Lee Load All

I use one, works very well you just can't use it like a gorilla and force things. The 3/4 oz Lee key slugs work very good, I may do some buck shot some day when I get a better gun for it.

I started with a Lee Load-All back over 35 years ago; it was OK for a small amount of hunting loads, but I quickly moved on to a MEC. The Lee is plastic and zinc, no adjustability for crimping and is fairly lightweight. If you're only loading a few rounds,. it should be ~OK; but if you're going to be loading a bunch, get a better machine.

I have a 20ga Load All that I have had for 30+ years. Mine is the older version with a metal instead of plastic base. I would like to say I have loaded thousands of rounds but in reality its closer to 800 by the primer count. But learn to use it and it makes nice shells. I don't load a lot of bird shot because for the trouble its just easier to buy that when its on sale before Dove season.

But I do load 30 caliber buck and a 2 ball load with 54 caliber muzzleloader balls. I keep saying I am going to buy a .60 RB Lee mold because its a perfect fit in a 20ga hull. The old Punkin ball load. For shot I need to order some .24 #4 loads from BPI. Those make a nice 20ga Buck Shot load.

There for the different shot drops, it should come with a chart.

The thin ones are for the powder.

dh1633pm said:

Thanks for the advice. I can afford a MEC but didn’t know if I would load enough. I will use the lee to get started. Assembly was easy enough. Anyone know what these are for?

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Those are the powder and shot bushings. Use a SCALE though, most bushings, no matter what brand, usually are off a little.

I've got a couple Lee Loadalls. Still use the same one I bought about 1975 for 20 gauge and I never owned a scale for the first 10 years I owned/used it. Even though I owned several scales after that for rifle and pistol reloading I never used one for shotgun shells until I started load my own cast slugs and buck shot.

Follow the instructions that came with the machine and you'll be fine. Deviate from those at your own risk.

I got one for Christmas a couple years ago and just started using it. I've made about 200 12ga buckshot loads and about 100 round ball loads. It seems to do the job just fine.

I have one, as do some of my friends. We've reloaded literally thousands of shells without fail. Not bad for a $50 reloader, that comes with all the bushings you'll ever need.

I have a Lee Loadall with 12ga, 16ga and 20ga sets. I turned out some shootable loads my first go at it, but a little learning curve before I got good at them. I load a few dozen shells in each gauge per year, primarily for hunting. I have loads well-tuned in each gauge for my guns and they pattern very well. The Loadall does well for my low volume use (in fact, this press started me on my reloading journey), but if I was shooting competition I would certainly get a better press. I have even loaded a few buckshot loads, but haven't got the results I want with those yet.

dh1633pm said:

Have a bit to go before I can load. Ordered everything I need but from lots of difference sources. Need a OO load for my FNH SLP.

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You need a load to fit your components not your gun; this is not metallic

Used a 12ga loadall for 3 years until until starting trap shooting! Then a Mec 9000G! Still use the loadall for loading squirrel loads. Once you get into a rhythm going, you’d be surprised how many rounds you can load!

I've been reloading handgun and rifle ammo for over 40 years and a few months ago decided to reload some shotshells for my 12 ga. pump. I got a Load All (even though I could afford more) and proceeded to load some #7 bird shot. All went well, easy as can be (as easy as using a single stage to reload 38 Specials). Soon bought and loaded some 00 buck, then bought a mold for Lyman style 1 oz slugs, and have enjoyed the loader and ammo very much. It took me a bit of time (maybe 20-30 loads) to get a good star crimp but I followed the manuals' data and all works quite well.

dh1633pm said:

I loaded my first five today. The lee double 00 mold came in. Put some handles on it. After cleaning and prep, cast a few. Novice caster that I am, my results were poor. The Lee has three balls in a row in each cavity. Could only get the top one. Figure the mold wasn’t hot enough. So I heated it more same results. I guess I have some work to do. Cast enough to load five. I see what MDI was saying about the crimp. I will take them out this week for testing. Shells lined up I order of loading. First five ever. Second time casting.

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Provided you have good lead, just keep pouring to heat it up. Pour the sprue cutter funnel full of lead to. That steel can soak up a lot of energy. Try to line up the hole so it goes straight in and FAST and HOT.

Don't stop and study on it just because the first one or two sets look bad. They just about always do.

Dab a little anti sieze on those pins that line up the two pieces of mold. I use a Q tip for that.

Yup the mold will hear up the more you use it, I make cards from cereal boxes and put one under just before crimping. But after some time you will learn what to do to get the crimp perfect. You got a slug mold you try that?