All the good things about Lee Presition

[Chicken Thief]

There's so much Lee bashing going on, so.

I like them a lot!

They're cheap compared to others and most often than not their products is great value for money or better than that!

I have:
1) A Challenger press that is 25yrs + and still going strong. I dont expect it to roll out bench rest ammo and i definetly dont expect it to do any kind of svaging.
2) A Perfect Powder Measure that is also 25yrs+ old and has thrown way more than 150lbs of black powder and more than 75lbs of smokeless. Yes the seal is torn but it works (throws +- .1grains all day) and is in use more than 100 days a year.
3) Moulds/molds. I had a 459-405-HB that cast 8000+ before i gave it away. The only fault was that the nose pour hole had elongated from wear. The rest i still have, and they still works perfect. Yes they dont compare to iron moulds but then again they cost 20-25% of that, so be fair!
The new design is nothing but perfect for the small dough you cough up!!!
An aluminium mould with guiding pins/bushings made from steel and a proper handle for less than $25?
Ya cant beat that!
4) The old style Hand primer. Man oh man do i love that piece of kit!
My first is 25+yrs old and has done way more than 75000 primers. Still going strong! I bought another one so i dont have to switch large/small, and i have yet another one for spares.
5) Trimming is a brezze with the case held in a drill and gauge + chamfer tools in hand.


BUT:
I'd like to spank their behind for not making a vibratory tumbler.
The old man held a grudge but please move on and follow the money trail, Lee!

[Arkansas Paul]

Some things of theirs I love. Others, not so much.
I love their turret presses with auto indexing. I love their dies and molds.

I despise their hand priming tools.

[srtolly]

I think I have to agree, although I am pretty new to reloading at about a year. I bought a challenger kit and dies for 9mm, .40 and .45 acp. Loaded about 6000 rounds with no problems. I want a Lee turret press now but can't find one.

[Arkansas Paul]

I want a Lee turret press now but can't find one.

Midway USA will let you backorder one. That's what I did. I ordered at the end of February and it arrived about a week ago. So, about six weeks total. They don't bill your card until it ships.
Here's the one I got with the nice handle.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/880135/lee-4-hole-turret-press-with-auto-index

Don't pay attention to the estimated in stock date. Mine was saying 5/29 and got here over two months sooner.

[rexherring]

The old Lee hand priming tool is great, the new one is not good. Broke both clear tray tops, at least 1/4th the primers flip sideways or upside down. Had the last straw and threw it in the garbage. My old one still works great.

The rest of my Lee stuff is very good and cast and loaded many thousands of rounds.

[Whiterabbit]

hit and miss with their products. But since this is a "good" thread for Lee precision, I have only one thing to say.

Hollow ram press. That thing is a marriage saver.

And that's all I have to say about that. Thank you LEE.

[tom357mag]

Nothing but good luck for me with LEE products in 25+ years. AAAAAAAAAAA+++++++++++

[badboyparamedic]

99% of what I own is Lee, no complaints

[Suo Gan]

I am not that special, and I am dirt cheap. Lee makes me feel like I am special and like I have blown all my money on something great...but I get to keep most of my money compared to XY or Z. But some things even Lee's momma did not love.

Every reloader owes a huge thank you to Lee...without them we would be paying even more for everything.

[Arkansas Paul]

Not only is their equipment a good value, they also have made some innovations in the industry as well.
I mean, the powder through expanding die for handgun stuff. Why doesn't everybody do that? That's awesome. Maybe their patent hasn't expired. I can't imagine no one else copying that. And the auto indexing turret. Another great product that I would have thought someone would duplicate by now.

[Sasquatch-1]

I like my little drip-o-matic and use only Lee molds. I have one set of Lee loading die which I have had no problem with. As for presses I think I will stay with RCBS, if for nothing else but the way they stand behind their products.

[1Shirt]

Like MOST things Lee, and most in particular neck sizing dies, case trimmers, and 6 cav molds.
1Shirt!

