Lee received the patent on this new press late last year (Patent # 10,076,781 B1). It is the first press of its kind with the ability to mount the die to the top or bottom of the press. This die mounting flexibility allows previously unheard of automation on a single station press. Now you can deprime, primer pocket swage, bulge bust or size cast bullets as fast as you can operate the lever. The press is actually heavy for its compact size. It is manufactured from a variety of materials best suited for the application. The lever or handles are made of steel and are topped with a molded grip we call the power grip. We went through a lot of iterations to come up with a really comfortable design. The grip is completely symmetrical making either hand operation a delight. The upper and lower die carriers are aluminum and the low stress items are nylon or acetal copolymer. The upper carrier rides on two centerless ground and roller burnished columns. The upper die carrier is counter balanced by a centrally mounted coil spring. The counter balance prevents the handle from falling and pinching a finger. The APP is a “frameless” design with nearly all the forces going directly to the dies through the steel linkages rather than through the frame. As a single stage reloading press it has almost unlimited visibility and hand clearance. Mounting is easy on any bench or table with no under swing. Dirty, gritty, lead contaminated spent primers are 100% captured in a screw top bottle. The top carrier and base are machined to accept Lee Breech Lock bushings, so they will accept standard 7/8-14 dies of any manufacture. The APP also uses standard press shell holders from most manufactures. Includes one Spline drive breech lock bushing and universal type shell holder quick-change adaptor. A little over three inches of stroke allows sizing of the larger belted magnum cartridges. Priced less than nearly all single station presses makes it a perfect starter press or a perfect companion press to an expensive progressive. Automation packageBut the APP is so much more. This model includes the Automation package, the world’s fastest single stage press.
Now you can deprime cases, size cast bullets, swage primer pockets, etc. as fast as you can cycle the lever! This model includes a revolutionary new kind of case and bullet feeder. Jaws automatically open and grasp the bullet or case. They then rapidly position the case or bullet into the operating position. Once in position the jaws instantly open and return for the next case or bullet. It is fascinating just cycling the press empty watching the jaws open and close as it cycles back and forth. The APP gets its speedy operation in part by the use of a new shell holder. We call it the X-press shell holder. The new shell holder allows the case to pass through the shell holder after the operations are performed. This model includes the three most popular X-press shell holders (2, 4 and 19) that work on over 60 different cartridges. This model is complete with all the feed tubes, tube supports, risers and case slider. It even includes the 22-caliber bullet feed jaws.
WARNING: Lead - Discharging firearms in poorly ventilated areas, cleaning firearms, or handling ammunition may result in exposure to lead and other substances known to cause birth defects, reproductive harm, and other serious physical injury. Have adequate ventilation at all times. Wash hands thoroughly after exposure.
