Uncle Chan
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- Nov 3, 2007
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If you had to choose between the two, which one and why?
Simple curiosity, that's all.
Uncle Chan
Simple curiosity, that's all.
Uncle Chan
Lee Classic Loader VS Lyman 310
- Thread starter Uncle Chan
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Hey Uncle Chan,
How's life in the RV?? Hope all is well.
I really don't know the Lyman 310 and have never used it, however I have Lee Classic Loaders in a few different calibers and really like them. I have loaded at least 5000 rounds of 38 spcl alone in my kit. probably half that with 30-30 win and I use my 30-06 Kit at the range to seat a couple of extra experimental rounds at the range.
I honestly just put this kit away because I was using this to decap around 500 pcs of 38 spcl brass while I watched the NBA finals. Lakers got their butts spanked...
Anyways, I have loaded one round at a time on camping trips on the picnic table by lantern light, with a nice fire going (a safe distance away) under the stars listening to some good 'ole Merle Haggard.
I have also loaded in a batch style, BUT!!!... I always use a RCBS Universal Hand primer to load the primers because using this kit to install the primers still scares the **** out of me...LOL!!! Primers go bang easy with this kit from what I hear and since I never intend to find out, a seperate hand primer is the way to go. Once you get into a rythm, you can load 50 rounds in no time, in about as fast (or almost) as a single stage press. I know it's not as fast as your 550b or Lee classic turret but what the hell do you want for $18.95??
Cheers, Mate and I hope all is well and stays well. It was good hearing from you.
How's life in the RV?? Hope all is well.
I really don't know the Lyman 310 and have never used it, however I have Lee Classic Loaders in a few different calibers and really like them. I have loaded at least 5000 rounds of 38 spcl alone in my kit. probably half that with 30-30 win and I use my 30-06 Kit at the range to seat a couple of extra experimental rounds at the range.
I honestly just put this kit away because I was using this to decap around 500 pcs of 38 spcl brass while I watched the NBA finals. Lakers got their butts spanked...
Anyways, I have loaded one round at a time on camping trips on the picnic table by lantern light, with a nice fire going (a safe distance away) under the stars listening to some good 'ole Merle Haggard.
I have also loaded in a batch style, BUT!!!... I always use a RCBS Universal Hand primer to load the primers because using this kit to install the primers still scares the **** out of me...LOL!!! Primers go bang easy with this kit from what I hear and since I never intend to find out, a seperate hand primer is the way to go. Once you get into a rythm, you can load 50 rounds in no time, in about as fast (or almost) as a single stage press. I know it's not as fast as your 550b or Lee classic turret but what the hell do you want for $18.95??
Cheers, Mate and I hope all is well and stays well. It was good hearing from you.
fireflyfather
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I love the things for all kinds of reasons, but the $20 price tag is nice. I don't know the 310 tools at all, but I would GUESS that they're more expensive, and not as easy to use. *shrug* Oh, also the LL is (at least for now) available in a LOT more cartridges than the 310 tool.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
I would chose, ----- Neither!
The Lee hand press uses real 7/8"-14 loading dies & shell holders, available in any caliber, and will produce a much better finished product then either the Lee-Loader or Lyman tong-tool.
Add to that a RCBS manual priming tool, and you can load anything (albet with a little more effort) that you can reload on a bench mounted press.
rcmodel
The Lee hand press uses real 7/8"-14 loading dies & shell holders, available in any caliber, and will produce a much better finished product then either the Lee-Loader or Lyman tong-tool.
Add to that a RCBS manual priming tool, and you can load anything (albet with a little more effort) that you can reload on a bench mounted press.
rcmodel
lazyeye
Member
The "Lee Classic Loader" you're asking about is the whackamole kit, right?
In which case, no. I have one, and there's a reason its sitting in my closet while I use my hand press.
I've used one for loading .38spl, and it works OK. I've used one for loading 9mm auto, and it sucks. The extra $30 for the hand press and dies is worth it.
In which case, no. I have one, and there's a reason its sitting in my closet while I use my hand press.
I've used one for loading .38spl, and it works OK. I've used one for loading 9mm auto, and it sucks. The extra $30 for the hand press and dies is worth it.
BigJakeJ1s
Member
An even better hand press is the Huntington Compac. I started out with the Lee hand press and replaced it with the compac which is smaller but stronger, albeit more costly (I think they're up to $100 now). If you using a hand press for the economy, it's not much of an option, but if you just need the portability, it is a great little press.
