A Look at the Lee Breech Lock Reloader press  

Hey, glad you liked it. There is a lot of great equipment out there but Lee really showes how basic reloading can be. Thanks for the comment!

I like the Lee loaders have a few of them. I just bought one of these presses and a couple sets of dies. Did you end up buying one also? If so has it worked out well.

@@TreeTopFlier Did you ever find a good 7.62x39 AR 15 barrel with the .300 blackout feed ramps? I know priorities change and life happens I was just wondering

@@barrycantrell5124 Yeah, I never followed through on it. Its not off the table I just lost interest for now. Who knows, maybe this winter Ill put together an upper to fool around with.

@@TreeTopFlier I bought the BCA barrel SKU 1910-B762CHB16110(P And it has taken all the different ammo I have ran through it that barrel does have the .300 Blackout feed ramps I really like mine.

Ah thanks, what a nice thing to say. Its a great little press as long as people dont over stress it sizing large and or improperly lubed cartridges.

Thank you for the very nice comment.

Absolutly true! I would say, even .300 wm or 7mm rm... That's about the limit for this handy litlle press. Ask me how I know it... Lee stuff is great! Owning "Higher end" stuff, Lee is my most used brand, from moulds to dies, presses, scales... All work well for a fraction of the price. Only MEC worths the extra price... 👍👍

So nice you got some use out of the video. Its a great little press, maybe not the end all be all, but it will certainly handle 357 all day long. Thanks for taking the time to share your experience.

It really is a great press, especially for accessory functions. I think I paid around $40 for this press in inflation world. I wish I would have made some comments in the video about being realistic about the demands people put on the press. It never occurred to me that someone would want to use it for 300 win mag but some do. Thanks for checking it out Viejo.

Thanks for taking the time to comment and let me know. Really means a lot. Always worry about making them too long.

I'm Glad you got something out of it. If you're interested I have a 4 part series on Rumble, its basic reloading with a minimalist focus. Its long but instructive. rumble.com/v1n15qs-minimalist-reloading-for-the-beginner-using-the-lee-hand-press.-part-1.html Let me know what you think.

It's a nice little press and certainly worth the money. The challenger breech lock press would also be a good choice and have a little more leverage. Lube is your friend, especially with smaller presses.

Thats great, glad you found it useful. I have a 4 part series for new and basic reloaders at www.thereloadersnetwork.com/channel/treetopflier/ if your interested. I do my best to give an understanding of the tools and principles of reloading to keep the new loader safe. Called the Minimalist reloader... for beginners.

Thank you for the very nice comment, glad you found it useful.

Its a nice little press for sure and the price is right. It will handle handgun stuff all day. Thanks for the comment.

Thank you, its very nice of you to say that and its good to hear form you!

@@TreeTopFlier Good morning….you as well. Its snowing out side now…lol…May 20, 2022 ❄️❄️❄️😂. Decided to re-visit some of your posts and landed on this one…while snowing outside before I go to work… Actually just picked up this little press, purchased a primer catcher from Reloader channel and mounted on and Inline base plate…handy little press/system to deprime my 45-70 gov’t and resizing bullets….a nice addition to my Lee Classic Cast Turret and Lee’s Breechlock Pro progressive. Any ways….have a super day from a wintery montana in spring…lol

Thank you for the nice comment. I would think this press will handle 243 well. As always, lube, carefully applied is your friend and makes resizing easy. Redding case wax is probably the slickest I am aware of. If you make a go of reloading and do it enough you will probably move up to a larger set up which is still ok because this press moves nicely into an accessory roll and doesnt take up very much space. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me. No question to simple. I have a set of starter reloading videos for the beginner on Rumble if your interested. rumble.com/v1n15qs-minimalist-reloading-for-the-beginner-using-the-lee-hand-press.-part-1.html Its 4 parts. If you stop by say hello in the comments, its lonely over there LOL.

