The Lee unit is a waste of time imo, assuming we're talking about the cheap $50 one with the big U shaped handle and no sizing die. It's not solid enough to crimp properly, and no sizing die is something I can't relate to.
Thousands and thousands of shells later- I really have to disagree.
I'd also add that the
lee does indeed come with a sizing ring in whatever caliber you buy it in, along with dang near every bushing you'll ever need.
The mec comes with no sizing option, and 2 bushings if you're lucky- buying one used.
If you aren't sure if shotshell loading is gonna be your bag of tricks, the loadall is a nice cheap way to do it, and load everything from pop-gun to 3" mag.... right out of the same $50 box.
What it will teach you is what parts matter in loading, what tools you might like better, and how proper crimp relates to load height and volume.
Is it the very best tool in the box ? No.
If you load 200-1000 shells a year, its economy is hard to beat.
If you shoot competition, and need tons of the exact same shell week after week, you will be better served with another machine. If you like experimenting though, try pricing out a full set of mec bushings........ ouch. The adjustable bar thingy is handy, but also the price of the entire lee setup in and of itself, and I hear they are questionable on steel ? I don't own one- thats just what the 'net says about this tool
I'd also add that for $20, you can do another gauge- 20, for example, or 12 if you get the 20. Good luck on a caliber change of that economy on any other system.
What it wont do is 3.5" shells, 10 gauge, 28 gauge, or .410
Can I expect to save money on duck/turkey loads?
I bought all new components, and got my BBB steel goose loads for less than half of what storebought would be, and they perform better on target- and over a chrono.
High end loads are where quality matters- and where handloading saves you the big bucks.
Lots of people overlook lee products because they do have a learning curve, require finesse, or simply aren't $1,000.
The loadall is no exemption to all three- but it works, works well, and you'd have to work pretty hard to destroy it.
Like most lee products, you need to know more about what you are doing than " I PULLZ DA HANDLE, AND BBBBULLLETS FALLZ OUT" in order to get good results. It takes a little practice, a little learning, and a little skill. All of which will translate to better loads for you further down the road- regardless of what machine you end up using.
There is plenty of reloading kit I'd sell if I had to if things got rough.
My loadall is probably one of the last things I'd sell- and the best part is, its not worth that much anyway.