The Lee APP Press Video Series - Part 12 Conclusions
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- Опубликовано: 12 сен 2024
- After processing 6000 cases and loading 600 rounds of ammunition, handgun and rifle, we can draw some conclusions on the Lee APP Press that may be new ground for many reloaders...Lets go over those conclusions..
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I've had a Lee APP for over a year now. It is a high value, versatile, multi-function, tool of great design which is a "Best First Press" for any new reloader & a "Best Next Press" for everyone else! Hands down, Lee has knocked it out of the park on this one. "Half an ammo factory in a space the size of a loaf of bread. Mike.
HH - Well put, rail rider..!! Happy Thanksgiving to ya, Steve
I have mine being fed by a case feeder, deprime 1K every 10 mins. Worth every penny. And it can do so much more. Love this little guy.
I've had the Lee APP for a while now. So far I've only deprimed cases with a universal decapping die, and swaged primer pockets. It is so much faster than I expected. It is very well worth the money spent. It took me just a little effort to set the case feeder correctly, and it occasionally "loses" a case, but nothing so bad that makes me dissatisfied. As a matter of fact, the cleaning rod added as weight on the tube stack of cases might just be the best solution I've seen. Thank you for making a video series that goes into such detail. And I apologize for watching so many months late!
I had one of the first APP press shipped. I have many videos up on my channel. Was great to watch you use the APP press in ways it was not really designed for and it worked!
you make good videos, i have watched several.
@@johnblood3731 Thanks
I'd like one for sizing brass and bullets, but don't have any more room on my bench at this time. Great series, Mr.Cookie! 👊👍🇺🇸
DR - When I got to that point, I built a second reloading bench...but I was lucky to have the room to do that....Happy Thanksgiving to ya, Steve
Thanks 45fc, if it wasent for your videos I'd never have heard of this press. They seem a rare press in Australia.
Cheers mate
I could listen to this guy all day!
LeAnn Clark - Your comment is so cool..!! I've been compared to Kermit the Frog, Christopher Walken, Yogi Bear...I look at it this way - it's nice to have a distinctive voice - it has been IDed at gun stores and online ordering at MidwayUSA (in those times when we spoke to a person to place the orders). Happy Thanksgiviing to you, Steve
Interesting design of a press, definitely took some outside the box thinking to come up with. Love that Lee makes affordable reloading equipment. Even an average Joe can afford to reload.
454Casull - And Lee knows how revolutionary and high value this press is - they feature it on the covers of new die sets...It's really a home run for Lee. It might hurt their own sales of their heavy cast iron Custom Cast presses, Challengers, etc...but this APP press will be purchased by many who already have presses as a processing press - but those reloaders will be discovering how good the APP press is... Best to ya, Steve
Design is from a can crusher but works 😅
I have one of these, it is very flexible. I look forward to many years using it and lots if cases processed.
I may be in the minority here, but I'll throw my 2 cents' worth in.
I have a Lee cast iron single stage press that I like very much. However, every other Lee press I've owned has promised far more than it delivered. I've owned multiple Pro 1000's over the years, and all started out working fine, but each one required some fiddling before every reloading session. Inevitably, the amount of fiddling required increased with time to the point where I was spending more time fiddling than reloading. The same is true with the Breech Lock Pro that I bought.
I've had nothing but great results from my Lee single stage press, all of my Lee dies, and all of the Lee bullet casting gear I own. But I don't think I'll ever buy another Lee reloading press. Life is too short to mess around with marginal gear.
I'll admit when using the drop tubes to feed cases and changing calibers, the APP can be pain to change over, which is why I try to save up a few hundred cases to do before using it. That said, once it is set it runs great.
Lee's progressives presses are known for being fickle, but the BL Pro seems to be their best progressive yet. I could buy 4 of them and keep them all set up for various calibers for just one Dillon press.
every progresisve press will needs adjustment and be very clean . thats why i started with pre sized deprimed (old carbide sizer little bigger then in the press)clean cases . and i prime them before to. .this way less force and more excact seating ,and no high primers , and you can concentrate more on the powder filling in the case ,and a case split can occure after expanding. discard these ,and the primer explosion thats not impossible is not a problem this way , because of primer dust and the primer magazine
The Lee Turret press is pretty much bullet proof
Always great content
A nice bookend on an excellent series! Can’t wait to get mine up and going to complete Ent my classic turret, as well As my many lee die sets!
KB - Think about getting the upgraded operating handle...it's worth the extra money on a still high value press. Good reloadin' to ya, Steve
You're videos are great! I always enjoy them!
