Which press should I get? NOOB - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

Slaytex · 04-21-2008, 11:31 AM

Hey guys, i'm really wanting to get into reloading for my AR-15. I've been reading up a bit on the stuff and i'm considering the LEE BREECH LOCK CHALLENGER PRESS KIT. I rarely shoot more than 100 rounds across any given weekend and accuracy is by far the most important thing i'm after here. Would this be a good press to start with? I'm a noob in this department and want something simple that will do everything that I need from start to finish and I don't mind it taking a little longer than another press since I don't shoot a whole lot.
Thanks.

mulletmaster · 04-21-2008, 01:42 PM

That is a good kit, and it does not require as much time between dies with the inserts which is nice. I had looked at that kit as I am also a reloading newb myself and I just got a lee classic turret kit from Cabellas. That press should do everything you need a good press to do, just take your time, read the directions and you should be turning out some nice ammo. Just make sure you get your powder measure calibrated and measure some charges just to make sure it is throwing the right amount consistently. Hope this helps

Slaytex · 04-21-2008, 01:59 PM

Sounds good, thanks.

Slaytex · 05-29-2008, 09:27 AM

Ok, so I may order this kit today. My last questions are, what else do I need to go along with this kit to make my bullets besides the brass, powder, primers and bullets?
Here is the kit: MidwayUSA - Lee Challenger Breech Lock Single Stage Press Kit

Are these the dies I need? MidwayUSA - Lee Deluxe Rifle 3-Die Set 223 Remington

Anything else?

Thanks again for all the help.

**Liquid Rhino** · 05-29-2008, 09:48 AM

For .223, you'll more than likely need a method to measure & trim the brass after use as it expands past it's maximum OAL. You could either get a caliper & some sort of lathe-type trimmer or just go with the Lee cutter & a Lee .223 length gauge (this would essentially cancel out the caliper, but it's good to have one just in case). Hope this helps!

scooterj · 05-29-2008, 09:54 AM

You'll need a good scale, calipers, case trimmer, and a deburring/chamfering tool.
A good reloading manual or two is also amust have.

**AZXD** · 05-29-2008, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scooterj

You'll need a good scale, calipers, case trimmer, and a deburring/chamfering tool.
A good reloading manual or two is also amust have.

+1000

EricCartmann · 05-29-2008, 10:18 AM

I have a Lee Classic Press and a Hornady LNL AP and am very happy with both, so therefore I can recommend both.

One thing I don't like about the LNL is that I can't use my Lee Factory Crimp Die for station 5. The ejector wire gets in the way.

Slaytex · 05-29-2008, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scooterj

You'll need a good scale, calipers, case trimmer, and a deburring/chamfering tool.
A good reloading manual or two is also amust have.

Kit includes:
Press
Auto-Prime
11 Auto-Prime Shellholders
Chamfer tool
Primer pocket cleaner
2 oz case lube
Cutter and Lock Stud (Case Length Gage and Shellholder sold separately)
Powder scale
Powder measure
Powder funnel

Anything worng with this stuff that it comes with?
Thanks.

**AZXD** · 05-29-2008, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricCartmann

I have a Lee Classic Press and a Hornady LNL AP and am very happy with both, so therefore I can recommend both.

One thing I don't like about the LNL is that I can't use my Lee Factory Crimp Die for station 5. The ejector wire gets in the way.

I ran across a picture somewhere (sorry no clue where) of a guy who made a replacement wire with a little more bend in it, or something, so he can use the LEE crimp die. Ya might want to experiment some with the idea.

04-21-2008, 11:31 AM	#1
Slaytex XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Charlotte Posts: 199	Which press should I get? NOOB Hey guys, i'm really wanting to get into reloading for my AR-15. I've been reading up a bit on the stuff and i'm considering the LEE BREECH LOCK CHALLENGER PRESS KIT. I rarely shoot more than 100 rounds across any given weekend and accuracy is by far the most important thing i'm after here. Would this be a good press to start with? I'm a noob in this department and want something simple that will do everything that I need from start to finish and I don't mind it taking a little longer than another press since I don't shoot a whole lot. Thanks. __________________ XD-40 Tactical AR-15 w/ too much to list Mossberg 500 USA Edition

04-21-2008, 01:59 PM	#3
Slaytex XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Charlotte Posts: 199	Sounds good, thanks. __________________ XD-40 Tactical AR-15 w/ too much to list Mossberg 500 USA Edition

05-29-2008, 09:27 AM	#4
Slaytex XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Charlotte Posts: 199	Ok, so I may order this kit today. My last questions are, what else do I need to go along with this kit to make my bullets besides the brass, powder, primers and bullets? Here is the kit: MidwayUSA - Lee Challenger Breech Lock Single Stage Press Kit Are these the dies I need? MidwayUSA - Lee Deluxe Rifle 3-Die Set 223 Remington Anything else? Thanks again for all the help. __________________ XD-40 Tactical AR-15 w/ too much to list Mossberg 500 USA Edition

05-29-2008, 09:48 AM	#5
Liquid Rhino XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: three\|zero\|five Posts: 1,037	For .223, you'll more than likely need a method to measure & trim the brass after use as it expands past it's maximum OAL. You could either get a caliper & some sort of lathe-type trimmer or just go with the Lee cutter & a Lee .223 length gauge (this would essentially cancel out the caliper, but it's good to have one just in case). Hope this helps! __________________ WARNING! There ain't no more continues, dog...

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04-21-2008, 01:42 PM	#2
mulletmaster XDTalk Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NC Posts: 89	That is a good kit, and it does not require as much time between dies with the inserts which is nice. I had looked at that kit as I am also a reloading newb myself and I just got a lee classic turret kit from Cabellas. That press should do everything you need a good press to do, just take your time, read the directions and you should be turning out some nice ammo. Just make sure you get your powder measure calibrated and measure some charges just to make sure it is throwing the right amount consistently. Hope this helps

05-29-2008, 09:54 AM	#6
scooterj XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: LaPlace, LA Posts: 263	You'll need a good scale, calipers, case trimmer, and a deburring/chamfering tool. A good reloading manual or two is also amust have.

05-29-2008, 10:18 AM	#8
EricCartmann XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: My Mom's Basement Posts: 1,398	I have a Lee Classic Press and a Hornady LNL AP and am very happy with both, so therefore I can recommend both. One thing I don't like about the LNL is that I can't use my Lee Factory Crimp Die for station 5. The ejector wire gets in the way.