Shit or not !

Lee Breech Lock Challenger Kit with Breech Lock Press (The Lee Anniversary Kit) *NZ$220 (incl. GST)Quantity: Includes the new Breech Lock Challenger Press and three Breech Lock quick-change bushings. You get a complete powder handling system, with the most convenient and repeatable Perfect Powder Measure. Plus the Lee Safety Scale, the most sensitive and safest of all powder scales and fill your case with the included Powder Funnel. Case Preparation Tools include a cutter and lock stud to trim your cases. An included Lee chamfer tool chamfers the inside and outside of the case mouth and a tube of premium sizing lube is included. A small and large primer pocket-cleaning tool completes the case preparation package. But that’s not all! You get the Large and small Safety Prime. Prime with push button convenience and is safe with all brands of primers. Never touch the primer from box to the case. Compare it to others priced at hundreds of dollars more. Reloading saves money and you save right from the start with Lee equipment..."....."............................... ......................... I have asked this before , but the thread was lost in the melt down a couple of months ago . I'm only going to load small scale , and not target loads ,will I get away with this set ? .

You may want to upgrade the scales, have also heard the lube can be hit and miss, imperial sizing wax is very good, or just buy lee collet dies and you dont need lube at all (very good when loading for high volume cartridges like 223)

I use it, my friend just used it See my recent thread on 308 150 BT 2208 I agree the scales are not the greatest. They/it is the best value for money reloading kit in my opinion

Mine is going strong. Certainly good enough for "hunting" ammo.
I think it was tussock that dealt to the scales appropriately.

The powder thrower works once you pour heaps of powder through it. I had put 3 lbs through mine before it stopped sticking from the static

Sent from my Galaxy SIII

I am using one and havent had problems with any parts. Now I have changed some parts but that is due to the volumes Im loading currently. I have absolutely no issues with Lee gear and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to set themselves up cheaply. Yes you can buy more expensive gear that will stand up to more abuse. Yes you can get second hand gear cheap if you know what you need. Unfortunately knowing the best gear for your reloading needs is found out by experience and time spent in front of one.

Thats a very good price Munsey,I'd grab it while its available .
Don't think you'll go far wrong with that gear .

As above, its a start and some bits are good and worth keeping, ie the Lee Collet dies and the depriming set up is better than my Rockchucker, but a few parts are pretty average.

I'm a fan of the Lee deprime die now as well, after busting my Lyman one on a sticky crimped primer. No issues with the Lee, as the decapping rod slides up.

However, the Lee scales and lube are just plain cr*p. Tussock once posted a vid of his Lee scales being destroyed.

Direct from Lee $172.00 US
Breech Lock Challenger Kit - Lee Precision

for the average hunter it will be fine just get a new set of scales and you will be away laughing

+1 one on the Lee scales. The word "abortion" pretty much sums them up. The Chamfer/deburr tool will go blunt and become useless. The press is fine. The priming tool works well. I haven't had good luck with the powder measure. Maybe it won't work with extruded powder.

I've never had an issue with the Lee lube, apart from the shit rusting my dies before I knew it was water based.

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Originally Posted by Tussock

There are other kits around. The Lyman kit springs to mind. They are more expensive, but if you factor in the bits of the Lee kit that just dont work, the price is more comparable, and ALL the Lee stuff you will end up replacing if your keen. The Lyman presses and scales etc would be fine indefinitely.

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Any idea how much for the Lyman kit ? And where to purchase ? . Thanks for the help by the way everyone .

Sinclairs/Brownells is the best bet, in the US of A.
Pity, I had just placed an order with them a few days ago, would have been happy to bring it in for you and split the freight costs.

Nothing wrong with Lee gear, but as others have said the scales are shit. I have been using the same Lee press and dies for over 30 years and it has had a lot of use.

ROCK CHUCKER SUPREME MASTER RELOADING KIT - Sinclair Intl
freight may be a bit.....

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Originally Posted by Tussock

That's on special today at the tool website on here.

