I am looking at getting started at reloading and I just bought a rifle in .308 so my cash funds are a little low. I saw the lee hand press kit the other day and thought it would be a great little thing to learn the basics on. It says that it includes everything I would need to reload for .308. Whenever I have a bit more extra cash I will buy better equipment but would like to get started right away. What do you guys think?
Lee Hand Press
- Thread starter mdbuckle
- Start date
Thats a step up from where I started. I got my first handloads downrange with the help of the Lee Loader.
Its kind of the same portable concept. Except its smaller and it was about $20 from wholesale sports. This little cigarett pack sized kit, a soft faced hammer and you are in business. (Though I recomend you drop the few dollars for a catridge length trimmer) Its a good entry level way to go, and its also neat becuase with this (in theory) you could go to the range with just one case and shoot all day. All the other stuff that is on the market is extra refinements that have been made to the process over the years to make even more accurate ammo and to make it faster.
Most important tho is the literature. Dont venture into the world of reloading without at LEAST one reloading manual to walk you through it all. The lee book is ok. And I believe it is also the cheapest.
So if you are robbing the piggy bank my .02 is to get the lee loader (provided that you are not shooting a semi auto .308) and a book. There is no reason that you cant load very accurate ammo in sufficient quantity to have an enjoyable day at the range with your bolt/pump action or single shot .308.
If you still have some paper in your wallet go for the hand press. I imagine that would be a little less effort. But still get the length trimmer and the book for sure.
And throw a little money from time to time back into your piggy bank for that rockchucker or whatever piece you are dreaming of. Becaue you will see how technology has advanced reloading. A piece like what we are alking about is a great thing to have, and keep forever, but you will eventually want something that will pump out loaded cartridges a little faster.
So theres my 2 cents. I hope you do get into reloading.
Good luck
Its kind of the same portable concept. Except its smaller and it was about $20 from wholesale sports. This little cigarett pack sized kit, a soft faced hammer and you are in business. (Though I recomend you drop the few dollars for a catridge length trimmer) Its a good entry level way to go, and its also neat becuase with this (in theory) you could go to the range with just one case and shoot all day. All the other stuff that is on the market is extra refinements that have been made to the process over the years to make even more accurate ammo and to make it faster.
Most important tho is the literature. Dont venture into the world of reloading without at LEAST one reloading manual to walk you through it all. The lee book is ok. And I believe it is also the cheapest.
So if you are robbing the piggy bank my .02 is to get the lee loader (provided that you are not shooting a semi auto .308) and a book. There is no reason that you cant load very accurate ammo in sufficient quantity to have an enjoyable day at the range with your bolt/pump action or single shot .308.
If you still have some paper in your wallet go for the hand press. I imagine that would be a little less effort. But still get the length trimmer and the book for sure.
And throw a little money from time to time back into your piggy bank for that rockchucker or whatever piece you are dreaming of. Becaue you will see how technology has advanced reloading. A piece like what we are alking about is a great thing to have, and keep forever, but you will eventually want something that will pump out loaded cartridges a little faster.
So theres my 2 cents. I hope you do get into reloading.
Good luck
Hi, I have the same question... can I use Lee hand press for the M14 ammos?
Why not? If you don't mind measuring the powder with the dipper supplied with the dies (a little inexact) you're good to go. I've even used the Lee automatic powder dispenser with the handpress...a little clumsy, but it worked
The Lee Loader is not recommended for semi's because it only neck sizes the case. The Hand Press completely resizes the brass (with normal dies anyhow) and is thus fine for the M14.
I suggest that you get the Lee Hand Press Kit, a Lee manual, primer pocket cleaner, chamfer tool, case cutter with lock stud and the pilot and shellholder for .308. Make sure that you buy the regular Lee dies, since with the Really Good Buy (RGB) you don't get the crimp die that you'll want to have. Buy the components (the Lee Manual will list powders that go with the powder scoop or just ask) and load away.
Later on you might want to buy a proper powder scale (I use a Hornady) and then you'll be able to work up very precise loads that will be just as good as any made with the most expensive equipment (even if not as quickly).
BTW, I have a hand press and have loaded several hundred rounds in various calibres with it, having made some really accurate ammo in 8mm and 8x56R, plus others. I brought a Challenger Press at the same time but haven't yet used it for lack of a fitting work bench to affix it to.
Good Luck,
Frank
I suggest that you get the Lee Hand Press Kit, a Lee manual, primer pocket cleaner, chamfer tool, case cutter with lock stud and the pilot and shellholder for .308. Make sure that you buy the regular Lee dies, since with the Really Good Buy (RGB) you don't get the crimp die that you'll want to have. Buy the components (the Lee Manual will list powders that go with the powder scoop or just ask) and load away.
