Swaging on a lee challenger press

[Coop223]

So I just got a lee challenger single stage press. I’m curious on it’s capabilities though. Would it be possible to swage .223 jacketed bullets on this press with the right dies? And If so what dies would I use

 

[old codger]

I would think you would need a little heavier duty press for swaging . You can probably do it on the Lee but for how long is the question.

 

[0.1 Aggregate]

I believe the lightweight Challenger isn’t up to that challenge. The cast iron Classic press is much suitable.

Lee press bullet swaging ejector apparatus

Here is the Lee Classic press with bullet swaging ejector mechanism. Has a little different bottom flat bar attachment to the press's ram head where the shellholder is...because the ram is a lot smaller than the ole Herters press. Note: To be able to full stroke the press's handle the top...

castboolits.gunloads.com

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[Coop223]

I would think you would need a little heavier duty press for swaging . You can probably do it on the Lee but for how long is the question

I would think you would need a little heavier duty press for swaging . You can probably do it on the Lee but for how long is the question.

im a little strapped for cash but don’t mind having to put in a little extra work to swage jackets. Is there an affordable (under $250or ideally under $200) press or swaging press that would get the job done?

 

[joshb]

RCBS Rockchucker.

 

[TrxR]

Hate to tell you but the press is the cheap part. Good dies are the expensive part. As far as presses go the Lee Cast has been popular lately. The RCBS rockchuker or Redding Big Boss 2 has been used but they all need modified. They need a threaded ram and you need some sort of ejection frame.

 

[boltman13]

I bought a Lee Challenger press back in about 1984. The 2 piece "pot metal" piece between the handel and the linkage gradually wore out and by flipping it I got a new place to attach the handel. This also started to enlarge so I ordered a new set from Lee. They must have known there was a problem as the new set was noticeably thicker and they sent me two sets, although, I only ordered one. This system has worked like a champ ever since. All I ever used it for was to size and seat bullets in 30-06, 308, 257 Roberts, 243 Win. and 223 Rem. I probably used it for 3,00+ rounds before I bought a Redding BOSS in about 2008. I then mounted the Challenger on a board to do resizing and Collet Die resizing at the range clamped to a bench. I still have the second 2 piece part Lee sent me as the first has no signs of wear. Still for really hard work like swaging, case reforming, etc. I think the Challenger might eventually fail. Also the handle length on mine is somewhat shorter and the BOSS gives me a greater mechanical advantage.