September 9th, 2017
Reloading Gear Review: Lee Classic Cast Breech-Lock Press
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. This allows you to swap dies in and out in seconds, once your dies are equipped with breech-lock quick-change bushings. The Lee Classic Cast Breech Lock press is available for under $120.00. That makes it a bargain compared to other heavy-duty single-stage presses. MidwayUSA offers this press (item #824144) for $105.29, while Natchez Shooters Supplies sells the press (item #LEE90999) for $110.49.
Breech-Lock System Allows Fast Die
Exchanges
With the Lee Breech-Lock Press system, the die drops straight in from the top. Then, with a quick 1/6th (60°) turn, the die locks firmly in place (like the breech on an artillery canon). The interrupted three-start thread assures dies return and lock into the exact same position each time. Bushings cost $7.43 each at Midsouth. If you prefer, you can leave a bushing in the press, and screw your
dies in normally. But consider that it normally takes a dozen or more turns to screw in a normally threaded die. The Breech-lock system is way faster.
The Lee Classic Cast press features a strong, cast-iron frame and all-steel linkage. The large 1 1/8″-diameter ram is guided by over twelve square inches of ram bearing surface. We like the fact that you can mount the handle on either side, and adjust handle angle and length. As Lee explains: “The start and stop position is adjustable with a 48-tooth, ratchet-type handle clamp. In addition, the handle length is completely adjustable. Shorten [it] when you’re loading handgun and short rifle cases.”
Lock-Ring Eliminator Quick-Change Bushings
With Lee’s basic quick-lock bushings, you control vertical die position with the normal locking ring that seats against the top of the bushing. That works fine, but Lee also offers a handy Lock-Ring Eliminator Bushing (Lee SKU 90063). This clever design combines
bushing and lock-ring into a single part. The Eliminator is turned from a solid piece of steel and the lock ring is integrated into the design of the part. With the Eliminator you’ll get the most repeatable and precise die positioning because lock ring and bushing are all one piece. Moreover, some guys say the Eliminator Bushings are easier to grab and remove than the standard Lee Breech-Lock Bushings.
Press owners have praised their Lee Classic Cast Breech-Lock units. Here are reports from two MidwayUSA customers:
Five Stars: Perfect single stage press. Loads accurately 6mm BR and 308 Win for competition. Large clearance is also great for my 460 Wby and 30-378 Wby. Pistol rounds in 44 mag and 45 ACP also load easy. The press has a lot of leverage for full-length rifle case sizing. Nice primer disposal system. Lowest price for its class. This unit beats my Lyman press by several miles…. ” — J. Davidson, California
Five Stars: This thing is outstanding and better than my old RCBS partner press. Once you get the sweet setting of the die, lock it in place and next time you load, you need not fumble to find the best setting. Breech lock is the key. I load a lot of .308 Win and .223 Rem for my ARs and this requires full-length sizing. Lee meets the challenge with no flex and excellent ram/die fit and alignment. Another nice feature is that the breech-lock inserts have a lock preventing [them] from unlocking. [T]he spent primer disposal is perfect vs. RCBS where primers can miss the primer catcher. The handle can also be placed left or right as needed and shortened for small cases or pistol to reduce the handle travel.” — E. Stanley, Rockford, IL
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Tags: Breech-Lock, Cast Iron, Lee Classic, Lee Press, Single Stage Press
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Helpful Positive Review Great Little Press by Dixie Shooter, March 8, 2015
I bought this to go along with my bigger press. This press is excellent for decapping and priming. I'm not into large scale reloading so this is
perfect for my use. For the price you can't beat this one. I wouldn't hesitate to do complete reloading w...
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7/8 found this helpful
Helpful Negative Review It's not what they say it is. by Legacy Reviewer, June 11, 2014
OpticsPlanet advertises this as made of cast iron. It's not. I was
surprised when FedEx delivered the package in that it was so light. It's because the frame is made of cast aluminum. I purchased this press to serve as a dedicated primer pocket s...
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2/3 found this helpful
Most Recent Reviews Great press for depriming brass. by Chris Ralles, Verified Owner, February 25, 2021
I purchased this press for the main purpose of de-priming brass. It is
perfect for that purpose as it is low cost, small and easy to store. I mounted it to a 10 in long 2 x 4 and use C clamps to secure it to my bench for de- priming. Used with the Le...
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Most Recent Reviews A Solid, Entirely Functional Little Press by MichiganMike, November 19, 2020
This is the second Lee Breech Lock Reloading press I have purchased.Like
others, my first one was used purely for decapping spent brass and seating cast bullets. This press worked perfectly for this purpose. I did not want to spend $90 plus for the l...
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Most Recent Reviews Has a purpose. by E, Verified Owner, September 9, 2020
Frame is cast aluminum as others have stated. I am using this to de-prime and trim with the Lee Quick Trim. Have removed 1000 9MM and
500 223 primers. Trimmed all of these cases too. If using to de-prime you will need to buy or make a stand, the prim...
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Read All 7 Reviews