Your opinion--Lee Classic Cast or Hornady Lock N Load?

[Recluse]

I'm going to semi-retire my little Lee Challenger single-stage press. I bought it back in the mid/late 80's and have absolutely zero complaints. It's loaded thousands and thousands of rifle and large(r) handgun caliber rounds as well as served for load development and has not even hiccupped on me once.

But, I've just got a case of the "I wants" and am going to move the Challenger press into depriming, priming and (push-through) sizing boolits duty.

I've had an RCBS Rock Chucker. In fact, I actually kept the Challenger and gave the RCBS to a returning Afghan vet four or five years ago, along with some other stuff to help him get started in reloading. I bought the RCBS when I was in the service, so it just seemed fitting to pass along its proud tradition.

Pretty much settled between the Hornady Lock N Load single stage and the Lee Classic Cast single stage. Will tell you right now that the Lee is edging out the Hornady with the bigger ram and the primer catching tube.

Hornady's quality is undeniable, as is their customer service. Both presses are stout as can be and both presses will long outlast me in this lifetime. The Lee has the advantage of being around $40 less in cost, plus a slightly smaller "footprint" on the reloading bench. Both operate very smooth and the linkage is very solid with no wobble.

In looking at the Lyman crusher and the new RCBS Rock Chuckers, I was surprised, or dismayed, how loose the linkage was! The ram is tight, but the linkage has a LOT of slop and play in it. My old Rock Chucker didn't have that slop in it.

I'm kind of leaning towards the Lee Classic Cast single stage, but honestly, a coin toss could net me either press and I'd be just as happy.

Interested to hear your opinions and or experience with either (or both) of these presses.

Gracias.

[zuke]

Classic cast because of the primer catching.
Also the ability to use the priming set up to prime on da press and the ability to use the large series of dies if you happen to get a Martini

[jimkim]

I'd go with the Classic Cast. I like the primer disposal, the larger ram, the fully adjustable ambidextrous handle, the 4" (vs 3 3/4") ram stroke, the fully supported linkage bolts(I learned about that reading the swaging section) and the iron(steel) frame.

[Reload3006]

I guess if your a Lee man get the Lee. IMO Hornady is much better but then you know what they say about Opinions.

[mold maker]

Classic Cast, a case of primers, and change left over. Where is the hard decision????

[Recluse]

I guess if your a Lee man get the Lee. IMO Hornady is much better but then you know what they say about Opinions.

Actually, I'm not a Lee man. I've got plenty of it, but I also have a blue press at the hangar and an awful lot of green stuff, along with different red stuff (Forester and Hornady and MEC).

I've been looking at both presses and am curious as to why you think the Hornady is "much" better. Both are made of cast iron or steel, both are stout, both have superb linkages, the Hornady has a smaller ram and a bigger footprint from what I can see.

[Casting_40S&W]

The Hornady is made of pot metal alloy, not cast Iron/Steel of the Lee Classic Cast. Big difference IMO

[milprileb]

Whats is the mission statement? Load rifle and pistol: hands down Hornady.
Load pistol and 200 rds per hour with little chance of a double charge.. Lee classic turret.
Higher pistol ammo production, more things happening on one stroke of the handle to control, then the Hornady is more complex.
Cost of caliber change on press is dirt cheap with Lee and not so much for Hornady and outrageous on a Dillon.

Both can probably meet your needs but not be perfect for all missions. However, if cost is factor then Lee has it all over Hornady in this arena.

The LNL is right between a Dillon 550 and 650 in price but more like 650 for volume.

In many ways, my decision to go Dillon 650 over a Hornady LNL was a bit flawed. I already
had a Dillon 550 and Lee turret which along with RCBS Rock Chucker covered my missions
in depth.

[Recluse]

The Hornady is made of pot metal alloy, not cast Iron/Steel of the Lee Classic Cast. Big difference IMO

Yep. I'm impressed with the strength of the Classic Cast Turret, and from looking and handling a Classic Cast single stage, same materials. That thing is incredibly stout.

Wasn't sure what the Hornady was made of, but I'm also confident I could buy it and never look back, never regret.

Whats is the mission statement? Load rifle and pistol: hands down Hornady.
Load pistol and 200 rds per hour with little chance of a double charge.. Lee classic turret.

I already have a Classic Cast Turret--I'm looking to get another single-stage press.

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

Lee Classic Cast single stage. It's what pushed an RCBS Rock Chucker off my bench. It's a better press than the Hornady LnL single stage and can be converted to take Hornady LnL bushings very easily.

[Reload3006]

I said in my opinion and my opinion is still Hornady is much better for lots of reasons. one Hornady has a life time warranty Lee has 2 years. I think Hornady operates more smoothly. I also dont like lees powder system I think hornady has a much better system. .... Personally Dillon has both beat and is what I use and I Chewed hard on the Hornady Dillon thing before I drank the Blue Kookaid too.

