Lee Challenger Press Modification

Mobuck

I use mostly LEE equipment and recently had a brainstorm while sizing small pistol cases. I decided the full stroke and leverage was unneeded with these little cases. Having a couple of salvaged presses laying around, I took a spare operating lever to the chop saw and cut it off. Leaving slightly more than half the lower end of the handle seemed about right. I now have a full stroke with half the arm movement and it's much easier to stop the ram about half way down to swap another case in. I sized 750 +/- 380 auto cases today w/o the sore elbow or shoulder I usually get from this many strokes. I'm going to chop another when I get time to use when seating bullets.

BGHillbilly

Makes sense. I've always choked up on the handle,propped an elbow on my knee and used mainly finger, wrist and a little elbow motion.

gknaka2

The real trick is keeping the wood ball from falling off. Mine comes off all the time. I have glued it, jb welded it, and nothing works.

Rocky Raab

Drill a golf ball and glue that on with epoxy. That's what I did on my press. Very comfy handle as a result.

gknaka2

Thanks. Do you remember what size drill bit you used? I have a digital caliper at home but not with me and I may stop by the hardware store on the way home.

Mobuck

I used Gorilla glue on another handle and it's been solid for about a year. If you're having this problem, use a grinder or Dremel to cut a shallow groove about 1/2" from the end of the handle and then use Gorilla glue.

Rocky Raab

gknaka2, I measured my press handle and then ground down an old flat wood bit to the right size. Cheaper to replace one of those than trying to find a twist drill of the right size.