Quiet Burp Posted June 26, 2022 Share Posted June 26, 2022 What is a Lee Breech Lock Challenger Reloading Press like for loading 30-30 and 45-70? I would be looking at loading about 300 each or so per year approximately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeaconKC Posted June 26, 2022 Share Posted June 26, 2022 For that kind of loading, I would look for a used Lee Turret press, just set your dies once and swap dies when ready. That's what I use for my lesser loading needs. Mount it on a 1x6 and clamp to the bench when I need it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Gun Barney, SASS #2428 Posted June 26, 2022 Share Posted June 26, 2022 Yes, at those small volumes that single stage press will work perfectly. You can always spend a bunch more money to save some time in the process but single staging it works fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sedalia Dave Posted June 26, 2022 Share Posted June 26, 2022 8 hours ago, DeaconKC said: For that kind of loading, I would look for a used Lee Turret press, just set your dies once and swap dies when ready. That's what I use for my lesser loading needs. Mount it on a 1x6 and clamp to the bench when I need it. The Lee Breech Lock uses an adapter that the die screws into. Then the adapter locks into the press with less than a quarter turn. Allows you to change dies without having to reset them every time. I have a Lee Breech Lock hand press that I use for 32 S&W short. Clamp it into my armors vice at a 45 degree angle. Works great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sedalia Dave Posted June 26, 2022 Share Posted June 26, 2022 That press will be more than sufficient for what you want to do. I would pick up a RCBS hand primer and prime the cases off the press. A lot less hassle than trying to set up the press mounted priming system. If you can find an the old style Lee hand primers they work great. The new ones with the folding plastic tray are not that good. I use Imperial Sizing Wax on all my rifle calibers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeaconKC Posted June 26, 2022 Share Posted June 26, 2022 In my earlier post I said swap dies, I meant swap turrets holding set up dies. Guess I needed coffee! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.D. Daily Posted June 26, 2022 Share Posted June 26, 2022 I use the a Challenger breech lock press for low volume reloading, 10mm, 300 Savage, 30-06* & 350 Legend. I also use it for developing loads & fixing cartridges I messed up on my XL650. So, I buy 2 sets of dies for high volume cartridges, 380, 9mm, 38/357, 45 Colt, 45ACP, 223/5.56, 300BO, 308/7.62. *44M & 30-06 until I gave a Lyman turret press & the dies. I used the 44M dies to reload ammo for him. He also acquired a 30-06 Winchester model 70 from his father in law's estate so I bought dies to reload for him. I never used the dies & didn't have a 30-06 in my collection. However, last year I bought a WWII production Garand from the CMP so I had to buy dies. Last year the only Garand safe ammo was Turkish milsurp that I didn't trust based on internet comments about Turkish 8mm Mauser ammo breaking guns. I bought a case of 8 match ammo from the CMP which was backordered for 3 months. This delayed firing the Garand until the ammo was received. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkey Flats Jack Posted June 27, 2022 Share Posted June 27, 2022 In small amounts it'll hold up ok. I never cared for it personally. It takes bushings for the dies so just 1 more thing to buy. If I'm not mistaken it's aluminum so kinda questionable on how much you can cram on it without it tweaking. I'd add the little extra and get the classic cast if you're set on a single stage. It is cast steel and you have the option of using ⅞ or 1" die sets Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheyenne Ranger, 48747L Posted June 27, 2022 Share Posted June 27, 2022 did look at Challenger and Classic Cast presses at Midway = the Classic is over twice the price that being said I have two of the Classics will totally agree the on-press priming system is not the best in the west I hand prime when I load on the single stage Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sebastian Blud Posted June 27, 2022 Share Posted June 27, 2022 I use a single stage for 90 % of my reloads. 45-70 and 30-06 included. You can always out grow it but it's a great item to have for starting or reloading a few times a year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Artemus Von Schutze Posted June 27, 2022 Share Posted June 27, 2022 I use that breech lock style for all of my 45/70, 30-06, 308, etc loads and it works great. I shoot 500+ of 30-06 and 45/70 just for CAS/WB alone. Makes very consistent ammo, and lots of flexibility. Get one of the lee hand prime setups and you'll be off to the races. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiet Burp Posted September 13, 2022 Author Share Posted September 13, 2022 Footnote: I ended up buying the Lee Classic Cast press, when I saw it next to the Challenger in the gun store and for an extra bit of cash I thought I'd be happier with it. Its a honking big piece of iron, I will never wear it out that's for sure. I bought the one that doesn't have the quick change gizmo. Liked the feel of just screwing the dies onto the cast body of the press. I know it takes longer, I sorta' find it therapeutic screwing in and taking out dies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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