This is NOT your press flexing, just the mount, as previously stated. Any runout problems (if your really have any) are due to your dies or your bullet seating procedure. If you buy Lee dies, they actually guarantee almost no runout. The way to minimize runout is to seat the bullet once, then turn the cartridge 90 degrees and then run it back in the die once more. Again, there is NO problem with this press.
Definately a mounting issue. The press is made from an aluminum cast alloy called 380. It's quite high in silicon, copper, and zinc. This makes it impossible to bend. If you pry on it too hard it will actually crack and break apart before it bends.
I came across this video because I was reviewing the Lee breech lock Challenger kit and I just purchased it. I do understand what you're saying where if the linkage is hitting your bench it is causing pressure on the Press and it's a point of pressure on the press where the press is not supposed to be getting pressure from. Like you said it is very important to make sure your linkage is not hitting anything and that is why I ordered the inline fabrication 7 and 1/2 in Ultra Mount with the Quick Change plates.
Mine is just fine, bought used for cheap and it does the job very well, , i would say the main issue is the primer risidues that make it dirty and rough to action, so cleaning and greasing quite often is mandatory
The problem you have is with the mounting on the cheezy table you’ve got your press mounted on. I’ve used Lee Challenger presses with Lee dies for years, mounted to a true work bench, and have never had a problem with flexing or run out. You’re making judgements and giving advice with limited experience. I’m certain the play in the ram you showed us is because you never clean and lubricate it. Also, those big steel plates you have on the table are ineffective because the only bolts you have in them are the press mounting bolts
I have had the same Lee Challenger O-frame press since I bought it new in 1984 and have had no problems with it and still use it every time I reload. It seems to me that the "flex" problem you speak of is not the frame flexing but rather the frame not being securely mounted to the workbench. I have my press mounted directly to my wooden reloading bench and occasionally have to tighten the bolts, no big deal. Your issues are not with the press itself or what it is made of, your issues are with how you chose to mount the press. If it is mounted too close to the table and the toggle and ram assembly contact the table then that is another mounting issue, not an issue with press itself. So mount it correctly the first time and it will last a lifetime, mount is incorrectly and continue to use it anyway and it will wear out.
shoup2882 I bought the Lee challenger kit about three months before my first daughter was born thinking when it wears out that’s when I will upgrade to a better and more expensive system, my daughter celebrated her 20th birthday last November and I’m still waiting for this press to wear out😂
I totally agree. I should have read your post before I put my lengthy comment. I wanted to make the exact same point as you (and did). But somehow I also elaborated with some added pointers and opinion. lol
Gonna use the Made In USA Ultramount press riser system for the new LEE Breechlock Challenger reloading press here: doubt there will be flexing there. Good video here & thanks for the warning as that lead me to get a 3/16" thick metal press riser = issue solved!
If your bench moves there will be flex. So everything attached to the press has to be solid as a rock with absolutely no movement. My challenger doesn't budge - mounted it(nutsand bolts) to a wooden base plate of 2 1/4" thick(2 pieces of fastened lumber). I then mount it to my thick guage steel framed bench with heavy duty clamps. The steel plates in the video are a good idea providing press and bench are fastened securely with no flex points. I also overkilled the fastening of my bench to the wall and floor so it doesn't budge under load. The press gets the job done but I will be upgrading to a Foster co axial(to help prevent run out). I'll use the Lee for depriming, bullet pulling,priming,designated Lee factory crimp dies,Lee press trimmer,etc.( for less critical ammo). So there are still many uses for the press. Yes some materials on press are a lower grade than others, but it is useful for hunting rounds, plinking,SHTF rounds, etc. Interchangeable bushing system has it's conveniences. No denying Lee Breechlock challenger kits are great for beginners and an introduction to reloading. Most reloaders inevitably buy more equipment and other presses. It is a cost effective set up during the reloading learning curve.Some reloaders get precise rounds with Lee presses and use no others. My linkage was touching the base also, so I shaved down my wood base for clearance. One thing I like about the Lee is there is no cam over(hard stop). O rings under die lock nut help if you get too much run out. Some will put a shim between shell holder and base of die when setting it( to get die plumb) .Lee also offers lock nuts with o rings. Some use double lock nuts.Some use o ring instead of shell holder clip. Other than that it comes down to ram alignment. Presses with a floating shell holder and die(Foster), floating shell holder clips(MEC marksman),or Arbor presses(Harrels press with Wilson dies) for seating , will do the best for concentricity. Of course bushing dies(loosened floating bushing),neck turning ,turning bullet as you seat incrementally(3-6-9-12 o'clock) will help. I think Redding has a standard full length die where you can float the mandrel ball for better alignment. Be patient and have fun it you are a novice for there is much to learn when reloading. It is very rewarding. Be sure to mount press and bench securely. One more thing: for the money you can not do better than a Lee kit as a beginner. Even seasoned reloaders use their presses and equipment. Sorry for the long comment but it was much shorter than this non fluent video-lol
Contrary to popular opinion here I gave you a "thumbs up." And I did that because your video stirred up some controversy that brought out a lot of great tips, opinions and advice from others. For me this video was well worth the time to watch. I'm glad I found it. Thanks! And thanks to all you guys out there who chimed in here below. Thank you.
