OzFclass

I am looking at getting into reloading and have seen several good write-ups on the LEE 50th Anniversary Breech Lock Challenger Kit has anyone actually got or used one and are they a good kit for a beginner? Obviously price is a consideration as I dont want to spend a vast amount of money until I know that:
a) I will enjoy it and
b) I know I can be reasonably proficient at it.
The kit is priced at $185 + $29 for 2x Lee .308 dies. Looking forward to your opinions.

Regards
Lee
Weatherby .308 sub moa

Hi Lee

I have an ordinary Lee Challenger press that I purchased some 7 or 8 years ago. It does every thing I need it to do loading for a 223 and a 308. The only problem I have had is that the aluminum casting that connects the handle to the toggle linkage on my press has broken a number of times. I believe this has been upgraded on the newer models. In any event the parts were cheap and readily available from Lee in America.

I would recommend that you spend a little more and buy the deluxe die set that contains the full length resizer, Collet die and seating die. I find that I mainly use the collet die as it is quicker and easier than full length resizing and it is easier on the brass.


Regards

Allan

Buy a good quality second hand press
You will enjoy it !
And proficiency comes with practise
If part of the press is wearing or breaking that tells you something
Buy once cry once
Cheers
RB

Gidday, I bought the same kit in July and have only had to buy dies and make a loading block. I was reloading my 308 target ammo on a mates gear but the Lee does just as good a job. Double R custom(on the web) had them for $150 plus $20 overnight postage recently(thats where I got mine. I agree with Allan, a collet die is the best way to go. Reloading is the best thing I have ever done, Tim

Firstly, I am not entering into the LEE vs RCBS, Lyman, Redding etc debate, it is just my opinion.

Sorry earlier I should have added that the part Allan is talking about is now steel(on mine anyway), I rebuild electric motors, compressors, pumps and valve assemblies as part of my job and I chose Lee after trying and comparing an old RCBS press with a five year old Lee and could see no justification in the price difference. Horses for courses though the RCBS is nicely finished if looks and names are important but mechanically the Lee is more than competent and certainly strong enough. Always best to load the first few hundred with someone first, it got me up and running quickly. Kind regards, Tim

Thanks guys I think I will go with the Lee kit and collet dies. Now this is going to sound a bit niave but what is a loading block??? s


Regards
Lee

Sorry, it is just a piece of wood with holes in it to hold the cases upright while you put powder in them, easy to make or you can buy them for less than $15.00, makes the job easier. No question is silly when asking about reloading, I had some rippers when I first started, it is still best to reload a few hundred with someone else first. If you are buying the Challenger kit I reccommend asking for a trim length guage and holder in .308 at the same time (around $8.00) enjoy- Tim

Again thanks have someone in mind to ask re: helping to reload a few rounds with. Have been doing alot of research and god int the web good for this. Anyway your advice has been much appreciated and I expect I'll be on here a few more times yet with questions on this subject. Great thing is how forthcoming all you guys are. Good on ya.

Regards
Lee

Pommy,

Just a heads up on the collet dies. I have them in 308, 243, 303, 8x57 & 22-250 and this is my experience with them.

The best way to setup collet dies is to screw them into the press so that it 'toggles over' center when it is raised with a case in the shell holder. I have found that you get much better ammunition using this method.

This will give you the most consistent neck tension which is one of the variables we aim for in order to get a consistent bullet release and therefore accuracy.

These dies are designed to compress the neck down onto the mandrel with 20lbs of force on the press handle. If u set them up so the shelholder and die bottom out with the handle pointing at your face, it is easy to appply an inconsisent force. However, if u set it up so it toggles over (ie the handle as far down as it will go), you will always get the same force on the collet and therefore the brass. That way, the main variable you are dealing with is the 'springiness' of the brass itself.

It takes a bit of fiddling to get it right but once you have, the dies are set and u dont need to worry. You just screw them into your press and go for your ilfe.

Once you get into reloading, a good thing is to learn how to measure brass and then see how your dies and rifle change its' dimensions. This will also assist you further to tailor the ammo to your rifle

Thanx for the tip have started to write all these tips in a pad so as to be on hand when I need them. Think I had better buy some more pads lol.

Regards
Lee