Lee Hand Press for feeding my T/C Contender?

[MatthewVanitas]

Greetings. For a novice interested in dabbling in reloading, is a Lee Hand Press or similar small device that impractical?

I've seen derision for such devices in the past, but most of those comments seemed based on the assumption that someone would try and use one to crank out .45 ACP by the case.

However, if I just want to, say, make .30 Herret round, fifty at a time, once a weekend, would a Lee Hand Press or equivalent item be that impractical?

I'm not quite sure what said named item actually does. I assume it resizes brass, seats bullets, etc. Do I still need a separate primer/deprimer?

I suppose the overall question is: how minimalist of a reloading settup can I use for infrequent reloading, without getting a migraine?

I'm just loathe to buy all kinds of fancy automated multi-turret gadgets, and then find out that I don't use them that much. $25 or whatever it is for a hand press seems like a small chunk to lose if it doesn't work out.

Thanks for any tips. -MV

 

[skunyun]

I have the LEE Handpress and find it to be great for reloading , I too just got into reloading , mainly for my M1 Garand.

You will be very happy getting the Lee auto prime, works great, and nothing to set up in the press.

With reloading 50 or so at a time during a week end, I would say the Hand Press, for the cost and nothing needed to mount it too would serve you fine as it does me.You need to clean your cases, deprime, prime and load powder with the others , with the hand press I feel I have saved space (just pack it up when done)

For the price and and ease of use, I think you will be very satisfied.

 

[Okiecruffler]

I use a Lee hand press for most of my reloading and have no problem with it. You will need a primer, I use a Lee auto prime. Not sure if you're forming brass or not, and I've never tried it with a hand press, but I'll bet that would get annoying pretty quick.

 

[forquidder]

Range loading

With the portability of the Lee hand press you can also do some custom loading at the range. Bring your components with you and customize loads for accuracy and velocity in your firearm without having to go home to do it.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

The Lee handpress is a great first press. I strongly recommend it.

First of all, it's low cost -- and you can quickly recoup the cost with savings on your handloads.

Second, you will learn the basics of handloading on the simplest machine.

Third, when you decide you want something better, you won't have a lot of money sunk in your old system -- and will have learned enough to make an intelligent decision about your next press.

Fourth, you can pack up your handpress and some other goodies into a tool box, and use if for your range press -- to develop loads right there at the range.

 

[JNewell]

I have one and would echo Vern's fourth point especially. Buy it with no fears.

 

[lee n. field]

I've got one. It's a bit slower for me than a bench mounted press because I can't be doing things with both hands at once -- one hand has always got to be holding that press. The ergonomics could be better.

On the upside: It's cheap, and it uses standard dies (unlike the Lyman tong tool), and it's very portable.

It's probably too small to resize the larger rifle cases easily.

It sure beats the Lee Loader .

 

[Okiecruffler]

Ahh, the old Lee Loader

I've got one in 38 special, was the first reloader, so to speak, I ever bought. Anyone who doesn't have one should get one, great excersize.

 

[JNewell]

Negative, there is an overgrown nutcracker-style hand press that takes regular-sized dies. Doesn't have the nostalgia for those of us who cut our teeth on the Lee Loader, but much faster. And, no hammers!!!