The Russian Mosin Nagant Forum

When the taxes come rolling back, I plan on setting up for reloading. I've been looking at the Lee Precision Challenger Breech Lock system, in the big package. Anybody own/use one? From what I've read, and the YouTube videos I've seen, they seem to be an awesome investment. Is it worth it, or is it better to go to the higher-end models?

Lee is the best i think. I used to own the green kind and i prefer the red now. I bought an anniversary kit for like $80 and i have used the crap out of it with no trouble. I would recomend you get a primer tool also. Save your money for more dies and get the lee.

Most everybody starts with Lee, later on you might find you need something more involved and then go to RCBS, but the kit you are looking at is ideal for a first timer, and you can't beat Lees prices. I use a lot of Lee equipment and have no problems with any of it.

I have an RCBS press, and Lee dies. I am satisfied with the results.

I am an absolutely loyal Lee fan. I'd start with the Lee reloading manual. You don't have to wait till taxes come in to start reading the manual.it us way more than reloading data. It tells all aspects of ballistics and how to reload properly.

desdem12 wrote:Lee is the best i think. I used to own the green kind and i prefer the red now. I bought an anniversary kit for like $80 and i have used the crap out of it with no trouble. I would recomend you get a primer tool also. Save your money for more dies and get the lee.

Thanks for the feedback guys, I appreciate it. I would need a primer tool also??? In the video I saw, the guy primed his brass with a priming arm in the ram, similar to the RCBS Rockchucker, doesn't that come with the kit??? He was decapping his brass on the upstroke, then recapping on the downstroke. That looked pretty efficient to me, am I missing something? I used to reload cases of shotshells for our shotguns years ago, Dad had the top of the line Mec system, was really sweet. I have that much experience, no more than that. I'm looking forward to rolling my own ammo., a couple of my toys like to eat stuff that's not only expensive, but getting harder to find.
Sounds like I'll be patronizing Lee. Thanks again everybody for the input!

You are correct that will work. For a great deal on Lee you gotta check out Factorysales.com you wont believe the good price they have. I think they are the company outlet store. I have had excellent service from them.

bunkysdad wrote:You are correct that will work. For a great deal on Lee you gotta check out Factorysales.com you wont believe the good price they have. I think they are the company outlet store. I have had excellent service from them.

Thanks again BD! I bookmarked their site, looks pretty good. I think Cheaper Than Dirt can beat them on some things, not on others. Haven't checked Midway USA or Brownell's yet. Gotta find the best deal. Appreciate the info.

Yes the primer arm comes with the kit but i like the primer tool cause it has a better feel for seating the primer. I think it is much easier to do it that way then with the arm. Last time i checked thay were about $30 for one. You can start though without one. I have had the rock chucker too but i like the lee better.

The priming tool is easy to use, and not that expensive, you can get a few of them, one for each type of primer you use.

I load a lot of pistol ammunition (.38 spl and .45 ACP) and have an old Star machine that is great for the .38's and a Dillon for my .45's, My rifle ammunition is loaded on a Lyman turret press but I use all brands of dies with good results. I would suggest a couple of reloading manuals as well as the free ones the powder and bullet makers put out. Good luck,have fun but be careful. Even on my Dillon which throws very consistant powder charges I weigh every ten charges.

All caveats and suggestions duly noted and recorded! Thanks again guys.

I prime using the priming arm on the press. I have never really felt the need for anything else. I would suggest a powder measure. I have been dipping the powder into the scale and then trickling it to wieght, but this is SLOW. Hopefully I will have one in my stocking this year.

Lee stuff is good the only thing I'd change is get a electronic scale to weigh them charges. The scoops run a little shy of the charge on their sliding scale.

I like the hand primer for the reason mentioned already. You can feel the seating of the primer. You can add one to your equipment anytime if you really like reloading. You can get a digital scale (prices all over the place). Mine is a cheap one. Or a beam type scale works good. but I like the drop powder measures. I read all these things in the Lee reloading manual and have found it interesting to return to for refresher reading.

I like the lee powder measure better than the rcbs it is way way more consistant. And if you get a electronic scale i would suggest a better quality one. I have a cheap franklin one and it is easier to use the lee scale then it.

You can't beat the Star machine for .38 special, I loaded over 4000 rounds of it in a few days using that machine, a work of art.

Junk Yard Dog wrote:You can't beat the Star machine for .38 special, I loaded over 4000 rounds of it in a few days using that machine, a work of art.

JCAM!!!! I've got a sweet Arminius HW38 .357 Mag. with a 6" barrel (it stays on my nightstand). I should stop by some time and help you put a dent in your .38 Special supply!

knssrtrd wrote:Lee stuff is good the only thing I'd change is get a electronic scale to weigh them charges. The scoops run a little shy of the charge on their sliding scale.

I've wondered about the accuracy of the scoops that came with the die sets, thanks for the info. knssrtrd. I've got a pretty good little digital scale that I use to check the accuracy of my black powder charger, so that part's covered. I'm looking forward to getting some reloading done, kinda like getting back together with an old friend.

Black powder is measured by volume, never by weight, only smokeless powder is measured by weight. Never use any measuring device intended for black powder on smokeless powder.

I bought out the contents of a long shut down gun/reloading shop back in 2008, along with the machine I got components for 4-5 thousand rounds of .38 special waddcutters. I use them as practice rounds in my GP100, I don't know how many I shot up over the years, but I seem to have empty .38 size boxes again so it's been a bit I might have to fire up the machine again soon, I still have a crate of empty brass, a bag of bullets, and three, or four pounds of 60's vintage bullseye powder, just short on primers.