Spee-D-Loader for Tube Magazine Fed .22s

[Positivity]

I'm thinking about buying a Spee-D-Loader to speed up reloading for plinking. Usually I end up fumbling around with the ammunition, occasionally dropping some into the grass, (Always picked up immediately after, no live rounds jut laying around), making loading even just 10 rounds take at least a minute Or two (Scratches on the loading slot which catch on the rim doesn't help either.). What I was hoping is that by using this it will cut that down to mere seconds, while providing an organized container for the ammo, and making it nearly fool proof in terms of accidentally dropping ammo into the grass. Personally, I think that if it does what it says it will, it should be a well spent $30. I, however have no experience with these kinds of things, and was hoping to consult the infinite wisdom of the High Road first.

Do these kind of things actually work? Is it worth it? Are there equally effective cheaper alternatives out there?

 

[Bonesinium]

They work awesome. I have multiple of the Spee-d-loaders. Get one (or two).

 

[jameslovesjammie]

They are great! I have used them for tube fed semi's and lever guns. They are MORE than worth the price. As suggested, get two.

 

[1madss]

I was thinking of picking up the larger 19 to use on my 39a and 60's and get one of the smaller 11s for the smaller members of my family to use. It seems the long 19 model maybe a bit unwieldy for them to use.

 

[bigfatdave]

I tossed the 11x and 6x into my Midway cart based on the reviews here, I figure I'd rather need two tubes worth but be able to fit the thing in my range bag.

Anyone willing to measure the length on one or take a photo with something for scale? (a US bill or a CCI rimfire ammo box would do)
And how tough are they? Could I toss a brick of .22 on top of one? (seriously, mt range bag gets beat to crap, overloaded, and rattles around in the trunk ... I know I don't treat it well)

 

[BCRider]

I see them as great if you need to shift the loading time from the range to home. But it still takes time to load the SEEDEE loaders.

My preference, when I get time to do it, is to alter the gun to allow me to twist the magazine tube so that the loading gate is in the V that exists between the mag tube and the barrel. Then it's simply a case of lay the rifle sideways, fill the groove and then tilt up and push the rounds back and into the gate where they fall in and down in a very polite manner...

I'm just waiting on that shipment of round tuits to arrive so I can find the time to do this.

 

[bigfatdave]

BCRider, my understanding is that with some rifles (Henry leverguns in particular) ... all it requires is pushing out a pin, pulling the tube, and making a new groove in the tube's side where you'd like the pin to sit, and re-assembling.

Of course, that entails taking off the receiver cover and doing the dance required to get it and the bolt back in at the same time. I can do it, but I avoid it.

 

[Furncliff]

I load all of my removable magazines after shooting so they'll be ready for the next outing. The Speed-e-loaders allow me to do that for my tube fed .22's. I just bought a second to use with a different ammo brand. These loaders are much faster to load than the rifle tube. Even with my arthritic fingers I can pick up 3-4 rounds and drop them in. The loaders are well made and worth the $ in my book.

 

[mac66]

here is a review...

http://www.nylonrifles.com/wp/2009/01/review-spee-d-loader/

 

[scallop]

Nothing to add except another glowing endorsement. Definately buy more than one, they are worth the $$ most definately. I have even used paracord and gorilla tape to put "slings" on a couple, makes them easy to carry in the woods.

 

[Roadkill]

When I was a kid back in the 60s we would use old aluminum arrows. One end was plugged and pinned with a piece of wood, the other drilled with a cotter key/pin inserted. Flip it up, remove pin, put thumb over opening, insert in magazine tube, tilt and let gravity work.

 

[WALKERs210]

I have used drinking straws with great success. Don't remember which of the fast food joints I got the straws from but the larger diam work. I use a cigarette light flame to heat one end and then crimp it closed, load the 22 shells in nose first and then place a small strip of blue masking tape to close the other end. Tape pulls off easy then just stick the tip in tube and let gravity do the rest. Best part is they are more or less free.

 

[talldragon]

I have and regularly shoot a Marlin 60; so I think the Spee-d-loader
is well worth the $.

It's a time saver, for sure.

In the final analysis, it still takes just as long to load because you have to load the loader .

OTOH, if you pre-load them at home (get more than one Spee-d-loader if you can) things go a lot faster when you get to the range or out into the field.

 

[T Bran]

Yes you do have to load them at home. The best thing about them is when I drop a round it is on my chair or table instead of in the sand. I despise getting sand in my actions since then I have to do a full teardown. So yes definately get a couple their great.
T

 

[BCRider]

Certainly the option of loading the tubes at home in comfort and with something to catch any dropped rounds is a worthy consideration.

While I commend the folks that make them the couple of posts above that describe the home made options show that there is nothing magical about this. Any sort of tubing which will hold .22 rounds and is small enough to fit into or hold up against the end of the magazine tube will certainly work.

And in fact I still remember back when we had the shooting galleries at the local carnival midways that the operators had an apron with a bunch of pockets literally stuffed full of tubes loaded with the 10 or whatever many rounds of the CBCaps or shorts that they poured into the magazine tubes for us kids to shoot out of those pump .22's. So it's hardly a new idea.