Author Topic: press durability  (Read 453 times)

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Offline joshco84

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press durability
« on: September 26, 2006, 10:10:32 AM »
i know the lee press that comes in the anniversary kit is sufficient for reloading and full sizing rifle brass, but i am wondering if it will be stout enough to form .17 remington brass from 204 ruger brass. i know its not a very big jump, but just curious.   p.s. im not trying to start a best brand argument, just curious if it will hold up at least for a while, till i can buy a larger stronger press
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: press durability
« Reply #1 on: September 26, 2006, 10:22:08 AM »
I upgraded the anniversary kit challenger press to a Lee Classic cast press, not an expensive press, but plenty of press for the money. I use the challenger press for pulling bullets. I'm not saying the challenger press won't work for ya, just an option. ;)

Tim

http://www.surplusrifle.com/reviews/leepress/index.asp

Classic Cast Press $74 shipped

http://www.midwayusa.com/midwayusa/applications/eproductreview.exe/GetReviews?productid=317831
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Offline jhalcott

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Re: press durability
« Reply #2 on: September 26, 2006, 10:24:53 AM »
Why reform the brass? .17 rem can not be that expensive! It's only about 30 bucks a 100 from Midway. Plus the time powder ,bullets and primers to reform 204 has to be factored in.I believe that the press is strong enough for this as I have grabbed a box of 308 brass and  ran them into a 260 die ??? :o. I looked at the brass after I'd reformed the first one thinking I'd missed the lube pad ! The second one Made me look at the head stamp.OOPS! I labeled it as an OOPS and saved it.for a reminder.

Offline wncchester

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Re: press durability
« Reply #3 on: September 26, 2006, 11:34:35 AM »
joshco, your press should easily handle the task. 

While no alum. alloy press is great for case forming, making .17 from .204 is such a small step and the cartridge is so small, any problems you have will likely be due to improper lubing rather than the press itself.  Lee Case Lub works very well for me but others work well aslso. 

Put a very little case lube on the neck/shoulder and a good bit more on the thicker web area and you will do fine.  If you don't lube properly, make sure you have a stuck case puller to fix any you pull the rim off of!   ;D
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Offline joshco84

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Re: press durability
« Reply #4 on: September 27, 2006, 11:29:50 AM »
the reason to reform 204 brass is because i am going to buy a 204 rifle, and then convert it to 17 rem when the time comes, so i would have left over 204 brass and nothin to do with it
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Offline JBMauser

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Re: press durability
« Reply #5 on: September 27, 2006, 05:15:32 PM »
Richard lee based his press designs on the fact that his competitiors were overbuilt for the job.  The first RCBS press was built to  swag bullets which does require real beef in the press.  I started with a lee kit that had a three hole turret press.  I used to form 7.65 Argintine brass from cut down 30-06  because Norma brass cost as much as a car payment.  later I made 8mm brass from /06 just because I could.  The press is still working fine.  Short of swaging bullets you should be OK with any lee press.  IMHO JB