Wanna help me choosing between these two single stage presses?

[Nordeste]

Hi all:

I'm about to purchase a single stage press to start loading my own pistol ammo, and the " Anniversary" Lee kit with the Challenger press looked like the most sensible option. Thing is, I'd use this press to load 9mm, and in the near future, .308W for a rifle I plan on purchasing. I have been told that the Breech press, made in aluminum, won't withstand loading rifle cartridges for an extended period of time and that, instead, I should buy the Classic Cast Press if I plan to load .308W. Would love your opinions on the matter.

Thanks in advance for your inputs.

 

[Sam1911]

I've had the Anniversary kit single-stage for ~25 years now. I've worn out the cast aluminum toggle parts (that connect the lever to the ram) a few times, but Lee always sends me replacements for free (or cheap?). The press itself is just as good as new.

Having said that, for the last 10 years or so I've used a Dillon 550 for the VAST majority of my reloading (all handgun, some rifle).

If you can swing the cost difference, the Classic Cast press is VERY NICE, and would be exactly what I would buy if/when I really need another single-stage.

 

[kingmt]

Breach Lock is the bushing in the top that both presses have but I know what you mean. I don't know anything about the Challenger but I have the Cast. It works great for rifle. Pistol on the other hand isn't with the trouble to me.

I also have a Pro1000 that is nice for handgun. There is a lot more press work in handgun. When I started I hand measured everything on a not so good RCBS beam scale. I also didn't know about scoops. I burnt myself out doing it this way. A Pro auto disk powder measure would help this process greatly. don't know what the kit come with but I'd upgrade if it isn't in there.

 

[brow_tines]

I have the challenger, it's almost 2 years old and I load 9mm, 38, 40, .223,.308 and 30/06 with it. I've never had any problems

 

[tcanthonyii]

I know you didn't ask about this press but have you thought about going with a Lee Classic Turret? Since you're going to be doing 9mm it's a great compromise. You can load in single stage for both 9 and 308 but when you get comfortable you can speed up the process with your 9mm. Plus this way your dies are left on a shell plate and will only need minimal adjustment each time you load.

I'm using the Turret and load for 380, 9, 45, 300 win mag, 270, 30-30, 223 and 44 mag. It handles all of them with ease. It's just a thought

If you are limiting your purchase to just those two I'd go with the cast if you can swing it. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Nordeste]

Thanks for your correction, Kingmt. It's as you say, the Challenger press. First message edited, for that matter. I shouldn't post after a night shift.

The good thing of the Challenger kit is all the stuff that comes with it. But I want something that is reliable for both rifle and pistol and some folks over here have advised me against it, as I said. Some even claiming to have broken those toggle parts that Sam mentions.

On Tuesday I'll talk to my Lee dealer and see how much is the difference between the kit, and the Cast press with the necessary accessories.

 

[Nordeste]

Yep, I did think about the Classic Turret. I felt more inclined towards the single stage press because I am, after all, a reloading newbie, but if the cost of the single stage cast plus equipment comes close to the classic turret...

And see what brow_tines says. Some other guys over here say the same. They use the Challenger for rifle rounds with no apparent problem, hence my question.

 

[Sam1911]

They use the Challenger for rifle rounds with no apparent problem

It is a fine starter press. As I said, you will end up having to replace parts eventually, and it doesn't have quite the weight and leverage of a higher grade of single-stage press, but it will serve you perfectly well for decades.

 

[higgite]

Yep, I did think about the Classic Turret. I felt more inclined towards the single stage press because I am, after all, a reloading newbie......

The classic turret can also be used as a single stage press by removing the auto indexing rod. It's designed to be used either way.

 

[Matt Dillon]

Having owned both, I can tell you unequivocally that you should bite the bullet and get the Lee Classic cast press. You will to regret that decision!

 

[Edarms]

Get the Lee Classic Turret. I use mine about half of the time as a single stage.

 

[GaryL]

Of the 2 the OP listed, no question, the Classic Cast. It's very solid, and should last a lifetime.

 

[quaid]

Go cheap. Maybe you end up hating reloading and are glad you sunk very little money in it.

If you don't mind it, then instead of buying another small/slow press, you can step up to the turrets and progressives out there, better knowing what your wants and needs are.

 

[skywalkrNCSU]

I have the lee cast single stage and added the locknload conversion. Makes switching dies super easy.

 

[GaryL]

Go cheap. Maybe you end up hating reloading and are glad you sunk very little money in it.

I could be wrong, but if he decides to get out of it, I strongly suspect the CC would have a better resale market, and a slightly used CC would easily sell in the 80% of new range.

