lee classic loader-45 colt-

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1858rem

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anyone use this before? im going to start shooting 45 colt's but its like 37 bucks/50! i figure it to be about 12 cents a shot or 6 dollars/50 to reload if i buy the bullets. is this good for a beginner? i reload shotgun shells so i have a little experience. i dont need to do more than 50 rds an hour cause i dont want to buy many bullets to initally get brass, but i am going to buy one box so i have factory loads to compare to. does 6g trail boss powder and 200g bullets sound like a good cowboy load(im using a kirst converter 1858 Remington)? any tips or is this a good loader to start on for only $18?
 
does anyone know if it includes everything needed to reload? it is only 18 dollars i just want to make sure there is nothing that i will need after i get this..... 275 for conversion, 40$/500 bullets 15$/500 primers (1) 9oz bottle of trail boss 12$(good for 650 6g rds) and brass from a 40$ box of factory ammo with a 18$ loader=40$/first 500 rds plus a cartridge cylinder and 13.4 for every 500 afterwards!! so for money spent on 500 factory rounds i can convert my gun and have super cheap rounds... i like this idea of reloading:D
 
If the lee set up your talking about uses a hammer to help size the case and prime same I started with one,first piece of advice
get a hand priming tool from Lee or RCBS cause you'll have holes in your ceilings from priming cases with the tool provided. The Lee Classic loader is slow but it will show you the various steps in reloading. I managed 30 rounds an hour not great but it kept me in ammo with out going broke. After about 6 months you'll start thinking about a standard reloading set up,press,dies etc.
 
I have never used one. But, in my honest opinion you should get the anniversy kit. I shoot 45LC alot. Powders about 2-3 cents around and primers ditto. Cast my own lead so, 40 for 500 is par. Good luck, Bob
 
1858 Rem,

First and foremost, Get Loading manuals, the more the merrier, and read them until you can qoute them. Then read them some more. That said...

I have kits in various calibers and think they are cool. In fact, there is a video on youtube of a guy loading a round from start to finish in 40 seconds. Not too shabby for $18.00 bucks.

I would also get a Lee dippers kit ($10) so you can choose your powder if you are going with the LEE Classic Loader. I would also get a LEE hand safety primer tool ($13), it will speed things up big time and a scale ($29) just in case. It is always good to be able to measure your powder by weight, not just volume.



LGB
 
i dont plan on loading more than 50 rounds at a time, at most... cause i havent totally decided if i want to get 100 rds of brass for 20$ or 50 rds of factory ammo to shoot once for 38$ THEN start reloading. wold the anniversary kit be better suited to this, better measures, scale, deprimer, priming tools, things like that cause i could swing an extra 85$ if its worth it, jus gotta save for another week to get the money... cause that puts my overall cost for what i need around 500$ including shipping, not bad for 500 rds an a conversion. and ill look an see if there is that same deal on softer lead bullets, or find out how hard they actually are and if they are usable.
 
Excellent article on Lee Classic Loaders:

http://www.beartoothbullets.com/tech_notes/archive_tech_notes.htm/51

If you are certain you're only going to load a few at a time, it's a good way to go. If you are trying for any kind of volume, not so much.

The kit comes with the "dies" (note: not the same as regular dies) a sheet of load data, and a powder scoop.

When you buy your kit, do not just walk over and buy a bottle of powder and a box of bullets. Open the kit and check the size of the dipper (scoop). It'll be marked on the side in .cc measurements. Now, look at your load data page and cross-reference all of the loads where that dipper can be used.

THIS IS AN EXAMPLE ONLY...DO NOT TAKE IT AS GOSPEL...
Say it's a 1.5 cc. scoop.
STEP 1: Skim down the chart and look at all of the "lines" where a 1.5 cc. scoop is used. Let's say the chart shows the scoop can be used to make a 200gr jacketed load or a 250gr lead load.
STEP 2: Decide which load do you want to make - the 200 or 250? You decide to make the 250.
Step 3: Now, look at that load in the 1.5cc, 250 lead category and see what powder it tells you to use. LET'S SAY...that the powder recommended is SuperShooter [fictitious]. That's the powder to buy. This is important. If you buy the wrong powder, you might not be able to use your scoop for the load you want, meaning a) you have to buy the whole set of dippers (about another $10 investment) or b) buy another bottle of powder (another $20). In other words, don't buy Unique because the salesman likes Unique; don't buy Bullseye because it says "Unsurpassed for .45 target loads" on the bottle. USE YOUR CHART & DIPPER TO FIND THE POWDER!

Step 4: Pick up a package of primers.
Step 5: Pay for stuff & go home to make 1st reloads.