Andy
Andy
scrat
Member
I like my lee loaders. I have a bunch of them. Of course nothing beats a press. Never had a problem with my lee loaders.
Uncle Chan
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Hi Igbloader,
It is great to hear from you again. The RV life is a bit much. There are three of us in there (wife, 6yr old, and me). We are saving a bunch on gas living in the RV on our property (which is MUCH closer to work), but there are drawbacks (showers, water, black water tanks, etc.). Regardless, we are having some fun. We are in the process of building our new shed and that will give us more room. As soon as that is done, I'll get the utilities in so we can have power to the well.
I'm actually kinda enjoying the hand press so far. Mostly, I'm using it for my .223 as I stated in a different thread, but also for my 45LC and 45-70.
Over the course of several weeks, I've purchased several Lee Classic Loaders. I have them in nearly every caliber I shoot and I really enjoy working with them. There is something quite therapeutic about using them, even more so than with the hand press and the bench press.
Since many calibers are no longer available in the Lee Classic, I've been spending a bit of time on Ebay. The Lyman 310 comes up often and I thought I might get one just to "try". They are considerably more expensive, but they have an older history and I would LOVE to try one in 45-70.
I've never heard of the Huntington Compac, but I might have to look into them.
Well, back to the salt mines.
Take care and it is great hearing from you!!!
Uncle Chan
It is great to hear from you again. The RV life is a bit much. There are three of us in there (wife, 6yr old, and me). We are saving a bunch on gas living in the RV on our property (which is MUCH closer to work), but there are drawbacks (showers, water, black water tanks, etc.). Regardless, we are having some fun. We are in the process of building our new shed and that will give us more room. As soon as that is done, I'll get the utilities in so we can have power to the well.
I'm actually kinda enjoying the hand press so far. Mostly, I'm using it for my .223 as I stated in a different thread, but also for my 45LC and 45-70.
Over the course of several weeks, I've purchased several Lee Classic Loaders. I have them in nearly every caliber I shoot and I really enjoy working with them. There is something quite therapeutic about using them, even more so than with the hand press and the bench press.
Since many calibers are no longer available in the Lee Classic, I've been spending a bit of time on Ebay. The Lyman 310 comes up often and I thought I might get one just to "try". They are considerably more expensive, but they have an older history and I would LOVE to try one in 45-70.
I've never heard of the Huntington Compac, but I might have to look into them.
Well, back to the salt mines.
Take care and it is great hearing from you!!!
Uncle Chan
fireflyfather
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I'd be willing to bet that a properly used Lee Loader can produce just as fine loaded ammunition as anything made on a press. It's slower, not any less precise. True, there's no option for a factory crimp die, but for my shooting needs, that is a non-issue. Besides, they are different tools for different applications. A hand press with a set of dies will hardly fit in your pocket. A LL will. The other pocket holds primers & projectiles. Powder can be carried in a small flask, etc. A priming tool and set of dies take up considerable space. The hand press is nicer for working in front of TV, etc.
scrat
Member
I agree. i will match a lee loader to a press. At least on how i make them. As for the older lee loaders.
Uncle Chan. I am always on Ebay looking for them. Took me a few years but i have 2 of them in 410 shotgun. One has never been used. I collect them on the rare calibers. Just nice to have. You never know if you will ever get a gun in something that wont be available.
Uncle Chan. I am always on Ebay looking for them. Took me a few years but i have 2 of them in 410 shotgun. One has never been used. I collect them on the rare calibers. Just nice to have. You never know if you will ever get a gun in something that wont be available.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
You'd loose the bet.
A Lee-Loader simply cannot full-length size rifle cases, which is a necessity for many lever-guns & autoloaders.
rcmodel
ClarkEMyers
Member
I started with the Lyman 310 tool 40+ years ago myself.
I started with the Lyman 310 tool 40+ years ago myself. This was based on observation that friends found the Lee tedious.
I have added a few more 310 kits for cartridges I use the most - mostly as a sentimental gesture - to have available for field use - 6mm varmint loads where I really might load in the field - I have several handle sets and die sets for assorted cartridges against the end of the world as we know it.
I'd certainly use a separate priming tool given that today I have assorted tools - I like the APS hand tools with universal jaws so I have two that I can leave set up large and small primers - that said the 310 tool is IMHO a far better choice for priming than the classic Lee Loader but the various autoprime tools from Lee are better yet.
