|
Forum Rules | Firearms Safety | Firearms Photos | Links | Library | Lost Password | Email Changes |
Register | FAQ | Calendar | Search | Today's Posts | Mark Forums Read |
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
February 4, 2005, 02:48 PM | #1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 20, 2005
Posts: 1,718
|
Lee Anniversary Kit......check it out......
Here's the link for this kit. I was going to get the RCBS kit, but this looks like it has everything the other one has, for a LOT less. I think Lee has a good name in reloading, so what's the deal here? Is this too good to be true? Shipping is only $7.00 to my doorstep.
http://www.bosesguns.com/index.asp?P...ROD&ProdID=941 |
February 4, 2005, 03:38 PM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: February 1, 2005
Location: Red Desert
Posts: 819
|
keep in mind that you will also have to purchase a set of dies for each caliber you will be reloading. i bought the lee kit to start out with and my firearm hasn't complained about the ammunition being loaded with a "cheap" press
__________________
{empty thought cloud} |
February 4, 2005, 03:56 PM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 20, 2005
Posts: 1,718
|
Good to hear from someone who has Lee equipment. Yeah, I know I'll need the dies, but you have to buy them separately for the RCBS kit too. I just wondered why this kit, which has everything, is $170 less than the RCBS. Sounds like a deal to me!! This'll leave me with money left over for a tumbler, bullets, powder, etc, etc
|
February 4, 2005, 05:06 PM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: December 9, 2004
Location: Dog Creek, CA
Posts: 457
|
I'll start by saying I'm an RCBS fan. That price sounds to good to be true. I'm a believer you get what you pay for, but there are deals to be made out there, this might be one of them. The questions I'd ask are what kind of warrenty does Lee have, is the scale any good, and is the powder thrower any good? I also noticed you get a set of bullet holders, RCBS's are $6.00 apiece.
__________________
Retired Air Force 8th TFW The Wolfpack |
February 4, 2005, 07:20 PM | #5 |
Junior member
Join Date: November 7, 2004
Location: Mid-Michigan
Posts: 449
|
I have no intention at this time of switching from the LEE stuff I have. I did get the auto disk powder measure (awesome) since the PPM that came with it isn't really good (in my opinion) when charging handgun calibers. For rifle though, it works well. I broke a die, and had one come from the factory that was rolling case mouths. The broken die was replaced by LEE in under a week, the repair to the other took just over a week. I have no complaints. Get it, you'll not be sorry.........
|
February 4, 2005, 09:15 PM | #6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 19, 2004
Posts: 375
|
Lee Stuff...
I started out with the Anniversary kit and I still use Lee equipment... except for the scale. The press will do all the reloading you want. Re-forming cases from one caliber to another may cause undue stress and result in broken parts but liberal lubrication of the cases will help avoid that. The "Perfect Powder Measure" looks like a bona fide POS but it's really pretty good after it's properly broken in. I just loaded a hundred or so .308 rounds and the powder was always thrown within 0.1 grain. The "Safety Powder Scale" is accurate enough but it isn't easy to use. I still have mine in the closet, preferring to use an RCBS 5-0-5. I have managed to break parts on my press. Lee sends the new parts right away and the price is very reasonable. Both RCBS and Dillon replace broken parts free but the press costs more 'up-front.' All things considered, I think I've gotten 'way more than my money's worth out of that kit.
|
February 4, 2005, 09:48 PM | #7 |
Member
Join Date: December 16, 2004
Posts: 32
|
I started with Lee
But if I had to do it all over again, I would have spent the money for RCBS. Lee does make a decent cast single press, I like it as much as the RCBS Rock Chucker. If you can afford RCBS then I would buy it. That said, Lee does make it so you can reload for a cheap price. But as you grow you will end up with RCBS, Dillon, ect. anyhow. at least I did. |
February 4, 2005, 10:28 PM | #8 |
Senior Member
Join Date: April 19, 1999
Posts: 567
|
Go for it
I've used Lee equipment for several years, and I think it is probably the best way to get started. In fact I started with that kit and a set of .38 dies, then came dies for the 9mm, .45, .270. .30-06. .308, .303, .223, etc., etc.,
I am probably going to get a new press soon, looking at their "classic cast". Never had a problem with any of my LEE equipment. I think it is a great way to get started without spending a lot, if it doesn't work out for you then you are not out much, and if you do get into loading you WILL buy more equipment eventually when you figure out what does and doesn't work for you. By the way, where are you located and how did you find Boses? They are about 50 miles from me and I never knew about them till I saw them at a couple of the local gunshows. Never knew they had a website. They do have some good prices. The price on that kit is a few dollars less than I have seen it advertised anywhere else for a couple years. bergie |
February 4, 2005, 11:57 PM | #9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: June 10, 2004
Location: Tioga co. PA
Posts: 2,647
|
Lee stuff
I'm another Lee fan. I used the lee Turret for years until I got into some serious pistol shooting and got the LoadMaster will all the trimmings. All my dies are Lee. When I added another rifle caliber that used the same shell holder I got the RGB die set for less than you can buy a single die of other mfg. The RGB sets are not cheaper dies. They just don't have the shell holder etc.
|
February 5, 2005, 08:22 AM | #10 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 21, 2004
Location: Western Penn.