How do I know this? I invested in two powders before I got that right. The first time I just asked the guy at the counter, "What's good in .38 and .357?" He gave me PowderA - not even listed in my Classic Loader chart. Next time, I had done my reading and found out what I wanted. But, I forgot to write it down, so when I drove to the store (hour's drive each way) I guessed as to what I should buy...and got it wrong (powder & scoop didn't match the bullets I ordered). Third time, I wrote it down and got it right. My "inexpensive" reloading start quickly added up because of a really dumb mistake.

Q
 
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Its a PITA to use.
Click to expand...

Not everyone feels the same way, Mate. I find it fun to use. At least as fun as my 2 XL650's, my 550b, my T7, Rockchucker, Lee Classic cast, Lee Challenger, Lee Hand press... Maybe even more fun, You ever have a primer go off when you're using one of these FN things - LOL...

LGB
 
I started out reloading over 4 decades ago with a Lee "Handloader".

My brother got the .357mag/.38spl.
I was "given" a 20ga loader.

A pound of Unique, 500 primers, 500 shotshell primers, 500wads, 25lbs of shot, and a box of 500 Zero 148gr wadcutters and we were off..........

My reloading "place" occupies about 600sq. ft in my basement now. not to include the "gun room", so procede carefully.

The Lee Loader is a great teacher. You'll learn the basic steps, and also load some decent ammo if you follow the directions well.

I however, suggest you invest in the Manual and Jr. Press deal. Or, get the Anniversary deal. The $100 you spend will make a LOT of ammo cheaply.
The hand primer is a worthy investment. I've still got my original hand primer (the one without the plastic, and shell holders screw into the body!), and I still use them for checking the seating depth adjustment on my progressive presses (yes, plural!). You can really "feel" how deep the primers are seated, and if bottomed out in the primer pocket......

You won't SAVE money however, either way you go.
You'll just shoot 4-10 times more, however, and until you exhaust your funds!

Careful, its addicting.

For the .45Colt, I recommend Hodgdon Clays "Universal", the .7cc dipper (throws about 6.4gr of powder), some CCI Large pistol primers (not as likely to "pop" when seated by the Lee Loader primer system), and some 255gr RFN cast bullets. Magnus, LaserCast, WestCoast, whatever brand is available. Most are good, and given the above load will give good accuracy and overall results. (about like factory ammo, such as the MagTech "cowboy" loads.)

Don't be suprised by how small of a volumn of powder this really is, compared to the cavernous case capacity. The .45Colt and .38spl were originally developed for black powder which was much bulkier. Many Colt SAA and S&W .38's have been destroyed by new reloaders putting 2x-4x as much powder as required, blowing up the gun.

DO READ THE DIRECTIONS AND FOLLOW THEM EXACTLY! until you learn enough to go off on your own.
 
Ya gots ta start somewhere! The old Lee loader is a great place to get your reloading hobby off the ground.

The loader is safe if you stay with the instructions, and you will get a real kick out of beating loaded and primed rounds with a hammer! Then you get to shoot your handi-work, that's even better.

Just beware that reloading is harmful to your wallet, mine always has holes in it where the money leaks out:D
 
The best way to use the Classic is to do it in 'batch mode'...size all,prime all ,etc instead of doing 1 round start to finish...too much 'tool changing' doing it 1 round at a time.
Myself,I'd spend all the money on brass instead of buying factory amm for the brass.
Trail Boss is a very good powder to start with as you just about cannot double load it by accident.And it's great for cowboy loads as it's designed to be a low-pressure powder.

go ahead and start with the Classicit's how I started years ago,and it was FUN.

but WEAR SAFETY GLASSES,and be SURE the work area is CLEAN when seating primers,and do that step with care.
 
i have the lee conical 200g mold for shooting cap and ball and the rb 144g mold for cap and ball, would these bullets be ok to load in a 45 colt cartridge? the conical has 2 lube groves, could i use one for lube and the other grove for a crimp to go into? i have about 500 of each round cast already and thats why im asking, mostly interested in whether the 200g conical is usable cause casting at 1.5 cents or less a round is much better than buying at 8 cents a round lol:D... putting overall cost to about ~5-6~ cents a load, which is pretty good!
 
^

Nope. For 100 at a time, buy a box of hard cast lead for lighter plinking loads, gas-checked hard cast or jacketed for heavy loads.

You might decide down the road to start casting for yourself, but as a relatively new reloader myself (18 months), I am perfectly content to not have to learn casting as well as reloading.

