Lee reloading presses
- Thread starter nboost
- Start date
CWeeks
New member
I have no experience with the second press mentioned but have used a lee anniversary press for a couple of years now and love it. The package deal is the way to go. It gives you absolutely everything you need to reload for the .223(which is what I reload for mostly) except for the .223 base, and dies. You get the hand held primer tool and everything it is a great deal for what you get. I alos have 2 other friends that have them and love theirs also. For the money it is awesome.
YoteCoaxer
New member
I loaded with the Lee Anniversary press for 10 years, and only just last year replaced it with a Rock Chucker. There wasn't a thing wrong with the Lee, it was still going strong, I just thought I had to have a new one! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
The Lee Anniversary kit is a great, inexpensive way to get started into reloading! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif IMO
The Lee Anniversary kit is a great, inexpensive way to get started into reloading! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif IMO
Last edited:
ColoradoOsprey
New member
I have Lee Pro 1000 in 223 as well as one in 40S&W and one in 357mag.
They are very useful for pumping out rounds. When reloading 223, I don't use mine as a true progressive. I size and de-prime in one step, remove brass to be cleaned and then set it up to prime all the brass. At this point I charge and seat on a single stage RCBS Rockchucker press that was purchased new in the 1970's. This I belive will make more accurate rounds than the powder dispenser on the press can make.
I don't believe that a novice reloader should start with any progressive reloader. You will need some experience to keep an eye on all the stages at the same time.
If you decide to purchase one you can get one directly through Lee in their re-furbished section it will come compete with dies for $99.
For a novice reloader on a budget I would suggest an anniversay kit or a turret press.
They are very useful for pumping out rounds. When reloading 223, I don't use mine as a true progressive. I size and de-prime in one step, remove brass to be cleaned and then set it up to prime all the brass. At this point I charge and seat on a single stage RCBS Rockchucker press that was purchased new in the 1970's. This I belive will make more accurate rounds than the powder dispenser on the press can make.
I don't believe that a novice reloader should start with any progressive reloader. You will need some experience to keep an eye on all the stages at the same time.
If you decide to purchase one you can get one directly through Lee in their re-furbished section it will come compete with dies for $99.
For a novice reloader on a budget I would suggest an anniversay kit or a turret press.
OldTurtle
Moderator - Deceased
I have a Lee 1000 that I've used for my handgun (9mm, .40S&W, & 10mm) loads and for that, it works very well..
My .204s and .223s, don't work well in the progressive and I stick to my single stage for those. For the problems encountered in the progressive process with the 1000, it is much faster for me to use the single stage and I get more precise loads.
My .204s and .223s, don't work well in the progressive and I stick to my single stage for those. For the problems encountered in the progressive process with the 1000, it is much faster for me to use the single stage and I get more precise loads.
IDBob
New member
nboost if your just getting into reloading I'd not get a progressive and that's what the Lee 1000 is. I'd get the Lee anniversery kit and add the Lee Classic Turret press. Your not talking about much money here and a single stage press is what you need to learn to load on.
The Turret press (I use mine with the auto-advance removed) allows you to store all your dies on one turret that takes just seconds to change out. The new Lee breech lock challenger model also allows your dies to be set up singly in a breech lock module that keeps them adjusted properly and just turns and locks into the press.
I've used Lee equipment for the last 15 years along with RCBS and several others for a total fo 45 years of reloading and all the equipment is just excellent.
Consumers have pretty well sorted out what works and what doesn't today. Lee equipment is excellent reloading equipment for the money, but it depends on how much you want to spend. It all loads accurate ammo.
RCBS falls in the middle and loading presses like the Corbin S1 falls in the Rolls Royce level. They all load good ammo.
My bench as it stands today.
12 and 20 gauge Shotgun loaders on a turn table that just goes under the bench when not needed. One bolt lets it turn or be dismounted for storage.
Rifle
Get your scale and measure's up to eye level and it really helps. Notice the powder measure stands mounted upside down on a shelf frees up loads of bench space.
The Turret press (I use mine with the auto-advance removed) allows you to store all your dies on one turret that takes just seconds to change out. The new Lee breech lock challenger model also allows your dies to be set up singly in a breech lock module that keeps them adjusted properly and just turns and locks into the press.
I've used Lee equipment for the last 15 years along with RCBS and several others for a total fo 45 years of reloading and all the equipment is just excellent.
Consumers have pretty well sorted out what works and what doesn't today. Lee equipment is excellent reloading equipment for the money, but it depends on how much you want to spend. It all loads accurate ammo.
RCBS falls in the middle and loading presses like the Corbin S1 falls in the Rolls Royce level. They all load good ammo.
My bench as it stands today.
12 and 20 gauge Shotgun loaders on a turn table that just goes under the bench when not needed. One bolt lets it turn or be dismounted for storage.
Rifle
Get your scale and measure's up to eye level and it really helps. Notice the powder measure stands mounted upside down on a shelf frees up loads of bench space.
The experience in our shop may not be relevant. We bought a Pro 1000 in 2006 in lieu of a Dillon (save a few bucks) for loading 800-1000 rounds per week of various handgun ammo. The real advantage of the Lee was that it was easier to change cartridges than the Dillons are; or so we thought. With all of the parts switching and daily usage we seemed to be ordering replacement parts on a very frequent basis. By mid 2007, the entire press had to be returned to Lee. We got our money back with a sincere apology. As much as I like Lee as a company, their customer service rocks, I just do not like their progressives.