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Wendyj

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I started reloading 2 years ago with a Lee Anniversary kit. Last year upgraded to a Lee classic cast breech lock. I love the new press but the breech lock bushings after several times adjusting sizing dies wear around the locking groove at top of the press. If moved a little left or right it can be off by a few thousandths. I don't see any way to get the play slop whatever you want to call it out. Was looking at a rockchucker at Midway and appears they use Hornady inserts if I'm not mistaken. I'm on a budget and would like to get another press. I'm still using the Anniversary press just with a depriming die. Wish I had just bought standard Classic cast and was wondering what all here with way more experience than me could recommend.
 
I have been happy with the lee classic cast turret, I have loaded pistol ammo with the index rod in (38,9,45) and I take it out for rifle ,222,223,6x45,243,6rem,308 and run it in single stage mode.

All the dies are set up in their own turrets, which are $12.

I'm not a fan of the lee die locking rings though.

But if I ran across a used rock chucker or co ax, it would probabally follow me home.

Currently pistol ammo gets loaded on a dillon square deal I got in a trade,
Everything else gets loaded on the lee classic cast turret.
 
Since your funds are limited, look around on the internet for an RCBS Jr press, used of course since they are no longer made.

Cast iron and very durable. I can load various rifle calibers to 0.00" to 0.001" runout all day long. I have one that I have been using since 1967 an d two more that were purchased in the late 70s. I also have an old Rock Chunker that is a classic, but I only use it for 375 H&H and the 460 Wby.
 
Look for a used Redding Boss, Big Boss, or a used Rock Chucker. I find the Rock Chuckers quit often in great shape for $50-$100. And once you get the RC, if it needs any parts, RCBS will send them to you for free, just call them up!

The Rock Chucker is built like a anvil.
 
If moved a little left or right it can be off by a few thousandths. I don't see any way to get the play slop whatever you want to call it out.
Click to expand...

How much rotating slop are we talking about? An 1/8 of a turn would be less than .009". If it moved 10 degrees would be less than .002". A single degree would be .000019".

You could measure how much with something like this.

image_zpsl7hl07hp.jpeg


If your getting your numbers from OAL of finished product, that's not an accurate way to determine if or how much a die is moving.

For fixes, you could peen the notch making it fit tight against the plunger. You could loctite the insert in place and thread the die in and out like other presses, stick a shim under the insert so you have to crank down on it to get to the point where the plunger will pop up....

I have measured mine with the above device and that lead me to not messing with how it is from the factory.
 
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Yes, I have been measuring coal. I quit doing that after some testing with the Hornady bullet comparator and is a much better reading. What size shim are you using if you are using one. I've got about 50 of the breechlock bushings. Midway had a good sale when I bought my first press. I use some Lee dies but have upgraded to others. I hate the Lee locking rings.
 
Was looking at a rockchucker at Midway and appears they use Hornady inserts if I'm not mistaken.
Click to expand...
I believe the Rockchucker comes with a standard 7/8-14 die bushing, but you can remove it and install a Hornady conversion bushing that accepts Hornady quick change die bushings if you want that feature. I did that on my Lee Classic Cast (non-breech lock model). I haven’t used it enough to speak to the wear factor, but I suspect if that was a problem, it would be all over the internet and I haven’t seen it mentioned. Hornady sells the kit with one conversion bushing and 3 die bushings for $20. You might find it cheaper elsewhere.
http://www.hornady.com/store/Lock-N-Load-Conversion-Kit/
 
I think the issue is probably with the O-ring on the LnL bushing. That can be replaced to snug up the fit. Also notice that leaving a die and bushing on the press can fatigue the O-ring.
 
I use a Lee 4 hole turret press for everything except forming. And i mean heavy forming, as in 7mm Rem Mag to 6.5mm Rem Mag.
Neck sizing, like 7mm Mauser to 257Roberts i still do on the turret.
 
Wendy,
You can replace the Lee locking rings with the clamp type or the RCBS type that use a set screw. (I prefer the clamp type and use them on my RCBS dies)
Any used "O" type cast iron press will do well for you unless you are loading more than 10000 rounds a year. You might get lucky and find one that someone no longer uses and are willing to donate it to you. I just gave the last press that I received to a new reloader locally. I need to get a few more because as shooters get shooting in the spring and early summer they start thinking about reloading. I get old equipment and refurbish it to donate to new reloaders and I am running low on everything right now.
You can find presses for $50 to $100 that are in very good shape. The last one I had was a Rock Chucker Supreme that I paid $90 for mid winter. I checked it out and put a new paint job on it and it was like new. That is the one I just gave away.
I am always actively looking and if I find anything I will let you know.
 
I really like the Forster coax. A friend of ours has one. Midway is about $75.00 out of my range at $300.00. Just a want I guess but it's the nicest one close to my price range at the time. Can't seem to save the money for buying brass powder and bullets. I'm loading everything from 9 mm to 300 rum. Can't save much money on 9mm but it was fun during the cold winter months. I loaded over a 1000 this winter in spare time. Mostly just loading for 2 bench rest rifles and 5 hunting rifles. Is the Forster worth the money and longevity. Our friends has only had his for a few months so how long it lasts is to be seen. It gets good reviews.
 
Yes, I have been measuring coal. I quit doing that after some testing with the Hornady bullet comparator and is a much better reading.
Click to expand...

That's what I was thinking, if you want to see if the die itself is moving you need to measure the die itself vs the frame.

End results can be different for many reasons, the way you are measuring them just being one of those reasons.

Even if your die was welded to a press doesn't mean you would have no difference. If you have good indicators in the right spots you can even measure how much flex is in the frames of different presses and their linkages.

You could also measure the different forces required to do the various operations as well.
 
I picked up an RCBS JR3 for $50 for resizing, too nice just for that so I load small runs on it old school instead of my progressive. Great press..:)

thewelshm
 
If your friend has a co-ax their willing to part ways with I'd do that personally. Especially given you reload rifle rounds.


If you take up casting you'll save lots on 9mm:D
 
Ok, I'll be the odd man out. I've been using my Lyman Orange Crusher for a little over 30 years. It's a tank, it can handle anything you throw at it with ease. Now the new ones are just called a crusher and I also have one that I've been using for the past five years and it seems just as good as the orange original. The largest I've resized is 300 WinMag and it had no problems. Now the only drawback, it's a cam over design and not everyone likes that. Personally I think it's a better design but is a little trickier to set your dies. Once you understand and get the hang of how to set things up its actually quite easy.
 
Wendyj - When I responded about O-rings, I was forgetting that I use the Hornady bushings, not Lee. I already owned a Hornady LnL AP progressive that uses those bushings, so I don't believe I even own any Lee bushing. My Lee Breech Lock press has an LnL adapter installed.

Lee bushing

Hornady bushing conversion kit

Conversion kit pieces pictured
Hornady%20LNL%20bushing%20conversion%20kit.jpg
 
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