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Double Rifles, Single Shots & Combinations >> Double Rifles

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BigFiveJack
.333 member

Reged: 25/12/05
Posts: 256
Loc: Half hour North of Tampa Bay F...

LEE CLASSIC CAST and CLASSIC TURRET Presses
#150602 - 14/01/10 03:04 AM

Is there any good reason that I should NOT use either of

these two LEE presses:

http://www.factorysales.com/html/xcart/catalog/classic.html

to reload my 450/400 3&1/4 NE old British made double?

Also can they be used for 4.5 inch OAL ammo, and even 4

bore ammo using four inch brass plus 2000 grn bullet, so

maybe 5" OAL to about 5.4" OAL. I KNOW these presses

can do 50 BMG, which is nearly as long as 4 bore or maybe

longer. I am NOT saying that LEE does "everything" as well

as all their competitors, but for these straight forward

presses it seems they offer really strong value at the

prices they're available for compared to other company's

products.

--------------------
Cordially,
Jack

NRA Endowment Member
DRSS Member

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rigbymauser
.400 member

Reged: 15/05/05
Posts: 1971
Loc: Denmark

Re: LEE CLASSIC CAST and CLASSIC TURRET Presses [Re: BigFiveJack]
#150609 - 14/01/10 04:23 AM

I use an old Lee O-frame bought 22 years ago...Maybe I ought to get a new?. When that said..I am very satisfied with "Lee" all in all.

It looks like the new Classic from Lee is proper done

.

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DoubleD
.400 member

Reged: 23/11/03
Posts: 2404
Loc: Retired in Oklahoma

Re: LEE CLASSIC CAST and CLASSIC TURRET Presses [Re: rigbymauser]
#150612 - 14/01/10 05:25 AM

You Double post, I'll double answer.

The Lee Classic has a history of breaking the toggle. I know right after the press came out there was a problem with that and as late as last November the free replacement parts were still failing.

The part is made of zinc.

The part above came apart and flew out with velocity when it broke and put a chip in the paint of my friends classic corvette--about which he still whines.

I have a RCBS Supreme. It is equivalant in features. It works with a whole lot less effort tham my friends Lee. I have yet to break anything. Both of these presses are a bit big for loading .297/230 Morris and .22 Hornet but just fine for .577/450 and .577 2 3/4 NE.

RCBS Supreme
The Rock Chucker Supreme is a cast iron, single stage press with the same outstanding strength and versatility that RCBS presses have come to represent. It features an ambidextrous handle, 4" Ram stroke and a lengthened opening for today's longer cartridges. It can even be upgraded to a progressive loader with the addition of the optional Piggyback-4 Conversion Kit (sold separately).

The Rock Chucker also works with the RCBS Ram Priming Unit (sold separately). Accepts all standard 7/8"-14 threaded dies and 1-1/4"-12 dies with bushing removed. Dies and Shellholders sold separately. $136.99 from Midway

Lee Classic

This single stage press has a rigid, cast iron "O" frame with an attractive baked powder finish, large opening and 4" ram stroke. It features powerful steel compound linkage with travel stop to prevent "cam-over". Also features automatic primer arm with bottom of stroke priming and a large 1-1/8" diameter ram. Includes small and large primer cups. Accepts both standard 7/8"-14 threaded dies and the larger 1-1/4"-12 threaded dies. Adjustable for right or left hand use. $85.99 from Midway.

You can buy a lot of powder primers and bullets for the $51 difference in price. But whats the cost when you break a toggle in the middle of a loading session and have to wait two weeks weeks for the free replacement parts.

--------------------
DD, Ret.

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Ron_Vella
.333 member

Reged: 29/04/05
Posts: 432
Loc: Oshawa, Ontario, Canada

Re: LEE CLASSIC CAST and CLASSIC TURRET Presses [Re: DoubleD]
#150639 - 14/01/10 01:26 PM

I have used a Lee Classic press for 3 or 4 years with no mechanical problems whatsoever. Everything else that I own and use, virtually without exception, is RCBS. I bought the Lee because my Rockchucker will not load the .450 #2 NE, which is a 3 1/2" case. When seating a 500 grain Hornady bullet, I still have to unscrew the seatng die about 1 1/2 turns to be able to slide the finished round out of the shellholder. I just missed one of the old RCBS Ammomasters at a recent gun show. That would have been the perfect press for the big nitro express cartridges.
BTW, I do like the bottom priming system on the Lee Classic a LOT better than the system that I've used for 40 years on the RCBS presses.

