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

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My experience with the Lee Loader Pistol Kit for the 45 Colt is sort of backwards. That is, I've been reloading for about 3 years, and I have a single stage and dies for several pistol and rifle rounds. A buddy of mine had purchased many years ago the Lee Loader for his 45 Colt, but had never used it. He asked me to reload some brass he had. I had everything else but no dies. So I borrowed his kit. It worked. It's slow, but not that slow. My opinion is that if somebody wanted to dip his toes into reloading, and didn't want to spend a lot of money initially, it's a good place to start. You will need a scale and a small hammer.

I will say, the seating of the primer isn't for the faint of heart. :D
 
I keep hearing "it's too slow". If I wanted "faster, more, faster, more" I'd plop down the plastic at the LGS and buy ammo. If I "needed" a lot of handloads, rignt now, I'd buy a Dillion with automatic everything. But I enjoy reloading and have never had a need for "fast" reloading, and never a quota. I did try to duplicate Mr. Lee's 40 second reload of a rifle cartridge, but it took me 56 seconds to reload a 7.62x54r round. As far as popping primers, I have one kit that would pop maybe 2 out of 20, my 44 Magnum kit. I quickly fixed that though; I cleaned the priming base, made sure there were no burrs on the disk or stud and used a countersink on the primer pocket like I do on crimped primer pockets. Only pounded out 400-500 since I "fixed" it, no pops. I would much rather see "I just don't care for it" posts about Lee Loaders than the tired old badmouthing. It is what it is; a basic, well designed, innovative, portable, inexpensive reloading tool. There are tools form other manufacturers that I could spend time badmouthing, but I don't think it's appropriate for a reloding forum (there's a difference between pointing out opinions on a tool's "shortcommings" and the irrational badmouthing).

My opinions on Lee Haters is based on 35 years as a mechanic observing the dedicated "Tool Snobs" and reading reloading forums since 2006...
 
I've never reloaded ammo in my life. But considering the shortage and high cost of 45 Colt, I'm now thinking of getting the Lee Loader Pistol Kit for my Cimarron SAA so I can save my factory loads for my Win. '73.
Bear with me, but I'm a total novice at this. Can someone tell me all that I'll need in addition to the kit? I don't mind putting in the time, but I want to be sure it's worth the cost. FYI, I've already saved well over 200 brass casings (spent only once).
You have to shoot a lot for reloading to be worth it financially. The problem lies in upgrading and stockpiling ammo. I think most reloaders get into the hobby to save money, then we buy a new press, a new powder thrower, a new trimmer, etc. etc. And then we enjoy reloading so much that we end up stockpiling ammo that we've reloaded, which ends up costing us more in component costs. I've been reloading for close to 20 years, and after many tens of thousands of rounds (probably 100s of thousands), I'm pretty sure I've saved money... But ultimately I truly enjoy reloading more than it saves me money.
 
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"!


Well that's nice, I never bashed it. I am a long time LEE fan boy.(probably longer than you) I just mentioned that there are better options which seems to be the consensus of many others, yet for some reason you needed to quote my link??

Go buy a Dillon then,:neener:
 
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I responded on the "should I bother" thread with a break down of what I did, I have a spreadsheet that shows me ROI on each caliber I load. I have nothing against the lee loader intrinsically, but I do not own one. In a pinch and if you only ever load one caliber, I am sure they will work, and have for many reloaders. it is my opinion, that I don't want to beat in a primer or seat a bullet with a hammer. I prefer using a press, it feels more controlled and less risky to me.

Not bashing anyone that loads this way, i just prefer not to do so, and the $50 extra investment for a press and die, seemed worth it to me to have a more controlled reloading experience.

Summary from prior post (read that post if you want the details)

Once you reload your first 1000 rounds, you have effectively recouped the cost of the press and initial equipment needed to load that first 1000 rounds (including components)

For roughly $122 you could have the basic hardware you need to reload one caliber and if you decide to load something else, you just buy a set of dies for that caliber for around $35 typically.
For under $300 you have everything you need to load 500 rounds plus powder and primers left over.

