newfoundlander
09-28-2008, 10:33 PM
I have to admit I poo-pooed the Lee Breech Block when I first saw it advertsied a year ago. I couldn't understand why Lee would introduce such an item when it had such a great product in the Lee classic Cast which only costs a few dollars extra. All of that changed this afternoon after helping a friend's son set up his first press. I thought he had purchased the old Anniversary kit and was surprised to see the press wasn't the older Challenger. I knew the Lee BB was a completely new offering and had little in common with its more light weight projenitor. Once I had the press mounted I was surprsied at how stout it felt. While FLS 50 .30-06 cases I found zero perceivable flex yet it offered great feedback while priming. The press's opening is much larger than the challenger but it still is canted for easy access. The Classic Cast's used pimer routing sytem is a welcome carry over as are the anti-rollover stops. The die holder system is cute and seems to work as described but not really necessary. At best the removeable die holders are a bonus.
While there are plenty of strong well constructed presses on the market what sets the Lee BB apart is its weight and price. The only other comaprable press is the RCBS RS5 which costs more and lacks most features of the Lee. If you're looking for a strong, affordable and very portable press I would suggest looking at the Lee. The Lee CC costs only a few bucks more than the BB but it's hardly as portable. If you're not doing any heavy swageing or radical case forming check out the Lee Breech Block.
While there are plenty of strong well constructed presses on the market what sets the Lee BB apart is its weight and price. The only other comaprable press is the RCBS RS5 which costs more and lacks most features of the Lee. If you're looking for a strong, affordable and very portable press I would suggest looking at the Lee. The Lee CC costs only a few bucks more than the BB but it's hardly as portable. If you're not doing any heavy swageing or radical case forming check out the Lee Breech Block.