Lee Challenger Press

Elk2901 · 09-19-2005, 12:01 PM

Does anyone use a Lee Challenger Press? How do you like it? I load mostly 270-7mag-300mag and 44mag revolver. I have always liked Lee's stuff but I have never used one of their presses. If I did more reloading I would get a Dillon RL550, but they are too much money for the amount of reloading that I do. I am using an old Lyman turret press now and until I can find one that has an easier case-resize stroke on it, I am just going to keep it.

Roskoe · 09-19-2005, 12:58 PM

We used to have one of these mounted to the benchin the range shed. It seemed to load pretty good ammo. After years and years, it got real loose where the ram comes up through the aluminum frame. I'm sure all the grit and dust in this environment didn't help the wear issue - but I think it would be fine for someone who didn't shoot benchrest or didn't load high volumes of ammo.

biggunz.45-70 · 09-20-2005, 08:47 PM

I use mine alot and I've had no problems. I load hunting ammo for my .44 mag along with rifle ammo. Unless you are going to shoot lots of .44 a single stage press is just fine.

dmurphy317 · 09-23-2005, 03:58 AM

I have one that came with the LEE aniversary kit I bought several years ago. The only suggestion I have is to keep a light coat of lube on the ram and clean it every once in a while. I've had no problems with mine and have loaded well over a thousand rounds with it. I load 38, 357, 30/30 and 7mm mag. For a cheap press, it works very well.

On the other hand, if I get the chance and the right deal, I plan on getting the LEE classic cast press. Not to replace the Challenger neccessarily, but to augment my loading bench. For the difference in the price, if I was only going to have one press, I would probably buy the Classic cast due to its more robust design, it's worth the 20 or 30 dollars extra (at discount dealers).

NE Hunter · 09-23-2005, 09:01 AM

I have to agree that for the price diference the cast press is the way to go, but the challanger does work well. I too have one and until recently did all my reloading with it. What is wrong with your Lyman press ? Lyman is supposed to be a good press too.

Briman · 09-24-2005, 04:13 PM

I have one that I use as a second press. I use it for decapping military brass, for sizing cast bullets, and for mounting my RCBS powder measure to. For the last purpose alone, its comparable to the price of a RCBS powder stand, but does a whole lot more.

Elk2901 · 09-26-2005, 11:45 AM

TO NE Hunter:

My Lyman press is a turrnet press with a short bar and makes loading my 300 WinMag hard. Especially on my shoulder that I have injured several times. It is a borrowed press also. I need a press with good leverage to handle mag cartridges.

NE Hunter · 09-26-2005, 08:16 PM

Elk,

I've loaded 30-06 on the Lee Chalanger press no problems ( others too but the 30-06 is the closest thing I have to your 300 win mag) It should work fine for you if you can afford the extra the Lee cast press has a better primer catcher. I know it's a small complaint but it's my only one about the Chalanger press.