Lee tools--the best and the not so hot

[Skip Sackett]

Just wondering... beyond the turret and the ratchet parts, what structural part of this Lee Classic Turret Press is aluminum or plastic? Even the ball handle is wood.

Also, please advise where the comparable press from Hornady, RCBS, Redding, Lyman, Pacific, Dillon, etc, etc, is located? And at what price? Pooh pooh Lee all you want, but some/most of their stuff is innovative and well-made.

And I don't give a rat's patootie what car anyone drives...

Only thing close that I know of:
Dillon Precision: Reloaders, Reloading Equipment, Bullet Reloading, Bullet Reloaders

The BL 550 is essentially an RL550B without the automatic priming and powder systems. Capable of loading more than 160 calibers- just like the RL550B- it uses any manufacturers' standard 7/8"-14 reloading dies. It's priced comparably with other manufacturers' turret presses; yet unlike them, it's fully upgradeable to Dillon's Progressive RL550B loader!
The interchangeable toolhead makes it quick, easy and inexpensive to change calibers. For example, if you load 30-06 for elk, .243 for deer and .22-250 for coyote, you don't even have to change the shellplate. You simply pull two pins and swap the toolhead with your 30-06 dies to another toolhead with your .22-250 or .243 dies in less than 30 seconds! The additional toolheads are $20.95 each, or $18.95 each if you buy three or more- if you load for several rifles it's a no-brainer! Once you get your dies set you'll never have to re-set them.
A powder measure adapter is available if you want to use a manual measure that you already own. Or, if you want to weigh every powder charge you load, it's easy- you can use a powder trickler with the powder die/ funnel assembly that comes with the BL550.

The place they are really different, price. Lee(press only)$104, Dillon(press only)$259.

That being said, the Dillon can be upgraded to the "RL" version while the Lee has a priming attachment that can be added. So, one is at the top of the line, the other can go farther.

Depends on future needs.

FWIW

Since I have both brands of presses, I really have no dog in this hunt. Both have a purpose. I see the Lee as an intermediate step. Not single stage, not progressive.

p.s. I put the Dillon RL550 into the same category though. Square Deal B and XL650, Hornady LNL, with auto advance, primer device, those are progressive presses. IMHO

 

[Jc85]

A pacific I started with 40 years ago, a Redding Big Boss, and a Hornady LNL AP. So what kind of Car do I drive?

a van. or Chrysler.

p.s. I put the Dillon RL550 into the same category though. Square Deal B and XL650, Hornady LNL, with auto advance, primer device, those are progressive presses. IMHO

agreed.

 

[Jellybean]

You don't have to adjust it; it already works for all of them. The ones that are longer need to be trimmed, and it trims them. The ones that are shorter don't need to be trimmed and it doesn't trim them. That's exactly how it is supposed to work, and exactly how you should want it to work. If you have some reason for trimming short cases to make them even shorter, you can easily make or buy such a tool.

No sir, it doesn't work for all of them. The reason for trimming brass isn't just for making them shorter than SAAMI specs, it's a part of making the most accurate, best quality ammo you can get and you can't do that without being able to trim every piece of brass you have.

If you want to reload to save money, buy Lee because it will save you the most money and will give you fairly adequate results. But if you want performance and the highest quality, be wary of what you use. The Lee products that can compete with other companies are close to the same price and you really have to watch what you want and what you are getting.

 

[RidgwayCO]

Skip, I agree that the Lee Classic Turret is not in the same league as a true progressive, although it can be used as a single stage by simply removing the auto advance feature (a one minute job at most). I bought mine to speed up my ammo production compared with my RCBS Rock Chucker, without any decrease in ammo quality. I can easily load 150 rounds per hour, and that includes priming with my RCBS hand priming tool.

Before I bought my Lee Classic Turret I seriously considered a Dillon progressive, but just couldn't justify the expense. And even though I'd been reloading for more than ten years, I wasn't sure I was up to monitoring four or five simultaneous steps. What I liked about the Classic Turret was everything still happened one step at a time, right in front of me. Plus the steps I didn't care for on the single-stage (placing a case in the shellholder and then removing it four different times to get a completed round) were eliminated.

In some ways, I think Lee screwed up by calling it a "turret press." The term has been around for years, and Lee's version is more advanced than the others. The Lee version would more accurately be described as an "auto-turret." I'm saddened when I read somebody write, "But I've got a Lyman turret press, why would I want to use a Lee?" In my mind, there's just as big of a difference between a Lyman turret press and a Lee turret press, as the difference between a Lee Turret press and a Dillon progressive.

