45-70 Lee Loader with a Lever Action

[leftoverchicken]

New to reloading and recently purchased a Lee Loader (Wack-A-Mole) to reload for my 45-70 lever action without realizing that they are not recommended for lever actions. I’ve read some stuff saying they are fine as long as the brass is always used in the same rifle. I’ve also read that the bullets in the tube magazine can be pushed further into the brass due to recoil. Just wondering if anyone has any experience or advice they could pass along and if it is safe to use? I realize everyone is going say buy a press or a hand loader, and I plan to eventually, but I’m on a tight budget at the moment.

Thanks.

 

[300_savage]

I used a Lee loader for a few years to load for a 30-30 lever action, never had any issues with needing to full length size the brass but I only loaded the brass 3-4 times. If I remember right you can crimp with a Lee loader to help prevent bullet set back in the tube mag.

 

[300_savage]

Lee's instructions for crimping with the Lee loader: "You can crimp with the LEE Loader. Place the loaded round in the opposite end of the resizing die. Protect the primer with the decapping chamber on the base of the cartridge. Use several light taps until the desired crimp is formed. That is all it requires. Do not attempt to crimp bullets that do not have a crimping groove."