Seriously thinking of getting the Lee Loader Pistol Kit in 45 Colt

You will need components, bullets, powder, primers and brass fired from the gun you are going to fire the reloads in. You will also need a hammer and a lot of time.

I do have one but it’s usefulness fades as soon as you have any kind of press that uses 7/8-14 dies.

https://leeprecision.com/breech-lock-challenger-kit.html
This is the minimum that I would recommend starting with. When I see someone that wants to start reloading with a "wack a mole" kit, my advise is to not bother, because they are usually not serious about it or after a while found out they wasted their money and had to spend it again to get something better.

I'm sure there are people that will disagree with what I'm saying but by the time you buy what you need to reload and do it correctly you will have had to buy what's in this kit anyways, and this kit is the bare minimum most people will accept anyways.

The components like Powder and primers are hard to get right now and the primers are like triple what they did cost, when you can find them.

It's not a good time to get into the craft.

Like jmorris said---components and a hammer. I would recommend a decent scale either beam or digital (your preference).

jmorris said:

You will need components, bullets, powder, primers and brass fired from the gun you are going to fire the reloads in. You will also need a hammer and a lot of time.

I do have one but it’s usefulness fades as soon as you have any kind of press that uses 7/8-14 dies.

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Ditto....I have one Target Model in .243...........................used.......once.....20 rounds. Then I bought a Rock Chucker. Still have it, but pretty sure I'll never use it unless a bomb drops and only it and me survive.

There's a lot of talk these days about making 72 hour survival kits for a bad future......Besides the usual recommended things, I'd be tempted to add the Lee Target Loader, some bullets, primers, and powder.......of course my little Remington 600 Mohawk .243 rifle......rocks are plentiful so I probably wouldn't have to add the hammer.....

VMass said:

what about other equipment I might need to prep the brass, more accurately measure black or smokeless powder, etc.?

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1. You don't really need anything else to "prep" the brass. As soon as you get the spent primer out of a case, and resize it (which you can do both things with your Lee Loader kit), it's ready to reload.
2. The precise amount (by weight) of black powder you put in the case is not important. What IS important when it comes to black powder is that there's no dead air space left in the case after you seat the bullet. It doesn't even hurt if the black powder gets compressed a bit when you seat the bullet.
3. You'll need a reloading scale to "accurately" measure smokeless powder, but your Lee Loader kit will come with a plastic, Lee powder dipper and a little chart that tells you the approximate weight of several different types of smokeless powder that size dipper holds.
4. etc. - I'd buy an "ABCs of Reloading" book, and read it before I bought a Lee Loader. However, I'm being a bit of a hypocrite here. I too, (just like so many others) started with a Lee Loader. It was a waste of money - within a month or six weeks, I bought myself a basic RCBS reloading kit that included a press, a set of dies, a shell holder, a scale, and a reloading block. I also bought a whole set of Lee powder dippers that included a sliding chart, and it didn't cost as much as what I paid for the Lee Loader - which went in a drawer somewhere never to be seen again.

For some reason there are "experienced" reloaders that strongly warn new reloaders to stay away from Lee Loaders (just saw another similar thread in another forum and of the dozen replies, most of the answers stated the Lee Loaders were the worst thing a new reloader could waste their time with.). Funny, but there are probably millions (or at least hundreds of thousands) of reloaders that started with and many currently use Lee Loaders. I'm one. I started reloading waaaay pre web and didnt have the "benefit" of internet wisdom to "guide" me (Thankfully!). I learned reloading lessons that have stayed with me since I pounded out my first 38 Special in 1969. I learned how every step in the process was done, why it was done, and consequences of being done incorrectly. I also earned a lot about my guns. Slow? Reloaders are well advised to never be in a hurry, especially new reloaders (a video of Mr. Lee loading a rifle round in less than a minute . I take a bit longer because I weigh most of my powder charges). I still have 8 Lee Loaders and occasionally get one out and pound out a box of reloads, especially if i don't want to reset my Co-Ax or get another press out and mount it on my bench. I also have a Lyman 310 in 44 Special, but for me at least, it feels clumbsy and slow.

A reloading kit often has items one rarely uses and sometimes never. The only tool needed other than a mallet and possibly a scale is a good reloading manual(s) and calipers for rifle, seni auto handgun rounds. I use a lead puck (my "ingots" for casting) as an anvil and it is quieter and I'm not beating on my bench.

tightgroup tiger said:

I'm sure there are people that will disagree with what I'm saying but by the time you buy what you need to reload and do it correctly you will have had to buy what's in this kit anyways, and this kit is the bare minimum most people will accept anyways.

