Lee Hand Press?

[bl4ckd0g]

I'm thinking of picking up a Lee hand press for stealth reloading at work and in the field.

Are there are drawbacks or bits of advice, such as realistic caliber limitations or performance tweaks that would help me out? I'm planning on using it to reload .45 ACP, .38 Super Auto, .45-70, .223 Rem, and possibly 7.5x55.

 

[rcmodel]

Resizing will be problematic in the rifle calibers.
Just not enough leverage.

On the other hand, you will look like the Governator after a few hundred rounds!

And you can say ALLBEBACH to your boss after he fires you for reloading at work!!


rcmodel

 

[SteelyNirvana]

I just got my Lee hand press a few days ago. I haven't yet reloaded any rounds yet as I'm having to wait 'til next check to buy the primers, powder and bullets. I did install the full length resizer die and sized some 30-30 cases, it seemed pretty easy to me, and I'm no muscle head. Just remember to use the lube, they go alot easier.

 

[Cosmoline]

I've been using one for years. I really like it, both because it's portable and because it's very easy to control the amount of pressure you apply. I've never had a problem full length resizing, though obviously if you're planning on bulk reloading of 500+ handgun rounds at a time it would not be the best choice. It works esp. well for archaic or oddly sized rifle cartridges that get banged up in a regular press. It also works well if you're trying to be very precise.

 

[bl4ckd0g]

I'm self-employed and my clients have no need to check on me during my downtime- so they'll end up firing me for something else. The only big no-no is brandishing and discharge of a firearm on company property, which is perfectly OK to do a few miles away on BLM land after work.

Didn't RCBS also make a similar "wine bottle opener" styled hand press?

I can do my FL sizing on my Partner Press, but I figure that I can neck size during my range trips and varmint hunts.

 

[Ed Ames]

I have one. Dunno about using it at work but it's great for loading a small number (less than 50) of rounds without a lot of setup/teardown. I also use it as a decapper.

I've mostly used it on 9mm Mak, .45colt, and similar. For larger rounds I think it would really depend on what sort of resizing you are doing. Neck resizing a big case for a bolt-action is much easier than full length resizing a smaller case.

 

[Asherdan]

I use one for my 44 mag and 45/70 brass prep on the go. Match it up with a Lee hand prime and I can resize, clean primer pockets, bell the case mouth and prime. I have limited home time right now (new baby) so I've been doing my brass prep on my work breaks. Turned out 200 44 mag and 100 45/70 last week on my down time during the day, when I get an hour or two evenings or weekend I go straight to powder/bullet/crimp and put some finished cartridges on the shelf. The handpress has plenty of leverage for straight wall or slightly tapered cases, punching out 50 a sitting is no sweat. Haven't used it for bottleneck cases, I mostly feed my Marlins with it. I keep a coffee can with lid to dump the used primers into, no sense having crud floating around. Cosmoline's comment about controlling pressure with it is spot on. I've used it for small amounts when working up loads and gotten very good and consistent results with it. It ain't fast but it's a great way to fill up some down time or just take a hobby break.

 

[FieroCDSP]

Nothin wrong with it. I keep one around for bullet pulling, or when I'm on the go and can't pack my bench with me.

 

[rcmodel]

Here's one I made about 30 years ago.
Works as well as a bench press for full-length sizing 30-06 class rifle cases.
Not near as portable as a Lee though because it's bigger and all steel!




Here is another route you might consider.
It can be used unmounted about as well as the Lee hand press, but can also be clamped to a table or workbench with a wood clamp if you have one available.




rcmodel

 

[slogfilet]

Based on my research, I recently ordered a Lee Hand Press to fit my needs: low volume of reloading, and only one caliber at the moment. It's on backorder at cabela's (will ship in 0-1 weeks now!) and I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[zxcvbob]

I have a Lee HP that I use mostly for case prep. If you use it for decapping, make sure you dump the spent primers out of the ram before it fills all the way up or you'll break your decapping pin. (Don't ask me how I know this. Twice)

Lyman makes a hand press that can also be mounted to a bench; all you gotta do is reverse the handle. It's called an Accu-something. That sounds like the best of both worlds for a lightweight single-stage press.