[Ed_Shot]

Lee customer service is great. Sent them back a 356-125-2R DC I'd used for 18 mo. (I had the receipt) because the screw holding the spruce plate had stripped out. Got an email from them yesterday that a new one was in the mail. I expected to wait forever because of the back order situation. Thanks LEE!

[Texantothecore]

I got my first Lee Anniversay Kit when ammo was cheap. I paid back the entire outfit on the 110th round loaded. The equipment has been free ever since that round.

Great value for the money and their products are very useful for getting non-reloaders into the hobby. Fact is many reloaders start and finish with Lee equipment: Their stuff works.

[Adam10mm]

Started loading on a Lee hand press. Went to a Classic Turret press. Then went Dillon.

Lee makes good dies, their collet neck sizing die is more accurate than Redding bushing dies and have less bullet runout. I hate the pistol FCD but the collet rifle FCD is good. Their universal decapping die is a wonderful die and priced right. Their bullet seater dies could use a more positive hold on the threads, after a few thousand rounds the stem backs out and the OAL changes.

I've only used Lee pots and they've worked as intended. Lee moulds are fine for the price but aren't up for real high volume casting in my experience. When I started as a commercial bullet caster, I wore out a pair of Lee 45-230-TC 6 bangers after 50,000 bullets. I've got a 401-145-SWC, 45-190-SWC, and a custom 401-225-SWC that are Lee moulds. All two bangers and they do just fine at low volume, though the handle is broke on the 45-190-SWC. Hose clamps keep it together. :)

Have a set of Lee shellholders. $11 is a steal!

Think that's my Lee footprint.

[Arkansas Paul]

Funny how we are talking abou this and I just had my first issue with my Lee Challenger Breechlock press yesterday evening.
I was sizing some .45 Colt brass and noticed that the toggle linkage was cracking where the handle goes into it. It says on the website that it was probably caused by the arm not being fully seated into the linkage.
I emailed them and they said to email back a picture of the broken part. We'll see how it goes. If they want me to pay for it, I will since it was likely my own fault. We'll see though.

[Sasquatch-1]

Funny how we are talking abou this and I just had my first issue with my Lee Challenger Breechlock press yesterday evening.
I was sizing some .45 Colt brass and noticed that the toggle linkage was cracking where the handle goes into it. It says on the website that it was probably caused by the arm not being fully seated into the linkage.
I emailed them and they said to email back a picture of the broken part. We'll see how it goes. If they want me to pay for it, I will since it was likely my own fault. We'll see though.

Not to knock Lee, But RCBS would probably asked for your address and had the part out by the end of buisiness the next day. I broke a connecting link on a Rock Chucker and all they asked was whether I wanted to send in the whole press or have them send out the part. This is why I stick with RCBS for presses.

[Arkansas Paul]

Not to knock Lee, But RCBS would probably asked for your address and had the part out by the end of buisiness the next day. I broke a connecting link on a Rock Chucker and all they asked was whether I wanted to send in the whole press or have them send out the part. This is why I stick with RCBS for presses.

Yeah, we broke a decapping pin in an RCBS .308 die and emailed them. They sent a 5 pack for free.
When I buy a new single stage press, it will most likely be a Rockchucker. I got this Lee for $35 at a gun show, so no complaints. I actually prefer to deprime on it because the spent primer collection is superior IMO. They're certainly not built like RCBS though.

[Case Stuffer]

I have Lee single cavity and 6 cavity molds.The 6 cavity ones are my favorites and have cast many boolits in them Most recent one purchased a few weeks ago a .356 125 gr.tumble lube troncated flat nose and I cast several thousand with it the first week. My Lee 125 RN .356 has cast tens of thousand including over 3K in the past month. For a $50 6 cavity mold they are very good. IMO the quality is not as good as it was when I purchased most of mine back in the late seventies but then that seems to be the case with most modern manufactured items.

I have one of the first Lee hand primers and while I do not use it most of the time as my progressives are not that big of a PITA when priming on them I do use it from time to time and it just works.