[jimkim]

Originally Posted by Casting_40S&W
The Hornady is made of pot metal alloy, not cast Iron/Steel of the Lee Classic Cast. Big difference IMO

The Hornady frame is cast from aluminum, not pot metal.

Recluse, I'm pretty sure you are aware of the fact that the LCC uses the same ram and linkages as the LCT. You know how the press will feel even before you get it. If you lived close by I'd let you try mine out for a few weeks to help you decide.

[Saint]

I have the Hornady Lock N Load, I don't have experience with other presses but I will share my experience with this one. First off regarding the quick change bushings. I could see them being nice if someone were willing to buy one for every single die but that could get expensive for someone like me that loads 5 different calibers. In truth I don't like how the bushings make the die slightly loose in the press, when pressure is put on the die it will actually move about .5mm and although it probably does not matter since it moves the same amount every time it still bothers me. Another issue I have with it is that when I pull the handle all the way down just as the ram reaches the top of the stroke it actually drops a little at the end of the stroke, it is only about 1mm of movement but it actually makes it rather difficult to set because I cant just drop the handle all the way down and set the die. This can be important for carbide dies where too much contact between the ram and the die can cause the carbide to shatter. This press does have a primer catcher but it requires that the priming arm be inserted to function since the priming arm creates a ramp for the spent primer to slide down into the catcher. I once misplaced the priming arm for several months and it got quite messy as the spent primer would then just fall on the floor. After typing this I am starting to realize that this press kind of pisses me off. Hope this helps, let me know if you would like more info.

[Sonnypie]

before I drank the Blue Kookaid too.

Every once in a while a pearl shows up in the Oyster Stew....

[adkpete]

I've got the Lee Classic Cast and the primer catching system is not what it's supposed to be. It seems like 30% of the primers fall out of the slot in the ram that the primer arm should fit in.

[Bullet Caster]

Well Recluse,
You've had a Lee in the past and it performed flawlessly for you for over a number of years, why change to LNL now. Of course I know nothing about Hornady, but I would suggest you stick with whatever worked for you in the past and what will work for you in the future. Also I think the larger ram would serve you better if you're reforming brass. Everyone that I've read about having the Lee Classic Cast is perfectly happy with it. Since you're retiring the Lee Challenger for smaller duty, do you or are you going to use the quick change bushings. It is under my impression that Lee offers the Classic Cast in the Lee Classic Cast and the Lee Classic Cast Challenger models. You can correct me if I'm wrong. I really like the ability to make die changes without having to reset the dies everytime I change calibres. I still need at least 3 bushings but am presently taking the one I attached to the sizing die and using it for general duty. Those Lee lock rings with the rubber grommet suck as they don't hold anything while letting the die slip. I do like the other manufacturer's lock rings as they stay where ya put 'em without changing die settings. Just a few thoughts. I've loaded up a few .30-06 for testing now. Can't wait to shoot em. Startin' off at 32 grains of IMR 4895 with those 200 skinnies. I'll let ya know how they performed when I can get out to shoot. Thanks, Recluse. BC

[af2fb751]

Lee Classic Cast, because I have it. And I like it. No opinion about Hornady, because I don't have it. I might like the LNL, but I will never find out as long as I can use the LCC.

[keyhole]

I've got the Lee Classic Cast and the primer catching system is not what it's supposed to be. It seems like 30% of the primers fall out of the slot in the ram that the primer arm should fit in.

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I have had similar experience with some spent primers popping out onto the floor. It's not a deal killer but the system is not 100% reliable, IMO.
That is about the only thing about the Lee Classic Cast I don't like. Being left-handed I like the ambidextrous handle, which is also adjustable for effective length. For sizing large numbers of cases requiring less leverage, the shorter handle throw makes it somewhat less tiring.

Keyhole

[Vinne]

I started with a used Rock many years ago and your right...a great machine and very tight. Later I got a Lee single so I would not have to swap cal. so much. I was impressed with the value and then went on the get the Pro 1000 for 38s and the Lee LoadAll in 12ga. When I lost all in katrina, I went back to the Lee for the price and it is still a great machine.

[RayinNH]

I've got the Lee Classic Cast and the primer catching system is not what it's supposed to be. It seems like 30% of the primers fall out of the slot in the ram that the primer arm should fit in.

If you put the primer arm in place it solves the problem. Just don't run the ram all the way down to engage the primer arm in the shell holder...Ray

To keep on topic, Lee Classic Cast. I've no experience with the Hornady but do have a Redding Boss and the primer catching system stinks, lot's of grit around the ram.