Thanks for the kind words, Chris.... Best to ya, Steve
I have to get one . Looks like you can get a concentric full length resizing of rifle cases. 223 and 30-06 is my main rifle cartridges. If the shoulder bumb is consistent, that will be better than sliced bread . This low cost press would be worth it simply from the depriming process. That would save wear on and expensive progressive press. I like fully prepared brass before reloading ammo. Even primed. If your progressive press is not consistent at priming cases
I own it and love it. I own several presses and the app press is one of my go-to presses for highly repetitive tasks.
RWS - That's one mighty fine endorsement in few words, Robert..!! Have a great day, Steve
Nice review! Thank you, and stay well!
Great video series on this press. I'm moving away ftom my Lee Hand Press and classic lee hammer and pray system to a simple single press for straightwalls.
The hand press was my first press and while I don't use it as much as I once did I still seem to find situations where I do use it. It has its limitations, but if played to its strengths the thing is well worth the little it costs.
Paul305 - You've made a fine choice, Paul...the APP is a sweet press - and Lee thinks enough of it to feature it on the covers on their newer die sets...Good reloadin' to ya, Steve
My quick change adapter rusted on my breech lock single,
I Cleaned it up and cold blued it
Your always very informative on everything including this press thank you for the information
L.A. - And thanks to you for taking the time to post comment....Happy Thanksgiving, Steve
@@FortuneCookie45LC you have a Thanksgiving also thanks man...Larry
Lee comes up with a winner.
Thank you!
it's a great piece of gear for sure
It is an interesting press and certainly affordable. Having watched your series, I think it is a decent stand alone option for someone who loads pistol or 223. But, is it faster than a turret press? I think where it really shines (I plan to buy one) is as a 2nd press in support of something else. It can certainly speed tedious tasks like decapping.
For an entry level press that is affordable the APP is a good choice for a variety of pistol and rifle calibers. As a support press, definitely. I load 32 calibers and have found they require the Lyman M die to get bullets seated square, so I flare them on the APP and then on the cheap Lee "c" frame press I back off the Lee powder thru flare die and use the Auto Disk powder measure.
I look at reloading based on volume in that if you're loading 500 rds of 9mm, don't bother with anything but a progressive. If you're only doing 50-100 at a time, no reason not to use a single stage or a turret. The APP with the case feeder system is built for volume, however you can opt to not use that feature and use it like a traditional single stage press.
I have the Lee Classic Turret Press and LOVE IT. This Lee APP will be the main case prep tool prior to the Turret finishing the job.. it has a lot of mechanical advantage. It is small too. But mighty.
Thank you for your diligent videos on reloading.I haven't watched all the video's in this series but I would have liked to see you forming case's with this press. If there is a video done showing this I would appreciate you directing me to it. I personally use a Hollywood turret press to form or swaging needs. It's massive but can pretty much be used to form just about anything. I honestly don't believe a person could break it. However I have an interest in the Lee press. I have several other Lee presses I use. Can't beat Lee dies and there press equipment if used properly. Lee's load master is one of the best and misunderstood. It's completely configurable to do everything from loading to most of mass processes production, only taking a couple of minutes to reconfigure. Only thing I've not been able to do with it is swage primer pockets with it. I never prime on it allowing me to move the powder drop to the second station and putting a powder check in the 3rd position. I've even designed an on and off system for their bullet feed system allowing me to turn it on and off as needed without taking it on or off the press.. Also I have redesigned their shell retainers with lips / tabs to make them easily opened with my arthritic fingers. And none of these will void warranty as it'll go back to original configuration for warranty work if necessary. It's easily reconfigured to size brass with it only going thru the 1st two stations and ejecting on the 3rd. I can resize a 1000 pieces faster than any other progressive press out there. But having a smaller dedicated processing press would be extremely helpful and save me time and effort. And all of these mods are simple enough for anyone to do and very inexpensive.