This press will certainly do hand gun cartridges with ease and a single stage press is good at separating the stages of the task for new loaders. If you find yourself looking for a more rapid way to load higher volume cartridges the Lee value turret press is a nice option. Good to get the kids away from the electronics and into something real and tangible that gives them a sense of confidence and accomplishment. Thanks for watching.

Yes, the price is reasonable. I want the Layman C press kit or just the press, but it's twice as much. I got this because of the price and reasonably decent reviews. It's easy to start with and use as a 2nd press, a portable press, ect.

Great tip. Not my usual method of priming. thanks for the comment.

I was watching the video, and decided I look to see if anyone else gave this tip of putting the cup up thru, add the primer , lower just enough to insert the case into the holder. Ive used a lee reloader for years on the bench, almost exclusively for priming. Awesome review !

Thanks, I hadn't really primed much this way, just wanted to show the accessory option to do so on this press.

I agree this press would do those larger cartridges, especially if your carful with your lube. However, If those were my primary rounds, I personally would step up to an O frame press with a little more leverage for resizing. I agree there is way to much hate for Lee. Lee has made reloading affordable and accessible to so many loaders. Hard to imagine the industry without them.

I've seen a couple of mods like that. Now guys smarter than me are 3d printing cool mods for them. They make that Lee APP press but it doesnt interest me. I guess I'm with you, I just like to sit down to an old school press with a cup a joe and punch primers.

Good luck, I hope it works for you.

Thats great, thanks for taking the time to comment.

Glad you enjoyed it

My pleasure 😊

Thats great, welcome to a fun hobby! I have a 4 part series on beginning reloading if your interested. Had to pull it from YT but its on Rumble. rumble.com/v1n15qs-minimalist-reloading-for-the-beginner-using-the-lee-hand-press.-part-1.html

@@TreeTopFlier thank you for the link

Thanks! There are guys 3D printing raised mounts with cool slide out trays now. I cant for the life of me figure out why I didnt mention that in the video. LOL.

Your post is spot on! This little press and the Lee perfect powder measure are some of the best value in all of reloading land. Sometimes Its nice to have a press for odd jobs that has a short stroke....less wear and tear on the operator. I wish I had brought up the metal fatigue with the aluminum base in the video. Thanks for watching sir.

Glad you liked it, I hope it was helpful. Good luck with your reloading.

It's a good option for a starter press but it's a no brainer for accessory functions. I use it all the time.

It really is!

Thanks!

Thanks for the kind comment. Glad you enjoyed the video.

And the big plus is with the sewing machine cabinet i will be able to fold the machine down and use the top as a work top when not loading ammo

What a cool idea, hope it works out for you.

@@TreeTopFlier I'll try to get you a few photos of it when I get it built

I do try to think out side the box witch gets me in trouble with the wife sometimes especially when i repurpose her stuff LOL

The last instance was when I turned a hope chest into a hidden ar cabinet by adding a false bottom and a hidden place in the top for a hand cannon

It's a great little starter press and accessory press.

Wow you got your bases covered equipment wise... Now, where are the primers LOL. The little Lee reloader press is hard to beat for accessory functions.

@@TreeTopFlier I'm still using my 2018 -2019 stockpile of primers I bought during the Trump Slump when nobody wanted them and weren't really buying guns or magazines either. You could roll a bowling ball down a aisle at a gun shop or gun show and not hit anybody. Walmart had .22 bricks of 500 and 550 for $14.88 and 19.88 overflowing the case shelf and everybody walked right past them. They also had 9mm Winchester White Box for $17.88 per 100 and nobody buying them. The price of the primers I am using?.........$128.50 per 5000 ct cases! 😄

I mostly use mine for resizing cast bullets and de priming.

Thanks!

Guys are 3D printing riser blocks with a tray in them to catch primers now. Pretty cool Idea. Thanks for the comment

They make a riser that spaces it off the deck with a little primer tray for easy removal. I linked in the description for one that's sold on the reloadernetwork.com

@@TreeTopFlier Greetings from NY. I already bought from loads of Bacon. I upgraded that with something different. Which I think is better. I’ll send you a picture when I figure how to do that’s it for now.