Lee hand loader - ~$70 from Lee for each caliber

Single stage Lee challenger or RCBS Partner are both around $100 right now
Lee Dies for 45 colt about $50

So, $70 vs $150 roughly and with a press additional dies for other calibers run between $25 and $50 depending on brand and caliber. where each new hand loader is ~$70

I think you should also have:
Digital scale and calipers about $25 each on amazon
a funnel $5 or you can make one

I also bought a universal bullet tray $6, and a Lee Perfect Powder measure ($22) when I started but using the above you can reliably and consistently load your .45 Colt on a press for around $200 plus components.

For me it made sense to get the single stage press and just add dies as needed. I still use my SS today for small batches and rifle loads.

Cost to reload 45 colt, about $8-10 per 50 rounds, with a factory cost of $40 for a box of 50, you save ~$600 dollars per 1000 rounds and you have ammo when you need it. If you spend $250 to $300 on a press and components for .45 Colt you can pay for it all with 500 rounds loaded.

YMMV
Dave
 
That'll work, but will be painful and slow. For one caliber, and one for SAA and lever guns at that...unless you're a SASS shooter and burning lots of ammo....get a RCBS Rockchucker kit and be done with it. Plus if it turns out not to be for you, you can sell the Kit for what you pay for it! In addition, you'll need 45 Colt dies (the RCBS cowboy set if you're shooting lead or coated lead). You don't "need" to clean your brass, but a inexpensive tumbler won't hurt. Dial calipers and a case guage if you want. On a single stage, you won't be worrying about metering, so trailboss is a great powder for 45 Colt. MBC makes great bullets, the 250 RNFP will run great in your revolver and your repeater. Pick the Hi-Tek coated bullets if you want to reduce your lead exposure and lead fouling in the barrel. Any large pistol primer will work, even Rusky primers.

If you have a Rockchucker kit, then all you have to do is add dies for new calibers as you expand what you're reloading over time.

An no, nobody in history has ever saved money by reloading, though many think they are. You are buying into a new hobby, and any savings you might have realized will be eliminated by shooting more and more.
 
I've never seen a Lee Loader in action, so that video posted by mdi was quite interesting. It looks like the Lee Loader is a good idea for someone who wants to start hand loading. As for it being slow, based on the video, it doesn't look much slower than any single stage press, including the Lee Hand Press which I use.

There's no need to trim handgun brass and tumbling is not really necessary imo although it is nice to have clean and shiny brass. Just de-prime and resize and you're ready to load. Maybe wipe your brass with a rag if it's sooty.

You'll need a powder dispenser or dipper to charge cases and a scale to measure your charges. A bullet puller is nice to have to take apart mistakes. A reloading tray is good to have to stand up your cases while loading a batch.
 
I've never seen a Lee Loader in action, so that video posted by mdi was quite interesting. It looks like the Lee Loader is a good idea for someone who wants to start hand loading. As for it being slow, based on the video, it doesn't look much slower than any single stage press, including the Lee Hand Press which I use.

There's no need to trim handgun brass and tumbling is not really necessary imo although it is nice to have clean and shiny brass. Just de-prime and resize and you're ready to load. Maybe wipe your brass with a rag if it's sooty.

You'll need a powder dispenser or dipper to charge cases and a scale to measure your charges. A bullet puller is nice to have to take apart mistakes. A reloading tray is good to have to stand up your cases while loading a batch.
This whole time I thought we were talking about the Lee Hand Press (Dolt!). I actually forgot about the Lee Loader completely. Obviously I've never used one, but it just doesn't seem worth the cost savings to me vs a cheaper hand press/SSP. Add me into the group that doesn't love the idea of hammering in a primer or hammering in a bullet. I'm not saying good ammo can't be produced with this... It just won't be me producing that good ammo.
 
I'm not anybody's fan boy and I'm not a Lee hater or any other brand of hater either.

My Lee App and Lee ABLP work just fine and I point that out on a regular basis.

I don't know who all these Lee haters are that MDI keeps going on about. Wake up the wrong side of the bed this morning MDI?

If you like to use Whack a moles then use them. You have a right to your opinion and so do I.

You have a good evening.
 
