Lee Classic Loader Question...

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JackTheRipper

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I am waiting on a very nice RCBS rock chucker to arrive any day now from Cabelas (was a birthday gift from my fiance)...

I was browsing around youtube tonight and came across the Lee Classic Loader as seen here: http://www.cabelas.com/product/Lee-...k=AllProducts&Ntt=lee+kit&x=0&y=0&Ntt=lee+kit

my question is... Will this very cheap lee kit, he as accurate as the rcbs rock chucker?

The rock chucker I will receive is very very nice, it's this kit here: http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabe...AllProducts&Ntt=rcbs+kit&x=0&y=0&Ntt=rcbs+kit

but I think the lee kit is just soooo cool... I'm really blown away by it... I was just curious how practical it is... I know it might be a pain to reload, but if you can take it anywhere with you, or do it in the living room, it would be fun I would think. I was just curious about the accuracy...

anyone know anything?

thanks!

Jack
 
Lee Classic Loader

I have the book "Modern Reloading" and Mr. Lee has a photo of a guy who set a Guiness World Record for the smallest group at 1000 yards or something like that. The record setter used a Lee Classic Loader to produce the ammunition that he used to set the record. This was in the 1990's I think. I ain't got the book with me right now to give specifics.

I think what one would need in addition to the Classic Loader is more powder measuring options than just the scoop provided. I reckon if you set your powder throw and trust that it would provide consistent results, you could take the thrower with you wherever you wanted to reload. If I ever get a rifle that I would shoot slowly at long distances so I wouldn't need massive amounts of ammo, I would get a Lee Classic Loader. I already have a Lee RGB Die set for .270, I borrow a friend's rifle to shoot .270. The die set was on sale at a crazy price, less than the cost of a box of good ammo so I couldn't resist.

I don't know if you've seen this, but here is what Mr. Lee posted on Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeEl9wZyabc&feature=fvsr

I just started reloading in June and I started out with a Lee Hand Press because I didn't have anything to mount a press to. I really liked that I could get started right away. I didn't expect to crank out a massive amount of ammo, just get a few dozen while I'm sitting around throughout the week and I'd shoot on the weekend. I recently bought a cheap cart with a fiberboard top and mounted a turret press to it. Now I have stockpiles of .40 and .45.
 
hey thanks for the video!

I think it is one cool kit... I haven't received my cabelas deluxe kit yet, I think it's supposed to be here on the 28th... But this little kit looks a lot more fun and I think it's right up my alley!

I do, however want to still get the chargemaster 1500!

I think if I get the chargemaster 1500, the lee loader 30-06, the RCBS hand primer, and a few trays, I should be set right? And just a hammer...

I'll save quite a bit of money too! (My fiance will love it because we can use it on a plane ticket for me to go to Europe or for her to come to the states, we'll see haha)...

thanks again!
 
That's a cool video! I am thinking about starting to reload, and for the foreseeable future I won't go beyond .38 Special, .357 magnum and .44 magnum. Does anyone know if the .38 Special and .357 magnum can both be loaded with the same Lee Loader? If so, does it matter which one (the .38 Special or the .357 one)?

Like Casian, I don't have anything to mount a press to either, so I'm in doubt between the Lee Hand Press or these 2 (or 3?) Lee Loader sets. Does anyone know if there's a big difference in safety between the Hand Press and the Loader (when it comes to accidentally setting off primers)?
 
I wanted to use the RCBS hand primer because I had read that these kits can accidentally set them...

I was just curious about the accuracy and any more info that anyone could give me...
 
I can see that up to the moment only rather „junior“ members have chimed in. So am I, and my experience with hand-loading is limited. May be more experienced members will report later on. My experience: I own a LCL and used to load .45ACP with it before I got a bench mounted press. For a SD scenario practice my LCL loads were OK. But I was not happy with the consistency of seating and crimping, so consequently I did not find it useful for „accuracy shooting” loads. But maybe it is just my lame hands. 
 
The Lee classic loader will assemble ammo that you can shoot. Loads are limited and it's really slow but if you don't mind spending the time hammering the brass in and out of the die and limited to the powder dipper and the few loads you can assemble then its a very inexpensive method of reloading.

My first loader was one of these Lee's. At that time I don't think Lee made a conventional press or dies. A year later I bought my RCBS JR press which is still in use today.
 
