Lee reloading eqpmnt?

The autoprime is ok but why add this extra step, get the safety prme and riser for the powder measure, and your loading time will speed up noticeably.
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The LeeAutoprime allows me to feel each primer go into the case,which is one method that I use to judge if a load is safe for my gun.(whether primer pockets are loosening significantly after several loadings).As for the time difference,I find it just as quick to load and use the Autoprime than to load the primer drum on the press,and then have to clear the inevitable jam that occurs now and then.

How many people start with LEE gear,then later upgrade to another press and gear?Quite a few that I know.Yet I don't know anyone that started with RCBS,Redding,etc and later switched to LEE.I chose to start with RCBS gear,and 30 years later,I am still using the same press,and most of the same other gear.I have since purchased some gear such as an electronic scale and power chamfering tool that weren't available back then.I didn't see the point in buying the same gear twice,so with the exception of the Autoprime, I skipped the LEE gear altogether.
 
If you want speed, go Dillon, if you want precision, go Forster Co-ax, if you want cheap; go Lee. I like Redding dies or Forster, RCBS powder measure(for smokeless), Sinclair case neck turning equip., I use Lyman trimmers and Elec. scales, Starrett measuring equip.....over the years I have gravitated to these brands as they have served me well, I have a pre-chinese rockchucker that works well too. You get what you pay for!!
 
mlehtovaara said:
Based on what? Did you even read my last post? You guys are the ones discouraging this newb. If you tell him not to buy Lee and that he has to spend 500 bucks on a kit to reload he may never make the jump. Like I said I have used that kit for 17 months now, and had 0 issues. It loads perfectly for my needs.
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We get it...you like Lee...so stop shoving it down everyones throat.

It meets your needs...lucky you.

FYI...I find the term newb to be a bit condescending (even coming from someone with your vast reloading experience.)
 
I have 1 set of Lee dies-they work like any other dies...

I use their hand priming tool and love it-simple and effective...

I like the powder dippers to get close then trickle to finish a charge...

to be honest I found their presses felt flimsy and sold both I tried,although I liked their cheapo C style press for seating bullets...

if it's a Lee kit or nothing to get started,buy it.You'll start upgrading pieces almost instantly and by the time yer done all you'll have left of what you started with will be the priming tool ;)

jmo
 
I have 1 set of Lee dies-they work like any other dies...
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Except when the depriming rod slips in the collet.That can't happen with a threaded decapping rod.

I like the powder dippers to get close then trickle to finish a charge..
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I prefer a measure set just under the charge weight,then trickling the last .1 or .2 grains.

if it's a Lee kit or nothing to get started,buy it.You'll start upgrading pieces almost instantly and by the time yer done all you'll have left of what you started with will be the priming tool
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My point exactly.
 
chaslavk said:
I am totally new to reloading and I familiarized myself to reloading by reading "ABC of reloading" so I don't have any experiance with reloading nor with eqpmnt. After having problems with shooting commercial reloads in my Ruger P944 I started thinking of reloading myself but I am very short of funds. Lee reloading kits can be bought for under $200, price is attractive. If I buy it what will I be getting: enjoyment or problems?

Reloads I shot are loaded by: Beckett-Colonial Industrial, London. Lead bullets. Gun had extraction problems afyer some 70 rnds. On previous range session gun digested 200 rnds without problems.

Thanks for response.
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I don't know where you are located.
Usually gun clubs (like mine) do reloading clinics to introduce shooters to save reloading and give them advice how to choose quality reloading equipment.
IMO, this would be a good start for you...
 
For slipping stems in Lee dies,there are two things you need and should do. One,remove all traces of oil from the collet and stem,which is machine shop practice,two,and you should be doing this anyway to get accurate reloads,clean and lube the insides of the necks,I use watered down Lee white lube and a bore-mop,others use Imperial sizing wax. I think there other products as well.

Hornady collets need more slots cut in their collets,their lastest die stems use threads
as well as collets.

Hope this helps
 
I think people are making too much of the locking rings on Lee dies. I have a fair bit of Lee equipment of different types, including only one set of dies, for the 45-70.
The rings just have considerable friction on the threads, to hold the ring in place. I find this works fine, if you use one set of fingers on the die and the fingers from the other hand on the ring, so pressure is applied to both, as it is tightened, or loosened.
Some dies that have the set screw going into the threads, are horrendously hard on the threads on the die. Soon you can hardly turn the rings.
I think the Lee dies work as well as any other standard brand of dies.
 
