Classic Lee Loader??
- Thread starter Slowbalt
- Start date
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
There's nothing like seating primers with a punch and hammer to help one develop a light touch.
Understated!
heavyBullet
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Just off the island of MTL
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!
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.
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.
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
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.