My Lee sizers work great and when I had my sideline reloading business I purchased Lee Alox by the four gallon cases. Now I use Delux xlox 45-45-10 from Whilte Label Lube and really like it a lot better.

Never have owned a Lee press but have considered one and despite many negative post on their progressives I really believe thay are a good value. Not everyone needs a press that will crank out over a 100 K rounds without some parts needing replacement and even ones cost two to five times as much give problems and parts break at times. I read a post here recently that the frame on a Dillion 550 droke and owner stated it had never been droped or abused. Not every casting is perfect and infact some have flaws / voids in them.

[TheDoctor]

I like the Lee collet dies, factory crimp dies, and carbide factory crimp dies. Have also had very good results with their dead length seating dies. The Universal Decapping die is an absolute must! Autodisc pro powder measure gets used for all my handgun ammo. Almost all of my molds so far are Lee, get good results, and the two that are "injured", well, have to say that was my fault. I just wish they made a collet and factory crimp die in 7mm RSAUM! Or, I wasn't too cheap to have them custom made......

[Harter66]

I've several moulds w/no real complaints. I don't care for the"unbreakable" decapping pin in the 308 set as it broke ,but I needed a custom expander ball anyway. The 6.8 Dies are a little to tight in the seating die but all else is great. The pistol dies work as well as any.
I had a press ,3 hole turret,I just ddidn't care for it the next guy has used it a lot in the last 6 years.

[Sasquatch-1]

Yeah, we broke a decapping pin in an RCBS .308 die and emailed them. They sent a 5 pack for free.
When I buy a new single stage press, it will most likely be a Rockchucker. I got this Lee for $35 at a gun show, so no complaints. I actually prefer to deprime on it because the spent primer collection is superior IMO. They're certainly not built like RCBS though.

For $35.00 you can't go wrong.

[garym1a2]

I like the lee 6 cavity molds, I have 9mm, 40 and two 45;s All of them are very fast and make good boolits. Love the melter casting pot.
The hand press is great to have one, classic cast and classic cast turrents are good presses. I like their dies and push thru sizers also, the autodisc powder measure works well and the perfect powder measure is better than ones costing much more.

I can not compete a Lee thread without saying "LOADMASTER STINKS!"

[geargnasher]

Thank you, Lee Precision for making affordable things that I can buy duplicates of cheaply and save time. Thank you for making so many of your die and press products like Legos where I can mix and match and swap parts around as needed for special applications. (Anybody else cuss the three different thread sizes RCBS has used on their sizing dies?) I love the fact that all I have to do to load four pistol calibers is top off the press I want to use with powder and primers, dump in brass and start pulling the handle. Couldn't afford four Dillons. When I want to load rifle, I just grab a loaded, set-up turret head and plunk it into the Classic Turret press, either the 4-hole or the custom 3-hole Classic I made from extra parts. Anything that gives me more time to do what I want, when I want it, is A+ in my book.

Sometimes you need the very best, and Lee is it.

Sometimes you need something that ONLY Lee has thought of and produced.

Sometimes they aren't the best choice, or even an acceptable choice for a particular tool. Nobody's perfect.

Sometimes you just need the correct thing, and Lee makes it cheap so you can buy two extras and still save money.

I have all colors on my benches, but by far the best VALUE, all things considered, has come from LEE products.

Gear

[Arkansas Paul]

Just got an email from them about my press. They want me to take a photo of the broken toggle linkage and email it to them.
Doing that tonight. We'll see how it goes.
They responded very fast. Pleased so far. This is the first time I've had to use customer service with anyone for equipment related things.

[nekshot]

for 30 years all reloading stuff I brought home was in green containers, then I found Lee and now its mostly Lee. For molds I love them. I really clean them and use a scribe on all corners and cast real hot at first and all of them settle down to throwing nice boolits plus if I feel creative and want to try change profile or eliminate gas check, I can do one cavity and if I mess up I still have a good one left. I like the metal molds also but Lee's always work for me. Thank you Mr. Lee for thinking of the small guy!

[Arkansas Paul]

Well, I heard back from Lee. It is going to cost me some money. Not a lot, but it will cost me.
Here was their reply when I sent in a picture.


