.
Look at https://kempfgunshop.com. They make up their own kit and it seems that you will use everything in it, unlike most kits. They will also help you with scales and the other things you will need to add.
45 ACP is a nice, easily reloaded round so you will soon want to crank them out and the single stage will get real old quickly.
The LCT with the PRO Auto Disk and the Lee Safety Prime make an amazingly smooth running loading system.
 
Before doing anything, go to your local library and get the following books: Lee MODERN RELOADING 3ed ed (ignore all the BS about how all Lee stuff is the best and the so-called "warranty", some Lee stuff is excellent, some, like the pot metal presses, are junk in my experience), Lyman #49 (new) or #48 (old), DBI METALLIC CARTRIDGE RELOADING 3ed ed. They all use Lyman data, but look at everyting else differently. Also get any other reloading books they have and read them too.

There are many reloading sites on the web, including reloading sites set up that talk about the various maker's presses, If you are interested in one make or model, there is undoubtly a site set up to discuss it. I would recommend you check a few of those too, for any press/kit you are interested in.

NeuseRvrRat is entirely right about spending a little money now and getting high quality equipment that will last you a life time, rather than buying low quality that will wear out quickly and need to be replaced far too soon with quality equipment. When you buy junk, you spend twice as much as you should. You spend to buy low quality which wears out, has no resale value and then need to buy the high quality equipment you actually need and should have bought to begin with. Quality is remembered LONG after price is forgotten. Buying low quality junk might sour you on reloading and then you might take up golf, which is oviously a fate worse then death if anyone sees you in golf clothes.

Look at the warranty and if the company stands behind it. A company that has a so-called "two year" warranty that they don't stand behind to begin with is NOT in the same class as a company that has a LIFETIME warranty and actually DOES stand behind it. RCBS, Redding, Dillon, Forster, and others have lifetime warranties that they stand behind, even if you are not the original buyer/owner. Note Lee only has a two year warranty, which in my experience, they do NOT stand behind.

As far as dies, I have many Lee dies and they are good and I recommend them, especially the deluxe sets. I have slightly more RCBS dies, and they are also very good, but Dillon/Forster/Redding are the BEST, but cost it too!

I like getting the Lee dies with the shell holder included, so I don't have to find the shell holder set, but if you have lots of shell holders the RGB sets are an excellent buy. Lee makes some 21 or 22 shell holders now, most other companies make more, up to 52 different shell holders! Naturally the tighter the tolerances in the shell holder, the less problems you will have with cases slopping around, but this is normally not a problem.

Shell gages are extremely useful too. There are many brands and no one brand is better (in my experience) than any other. I generally use Dillon gages because they are the easiest to find locally and high quality for the money.

Hope this helps.
 
You are the only person I have seen complain about Lee custumer service & you calling their presses pot metal discredits you.

The only time I have called them has been for parts that I have broken. Even after telling the how I broke them these stuberin people still refuse to let me buy the parts. I have never been asked the age of a tool. RCBS has great CS also but when you buy the first one you pay for the next 4 up front if your going to need them or not.
 
You will probably never need to trim 45ACP cases. Straight walled cases shrink over time.

I've never used the FCD for 45 ACP. Dunno if you'll miss it. The only pistol FCD I have gotten use out of is my 40SW FCD for push-through sizing to remove bulges.
 
kingmt said:
You are the only person I have seen complain about Lee custumer service & you calling their presses pot metal discredits you.

The only time I have called them has been for parts that I have broken. Even after telling the how I broke them these stuberin people still refuse to let me buy the parts. I have never been asked the age of a tool. RCBS has great CS also but when you buy the first one you pay for the next 4 up front if your going to need them or not.
Click to expand...
Legion489 is not the only person I have seen use the (factually incorrect) term "pot metal" in reference to Lee's presses. To succumb to a pun, they are legion. Complaints about customer service are not quite so abundant and you have to dig carefully to determine if it is Lee Precision Customer Service or one of the retailers who associate themselves to closely to Lee that it borders on identity theft. That particular retailer's CS is a bit less competent, though I have found them to be 100% helpful, so far.

I have read all of Legion489's posts on this forum. (We crossed posts a while back.) He has softened his anti-Lee rhetoric since joining and does acknowledge Lee's strengths, as I acknowledge Lee's weaknesses. He does enjoy the "pot metal" epithet more for its rhetorical effect than for its accuracy, though. Someday I hope he will apply it where is belongs. Until then, its effect is diluted through overuse. We can best just encourage its abandonment.

If everyone who complains about a brand would be specific about their complaints it would be a more perfect world. As it is, we are a work in progress. Myself included.

Lost Sheep
 
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