I'm fairly new to reloading but it's very obvious you are the cause of all the problems you describe. What do you expect if you excert sideways pressure on the ram. It's going to wear. And another thing, if you are going to say something say it. Don't half say it then start over repeating everything. Probably could have done this whole thing in under 5 minutes.
Likewise to shoup2882's experience, I too have owned a Challenger press since 1986 (before the breech lock came out) and I have never, ever had any problems with it. Your press does not flex, it is your mount that is flexing, fix that and you'll have no problem. Even if the mount flexes, the ram axis does not change from the top of the fame so it is impossible to have runout as you think. You may be surprised to hear that the red epoxy coated frame is made of ASTM 380 aluminum with a yield strength of 48,000 PSI. By comparison, a gray iron casting has a yield strength of 29,000 PSI.
econewpower This is not a sparring contest but more of a "reality checker". The aluminum Challenger is an OK press for beginners but are you seriously eluding that this coke can press is as strong as cast iron? Lol. Common man! Yeah, the aluminum challenger is made of repurposed aluminum rail road tracks and ......No, wait a minute, there is no such thing as aluminum rail road tracks! Ya know why? Because aluminum is not as strong as cast iron for load bearing applications. When was the last time you saw aluminum heavy machinery like bull dozers, track hoes, trains, semi truck frames, logging machinery, industrial cranes, etc? Just saying. Furthermore, just look at that chicken shit STAMPED sheet metal linkage on this Challenger press that causes the ram to wobble and jiggle like a midget stripper! A point of note is the Lee Classic Cast is in fact made of repurposed rail road tracks with a forged hardened steel linkage assembly, hence it's the stronger of the two BY FAR. End of story. The bottom line is you can get a usable lifespan out of an aluminum press before it cracks/stretches/warps/wears out and goes to reloading press Heaven but it's not as strong as cast iron in this application and it never will be. Be safe out there.
I use this press for primer seating,bullet seating, and powder drops only. It works great for these tasks.I would not want to F/L re-size 300 WIN MAG Brass on this press. The Lee Classic Cast or Redding Big Boss 2 is what I use for F/L Re-sizing brass.
love your rifle..but looks like you could use some shorter scope rings,try and get that scope as close to barrel without touching as possible,or does your bolt handle hit your scope as you work it ? hence tall scope rings ? curious is all. god bless
That area that you show under the press that holds the ram is very thin aluminum. Other presses are thicker in that area aside from also being made from tougher cast iron. I see other comments just blaming the operator. I know mine developed the same issue of wobble in the ram after swaging primer pockets. I just don't think this press is up to heavy use. Most presses aren't made from aluminum for a reason. Thanks for posting the video.
Contrary to what others have said, I understand what you are saying. I have owned a old Orange Crusher for years, and when the breech lock system came out, decided to get a Lee and retire the Lyman {there was nothing wrong with the Lyman}. I decided on the Classic Cast just for the reason you described: you have a hard metal of one tensile strength {steel}, attached to a much softer metal of another tensile strength. That is not a wining combination. Eventually, the softer metal is going to wear at some point in the linkage, or where the bolts attach to the frame. It's just a fact. The lighter weight and slightly smaller size is appealing, but once you think it through, you realize there is no good substitute for an iron and steel press.
I have the cheap Lee Breech Lock Reloader Press 90045 is made out of the same material i don't have any run out issues and it has no font support every issue i have had has nothing to do with flex you have some good points about mounting but you flex theory is not accurate. Unless the wear on the press is extremely excessive the issues that it will cause are generally not going cause runout problems %99.9 of your run out issues are dies or bad bullet.
would you recommend mounting the lee in this way with metal plates or straight onto a wooden bench? this is aimed at shoup 2882 and econewpower. i just bought one of these kits
I have loaded hundreds if not thousands of rounds with that very same press with absolutely no problem. There is no way that loading the caliber your loading that your getting press flex. It just cant happen. Build a real work bench.
