Lee Hand Press

[SHusky57]

Has anyone used the Lee Hand press? I just ordered it and a set of .45 acp dies to get started reloading.

I will eventually get something better, but I only plan on loading 100-200 rounds a month for now for IPSC matches and practice.

I'll accept off-topic PMs related to reloading 45 acp or on maximizing one's reloading set-up on the cheap.

I'm kind of on a budget right now (hence my move to start reloading).
My father-in-law got an RCBS press for $20 at a garage sale so if I need to load volume I can go there. I got the Lee hand loader so I could watch TV at the same time.

 

[rcmodel]

Well, there are a lot of things you can do while watching TV.

But hand-loading is not one of them.

You can size cases, deprime & bell, and stuff like that.

But the actual loading part needs your full, undivided attention.

rc

 

[ljnowell]

Thats not a bad thing to start on. I almost did the samething. Instead I got one of the small 25 dollar presses that mount to a bench. With my autodisk powder measure I can really put some rounds out when I want to.

 

[Asherdan]

45 acp should be a good starter cartridge, easy to handle and forgiving to learn with. I used one as my next step up from a Lee Classic Loader (Whack-A-Mole) for 44 mag. I would suggest a hand prime unit as the lee ram or lever prime systems would be awkward with the hand press.

Like RC says, resize, de-cap and bell can be done at your comfort but I'd strongly suggest that the thinking cap goes on when the powder comes out.

With the handpress and dies, I'd suggest a hand prime, calipers, beam scale and a primer pocket cleaner to get started. With 45 acp trimming gear can come later (or never) I'd think. Maybe a trickler and a powder measure, but not really required at the quantity you're looking to reload. Should get you started, keep cost down and fit in a milkcrate with your components if you're tight on space.

ALSO: Manuals...Lee, Lyman, Hornady, Speer, Nosler are your best friend before the first brass is processed.

 

[NCsmitty]

+1 for rcmodel.

If you inadvertently double charge a case while watching the tube, it may be the last time you do.
Reloading is serious stuff, and you need to focus on the job at hand.

NCsmitty

 

[SHusky57]

I would be careful when priming and putting in powder, along with everything else.

This is everything I ordered:

Lee Safety Magnetic Powder Scale 100 Grain Capacity
Lee Auto Prime Hand Priming Tool
Lee Hand Press Kit
Lee Hand Press Kit
Lee Case Length Gage and Shellholder 45 ACP
Rainier LeadSafe Bullets 45 Caliber (451 Diameter) 185 Grain Plated Flat Nose Box of 100 (Bulk Packaged)

and I got some Power Pistol powder and large pistol primers today as well.

Do I need anything else (besides manual? I've got one lying around here somewhere and father-in-law has one).

 

[ljnowell]

You need a #2 shellholder for the autoprime, it will not come with one and the shellholder for the dies will not work.

 

[SteelyNirvana]

Bought mine last January to start loading and I intended to move up to a bench mounted press. Built my bench last October, still using the hand press. I only load 100-200 rounds a month and the Lee hand press is just perfect for what I use it for. I started out with 30-30's with it and now I'm loading .38's and 357's. Very simple and easy to use, takes up no space. Even if you do move up to a bench mounted press, it would be good to keep around for resizing or de-capping. I also agree with what everyone else said watching TV is fine when sizing or popping in primers but you need full concentration for dispensing powder and bullet seating.

 

[kestak]

Greetings,

+1 rcmodel. Watching TV and reloading is a no no no no.
Reloading and beeing tired, bored, excited, impaired, in a hurry are all no no no no no no no.

I can't coun't the number of times I read people describing a mistake they made because their head was not 100% there.

Of all the advises you can get, this one by rcmodel is one of the most precious.

Thank you