These days I would certainly use a true hand press - 7/8x14 dies - before anything else - although I've been tempted by the Lee Target Model again for sentiments sake, I wanted it once, now I can have it but do I really want/need/use it?
My own hand press choice is the Anywhere Press because I ran across one when I had the cash on hand and it looked nice and is.
I would buy a Huntingdon Die Specialties hand press ahead of the Lee but the Lee hand press ahead of the Lee Loader. As a practical matter I would go with one of the lightweight portable presses - Harrell or Sinclair given my druthers for a fresh start RV setup but the Anywhere Press suits me for the role and I have no plans to change.
I wouldn't load out of a cigar box these days but I certainly can comfortably load out of a dry box or ammo can.
I started with the Lyman 310 tool 40+ years ago myself. This was based on observation that friends found the Lee tedious.
I have added a few more 310 kits for cartridges I use the most - mostly as a sentimental gesture - to have available for field use - 6mm varmint loads where I really might load in the field - I have several handle sets and die sets for assorted cartridges against the end of the world as we know it.
I'd certainly use a separate priming tool given that today I have assorted tools - I like the APS hand tools with universal jaws so I have two that I can leave set up large and small primers - that said the 310 tool is IMHO a far better choice for priming than the classic Lee Loader but the various autoprime tools from Lee are better yet.
These days I would certainly use a true hand press - 7/8x14 dies - before anything else - although I've been tempted by the Lee Target Model again for sentiments sake, I wanted it once, now I can have it but do I really want/need/use it?
My own hand press choice is the Anywhere Press because I ran across one when I had the cash on hand and it looked nice and is.
I would buy a Huntingdon Die Specialties hand press ahead of the Lee but the Lee hand press ahead of the Lee Loader. As a practical matter I would go with one of the lightweight portable presses - Harrell or Sinclair given my druthers for a fresh start RV setup but the Anywhere Press suits me for the role and I have no plans to change.
I wouldn't load out of a cigar box these days but I certainly can comfortably load out of a dry box or ammo can.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Here is one I designed & built many years ago.
It will FL size .300 Mags without working up a sweat.
Another possibility for a SHTF kit.
rcmodel
It will FL size .300 Mags without working up a sweat.
Another possibility for a SHTF kit.
rcmodel
mkl
Member
My vote would be the 310 tool for handgun, and the Lee Loader for rifle.
I've got them both plus the hand press and a couple of bench presses. Got to admit, however, that nothing but the Lee Loader can give the adrenalin rush each time you hammer in the primer!
Haven't used either in over 30 years, but still keep them with my reloading sutff for old times sake. As an OBW, I saw a 310 tool with 38 special dies sold on Ebay for $96.00 a couple of months ago.
I've got them both plus the hand press and a couple of bench presses. Got to admit, however, that nothing but the Lee Loader can give the adrenalin rush each time you hammer in the primer!
Haven't used either in over 30 years, but still keep them with my reloading sutff for old times sake. As an OBW, I saw a 310 tool with 38 special dies sold on Ebay for $96.00 a couple of months ago.
fireflyfather
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- Oct 22, 2006
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RCmodel: I love that press. You operate it using both levers?
As for FL resizing, that's where we get into a discussion of what exactly "better" means. For me, I never need, nor WANT to FL resize, so for my purposes, the LL is better, since nobody offers 7.62x54R neck sizing dies without a custom order. For maximum accuracy and case life (rimmed cartridge), I want to only neck size. FL resizing is a minus.
It's kind of a right tool for the right job question, really.
If you put the LL up against press-mounted neck sizing dies, I don't think you'd see much difference. I will grant you that in most modern cartridges, the press gives you more flexibility in die choice. If I get to choose the cartridge for the bet, though, I win.
Edited: Oh, BTW, both of those presses are SIGNIFICANTLY bigger than a LL or 310 kit, and require you to have either a bench with drilled holes or an additional set of clamps to carry around. Fine for a hunting shack (I currently use the lower picture as my main press), but not so great for your pocket.
As for FL resizing, that's where we get into a discussion of what exactly "better" means. For me, I never need, nor WANT to FL resize, so for my purposes, the LL is better, since nobody offers 7.62x54R neck sizing dies without a custom order. For maximum accuracy and case life (rimmed cartridge), I want to only neck size. FL resizing is a minus.
It's kind of a right tool for the right job question, really.
