Classic Lee Loader??

If you are shooting just one caliber in one gun they are great to use.
They neck size only so that contributes to accuracy. Do not pick up and reload empties from the range. Only reload empties fired from YOUR gun as the case fireforms to the chamber of YOUR gun and the loader only neck sizes rather than full length resizes.
If you have a friend who can full length resize cases from other guns, then you can load them with this.

They are great. I started using one in 1966 or so - it was the best $7.95 I ever spent. A box of cartridges was 4.95, a hundred 30 caliber bullets was 3.95, a can of powder was $5.00 and 100 primers were $0.75.

Nice accesosries are a powder scale, trickler, and a powder measure. The scoop with the kit does not do it all.
 
I've got 2 -- one for .30-06 and one for .45-70. Haven't used them yet but had a heck of a time getting them here in Vancouver --- took several months. My buddy uses them and has made some excellent loads in the field.
 
A lot of shooters started with a Lee Loader, including myself. Slow, but you can load good ammo. Use a plastic mallet. They neck size only, so you can only use brass fired out of your rifle. No virgin brass or once fired brass. Both of them require full length resizing first.
Pitch the scoop and use a scale. The scoops can vary the powder charge plus/minus a full grain. They're calibrated in CC's for some unknown reason too.
Other than that, just follow your manual religiously.
 
I think you would do better to get a regular single stage press or at least the Lee Hand Press, which can take regular dies. As mentioned, you can only neck size with the Lee Loader, which means you can't buy once-fired brass for reloading. Also, you may occasionally have to full-length resize cases after a few reloadings, even with brass that is only used in one gun.

Besides the inability to FL resize, the rate of production with one of these is glacial.
 
I have one for .303 brit and .222. I have used it for once fired and virgin brass with no problems. I only have one of each rifle so no a huge problem. I have learned if you want to speed things up you can deprime all of your cases first. Then Neck size and prime. Charge them and then seat the bullets. Either one at a time or in groups.
I know a press would be faster but for 35.00 the price is right. So far about 500 rounds done so far. I may upgrade to a press and conventional dies but only because I am going to start casting.
 
I've got them in 30-06, 308 and 45/70. If you do not need to reload tons of ammo its a great little set up, and I find it fun to use. I do not use the scoops, but rather a scale which I purchased off the EE, and I also picked up a Lee Auto Prime.(best $16 I have spent)


The lee loaders are half the price in the US, I paid $16US for mine. I only started reloading this summer, and have been able to make very accurate loads, better than any commercial ammo I have ever tried in over 20yrs of hunting. Deer season cannot come fast enough, so I can try out my loads on the real thing instead of just paper.

It probably is the least expensive way to start out, to see if reloading is something you want to continue doing. Once your hooked, there seems to be an endless list of toyz you can buy for reloading. :)


cheers!
 
In 1965/66 I was in a gun shop and got a lot of people starting in reloading. Yes, I remember when we reluctantly had to raise the price to $4.95 for a box of Dominion or Norma rifle cartridges. I'm the type that tends to save things and I just looked at an empty can of Norma 203 powder and it has "$3.95," written on it with a marking pen!
You have to have access to a scale, to be successful with a little Lee. The loads they give to go with scoops of powder, are extremely light.
Also, after a few loadings the cases, I'm thinking 30-06, stretch to where they won't go in the chamber any more, until full length resized.
About seating primers with the mallet, at least you soon find out that if a primer accidently goes off, it is not a bomb and it will not put the cat into orbit!
I think it is good experience for a beginner to start on, to get the hang of reloading.
 
"...will not put the cat into orbit!..." A primer will go about 3/8" into a wood chair though. You're right. I'm lucky my ma didn't find out.
 
My folks didn't share my enthusiasm for energetic materials, so while a primer popping didn't put the cat in orbit, it would from time to time put my dad there. Of course when he landed it was on me.
 
Yup the scale was the best addition to the set up. The load with the dipper was okay but the powder chart was very limited.
A lee auto prime would also be a good buy. But so far I have not had one pop.
 
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