Late 90's vintage Lee Challenger Press

[jpx2rk]

I bought this new in the late 90's when I was going to get into the reloading world, and was part of the Lee Anniversary Kit back then. LIfe got in the way of some hobbies, so it got pushed back about 20 yrs, +/-, LOL. I've done some google work, but don't think the web was alive back then, so was wondering if anyone still uses one of these presses, and any quirks they may have. Pictures of what I think is the same but updated press has a different spent primer path while mine has the catch bin on the right side.

This is what I have:




I mounted it on a Franklin Armory/Midway portable reloading table/bench, and I'm surprised at how stable the bench is, but very portable and easy to move for an old fart like me.

Then entire Anniversary kit survived being stored in some not so good places like an attic or two, the garage, a storage facility, except for a tube of case lube. The powder measure and scales seem to be in good shape and working order. The metal rod/handle had some light rust but steel wool smoothed it out.

The ram seems to bind a bit on the upstroke, I removed some grime and such, and it seems better right now, but is this a downside of this particular model press. TIA
Jim

 

[Homerange]

Same as my first press, now used for small calibers and other light duties.
Storage without corrosion prevention is the likely cause of your woes.

IMO they're fine for basic reloading but stressed with FL sizing on larger cartridges.
Stick with brass fired in your rifles and Lee collet dies and it'll give good service.

 

[Riesel]

If your fired brass did a bit of expanding in a loose fitting chamber full length sizing can be a chore even on smaller, .308, or less, henceforth the Lee collet die advise. I have several Lee presses, not the one pictured, and the big cast iron turrent had no problems with 6.5-.284 up to 8mm Mauser. I wouldn't want to do a lot of reloading with that press except for collet dies and bullet seating.

 

[jpx2rk]

I'm just loading 223 bolt guns for now. No plans to get into numerous calibers.

Is this press suitable for 223 duties?

I've cleaned up the ram and found some tips on maintenance for the newer models like lubing the linkage and ram tube, so that should help smooth it out.

 

[ireload2]

It will work fine for the .223. I think that after you have sized several hundred cases the ram will be much looser.
Even the heavier presses like the A2 and A4 and Rockchucker will get looser with some use

I'm just loading 223 bolt guns for now. No plans to get into numerous calibers.

Is this press suitable for 223 duties?

I've cleaned up the ram and found some tips on maintenance for the newer models like lubing the linkage and ram tube, so that should help smooth it out.

 

[Shaggy357]

You can loads 10s of 1000s of .223 on that press and not even come close to wearing it out OR wearing you out. Keep the ram and linkage bolts clean and oiled and it will loosen up and work slick. Good little light duty press just right for that portable table. My little Midway table is in front of my television right now. Mine has a Rockchucker on it, but I do a little heavier work. Mine has been in about every room in my house, has been on several fishing trips, to the range several times, and even over to friends house. Once took my lube-sizer on a business trip and sized several 1000 bullets in a week using that portable table.

Welcome to the reloading world. Glad you are revitalized and ready to go. Good luck on those reloads.

Steve

 

[watercam]

You know you're old when "'90s era" is vintage. Jeez where IS my Geritol...

 

[jonbearman]

I had a couple over the years and found if I took a brake cylinder hone to the bore the ram moves up and down in to give it a heavy cross hatch to hold light oil they work smooth as a babies behind. When they are new they bind alittle.
A side note: You don't have to hone them much to get them working really slick.

 

[boltman13]

You may or may not have the problem I had with my early Lee Challenger Press. The grey piece in 2 pieces that connects the steel ram to the handle is made of some sort of mystery metal. The metal will give with overly forceful use of the press You can disassemble the press, reverse the pieces and have a second chance. After I wore out the second one I contacted Lee and they acknowledged this was a design flaw and they had a newer stronger replacement part which they would send me for free. I ask for two and offered to pay for one but they sent me two free. Looking at the new one it was definitely thicker but appeared to be made of the same material. I installed it and went back to using it. I have never had any problem with the new piece and the second one is somewhere in my reloading area, unused. Yours may have the newer piece or not. I was only using the press for full length and neck sizing, no case forming but I did come over the top with some of my bullet seating and that may have lead to the failure. If you look at a catalog of the newest Challenger Press you will note the piece now has a gold or bronze color. I do not know if the metal is different or not. I used my Challenger for all my reloading from about 1986 to 1998. I now have it mounted on a small board to clamp to a shooting bench to reload at the range. I have shortened the handle rod length for transporting convenience. The handle will on occasion get a little loose, but tightening the two pieces that clamp it will fix that quickly. Best of luck.

 

[jpx2rk]

Thanks for all the tips and advice. Keep 'em coming. thanks again.