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Another question from the new kid...
When it comes to reloading (.308) is there any major advantage of paying the extra for the Hornady press equipment?
If I were to stick with Lee is there a limited life time before I have to replace major parts?
Let’s say if I were reloading 50/100 rounds per week (yes this is a broad amount).
Any experienced loaders with any advice is much appreciated.

Thanks

I purchased a Lee Cast Classic as my first ever reloading press, it was not what I wanted and I took it only because I needed a press and knew I would replace it within a few months. I still use it to this day and it is my go to press for so many reasons. There are lots of things I have replaced along the way however the Cast Classic will always stop with me.

You are not going to wear out either press in a typical reloading lifetime.
It's more a question of which you find easiest to use and is better built and more likely to turn out a concentric round.
Try to get hands-on and check out specific presses for sloppy linkages.

In my view the Hornady is better than the Lee (you will hear contrary opinions) but neither are in the same league as a Forster co-ax....... neither do they cost as much.
Buy the best you can afford but try them first.

Except for some Lee dies a handheld press. Oh and a couple of the old handheld primers I dont own any Lee equipment I have done over the years but rapidly got rid of it. The Lee cast press gets good reviews but I wouldn't know having never owned one. I am not a fan of Lee reloading equipment. If you can afford it my advice would be to avoid Lee gear and go for the Hornady or RCBS or Lyman.
I have whittled my reloading gear down to the bare minimum The bulk of my handloading is done on a Wamadet press or an Arbor press or a mixture of both. I also have a Lyman crusher that gets occasional use.

If you are new to reloading I suggest you have a look at the Lee Loaders you can reload a single round with nothing but a soft-faced hammer and the dies. They are fun things to play with and a great way to learn.
https://www.henrykrank.com/reloading/le ... oader.html

nothing wrong with lee kit for normal use ammo. it's budget gear that produces perfectly usuable ammo.
except for their scales, throw those in the bin, and buy just about any other make of beam scale.

makarova wrote:Another question from the new kid...
When it comes to reloading (.308) is there any major advantage of paying the extra for the Hornady press equipment?
If I were to stick with Lee is there a limited life time before I have to replace major parts?
Let’s say if I were reloading 50/100 rounds per week (yes this is a broad amount).
Any experienced loaders with any advice is much appreciated.

Thanks

Lee stuff is usable but 'budget'. However, the Cast Classic press is quite good and good value. If you are in this for the long haul - buy the best you can afford and cry once.

I bought a Lee 3-hole turret press when they came out in the 1980s. It is still going strong after tens of thousands of rounds. I also have an RCBS and have owned Lyman and Wadamet presses over the years. If there is a general difference in quality, I have yet to find it. I can, as a retired mechanical engineer, analyse each product and find strengths and weaknesses in both design and manufacture. If I was starting out again, I would buy Lee equipment again but, if I was into benchrest accuracy with high velocity rifles, I would probably go for the more specialist low volume equipment.
Fred

Like Fred, I bought a Lee 3-hole turret in the late '80s. This is still sitting on the reloading bench waiting for the next batch of loading. I use it mainly to load pistol calibre rounds and the few cartridges that only get minimal range time and I can't be bothered to alter the Dillons to suit their case head.

The turret press can load pistol calibres very quickly and gives great results and to change cartridge size is very simple, but some of the larger cartridges are a bit more tricky. The .303 and .30-30 need the press converted to a single stage but still works fine for the smaller numbers I make.

I use a Lee classic cast 4 hole turret press, they are solidly built, excellent value and will give years of reliable service.

I load 17 calibres with mine from 30-06 to 44-40 with no issues, plus swapping calibres takes only seconds once die sets are installed in their own turrets.

My beam scale of choice is a Redding No.2, although I also have a Lyman and a Lee.

My Lee powder scale is as accurate as the Lyman and Redding, but is more fiddly to set up and it only weighs up to 100 grains, no good if you want to weigh bullets as well.

The other bone of contention is that they have poor beam damping which gets frustrating after a while.

Lee kit is good value for the most part and will produce good serviceable ammunition if used correctly.

ukrifleman