Paul:

The press you have is not the Breech Lock Challenger Press, it is the original Challenger Press. Unfortunately the press was discontinued in 2006 and the Toggles (the part that goes from the Ram to the Lever) are no longer available. You are able to update the Toggle system with the newer style currently found on the Breech Lock Challenger Press. The parts needed to do this are as follows:

(1) OF3221 - Ram Pin - http://leeprecision.com/ram-pin-step.html [1]
(1) OF3613 - Lever Clamp - http://leeprecision.com/Press-Lever-Clamp.html [2]
(1) OF3609 - Washer - http://leeprecision.com/1-3-16-steel-washer.html [3]
(1) FO2113 - Bolt - http://leeprecision.com/1-1-4-5-16-18-bolt.html [4]
(2) OF2853 - Toggles - http://leeprecision.com/bl-challenger-toggle.html [5]

Total $15.50 + shipping

Not exactly RCBS or Dillon quality customer service, but I still did well for $35. That plus the parts to convert to the Breechlock equipment, I'm still in it for $50, so I still got a fair deal I think.
You do get a better warranty with the other companies such as RCBS, no doubt about it.

[sparky45]

Kinda off the OP's topic, but has anybody else had trouble accessing www.loadmastervideos dot com ? I haven't been able for a couple of days now. Darwin's a good guy and runs a good (valuable) site, I hope all is well.

[Sasquatch-1]

Well, I heard back from Lee. It is going to cost me some money. Not a lot, but it will cost me.
Here was their reply when I sent in a picture.



Not exactly RCBS or Dillon quality customer service, but I still did well for $35. That plus the parts to convert to the Breechlock equipment, I'm still in it for $50, so I still got a fair deal I think.
You do get a better warranty with the other companies such as RCBS, no doubt about it.

I recently order a new heat coil and liner for my 10lb drip-o-matic that I have had for 35 years. Even though I paid for the parts I will give Lee "Cuddos"(sp) for not being like some other companies who will gouge you on shipping. It was under $4.00 and the parts I order were about $20.00. cheap pot cheap repair back working in less then a week.

[sparky45]

I've had like experiences with their De-capping Rods. Break them and they replace them.

[plainsman456]

I own some of their older molds and they work.

As for their dies i own several and i have no complaints,everything works....


SO FAR.

[Cowboy T]

Lee made casting affordable for me. Their 6-cavity moulds and handles, the Pro 4-20 pot, at affordable prices? I was all over that. One of 'em's even a custom Keith 357 mould. The only moulds I have that aren't from Lee Precision are from MiHec.

And my reloading instruction videos will speak my personal opinion of Lee's presses (check the sig).

So, why do people bash Lee? I've found that the bashers usually own Dillon progressive presses, which are very good, but they do cost a lot of money. It's sort of like how Apple Mac users like to turn up their noses at non-Apple users. You know, Ford/Chevy/Dodge. I use Lee's gear and will continue to use it because it does the job.

Now, if only they would make a "CLASSIC PRO 1000" progressive press...!

[tomf52]

Sasquatch-1 said "Not to knock Lee, But RCBS would probably asked for your address and had the part out by the end of buisiness the next day. "

Rcbs can afford to do that because when you buy their products you are paying for three or four of the item up front. Lee is judicious in their warranty awards to keep their original cost to the consumer low.

[sparky45]

Rcbs can afford to do that because when you buy their products you are paying for three or four of the item up front. Lee is judicious in their warranty awards to keep their original cost to the consumer low.[/QUOTE]


Well, if you are right, then that isn't much of a warranty. I've noticed that when stuff breaks and it's Lee's stuff, users say "you must of used it wrong or with excessive force" whereas with Dillon, RCBS ect. it's we'll get it right out to you, no questions asked. That's what I like.

[Sasquatch-1]

Sasquatch-1 said "Not to knock Lee, But RCBS would probably asked for your address and had the part out by the end of buisiness the next day. "

Rcbs can afford to do that because when you buy their products you are paying for three or four of the item up front. Lee is judicious in their warranty awards to keep their original cost to the consumer low.