When I bought my first handgun, a Ruger Security Six, I soon realized on my meager income at the time I couldn’t afford to feed it so I tried a Lee but like others have said it got old quickly. I then bought a Lyman Omag and started casting my own bullets and that allowed me to shoot at my heart’s content. Now days it’s about having the ability to craft ammo when I need it and not be dependent on factory availability. Fortunately I laid in a decent supply of components when I saw what the current state of affairs was beginning. If it were me starting now I’d purchase at least a decent starter kit, press etc and components when available. I wouldn’t be surprised to see this ammunition famine to get worse and possibly last a long time yet. Even though I’m pretty well supplied I still hoard my ammunition and don’t shoot very often but it’s comforting to know I’ll have it when I need it.
 
Im a Lee fan but use other products as well. I say start where you are comfortable. And get ready to become a reloading addict. There's nothing better than being with your non reloading shooting buddies. Listening to them gripe about ammo availability and prices and your not worried at all. After all by then you'll be casting your own bullets have presses and dies for every caliber own and some you used to own. But you gotta start somewhere. I say go for it. Whenever you can find primers at reasonable prices for you. Buy them. Even if you don't use that size because there is somebody out there that needs what you have and you need what they have.
 
I'm not anybody's fan boy and I'm not a Lee hater or any other brand of hater either.

My Lee App and Lee ABLP work just fine and I point that out on a regular basis.

I don't know who all these Lee haters are that MDI keeps going on about. Wake up the wrong side of the bed this morning MDI?

If you like to use Whack a moles then use them. You have a right to your opinion and so do I.

You have a good evening.
Go on most reloading forums, type Lee? and you will immediately get a bunch of "reloaders" bad mouthing all Lee products. Since many new reloaders go on reloading forums, the anti-Lee opinions give then a skewed idea of Lee products. Wrong side of the bed? possibly but not entirely for the meaning I'm in a bad mood and jumping on Lee Haters. I like to present the other side of Lee; innovative design, use of modern manufacturing methods and materials. Every Lee tool I have purchased has worked as it was designed. Perhaps because I have been working with tools my 90% of my working career (60 years), I have no problems usng Lee tools, as they are supposed to be used. And I learned long ago to read instructions. I have tried to duplicate many Lee "fails" but found out the vast majority are misuse anfd failure to read factory use suggesriond, aka, "instructions". Just like most tools, Lee tools are mass produced and "bad" tools slip by on occasion, but count me in the "nope, not mine" group.

I trained apprentises in Auto Electronics for a large city utilities department for several years and know how easily a new apprentice/student can be swayed by a "Who Said", and get skewed questionable/wrong info (A "Who Said" is someone who presents themself as an expert with all available data, info. Good talk but many have high post numbers, som they are "believable").

I don't care what tools anybody uses. I have a mixed color reloading bench using tool from several different manufacturers some long discontinued and I have not run into many (any?) perfect tools. But I dislike the across the board negativity associated with inantimate tools by one manufacturer (a whole lot of ignorance and parroting of other ignorant posts).

Rant over...
 
Look at the price point of Lee vs most other manufacturers. You simply can't expect the same quality for significantly less money on a consistent basis.
 
Look at the price point of Lee vs most other manufacturers. You simply can't expect the same quality for significantly less money on a consistent basis.
Very true. Most of the lee products I have, or have inspected, are made of lesser quality than their competitors. They do work though. So if the end result is the same, they are pretty decent tools, for a less amount of money.

Some of their designs are innovative, but their use of plastic and aluminum was for cost savings, not innovation.

Some reloading tools are of lifetime quality, lee tools, most of them, aren't. They are decent quality
consumables.

For the record, I use lee challenger and hand presses, 2 perfect powder measures, magnum melter,many molds, several specialy dies like fcd and universal expanders, bullet sizing dies.

When given the choice between brands of used dies, price is generally the same, I usually choose RCBS. I like lyman dies, but only have one set. I don't have any lee die sets currently. Not because of their quality, just happened to happen that way when I was looking for used dies.

That's my take on lee stuff, for what it's worth. If I had to use nothing but lee stuff I'd be happy enough.
 
My Lee Load All was the first piece of reloading gear I ever bought, got it for 40 bucks on flebay 10 yrs ago. I don't know if id ever read anything, or even talked to anybody. All I knew was that I wanted to bust clays and birds. Is it clunky, screachy, and the bushing chart sucks? Yes. But it still cranks out perfectly serviceable rounds every time. Every tool has idiosyncrasies that you figure out with time. And every company produces duds.
 
