Lee Reloader press steel threaded bushing

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DanK

Guest
I am looking for a small press for BR, instead of carrying my big heavy rock chucker around. I saw this Lee Reloader one at midway, and was wondering if the threads for the press where of the steel bushing type, or is it treaded aluminum. This would be for my 6 ppc using SB redding die. Anyone using one of these for BR work.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=480380

Danny
 
Danny,

That is highest quality pot alloy, designed with enough clearance in the ram to rattle.

It does drop primers down the ram & out into an open bottomed reservoir in the triangular base assembly. I have one set up in my bench for depriming with a tapered hole thru the benchtop down to a powder can screwed onto the bench frame.

I can't think of any use for it, certainly not as a precision loading device.

John
 
The top of the threaded section is 'as cast'. They do not machine a flat surface for the die lock ring to bear against.

I use one for decapping. I added a 1/4" alum plate and clamp it to the bench top. This keeps the spent primers contained until I turn the press upside down over the trash can.

One of our good shooters uses a pair of these for all his sizing at the range so it is possible for them to do decent work.
 
The die not being perpendicular to the ram may be a concern as the top of the press not being square is as well but.....................the more slop/clearance the better the chance that the cases will centre themselves in the die,all in all they are not that bad of a press,only have to push them in and pull them out of the die.


Regards Chris.
 
Get the RCBS Partner and cut about 3" off the handle. Just clamp them to the bench with a big C clalmp. Hate the spent primer dumping out the side of the ram but you cant get everything for the money. Pick them up off ebay for about $40.
 
I did not notice that the top was not milled. Thanks for informing me.. I think I will get the Little RCBS for BR, instead of lugging the rock chucker around.

Danny
 
I have one of these

The biggest problem I have with it's design is it's mounting surface. If it were somewhat larger there would be a more robust feel to the press. I think for small cases, this press would be ok but I don't believe it is up to larger case re-sizing; actually, I saw one broken a few years ago by a fellow reloading 308 cases. The Partner is probably worth it's price @ double the cost.
 
CHRIS.T said:
The die not being perpendicular to the ram may be a concern as the top of the press not being square is as well but.....................the more slop/clearance the better the chance that the cases will centre themselves in the die, all in all they are not that bad of a press....
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Any slop in the ram/bore guarantees pushing the case off center with the die.

I'm curious where I would go to find a worse press. Lyman took their AccuPress off the market some time back, and I'm not sure it wasn't better made than the Lee.
 
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DanK said:
I am looking for a small press for BR, instead of carrying my big heavy rock chucker around. I saw this Lee Reloader one at MidWay, and was wondering if the threads for the press where of the steel bushing type, or is it threaded aluminum. This would be for my 6 ppc using SB redding die.
Click to expand...
I'm not sure of your SB designation; is this a small base sizing die?

The Partner press is popular in BR. However, if you're doing any case sizing or using more than a single die, I'll recommend the Hornady press. Although it's bulkier than the Partner, it is aluminum. My reason for recommending it, besides it's strength, is for the bushing system. Your dies don't have to be removed from the press with the possibility of compromising their adjustments. It is a little pricier than the Lee, but I would consider it the better investment. If you're only using the press for seating with a single die, the Partner will serve as well.
 
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Winchester,

Mate the ram only pushes/presses the case into the die and extracts it,if the ram is allowed to find it's own centre how can there be a problem?...:rolleyes:
Read what I typed again,the case will centre it's self in the die as long as the ram is allowed to float/move/ to the centre as well.

Regards Chris.
 
Chris,
The ram being the force in the system, it is going to avoid resistance. It will move out of alignment with the die until it has no other alternative. Any free component in the system will tend to align itself as a path of least resistance, but the ram is not free and is the one component that doesn't follow that rule.
 
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Mate that may be true if we were talking about inches out of alignment,not really what we are discussing here.I use Partner presses myself and there are better ones out there for sure but the Lee will work.


Regards Chris.
 
As others have said before on here

Winchester 69 said:
Any slop in the ram/bore guarantees pushing the case off center with the die.

I'm curious where I would go to find a worse press. Lyman took their AccuPress off the market some time back, and I'm not sure it wasn't better made than the Lee.
Click to expand...

the press makes no difference to a die. As long as the inside of the die is straight, the press makes no difference. A die is a die is a die. Way too much is made of presses along with many other things in BR. Pretty is one thing, necessity is another.
 
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One other thing I didn't mention about the Lee - the ram is way too close to the frame. I have to set the entry slot on the shell holder at right angles to the left so I can slip the cases in & out without breaking too many finger nails.
 
Also, the bottom of the case is flat and it's being pushed upwards by a flat shellholder that doesn't allow a lot of room for lateral movement. I think it's better for everything to be as in perfect alignment as possible.
 
The Real World

crb said:
Also, the bottom of the case is flat and it's being pushed upwards by a flat shellholder that doesn't allow a lot of room for lateral movement. I think it's better for everything to be as in perfect alignment as possible.
Click to expand...


How would one ever be able to overcome the confinement of a die considering the force they are able to generate with a 10" handle? Beyond that, are you aware that the bottom lug of rifles that use angled trigger -cocking piece arangements don't touch the action abutments? What about that bit of accuracy; not?
 
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Pete Wass said:
How would one ever be able to overcome the confinement of a die considering the force they are able to generate with a 10" handle? Beyond that, are you aware that the bottom lug of rifles that use angled trigger -cocking piece arangements don't touch the action abutments? What about that bit of accuracy; not?
Click to expand...

When did trigger design become the topic of discussion ?

When the trigger is pulled the misalignment force you speak of disappears.

The last two words I wrote are 'as possible'.
 
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