Hunting Washington Forum
Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: Jekemi on August 05, 2016, 01:15:41 PM
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I have put together a set of slides covering Lee Precision reloading products that I consider some of the best in the business. I don't admire all the Lee products, specifically the Loadmaster Progressive Press but there are twelve or thirteen Lee products that are tough to beat, especially given the value. Check it out and let me know what you think.
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I have a set of Lee powder scoops and I use Lee Collet Dies. Other than that I don't have a lot of use for Lee products. The engineering behind some of the products is solid, but the execution leaves a lot to be desired.
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I prefer the classic cast single stage press. It's an awesome press.
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And I guess that was the point I was trying to make. Not all Lee products are well engineered or well executed. However, there are about 15 or 20 that are both well engineered and well executed and that is what the PowerPoint presentation highlights. Products such as:
1. Ergo Primer with the new flip tray
2. Auto bench primer
3. Lee Quick Trim
4. Lee Factory Crimp dies
5. Lee Classic Cast Press
6. Auto Drum Powder Measure
7. Lee Precision Powder Measure
8. Lee Classic Turret Press
9. Breech Lock system for die quick change
10. Lee Zip Trim and universal cartridge chuck
11. Quick change Lee bench plate mounting system
12. Lee 2nd Generation bullet casting molds
13. Breech lock hand press kit for rapid field reloading
14. Bulge Buster kits
These are some of the best of Lee products that separate themselves from the rest of the reloading market by being well engineered, well executed, and great value.
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:yeah: on Classic Cast press.
The hand press is nice for loading in remote or small spaces. Lee dippers are probably quicker than an auto powder dispenser.
I prefer Lee dies (price), including collet sizer dies and factory crimp dies, but I prefer Hornady lock rings.
I used the Lee trimmer system for a while, and it is adequate and inexpensive.
Some people swear by their turret presses.
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:yeah: on Classic Cast press.
The hand press is nice for loading in remote or small spaces. Lee dippers are probably quicker than an auto powder dispenser.
I prefer Lee dies (price), including collet sizer dies and factory crimp dies, but I prefer Hornady lock rings.
I used the Lee trimmer system for a while, and it is adequate and inexpensive.
Some people swear by their turret presses.
I use Hornady lock rings on all dies that I use in my Rockchucker. Forster on all that I use in the CoAx press. I order a half dozen of each at a time.
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Yes, the Lee Classic single stage press is a great product, perhaps one of the best single stage presses on the market, especially considering the price. But I really like the breech-lock system because it makes changing dies so simple and quick
I have a Lee Classic Turret press. While it isn't as substantial as my Lyman Turret press it is a real work-horse and so versatile. I also like the fact that it is self-indexing, a feature that no other turret press has. I've reloaded thousands of rounds on my Lee Classic Turret Press.
I'm not a big fan of the Hornady locking rings, I really like Lee die locking rings but they can work loose over time. I use a combination of Hornady, Lee, and RCBS. I use RCBS reloading dies almost exclusively except for Lee Factory Crimp dies, which are definitely are best-in-class.
The Forester Coax press and the new Hornady single-stage press are excellent presses and perfect for precision rifle cartridge reloading but they come with a high price-tag. One of the things I like about a number of Lee products (not all however) is the value. For regular guys who are on a budget many of their products represent great value.
I have used several Progressive presses over the years, starting with the Lee Loadmaster. I then started using the Hornady progressive press, found it problematic as well, and then bought a Dillon 650. It's a great press but has a number of idiosyncrasies. My next Progressive Press purchase (assuming I actually buy one) will be the new RCBS 7 station progressive press. They are solid, simple, easy to swap out die heads, and easier to adjust quickly. But, they come with a heavy price-tag.
Lee really needs to re-design the Loadmaster, especially the priming system, and bring it up to the industry standard in terms of reliability and ease of use. It simply requires constant fiddling and adjusting, which is why I got rid of mine.