Glad you think so!

Thanks for the comment! This press will do all that and more. The only operation in reloading that requires force is resizing. Careful application of sizing lube will ensure success. After upgrading it will still be very useful as an accessory press.

Is it possible to reload a 308win, or should I buy the O type

Yes, it is possible. The only press function that really requires strength, is resizing. Much of the force required for resizing can be reduced by carful application of lube. That said, if I was going to do a large quantity of 308 I would get an Oframe press. Depending on the quantity of rounds you plan to produce and if you plan to expand, you could get the reloader press as a "first step" into reloading. It is always useful as an accessory press if you get another press.

@@TreeTopFlier here in Brazil shooting is very expensive. I have only 556 now. So I’m thinking about this one. 308 will come next year and we shoot like 10-20 rds in a week or less

@@fmmlobo8189 You could definitely do that volume on this press. Again, lube is your friend and will reduce stress on the press during resizing. The weak link on this press is the cast aluminum in the area where the ram passes through the body. Some people have had them break over time. Lee does have a good warranty though.

What a very nice comment, thank you!

👍

Glad it was helpful!

Thank you for your kind comment, it really means a lot. I struggle with being over descriptive, but also being aware that I may be engaging someone new to this craft. As for Lee... The Lee Classic Turret Press is awesome. People malign it because its affordable and uses a couple plastic parts and.... because its Lee. Mine is 10 years old and if stolen, I would order one the same day. Lee handgun dies are exceptional with carbide ring inserts. Curmudgeon reloaders and gunsmiths will crap on them all day long for no real reason other than they are perceived to be cheep. If you are referring to the performance of a progressive press, Dillon is the best in that category in my opinion. On my Rumble channel I have a 4 part series on basic reloading rumble.com/v1n15qs-minimalist-reloading-for-the-beginner-using-the-lee-hand-press.-part-1.html It was very popular and taught reloading on RU-vid till it was removed. Anyway, you made my day with your comment...Thanks. Let me know if you have any questions...Happy to help.

Well, since you left the door open for questions, here's one: Most of what I'll be loading will be range ammo, so that means using cheap projectiles. For .32 the only copper plated stuff available is 71 grn Berry's Bullets. Do you have an opinion on them? Oh, and I have started working my way through your Rumble channel. Wishing you all the best, Bill @@TreeTopFlier

Hey Bill, Not sure what cartridge you will be loading for in .32 but I will assume 32 S&W Long. If so, the 71 grain will be a little light for that cartridge if you want to practice with rounds that will feel close to defensive loads. If you just want a fun time at the range they would be a good place to start. Maybe even consider synthetic coated lead for a cheep option. The coating on lead bullets, be it a jacket, plating or synthetic is to protect the barrel from leading, a problem with raw lead projectile pushed at higher speeds. Lead bullets will generally be sized about .001" larger than copper coated bullets. The .32 is not a cartridge I have loaded for so my comments will be general. Still happy to help. @@billoetjen

@@TreeTopFlier I passed on the Berry's plated, and ordered 500 Acme 100grn coated rnfp. I hope that it's not a mistake. Should be loading them and testing at the range in the next couple of weeks.

@@billoetjen They are a great option for range ammo. You will need to flair the mouth a little more due to the larger diameter and soft synthetic coating...finish with a crimp to remove the bell. Good luck

I linked to a primer clean out spacer at TheReloadersNetwork.com in the description. I didnt think of de-bulging pistol brass, that's another good use!

Yes the Ideal press would be stronger. The Lee press is aluminum and although a handy little press, particularly for accessory functions, long term sizing of larger rifle cases would probably find a weak spot. The only down side of the Lyman press is its only threaded for 7/8-14 so you cant adapt it to use quick change bushings.

Nice! Thanks for the comment.

I havent tried it yet but I suspect it might be hard to nail down a slight shoulder set back technic as is common in long range accuracy shooters. I think its possible if you use a Redding competition shell holder set that lets you still use the shell holder to die contact and pick the shell holder that gives you the set back you need. You are not wrong, much of what we attribute good and bad to the press and even dies is a problem with the brass, not the equipment. Thanks for the comment.

