Which do you prefer, Lee or Hornady bushing conversion kit?

[Lead Waster]

I currently have the Hornady bushings retrofit to my Rock Chucker single stage (easy, unscrew the threaded bushing on the rockchucker, screw in the bushing convertor.

This allows you to insert, then twist a die (that has bee attached to a bushing) into the press instead of unthreading the die all the way and then threading the new one in all the way.

You'd think it was trivial, having to screw in and out the dies, but trust me, the bushings make that task so so much more efficient, and your depth settings are set against the bushing so they don't change.

My only complaint against the Hornady bushings is that the "ring" part is circular with very slight flats on two opposing sides only.

So since they aren't expensive and since I ordered a Lee APP press that incorporates their own bushing system, I ordered a conversion for the Rock Chucker to possibly replace the Hornady bushings.

One thing I like is that the Lee bushing is itself a lock ring. With the hornady, you need to still use a lock separate lock ring. The Lee bushing has a tightening screw which snugs the die in a bear hug. Also, the lee rings now have this really bumpy grip type of knurling and a small half circle wrench for them if you want. This is great, I wish all lock rings were like this as on a progressive press, it's hard to get any wrench on the lock rings to snug them down. Also with the hornady lock rings (normal, not bushing) the flats are again only on two sides, and rcbs lock rings push a screw up against the die threads which I think may damage them.

Anyway, I just got the stuff today and thought I'd ask other people if they have any preference for one system or the other. In principle I'm liking the Lees, but I've not yet tried them out for real yet.

['ol shooter]

I have the Hornady in my old RC, it works and is very convenient since I load for many calibers. Once the die is set for the particular load, it's just a matter of insert, twist and go. I use and like Lee lock rings, they hold well enough even without a set screw.

[C.G.]

I like the Hornady bushings but have no experience with the Lee. I think you should have asked this before you bought the Lee. Since you have bought the Lee as well you should post a review once you have used them a few times.

[balmo]

I've asked Lee APP FB group and the APP will not accept Hornady conversion. APP's semi threads are built in unlike Lee Breach Lock.

I do like Lee's bushing but after about 200 or so sizing/depriming, it needs to be re-tightened. Bottom bushing seem to stay put.

[Lead Waster]

I like the Hornady bushings but have no experience with the Lee. I think you should have asked this before you bought the Lee. Since you have bought the Lee as well you should post a review once you have used them a few times.

[ClayBreaker]

I've owned a lee single stage press and can say the bushings work well. My only gripe is that they are 5 to 6 dollars each depending where you get them.

[9mmepiphany]

might as well swap the Hornafy conversion in my rock checker to lee to keep just one system.

Be sure to check for differences in deck height so that your die settings aren't way off...likely more an issue with expanding, seating and crimping. I also got the APP and have been checking out the Breech Lock bushings. It is really nice that they standardized on incorporating the lock ring into the bushing...early Breech Lock bushings didn't.

I'm using a Hornady LNL AP and have the Hornady conversion on my Lee Classic Cast single stage press. Mine was pretty close, but it isn't a huge thing to regulate the two presses with a spacer.

Comparing the two systems, the Hornady seems more rugged and secure. I prefer the larger mating surfaces as opposed to the smaller ones on the Lee system

[9mmepiphany]

My only gripe is that they are 5 to 6 dollars each depending where you get them.

I'm paying < $4/each for the Hornady ones...I'm buying in packages of 10

[Lead Waster]

I'm think I'm going to standardize to Lee, having the lee conversion in the RC would be handy if the dies are also good to go on the APP. I do agree the Hornady ones seem much more robust and I'd recommend them for sure. I like how the Lee ones are also the lock ring. Thanks guys.