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Id rather spend $619 on gear that ill have when im 80 and do the job superbly than $200 on gear that will last a few years and do a mediocre job!!!!

Sometimes tussock has a mighty fine point and is well worth listening to lol

I have probably put 1000 rounds in 223 and 150 rounds in 270 through one of those Lees in the last 12 months. None of that was mediocre, actually it has picked up 4 medals in shooting competitions in that time. Yes I should be using a Dillon, but my budget is what it is.

I honestly don't get why people keep butying those cheap Lee kits, most people end up replacing them. Why not spend an extra couple of hundred and get something that will last a lifetime. You would be better off to wait a little bit longer and build up some more funds and get something like I have linked below. If you are going to buy the Lee kit then start replacing it straight away (Scales, etc), whats the point buying it?

Two really good kits:

Boss Pro Pack Reloading Kit:
Deadeye Dicks - Redding

Rock Chucker Supreme Kit:
Gunsmithing &Reloading Tools - RCBS Rockchucker Supreme Master Reloading Kit, Reloading Kits

Just add Primer Pocket Cleaner, Flash Hole De-burrer, Powder Thrower (Not included in redding kit), a couple of loading trays (or make your own). Then just by the appropriate dies and components and you will be sorted for a very long time, not just a year or two when you realise how bad the Lee gear is.

Good gear is always coming up on Trademe as well so just keep and eye out.

I still have my cheap one as a spare.... A mate still uses his after thousands of loads. If you are unsure loading is for you the cheap kit is handy and the scales are useable if you get a feel for them..... Very much a case of watching how it moves...if in doubt re-weigh it.

But if you have the coin get better for sure as if you are serious about getting top loads you will end up replacing it :)

I handed most of my gear on to others starting loading and they returned it when they upgraded (still dont have my powder thrower back but I don't need it)

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Originally Posted by Bryan

I honestly don't get why people keep butying those cheap Lee kits, most people end up replacing them. Why not spend an extra couple of hundred and get something that will last a lifetime. You would be better off to wait a little bit longer and build up some more funds and get something like I have linked below. If you are going to buy the Lee kit then start replacing it straight away (Scales, etc), whats the point buying it?

Two really good kits:

Boss Pro Pack Reloading Kit:
Deadeye Dicks - Redding

Rock Chucker Supreme Kit:
Gunsmithing &Reloading Tools - RCBS Rockchucker Supreme Master Reloading Kit, Reloading Kits

Just add Primer Pocket Cleaner, Flash Hole De-burrer, Powder Thrower (Not included in redding kit), a couple of loading trays (or make your own). Then just by the appropriate dies and components and you will be sorted for a very long time, not just a year or two when you realise how bad the Lee gear is.

Good gear is always coming up on Trademe as well so just keep and eye out.

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Just dont compare the DED redding kit to the one on the other site as they are different sized presses, the one on DED is a smaller press IE not the one pictured ;)

not to bad as well
Gunsmithing &Reloading Tools - Lyman Crusher Pro Kit with Pro 500 Scales, Reloading Kits

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Originally Posted by leathel

Just dont compare the DED redding kit to the one on the other site as they are different sized presses, the one on DED is a smaller press IE not the one pictured ;)

not to bad as well
Gunsmithing &Reloading Tools - Lyman Crusher Pro Kit with Pro 500 Scales, Reloading Kits

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There is this one as well then:
Deadeye Dicks - Redding

The picture shows the correct press :thumbsup:

The Lyman kit you show is also a very good option for the money.

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Originally Posted by Bryan

There is this one as well then:
Deadeye Dicks - Redding

The picture shows the correct press :thumbsup:

The Lyman kit you show is also a very good option for the money.

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Shit unusual for DED to be cheaper than anyone :P

Some good kits out there now that were pretty hard to get in NZ when I started

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Originally Posted by leathel

Shit unusual for DED to be cheaper than anyone :P

Some good kits out there now that were pretty hard to get in NZ when I started

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I know, there redding gear is very well priced.

