Anything wrong with the Lee Reloader Single Stage Press?

[LowThudd]

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/807734/lee-reloader-single-stage-press?cm_vc=ProductFinding#ReviewHeader

Will this work well to get started? I will be reloading 7mm Rem Mag in the future, but more .45 ACP and 460 Rowland.

[pisarski]

I would get the challenger press as it is stronger but either one will work.

[opos]

If you can swing it get the classic cast press..it's cast iron..much heavier and better...the challenger will certainly work but the classic cast (with the breechlock adapters) has served me very well for a long time...I have no issues sizing larger cases and the fit of the parts is very good...it's about 15# so lots of "meat" in the cast frame..the challenger is cast aluminum and much lighter...The little C press your asked about is ok for a very limited production and would probably be kept for future decapping, etc but a heavier and O shaped press will serve you better I'd think and the cost will be negligible over a couple of years....you won't notice the cost over that time but will sure notice the difference in the press.

[roc_my_tims]

I dont want to force presses 2-3 times more on you. Everyone keeps a single stage press on there bench for life no matter what they started with, but honestly that lee would be my lowest choice for a long term single stage. Hell i'd rather see you buy a older used rcbs jr press for 20 more of ebay or something.

[CSACANNONEER]

It will work fine but, in the long run, you will probably be happier with a used press that is better quality.

[Divernhunter]

I prefer RCBS and have a rockchucker and a Jr . I use the Jr for all my bullet seating since it has more feel due to less leverage. I also size pistol brass on it. Rifle brass is sized in the rockchucker.

"It" may work for a starter but a better quality press will make you happier over many years and you will want to have one even if you go to a progressive(read Dillon) later as I did.

[thai562]

Nothing wrong with that press. That was the press I started out on. If you like to try reloading to see if you like it or not, than that press is perfect.

[Cowboy T]

I bought that press as my first one in 2009. Did my first 500 rounds ever, .357 Magnum, on it. It's still on my bench and still does the job. Haven't tried 7mm Rem Mag on it yet, but it seems to do just fine with 7.62x54R, .308 Win, .38/357, and .45 Colt. Great for cast boolit sizing, too.

That press is among the smartest purchases I've ever made. The only thing wrong with it is that you haven't bought one yet. :-)

The Challenger Press is also a good suggestion, BTW, as is the Classic Cast if you want to spend a bit more coin.

[LowThudd]

Thanks. I think I'll go ahead and pick one up. I can always use it as a decapper or other use once I get a turret press.

Ant advice on inexpensive dies? Scales? etc? Are the Lee dies OK? I read lot's of negative reviews.

Starting from scratch on a budget, I think Amazon may end up being my friend for now.

[JDay]

Check out RCBS dies. For an excellent scale on a budget check out the American Weigh.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1092705

[LowThudd]

Don't cheap out on dies. For an excellent scale on a budget check out the American Weigh. There's a thread on it in here.

What do you recommend for 45 ACP? 7mm?

[CK_32]

I've never been that impressed with lee, especially with their presses.

Some of their other tools are decent. But my buddy has a single stage press and a disc progressive press (one you change stages manually) and they are not great. But work for basic reloading.

My RCBS and out other friends redding feel way better as far as fit and finish, quality of parts and just feel.

I personally would, and did hold out for RCBS or something a little better. But even tho my friends isn't as nice as ours. His reloads still shoot just as far and fast as ours on the "better presses".

Also not a huge fan of their Lee dies at the moment either. But it could be me tho.

Either way GL.

[JDay]

What do you recommend for 45 ACP? 7mm?

I have a set of Dillon dies for 45. Don't have any 7mm.

[Magilla26]

I started out with a Lee Anniversary set with a Challenger press. Loaded with this for ten years. I still have it on my bench but use it in conjunction with a RCBS Rock Chucker. I use Lee dies for my 45/70 and Lee carbide for my straight wall pistol cases. I use Redding Dies for my bottlenecks.

[bigbossman]

Thanks. I think I'll go ahead and pick one up. I can always use it as a decapper or other use once I get a turret press.

Ant advice on inexpensive dies? Scales? etc? Are the Lee dies OK? I read lot's of negative reviews.

It is a good basic inexpensive press that will do the job for you, and it is still useful after you graduate to another, better press. I still use mine as a dedicated priming station (see pic, below). Also, Lee dies are very good, especially if you're loading pistol ammunition. Their "powder-through" expander die allows you to mount their powder hopper directly to it, and dispense the powder charge as you expand the case mouth for bullet seating.

I have loaded literally 100K+ rounds of 45, 357/38, and 9mm using their carbide pistol dies without issue..... ever. No breakage, no bent/broken decapping pins, no stuck cases. Not once, not ever.