I just ordered one of these new Lee Classic Presses... never owned a Lee press before but the quality (for the price) of this one caught my attention.



Question: Can I use my RCBS shell holders or do I need to buy Lee shell holders? Lee says thier's are universal and will work with all presses... is the opposite true?

You can use any manufacturers shell holders and dies commonly available. By the way, I've reloaded for more years than I care to admit, and have had more reloading equipment that I will admit, I think the Lee Classic Cast is THE best press I've ever owned and used, at any cost. Of all that I've had, this is what I keep.

quote:

Lee says thier's are universal and will work with all presses... is the opposite true?

yes

please report back after using the press....I'd like tohear more stories about that press.

I have one now and use it to swage base
down to the belt, that I start edge of first,
on my 700 HE that I make from BMG brass.
It also can expand cases out straight to 700 cal.Ed.

I picked one up a few months ago. So far my only complaint was that the stupid wooden ball for a handle kept slipping off at inopportune times. I gave is a good whack with a 2x4 to 'set' it, and it hadn't dared to budge since. I question the strength of it for real serious duty (the spline making the handle angle adjustable doesn't strike me as the most durable) like the 50BMG it is rated for, but for my 300WSM and below calibers it works great.

All my shellholders are RCBS, and they work fine.

Just my 2 cents after a couple of hundred cycles of the handle. Ask again in a year or two!

Thanks for the input guys. They definitely look stronger than anything else I've ever seen with "Lee" written on the side of it.

I can get two of these for the price of a new RockChucker Supreme or the Redding Big Boss... surely two are better than one?

Cabelas sells it for $60 and $8.75 shipping....

Lee Classic Cast Press

I bought one of these presses as soon as they hit the market. I dont load for a 50 bmg but the thing is strong. I thought about buying another before the prices go up. By far the best press I have had out of an old rock chucker, orange crusher, partner press, and a challenger press. I wont trade or swap this one out. Midway used to have a good press for a reasonable price with their name on it. I wonder why they quit making it???

quote:

Originally posted by new_guy:
surely two are better than one?

I reckon. And if you start collecting them you can have one each for sizer and seater dies, then a group for each cal. (Just need a long bench.)
JL.

I have the same press and currently and exactly the same set up you are describing. The press is just a steal of a deal if you ask me.

It is the best deal out there as far a quality is concerned,,,I love mine, The tube catches all the crud, the primer loader works well, add the lock and load bushings and It is all I need,,,,

Heck of a Press!! Best deal out there as far as reloading presses go.

Yes, the other brand shell holders and dies will work in the CC.

Reloader

I have had a Lee Classic for over a year now (purchased from Cabelas) and would rate it superior to the RCBS products. I was considering the Redding Ultramax but the price seemed excessive. For $60 the Lee does well for my case forming operations and handloading of my 510 Wells. I like how you can grease and oil all of the friction points without taking the press apart. BUT, I have three complaints:

1. Must have the primer arm in place or the spent primer shoots out of the ram (not into the collection tube)

2. The front mounting holes are too close to the bench edge. I fabricated two 0.25" thick aluminum mounting plates and "sandwiched" my bench top in order to re-enforce the holes.

3. I realize that it is no big deal but I wish that the lever was solid steel bar stock instead of thick walled pipe.

I would buy another

I had the same thought re: fabricating reinforcements... they look a little close to the edge to me too.

I have this press and I am 100% happy with it, I have improved it with Hornady LnL adaptor for easy changing dies. It is fast and accurate. Another thing I really like is the used-primers-magazine :-) No mess in the room.