 

[mookiie]

I had the same choice as you are considering when I started loading in 2009. Since then I have put 20,000ish rounds together without a problem. The quick change bushings are great (not sure if the challenger has that feature). I would definitely recommend it to a friend. Mine is as good as new, I did break a ram toggle linkage but lee sent me a new one for free. Even so it was only a 3 dollar replacement part. Hope this helps.

 

[lightman]

I'm the type that over buys, over builds, maybe even over thinks! I say buy the better press. If you really get into it, you will want a progressive later on for your pistol ammo. If you don't like reloading and decide to sell, any one of them will sell quickly. Lightman

 

[GCBurner]

The Lee Challenger is a Best Buy as a starter single-stage press, it works for pistol and most rifle loads, and will last about forever. I moved up to a Lee Classic Cast press because it can take larger 1 1/4" dies for large-caliber rifle cartridges like .577-450 by removing a bushing, or regular 7/8" dies for everything else. If you want one single-stage press that can do anything from .25ACP to .50BMG, the Lee Classic Cast would be it.

 

[Lost Sheep]

Hi all:

I'm about to purchase a single stage press to start loading my own pistol ammo, and the " Anniversary" Lee kit with the Challenger press looked like the most sensible option. Thing is, I'd use this press to load 9mm, and in the near future, .308W for a rifle I plan on purchasing. I have been told that the Breech press, made in aluminum, won't withstand loading rifle cartridges for an extended period of time and that, instead, I should buy the Classic Cast Press if I plan to load .308W. Would love your opinions on the matter.

Thanks in advance for your inputs.

Welcome to reloading and thanks for asking our advice.

How much do you intend to shoot and reload?

The Challenger press will require a bit more care (keeping the ram's bearing surfaces clear of grit and the linkage points lubricated, etc) than the Classic Cast. Though both should be kept lubricated and cleaned, the Classic Cast will stand up to abuse and neglect than the Challenger, either will last a lifetime, properly maintained.

I believe the leverage on the Classic Cast is stronger than on the Challenger. .308 Winchester/7.62x51mm does not require all that much leverage, though, so either will do for you.

Collection of spent primers with the Classic Cast is superior to the Challenger. They drop down through the center of the ram instead of alongside the ram, where they may not all fall where you want.

Now, about quantity: If you want more than a few hundred rounds at a time, you will tire of a single stage.

I started loading on a single stage press when I bought my revolver. I was able to load about 50-60 per hour. Not long after, I bought two progressive presses. (By that time I was shooting both small primer ammunition and large primer and the opportunity to trade for two used presses arose.) I didn't like monitoring multiple simultaneous operations, so three years ago I bought a Lee Classic Turret.

The Lee Classic Turret has as much leverage as the Lee Classic Cast and has allowed me (with the auto-indexing functioning) to load nearly three times as fast while still allowing me to monitor only one operation at a time. Yet, by leaving the auto-indexing turned off, it is a single stage press in every operational sense.

Now that you know my personal history, you can evaluate my next statement better. "If I knew when I started reloading what I know now, I would have started with the Lee Classic Turret press."

If you need more than 150 rounds per hour for your handgun shooting, I suggest getting the single stage press now and a progressive press later. A really good progressive press can produce 300 to 600 rounds per hour. But such speed is expensive.

Do not get the Lee Deluxe Turret Press mixed up with the Lee Classic Turret press. The Classic is superior to the Deluxe (or standard) for many reasons, but the one most important to you is that the vertical opening on the Classic is a full inch (25.4 mm) taller than on the Deluxe. It is important to have enough room for placing bullets on the rifle cases.

Good luck.

Lost Sheep

 

[Clark]

In the reloading room I have two co-ax single stage.
In the vehicle I have two RCBS partner single stage.
In front of my keyboard I have one Lee reloader single stage clamped to the desk.

I could have a challenger or classic pair in the reloading room or vehicle, and not know much difference. But I really like the light weight of the Lee reloader press screwed to a board with sheet rock screws and then clamped with a wood clamp on the desk. It has to go on fast, and come off fast and get thrown across the room.

 

[ScratchnDent]

I have been using a Challenger press for ~10 years and many thousands of handgun and rifle reloads with no problems at all. I keep it clean and lubed and it just works.

 

[Centurian22]

I'm a newbie reloader myself and started with the Lee Classic Turret. It really is an awesome press and I couldn't be happier with it. I repurposed some 2x3's into a stand for it and away I went.

 

[JRWhit]

I would go cast and did. After a lot of looking I was able to find it for right at $100 including shipping. I have the turret press and like it for pistol loads but quickly learned its short comings when loading rifle, that's were the classic cast came in.
Those are my findings, but they are limited on longevity and come from 8-9 months of use.

 

[Clark]

Centurian22
I am impressed with the triangulation, mass, low center of gravity, and [is that 3 legged?] reloading stand.


But you have animals in your space that might compete with your eating while reloading.

 

[BYJO4]

I would also get the cast press.