Lee classic cast press

[lopezni]

I was considering buying a lee classic cast press (say that three times fast)
I had intended on purchasing a Redding Boss or Big boss press, then I heard the Lee cast press might actually be better. Any suggestions or thoughts on the subject? Also, anybody using RCBS 7.62x54R dies? I hate Lee bullet seaters and was thinking about buying individual dies for that cartridge based on what I do like about certain dies. Any complaints about RCBS full length sizers?

 

[Gryffydd]

The Lee Classic Cast is a great press at a great price. It may not be as smooth as some others, but it's got a great primer catching system, and it's pretty inexpensive.

I mostly load on a progressive, but I use several die brands as well. Lyman (M) expanders, Redding profile crimp, and Lee sizers. I started out with mostly Lee sets and then started replacing themone by one. You pay a little more than buying sets, but it's worth it sometimes. I can't speak to those particular dies though.

 

[Palehorseman]

Just got one from Midway, was on sale for 77 bucks, Lee did not cut corners on it, all cast iron and steel with great compound leverage.

I got mine for needed a heavy duty single stage, could not be more happy with it.

 

[snuffy]

Here's mine set-up for brass shotgun loading, with the 1-¼ RCBS cowboy shotgun die installed. The bushing for 7/8-14 comes right out for that die, or for the LNL bushings.



Not AS smooth? Bunk, it glides effortlessly, like greased glass! Oh, and it's on sale right now at Midway! Sale goes until 7-31, $77.29

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=317831

 

[Hondo 60]

Built like a tank & made to last so your great-grandchild can reload on it.

 

[ranger335v]

No mechanical device is smooth as glass initially, they all have to be broken in to achieve that. My old Rock Chucker felt like it was lubed with sand at first. The Lee Classic Cast is a better press and will be as smooth as any after a bit of use, same as the rest.

 

[Ed Gallop]

I like my Lee Classic and after tens of thousands of reloads it is as good as new, if not better. My son has a Progressive Turret but prefers my Classic.

Don't know about RCBS but I use Lee 7.62x54r dies and they work great. I'm curious to what you don't like about the seating die. The only problem I had was human error. I ruined some precious casings until I discovered the crimp on the seating die was crimping too soon. I was showing them to a non-reloading friend and he must have twisted the adjustment. I disabled the crimp and only use the factory crimp. You may want to too. Ed.

 

[Gryffydd]

No mechanical device is smooth as glass initially, they all have to be broken in to achieve that

I will agree that mine is slowly getting smoother.

 

[rbernie]

I had one for years and loaded lots and lots of rounds on it. I sold it to buy the Classic Cast Turret, which I feel is a much better system for not much mo' money....

 

[rondog]

Lee's product names just confuse me, but I have their turret press with the 4-hole turrets, the primer catching tube on the bottom and the handle that's a steel bar and not the cast aluminum handle.

This one. I love it! Extra turret rings are about $10, I have a dozen setup with different die sets. Changing calibers is very quick and easy.

 

[rodinal220]

I like mine.I use it to load .50 BMG,brass 12 gauge hulls,brass forming for oddballs like the 577-450 MH.If Midway has them for $77 right now I would snag one.

 

[Hondo 60]

On 2nd thought I'd vote for the Lee Challenger Breech Lock Single Stage Press.

Where it differs from the the Classic cast is that the dies go into a bushing. So you set it once & never have to again. To change dies the whole bushing comes out. And it has a steel bar handle not the aluminum one. It's just a heavy solid unit.

It was my very first press.

 

[BigJakeJ1s]

You can convert the LCC to use Hornady LNL bushings with the Hornady Lock-N-Load Press and Die Conversion Bushing Kit

Better press, same convenience.

Andy

 

[Gryffydd]

I'd agree. The Hornady kit on the Classic Cast press is the way to go.