Later on you might want to buy a proper powder scale (I use a Hornady) and then you'll be able to work up very precise loads that will be just as good as any made with the most expensive equipment (even if not as quickly).
BTW, I have a hand press and have loaded several hundred rounds in various calibres with it, having made some really accurate ammo in 8mm and 8x56R, plus others. I brought a Challenger Press at the same time but haven't yet used it for lack of a fitting work bench to affix it to.
Good Luck,
Frank
I got started in reloading about a year ago. I bought the Lee Anniversary kit. It is a single stage press that comes with everything you need to get started (look at leeprecision.com for more info). I also comes with the Lee manual which is full of information for a first time reloader. Price around $130.00. I've seen it special priced now and again for $99.00. Buy dies $35-$75 average, bullets,primers and powder and your set. The hand press is ok if your only doing a few rounds, but you will still have to buy a scale,powder measure etc. the Lee kit has all that and more. IMO the Lee kit is all the average shooter needs, and the cost won't break your wallet. You can buy other brands, I know plenty of people who use RCBS, Lyman,Redding and they are content but all have agreed the Lee kit is good value. So for your first 100 rounds of handloads you have spent less than $250.00 total cost. You will be surprised how cheap your second batch will cost. Hope this helps, and enjoy reloading.
Hi Imbane,
I'm glad to have been of help to you. Not to complicate things, but if you've got a place to mount a press, you might want to price out the cost of these items and compare them to the Lee Anniversary kit mentioned in the post that followed mine. It would give you everything that I suggested (with a different press of course) plus a separate priming tool that works a bit faster than the one that comes with the hand-press, a powder dispenser and a scale. Some people have complained about the quality of the Lee Scale however, so it may be better to pay a bit more for another bought separately with the hand press kit.
I bought most of my initial reloading gear from SIR, plus some Lead melting gear, and have also found Higginsons Powders to be a good source of quality equipment and components for a reasonable cost. I pick up the odd item from the local Lebarons, Giovanni's or at the Silverdale range and that satisfies all of my needs.
Good Luck in either case,
Frank
I'm glad to have been of help to you. Not to complicate things, but if you've got a place to mount a press, you might want to price out the cost of these items and compare them to the Lee Anniversary kit mentioned in the post that followed mine. It would give you everything that I suggested (with a different press of course) plus a separate priming tool that works a bit faster than the one that comes with the hand-press, a powder dispenser and a scale. Some people have complained about the quality of the Lee Scale however, so it may be better to pay a bit more for another bought separately with the hand press kit.
I bought most of my initial reloading gear from SIR, plus some Lead melting gear, and have also found Higginsons Powders to be a good source of quality equipment and components for a reasonable cost. I pick up the odd item from the local Lebarons, Giovanni's or at the Silverdale range and that satisfies all of my needs.
Good Luck in either case,
Frank
Hey, the hand press for depriming. I forgot that I thought about that at one point. Since someone else uses it for that I might just go for one. Beats sitting staring at a blank wall with no tunes or TV when depriming all that range brass. I'll have to check one out next time I'm at Higginsons.
thank you for your help! the Lee Anniversary kit sounds good, but I live in the apartment and don't have a place to mount the press, so I may have to get the hand press kit to start.
I've got tons of presses; all serve various needs. The HandPress is a good thing for depriming while watching TV. You could probably load rifle ammo with it but it'll really build up your arms if you plan on full length sizing big rifle calibers.
I satrted out on a Lee hand press, and it was fantastic to learn on. At the time, I likewise couldn't afford anything better, and had no place to mount a bench press anyway. I reloaded everything from 9mm and .45 ACP up to 9.3 x 64mm and 7mm Mag. As mentioned previously, it was great for being able to sit in front of the TV and reload. I would definitely recommend the hand press or any other single-stage press to learn on.
Erik.
Erik.
heavyBullet
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Just off the island of MTL
Like Baby seal, I started off this year using a Classic Lee loader, and still use it(But Santa is bringing me a press this yr.) and have made very accurate hunting loads with it. Nothing like the feeling of bagging your deer with ammo hand loaded yourself.
Keep your nose in the EE. I picked up my scale and case trimmer and a few other odds and ends from fellow Gunnuts, at a great price.
Cheers!
Keep your nose in the EE. I picked up my scale and case trimmer and a few other odds and ends from fellow Gunnuts, at a great price.
Cheers!
Bruiseleee
CGN Regular
- Location
- Too paranoid to say
I've used the hand press for .308 and 30-06. The 30-06 can get a little difficult if you don't use enough lube.