 

[Gary]

I use Lee:

Deprimer
Several dies
Several factory crimpers
Auto Prime

All work well. I also have several case trimmers. They were too slow as my reloading needs grew so I got a Forster case trimmer. I have dies from most of the major manufacturers and the Lee dies work as well as any. The only complaint i have is that I wigh the Auto Prime unit was a little more ergonomic.

 

[Skip Sackett]

Skip, I agree that the Lee Classic Turret is not in the same league as a true progressive, although it can be used as a single stage by simply removing the auto advance feature (a one minute job at most).

In some ways, I think Lee screwed up by calling it a "turret press." The term has been around for years, and Lee's version is more advanced than the others. The Lee version would more accurately be described as an "auto-turret." I'm saddened when I read somebody write, "But I've got a Lyman turret press, why would I want to use a Lee?" In my mind, there's just as big of a difference between a Lyman turret press and a Lee turret press, as the difference between a Lee Turret press and a Dillon progressive.

There are a few times in my life when I wish I would have said something different that what I did. This is one time though where I wish I would have said what you said!

Great!

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

No sir, it doesn't work for all of them. The reason for trimming brass isn't just for making them shorter than SAAMI specs, it's a part of making the most accurate, best quality ammo you can get and you can't do that without being able to trim every piece of brass you have.

I don't know where you got that idea, but if that's what you want to do, just file the pilot of the Lee down until it does it.

I think that the idea behind trimming brass is to not have it too long, and maybe even have it all the same length, but NOT by trimming every case until it's at least a bit shorter than the shortest one you own.

Maybe you should take some of the money you can save by using Lee products and buy a book or two on reloading.

 

[Jellybean]

I don't know where you got that idea, but if that's what you want to do, just file the pilot of the Lee down until it does it.

I have a better way, just buy the proper equipment in the first place.

A I think that the idea behind trimming brass is to not have it too long, B and maybe even have it all the same length, C but NOT by trimming every case until it's at least a bit shorter than the shortest one you own.

A I can tell that by your earlier post.
B "maybe"???...which you can't do with the Lee trimmer if some are shorter than their guage, or you "improve it with a grinder".
C I'm not saying this is needed, but it is nice to be able to if you want to.

Maybe you should take some of the money you can save by using Lee products and buy a book or two on reloading.

I have plenty of books on reloading and handloading as well and I've read them all too, and not just flipped through the charge tables. As I've stated before, I have a lot of Lee products but I'm not in the hobby just to save money. For the most part I want to make the best quality, most accurate ammunition I can that is tailored specifically for my firearms, which I use no Lee products for.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

I have a better way, just buy the proper equipment in the first place.


B "maybe"???...which you can't do with the Lee trimmer if some are shorter than their guage, or you "improve it with a grinder".
C I'm not saying this is needed, but it is nice to be able to if you want to.

No, it isn't. It's not nice to do at all, if you want to you don't understand what you're doing, and the Lee can do it anyway, cheaper than anyone else, but you'll ruin a perfectly good $2 or whatever-it-is pilot and have to buy another if you ever figure out what case trimming is about.

 

[Jellybean]

No, it isn't. It's not nice to do at all, if you want to you don't understand what you're doing, and the Lee can do it anyway, cheaper than anyone else, but you'll ruin a perfectly good $2 or whatever-it-is pilot and have to buy another if you ever figure out what case trimming is about.

You don't even know why to trim cases and you're telling me that I don't know what I'm doing and that I need to buy a book? You seem to think that because I choose not to buy some cheap **** to load with that I'm beneath your abilities? You don't agree with me so you feel the need to take some cheap shots at me? You asked me a question, not to learn something but rather to show how little you know and that you have no interest in learning the difference. Have a nice day and welcome to my ignore list, you're not worth any more of my time.

 

[Hovnnes]

Why so much animosity towards Lee?
I feel that I load some excellent match quality ammo on my Lee press with my Lee dies, although for some calibers I prefer other dies (the Redding 7.5x55 for example is more in spec for K-31 chambers and my rifle is a K-31) and some moulds(such as a Lyman .430 Keith 245gr) and while I don't use the Lee powder measure or scale, that is likely because I already had excellent RCBS and Redding stuff (but perhaps not, in fairness I can't make a judgement on a product I've never seen in person or handled up close.)

I have seen the Lee Reloader press and in my estimation it is too lightwieght for my purposes, but I don't see much difference between the Lee Challenger and the RCBS Reloader Special I started with in the 80's, and either one I know (with the RCBS) or think (Challenger)is capable of loading as good of ammunition as the operator is humanly capable of assembling.
These are tools after all. They either stay in alignment and lock down and hold settings, or they don't.

