New Press

[Ben]

My grandson Trevor has been using his Lee " Nut Cracker " press for a long time. He felt like he might like the same breech lock system in a bench mounted press.

I ordered him the Lee Breech Lock Challenger Press .
The press arrived today.
Didn't take long to have it mounted to the reloading bench and cranking out 38 Spec. Wadcutters.
Dies go in and out quickly.

I've adjusted his dies so that he can load 148 gr. wadcutters in 38 Specials.
He will visit this weekend and try the press out.

Ben

The primers all empty into this can. I think this is a nice feature.

 

[Wasalmonslayer]

Very nice set up Ben!
I have the cast iron version of that press and it has been an absolute work horse.
It should serve him for many years to come with a little maintenance

 

[462]

A video of Trevor using it is a must.

 

[Ben]

Will provide the video very soon.

Ben

 

[Petrol & Powder]

A bench mounted, “O” Frame press is perhaps the most universally useful reloading tool. It forms the backbone of many reloading systems.

I like the spent primer recovery device, AKA, soup can. Maybe put a keyhole type slot in that so you don’t have to remove the mounting screw when you want to empty the can?

 

[Ben]

That's a good idea.

 

[JonB]

Lee really has made some improvements to their Challenger press.
For some reason, this thread made me look at one of my Presses.
.
About 4 years ago, I sold a older Lee classic cast single stage that was setup for swaging jacketed bullets as well as use on my upside-down bracket for sizing cast bullets. I replaced that old Lee Classic, with a new Lee Classic Cast single stage with Breech-lock option.
ANYWAY, I just noticed today, that my new press has a smaller ram and it's a one piece ram with side spent primer discharge, like the Challenger. It's funny that I didn't notice that previously, but it's only been used for sizing bullet from the up side-down bracket...so it's quite adequate for that, but I am not crazy about having a press that doesn't have the spent primer disposing through a Large hollow Ram...that's one of the things I love about some Lee Presses.

this article has an image of the design I have.

Reloading Gear Review: Lee Classic Cast Breech-Lock Press « Daily Bulletin

The Lee Classic Cast “O”-style press has always been an excellent value — it works as well as some other presses costing twice as much. And now Lee has improved on its Classic Cast Press design by adding a breech-lock fitting in the top.

bulletin.accurateshooter.com

 

[Ben]

I really do like the spent primer catch system
about as fool proof as I've seen :

 

[Petrol & Powder]

Nice

 

[Ben]

Petrol & Powder

I used your idea.
Worked REAL WELL !

Thanks,
Ben

 

[Bazoo]

Awesome thing for Trevor. I am using an old school Lee challenger right now. I like the angle of the press. I dislike the primer catch, or lack thereof that it has. I made a cool box to try to corral them. Not a big issue, I started with a Lyman spartan and NO catch tray. The wife hated it. Now that I have my own room, its not an issue for her anymore, I just sweep occasionally to get the outliers.