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BigFiveJack
.333 member

Reged: 25/12/05
Posts: 256
Loc: Half hour North of Tampa Bay F...

Re: LEE CLASSIC CAST and CLASSIC TURRET Presses [Re: DoubleD]
#150641 - 14/01/10 01:29 PM

RONVELLA, R.M. and D.D I thank you all for your input,

I really appreciate the information.

--------------------
Cordially,
Jack

NRA Endowment Member
DRSS Member

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9.3x57
.450 member

Reged: 22/04/07
Posts: 5504
Loc: United States

Re: LEE CLASSIC CAST and CLASSIC TURRET Presses [Re: Ron_Vella]
#150643 - 14/01/10 01:35 PM

I wore out a RCBS Rock Chucker that the company rebuilt for me for free. Back in action now for a few years without complaints.

I have also loaded thousands of rounds using the Lee two-handed, benchless thing {I forget the model name}. A great press if you don't have a bench. I bought the thing when I lived in a small apartment back in the mid-80's and have been impressed with it ever since. I don't use it much now, but when I see it on the shelf it brings back alot of fond memories of loading '06 and .375 and chatting with the then-new wife while she made dinner.

ronvella, I've heard the same thing about the good priming system of the Lee.

--------------------
What are the Rosary, the Cross or the Crucifix other than tools to help maintain the fortress of our faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?

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tinker
.416 member

Reged: 12/03/05
Posts: 4835
Loc: Nevada

Re: LEE CLASSIC CAST and CLASSIC TURRET Presses [Re: 9.3x57]
#150645 - 14/01/10 01:48 PM

Priming is sweet and slick with the big Lee press.
I prime the little .32acp and .25-20, also .32H&R all the way up to the big 450no2 and the bore rifle cartridges.

I use this press for pretty much everything now, save for the SuperPacific that lives on the hitch receiver of my ramcharger!

Cheers
Tinker

--------------------
--Self-Appointed Colonel, DRSS--

"It IS a dangerous game, and so named for a reason, and you can't play from the keyboard. " --Some Old Texan...

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4seventy
Sponsor

Reged: 07/05/03
Posts: 2210
Loc: Queensland Australia

Re: LEE CLASSIC CAST and CLASSIC TURRET Presses [Re: 9.3x57]
#150649 - 14/01/10 02:17 PM

Quote:

I don't use it much now, but when I see it on the shelf it brings back alot of fond memories of loading '06 and .375 and chatting with the then-new wife while she made dinner.

You sentimental ol' bugger.

I do know exactly what you mean, and I'm the same way with a few things like that to.

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DarylS
.700 member

Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 26619
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...

Re: LEE CLASSIC CAST and CLASSIC TURRET Presses [Re: 9.3x57]
#150651 - 14/01/10 02:31 PM

Quote:

I wore out a RCBS Rock Chucker that the company rebuilt for me for free. Back in action now for a few years without complaints.

Really- WOW - I wore out my first Rockchucker in about 1980, then the second in the mide 90's. I guess 20 years is all I get out of a press. I didn't even think of sending (expensive) them back to be re-built as the casting was worn oval by the ram. I merely threw them away. I currently have 2 Hornady presses, a Lyman Crusher which I really like and an arbor press for my .17 centerfires. They're all great.

--------------------
Daryl

"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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BigFiveJack
.333 member

Reged: 25/12/05
Posts: 256
Loc: Half hour North of Tampa Bay F...

Re: LEE CLASSIC CAST and CLASSIC TURRET Presses [Re: DoubleD]
#150659 - 14/01/10 05:27 PM

IS THE PICTURE BELOW SHOWING A PART FROM A CLASSIC
TURRET OR FROM A CLASSIC CAST SINGLE STAGE PRESS?

Based on info here and elsewhere I've eliminated LEE from

the competition for my money. I ask though, if you have a

press with one of these parts, and LEE is sending out bad

replacement parts when these break, could a guy possibly

get a clone part custom made by a metal shop USING A

DIFFERENT metal, {say steel} and replace the part BEFORE

it breaks? {and makes for a crumby couple of weeks until

the unreliable replacement comes}

Quote:

The Lee Classic has a history of breaking the toggle.
I know right after the press came out there was a
problem with that and as late as last November the
free replacement parts were still failing.

The part is made of zinc.

The part above came apart and flew out with velocity
when it broke and put a chip in the paint of my friends
classic corvette...

--------------------
Cordially,
Jack

NRA Endowment Member
DRSS Member

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