Wow, that's a lot of cartridge for this small press. Glad it's working for you.

Could be neck sizing? That would work as less efort

Hello Chile 🤗

Its defiantly a nice little accessory press. I failed to mention in the video, creative folks have made some accessories for it to aid with primer clean out. www.thereloadersnetwork.com/product/depriming-base-and-guide-clip-for-lee-precision-reloader-press/ I like the kits that have the adaptor to narrow the gap behind the ram. Sometimes the small primers can miss the hole.

Me too!

Thanks for the comment. I have never used Forster dies. Based on my experience, I feel like the brass itself really has the most to do with concentricity issues. Due to brass spring back, the die can only manipulate the brass so much and the brass springs back. Lee has the opinion that a well formed neck is the best guide for seating a bullet straight. I am somewhere in the middle. thanks for watching.

I agree totally. The APP press is a really nice addition but for some reason, as much as I love gear, it never called to me. I guess in the end, I dont need a lot of volume and I enjoy the process of running an old fashioned press.

Thanks

As far as the primer collection stuff goes, on these type videos I try to show the item the way it is so people get a vibe for it out of the box. in retrospect I should have probably mentioned some of the 3d printed accessories people make for this press for primer catching.

Yours is a tricky question. This press will do straight walled pistol cases all day for years. The comment about full length sizing is a little different. Sounds like you just want to bump the shoulder back. I wouldnt use this press for that unless you are using oversized shell holders like Redding makes to provide a physical stop. If you just want to adjust the die down to a desired headspace, I would go for a more robust, steel, O frame press to help you get the stop in the same spot every time. Hope this makes some sense.

@@TreeTopFlier For stepped rifle cartridges, I would not size at all with a press; just trim to length, as I like the fire-formed brass for my bolt actions. By the way, I got the press, set it up as you have (minus the elegant mounting board) and have reloaded a couple hundred rounds already. (357 Mag, 38 Spl and 44 Mag) I think it uses the same linkages as my old Lee Hand Press.

Glad you liked the video! I would encourage you to move up to an O frame press for this larger round. Maybe a Lee Challenger press if economics is a factor. Re sizing older cartridges can take some force. Do you need to resize after each firing? Not necessarily, If you're reloading for a single rifle you can customize by limiting your amount of resizing or performing neck sizing only. You have to at least resize the neck so it will hold a bullet after firing otherwise the bullet will just fall into the case. Many would limit how far they screw in the die to limit how much they resize the brass. This is usually done just enough (through trial and error) to the point you can close the bolt on an empty case without abnormal force. Its a more advanced operation for a reloader and requires a greater understanding than a basic default die setup. The advantage would be less working of the brass and better accuracy. You would probably want a head space comparator to measure your target shoulder set back to formalize your settings for repeatability. This is one of the measurements I showed in the video, AKA CBTO. Hope this helps.

Yep this helps a ton!! From what I gathered with the die, since Lee is the sole producer of them, it's a full length sizing not just the weird double tapered neck. Lee's website says "2 die Set includes a full length sizing die, bullet seating die, powder dipper" and severely underpowered load data. I take it that it's all that I need for the basic stuff. Thanks again!

The kit is a good start. You can gradually screw the die in till the shoulder gets pushed back to let you chamber the round. This will also resize the neck to hold the bullet. This is more of an advanced move and should be done with understanding of the goals you're trying to achieve. Its certainly acceptable and maybe advisable to use the exact instructions for die set up as skills and equipment develop. Also, controlling the set back is easier on a more robust and tight tolerance press for repeatability. Enjoy the process.

You could do that and it would work. Some guys are 3D printing a riser that raises up the press with a neat little tray to pull out and dump spent primers. Pretty sure you can find them on Ebay

Post a video when you're done sounds like an awesome project.

