Thread: Lee Reloader C style Press Capability?

Thanks for the feed back everyone, I think I’ll bite the bullet and go for a Hornady. I thought this one might be worth a try for the money, don’t want to spend $90 to have it in 2 pieces.

Originally Posted by John P

Thanks for the feed back everyone, I think I’ll bite the bullet and go for a Hornady. I thought this one might be worth a try for the money, don’t want to spend $90 to have it in 2 pieces.

I think that's a better option.

Originally Posted by Muddysteve

Like most things in life you need to make sure you use enough lube!

Mate of mine bought a second hand lyman spartan for 75 bucks. Have one too, love it. rock solid and repeatable to the 0.01mm

decent presses that are affordable are occasionally popping up.

Originally Posted by John P

Thanks for the feed back everyone, I think I’ll bite the bullet and go for a Hornady. I thought this one might be worth a try for the money, don’t want to spend $90 to have it in 2 pieces.

Yep. Buy once, cry once. If you only want to have one press, make it a good 'un.
That said, i like my C style press, because it means I can leave my universal decapping die in it permanently. One thing less to have to shuffle about when changing dies for a different caliber.

I'm convinced used presses are the go. A decent press will last a lifetime. You just need to be patient.

Im sure theres guys on here that would have the skills to make a decent one

Second hand are the way to go? That's the issue. Not enough estate sales to keep up with demand, because they last a lifetime. I live in hope that one will show up at the Sallies one day soon

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Originally Posted by Eat Meater

Second hand are the way to go? That's the issue. Not enough estate sales to keep up with demand, because they last a lifetime. I live in hope that one will show up at the Sallies one day soon

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Very true, can’t remember the last time I saw one come up for sale on here. I’ve been keeping an eye Trademe for the last month also, and only saw 1 come up there

See them here pretty regularly.
I'm guessing postage would be outrageous tho?

https://ssaagunsales.com/listing/59649

Well I'm going to disagree with some of the posts here. Ive had a couple and used the first one for years..they are fit for purpose. Which is not heavy duty fast action sizing of large cases - for example. I never understood how folk could bust stuff. Until I watched some heavy handed, no feel slam bang usage going on. That and poor mounting of the press. Guess you can break anything really. And sometimes yes it is poor manufacturing quality. When you make a zillion of something there is going to be some faulty ones. And Lee have sold a bazillion of those little presses. But, each to their own. If you have a heavy hand or want to load 50cal its not going to do the job..but if you cant get a decade or two out of one loading 223 there is something wrong. Maybe a manufacturing flaw, more likely the nut behind the wheel.

I bought a RCBS Summit. Read about people breaking them. Couldn't figure it out. Love mine. Then recently it broke. Turned out to be a genuine design problem and RCBS had no issue dispatching a new part with a redesign of the problem fixings. But you can find plenty of internet bleats as to how useless they are.

If Lee had a genuine not-fit-for-purpose design or manufacturing issue they would have sorted it long ago.

I moved my first one on to a young fella starting out he's still using it..second one came in a bulk purchase. Used it for a while specifically for a universal decapping station. When bench space became scarce I moved that one on.

Saying they're all trash because of one poor experience is like saying because one bad bugger was a white guy then all white guys are bad buggers.

Some people are just anti lee and most of them haven't even used the gear, and then there's the guys that look down their noses at you if you use cheap stuff you can afford I guess they need something to make them feel a bit better than everyone else. Mean while the lee guy just quietly keeps reloading and shooting his reloads

Originally Posted by Jhon

Well I'm going to disagree with some of the posts here. Ive had a couple and used the first one for years..they are fit for purpose. Which is not heavy duty fast action sizing of large cases - for example. I never understood how folk could bust stuff. Until I watched some heavy handed, no feel slam bang usage going on. That and poor mounting of the press. Guess you can break anything really. And sometimes yes it is poor manufacturing quality. When you make a zillion of something there is going to be some faulty ones. And Lee have sold a bazillion of those little presses. But, each to their own. If you have a heavy hand or want to load 50cal its not going to do the job..but if you cant get a decade or two out of one loading 223 there is something wrong. Maybe a manufacturing flaw, more likely the nut behind the wheel.

I bought a RCBS Summit. Read about people breaking them. Couldn't figure it out. Love mine. Then recently it broke. Turned out to be a genuine design problem and RCBS had no issue dispatching a new part with a redesign of the problem fixings. But you can find plenty of internet bleats as to how useless they are.

If Lee had a genuine not-fit-for-purpose design or manufacturing issue they would have sorted it long ago.

I moved my first one on to a young fella starting out he's still using it..second one came in a bulk purchase. Used it for a while specifically for a universal decapping station. When bench space became scarce I moved that one on.

Saying they're all trash because of one poor experience is like saying because one bad bugger was a white guy then all white guys are bad buggers.

Pretty much sums up my thoughts.
Some people just have an uncanny knack of smashing stuff.
My presses used to creek and groan when I was sizing.
Then I started cleaning my cases properly and using imperial lube.
Very seldom get problems now.
I've never owned a C press but can't see why they would fail if used properly.
The little hand presses seem to work OK.

Hmmmmm, some compelling arguments coming in late…. Starting think maybe it’s worth a try after all lol

I guess if it FLS 7X57, 30.30, 308 and 45.70 it's sure to do 223.
I'm surprised at 45.70.

But if you are thinking of buying,,,say a 308 later still reckon there are better options.

Often it's just a cost thing in the end tho.

You can always sell it later if something better comes along in a few months.

Heard of some shooters makeing them. Casting them in alluminium. But beefier than the Lee.

Interesting thread.

$350 posted.

https://ssaagunsales.com/listing/61742

Lyman crusher. Postage won't be cheap. Perhaps send an email?