 

[lee n. field]

Resizing will be problematic in the rifle calibers.
Just not enough leverage.

Ditto.

Ergonomics is a bit sucky on the Hand Press.

Didn't RCBS also make a similar "wine bottle opener" styled hand press?

You may be thinking of the Huntington Compac press.

 

[zxcvbob]

Quote:
Resizing will be problematic in the rifle calibers.
Just not enough leverage.

Ditto.
Ergonomics is a bit sucky on the Hand Press.

Loosen the die one or two turns and resize all your cases. Then tighten and adjust, and resize them again. It will dramatically increase the leverage. I found this out with .30 Carbine cases (and found out I can resize them this way without lube and they won't stick in the die. Don't try it with a steel die though)

 

[Ringneck16]

I loaded lots of 7x57's full length sized on mine. I wouldn't call it enjoyable, but it worked.

 

[BigJakeJ1s]

rcmodel,

That one you built looks very similar to the Huntington Compac, but the Compac is built of aluminum (except the guide rods). It is very handy, and much stronger and more rigid and accurate than the Lee hand press. If the OP wants a good hand press, he should get the Compac. I fastened a 4" circle of hardwood on the bottom of mine so it can stand up on its own if I need both hands for something.

Andy

 

[bl4ckd0g]

I'm now looking to get the Huntington Compac. Is Huntington's the only place to buy one, or is it less expensive elsewhere?

I'd consider a boxed up used RBCS Pro2000 (no APS) in some kind of a trade for a Compac press.

 

[bl4ckd0g]

I just ordered a Huntington Compac press.

 

[ojibweindian]

I sometimes use my Lee HP to reload 7mm Rem Mag cases. Isn't hard at all, as long as I don't attempt 100 cases in one sitting. Most I ever do at any one time is 40, and the HP is just fine for me.

 

[lee n. field]

Is Huntington's the only place to buy one, or is it less expensive elsewhere?

That's the only place I've ever seen it.

 

[Seafarer12]

I am thinking about getting a Lee hand press. I am back in an apartment and unable to get a bench set up. I just want to reload some 38/357. I just need to find one, funds are low at the moment.

 

[JonB]

I have one as well. In fact its the only press I have. I use it for .223, 10mm and 9mm so far. Works like a champ and stored away easily. I would go with something else if I was more of a volume shooter. But for the shooting I get to do I can easily keep up with my little hand press.

Seafarer - check Cabelas online. I bought one for 25 bucks. Of course I had to buy all the other stuff to reload, but not a bad deal on the press itself. Or Midway or any other loading outfit. Heck even Ebay - might find a good deal there

 

[Barr]

I have bought 3 of my other reloading presses on ebay years ago, but good luck finding presses on there now. Ebay has slashed most if not all of their gun-related item auctions.

 

[The_Antibubba]

I've never heard of the Compac press before today. I have the Lee HP.

 

[Lloyd Smale]

ive used the lees for years and have even wore two of them out. They work great for any handgun or even staight walled rifle loading. Only flaw ive seen in them is when loading bottle necked rounds you just cant allways seem to size down the brass enough. I dont know if its because of flex or what the cause is. If i load say .223s for a tighter chambered semi auto i will about allways have function problems with the gun. If a guy is loading for a bolt and especially if your using the brass back in the same gun its been fired in theres no problem. Back years ago before i had all my dillons i did most of my case sizing sitting in the livingroom with a lee watching tv. It was the only way without a progressive that i could find the time to do all the loading i had to. Id size and flair and pile them on the floor and the girlfriend (wife now becuase she earned it) would use a lee priming tool and prime them. then id take them out to the barn charge and seat the bullets. Wed sometimes to a 1000 cases in an evening like that.

 

[Doug b]

Seafarer12 I loaded 38/357,45 auto, and 30/06 with the nutcracker for a couple years.The only probs I had with it were the ram fills with primers fast and you have to dump it out often,and don't let any of that carbon get on the outside of the ram it will bind it up, no wet lube here.If you overfill the ram with spent primers the shell holder will get stuck.