If you noticed in that same post, I stated that the price to repair my Lee 10 pounder was very reasonable and that the pot lasted for 35 years before needing any repair. It is not that I am bashing Lee, I just prefere RCBS presses and the way they respond to any claims.

[Raven_Darkcloud]

Call it a drip-o-matic all you want, my lee pot works great. I just wish I had gotten the 6 cav mold. I like my lee reloading dies and breachlock challanger press. The lee boolet sizing die, well only about 80% happy with it. For what it is worth lee equipment is worth the price and some times more.

[rbuck351]

I have all sorts of stuff on my bench from dillon to lee. Some of Lee stuff is very good. I like their dies and their 6 cav mold are good. The 2 cavs can be made good with a little effort. I really like the Lee case trimmer set up. I set the case holder in my lathe and can trim a bunch of cases the sane length in a hurry. I finally had a problem with a set of dies in 30/30. The decapper slid and didn't push out the primer so I checked the case to see if something had gotten in the case but nothing there. I tightened the decapper and tried again. It slid again but started the primer out. I really tightened the decapper rod and it still slid without removing the primer. I tried to loosen the decapper rod to remove it for inspection and the tightening collet twisted off. I then removed the primer with a set of RCBS 30 rem dies without effort. This is the only problem I have had with Lee stuff and I'm still not sure why this happened. I guess I'll get a new collet and see what happens. Still like a lot of the Lee stuff and still don't like some.

[DougGuy]

Not only is their equipment a good value, they also have made some innovations in the industry as well.
I mean, the powder through expanding die for handgun stuff. Why doesn't everybody do that? That's awesome. Maybe their patent hasn't expired. I can't imagine no one else copying that.

I heard that Dillon paid Lee for the rights to use their auto powder measure design for their powder drop die and powder measure.

The Load Master press itself is pretty convincing, as long as you don't try and run everything at once on it. Maybe small pistol calibers you could, but .45 Colt is a big case, and it takes a LOT of effort to resize it, seat primers, boolits, and crimp. You need the arms of Mike Tyson to use it in a full progressive mode on large pistol ammo.

For .45 Colt, I have always liked their crimp dies, I think the resizing die squashes the sh!t out of the case and it's tighter than necessary but I learned a trick with that. Use the universal decapper instead of the recommended sizing/decapping die, then take a Factory Crimp die apart and use the die body for a sizing die in the priming station. What that does is take half the effort to resize the case, and it doesn't wasp-waist it, and it will serve as a guide to hold the case in perfect alignment for the primer seating part of it. Works great!

I use their roll crimp/bullet seating die to seat the bullet and remove the flare at the neck from the expander, then I crimp with the uncataloged collet type factory crimp die. 3 crimp dies in one operation? Yep, works very nicely. Oh yeah I did modify the collet crimp die, I shortened the crimp ring to narrow the crimp band on the case mouth, and I shortened the bottom of the collet to bring the crimp band down just slightly below the case mouth, it now looks like Buffalo Bore crimped it :)

Also I cannot recommend priming on the press while using a crimp die that the shell holder activates such as the collet die, you can easily have a situation where that crimp die prevents the primer from seating fully. The Load Master's priming function is GREAT when you use a die as mentioned to hold the case for priming, and set the press up to *just* prime cases, and kick them out the side, then take the primer feed completely off and run it in progressive stages using the primed brass.

Their newer powder measures have issues. Bad issues. Mine throws powder all over the place, is staticy as all hell, very hard to get consistent charges, and the rubber insert is all torn up, with less than 100rds on it. I have since backed up and punted, ordering a Dillon powder measure with their die and powder funnel. I had an old auto-disk setup with an adjustable charge bar that was really good, this new one is a ***.

Other than learning to prime as a dedicated single function, and getting a better powder measure, it works good enough for what it cost me.