If you put the LL up against press-mounted neck sizing dies, I don't think you'd see much difference. I will grant you that in most modern cartridges, the press gives you more flexibility in die choice. If I get to choose the cartridge for the bet, though, I win.
Edited: Oh, BTW, both of those presses are SIGNIFICANTLY bigger than a LL or 310 kit, and require you to have either a bench with drilled holes or an additional set of clamps to carry around. Fine for a hunting shack (I currently use the lower picture as my main press), but not so great for your pocket.
BigJakeJ1s
Member
RCModel,
That one is almost a dead ringer for the Huntington Compac. Looks like a little longer handles though.
Fireflyfather,
Yes, you use both handles. The Huntington is actually smaller than the Lee hand press, but is stronger too.
Andy
That one is almost a dead ringer for the Huntington Compac. Looks like a little longer handles though.
Fireflyfather,
Yes, you use both handles. The Huntington is actually smaller than the Lee hand press, but is stronger too.
Andy
lazyeye
Member
This is one of the results from the Lee Classic Kit. With autoloading cartridges its very difficult to size the case correctly, so some of your bullets fall into the case.
The kit lacks a chamfer/expander tool (for autos), so its difficult to get the round to seat "straight". (maybe this is because I suck with it)
lazyeye
Member
Can I shoot it with your gun lgbloader? 
Ramrunner
Member
Any of you seen the Lyman loader that is like the Lee loader. I just bought a box of reloading "stuff'" from a guy that it was given too. I got 4 loaders out of the deal, Lee 303, Lee 16Ga, Lyman 30-06 and Lyman 30-30. The Lymans look like ringers for the Lee. I assume that they are neck size as well. Can't wait to try them out. I will use a different priming method. I got a receipt for one of the Lymans dated 1969 at a cost of $5.95 and 0.80 shipping. I have not been able to find anything on the Lyman loaders. I do have Lee loaders in 38Sp, 219 Zipper, and 3" 410. Hard to find brass like the 219 Zipper, The Lee loader makes it last a lot longer.
Ramrunner
Ramrunner
fireflyfather
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- Oct 22, 2006
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lazyeye: You can use the .38spl/357 expander on a 9mm, then crimp it (lightly!) in the LL die. I had Lee recommend this when I had a need to seat some slightly oversize cast bullets that were shaving off on the case mouth. They offered to send me an expander for free, but I already had one. It looks like either your loader or your projectiles are out of spec to me.
lazyeye
Member
fireflyfather:
My solution was to switch to a hand press with lee dies. Much much easier and better end result
My solution was to switch to a hand press with lee dies. Much much easier and better end result
I've never used the Lee 'Classic', but used the 310 tool for 6mm Remington, 9mm, .357 magnum and .44 magnum for years. These work really well, especially the straight wall pistol rounds.
I later got a Classic Turret press and the 310 tool dies are not standard, so do not work in standard presses. After replacing the dies with Lee Carbide dies I bought a Lee Hand Press.
I wish I had bought the Lee Hand Press and Lee Carbide dies to begin with ... well almost, as I find the 310 tool is great for seating primers.
A box with the Lee hand Press, Lee Powder Dippers (already checked out for loads, calipers, Lyman 310 handle & primer seating die and I can go to the range and experiment.
If I want to get really experimental, I add a scale.
For size the Lyman gets A+ (and as a priming tool an A+). For standard compatability and speed, the Lee Hand Press gets an A+ (Lee Carbide Dies and the Lee Carbide Speed Die get A+).
Bottom line: I found the 310 tool useful (maybe 50 rounds and hour) but limited. I did use it as my sole reloading tool for 20 years.
I later got a Classic Turret press and the 310 tool dies are not standard, so do not work in standard presses. After replacing the dies with Lee Carbide dies I bought a Lee Hand Press.
I wish I had bought the Lee Hand Press and Lee Carbide dies to begin with ... well almost, as I find the 310 tool is great for seating primers.
A box with the Lee hand Press, Lee Powder Dippers (already checked out for loads, calipers, Lyman 310 handle & primer seating die and I can go to the range and experiment.
If I want to get really experimental, I add a scale.
For size the Lyman gets A+ (and as a priming tool an A+). For standard compatability and speed, the Lee Hand Press gets an A+ (Lee Carbide Dies and the Lee Carbide Speed Die get A+).
Bottom line: I found the 310 tool useful (maybe 50 rounds and hour) but limited. I did use it as my sole reloading tool for 20 years.
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