It really depends on what you want to use if for. Case resizing is the most stressful operation you will do on a press. The larger the cases you wish to size the more you will benefit from a heavier duty press. Without knowing the range of cartridges you wish to support, I would probably be inclined to recommend the larger press.

@@TreeTopFlier Thanks for the info, do you think I can get the same accuracy from the Lee Loadmaster PP , or is it better to have a single stage?

Thats tough for me to answer, I dont have a progressive press. Much of accuracy is in the brass with things such as consistent neck tension, shoulder position, concentricity, and a square base. The only thing I could say that would contribute to inaccuracy is the shell plate deflecting during resizing or bullet seating. We attribute a lot of magic to the press that isnt warranted in my opinion. As I showed in this video, you can measure things that may be attributed to the press or dies. This is one of the joys of reloading for me. Theorizing, tying and testing results. Have fun.

Really appreciate the feedback, thanks much ! I went ahead and ordered a single also, have all my kit and excited to get started. Not being able to find 6.5 Grendel is what pushed me to jump in, so those will be my first loads.

Love the 6.5 grendel

Its in the video, but the primers go into the hollow base of the press and store there till you take it off and dump them out. There are some clever 3D printed base risers with a tray you can pull out and dump as well.

Thank you! @@TreeTopFlier

Really true. I dont think people realize how little the press has to do with the quality of the outcome. The brass itself has way more to do with precision than a press. I mostly advise people to buy a press for the features you want and the system you want to use vs thinking of it as the component that will fix everything wrong with your rounds.

This press will do hand gun cartridges all day. If your looking for volume work maybe check out the Lee turret press options. Single stage can get a little tedious after a while. Good luck.

I have two Dillon 750 completely set up for large volumes. I just need to automate one because my arm isn't long enough to pull two handles at the same time 🤣

I guess an explanation is in order. While using head space comparators or CBTO bushings I rotate the cases in the calipers because it squares them to the bore of the bushing. When im talking and recording I tend to fiddle with whatever im doing, making it look awkward 😅. Also, I realized part way through I didnt have the display in view of the camera so I went back and measured again. I assure you I have no motive to be deceptive and Im sorry I gave you that impression. I resist refilming parts I screw up on because it makes them look inauthentic. Thanks for watching anyway.

Hey Anthony from Germany 👋 I wouldn't recommend it, you need an O frame press for the big boys. The frame around the ram won't handle the stress of resizing. Good luck.

I have to be careful about how detailed I am here on RU-vid. I do have a 4 part series covering the basics on Rumble to help people get started if your interested. Sub and you can see the other videos in the series. Here's the first.. rumble.com/v1n15qs-minimalist-reloading-for-the-beginner-using-the-lee-hand-press.-part-1.html

The breech lock bushings are 7/8 -14 to accommodate the industry standard. All manufactures use that size, so yes, your lyman dies will work.

They are defiantly not a rock chucker. Lee mentions that its nice to have a second accessory press (meaning this one) even if you already own a press. Interestingly though, they never indicate its not using for large cases, which seems obvious to me. The manual shows the set up of rifle dies with rifle brass as the exhibit. If you were carful with lube I think you could do fine with 308 but a blown out Mosin case might be the end of it.

Could you size these cases? Yes, especially if you are careful with lubrication. That said, I would step up to a larger press like the challenger press. Its an O frame and it has better leverage. Those are pretty large cases your planning to load.