[Mark Daiute]

The old Lee hand priming tool is great, the new one is not good. Broke both clear tray tops, at least 1/4th the primers flip sideways or upside down. Had the last straw and threw it in the garbage. My old one still works great.

The rest of my Lee stuff is very good and cast and loaded many thousands of rounds.


me too. the new hand priming tool was literally unusable. it popped primers all over the place but in the case. their dies have been great and my 405 hb mould owes me nothing. I'm sorry to see virtually every item "out of stock" on their web site

[Texantothecore]

I heard that Dillon paid Lee for the rights to use their auto powder measure design for their powder drop die and powder measure.

The Load Master press itself is pretty convincing, as long as you don't try and run everything at once on it. Maybe small pistol calibers you could, but .45 Colt is a big case, and it takes a LOT of effort to resize it, seat primers, boolits, and crimp. You need the arms of Mike Tyson to use it in a full progressive mode on large pistol ammo.

For .45 Colt, I have always liked their crimp dies, I think the resizing die squashes the sh!t out of the case and it's tighter than necessary but I learned a trick with that. Use the universal decapper instead of the recommended sizing/decapping die, then take a Factory Crimp die apart and use the die body for a sizing die in the priming station. What that does is take half the effort to resize the case, and it doesn't wasp-waist it, and it will serve as a guide to hold the case in perfect alignment for the primer seating part of it. Works great!

I use their roll crimp/bullet seating die to seat the bullet and remove the flare at the neck from the expander, then I crimp with the uncataloged collet type factory crimp die. 3 crimp dies in one operation? Yep, works very nicely. Oh yeah I did modify the collet crimp die, I shortened the crimp ring to narrow the crimp band on the case mouth, and I shortened the bottom of the collet to bring the crimp band down just slightly below the case mouth, it now looks like Buffalo Bore crimped it :)

Also I cannot recommend priming on the press while using a crimp die that the shell holder activates such as the collet die, you can easily have a situation where that crimp die prevents the primer from seating fully. The Load Master's priming function is GREAT when you use a die as mentioned to hold the case for priming, and set the press up to *just* prime cases, and kick them out the side, then take the primer feed completely off and run it in progressive stages using the primed brass.

Their newer powder measures have issues. Bad issues. Mine throws powder all over the place, is staticy as all hell, very hard to get consistent charges, and the rubber insert is all torn up, with less than 100rds on it. I have since backed up and punted, ordering a Dillon powder measure with their die and powder funnel. I had an old auto-disk setup with an adjustable charge bar that was really good, this new one is a ***.

Other than learning to prime as a dedicated single function, and getting a better powder measure, it works good enough for what it cost me.

A lot of what you think is Dillon or Rcbs or Lyman technologly is actually licensed from Lee. There have been some lawsuits over the years and Lee has one them every time.

John and Richard Lee are far more important to the industry than most people know. Both of them are darned good engineers to boot.

[hylander]

I love the oldhand primer, have 2 and they have worked perfect for the 18 years.
Love the pistol dies and rifle FCD dies.
I do wish they made a pistol FCD without the sizer ring.

[Echd]

I love Lee ptx dies
Their auto disk is fantastically easy to use
I hate their lock rings
Their size dies beat lubesizers any day of the week
I like the adjustments on their dies better than anyone except hornady
The powder measure is a messy spill fest but more accurate than any other I own
auto prime is fantastic
turret press from Lee is the best value out there

[DougGuy]

I do wish they made a pistol FCD without the sizer ring.

They do: http://leeprecision.com/45-colt-custom-carbide-factory-crimp-die.html

"Non-cataloged custom factory crimp die in 45 Colt (COLLET STYLE)."

[Bullet Caster]

If it were not for Lee, I seriously doubt that I'd be reloading. I've now got orange, red and green on my workbench. BC

[43PU]

Lets face it, how many of us would even be reloading without LEE? that's what I started on because I thought? what if I don't like reloading I don't want to get into it seriously? I bought the lee sizing press and used it for 10+ years, I even loading 300 ultra mag, I love them,

43PU

[freebullet]

They warrantied a sprue plate. Emailed them a pic of the defective plate. 2 days later I had a new one. In certain aspects some of their products are better than more expensive units. I certainly couldn't have jumped into casting the way I did without LEE. THANKS LEE!