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. I am one that strongly disagees. I can get out my LL, scale, mallet, reloading manual and easily produce safe, accurate handloads. If I am reloading rifle rounds or semi-auto handgun rounds I use a dial caliper, but that is a needed purchase even if one bought a kit. Today's prices for Lee Loaders (from Lee, but cheaper from other vendors) run $45.98, for Lee die sets. Lee dies run $77.00 for handgun sets and around $45.00 for rifle sets, which is $80.00 w/shipping needed expence to just use a press kit costing $259.00. A Lee Loader costing $46.00 + shipping, a plastic mallet ($15.00 new) or a chunk of wood/old hammer handle and perhaps a caliper are all the tools needed.

Personally, I have no interest in what experienced reloaders use but I feel it's a disservice to a new reloader looking for info to be given biased/skewed/incorrect info. (opinion).

Rant? Yep, I just get tired of Lee Haters and misinforming new reloaders. Let the flames begin!

There was a recent thread on this topic.

Read this thread!

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/should-i-even-bother.898931/#post-12147023

There is nothing wrong with the lee loader. But a press and dies are better.

You do not need a scale to start If you're using lee dippers. The way they work is, let's say minimum powder charge is 5.0 grains and max is 8.0 grains, the dipper throws 6.2 grains so it's at the low end. You throw a dipper worth of powder and trust it's correct. I started with lee dippers. I used them without a scale a while, then I got a scale and confirmed they are indeed right on or maybe a touch shy of what they claim to be. Some folks can't trust them without verifying them on a scale. I did, many have in the past.

You don't really need anything in addition to the lee loader. A chamfer deburr tool and a primer pocket cleaner is nice. But, not needed.

If you came down to my house with a lee loader, your gun, brass, primers, powder, bullets. I could show you how to use it and you could make ammo without using anything else not in the kit, except for a stick about 1 1/2" x 12" to whack it.

You don't have to have a huge setup to load good ammo. A hand press, dies, dipper set, priming die, powder funnel are all you really need. I mean if you went with the minimum press route instead of a lee loader.

A manual is not a must, the lee loader has instructions that are sufficient for it's safe use. A manual teaches you the reasons for each operation of the loading sequence and some details about it. It teaches about safety and aspects of loading that the lee loader instructions don't. However, the lee loader instructions will do if all you use is the lee loader.

How many rounds are you thinking you'll load ? If it's under a couple hundred then the Lee loader isn't a bad choice. If you're thinking that you will need to load hundreds or more it might be better to look at a cheap single stage press and Lee dies. Cost is higher but you'll save time.

You stated that you haven't loaded before. Spend a lot of time reading up on the subject online. This forum is a great place to gain information and ask questions when you get confused.

The powder manufactures will list load data on their websites. Check several and see what powders are available in your area. As mentioned above, you'll need primers. They are staring to show up at more stores. Good luck and welcome to the world of reloading/handloading.

This is how it starts. Getting a Lee Loader.

Next thing you know you will be printing 3d parts for your case and bullet feeders. Then comes the steel building.

As someone that started out with the Lee loader kits in the 70's, my advice is to skip them and get one of their O frame or a breech lock single stage presses instead. I've had primers detonate trying to seat them (you have to tap them in place) and the cases didn't uniformly resize sufficient to fit another gun aside the one they were fired in.

The press, a priming tool and a set of dies will cost a little more than the kits do, but well worth the money.

just buy the lee loader now, and worry about the rest later

If not already mentioned. If you shoot any thing less than , off the top of my head, 50 rounds a month or less. Sure why not. More than that your better off investing in a basic single stage press and a set of dies. Non precession shooting with target velocity loads , a Lee dipper kit will suffice for powder charges. I’d recommend Trail Boss powder. The Lee single stage press will also serve as your priming tool with a simple low cost primer setting tool. Be aware however, in my opinion your not going to save money and finding components may be just as difficult as finding ammo.

GW Staar said:

There's a lot of talk these days about making 72 hour survival kits for a bad future......Besides the usual recommended things, I'd be tempted to add the Lee Target Loader, some bullets, primers, and powder...

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The only problem with that is I could securely pack more air/water tight ammunition, easier than I could pack all the components and Lee loader/hammer.

Then again our place would be where others come for a safe place to stay vs a place I would “bug out” from.

https://www.google.com/url?q=http:/...cQFnoECAYQAg&usg=AOvVaw2WAZw4Md26SiAQdn81C_7i

https://www.google.com/url?q=http:/...AQFnoECAUQAg&usg=AOvVaw2ZI4KeBB-5a8z3-YYoWOLU

jmorris said:

The only problem with that is I could securely pack more air/water tight ammunition, easier than I could pack all the components and Lee loader/hammer.

Then again our place would be where others come for a safe place to stay vs a place I would “bug out” from.

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You're probably right.....the more I think about it, my bug out place (in the Colorado mountains) is where I should prepare. But, I'd rather have my small footprint Summit press than the Lee tool. If I were smart, I'd start stocking that cabin, components and finished ammo. A good hiding place should be created first. Owning a design/build firm, I don't have many excuses not to.