Lee dies are easily adjustible if you have a set of open end or a crescent wrench! Admittedly I do own a number of Lee crimp dies, but I favour RCBS 3 die box sets in 12 or the 13 calibers I load for. I just bought a set of RCBS dies in .38-55 to replace my Lee dies on the EE 2 days ago. So its now 13 out of 13!

I have been using an RCBS RS5 single stage press since 1986 and 2 years ago the pin on the handle broke and RCBS replaced it for free. My early experience tells me to stay away from lyman, as customer service was non existent.
 
I think ben hunchak makes a good point in that there are only a few brands that define a niche in reloading, and Lee is one of them.

Dillon for speed, Forster for precision, Lee for economy. All others are some combination or compromise thereof. Sums it up nicely.

I will add another factor that is rarely or ever mentioned in these threads. It is my experience that about 1 in 3 new reloaders gives up the hobby shortly after getting into it. This includes some people who swore that shooting and reloading was a heaven-sent activity that they would be doing until the day they died (actually, these types are ones most likely to drop out of it in a year or two). My current Challenger press was a freebie from an acquaintance that bought all the stuff to reload 9mm, then never made so much as single shell. A few years' later, his basement flooded while he was away from home and all steel reloading tools were scrap. Only the aluminum press was salveable. How many "new-never used" and "only loaded 200 rounds" reloading presses do you see on the EE? I see lots. If you are going to take a big financial hit on reloading gear, the Lee stuff will make the pain a lot less acute.
 
Lee dies are fine for most applications though I really like Redding and Hornady New Dimension for their 0 runout after seating bullets - and I don't use or need a wrench on the locknuts on the Lee dies. The press I use the most now is a Lee Classic cast single stage - it's big and strong and works flawlessly. Easy to clean and didn't break the bank but then I'm picky and measure and weigh everything meticulously. Their Factory Crimp dies are great and you need them for the odd TSX when the case mouth lands on the ogive. A universal decapping die for about $15 on a cheap Challenger press is fast and never needs adjusting or changing. When you take their stuff apart, it's interesting to see the engineering that goes into it. Pretty creative. Less expensive doesn't make their stuff junk but I wouldn't recommend their scales either. Then again I don't like my RCBS trimmer - cutters are too soft. They should be tungsten-carbide IMO even though a simple call to RCBS gets a free replacement meaning they know damned well they're building an inferior cutter head and still don't do anything about it. Richard Lee's reloading manual is must reading, even though obviously slanted to their equipment, it's pretty unique. Very interesting reading.
 
Quigley said:
We get it...you like Lee...so stop shoving it down everyones throat.

It meets your needs...lucky you.

FYI...I find the term newb to be a bit condescending (even coming from someone with your vast reloading experience.)
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You have to be kidding me. Why do you want to start an argument? The OP asked about Lee equipment and I saw this thread turning into a Lee bashing session so I just chimed in with my good experience. If this is a bad thing then lets just tear down this site right now.

I am not shoving anything down anyones throat. If the OP asked what is the best press I would not have answered Lee. It is cheap and reliable. I have had great sucess with my Turret Kit and he should know that you can. I even stated the output/hr, and if he is looking to shoot alot more he would see that and think otherwise. I have been thinking about upgrading my kit but cannot justify doing so as I have had no issues and really don't have the time to shoot more. If I was going to shoot 1000 rounds a week Id buy a progressive. And not a Lee.

And as far as the term NEWB is concerned he stated hiself he is completely "new to reloading". And this site uses it to define a new member. Get real. Get a life, and stop trying to start internet fights. I am sick of people trying to instigating such ridiculous arguments.
 
mlehtovaara said:
You have to be kidding me. Why do you want to start an argument? The OP asked about Lee equipment and I saw this thread turning into a Lee bashing session so I just chimed in with my good experience. If this is a bad thing then lets just tear down this site right now.

I am not shoving anything down anyones throat. If the OP asked what is the best press I would not have answered Lee. It is cheap and reliable. I have had great sucess with my Turret Kit and he should know that you can. I even stated the output/hr, and if he is looking to shoot alot more he would see that and think otherwise. I have been thinking about upgrading my kit but cannot justify doing so as I have had no issues and really don't have the time to shoot more. If I was going to shoot 1000 rounds a week Id buy a progressive. And not a Lee.

