Obsolete ! Why ?

[flash60601]

If it works, why is it now "obsolete"? I have had a LEE LOADMASTER for over forty years, and have had nothing butt extraordinary success with it loading tens of thousands of rounds of various calibers with ease, satisfaction, repeatability and reliability.

Of course, the manufacturer offers something else as replacement in their line, but when something works well, why replace it. Their "LoadAll" kit has been on the market for decades before and is still offered. Therefore, it is presumed that retirement of a model id not regulated by time, but by some other metric.

That's just one thing on today's market. There are others. Still, "WHY"

 

[Mad Irish Jack]

I have a 12ga Lee Load-all since 1979, and bought the new replacement kit for it. I also purchase the 20ga conversion kit for a shotgun I won. They are slower to load shells, but very consistent. Speed kills in our sport same as it will in the auto world. Trying to get faster loading leads to unequal loads. I loaded rifle shells in several calibers with a C/H single stage. Slow but threw consistently accurate loads. I've always wanted a couple hand loading kits for my rifles. Shooting handguns for SELF DEFENSE needs careful consistency in loads but close up isn't 100 yds or farther out where tighter groups are the premium. Then taking longer shots to verify the drop and grouping congruity.
I shot this pictured target in 2018. A 5/16", 4 shot group. The round configuration was 195 shots in 5 shot groups to get the recipe my 'Lady Winny' ( Winchester Mod 70-A, 30.06 Sprgfld Mfged in 1974.) This is what constant refining a load to Arm will produce. I was satisfied with what My Lady's preferred meal was and continue to feed her it when WE need to successfully perform OUR task. I prepare this type load 1 at a time and hand weigh the charges. What you load with is not as important as how fastidiously, consistent you perform the task. When I started reloading. mentor said this for me to remember, "This isn't throwing down a burger, fries and a coke; It's preparation for the potential, once in a lifetime, relivable experience! Don't shortcut it!"

 

[Hawkeye]

I believe they just want to sell us something new. I don't think I have press that is less than 40 years old, except for my Lee Load All's, 12, 16 and 20. They are going on 20 years old! Heck Flash, I've been obsolete for years, I just keep showing up...

 

[Mad Irish Jack]

Faster for more output is another way to say, "Higher chance for mistakes" Which could mean accidents on any level! I prefer; Slow, Steady and ACCURATE! Which is the formula for SAFETY!

 

[bronko22000]

I've been using my Pacific Super Deluxe press since 1965. Its built like a tank.

 

[flash60601]

Even tanks can be subject to wear.

I bought a Pacific "Super C" in 1966, and it worked for thousands of rounds, tens of thousands. But eventually, the abrasive in the primer residue wore .004" slop in the ram - (well wore the cast press body .003" and .001" off the ram) but it was good while it lasted. Good equipment, the likes of which nobody sells for the (comparable, anyway) prices of that era. LEE equipment is a good bargain in today's market, but most other reloading tools are way out of the price/value equation, don't you think ?

BTW I still have my Pacific oil-damped beam scale, though it has been replaced by a Lyman magnetic, decades ago.