 

[Dan-the-man]

The last few sets of dies I've purchased were Lee's and I must say that they work great. I'm not a match shooter, just a hunter and plinker.
The ammo is accurate and the Lee dies are less expensive.

I also have a Lee Load Master that I had a love/hate relationship with.
I saw a mod on that Lee Load Master forum of using a heavier overspring in the priming system. That helped. Then I removed the case feeder and that solved my problems. Now I love the thing.

I think most folks who love their Dillon and Hornady L-N-L's (fine machines) feed their cases by hand. I think if Lee ditched the case feeder from the Load Master many of the complaints would disapear.

Dan

 

[acl864]

I use the Lee case trimmers for most everything but it is a "fixed" tool with no adjustment. I've got a Lyman adjustable trimmer that I use if I need to trim to a different length. The Lee is quick and easy for my plinking ammo. If I'm making SD or hunting ammo I set up the Lyman. To represent the Lee case trimmer as the "only" trimmer you would ever need would be inaccurate. It's an expedient and affordable tool for beginners, and a convenient, easy to use tool for experienced reloaders within certain parameters.

 

[JohnnieB]

1/ Why so much animosity towards Lee?

2/ I have seen the Lee Reloader press and in my estimation it is too lightwieght for my purposes

3/ These are tools after all. They either stay in alignment and lock down and hold settings, or they don't.

1/ Never been able to figure that one out myself. Lee makes affordable products for the beginner that are accurate and durable enough for the experienced user. Those that want or need "better" equipment are free to do so and for the most part, do so without bad-mouthing those of us that don't share their wants or needs. While those of us residing in US of A live in a Republic, capitalism is and of itself a Democracy wherever it is located and the participants vote with their pocketbooks, so if Lee reloading products were as bad as some claim, they wouldn't have been in business as long as they have. It's as simple as that.

2/ I have a Lee Reloader press, but I didn't buy it to reload with. I use it to size the lead bullets I buy and decap range brass so I can trim them with Lee case cutters that I have modified to the case length I prefer. Having some hands-on experience with it, I think it's strong enough to load straight walled handgun ammo, but being a C-frame design, I'm not sure if it would hold up doing bottle necks and rifle cartridges. Of course, that is a personal opinion rather than an empirical fact.

3/ I totally agree. If the Lee products I own didn't do the job I ask of them, they would be replaced with something that did. While it may be entirely possible that I don't ask my reloading equipment to do as much as others do, or it may be that I've taken the time to learn how to use the specific equipment I own properly, so far it has met my expectations or I have recognized its limitations and accepted them or have been able to modify them so they do what I want them to do. That said, I am satisfied with the Lee equipment I own and will recommend them to anyone starting out in reloading. After that, they can make up their own mind.

 

[Hovnnes]

IMHO, Lee gear is what it is. The guy using it is the one who determins the quality of the reloads.

 

[nofishbob]

I bought a Hornady 4 die set for S&W 500 a few weeks ago. I was surprised to see that it had a STEEL resizer. What a brass grinder! Horrible even with lube.

I went to Cabela's and bought a Lee 3 die set, with a CARBIDE resizer.

The Lee resizer is smooth as silk! No lube required.

Hornady....$68.00. Lee..... $29!

Sometimes you do not get what you pay for, or looking at it the other way, sometimes you get more than you paid for!

Bob

 

[Jellybean]

Animosity towards Lee?

This isn't just about Lee products, go to any thread where someone asks for opinions about any products and you will see the same thing. Everyone has different likes and dislikes and opinions will vary. And every once in a while you will hear from someone that has had a very bad experience with a certain product or company.

And it seems to never fail that someone will get offended because they feel they are being bashed because of what they use. It's got nothing to do with what anyone chooses to use, or what they drive.

What is really happening is that the person who is asking for opinions is being cheated out of his right to ask a simple guestion and get honest results. How many people quit answering these questions because they know they are going to get bashed or trolled for their responses? I was reading a thread the other day about reloading equipment and one guy posted with what he used, and he also stated it was the only thing he had used in the year that he'd been reloading. When other posters said they didn't like what he was using, for various reasons, the first poster got mad and started making personal insults at the others, and the thread got locked. The original poster got no real information to answer his question and neither did anyone else that was reading the thread.

There is an old saying about "opinions". They are like bumholes, everyone has one and they all stink. So don't get your panties in a bunch when someone says something about your favorite, Lee, Dillion, Glock, MIM or whatever, it's just their bumhole speaking.