[Castaholic]

I have $50 a month for my gun and reloading budget. If it wasn't for Lee I would hardly ever get to shoot.

[rmatchell]

I have to say that when i got my pro 1000 it was a pain but once I started priming on the single stage it hasnt gave me any problems. You cant find a better price and also just to point out in my area you can buy used sets of rcbs and lyman dies for 10 to 15 bucks. The lee used dies 15 to 20 they hold the value, but maybe thats just around here.

[PS Paul]

I love Lee ptx dies
Their auto disk is fantastically easy to use
I hate their lock rings
Their size dies beat lubesizers any day of the week
I like the adjustments on their dies better than anyone except hornady
The powder measure is a messy spill fest but more accurate than any other I own
auto prime is fantastic
turret press from Lee is the best value out there

I'm with you on most of this. The auto-disk measure is just terrific, but the perfect powder measure I had was like your experience: leaked like a sieve with BALL powders like #9, 296, H110, etc., BUT it was dead-on accurate, even with stick powders like 4350.......

I actually LIKE their lock rings and swapped out all my RCBS dies with the Lee rings. The classic cast turret press is just plain excellent. I hand-index and don't use the auto-indexing feature. Many have had hem break, but I have always preferred manual-index anyway. Don't use their sizer dies, but they sure look convenient.

[PS Paul]

THESE are exactly the types of stories (like castaholic, freebullet and 43 posted above) that make this Lee outfit just tops, in my opinion. Yeah, some of their products are just not good, but a majority of it makes it possible for many to shoot and reload who would otherwise choose golf or fishing. We NEED more folks out there doing what we do and if it takes a company like Lee to make it happen, by God I'll support them!

[Boyscout]

The new Lee Auto Prime is the first Lee product I have not been happy with. The cover tray is much too fragile and I broke it early on. I have a 26 year old Auto Prime I am very happy with.

[jmort]

Since you have the shell holders, I would suggest you try the newer Ergo Prime. You grip-it, not thumb compression. Looks cool with Lee Precision red powder coating.

[skeet1]

Like many have said before if it weren't for Lee I probably would not have started reloading. My first experience was with a 7.62X54R Lee Loader around 1967. That old Lee Loader led to many more reloading tool. I guess I must have liked it!

Ken

[Arkansas Paul]

Well, I got my parts in and my press re-assembled. I will say that the Breechlock equipment is far superior to the standard Challenger press. The parts basically upgraded me to the Breechlock. It was only $21 shipped for the parts and I'm happy. It's not a Redding or a Rockchucker, but it is good for what it is and loads rifle rounds just fine. It has no issues full length sizing .30-06 and 7mm Rem Mag. That's prolly the most I'll ever ask of it.

[1hole]

Anyone wanting to blast Lee's Pro 1000 progressive should first try a Green Machine or Piggy Back for a real learning experience, courtesy of RCBS

[TXGunNut]

Ever noticed how a Lee-bashing thread generally turns out to have more supportive than negative posts? Kinda fun starting out in the right direction! I'm a tightwad but I don't buy Lee products because they're attractively priced, I buy them because they work better than competitive products in many situations. For my purposes I simply can't beat the Lee size/lube system, Lee moulds, Lee pots, Lee Autoprime (old style!), Lee case trimmer system and even those little Lee powder scoops! Yes, I have and often prefer a Lyman 4500 sizer and GG moulds, RCBS dies, ChargeMaster, Uniflow measure, Jr press and of course their dies. I've even been known to pull a cover off a big blue Dillon press now and then. I even have at least one set of Redding dies that I think a lot of.
On top of all that Richard Lee wrote a pretty outstanding loading manual! Like another poster said lots of folks would have never started loading if not for Lee's great prices. My initial kit came in a green box but I carried home a red box or two that day, carried home or ordered quite a few red boxes in the 35 yrs since then.