Lee Breech Lock Press vs 40th Anniversary Die Review

You are torn between a standalone press that lets you pick your own dies and a bundled kit that promises a faster start with .223. This page breaks down exactly what you get with each, so you stop guessing and buy the one that matches how you actually reload.

The differences at a glance

The two products share the same Breech Lock Quick-Change system, but they differ in scope. One is a press; the other is a press plus dies. For the detail, see our notes on checking 223 component compatibility.

Feature	Breech Lock Challenger Press	40th Anniversary Pack
Core item	Single-stage press only	Press + .223 die set + Breech Lock system
Frame	Standard	‘O’ frame with 4″ opening
Lever	All-steel, adjustable length	Ergonomic, improved priming position
Die system	One bushing included	Full Breech Lock kit with 3 dies
Best for	Multi-caliber or existing die owners	New .223/5.56 reloaders

Build: Steel linkage vs. 'O' frame strength

The Breech Lock Challenger Press uses an all-steel linkage with an adjustable-length lever. That combination gives you a solid, mechanical feel and lets you set the stroke to your comfort level. It is built to last, period.

The 40th Anniversary Pack mounts its Breech Lock system to Lee’s ‘O’ frame. The ‘O’ design is the strongest and most popular style Lee makes. It has a larger 4-inch opening, which clears your hands when you are handling bulk cases or feeding primers by hand. That extra clearance matters during long sessions.

• Challenger Press wins on adaptability: the adjustable lever suits different bench heights and user preferences.
• 40th Anniversary wins on out-of-the-box ergonomics: the improved priming position reduces stooping and hand fatigue.

If you plan to mount the press at a fixed bench height forever, the ‘O’ frame’s fixed opening is a small trade-off. If you move the press or adjust your workspace, the adjustable linkage on the standalone unit saves you a custom fit.

Accuracy: How die alignment and stability feed your groups

Both presses use the same Breech Lock Quick-Change bushing system. That system holds dies vertically with concentric alignment, which matters when you are trying to keep shoulder-to-ogive variations tight. You set the die once, and it stays set when you swap it.

The Challenger Press is a pure platform. You choose your dies, your bushings, and your setup. If you already have a proven die set for a specific match cartridge, you can keep it and just buy extra Breech Lock bushings to run it on this press. That gives you full control over every variable. The other half of this decision is high volume loading setups.

The 40th Anniversary Pack comes with a matched .223 die set. It is tuned for consistent .223/5.56 loads out of the box. You do not have to source a die, measure the bullet, or verify headspace before your first session. It trades some customization for a known, repeatable starting point.

• Challenger Press wins for precision shooters who are dialing in a specific cartridge load and want to pair it with a particular die maker.
• 40th Anniversary wins for shooters who want reliable .223 accuracy without the homework of matching dies to their own chamber specs.

If you are not reloading .223, the matched dies in the anniversary kit lose their advantage. You would be buying a theme for a cartridge you do not shoot.

Speed: How fast you can cycle from powder to finished round

The Breech Lock system is the speed feature in both products. It eliminates the ten-minute ritual of screwing a die into a press thread, marking the handle, and then unscrewing it for the next die. You twist the top bushing, the die pops in, and you are ready to seat the next bullet.

On the standalone Challenger Press, you include one Breech Lock bushing. To use the system for multiple die positions, you buy additional bushings. That is a small extra cost, but it keeps the press flexible. You are not locked into one die set.

The 40th Anniversary Pack includes the full Breech Lock system and a three-die set for .223. You unbox it, install the dies, and run a full cycle. There is no waiting on a shipping order for extra bushings. For a beginner, that instant readiness is the real speed gain. We cover lee 90045 vs 92139 in a guide of its own.

• 40th Anniversary wins on time-to-first-round: everything you need for .223 is in the box.
• Challenger Press wins on long-term speed across calibers: you can add bushings as you expand your cartridge list without buying a new press.

If you reload only one cartridge and will not add others for years, the all-in-one kit saves you the extra step of sourcing bushings. If you are building a multi-cartridge bench, the standalone press is the better foundation.

Ease of use: Which one feels more natural on the bench

The 40th Anniversary Pack is designed to remove the first-hour friction for a new reloader. The improved priming position on the lever means your hands are closer to the die, and you are not reaching under the frame to drop a primer into the case. That small geometry change makes the cycle feel smoother and less tiring.

The standalone Breech Lock Challenger Press is simpler in design but assumes you already know what you are doing. You have to pick a die set, buy the right bushings, and set up your first load. That is a bigger front-loaded task, but you get a press that fits your exact workflow rather than a kit that fits Lee’s workflow.

• 40th Anniversary wins for the new reloader: the ergonomics and included dies lower the learning curve.
• Challenger Press wins for the experienced loader who values minimalism and wants to build the system part by part.

If you have never loaded a round before, the anniversary kit gets you past the ‘what do I buy first?’ loop faster. If you have loaded hundreds of rounds and are just upgrading your press, the standalone unit is the cleaner choice.

Value: What you actually get for your money

The 40th Anniversary Pack is priced as a bundle. You are paying for the press, the Breech Lock system, and a .223 die set in one transaction. The other half of this decision is lee vs frankford arsenal presses.

That pricing is only better than buying the press and the dies separately if you will use that specific die set. If you do not shoot .223, you are paying for a commemorative theme and a die set that will sit on a shelf.

The standalone Breech Lock Challenger Press is a single tool. You can buy it once and add dies as your interests change. Over five years, if you reload three or four cartridges, the standalone press plus the dies you actually need will cost the same as or less than a series of bundle kits.

• 40th Anniversary wins on first-purchase value if your goal is .223: one box, one shipping cost, one decision.
• Challenger Press wins on long-term value if you reload multiple calibers: it is the flexible base that does not lock you into one cartridge.

If you are buying your first press and your first die set, the kit is the easier mental model. If you are adding a second press or replacing an old one, the standalone press is the better long-term investment.

Which should you buy?

• You are new to reloading and plan to shoot .223/5.56: Get the 40th Anniversary Pack. It includes the press, the Breech Lock system, and a .223 die set so you start the same day.
• You already own dies and want to add quick-change speed: Get the Breech Lock Challenger Press. It gives you the platform, and you can add the bushings that fit your current dies.
• You reload more than one cartridge and want a long-term press: Get the Breech Lock Challenger Press. It is caliber-agnostic, so it does not tie you to one die set.
• You want the least decision-making for your first purchase: Get the 40th Anniversary Pack. One box, one delivery, one setup.
• You value adjustable ergonomics over a fixed opening: Get the Breech Lock Challenger Press. The adjustable-length lever lets you set the throw to your bench.

The bottom line

Frequently asked questions