First attempt with Lee classic loader

[thunderbyrd]

I'll go into more detail later, but two quick thoughts: 6.3 grains seemed like a tiny amount of powder in that case. And, when I got done, I pushed the end of the bullet against the edge of the table, not very hard, and it squished right down. There's no crimping tool with the .45 acp loader set, supposedly it doesn't need it.

Any thoughts appreciated.

 

[Blue68f100]

Not enough neck tension. Different mfg of brass run different thickness. So may try a different mfg and see if you can get more neck tension. Check to see if your sizing die is sizing enough. Size a piece of brass then try seating a bullet. If hard, your expander is probably too big for the thickness of the brass. Best way is to chuck it up to a drill and turn it down a 1/1000 and test again.

 

[243winxb]

I started with the Classic.

https://support.leeprecision.net/en/knowledgebase Search here for help.

If I remember correctly, drive the case deeper into the die. May need a wood dowel to go below flush with the die.

Bullet diameter needs to be correct.

 

[Mark_Mark]

lee loaders have been around for ever! I suggest everyone get a few and work out the kinks

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I started out with 2. They are long gone. It did not take me long to buy my 1st press.

 

[Nasty Canasta]

If you're using the Lee three die set the bullet seating die will also factory crimp. It just takes some fine tuning to get it right by backing off the knurled seating adjustment & then screwing the entire die deeper into the press a little at time until you get the crimp & OAL you want dialed in.

 

[PDR_AR15]

What brand powder are you using at 6.3gns? And what brand are the bullets - and are they 230gn RN? I think the comments above are correct, a little extra tuning of the factory crimp will get you all set.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I'll go into more detail later, but two quick thoughts: 6.3 grains seemed like a tiny amount of powder in that case. And, when I got done, I pushed the end of the bullet against the edge of the table, not very hard, and it squished right down. There's no crimping tool with the .45 acp loader set, supposedly it doesn't need it.

Any thoughts appreciated.

Only a couple of things come to mind: first, the case didn’t get full length resized, or second the mouth was flared instead of just being chamfered. Third maybe it’s an old set that isn’t sizing right anymore or it’s new and was made oversized.
The Lee Loader is pretty hard to mess up but not driving the cases in far enough will do it.

 

[Mark_Mark]

I broke out the Lee Loader last night, did some 9mm dummy rounds! it’s really fast start to finish

 

[thump_rrr]

Without knowing what powder you’re using it’s hard to tell but I bet that’s over max with Titegroup pushing a 230gr jacketed bullet.

 

[barnfrog]

It's been a while since I used my .243 Win Classic Loader, but I'm pretty sure there's a way to crimp with it. Not so with the handgun loaders? That seems kind of backwards, as straight-wall handgun rounds are crimped more commonly than bottleneck rifle ammo.

 

[CoalTrain49]

Are you using range brass? That stuff is all over the board when it comes to sizing. My theory is some of it has been worked to the point it won't size down to provide proper neck tension. A case gauge will tell you a lot after you size. I throw a lot of range brass in the garbage. All I've ever shot was range brass and it was difficult to get a consistent taper crimp because of the disparity in the brass. Solution is a Lee factory crimp die that can be easily adjusted.

If you aren't using range brass then it's a sizing or crimp problem. Both are solved by adjusting your die. 45 ACP should be lightly taper crimped.

I'm not familiar with the Lee Loader. I had one about 50 years ago but don't remember anything about it.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Before we get more responses about adjusting dies and such, the OP is using one of these:




Whack-a-Mole. No press. Lee says specifically, "Flaring Tool is not included in this kit. Be sure to chamfer the inside of the case mouth so the bullet will start easily;" and, "Do not crimp 30 M-1 Carbine, 38 ACP and Super, 45 ACP, 9mm Luger. These head - space on the end of the case and a crimp would be harmful."
So there's no neck-sizing ball, no crimp die, and no die adjustment. You pound the case into the full-length sizer and it full length resizes - or not. If not, pound it in deeper.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Before we get more responses about adjusting dies and such, the OP is using one of these:
View attachment 1067261

Whack-a-Mole. No press. Lee says specifically, "Flaring Tool is not included in this kit. Be sure to chamfer the inside of the case mouth so the bullet will start easily;" and, "Do not crimp 30 M-1 Carbine, 38 ACP and Super, 45 ACP, 9mm Luger. These head - space on the end of the case and a crimp would be harmful."
So there's no neck-sizing ball, no crimp die, and no die adjustment. You pound the case into the full-length sizer and it full length resizes - or not. If not, pound it in deeper.

yep！ a small amount of chamfering helps get it stared. And the neck tension is strong (9mm)!

 

[PDR_AR15]

I was not thinking of that reloading kit... I was thinking of a single stage press... this set looks like a whole different level of skill, practice and knowledge. I would like to try it.

 

[Mark_Mark]

my

I was not thinking of that reloading kit... I was thinking of a single stage press... this set looks like a whole different level of skill, practice and knowledge. I would like to try it.

No.. buy a $30 set… It’s a whole level of FUN!

 

[Highland Lofts]

I will be buying one of the lee hand press to play with.

 

[Mark_Mark]

I will be buying one of the lee hand press to play with.

I gotta get one too… After I finish with the mags

 

[Highland Lofts]

Next ss check I'll buy mags.

 

[thunderbyrd]

i threw the original post up quick to get the conversation started before i had to be out and about, now i'll try to give more detail.

i am using 6.3 of ramshot silhouette powder. this info came from the insert card that came with the loader set. the bullet is berry's 230 TMJ, copper coated. i assume it's copper because it's copper colored. after i put the bullet in the case, i had overall length of 1.253 which i think is probably too short. i don't have any kind of bullet puller right now. but like i said before, the bullet pushed back into the case without much force at all.

the case was indeed range pick up. the headstamp says G.F.L. 45 ACP which i don't think matches anything i have. all my other brass i've looked at is blazer, winchester, and armscore, which are the rounds i've shot.

the primers are federal large magnum pistol. i have some small pistol and some small primer 45 brass, but the lee loader doesn't want to load those primers, it's sized for large pistol. i am going to experiment with starting those primers by hand, someway, then pushing them in the rest of the way with the loader.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

i threw the original post up quick to get the conversation started before i had to be out and about, now i'll try to give more detail.

i am using 6.3 of ramshot silhouette powder. this info came from the insert card that came with the loader set. the bullet is berry's 230 TMJ, copper coated. i assume it's copper because it's copper colored. after i put the bullet in the case, i had overall length of 1.253 which i think is probably too short. i don't have any kind of bullet puller right now. but like i said before, the bullet pushed back into the case without much force at all.

the case was indeed range pick up. the headstamp says G.F.L. 45 ACP which i don't think matches anything i have. all my other brass i've looked at is blazer, winchester, and armscore, which are the rounds i've shot.

the primers are federal large magnum pistol. i have some small pistol and some small primer 45 brass, but the lee loader doesn't want to load those primers, it's sized for large pistol. i am going to experiment with starting those primers by hand, someway, then pushing them in the rest of the way with the loader.

From the Berry's website, for that bullet:

Bullet O.A.L.: .638"
Cartridge Name: 45 ACP
Cartridge O.A.L.: 1.237"
Max Velocity: 1250 fps

You're about 16-thousandths (0.016") too long. You're gun may like that, though. Plunk test will tell.

The Western Powders Loading Manual v.8.0 has data for that bullet. Their data is available online now at Hodgdon's site:


For your Lee Loader, make sure you are resizing the case completely. All you have is a full-length resizing die, a mallet and your eyes. You would probably benefit from getting into the habit of measuring the OAL, ID and OD of your cases at the rim and about 1/8" from the rim along the neck to check for proper sizing and concentricity. The LL is a good little tool but it requires some patience and experience to use.

 

[barnfrog]

The LL is a good little tool but it requires some patience and experience to use.

This thread (https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/basic-reloading-the-classic-lee-loader.883579/page-2) has some ideas on how to make your operations a little more consistent. For me it was to reduce my seating depth variation, and an added bonus of not being so noisy.

 

[Sun Tzu warrior]

Before we get more responses about adjusting dies and such, the OP is using one of these:
View attachment 1067261



Whack-a-Mole. No press. Lee says specifically, "Flaring Tool is not included in this kit. Be sure to chamfer the inside of the case mouth so the bullet will start easily;" and, "Do not crimp 30 M-1 Carbine, 38 ACP and Super, 45 ACP, 9mm Luger. These head - space on the end of the case and a crimp would be harmful."
So there's no neck-sizing ball, no crimp die, and no die adjustment. You pound the case into the full-length sizer and it full length resizes - or not. If not, pound it in deeper.

 

[Sun Tzu warrior]

Hope all the folks out there know, a classic lee loader will full lengrh size streight walled cartridges, but only neck sizes bottle neck cases.
This is important!!!! Only reload cases for the rifle that they were shot from, otherwise you may end up with the mother of all jams when you chamber the reload! (With a live round)