That's a solid technique, and you can do a version of that in most cases. Your average reloader is going to use the die instructions as I did here. This will produce SAAMI spec ammo usable in every SAAMI spec chamber (basically factory dimensions). I didn't show that on this press because I am skeptical that (although I haven't checked) It wouldn't produce equal shoulder set back each time without the definitive shell holder to die contact. The technique you are referring to is usually called "shoulder set back" or "bumping the shoulder back" The concept is this. Why resize the brass below what your actual needs are? Doing so only works the brass more than needed and produces brass that doesnt fit as optimally in your application. Version 1 is what you described using fire formed brass in single bolt action. Version 2, what I use, check all of your fire formed brass with a headspace comparator to find the shortest chamber of multiple rifles. Take this value and subtract about .002" for bolt action and .003-4" for gas guns. Then adjust your die to give you this much adjustment from the fire formed brass. Picking the shortest chamber of multiples will still produce ammo that shoots better and works in every firearm you have. I would consider this technique a little more advanced, requiring a greater level of experience and tools than your average beginner would be ready for. One last thing... Probably the best solution for adjusting shoulder set back is using Redding competition shell holders. They come in a variety of dimensions (5 pack) or different heights and let you select the one that gives you the set back you need while maintaining the die to shell holder contact for repeatability. This would enable this technique to be used on this press for sure. Hope you can make some sense of all this.

@@TreeTopFlier Thanks for your more detailed explanation I understand this better now!

Thanks for watching!

@@TreeTopFlier I am literially buying one today. Gotta 2,000 rounds to load up. I'd rather buy bullets than an expensive press. Good vid. Thanks again.

@@tunnelrabbit2625 Welcome to reloading! This is a capable little press for the money. It is likely that if you stay with reloading you will move into something more robust and in that case you will use it for accessory functions. If your new to reloading I have a series over at TheReloadersNetwork.com that I worked up for beginners 4 part with a hand press. TreeTopFlier

No, its just valvoline wheel bearing grease.

Its a great press for starters and as an accessory press. I'm using it for bullet seating. If those are the cartridges you intend to load I would encourage you to get a larger O frame press. Its nice to have a small press for light jobs but Its also nice to have a larger high leverage press for resizing brass. Good luck to you.

Probably similar to Imperial sizing wax.

This press is OK for light duty. If you plan on doing large volume and or full size rifle cases, I would move up to an O frame press. This press is a good starting point and slides nicely into an accessory press. Lastly, careful case lubrication is your friend. Happy reloading!

That's a much better option!

That sucks! Larger rifle cases would definitely be better on an o frame press.

@@TreeTopFlier i had switched to dillon spray lube and about 5 cases in i stuck one and tried to force it out. The press broke with not alot of force.

@Michael Gray May not solve the problem but Lee would replace it under warranty.

I like them better and, once set you should never have to re zero them. Also the batteries never go dead. That said, the digital ones are great for filming. Its already hard enough to keep the glare out of the camera from overhead lights.

good advice.

Thanks for the comment.

Its just a good wheel bearing grease. Brand is Valvoline. Pretty sure its the same stuff we used on aircraft in the military. Called it WTR for Wide Temperature Range grease.

@@TreeTopFlier thanks so much. Good video!

@@TreeTopFlier one last question..... which single stage press do you prefer?

Good question! Also a tough one. I would judge by function and accessories. My first interest would be does it cam over or use stops like the Lee press. Some arguments for both but cam over in a high end press like Redding BB with tight tolerances or linkage stops in a budget like Lee challenger. If you have stops you just need to learn how to go easy on them for accuracy. After that I would look for good accessories like on press priming, easy swap die systems, maybe handy ram access. All of our manufactures make great products that will last a life time but for instance, the Lyman brass smith do not have removable bushings that you can install a breech lock kit. The MEC Marksman looks interesting to me.

@@TreeTopFlier thanks again. I'm looking to upgrade from a Partner press so have been checking reviews on all single stage presses.

If a cartridge goes off during any reloading it wouldnt be the fault of this press or any other. It would be some catastrophic operator error.

There's not a problem maintaining adjustment with this setup.

@TreeTopFlier Oh , ok .

I make these videos mostly to show how the items come....as is. However, there are mount risers available that have a collection tray for easy removal of primers. I should have mentioned this.

You're the first to comment on my little dig lol

@@TreeTopFlier well, I appreciate the skill of finding great examples. And you, sir…have it honed. Keep it up!

Cheers 🍻

Its descriptive though lol

@@TreeTopFlier ...and accurate! Lol!

🤣

Im a fan, I use a lot of their stuff.

I suspect most people don't start with an area 419 press.