Lee Classic Cast Review

[bpm990d]

I've been reloading since the late 1980s. My first press was a tried and true RCBS Rock Chucker II. I still have it, but when I first got it back 20+ years ago I thought there has got to be a better way to deal with the primers. Well I put up with the crappy design until four weeks ago when I got a Lee Classic Cast press. I've been recommending these for a while and I finally got fed up with my RCBS and figured I'd upgrade. I also have a RCBS Partner and a Hornady LNL Progressive, but a solid single stage is best for what I mostly do; rifle shooting.

If you are considering a single stage press, it's hard to get a better press than the Lee Classic Cast. It will save you $50 over a Rock Chucker at Midway USA. It's a better press and you wont have to deal with the friggin mess that the Rock Chucker creates.

B

My 20 year old RCII and its primer catch bin. Poor design even back then.

I even took out the priming feature to facilitate the primers making their way to the catch bin.

My new press. Spent primers go down the hollow ram and into a trash bin.

Other side.

Got a LNL bushing conversion for the press.

 

[EddieCoyle]

Does it cam over at the top?

Just for the record, the new Rockchucker Supreme catches the primers much better.

 

[bpm990d]

It does not cam-over like the rock chucker. I looked at the newer rock chucker and I did not think it did a better job of handling spent primers, although I have no direct experience using it. Most of the posts on castbullets.com seemed to complain of clogged chutes. I mostly use it for decapping before wet tumbling, and my cases are small ( .223; 308 & .30-06).

B

 

[EddieCoyle]

The new Rockchucker doesn't cam over. Also, they changed the primer catching setup so that it's no longer a 'bedpan' like on the old ones. I've been using one in my reloading classes. I like it. I also use three Hornady L-N-L single stage presses (which do cam over). I was thinking of replacing one with the Lee Classic Cast.

I'm not sure if I like the presses that cam over, or those that don't.

 

[mac1911]

I know the cam overs can be a little tricky to set up. finding that highest spot on the piston travel then holding the handle in place and adjudting your die......

 

[EddieCoyle]

I've found the ones that cam over to be more accurate.

 

[DukeInFlorida]

ditto with the cam overs being better.
Takes the wiggle (looseness) out of the equation.

 

[Ziptar]

Thanks for the review, nice write up.

I've got a Lyman T-Mag that cams over, I doesn't bother me much, only loading one caliber and it being a turret means I don't have to adjust much if ever now that they are set.

I could see where having cam over on a single stage could drive one nuts, at the same time I agree on the accuracy and wiggle room being pluses for cam overs.

The Lee Classic Cast with the Hornady bushing would the Single stage I'd get if I needed one.

 

[bpm990d]

I've found the ones that cam over to be more accurate.

When you say more accurate, do you mean in terms of the amount of sizing done?

B

 

[EddieCoyle]

When you say more accurate, do you mean in terms of the amount of sizing done?

B

Yes.

 

[crazymjb]

I ended up going with the classic cast, and I agree it is a great press. I decapped about 1000 rounds so far and maybe had 3-4 primers miss the tube.

I'm not able to justify the locknload bushing things. It only takes me 30 or so seconds to change out the threaded dies.

Mike