lee classic hand loader

[colt1911fan]

does anybody know if the lee classic loader is really worth the money and do they work well

 

[cheygriz]

If you're not going to load more than about 50 per month, they work fine. If you want to do a lot of shooting, get a press and set up.

 

[Fumbler]

I have one....and quickly replaced it with a LEE Classic Cast.

For low volume reloading of pistol cases it works fine.
For bottlenecked cases (I shoot a 308Win) it's a pain in the butt because it gives you very little leverage.

Over time the hand press starts to flex a lot too which can cause uneven bullet seating with short bullets.

I think you should spend the extra $30 and get a Lee Classic Cast.
If space is an issue then mount the bench mounted press onto a thick piece of wood. Clamp it to your work bench and when you're done just unclamp it and store it out of the way.

 

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

What it really excels at is providing you with a press at locations you don't normally have one, such as at the range or out in the boonies at the hunting lodge. It's very portable.

Regards,

Dave

 

[Ed Gallop]

I used one 40+ years ago for 38 target loads. Just bought another for my 45 Colt and loaded 40 over the weekend. I bought one at Cabelas for under $20.00. It is not for mass production but I actually had fun with it. If your time is limited you might go for a press but if you like tinkering with things you can't beat the price. Just be sure the cap is all the way in. If not, it will hang up in the rotating cylinder. That is the only problem I had but quickly remedied it. Ed.

 

[JNewell]

I started reloading with one (.30-30, and to prove my Yankee thrift I will tell you that I bought it used) back in 1972 or so. It works fine, but it's slow.

One thing to consider, if it matters - you could reload with nothing more than a rock or a heavy boot with one of these.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

I assume you are talking about the lee hand loader kit that is a single die and you made one round at a time not some sort of press thing....

Tap, Tap, Tap, Tap, Tap.....

Another round made.

Next

It is a great tool to teach you the basics. Like others here I started on the 30/30 and 38 special back in the early 70's. I still have the 38 special die and use it occasionally.

 

[Eagle103]

Yeah. Which one are you talking about. There's the Lee Loader Classic (what used to be called a Lee Loader) and a Lee Hand Press. Two very different items.

 

[JNewell]

The OP said he was asking about the Lee Loader Classic hand loader.

There are threads here regularly about the Lee Loader vs the hand press. I'd vote for the hand press every day, but for what it is the Lee Loader works very well. It certainly made a good introduction to handloading on a budget for me, but I haven't used one in decades now, though they're still on the shelf with my other reloading gear.

 

[Crazy4nitro]

I was introduced into hand loading with a Lee Classic (the hammer/punch type). It is very compact and fits nice in a Backpack. Yes it's slow and basic but it gets the job done. I am slowly buying one in each caliber I shoot,you just never know.....one day they might just come in handy.

Crazy4nitro

 

[scrat]

lee classic loader. awesome little tool. you can do a lot of rounds with it but it does take a while. i use it still a lot. do it in batches though. first get all the cases then deprime them. then clean the pockets. then lube them and size them all, then install all the primers, then charge them all and press in the bullets. then crimp them.

 

[Matt Dillon]

I understand that the Lee Classic Cast press is on sale at Grafs and son for $39.99 - this is a GREAT press, and a GREAT price!