Where to buy classic Lee Loader?

heavyBullet

heavyBullet

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
30   0   0
Location
Just off the island of MTL
Other than Cabelas/SIR, who has them on backorder, where else can I get the Lee Classic Loader in Canada???

Even in the US I noticed these things are all on back order and that Lee may be phazing them out.
 
bought one of mine online in EE (I placed a wtb add) and I got the other from my local pawn shop. To be honest, most used ones look brand spanky new - just make sure all the parts are there. The outside box might be worn but that's usually from collecting dust.
 
Ahhhh I tried to Higgy's website last night, but it was not working. Seems to be right now, and they do in fact sell them, but dang they sell them for more than most places. I will have to call them tomorrow to see if they have the one I want in stock.
 
Wholesale Sports and Russell's Sports in Calgary both have them in stock, $129. This is the Lee Classic cast press. I'm gonna grab one.
 
Its not a press I am looking for. I was looking for "Classic Lee Loader", the one that comes in a case, and you whack with a hammer.

Now after having problems finding one, and doing some reading, I may buy the Hand press. Its just that the simplicity of the Classic Lee Loader intrigued me.
 
You might as well just buy the press now. Like most who started with the Lee Loader, I found it was just irritating enough to make you buy a press, dies, and a scale a month later anyway. Took me a little longer because I'm more patient than most.

What cartridge are you going to load for?

Here are some hints that might help . . .

1) Use lube to resize straight wall cartridges.
2) Use a nylon headed hammer to prevent mushrooming of the rod that knocks the case out of the die.
3) If your kit requires that you seat the primers by the hammer method, don't be too gentle or you will leave the primers too high.
4) If your kit included a hand priming tool, these don't work that well due to flex, and you might have to use the rod and hammer method to seat the primers flush with the case head.
5) Get a good scale (not the Lee scale either) you'll need it as there is no means of load development with the single spoon powder measure.
 
I use a Lee Loader and powder scoops for my 270. Last group I shot measured 1 3/4" from 200 yds, using scoops for powder measurement. I'm sure quality factory stuff could do that too, but I do it for 20% of the cost and the loading equipment amortizes to next to nothing. I picked up a scale recently, but I still am partial to the scoops method for ease of use and speed. The longest part of the process is case prep, as I do it all manually. After that, I can whack together a cartridge in 30 seconds.
 
Boomer said:
You might as well just buy the press now. Like most who started with the Lee Loader, I found it was just irritating enough to make you buy a press, dies, and a scale a month later anyway. Took me a little longer because I'm more patient than most.

What cartridge are you going to load for?

Here are some hints that might help . . .

1) Use lube to resize straight wall cartridges.
2) Use a nylon headed hammer to prevent mushrooming of the rod that knocks the case out of the die.
3) If your kit requires that you seat the primers by the hammer method, don't be too gentle or you will leave the primers too high.
4) If your kit included a hand priming tool, these don't work that well due to flex, and you might have to use the rod and hammer method to seat the primers flush with the case head.
5) Get a good scale (not the Lee scale either) you'll need it as there is no means of load development with the single spoon powder measure.
Click to expand...


Good info thanks. I was planning on getting a scale also. I will be loading for my hunting rifles, 30-06, 308, and maybe even my 45/70. For the amount of shells I will be making right now,a lee loader or a lee hand press might just be the ticket. Maybe a real press later on when I have more time to go actually to range. Now when I go, its with my daughter to shoot her .22
 
I just started reloading and use a lee loader for my 7mag. If I could have a dime for everyone who said "well, if you really want to start reloading, just let me know..." as if all I'm doing is playing around.

I still think I'm totally sold on the lee loader EXCEPT that some of my twice fired 7mag cases are already becoming difficult to chamber!?? I might have to ask a buddy to FL resize them before next loading (more fodder for his fire)... or just buy the die set since I have a press collecting dust here anyways. (yes, I have a press and I could buy the dies but I choose to use the lee loader)

I really love reloading with the lee loader at least for the larger calibers - not like i'm going to go and shoot 100 rounds of 7mag in an afternoon. 20 is enough for me at this point. It's simple & quite enjoyable. It might be a different story with a 223 or something.
 
i used mine for about 50 rounds then sold it for and bough a press used for nearly the same price i paid for the lee loader. Dont get me wrong it was a great way for me to learn to reload but i like the press better.
 
Well, I no longer have a house, and am very short on space, so I think I just have to choose between either the lee loader or the hand press for now, and probably a scale. Eventually I will end up with a real set up I am sure.

Glad to hear some of you were able to make decent loads with the Lee Loader. I am not going to be loading for any precision shooting lol, just for hunting and practice, so either of the two I am sure will do the job for now.
 
you don't need all that space for a press- i have 2 1000 and a turret one one side of a microwave cart, and a dillon 550 and a lee 1000 on the other side
 
lee loaders are slow & caliber specific, but they make a great round. I have them in a few of my favorite cals but mostley for the novelty. The lee hand press rocks! I have a fully stocked reloading room with 5 presses & i still use my hand press to size & deprimer .308 & .223s in my living room. Uses standard dies also. Get the primer attachment & you can do it all for low cost, just beware, Reloading is addictive...
 
Well I think I found them at Mid-South . Quite a difference in price too. If I could actually find any in Canada, they are around $36. Cabela's in US is $22, and Midsouth is $16. For $16 ($20 cdn) even with exchange I don't think I can go wrong. I'm going to call them tomorrow to make sure they have them in stock( their website say they do)
 
I'm just starting out in reloading. I got the RCBS Partner press kit and some carbide dies for my 45 ACP.

I was not planning on reloading for my 35 Rem. but I found a Lee classic loader at a gun show and I could not resist buying it.

Since I will be moving soon, I have not set up my press, but I have started to reload with the Lee tool. As a beginner, it really simplifies the process and it is fun!

Some observations: The scoop mesure is ok, but I could not find any of the powders (locally) recommended with the Lee Classic loader, so I used a receipe from Lyman and used the scale from the RCBS kit. I lubricated my cases per the Speer manual instructions, but when I followed the Lee instructions and dumped the powder in the tool, it got stuck everywhere in it because of Lube residue. So I wiped everything down, reweighed my charge and used the funnel that came with the RCBS kit on the next try.
 
Well I got the ones I wanted. For $16 US, I think it will be fun to try. Am going to pick them up the next time I visit my friend in Vermont. ( cost way less in shipping that way) I read enough posts here and on other sites to realize many people have loaded some good ammo with them even though it is much more time consuming, which is just fine with me. Now i just need to buy a scale.

I lubricated my cases
Click to expand...

I don't think it mentions anywhere in the lee loader instructions that you have to use lube.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom