Classic Lee Loader

[tomharkness]

I need help because I really do not understand. I purchased the classic lee loader for the .45 and it worked great. Then I purchased the classic lee loader for the 9mm. Here is the problem - It appears to work, but the bullets will only feed in one of my pistols (S&W S/A). when I called Lee, they told me that the 9mm Classic Lee Loader is only to be used with Revolvers. I tried to tell them that the box clearly states that it is for the 9mm ACP, but they told me that does not mean Semiautomatic..... after 10 years as a pistol instructor... that kind of caught me off guard.

The 9mm ACP Classic Lee Loader does not resize any more than the neck of the case and therefore, will not allow it to feed into any of my pistols (except the S&W Model 5946). Is there anything I can do about this???

Lee told me that the only thing I can do is purchase the more advanced system that they say is only $50 ($300 if you want it to work). Any ideas on how I can resize the entire brass without having to go bankrupt???

 

[mds87]

Lee Reloader Press ($30), and a set of dies ($30).

Cheaper than dirt usually has decent prices. I never had any luck with the Loaders.

 

[ironworkerwill]

Man.. I'd see if they wouldn't just swap them for the dies and buy a Challenger press. It may be a money ahead investment.

 

[John C]

What pistol were the cases originally fired in? If they were originally fired in a pistol with a larger chamber, after neck sizing only they won't fit into a different fun with a smaller chamber. You'll need to full length size the cases to fit in smaller chambers.

I agree, a $30 lee hand press and a $30 set of dies, and you're good to go.

BTW, I'm a huge fan of the Lee classic loader, but I never used one on rounds fired in auto loaders.

 

[tomharkness]

That was what the company told me... "should not use on auto-loaders".... but I am a bit confused as to why they would sell the Classic Lee Loader for 9mm and call it "ACP" if it is not supposed to be used on Auto loaders.... Ok, so you are telling me that I should get the Lee Hand Press and a die to resize the entire case length so that it will fit other pistols... Can I do this on those cases already loaded????

 

[rcmodel]

It defies logic it says 9mm ACP on it.

ACP = Automatic Colt Pistol.

Which the 9mm Luger is not one, and never was.

BTW: It says this about all the Lee Loader pistol calibers on Lee's website:

Please note, the Classic Lee Loader neck sizes only. This is not recommended for semi, pump and lever action guns.

No, you can't resize loaded cartridges without squishing the bullets way undersize for the barrel.

You will have to pull the bullets, resize the cases, and load them again.

rc

 

[John C]

Since the OP mentioned they will function in one of his pistols, so I recommend he shoot up his current stock in that pistol, and then go from there.

-John

 

[docsleepy]

.45acp is more straight walled than 9mm. .003 change in .45acp; Three times that much in 9 mm.

Lee loader is not carbide and no lube normally used.

Would likely stuck case real quick if truly full length sized

 

[docsleepy]

Get friend with dies to Full Length size your cases then you can easily finish with classic loader.

 

[ess45]

You can buy a carbide sizing die and use it like a Lee loader with a hammer. It will full length resize your brass.

 

[ironworkerwill]

You can buy a carbide sizing die and use it like a Lee loader with a hammer. It will full length resize your brass.

 

[FROGO207]

He is correct. All you need is the die body. Just remove the decapper rod and hardware. Use the case remover supplied with the kit to remove the brass from the die.

Personally I would go with the hand press or an inexpensive single stage press and a full set of dies. If you want to add a caliber you just add a set of dies and done. You will be happier in the long run I bet.
BTW I own Lee Loaders in rifle, handgun, and shotgun. I have tried them all out to assure function but use my single stage or turret presses all the time. The loaders are oiled and stored on the shelf in ammo cans. YMMV

 

[GBExpat]

My Dad started us out in the '60s with a Lee Loader for the K98k Bringback that my grandfather gave me ... and a 2nd 7,92x57 Mauser that Dad bought out of a magazine ad.

We pretty quickly discovered that sometimes the reloaded cartridges did not want to chamber. Hmmmm ...

After some research, Dad discovered that the Lee Loader only neck-sizes and we would need to full-length resize the cases.

Here is a pic of both that original Lee Loader and the FL Resizer that he bought for us.



I used these a LOT. Dad would let me sit in the TV Room just hammering away on that equipment ... made Mom a bit nervous, but she was a farm girl, so she was cool with it all.

 

[243winxb]

Lee "Hammer Loader"

Take a dowel that is no larger in diameter than the rim of the cartridge, and drive the case into the sizing die just below flush. See if it makes a difference? Lee's instructions for increasing neck tension may size a tiny bit more of the case body? http://leeprecision.net/support/index.php?/Knowledgebase/List/Index/13/product-support Sizing fired brass in an old Lee Classic 44 mag die seems to make the body a little smaller to the middle of the case. Closer to the web, it remains the same. Using an RCBS die in a press sizes the body down .002" more than the Lee. The web remains unchanged.

Classic Lee Loader- Case neck not tight enough on the bullet
Posted by on 18 November 2011 11:27 AM
It is possible to tighten up the neck on a case by simply driving the case a little deeper into the resizing die. Take a dowel that is no larger in diameter than the rim of the cartridge, and drive the case into the die just below flush. This will further reduce the case mouth diameter and hold your bullets a little tighter.

There may be a variation in how tight bullets are held in place. This is due to the case being sized from the outside of the case. If the case has a thin wall, the inside diameter ends up being a little larger, than if the case has a thick wall. Sort your cases, and resize accordingly.

If the loader is for the correct cartridge?

 

[Sunray]

"...9mm ACP..." No such thing. Lee doesn't make such a thing and they don't use the 'ACP' for .45 either.
In any case, like rcmodel says, none of the Lee Loader are good for any semi-auto. Whole there is no neck to size on a 9mm, they still don't fully resize the case. And throw the scoops away And use a scale. The scoops, aside from being graduated in useless, non-standard, CC's, can vary the powder charge plus or minus a full grain.
Your Smith likely has a slightly oversized chamber.

 

[243winxb]

Classic Lee Loader for 45 acp

none of the Lee Loader are good for any semi-auto.

This would apply to rifles, not 45 acp auto. I have used one before. http://www.midwayusa.com/product/246418/lee-classic-loader-45-acp I did have to buy an expander (on the right) so the lead bullets were not deformed on loading. Overal, skip the "hammer loader" save your money and buy normal press/dies.

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[Bezoar]

sure "9mm ACP" is there way of saying .38 super?

 

[ironworkerwill]

Will:

FROGO207: Use the case remover supplied with the kit to remove the brass from the die.

Check!

FROGO207: Personally I would go with the hand press or an inexpensive single stage press and a full set of dies. If you want to add a caliber you just add a set of dies and done. You will be happier in the long run I bet.

Check!

 

[tomharkness]

Get friend with dies to Full Length size your cases then you can easily finish with classic loader.

finally someone with a decent reply. I did one better. I found a single stage press in an old box. It was covered with rust and it took a week to clean it up... but I make it like new. Then I ordered the Lee undersized carbide sizing die for 9mm. Yes, I de-bulleted all of my reloads and resized all of them..... and reloaded them again using the classic lee loader. I found that I could remove the decapper and simply resize them without removing the primer. They fed and fired all without any problem. I the only thing different is that I only had to use my thumb to put it back into the classic loader and replace the bullet. I will probably purchase an "Undersized" carbide sizing die for all my calibers.