Posts: 387
|
Lee Equipment
No I'm not affilliated, but these folks do have some decent prices on Lee products... http://www.factorysales.com
__________________
For those who've never fought for it, the price of freedom shall never be known... |
February 5, 2005, 12:50 PM | #11 |
Senior Member
Join Date: April 20, 2000
Location: Huntsville, Alabama
Posts: 1,198
|
Get the Lee Classic Cast press instead of the press that comes with the Aniversary kit. Trust me.
|
February 5, 2005, 06:39 PM | #12 |
Senior Member
Join Date: March 5, 1999
Location: Mass
Posts: 493
|
Started with the Anniversary kit. Been using the Challenger press that came with it for years. Also bought the progressive 1000 for handgun catridges(45 and 38/357), and got a good deal on that. Stuck with what I could afford. Disk powder measure works well, and I used the dippers for years.
Lee used to offer factory reconditioned equipment. The info was in the back of their reloading manual. It was an offer to folks new to reloading. If they still do it check it out. Others swear by RCBS and Dillon, and I am sure they are worth the money but Lee works for me. |
February 5, 2005, 08:02 PM | #13 |
Senior Member
Join Date: October 15, 2004
Posts: 934
|
With rare exceptions, Lee's seconds and reconditioned stuff is as expensive as new from MidSouth or Midway.
Buy the RCBS kit and you are set for life. Buy the Lee and you will upgrade or add eventually if you stay with reloading. The Lee is plenty good to get you started. It'll sure pay for itself, but I have also seen folks just infuriated because their $35 dollar press wore out after a mere 50k rounds or so. I have also seen people selling off complete loading setups for less than a third of cost after only loading a couple hundred rounds and losing interest. Those folks woulda been way better off had they started with Lee. This is a very individual matter. I put my rig together a piece at a time over about 45 years. When I was unhappy with something, I sold it and bought something else. Stuff I liked stayed. I've got a good bit of Lee stuff and have worn out some Lee stuff. Think I have gone through three AutoPrimes. They work good, but pot metal age hardens and I break one every six or seven years. At $10 a pop, who really cares? Same story with the little Reloader press. I keep one of those around for light jobs and when I break one I go buy another. They are worth a buck or two a year to me. On the other hand, my main press is Rockchucker that's gonna outlast me and maybe my son. It's worth every penny of its considerable cost as a main press. 'Course, I have spread that cost out over 25 years. |
February 6, 2005, 11:07 AM | #14 |
Senior Member
Join Date: November 17, 2004
Location: San Antonio
Posts: 270
|
Skip the single stage and go for the 4-hole turret right off the bat. You'll have the flexibility of a single stage press without the hassle of switching out the dies and so forth. And it's as simple to operate, no worse than single stage.
It may cost you a few bucks more , but it's a lot better way to go IMHO. And you won't outgrow it in any time soon, unless you start shooting 1000rnds/week. That's what is happening to me right now, so I'm moving from turret to either hornady LnL or Dillon550/650 variety. You could probably do about 150-200rnds/hr on turret, good quality ammo, especially with 4-hole press with Lee FCD. Get the manual index, lot less trouble than auto indexing press. what kind of ammo you loading? If it's pistol stuff, can't beat Lee Turret press on the cheap. And it'll do rifle ammo without any problems. Just my 2 cents, but it'd be a good way to go. Auto index press, but I'm sure it can be disabled easily |
February 6, 2005, 02:25 PM | #15 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 20, 2001
Location: Oshkosh wi.
Posts: 3,055
|
I regressed a couple months ago, got the aniversary kit from lee. My main press is a bonanza co-ax. For a few of my rifle rounds I would have to change shell holder jaws,(22 hornet, 45-70), a major PITA. Then change back for all my other stuff. It also has a problem with rimmed brass, 7x30 Waters.