I have successfully reloaded several calibers with Lee dies. I aslo have used Redding dies. Hold up a 9mm, 357 Mag, 44 Mag round reloaded with Lee dies and hold up some made with the Redding dies. You won't be able to tell the difference. Shoot 50 rounds with the Lee reloads, and 50 with the Redding loads. Which has the smallest group? Right, you cannot tell! Which will last longer? I can't tell you as I have Lee dies from the '70s and Redding dies from around 2005. Price determines quality? Tell that to IMI, Ruger, all the Japanese auto makers and the top end auto makers, like Jaguar that has a reputation for failures. The main problem is with ignorance. Lee uses modern materials, modern manufacturing methods which many cannot understand. Lee designs are modern and innovative, not the same old design from 50 years ago. I believe many anti-Lee posts are ignorance, wanting to be "one of the guys" and joining in on the bashing, parroting other anti-Lee posts, and those with the mechanical ability of a rock. I have been fortunate to have worked along side some truely "Tool Snobs" and much of the anti--Lee stuff is remarkedly the same BS...
 
The first mistake reloading OP will make is to not start!
Second is to think that they have to buy everything NEW!

I’ve got an older Lyman press that I was given after previous owner passed away. It was rusty and dusty. I oiled it and cleaned it. It’s in perfect but old-paint condition.
I can’t give it away!
I don’t have room for it on my “benches”...5 presses already...

If OP wants it, I’ll ship it to him for cost!
(I’m not “giving” to a e-bay scalper...)

Most reloading equipment will last generations... like the guns they make ammo for.
Like with 2-3cent primers at Walmart, we’ve been spoiled!
 
I've done most of my loading on a lyman spartan from the 60s. My RCBS dies for 357 are from the 80s. So, yeah, older gear still works just fine.
 
Buying used is OK, if you can see the item first. Several years ago I bought a 44 Spec/Mag RCBS die set off ebay, decent price. When it arrived I was sorely disappointed! It looked like it had been used by King Kong's bastard child. The die body threads on all dies were distorted from over tightening, couldn't thread a lock ring on/off. All allen set screws has sockets rounded off, the upper portion of the die bodies were gnarled probably by channel locks. Not wanting to send them back, wait time, etc. I fixed them (lifelong machinist/mechaic so I had tools and knowledge to repair threads). Repaired to a usable state. Didn't learn my lesson, I bought another used die set Hornady (?) and on arrival saw many of the same problems, mainly from some caveman that used vice grips and 24" long cheater bars on sloppy fitting open end wrenches. I also fixed these dies (I didn't mind the task of thread repair, but a normal reloader would have returned them). I have not purchased any used reloading tools in at least 15 years, and if I did, I would have to have the tool in my hand first...

Also I don't buy any new tools unless I know the manufacturer and the specific tool's reputation (again, my background allows me to decern a product's usefulness to me). Out of curiosity I bought a Smart Reloader "C" press on line, no reviews at that time. The press looked good, nice paint, clean steel linkage, and a nice wooden ball on the handle. But it was so sloppy that I could not reload 20, 38 Special rounds. The "action" felt like there was sand in the linkage. The ram was about 3/16" off center and had about 3/32" + slop at the top of the travel. There was very little leverage as I had to lean on the handle to size a 357 mag case. I tried to sell it in a yard sale for $5.00, no takers. It now hangs in my shop in the open to remind me to research and/or ony use known quality tools and don't buy sight unseen...
 
Very true mdi. I've cleaned up some dies like that myself. But not everyone that sells used gear sells it like that. I've also bought some stuff as used and it was like new.

I bought an RCBS set used, knowing it needed parts. I called RCBS and told them I bought a used set of dies and I needed x parts. Offered to pay, but that was refused and the parts plus extras were sent to me free.

I've had one problem with lee stuff, a sizing die that had rough marks inside. It was promptly replaced. It worked as it was and was purely cosmetic but it was a slip up to let it past. In order to get that prompt replacement, I contacted lee, I cant remember now how, they insisted on pics which I emailed. Then I was issued a return label and they got the part back and finally sent me new one out. I guess I thought they should have just sent me a new one upon pics and either trusted me to send the old one back like I promised to do, or told me to can it. I suggested the former, to expidite things. But that was against policy.
 
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