Decisions ????????????? . The rock chucker kit US $340 . Is it worth bringing in ? .

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Originally Posted by Munsey

Decisions ????????????? . The rock chucker kit US $340 . Is it worth bringing in ? .

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+ freight + gst + import transaction fee+ bio levy + card charges + convert to NZ = a lotmore than expected in NZ dollars I would expect it to come to $650 nz?

Just had a 266.59 US order... + freight took it to $410 NZ + $101.67 gst etc...so $511 give or take

Lyman Crusher Pro Kit | Trade Me

Looks ok!

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Originally Posted by Spudattack

Lyman Crusher Pro Kit | Trade Me

Looks ok!

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That plus dies, calipers and the luxury items and you will be set for life

Will that put primers as well ?

Flick them a message and see if it comes with the priming arm, if not its not much for a lee priming tool (although the new ones are shit) the rcbs etc have designs that use your standard shell holder but I am yet to try one of them

That looks remarkably similar to the Lyman kit i got about 6-7? years ago. Does everything I need it to do.

Want but dont need a chargemaster or similar cos weighing powder sucks and maybe a hand primer.

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Originally Posted by horihunter

Flick them a message and see if it comes with the priming arm, if not its not much for a lee priming tool (although the new ones are shit) the rcbs etc have designs that use your standard shell holder but I am yet to try one of them

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Mine did but thats a while back now

Yep, but I prefer to use the lee autoprime rather than priming on the press.

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Originally Posted by Tussock

Yeah but what do you expect leathal. Only an idiot would cut it that fine with the order.

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what was the last we Item you added to get close to the limit :P I hope it was a handy Item :thumbsup:

I bought a an Anniversary kit a couple years ago. I still use the press and powder thrower because they work fine. Never used the prime on the press thing, seemed annoying so bought lee hand primer. Scales are shit. I used them for a few months then bought some digital scales and a trickler. Case prep tools you will need to buy anyway Lyman do a good kit for that.

Would I buy the Lee kit again? Probably not but then It works fine so can't complain. I do wish I had a better press (Lyman RCBS Redding etc.)

The Lee kit is great for the money. If it is just for hunting ammo then it is all one would ever need. If doing high volume then look at a better setup. I load .308 target ammo and it works great, just bought a trickler to help.

Like a Mercedes vs a Toyota, the Mercedes is a little nicer but the end result is the same.

I think alot of people like slagging it off because it makes them feel better about how much they have spent on their setup for.

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Originally Posted by Tussock

As above, to add. The lube doesnt work, lots of people (including me) end up with stuck cases with it.

Actually, I got a stuck case, pulled really hard on the lever and ripped the bottom off the press.

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+1, you only need one stuck case and can end up destroying the whole press, not worth the risk, change the lube !

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Originally Posted by Savage1

I think alot of people like slagging it off because it makes them feel better about how much they have spent on their setup for.

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You could also see it the other way, that a lot of people slag off the more expensive gear as overkill as a way to justify buying lower quality equipment.

There are pros and cons to both, it just comes down to the individual and how much they want to invest. I just don't see the point in buying cheap gear if you are going to replace half of it right away, and upgrade the rest in a year or so. It just ends up costing you more in the long run . IMHO i see reloading as a long term investment, and select my gear accordingly; it may mean that I wait a little longer before buying gear while my funds build up, but its always worth the wait.

Plus you have got to be concerned when you brake a press whilst trying to remove a stuck case. :wtfsmilie:

Yea you would think you would rip the pissy little bit of brass behind the extractor groove off before even getting close to hurting a press!

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Originally Posted by Tussock

My Lee press with half the base ripped off would disagree.

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:D:D:D

Tussock.....using a Sledge Hammer for reloading is not a good idea! nor is using your 4X4 with a winch rope a good idea for pulling the press lever. It is not a good idea to use a small ball peen hammer for seating primers etc. etc. etc.