I have a bunch of LCL and I use them for revolvers in .45 ACP, and bolt-actions in .303, 7.62x51, 7.62x54R, .30-40, and 7.7x58. I've added a Lee Auto-Prime and their posder dispenser. I don't need anything else, and I'm happy with the results.
 
A load is a load right? I like it because I can load at the range (And I HAVE!) because of a shortage of brass of certain caliber and the need to adjust the load to get it right. I love mine.

But, I will tell you that when it comes time to reload and I have to stop using my regular Lee press to use the LCL it bums me a litte bit :)
 
so if I get the lee loader in a 30-06... a rcbs hand primer (just for ease of use and with RCBS's rebate I have to spend over 300 dollars to get 50 dollars off, so right now the chargemaster 1500 is 299.99, so I'll need to purchase something else)...

so if I get all of those, would that be everything I'd need (minus casings, etc.)?
 
I am gonna get the RCBS hand primer because I need to be over for the 300 dollar mark to be eligible for the 50 dollar rebate (which basically gives me a free rcbs hand primer)...

problem is, I just received my rcbs deluxe kit in the mail today... and I opened it, just to have a look... It's sooo beautiful... It's gonna be hard to send it back and get the lee classic loader... ahhhhhh

I dunno what to do :-(...

I don't load that much, and I know I won't load all that much... and I really do think I'd enjoy the lee classic loader...

Here is my list I am thinking of ordering...:

Lee loader for 30-06
rcbs chargemaster 1500
lee case trimmer
lee cutter and lock stud
rcbs primer cleaner brush
deburing and cham. tool
some trays
RCBS powder funnel
and the rcbs hand primer...

I save almost 400 dollars vs the kit...

any opinions??
 
As others have posted, the Lee 'whack a mole' loader will indeed make safe, reliable and accurate ammo as long as you follow the recommended procedures. It is about as 'old school' as you can get and the reason it is still around is that it works.

No contest I would not trade my Lee Classic Turret for one to make a bunch of pistol range ammo, but as far as I know there is no more affordable way to start reloading.
 
Really all you need is provided with the Lee Loader. Priming with the Lee Loader can be exciting, but not dangerous. Once you learn/get used to the system you won't pop any prinmers. I have 5 Lee Loaders that I occationally use, when I feel "retro". The last two times I loaded .44 Mag. with my Lee Loader I didn't pop any primers (mebbe 100 rounds). BTW there's nuttin' wrong with a beam scale...
 
Keep in mind that the Classic loader only neck sizes a round. This will not work well with a semi auto rifle. If you load bolt action this option will extend the life of your brass however. If the mood strikes you get both.:D Never can have too many options. I do find that the Classic loader is a bit slow even when doing things in the batch method.
happy reloading
 
I still use my LCL for 30-06 rounds in a WW I era '03 Springfield. I load both a reduced version good out to 100 yards with the original sights and a gallery load with a .310 round ball good for about 50 yards. The loader does a great job and I would use it for any bolt action rifle cartridge where I just have to neck size. I started with with one in 45 acp but that got old real quick. Gimme the Lee Turet press for most reloading.

Jeff
 
I have the LCL in 30-30 plus I have the full set of Lee dippers. But I do have a complete bench with three presses and jiust about all the toys available.
I just goof around sometimes and will load 20 rounds for the fun of it with the LCL.
In a SHTF situation the 30-30 is my go to gun so an ammo can with the LCL and components I have the ability to make ammo on the run.
 
so you can't use the lee loader with a AR-15?

also, how do you decide where to seat the depth of the bullet when using the kit?

I can't seem to get a good seating depth for the 30-06 :-(
 
http://www.beartoothbullets.com/tech_notes/archive_tech_notes.htm/51

This is much the same way I got started, but I had much less equipment; a Lee Loader, 1 lb of Bullseye, some CCI primers, generic bullets, and a hammer. I added tools as needed (a scale to use with scoops was first) and some was bought used. I also like to look at exactly what tools are suggested vs. everyday hardware. I use 60 degree high speed steel countersinks (at about $8.00) rather than "case champher tools" and a custom scraper for cleaning primer pockets (a hachsaw blade ground to fit, also use the countersink to remove military primer crimps), and I made custom scoops from cases or tubing (air hose ferrals for three of them) to name a few. Be creative and you can find all kinds of stuff that works as well as dedicated "reloading tools".
 
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