I had just rescued my brothers 30-40 krag, I wanted to reload for it. A trip to a gun show netted me a set of lee dies, one box of original klenbore rem shells and 50 empty winchester brass. When the kit came, I loaded some test shells, without any problems. The scale is hard to work with, but very accurate,(checked with my RCBS digital electronic. The measure worked great, it's very accurate with extruded powders. It comes with all the shell holders for the auto prime and an auto primer,( the lee challenger press has no means to prime on it). The press is very basic. It's cast aluminum with a steel ram. Extensive use might wear the bore of the press if not kept lubed and cleaned out at regular intervals. It has enough leverage to perform normal sizeing, but I'd hesitate to form wildcat cases with it.
__________________
The more people I meet, the more I love my dog They're going to get their butts kicked over there this election. How come people can't spell and use words correctly? |
February 6, 2005, 02:57 PM | #16 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 20, 2004
Posts: 592
|
Auto Indexing
Sorry for the apparently lame question, but what is Auto Indexing. I haven't been able to find into on what that is.
|
February 6, 2005, 04:41 PM | #17 |
Senior Member
Join Date: November 17, 2004
Location: San Antonio
Posts: 270
|
Autoindexing means the press automatically advances the turret or shellholder to the next die station.
Some presses like Lee turret can be either auto or manual index (which of course requires operator to advance turret/shellholder by hand therefore offering more control if something goes wrong, but may be slightly slower than auto index).. Lee turret with autoindex has small nylon/plastic parts that frequently break and sometimes require frequent adjusting to work properly, so it can be bothersome for some folks to fiddle with it all the time. That's why I suggested for starting out to get just a manual index, and maybe later go ahead and get a fully progressive press, instead turret altogether. |
February 7, 2005, 01:03 AM | #18 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 20, 2004
Posts: 592
|
Thanks. I find it funny that Lee's own website doesn't even explain that.
|
February 7, 2005, 10:47 AM | #19 |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 20, 2005
Posts: 1,718
|
Thanks for the advice guys.
I ordered the Lee kit, a few dies, some bullets, and brass from that website. Man, all the prices are lower than I found anywhere else, and the shipping is very reasonable too. I just stumbled onto their website by accident. I guess that's how most good things happen anyway, isn't it? |
February 7, 2005, 02:41 PM | #20 |
Senior Member
Join Date: November 17, 2004
Location: San Antonio
Posts: 270
|
Which press did you end up getting ????
And your other thread about a decent inexpensive tumbler.... Here it is http://www.midwayusa.com/rewriteaproduct/317981 |
February 7, 2005, 03:49 PM | #21 |
Member
Join Date: January 29, 2005
Location: Indiana
Posts: 30
|
Will you put up a reply about how you like it after you get to play with it? I am also in the market for a starter kit and that sounds to good to pass up. Let us know how the company is to deal with also especially if they have other good deals. Thanks
__________________
The desire for peace and the simplistic and misplaced guilt many people have, create a tendency to make everyone who demands a standard of behavior into some kind of Neanderthal. |
February 7, 2005, 05:14 PM | #22 |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 20, 2005
Posts: 1,718
|
I'm just going to see how I like the equipment it comes with to see if I like it before I go buying another press, scale, etc.
You bet, I'll let you know how I like it after I load a couple hundred rounds. It'll probably be a week or more before I get it, though. Stay tuned! Thanks for all the help, guys. |
February 7, 2005, 06:56 PM | #23 |
Senior Member
Join Date: November 17, 2004
Location: San Antonio
Posts: 270
|
So, which press did you buy???
|
February 8, 2005, 01:35 AM | #24 |
Member
Join Date: November 25, 2004
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 34
|
I just bought the Lee Aniversery kit but the only problem I'm having is how to attatch the shell holders. The top of my ram looks like a shell holder and there doesn't seem to be any way to attatch another holder. I'm wondering if I have a piece missing? Does anyone have a closeup shot of the top of the ram on their Challenger press?
|
February 8, 2005, 09:27 AM | #25 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 20, 2001
Location: Oshkosh wi.
Posts: 3,055
|
I just bought the Lee Aniversery kit but the only problem I'm having is how to attatch the shell holders. The top of my ram looks like a shell holder and there doesn't seem to be any way to attatch another holder. I'm wondering if I have a piece missing? Does anyone have a closeup shot of the top of the ram on their Challenger press?
---------------------- The slot you see on the top of the ram is where the bottom of the shell holder slides into. It has a spring around the top that holds in the shell holder. Those shell holders that came with the kit are for the auto primer. You simply press the shell holder into that slot until it snaps into place. You have to get a seperate shell holder for each set of dies that have a different head size. For instance the .308/30-06 family of shells all have the same head size, so you can use the same shell holder for all of them,(.243, .260, 7-08, .308,,, .270, .280, 30-06), all have the same head size.
__________________
The more people I meet, the more I love my dog They're going to get their butts kicked over there this election. How come people can't spell and use words correctly? |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
|