The First Lee Loader?

I'm not into reloading yet, but, I am intrigued by the Lee Loader. I'd like to have one for every caliber and gauge that I have. Or that my family has.

My question is which is the oldest? The kit in the black cardboard box? The kit in the red plastic box? The deluxe kit?

Mule

Thanks to all, for the answers.

Quoheleth, I'll call Monday.

Mule

I called Lee Precision today. I just talked to the Lady that answered the phone. She could not give me dates.

All Lee Loaders for Shotgun shells were made by Lee Custom Engineering. The Deluxe model Lee Loader being made after the Lee Loader. Lee Custom Engineering also made Lee Loaders for [cartridges] pistols, revolvers and rifles.

All Lee Loaders in cardboard boxes were made by Lee Custom Engineering. The red box being older than the black box.

All Lee Loaders in see through red plastic boxes were made by Lee Precision. The see through red plastic boxes with clear lids came before the see through red boxes with red lids. Lee Precision makes Lee Loaders for [cartridges] pistols, revolvers and rifles, only. No shotshells.

All of this information may not be exact, but I did not want to bother an important member of the organization with such trivial, unimportant junk. And, there is the possibility that I may have misunderstood.

Although, I really would like to know. I'll keep searching. I may end up calling back, someday.

Mule

mgmorden said:

Are you looking at them more so as collectors items or for general purpose loading tools? If the former, then carry on - collecting things is a fun hobby onto itself. If for loading tools, truthfully, my recommendation is to skip the loader and get a basic singlestage press. Lee makes a cheap C-frame one that retails with their loading manual for around $30. Get that and for each additional round you want to load for you only need a die set (and Lee's basic "RGB" die sets are around $15 or less for each set, which is basically what a loader would cost).

That'll be equipment that will give you a little more control over your loadings and will stick with you as you "graduate" up to more advanced stuff. Don't get me wrong, you'll be able to load perfectly working ammo with the Lee Loaders - it's just that if you ever chose to move beyond them you'll have a lot of money invested that won't carry over to your new equipment.

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I'd like to do both. My better judgment says; "STOP!. Buy a press!". But, my not so good judgment says; "Go ahead and buy a Lee Loader for everything you have! It ain't nothin but money that you don't need to spend!"

snuffy said:

I suppose you know this, but the cardboard box lee loaders use a mallet and a block of wood to load everything. The block of wood is to protect the dining room table when you sit down to load. Also, the lee loaders ONLY neck size. You MUST be loading shells fired in your gun, since they don't full length re-size, they won't reduce an oversize case that's bigger than your chamber.

The boxes made of plastic are for standard loading dies made for a press. Recent lee manufactured dies have the needed shell holder included with the dies.

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Yes, sir, I am aware of the short comings of a Lee Loader and the fact that a hammer serves as the press.

The Lee Loader manufactured by Lee Precision are packaged in a plastic box, as are the Lee Precision standard loading dies made for the presses.

I am broke, but, I am intrigued with the Lee Loader. For cartridges and Shotshell.

RandyP said:

The whack-a-mole Lee Loader is a very clever device. Simple as a rock and it works.

For actual reloading however I'd suggest at the minimum spending the $82 and buying the complete Lee Anniversary single stage kit from :

https://factorysales.com/html/xcart/catalog/anivers.html

Add dies, components and maybe a nice $8 Harbor Freght digital caliper and a person would be good to go.

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It ain't the cost. I've already spent more than a 4-hole turret press set up would of cost.

Thanks to all for the continued posts and information.

cheech said:

I've been reloading for years now and have a single stage RCBS press as well as a Hornady LNL progressive. I load everything from .223 to .458 Win Mag. I recently bought a 45-70 trapdoor and wanted to reload for that as well so I bought the shell plate for my LNL but I also bought a Lee Loader. I love it. It's nice to be able to reload in the back yard on a nice day while hanging out. It's a nice way to pass the time and I really enjoy it. The only thing with the 45-70 Lee Loader is because the case needs to be flared, you have to run it through the expander die. Or, do what I did and order the 45-70 flaring tool (about the size of a 45 ACP cartridge) for the Loader. I ordered mine on Monday and had it Thursday and it cost $13.00 including shipping. Now I have a complete reloading bench for my 45-70 right in my back yard whenever I want it. You won't crank out a lot of cartridges, but you'll thoroughly enjoy making the ones you do. Get one.

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You summed it up nicely. I've not, yet, loaded a cartridge or shell, but when I do, I'd like to be able to do it where ever I might be. With a borrowed dozier I pushed out a firing lane through my wooded property beside the house. It stops down at the creek. A little over 100 yards, I figger, I ain't never measured it to be exact. There will be a shed [roof] to shoot under with a shooting bench and a picnic table to load/visit/rest at. The shed is just a formality cause the sun has to work to get in. There is one disadvantage, though. Skeeters. Although, because of all the medicine I take they seldom/never bite me, just buzz and light.
Thanks for your opinion, cheech.

Mule