David Underwood - Almost all of our progressive or turret presses can be used as single stage presses. But the progressives still do their best work cranking out volume ammo for our handguns and shorter range rifles (a la 223 or 300 BLK). Whenever reloaders want to produce ammo for power or precision, we will turn to the single stage presses. As you say, for more robust case forming, that might be the only reason for the big heavy cast iron presses. Reloaders across the world appreciate the ability to do that (same thinking of wanting V8 or high rev engines or dual/triple electric motors as well), so the massive presses will still be sold. But the capability and design benefits of the APP press cannot be ignored.... I'm not chucking my Co-Ax or MEC Marksman, RCBS or Custom Cast though. Good reloadin' to ya, Steve
@@FortuneCookie45LC yes I agree to a point. However when I described how I reconfigure my load master it's not being used as a single stage. It's still in progressive mode. It still uses the collator and still feeds just like it was designed to. However it ejects cases on the third station after being sized the mouth expanded ( pistol only ) into a bin instead of running all five stations and I don't mouth expand rifle brass in this mode for the obvious reason to check case length for trim. It makes sizing rifle and pistol brass a fast easy thing. No modifications are permanent. In fact all is required is turning the ejector pawl around and opening the case keeper up/ case retainer. The case retainer is a modification only in the fact that mine has a lip added on the upper outside area for easier finger manipulation. As far as precision loadings go I've seen excellent results from the load master in progressive mode. As far as case forming it will work and has worked for that with no problem even in progressive mode, although that's an operation better served on a manual turret so a trim die can be used without a room constriction for file or Dillon autocutter. But I can understand that these fast progressive presses can be overwhelming to many reloader as they present a lot to watch all at one time. The real trick is to slow down and observe its stations. This is one reason I reconfigured mine to drop powder on the second station instead of the third as to add a powder cop. The second station is usually reserved for priming only but I never prime on press as I've stated so this does not present a safety problem. I prefer a system that I can adjust to set my primers at a precision .004 in depth consistently. And yes the big iron presses are great for heavy-duty case forming but the Hollywood Turret is so robust it can be used as a bullet swage using Corbin dies. Also the one I use has an eight hole (4 of 7/8 " and 4 of 1-1/2 " x 12 die hole ) turret and was billed for shot gun and 20mm reloading use. It actually as adjustments built in for setting up to build precision rifle rounds and does so well. And Lee builds thread conversion inserts for using their 1-1/4 x 12, 50 bmg dies as well. I will be purchasing a Lee apex in the future as I can see some need for it but the only thing I can see it will do that the load master won't is swage primer pockets which is extremely convenient.
@@FortuneCookie45LC Thank you Steve. Sorry about my super long reply to your reply to me. But my main goal is to put out some information for those out there in reloading land to see how versatile the loadmaster is and those in California and places to keep their eyes open for those Hollywood presses as they are no longer made but still out there. Thank you again for your great videos.
I just found your channel and I really enjoy it. What do you think about the old Tasco Scopes that were made in Japan.
I have one the old TR Rangefinder Tasco scope it works absolutely great. Were they a popular scope back in the 70s and 80s
Phooey - where are episodes Part 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, and 11 ? I used blue thread-locker on the bottom bolts for the two guide tubes.
The Forester Coax is basically configured the same way. Both the shell holder and die float.
Judd_S - Indeed, and whenever I put a case into the X-shellholder, I can see the case aligning itself as the die engages it. Good reloadin' to ya, Steve
I’m a big fan of Lee designs, but I would rather have them build to a little higher quality and charge a little more.
Can crusher technically
Is there a playlist for this series?
I can only find parts 1,2,3,10 and 12!
I love my app. Doesn't work well for bullet some of my hornady dies but it's amazing for sizing my cast bullets and sizing/depriming all my brass.
I cannot find parts four, five six and seven. Am I just missing them somehow or did something happen to them?
The whole video series has disappeared
Off topic, do you still powder coat bullets ? What happens when you melt down old powder coated lead ? Have you tried to re load primers?
I have been reloading for over 45 years i started on a rcbs jr 1968 press and still use it all in all i have obtained over 6 rcbs press three rcbs rockchuckers one piggyback one porgressive two ammomasters progressive press one lee turret 4 hole classic 3 herters c press one herts square press two 7 station turret and one herts 12ga/20ga press i have obtained most for under 35 dollars the rcbs jrs and four of the herters 1893 true 1932 and 1965 they are very heavy the two i use the most are the 1968 rcbs jr and the lee 4 hole turret press my piggyback one is only setup for the 22tcm and tcm9r one ammomasters in 5.56 the other 9mm. The herters and the rockchuckers are able to hardcast swage or ever extrude lead core's my point is buy a steel press it will out last you your kids and their kids one final note one of my rockchuckers presses along with a wilton tradesman vice survived a forest fire 2018 the spring fire Colorado the vise and press were 70 years old after a cleaning and sandblasting some new paint they are the only thing that survived out of the house the owner was the son for they were his dads after the restoration i returned them to him for he cryed a 70 years old man cryed my dads home is gone His guns are all gone you have save the only thing that he truly loved doing for this we are forever grateful for he would have wanted a true reloader to have them i said but i have many press he said yes i know for now you have a oldnew rc and a journeyman wilton vice for i truly appreciate your gift of keeping my dads passion alive but also my dads memories and mine. I said i have no words but only tears as we hugged each other. I'm so sorry for this rant but I just wanted someone else's opinion on what was and is three great companies herters rcbs. And wilton. Lee precision is a fantastic Company but not a company like the others yet.
David - The reloading industry has a rich history of great press companies now long gone - Herters, CH, Pacific, Bair, Hollywood, Texan, Lachmiller. But my recollection is that Lee Precision has been around since the late 60s, so it is also one of our established companies and is the market share leader in the industry. Thanks for sharing your experiences, Happy Thanksgiving to ya, Steve
@@FortuneCookie45LC your welcome don't shoot your eye out. Watch it good times with the res rider bb gun in the 1960s. Back in California now free in Arizona and Colorado.
what year is your corvette?
Did he say Dick Tickles??? Hopefully that's just an alias LOL
There are lots better out there, Dillon and Hornady come to mind, the amount of tinkering to keep that thing running would drive me nuts
Lufkin ARPC - I've been using the APP press now to process 6000 rounds of pistol brass and fully load about 650 rounds of pistol ammo and 50 rounds of rifle ammo + 13 videos. Haven't had to do any extra tinkering yet...and I'll let everyone know if there's any change in that. It's a sweet and capable press. For progressives, I like to run my Dillons so I've avoided the high maintenance Lee progressive. But their single stage presses are simply fine, and the APP is the latest one with some fine goodness - much more than a processing press, and not flimsy at all... There are heavier and more expensive presses out there, but they are not better for 98% of reloaders out there when the final ammo is examined. Good reloadin' to ya, Steve
Has anyone crimped pistol ammo progressively on one of these? My concern is possibly some bullet set back when you're dropping rounds on top of each other in the tube or even worse a primer possibly being ignited
Condition0 - As you notice, in the reloading videos in this series, dropping uncrimped rounds down a long tube would not be recommended. And the collator won't work with loaded rounds. If we have to load the tubes by hand, there's nothing gained from just loading the shellholder by hand. Filling the tubes via the collator would be the only reason we want to use the tubes (for running brass or bullets through for decapping, sizing, bulge busting or expansion/mouth flare). Good reloadin' to ya, Steve
I have one of these, and it makes decapping prior to pin tumbling viable for high volumes. I’ve automated mine ruclips.net/video/G9TmulkR8ag/видео.html On thingiverse there is a replacement for the tube holder you might like. You snap in caliber specific pieces to avoid messing with the height screw/jamb nuts for caliber changes.
the xpress holders work on regular press. i use for speeding up depriming operation. good video series on the app
Where is 4 - 7 videos?
G-Mc The whole series is on Patreon - they contain more detail on reloading that RUclips might find offensive. So only some carefully chosen of the series is posted here. Best to ya, Steve
I wish someone would just come out and say it. Lee has been reduced to cheap crap in recent years and it's disappointing 😞
The only way I would even consider reloading with the LEE APP Press is if I had Powder and Primers. I suspect, though, that they will remain unavailable at least until the 2024 election.
Yeah, it's pretty bad right now and has been all year. I'm not shooting near as much centerfire as before, but will shoot rimfire. I try to stay positive and look on the bright side and what these shortages are doing for me is getting me into air guns and it's like a whole new world.
AD - Yes, it's a bad time for the newer reloaders out there - MidwayUSA doesn't have a single primer in their entire warehouse. Powders coming back slowly, but chances are, if you are looking for any particular powder, you won't find it. The only reason reloaders have any supplies at all are that we got into this earlier. But we'll all be in the same boat of having nothing if this goes on long enough. Opening up primers from other countries including Russia will help immensely. We've seen shortages before, supplies will return. I'd advise you to slowly get the equipment as when supplies return, there will be an explosion of demand for equipment at that time. With the high value of the APP press, it's a great place to start with a press. Best to ya, Steve
@@DickTickles I have shot some air guns in he past. I do have to say that it might be nice, but it isn't like shooting REAL guns.
The dogmatic belief that a press is valued by grams of mass is unlikely to change. The current green single stage press weighs more than the previous one. Meanwhile the blue press people have always used aluminum to make their presses without criticisms. So for many until Lee includes a 100# concrete block as a base they will never accept your Science & Sorcery on the explanation of Forces as acceptable.
The open / C frame design is superior to the O frame design. I don't like the view being blocked. Some designs cant the O frame to provide viewing. The Lee Turret uses (3) small steel Alloy, not cast carbon steel like a Lodge Cast Iron Pan, supports to open up the work area. Industry does not use cast carbon steel to make precision CNC machines. Yet in reloading press theology it is held to be important.
For its intended use this is a great press. Many people prefer to inspect a deprimed & clean case prior to loading it. This press was designed for them to like.
This press also extends the ability of a 4 or 5 station press. Modern Reloading has seen the use of more stations for dies and tools. This press let's you get your brass ready for powder in station #1. Yes, you will need to prime your cases off press for most models.
I a curious and anxious about a new progressive press from Lee. The market place wants more stations. As the innovative leader it will be interesting to see what they design.