Lee Hand Press

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ciccio

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I want to start re-loading and I am considering a Lee Hand Press Kit for
30-06. They are only about $62 at SIR or should I get the bench mounted kits for only a few dollars more?
Does anyone here use them?
 
I was actually considering the hand press until I found out what it looks like. ;) Anyways I went with the Challenger press kit for $71 and would highly recommend you getting it instead. BTW I also got a Auto diskand a Lee scale.
 
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I only have a Lee handload press, and it works fine for me.

But then again I'm a guy that hand polishes his .303 brass one at a time with Nufinish, flint naps arrow heads, and paints warhammer 40K figures so I'm really not a rush rush type of person when it comes to my hobbies. :D

If in the future I get into Handguns, and get into reloading that ammo then I would get a bench loader.
 
The hand press is a useful tool to have.
I have 3 that are in constant use.
I use one for priming. The other 2 are setup for bullet seating or one will be setup to seat and one to crimp. Very versatile. You are not tied to a reloading bench.
However, they are tough to use for full length sizing or even neck sizing. Better for pistol sizing.

For just starting out, to see if reloading is for you, I would recommend the hand loader kit. After you have done a bunch and are ready to move up, then you can pick any bench press you want and add it to your setup.

However, if you are planning for this to be your only investment in reloading, then get the Challenger kit. It's not that great a press but it will do the job.
If you are reloading for a semi or lever action, then the Challenger kit might be a better buy. You will be doing a lot more full length resizing. You can always buy the Challenger kit and a hand press.
 
I have a Lee hand press, and have kept the box that it came in. I fitted the insert from the box (which also holds a powder funnel,lube & some other accessories) into an aluminum attaché case which is also big enough to carry a couple of tins of powder, some primed brass, and some bullets. This works great for experimenting with different loads and is completely portable. If you start with a hand press it will still be useful for load development long after you have switched to something faster for most of your reloading.
 
I love my Handpress...

I own nearly a dozen presses, including a Dillon progressive that I use for producing large quantities of ammo....

The handpress is great for making small runs of work-up cartridges, Taking out to the range or hunting trips, or just to prepare cases while watching the tube....
 
you dont have kids do you?

I only have a Lee handload press, and it works fine for me.

But then again I'm a guy that hand polishes his .303 brass one at a time with Nufinish, flint naps arrow heads, and paints warhammer 40K figures so I'm really not a rush rush type of person when it comes to my hobbies. :D

If in the future I get into Handguns, and get into reloading that ammo then I would get a bench loader.
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Thanks for the replies guys. I think I'll go ahead and order the hand press. Afterall, I can always use it for load development at the range. Good suggestion Little Howie.
And for loading 45/70 gov't...since I live in an apartment, my plan is to mount a Challenger to a folding workbench so it will be easy to put away and store.
 
I just bought a lee hand loading kit (The one that you use a rubber hammer with) in 44 mag its very cool every thing you need to load for like $23 in a neat little plastic case great for the Moter home.

I use a lee turret press for revolver ammo mostly, man there great real fast and with 455 carbide dies loading is a snap, Nothing wrong with LEE stuff :D
 
I've owned a couple over the years and they are very handy for loading straight wall pistol crtridges. I think they might be okay for neck sizing rifle cartridges but never tried. They are very handy also for loading resized/primed casings at the range when working up a load. The casting on the last one I bought was very rough and axis of ram versus die holder was off centre so I'm wondering where Lee is outsourcing their castings(maybe Norinco). Still waiting for a feplacement/refund from SIR on that one, but thats a different story.
 
Hand press

I have one I use at the range for working up loads, it works ok but i prefer a bench mount for serrious work, the hand press also works better if you have a 3rd hand
 
I have one of the hand presses and love it . I bought it after I had the Lee Anniversery kit for a couple of years. I use mine for resizing pistol brass while watching TV and depriming brass befor they go into the tumbler. I have also played with seating depths at the range using my hand press.
 
You'll learn to load with your Lee, then at some point graduate to something like an RCBS Rockchucker. No problem, the Lee stuff isn't much of an investment to abandon later.
 
I bought the Lee Aniversary Kit back in '98,It comes with the Challenger press + extras,I have no regrets!
I was going to buy the $20 handloader for my 45/70 singleshot,but put the $$$ towards a set of Hornady dies.Its a good way to start,my brother "GillY" uses his for 30-30 and a fellow from work "BDL", uses his for 303.Both are newbie handloaders and took my advice on the handloader before they spend their money on presses & dies and the many other necesities.
 
Im a bit late on this one. I own one of the Lee hand presses. I have used it for years. They are handy for pistol. I have used mine for resizing/depriming .243 and 6.5x55. Great to use in front of the tv. I would not recomend using the hand press to seat bullets while watching tv unless you make sure you have properly placed each powder charge. Thats how I bought my first bullet puller.
I own a full size RCBS Rockchucker press as well but I cant use it in the living room.
 
I started with the Lee handpress as well and it was a very good way to learn the absolute basics of pistol loading (along with a scale, of course). I now have the Challenger, but the handpress still gets used to size/prime/deprime. Get one.
 
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