And as far as the term NEWB is concerned he stated hiself he is completely "new to reloading". And this site uses it to define a new member. Get real. Get a life, and stop trying to start internet fights. I am sick of people trying to instigating such ridiculous arguments.
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Why so aggressive ?

are you tasting from your own medicine now ?

you quote :
Ok first don't listen to the snobs
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we heard your "expertly opinion"...

and to answer in your words: "suck it up buttercup"
 
chaslavk said:
I am totally new to reloading and I familiarized myself to reloading by reading "ABC of reloading" so I don't have any experiance with reloading nor with eqpmnt. After having problems with shooting commercial reloads in my Ruger P944 I started thinking of reloading myself but I am very short of funds. Lee reloading kits can be bought for under $200, price is attractive. If I buy it what will I be getting: enjoyment or problems?

Reloads I shot are loaded by: Beckett-Colonial Industrial, London. Lead bullets. Gun had extraction problems afyer some 70 rnds. On previous range session gun digested 200 rnds without problems.

Thanks for response.
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Sounds to me like the Lee kit would do your needs just fine. Dippers and all.

If you were off to the Nationals, maybe not so much. But for just range shooting, yep, Lee will do. If you stick with reloading, you may find you want to change up some of the gear, but the Lee stuff works.

Pick a load somewhere near the middle range of the loads listed, try that out, and work from there.

Don't load up more than a dozen rounds or so, without trying them out. Pulling bullets sucks.

Cheers
Trev
 
polaris said:
Why so aggressive ?

are you tasting from your own medicine now ?"
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I was aggressive because everytime someone asks about lee here there is a bunch of people who claim it is s**t, that just repeaet what they heard. People who never used it, or have a bigger bank account, and don't take that into consideration. So you don't wanna play nice fine but don't get your internet tuff guy routine going.

polaris said:
we heard your "expertly opinion"...
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Nice grammar there!

polaris said:
and to answer in your words: "suck it up buttercup"
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I never said this once! WTF are you talking about. Do you even know how to use quotations in the english language.
 
To the OP...

Could you provide a little more detail on the extration issue?

Is it stuck in the chamber (often a sign of pressure) or is it stovepiping (a much more difficult issue to diagnose)

If it's stovepiping...ammo is probably not going to solve your problem.
 
I bought the Lee 45th Aniversary Kit when I initially started reloading. Everything worked well except the scale. I have to agree with the rest the scale is garbage. I now use a lyman pro 1000 and I have to say I am not happy with it. It will be replaced shortly. All my dies are Lee dies and after thousands of rounds I have not had any issues. I haven't had a need to upgrade yet. I do have a gambit of non-lee tools I also use i.e. Forester deburring/chamfer tool.

When I started shooting pistol I tried reloading on a single stage. It took me an hour to do 70 rounds. What a pain. I did some research and of course 90% of the people recommend some sort of dillon press. I could not justify the $1000 startup price. Especially since I wasn't sure how serious I was about shooting pistols. I looked at the recommended alternative which was Hornady Lock n Load Progressive but it seemed very obscure here in Canada and difficult to find parts, etc. I was just about to cave and fork out the dough for the dillon but happened to stumble upon a Progressive 1000 in 45ACP (A calibre I didnt have at the time) at a local gunshop. I also noticed they had the conversion equipment to go to 9mm ($10 shell plate holder and a large primer-small primer feed conversion kit for $20). For $280 I was ready to rock and roll. Come to think of it that is approximately $750 I have left for reloading supplies OFF TO THE STORE!

It took me a few sacrificial rounds to get the system working 100% but once its working it can churn them out. I got annoyed with placing a bullet on the case all the time so I purchased the bullet feeder. Now I just pull the lever and a perfect round pops out. Miraculous.

Somebody previously mentioned the Auto Disk being dangerous. Can that person explain how? I dont understand. The powder fills the cavity then empties it. If you weigh your charge I dont see it drastically changing your load nor can you double charge or under charging if the hoppers full. I could understand if you are loading right up to the maximum and are worried about micro grains causing you failure, but if you load lighter than the listed maximum you shouldnt have issues. Most max loads are usually not the most accurate anyway. We are also talking about pistols vs precision rifles.

Not sure if this information is helpful or useful to this thread but I thought i'd share my experience. If anybody needs help or wants any suggestions feel free to pm me.
 
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