Lee Classic Cast - standard or Breech Lock?

[royta]

Hello. I'm a new member on this site.

After going back and forth with my choices, I've finally decided to start reloading again after a 20 year hiatus. I currently have a Lyman Spar-T turret press that I just can't use. Too much flex at the turret. My plan was to buy the Lee Classic Cast single stage. The local gun shop only has the Classic Cast Breech Lock, not the standard Classic Cast.

Besides the breech lock system, what are the differences between the two? I thought I read that on the Breech Lock version, spent primers don't correctly route down the ram unless the primer arm is in place and if the arm breaks, you're just plain screwed. Is that the case? I honestly don't see a need for the breech lock system, so I'm looking for the best and most robust version of the two. I'll be hand priming if that matters.

Thanks.

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[ArmyJerry]

Breech, I have the classic, use the hornady bushings in teh cast , but my press is 25 years old, no signs of wearing out, if they had it at the time I would have got the breech.

 

[BobinNC]

There is a wonderful invention called the internet, that you might not be aware of after your 20 year hiatus. You can actually buy your Lee press and never leave your house. And you can find information on the internet as well. MidwayUSA for example, has them both in stock....just pick one..

Lee Breech Lock Classic Cast Single Stage Loading Press Unboxing and Intro - YouTube

Lee Classic Cast Iron Breech-Lock Press within AccurateShooter.com

Lee's Breech Lock System? - Shooters Forum

Lee Classic Cast vs. Lee Breech-Lock Classic Cast

I got those in less than 5 minutes. No problem asking here, but research elsewhere are well. Google is your friend, use it....

 

[royta]

BobinNC, I actually searched this sight prior to posting. I wanted pros and cons of both from real users. I am hoping to hear why one system works better than the other. Again...besides the obvious differences of the breech lock.

My concern is with spent primer handling. Is the through the ram style on the standard press better than the breech lock version?

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[ChrisGarrett]

I've been a big proponent of the Lee Classic Cast O-Frame standard and if I were to buy a SS press, it would be that one, because it is made in America, using American railroad rails on American made CNC machines. It's also a pretty good value, or was a few years back when I researched them.

The only issue I see with the breech lock, besides buying the extra inserts (I reload 14+ cartridges) for even my sizing dies, is the fact that one might get debris from the primers, onto the ram's surface and that might be problematic, going forward. I only skimmed the above video, but that potential problem stuck out for me.

Dies come with lock rings, many of which can be locked onto the die body, so once adjusted and locked down, it's a matter of quickly wrenching loose the entire die/ring assembly and installing the next die, so the bushing feature, while nice, wouldn't be a deal breaker for me. Having primers come out of the bottom of the ram proper, might just keep things cleaner in the long run.

If I ever pull the trigger, I'd have to study things a bit more.

Chris

 

[royta]

Thanks Chris. I did watch the video that was posted above and I've decided I would not like the breech lock version of the Classic Cast.

Now I'm wondering if I'd like the Classic Turret. All the turret presses I've ever seen rotate on a bolt in the center, with no support to keep from flexing. The closest I've seen to perfect would be the Redding T7 with the support in the back at least, but I'm still thinking their could still he flex, though not much. The Classic Turret is supported in three places around the turret body area and appears it may not have any issues with flex.

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[flashhole]

Both the Hornady Die Bushings and the Lee Breech Lock are a solution for a not existant problem. Get the standard Lee Classic Cast or the Lee Classic Turret and feel good about the fact you were directed to a smart purchase by experienced people. I went the Hornady route and was sorely disappointed. Don't waste your money. Get the Classic Cast Single Stage press.

 

[sentry1]

I have the CC in breech lock version, and it works great. I load .223, .308, 6.5 CM, & .40 S&W.

I replaced the breech lock insert with a Hornady Lock-n-Load adapter because I got a bunch of bushings on the cheap. I like that the bushings allow me to set up my dies, lock 'em into the bushing, and it's repeatable, and convenient.

I should note though, that it's important to use locking rings that can be cranked down on the die (a cross bolt like the Hornady lock rings), and has wrench flats, otherwise the damn die will separate from the bushing, and Hornady doesn't put wrench flats on their bushings. It's not a perfect system, but I prefer it for ease of swapping among dies.

 

[scudzuki]

Get a Coax.
Great primer handling, flex free, fast changovers.
Expensive, though, I know.

Joe

 

[Deadshot2]

Only Lee Press I still use is the Hand Press. Great for adjusting OAL's when fine tuning ammo at the range. It happened to come with the breech-lock system. I like it.

That said I changed my RCBS to the Hornady LnL system. Inexpensive conversion kit and I now can use my 30+ year old Rock Chucker as easy as a Turret.

Given the choice of standard or breech-lock, go with the latter. You'd be amazed at how easy it makes die changing. Go even further and get the bushings with the integral locking ring feature. Beats their O-Ring system for making sure settings don't change on the dies.

 

[goose_boy]

I read something about the Hornady bushing system being better than the Lee breech lock system, so I just recieved my classic cast. Love it so far! Lots of leverage, adjustable, heavy duty, and has solved my inaccurate headspace and seating depth issues. If you change your mind, you can always put one of the bushing systems on the classic cast too.

 

[Deadshot2]

I read something about the Hornady bushing system being better than the Lee breech lock system,

Only thing I've found, owning both, is that it's quicker to change a Hornady bushing. Takes a fraction of a second more to align a Lee so you can get it to lock.

Lee has two features I do like more than the Hornady. Lee Bushings lock in place and won't back out until you press the lock button down. I use a forster collet bullet puller. When in a Hornady bushing, the whole bushing will unlock when you try to release the bullet from the collet. Not so on the Lee.

Lee breech lock bushings can also have integral lock rings to secure the die. On the Hornady, you have to rely on lock rings that are first tightened and then locked with a screw. Much simpler on the optional Lee bushings.

Both perform extremely well. Would be hard to call one more accurate than the other.