Lee Load-All vs. Lee Load-All II

[GCBurner]

I've started shooting a lot more shotgun shells in practice since I started shooting in 3-gun matches, to the point where I think it makes economic sense to start reloading the shells. I picked up an original Lee Load-All press in the original box on eBay for around $30, and it looks like it will do everything I need for reloading 2 3/4" 12guage shells with #8 shot, which is what I mostly use. It's the older type of Load-All with the metal base, and comes with one powder bushing for use with all powders and four plastic shot bushings for 1-oz. to 1 1/2-oz. of shot, with the load table fixed to the powder/shot hopper. I notice that the newer model Load-All II has a lot more powder bushings available for a larger selection of loads, and is able to be switched to other gauges by swapping out the die section of the press. I'm wondering if the powder and shot bushings and the 20-gauge conversion can be used on the older Load-Alls like this one, too? Is the only difference between the versions the plastic base vs. metal base, and the ability to mount a primer feed system on the Load-All II?

 

[mboylan]

You are going to find that promotional shot shells cost less than reloaded rounds. You will only save money if you load specialty shells. Shot by the bag is just too expensive.

 

[Uniquedot]

I'm wondering if the powder and shot bushings and the 20-gauge conversion can be used on the older Load-Alls like this one, too? Is the only difference between the versions the plastic base vs. metal base, and the ability to mount a primer feed system on the Load-All II?

You need the new charge bar and bushing kit from Lee. It's inexpensive and can be purchased from places like titanreloading or midway even cheaper. The original loadall used different shot bushings unless your model is the improved model loadall in which case you would just need the bushing kit, but regardless the new charge bars will fit either one. In fact on the earliest models you had to buy a different charge bar for different loads as they only had interchangeable shot bushings and powder was bar specific.

You can't use the conversions because you can't change the shell holder under the final crimp station on your model unless you want to file off the shell holder and drill and tap your base to use the ones for the loadall two. The loadall two is faster to use because of the shell positioners molded into the base, but i sold all mine as i prefer the older ones and i have the originals in every gauge. The primer feed on the loadall II's are not true primer feeds either so the only advantage that feature adds is the fact that you don't ever have to touch the primers, but you have to lift up on it to position a primer every time you need one.

 

[GCBurner]

Thanks, I see the charge bar kits include all the bushings, and are pretty cheap. The charge bar I've got came with three shot bushings, but the powder measure is just a fixed hole, and I'd likely have to change powders if I changed shot weights.