LEE Breech Lock Challenger Press - HELP

Charlie218 · March 10, 2008, 05:24 PM

This seems like it should be easy, but I can't figure out how to attach the shellholder to the ram? I have searched this site and also the LEE site, the picture only shows someone lying the shellholder on top of the ram and the directions show a 'shellholder retainer' part but damned if I can figure out how to attach the shellholder....

Thanks for helping this newbie to reloading...

ForneyRider · March 10, 2008, 06:37 PM

There is a pin that wraps around it.

It's small, looks like a c or a g.

Place the shellholder in the top of the piston and center.

Then get the pin and stick it in the hole and then wrap the rest of the pin around.

I think you only get one. But a hardware shop should have more.

Charlie218 · March 10, 2008, 06:46 PM

Thanks Forney.....there is no hole or groove in the shellholder for anything to attach to it, the instructions photo shows it just sitting there and you can't really see it is retained with something, it's weird, maybe I should try taking a picture and uploading it although I've never done that before.......
Seems like it should be so simple, but I just can't figure it out...maybe I'll see if I can get through to LEE's customer support, all this came in a kit......
If I can't figure this out, maybe I shouldn't be reloading????

CrustyFN · March 10, 2008, 07:18 PM

I don't know if the ram is the same as the classic turret. On th CT you just slide the shell holder in the slot from the front.
Rusty

jswaff · March 10, 2008, 07:20 PM

Are you using the primer shellholder out of the red box of the shellholder that came with your dies? Two completly different holders.

Charlie218 · March 10, 2008, 07:25 PM

jswaff......yes to the red box. Does that mean I need to buy a different shellholder for the Press? I bet that is the problem, I would have thought a 'kit' for a newby would have all you need to get started.....

jswaff · March 10, 2008, 07:30 PM

If you are using Lee dies, the shellholder included with the dies will work, if not you will need to get the other shellholders in the I think green or yellow box.

CrustyFN · March 10, 2008, 08:13 PM

If you are talking about the bunch of shell holders that come in the red box, those are only for the auto prime hand primer. The shell that came with the dies should slide in from the front. These are the auto prime shell holders.

This is the shell holder that comes with the dies that should go in the ram of your press.

Rusty

rwilson452 · March 10, 2008, 08:43 PM

the correct shell holder will slide right in provided you either have the ram raised a bit or don't put the primer lever in. If you don't put the primer lever in you won't get it in later. so raise the ram a little until the primer lever goes down enough to get the shell holder in. I don't recall if the press you have has a tube on the bottom of the ram to catch the spent primers. if it does you need he primer lever in to help guide the spent primer down the ram. otherwise a few will escape.

Charlie218 · March 11, 2008, 04:05 AM

Thanks gentlemen, you answered my question.....

March 10, 2008, 05:24 PM	#1
Charlie218 Member Join Date: January 5, 2008 Location: Indiana Posts: 76	LEE Breech Lock Challenger Press - HELP This seems like it should be easy, but I can't figure out how to attach the shellholder to the ram? I have searched this site and also the LEE site, the picture only shows someone lying the shellholder on top of the ram and the directions show a 'shellholder retainer' part but damned if I can figure out how to attach the shellholder.... Thanks for helping this newbie to reloading...

March 10, 2008, 06:37 PM	#2
ForneyRider Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 2007 Location: Forney, TX Posts: 725	There is a pin that wraps around it. It's small, looks like a c or a g. Place the shellholder in the top of the piston and center. Then get the pin and stick it in the hole and then wrap the rest of the pin around. I think you only get one. But a hardware shop should have more. __________________ When all is said and done, there is a lot more said than done.

March 10, 2008, 07:18 PM	#4
CrustyFN Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2006 Location: West Virginia Posts: 2,258	I don't know if the ram is the same as the classic turret. On th CT you just slide the shell holder in the slot from the front. Rusty __________________ I don't ever remember being absent minded.

March 10, 2008, 08:13 PM	#8
CrustyFN Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2006 Location: West Virginia Posts: 2,258	If you are talking about the bunch of shell holders that come in the red box, those are only for the auto prime hand primer. The shell that came with the dies should slide in from the front. These are the auto prime shell holders. This is the shell holder that comes with the dies that should go in the ram of your press. Rusty __________________ I don't ever remember being absent minded.

March 10, 2008, 06:46 PM	#3
Charlie218 Member Join Date: January 5, 2008 Location: Indiana Posts: 76	Thanks Forney.....there is no hole or groove in the shellholder for anything to attach to it, the instructions photo shows it just sitting there and you can't really see it is retained with something, it's weird, maybe I should try taking a picture and uploading it although I've never done that before....... Seems like it should be so simple, but I just can't figure it out...maybe I'll see if I can get through to LEE's customer support, all this came in a kit...... If I can't figure this out, maybe I shouldn't be reloading????

March 10, 2008, 07:20 PM	#5
jswaff Junior Member Join Date: February 16, 2008 Posts: 5	Are you using the primer shellholder out of the red box of the shellholder that came with your dies? Two completly different holders.

March 10, 2008, 07:25 PM	#6
Charlie218 Member Join Date: January 5, 2008 Location: Indiana Posts: 76	jswaff......yes to the red box. Does that mean I need to buy a different shellholder for the Press? I bet that is the problem, I would have thought a 'kit' for a newby would have all you need to get started.....

March 10, 2008, 07:30 PM	#7
jswaff Junior Member Join Date: February 16, 2008 Posts: 5	If you are using Lee dies, the shellholder included with the dies will work, if not you will need to get the other shellholders in the I think green or yellow box.

March 10, 2008, 08:43 PM	#9
rwilson452 Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2004 Location: Tioga co. PA Posts: 2,647	the correct shell holder will slide right in provided you either have the ram raised a bit or don't put the primer lever in. If you don't put the primer lever in you won't get it in later. so raise the ram a little until the primer lever goes down enough to get the shell holder in. I don't recall if the press you have has a tube on the bottom of the ram to catch the spent primers. if it does you need he primer lever in to help guide the spent primer down the ram. otherwise a few will escape.

March 11, 2008, 04:05 AM	#10
Charlie218 Member Join Date: January 5, 2008 Location: Indiana Posts: 76	Thanks gentlemen, you answered my question.....