LEE BREECH LOCK CHALLENGER PRESS KIT, any good?

floorguy24

February 22, 2011 18:36

I know there are many out there who dislike some Lee products, but I need to know if this kit is decent for a first timer getting started at single stage reloading 44 mag/special pistol loads.

Here's the link to Lee for the kit-

http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/browse.cgi?1298435036.2844=/html/catalog/rlpress2.html#breech

I realize I'll need to get the carbide 3-die set as well.

I'm looking into this kit after pricing rcbs and others. This seems to be the best value for the dollar. And I'm on a budget to boot.

Any input/advice/opinions would really help. [:D]

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  McDAccountant

  March 20, 2011 18:08

  Got out to the range today to try my reloads. All but one fired as desired plus went through another box of Magtech .38s while shooting steel plates, so I'll have more empties for reloading later. My first loads were very light: 3.0 grains of Bullseye under 158 gr. SWC with Winchester small pistol primers. Will probably bump the load up some on the next batch.

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  Gunny0321

  March 20, 2011 21:15

  McDAccountant
  
  One of the best things you can always do, weather you are loading your first 36 rounds or your 36,600th round or your 3 million'th round, and that is take your time. You just would not believe what that 38 special of yours looks like after you "double charge" a round and crank it off. I am sure you will be a responsable reloader, you just have to learn to be that way. Just too much at stake to make a mistake if it can be at all avoided. Good Luck and have fun.
  
  On a side note the first cartridge I loaded for over 45 years ago was a .38 special. You only think your's were a light load. The loading manual I was using at the time called for a target and practice load of 2 grains of Bullseye. These things were so enemic that you could barely hear them go off, more like a Puff than a bang....
  
  RS

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  McDAccountant

  March 21, 2011 05:44

  quote:Originally posted by Gunny0321
  McDAccountant
  
  One of the best things you can always do, weather you are loading your first 36 rounds or your 36,600th round or your 3 million'th round, and that is take your time. You just would not believe what that 38 special of yours looks like after you "double charge" a round and crank it off. I am sure you will be a responsable reloader, you just have to learn to be that way. Just too much at stake to make a mistake if it can be at all avoided. Good Luck and have fun.
  
  On a side note the first cartridge I loaded for over 45 years ago was a .38 special. You only think your's were a light load. The loading manual I was using at the time called for a target and practice load of 2 grains of Bullseye. These things were so enemic that you could barely hear them go off, more like a Puff than a bang....
  
  RS
  
  
  To tell you the truth, I'm extremely meticulous, almost to the point it gets on my wife's nerves sometimes. LOL
  
  Even though I stated it was a "light load", that was only in comparison to the loads I had seen in several reloading manuals. I was shooting Magtech LRN .38s as well and there didn't seem to be too much difference between the two. I do need to buy a chrony at some point to check fps. One thing that made me feel good was I only had one FTF out of the my first 3 dozen rounds...had two FTF out of the box of 50 Magtechs.
  
  When I pulled the Magtechs, I measured their charge...4.2 grains...anyone know what powder they use?

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