Pistol Lee Loader Users???

[Evenflo76]

What type of case lube/wax are you using?

I have been using my 223 Lee Loader and it has been great. Today I took out my new 45acp Lee Loader and had a very difficult experience. When I covered my cases and the die in lube, the case would go right in to the die.

Getting them out was a different story. I've been using Lyman Qwik Spray Case Lube in an aerosol can. Have you had better experience with other lubes for straight walled cases?

 

[ants]

Well, it possible your spray is used up. Most sprays are a simple lubricant (like lanolin) in an alcohol solvent. When all the lube is sprayed, it sometimes still has alcohol left. Shake it real good and try again. If it still gets stuck, you're out of lanolin. Get some more. (For small quantites, both Lee and Imperial make excellent case lubricants that you apply by hand. Both are actually a wax rather than a liquid lube, both are excellent.)

In a pinch, any light lubricant can be used with straight-wall because there is no shoulder to dent. Use very sparingly.

 

[Evenflo76]

I don't believe it is used up. It still has half a can left and sprays with the same consistency as when I first bought it.

It is a very light lubricant though. Even after letting it dry the lube just feels lighter than WD-40.

 

[fireflyfather]

Evenflo: There WILL be some resistance when using a lee loader. The nature of the beast. I don't lube my cases at all when I use the LL in .38 special. Works just fine. You can lube them if you like, but it isn't really necessary. If you are worried about setting off primers, try tapping the case 1/16" or 1/32" out of the die first before you try and seat the primer. Just make sure that you center the case over the primer by feel before you finish tapping it out.

 

[Ol` Joe]

Some sprays lubes need a couple minutes to dry after being applied to the brass. They don`t work well when wet and the carrier is still on the case. I don`t know this is part of the problem, but you might want to keep and eye on it.

 

[Evenflo76]

There was a ton of resistance. Loading 223 with the LL is a breeze compared to straight wall cases.

I had to pound these with significant force. Most got stuck.

I'm really wondering if maybr there is a paste or gel case lube that would make life easier than the aerosol I have now. WIth 223 I lightly spray every 5th case that goes in the die. The 45 cases had to be covered in lube.

 

[dstark]

I use the lee loader in .223 as well as .357. I do not use any lube on either, the .223 is alot easier to size. You just have to use a little more force with the pistol cases.

 

[RugerBob]

I load a fair amount of 45LC with my LL and do not use any lube. Some resistance on the up-stroke. I never gave it a second thought till I read this post. I do use lube on my 30-30s and 45-70s tho. One Shot. Guess its a good thing my bench is secured on the wall. Or I would flip it over on the up-stroke. Just my 2cents, Bob

 

[1858rem]

talking about the loader kit you use a mallet with? i got one for 45 lc and 38 special, i dont even lube 38's compared to the 45 they are easy, i think it helps a lot once you figure how hard to hit the punch.... from then on it only took one good rap to knock the shell out, sometimes two. very noisy

 

[Evenflo76]

It knocks right in with one hit. After lots of lube has been applied.

Getting it out is another story.

 

[fireflyfather]

Doesn't Lee's website state that a few calibers require lots of force to use the LL kit? Might want to check that out. I think .45 is one of them, now that I think of it.

 

[Evenflo76]

Doesn't Lee's website state that a few calibers require lots of force

This is true. Modern Reloading 2nd edition states the same.

I was just wondering if any other users had found a way to aid in case removal from the die.

 

[jcwit]

Does not Lee Loaders only neck size in rifle calibers? I believe so as I use a LL for loading .223 in bench rest shooting. Pistol brass is full length resized requiring more friction to remove the brass from the sizer die.

 

[Darth AkSarBen]

Is this a carbide die set for your pistol cartridge? If so, no lube is required and it may be hindering it. Lube has thickness as well.
I have the Lee carbide die set for .45 ACP. Does an exellent job.

 

[Evenflo76]

Does not Lee Loaders only neck size in rifle calibers?

Yes, this is actually true for necked cartridges, pistol or rifle. Straight walled case are FL sized.

 

[jcwit]

Then theres your answer.

 

[jcwit]

Is this a carbide die set for your pistol cartridge? Lee Loaders are the sets that are used with a small mallet.

 

[ants]

As a guy who has loaded straight wall pistol on a Lee Loader since the mid 1970's, I truly believe the problem is lack of case lubrication, nothing more. Your spray ain't working. Try Lee or Imperial.

As you are finding, there is little or no comparison between bottleneck rifle and straight wall pistol.

 

[Evenflo76]

i'm going to stop at a store today and grab some other case lube and see if there is a difference. Thanks

 

[moooose102]

the lubricant that lee sells is the best i have used. it is a pita to use compared to the aresol cans, but nothing works as good. now, i have not tried imperial sizing wax. but of the ones i have used, i think the lee lube works the best. but i have to admit to having a can of hornady one shot on my bench as well. for those cases that go easy, i use it. i also have found, that for some reason, two light coats of the spray, works better than one havy coat.

 

[Snakebite]

Lee Loader for Pistol

I received a Pistol Lee Loader (9mm) for Christmas. I have a question that is not answered in the instruction paper. When you drive the case into the die do you use the end with the taper or the other end and do you drive it in flush with the die end.

 

[ants]

Not the end with the taper, the other end. Tap the case until it's flush. (The end without the taper has a recess for the rim on rimmed cartridges like 38 Special, but your 9mm is rimless so it doesn't have the recess for the rim. Otherwise it would be obvious which end is right.)

Looking closely at the picture in my old 1969 instructions, it shows the writing LEE on the body. That helps orient the die correctly for the sizing step. But you'll have to look at your instructions to see if it's the same as the old ones.

 

[243winxb]

I was just wondering if any other users had found a way to aid in case removal from the die.

Yes, a very large heavy hammer. Beat it. Same for seating the bullet.