The brand new Lee Precision APP finally launched here in South Africa.
APP stands for:
Automatic
Processing
Press
This press is designed to speed up normally slow processes.
A few things this little APP will speed up for you:
Resizing/ Decapping – there are reloaders that like to do this first, and then clean their cases.
Bulge Busting – normally a tedious process.
Bullet Sizing – Sizing cast bullets was normally a single stage press operation but this little APP will size bullets as quick as you can pull the handle….and fill the bullet tube.
Primer Pocket Swaging – Lee’s first time offering this function. Sort out those crimped in primer pockets in a jiffy.
And yes you can still use it as a normal reloading press. No priming or on press charging though…still seeing if there is a viable option.
In the box you will find the press, Shell Holder Adapter, 1 Breech Lock Bushing, Bottle Adapter ,3 Xpress Shell Holders and the complete Automation Kit.
The press is tiny but solidly build. Lee put a lot of R&D into this tiny press. The levers are made of steel and are topped with a molded grip they call the power grip. The upper and lower die carriers are aluminium and the low stress items are nylon or acetal copolymer. The upper carrier rides on two centreless ground and roller burnished columns. The upper die carrier is counter balanced by a centrally mounted coil spring.
Lee even did a million cycle fatigue test!
The setup of this press is simple. Just follow the instructions…for once the instructions are very clear.
If you are mounting this press on a Lee Bench Plate you need to find shorter bolts for the front mounting points. Also make sure that you mount the press as far forward on your desk as you can.
The press has a top and bottom die carrier. These are made to accept the Lee Breech Lock Bushings, the press ships with one. This allows you to use any 7/8-14 dies. The accessories for this press are also made to fit like a Breech Lock bushing.
The Automation Kit is what makes this press a winner. This kit allows for case feeding and bullet feeding. With all the various risers and feed tubes you can basically feed any case or bullet. You just have to set it up correctly. Again just following the instructions will guide you…no mods or tricks involved.
The Bullet/Case Slider is another great innovation from Lee. It uses fingers to grip the case or bullet while sliding it under the die carrier. Then release the bullet/case in the correct position. Setting the tension on this is important…just turn the adjustment screw found towards the back of the slider until you have enough tension. Not too much as the bullet/case needs to drop in the fingers…not on top.
Then it’s just a case of selecting the correct riser. This should not be taller than the bullet/case. Then add the correct feed support and tube, set it just a bit taller than the bullet/case and you are ready.
Just one tip, for 9mmp cases use the riser marked 4384A and the tube support marked B, largest hole. Yes the hole on tube support A can work but I have found that it is a very tight fit and cases with extractor nicks will get stuck.
So far I am very impressed with this little press. I have tested everything and have not found any problems. But I suggest you take note of the following:
- Make sure the press is oiled; especially the columns…use any good motor oil.
- If you are going to resize rather lube your cases. I have resized 9mmp without using lube but adding lube definitely makes resizing easier.
- Be careful not to knock the spring support between the columns out of place and work with caution when you attach and remove the feed spring on the slider…this press is brand new to the market and spares are not readily available. (I am working on that)
This press is a winner and if you do any of the above mentioned steps in your reloading you need one. It will make your life easier.
I am not at all surprised that this press has been selling out everywhere.
Over the next few weeks I will take a closer at all the operations of the press….stay tuned.