IMO a Lee Loader will work but you will soon tire of the slow speed of loading a few rounds. While I'm not in a rush and I like reloading I just feel the loader is just to work intensive for little rewards.

I suggest buying a very simple setup you can still use when you move on to faster and better equipment later. Lee equipment is inexpensive but it works well. You will need a press, dies, powder metering of some sort, an OAL gauge and a primer installer. All else is extra but not necessarily for loading good ammo. You should buy a reloading manual but to save money at first you can use the powder and bullet manufacturers load data sites.

Calipers $23
Safety primer set $19
Powder funnel $4.25
Lee scoop set $12.50
45 Colt Carbide dies $49
A very basic single stage press $56 (can be used with all cartridge dies instead of being dedicated to only 1) I the future you can use it as a decapping station so no waste. If you want go spend a little more on a good press the Lyman Victory press will run you $189 and will also eliminate the need to buy a priming tool because it has an on press primer installer. (although I like hand primers because you have a better feel of the primer)

For $146 you have a very basic reloading setup that will load good 45 Colt ammo. That ammo is $50/box when you can find it and you can load a box at current component prices for $27 with a 250gr cast bullet. At that savings you will recoup the cost of the equipment in less than 7 boxes.

A good online store for reloading equipment is FS Reloading. They are inexpensive and can be trusted.
https://fsreloading.com/

With the 45C one doesn’t need to buy gages measuring devices and fancy paraphernalia. Head spaces on the rim, the case will split at the mouth long before its grown in length. In Most revolvers the case will chamber with out full length resizing, size just enough to hold the bullet. 45C designed bullets have crimping grooves, seat to groove and roll crimp. For an authentic 45C round put as much black powder in as the case will hold and seat the bullet. For smokeless the Lee 1.3 dipper will throw 6.0 grains of TrailBoss, a good load for both 250 and 230 grain bullets.
I load a lot of 45C but in all honesty it’s done with a Dillon 550.

I’ve never used a Lee Loader, but have always admired the simplicity from afar. Had I not been in the fortunate position to be able to use my dad’s reloading bench as a young adult, and then inherit his gear later on, then I likely would have grabbed a Lee Loader set years ago.

One dimension of handloading that some forget is that loading is part of the enjoyment of the shooting hobby. Not all of us set out to load the fastest and most efficiently. Many of us enjoy the hours spent working with our hands at the bench — often with our kids or grandkids.

I’ve loaded thousands of rounds of .45 Colt with this old single stage press. I go through enough ammo that one might think I would have upgraded to a progressive press by now. I’m blessed with the means that I could afford it. But I enjoy the pace I have, and the way I can involve my kids in the process. I have many fond memories of good, lengthy conversations with my dad when I was a boy, working with him at the reloading bench. This kind of thing is more rewarding in the big scheme of things than loading ammo quickly.

If you’re getting into handloading merely because it seems like a cost saving expedient, then you’re probably going to find pretty quickly that it’s not for you. There’s quite a time commitment involved. You will spend exponentially more time at the reloading bench compared to time shooting. All of the care and labor that goes into preparing a single cartridge is blown away in less than an instant at the range. If you’re not the kind of guy that’s going to enjoy the journey of reloading, then you’re going to be dissatisfied the moment you head home from the range staring at that box of spent cases. Reloading will be a chore to you.

There are those people who hate handloading but force themselves to do it for cost savings. But these are the kinds of people who can only be satisfied by making handloading as efficient as possible so they can get it over with. And the only way to make it efficient is to spend big money.

Anyway, food for thought! Good luck.

Rule3 said:

There was a recent thread on this topic.

Read this thread!

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/should-i-even-bother.898931/#post-12147023

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Yes, 3, this topic has been rehashed many, many times on many forums. If I had a dime for every Lee Hater/Lee Loader defaming post I've seen I could buy a new Lee Loader, a dipper set, a Lee Safety Scale, a brand new mallet and components to reload quickly, safely and accurately enough ammo to keep one gun shooting for 2.75 years. One of the most sold, best enrty level tool ever produced sure gets badmouthed a lot (ignorance, snobbishness ??)...

Yes, I'm a "Lee Fan Boy" and long time member of the "Low Life Lee Lovers Club"!

Mdi: Nothing wrong with the tool.....it's just slowwwww. I'm not going to sing praises for a garden trowel, when a shovel works much better.....or a backhoe. Just being honest....I lasted 20 rounds.....but I'm lazier than most.... That said, my Target Model .243 version only created a 1/4" hole at a 100 yards with 5 rounds in it....but I was young and I'd rather have a 1/2" hole if I could reload them 10 times faster. Lee hating has nothing to do with it. I'm super happy with my current favorite Lee tool....the APP.

Here's hoping you had a Merry Christmas......