Lee Precision Challenger reloading kit...worth it or waste?

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DirtyHarold

New member
Looking for my first reloading kit, and I found this kit on Amazon for WAY cheaper than anything else. is there some catch?

I'm not looking for top quality, just something to get into reloading. I'm also not looking to load precision match grade ammo.

I would be happy as long as it wont break after a month of use or somehow mess up (assuming not user error) the loads and cause damage to my firearms.

I only feel the need to ask because of how much incredibly cheaper this kit is than any other ive found. Thoughts?
 
The "worth" depends on your expectations. I use almost exclusively Lee products, and I am perfectly happy, and have been for years.

I loaded many thousands of rounds in 45ACP and .223 with a Lee hand press, a press I still use for low volume loading (45/70, .30-06) and I have a Lee Cast turret for handgun and .223.

If it's your first run at reloading, the gear you buy will less important than taking your time and learning. As long as you aren't abusing the equipment or having greater expectations than the equipment can provide, it should serve you well for many years.
 
As Lee has assembled many "kits" over the years, it would help us if you either provided a link or a list of what is in the kit.

Without knowing what is specifically in the kit, but also knowing what is often provided and knowing my own tendencies and preferences -- it needs to be a complete steal of a price or I would not call it a great buy unless you truly want to go in to this hobby on a shoe string budget.

Let me be clear--
There is a time and a place for going in to handloading on a shoe string budget! :D I did it at the age of 15 with no mentor and no internet. I had a local gun store that would begrudgingly answer questions occasionally and push stuff across the counter while I counted out dollar bills and I had a Speer #11. So my budget was bottom base line and I made great ammo very slowly but I built a solid foundation that has served me well over decades.

If you have a solid, working budget then buying the bottom-dollar Lee kit will probably get you interested in handloading and then in 2-6 months, you will end up replacing nearly every item you purchased with something that is some manner of faster, more ergonomic/comfortable, higher quality, more solid and durable, with a more distinct feel of quality.

I'll also mention this is not about brand. I use two Lee presses and I have no plans to replace them and 90% of my reloading dies (and I have many) are Lee dies. I am a genuine fan of Lee products and their innovation and what they bring for the price.

Their Challenger press is certainly acceptable, but I would skip it and get their Classic Cast or better yet, the Classic Turret. The Lee Safety Scale is quite an accomplishment in my opinion, because it's is absolutely accurate, consistent and at it's core, will slaughter any cheap $25 Chinese digital and it is (by far!) the lowest priced beam scale in the game. However, it's slow and difficult to use, hard to see and not enjoyable. So it's a darn good product for bottom dollar, but anyone/everyone would appreciate (very much appreciate) a better scale. And Lee's powder measures simply don't inspire the confidence that I demand at my bench but I say this while admitting that I have not handled their newest measure which does sound like their best measure yet.

I suppose I will wrap it up with a comparison. Folks pop on to TFL and ask about a first handgun for learning, range trips, fun and home defense. Maybe they pick a S&W Sigma/SD9VE. That is a capable, accurate, well-built handgun for low money. So it is an "acceptable" choice. However, it's a little ugly, the sights are completely basic, the trigger is perfect example of one that hinders shooting (especially a new shooter) and there are precious few holsters for it and it's big and blocky for carry at all. Doesn't mean it is a bad gun, but depending on the budget and the future plans for shooting, it makes more sense to spend a couple hundred more and put something in your hands that does all the good things that a SD9VE can do, but also doesn't have all those deficits.

I think this discussion is similar. You don't need to spend a grand to get rolling here. You don't even need to spend $500, really. But there is a point at which the most basic/low-buck tools can and may well hinder your ability and enjoyment of what we are doing. And even if the kit in question costs $65, where is the value if NONE of it will be of any use to you in 3 months?
 
I would urge you to read up first before spending money on stuff you may not need and not purchasing stuff you DO need.

The Lyman 49th edition reloading book is the most comprehensive I have seen for beginners. Read the front part with attention more than once. Ask questions here to supplement.
 
In handguns, Lee offers 3-die and 4-die sets. The difference is that the 4-die set includes their "Lee Carbide Factory Crimp Die", which we refer to as the "FCD."

The masses are split on the utility of that carbide FCD. I actually had to swallow my pride some time ago and grudgingly admit that in .45 ACP, I do like and use the carbide FCD, but I am still of the camp that I simply don't have a heap of use for the FCD in other calibers. That die can also be purchased singly later on, and it runs around $20.

If asking me, I say buy 3-die sets... except in .45. ;) Buy the 4-die set in .45.
 
Cheaper, not so fast.....

https://fsreloading.com/manufacturer/lee-precision/lee-kits/

This is a good starter kit. You do have to consider what you want to accomplish. There are many variables. I would suggest a search on this site for subjects about getting started. You should purchase a Loading Manual and read before you begin. You'll need dies to match the calibers you have or will have. No kit comes with them. There will be other parts and pieces that you'll need to purchase. Take your time. Read before you buy, research, ask as many questions as you wish. The "un-asked" question could be costly in more ways than one.

Good luck.
 
The 3 die set has the seater and taper crimp die as 1 die. Some prefer this, I don't. I use 4 dies and crimp in a separate step, but that's just my preference. In 45ACP I use a separate taper crimp die by Hornady. In 38/357 I use the Lee FCD. I would recommend the 4 die set, that way if you decide to crimp separate, you will have it, and if not, the seating die will still taper crimp with proper adjustment.
 
Heck, that Lee Challenger is downright high class compared to their $30 open "C" type I've been using for oddball stuff for decades.
And it works just fine.
Like most things, the operator is the most important component.
 
I use a Lee Challenger kit that I bought probably 30 years ago. Still my only press. Yes, single stage presses are slow to load pistol calibers and other high-volume cartridges, but it will work just fine. Takes a little longer to load 2-300 rounds of .40 S&W, but it turns out good stuff.

If it's what you can afford, I say go for it. Mine has run great all this time, and I've made many, many rounds with it in several calibers.
 
I got that kit for Christmas. I never reloaded so it's all new to me but I was surprised how solid everything is. I need to build a bench before anything.
 
I just got that kit a few weeks ago from Amazon. It's my first venture into reloading. So far I like the kit. Very easy to use and set up. I might opt for the turret press later on, but this press is fine for now. I just started with .223.
 
Skip it, get a Hand Press Kit. Seriously.

I load six calibers with mine, including three rifle.

Get a Lee powder measure though, and I hear the new Classic version is really nice.
 
Go with the turret especially if you're considering loading different calibers. Buy a turret disc for each caliber set the dies and switch disc when you want to load a different caliber, no resetting dies needed. I have the 3 die turret it's fine the reason for the 4 is to accept each step of the process including the crimp die if you use one.
 
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