Check out missouribullet.com for plinking ("Cowboy" style) bullets - 500 @ $40

Q
 
i have one. its not a fast process but it works. you dont have to get the handprimer or powder throw. its all there. but its just slow
 
Not everyone feels the same way, Mate. I find it fun to use. At least as fun as my 2 XL650's, my 550b, my T7, Rockchucker, Lee Classic cast, Lee Challenger, Lee Hand press... Maybe even more fun, You ever have a primer go off when you're using one of these FN things - LOL...

LGB
Click to expand...

Howdy Igbloader! Great to hear from you again. How's the weather? We're out of the RV and back into our house now. I kinda miss the RV. :)

1858rem,

I have 20-30 of these little loaders (I've lost track, I collect 'em) and I currently load 357, 45acp, 9mm, 45LC, 223, 8mm, 7.62 x 54R, 45-70, and 30-06 on 'em. During the summers, I live in my RV and load mainly 45-70, 45lc, and 223rem. They are incredibly slow, but they are easy, fun, and they will produce every bit as good a bullet as my Dillon 550B, Classic Cast, Lee Challenger, and Lee Hand Press.

One other thing, three of my rifles have synthetic stocks on them. I put the loaders, bullets, primers, dipper, and powder in the stocks. This is a great SHTF and/or field loading setup.

Enjoy using them. :)
 
Well, I really love using mine. I load about 50 per week with the classic loader. I did purchase the Lee autoprime after my second primer detonation within 150 rounds (I was using soft primers.) I also bought an RCBS 505 scale because I wanted more control over powder amounts than the dipper. It's simple as heck, but by gosh it makes accurate ammunition!
 
Very Very accurate ammo. for me alot of times its just easy to use rather than change dies and get the bench all set up. as far as primer i havent had any detonations on this. then i have the full range of dippers to as well as scales. i just use the dipper though. That or load black powder. i like it im a fan of it for 45 colt its very easy
 
ok i got the order put in, i got stuff for dads .38 too lol........ i decided to get the mold, just a lee 2 cavity 255g flat nose, case lube, powdered mica, lee liquid alox(for using with smokless cowboy loads) case trimmer and lock stud, chamfer tool, primer pocket cleaner, case length gauge and shell holder, lee improved powder measure kit, and a lee classic loader. sound good? i gotta friend with some 45 colt brass he'll gimme too! including shipping, a lee loader for .38, case length gauge an shell holder, 124g tumble lube lee double cavity mould and a few 45 colt ammo boxes it came up too $131.06, good deal i thought. i was lookin at a powder scale and some kind of powder trickle into the tray thing lol. but i figure i get started an go from there.:D
 
You're going to regret it!
I told you it's addicting, but you didn't listen!
BTW, thats the mould I use (255gr Lee RFN). You probably won't have to size it. Use a plastic "Koolwhip" container to lube them, and then spread the bullets out in a shallow cardboard box (such as the "flat" that coke cans come in) and let them dry for several hours.
You may want to "thin" the tumblelube with about 1-1.5oz of mineral spirits. It hastens the drying process and makes it go bit further.
Bullseye, Unique, Universal, Win231, and TrailBoss all will work fine for the loads you are wanting.
Good luck!
 
i am starting to see what you are saying, but that scale is nice:D, really though for shooting at pistol range the lee dippers should work foin. so lee alox works fine with the big groves on the 255g?
 
Howdy Igbloader! Great to hear from you again. How's the weather? We're out of the RV and back into our house now. I kinda miss the RV.
Click to expand...

Hey Uncle Chan. Great to hear from you too. Hope all is well, Mate.

Scrat, Hows it going with you, Mate? I thought our shooting range burned down last week but I guess it made it out okay. Still open for business, Last I heard.

I just got back from Hunting a few hours ago and and after spending a bit of time with my wife and kid, I thought I would see what's new on this forum.


Let's see, the OP on this thread made the order and ended up getting more than he thought he would get. Hmmm.... Anyone surprised ??
I hate to say it, Mate. YOU'RE SCREWED.

Do you have any idea how many times I have said "Once I get this last tool, I'll be set and I won't need anything else" You can forget that, Mate.

I am going to post a new Picture of my Cave showing all the crap I have accumulated over the years to show you what I mean...

Cheers...

LGB
 
ummmmm.... now im thinkin of the other guns i could get so i could reload for them too:rolleyes:. cant wait for this stuff to get here! and it is amazing how quick a little $4 tool here an another $8 there an mebbe another bullit mold to see how this one works.. an this powder.... an a few different brands of brass, just to see who holds up the best lol on and on and on it goes. no such thing as too many tools:evil:
 
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