So a friend of mine said when he was in college he had a loader of sometype that was handheld. does anyone know what it would be called and where i could fine one? i want to start reloading but i don't have the space to dedicate to a nice dillion so i thought this would be a way for me to get started.
hand-handloader
- Thread starter ndb86
- Start date
Bassmaster
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- WMU 48 - Whitetail country
Your friend was probably talking about the LEE LOADER.....check out the LEE website
Yes the Lee Loaders work, but I imagine it would be pretty tedious doing larger amounts of pistol ammo. I have several for rifle, and I like them for neck sizing, and I suppose theyre ok for the guy that reloads 20-100 rounds of say .308 a year.
For something small I would still recommend a bench mounted press and just stick it on a board and clamp that to a table when you need it.
Also there are two other tools that are used by hand that come to mind, the Lyman/Ideal 310 (uses special dies) and the Lee Hand Press (uses standard dies). These work well, but I find it is much easier to have your press mounted on a bench so you don't have to set it down when you need an extra free hand.
For something small I would still recommend a bench mounted press and just stick it on a board and clamp that to a table when you need it.
Also there are two other tools that are used by hand that come to mind, the Lyman/Ideal 310 (uses special dies) and the Lee Hand Press (uses standard dies). These work well, but I find it is much easier to have your press mounted on a bench so you don't have to set it down when you need an extra free hand.
so if the lee press uses standard dies could i buy one for say 9mm and buy a .40 die and swap them out? I'd much perfere a regular press, but i just do not have a sigle spot to put it in my tiny apartment. thanks. I know it'd be a slow process, but i can live with that.
The Lee hand press accepts normal dies and shell holders.
So yes you could buy a Lee hand press, and say RCBS 9mm dies and a shellholder, then also use Lee .40 SW dies and a Lyman shellholder, and Hornady .308 dies etc... When you buy the hand press kit you also get the ram prime, which will prime cases on the press if you have a shellholder for that case. You can prime seperately with a hand priming tool like RCBS or Lee Auto Prime.
There are a few videos on you tube of the press, along with just about anything reloading related.
So yes you could buy a Lee hand press, and say RCBS 9mm dies and a shellholder, then also use Lee .40 SW dies and a Lyman shellholder, and Hornady .308 dies etc... When you buy the hand press kit you also get the ram prime, which will prime cases on the press if you have a shellholder for that case. You can prime seperately with a hand priming tool like RCBS or Lee Auto Prime.
There are a few videos on you tube of the press, along with just about anything reloading related.
- Location
- Golden Lake
I have a Lee Hand Press and have used it for years with good results.
I live in an apartment and have loaded somewhere between 1200-1600 rounds with mine for everything from .22 Hornet to 9.3x62.
Lee has since come out with a fairly compact reloading table that I've just picked up but not set up yet. If you combine that with one of their starter kits (Lee Anniversary, Turret Press, etc) that could probably work in your situation. That said, the Hand Press is not too expensive so you could upgrade later.
Good Luck,
Frank
Lee has since come out with a fairly compact reloading table that I've just picked up but not set up yet. If you combine that with one of their starter kits (Lee Anniversary, Turret Press, etc) that could probably work in your situation. That said, the Hand Press is not too expensive so you could upgrade later.
Good Luck,
Frank
"...do not have a single spot to put it..." A Black and Decker Workmate is good for tiny apartments.
If you opt for a Lee Loader(lots of us started with 'em. They can and will turn out good ammo. No once fired brass out of another rifle though. Lee Loaders neck size only), pitch the scoops and use a scale. The scopps can vary the powder charge plus or minus a full grain.
If you opt for a Lee Loader(lots of us started with 'em. They can and will turn out good ammo. No once fired brass out of another rifle though. Lee Loaders neck size only), pitch the scoops and use a scale. The scopps can vary the powder charge plus or minus a full grain.