 

[Tex1001]

I am a long time reader. First time poster.
Could I chime in with a few opinions on the Lee stuff? I've been reloading for 42 years (40 of them successfully). My equipment is what I have carefully purchased over the years and it suits my purposes completely. I started out with a pair of old ECHO c-type presses and a Belding and Mull measure. I have helped several non mechanical friends debug and refine their reloading processes. I have been able to form several opinions about a fairly good sized cross section of reloading gear. The opinions are worth exactly what you paid for them:

Single stage O type presses- Any good heavy cast steel type press is always a good first press (Yes they are somewhat expensive). I own an old Redding that I use for rifle resizing only. I haven't tried the new Lee cast press, but it looks really sturdy. The Lee anniversary type presses are good for light to medium duty. I question their ability to endure high stress.

Progressives- Lee is great if you have considerable mechanical abilities, which I have. I don't trust Lee's primer feed. I prime ALL of my cases by hand. If you want a progressive that is almost mistake free, get a Dillon. Spend a few extra bucks and get a 5 station. Loading pistol rounds, you WILL need it. No experience with Hornady and RCBS. Only what I've heard.

Scales- Go for quality. Use a mechanical scale. I am evaluating 3 electronics right now and I will not trust them for production work (I design stuff like this). A marginal scale can cost you an eye or worse. Pacific, Forster, Redding are all great, but the RCBS 1010 is the Rolls Royce of scales. The old 505 is just as good. Cheaper, but they don't make 'em anymore. Lee scale is good for nothing but a paperweight.

Powder measures- A good adjustable mechanical. I haven't been able to make Lee's Perfect powder measure work at all (I've tried 2). I use RCBS for rifle charges and Lee Pro Auto Disk for handguns. The Lee double disk kit is for very large charges, and the micro disk is for very small charges. The Lee adjustable charge bar makes it a bit more adaptable. RCBS, Hornady, Forster, Lyman 55, Redding are all good. Always use a powder baffle. It makes a real difference.

Hand primer seaters- I have used Lee's original hand seater since they were new. I haven't had any problems except normal parts breakage. You should see the size of my forearm muscles. No experience with Lee's new one, Hornady or RCBS.

Sorry for the length. Lotta data. Important topic.

 

[Fishslayer]

Auto Prime.... Cheesy but it works. I have to remember to take mine off the press. I walk by from time to time & have knocked it off the hanger. Sure I'd broken some flimsy piece of plastic, but no. Work fine, last long time. Guess the stuff is designed to bend not break.

Auto Disc... gotta pay attention. It does hang up from time to time but easily caught if your mind is on your work. I'd like to see it built a little more robustly. WATCH THE OIL! Mine was getting really bad so I gave it a few drops of oil on the pivots. I was SURE no oil could have gotten into the powder path. But it did. Short version I had to pull about 75 .45ACP bullets.

Why oh why Lee doesn't include the adjustable charge bar in the kit I don't know. Some have problems with it, I have not. It works for me with Bullseye, Green Dot & 2400.

I have no problem at all with the Safety Scale. Takes good lighting and a bit of getting used to, but like other Lee stuff, it works. Having said that, I'm very grateful to my wonderful wife for the Lyman Digital I got for my burfday.

Lee Classic Turret press. I just love mine to death. Fast enough for my purposes but I still handle/inspect each component/round at least twice. And it's easily converted to single stage if I want to maybe size/decap a bunch of brass.
The interchangeable turrets make changing calibers quick & easy with (maybe) a few minor adjustments. I hate setting up dies.
I haven't loaded with anything else so i couldn't know for sure, but I just can't see a better bang for the buck.

Dies. C'mon. Carbide dies at THIS price? Hard to beat the Lee Deluxe sets.

 

[Maximumbob54]

My biggest problem with any of my Lee products is that one person has trouble with this part and this person doesn't. My Pro Auto Disk works wonderful with Bullseye. I went to the store and had a guy roll his eyes at me with that. He proceeded to inform me to switch to Unique or I'm going to be making squibs. I rolled my eyes as I have exactly the opposite happen. He sold me the adjustable charge bar saying it was great just like a poster before has said. I can't get it to throw a repeatable volume yet. On another forum I was told that the pistol FCD can change COAL. I have not had that problem. Then I was told it doesn't crimp the same amount each time. Maybe if your brass is too short or too long I guess that could be but no problems for me yet. Now I'm seeing my 200 grain SWC's from a Lee mold get seated at an angle from a Lee seating die. They are great products when they work. But then they go all wrong on you and I can't figure out what the deal is. Why do they seem so fifty fifty sometimes, 100% others, or a complete waste of time the next??? Which is exactly the reasoning for this thread...