Thangs Happen

confederatemule · Jul 18, 2011

I got a Deluxe Lee Loader 12ga 3" magnum in the mail today. I don't think it is complete. I bought it off ebay. I can't blame the seller, I saw the picture, and he worded the description to cover his behind;

"Up for auction is a VINTAGE LEE LOADER 12 GAUGE 3" MAGNUM!

This loader is in really nice shape! It looks to be all there,but please scrutinize the pictures for details,as I'm not a reloader."

The "Decappr" is missing.

If anyone has one you don't need, I'd be glad to buy it.

There will be pictures in the next post, if I can get things to work.

Mule

confederatemule · Jul 18, 2011

shaggy430 · Jul 18, 2011

Call Lee. They'll have the part. It shouldn't be much.

gamestalker · Jul 18, 2011

I've never seen one of those before. I once had a Lee Load All I bought back in the early 1980's. I sold it right after buying it and bought a Mec600 Jr. instead.
Where is the rest of it? Is this some sort of a hand held loading tool, other wise the press is missing? Sorry, I didn't mean to rain on your parade, but Mec is really the way to go for reliable and easy to operate shotshell loader's.

fguffey · Jul 18, 2011

the part pictured and in the box is not part of a Lee Loader, the part pictured is a primer punch/sizer ball assembly for a bottle neck case, looks like it will fit a RCBS die, and the part in the box that should be neatly put away is missing AND has been replaced with the RCBS primer punch/sizer ball assembly.

F. Guffey

rfwobbly · Jul 18, 2011

That decapping shaft looks exactly like like one from an RCBS rifle FL sizing die (items #1, 2 & 3).

confederatemule · Jul 18, 2011

shaggy430 said:
Call Lee. They'll have the part. It shouldn't be much.

I'll give it a try, tomorrow. The catch is that Lee Precision has "never" made a Lee Loader, deluxe or not, for shotshells. Lee Custom Engineering made the Lee Loaders for shotshells, and they are long out of business.

It's worth a try. May be one still laying around.

Mule

confederatemule · Jul 18, 2011

gamestalker said:
I've never seen one of those before. I once had a Lee Load All I bought back in the early 1980's. I sold it right after buying it and bought a Mec600 Jr. instead.
Where is the rest of it? Is this some sort of a hand held loading tool, other wise the press is missing? Sorry, I didn't mean to rain on your parade, but Mec is really the way to go for reliable and easy to operate shotshell loader's.

gamestalker, that would be a complete reloading set if the decapper was not missing. The press is a non marring hammer.
I agree with you about the MEC. When I decide to get a shotshell press it will be a MEC.

confederatemule · Jul 18, 2011

fguffey said:
the part pictured and in the box is not part of a Lee Loader, the part pictured is a primer punch/sizer ball assembly for a bottle neck case, looks like it will fit a RCBS die, and the part in the box that should be neatly put away is missing AND has been replaced with the RCBS primer punch/sizer ball assembly.

F. Guffey

Thanks for the explanation. Maybe someone would do a swap/trade?

Mule

confederatemule · Jul 18, 2011

rfwobbly said:
That decapping shaft looks exactly like like one from an RCBS rifle FL sizing die (items #1, 2 & 3).

Yes Sir, a picture is worth a lot. I have part numbers 1,3,4,5. They look like they are in good shape, but I don't need them.
Thanks for the picture explanation.

Gadzooks Mike · Jul 19, 2011

The "Decappr" is missing.

If anyone has one you don't need, I'd be glad to buy it.

Put a finishing nail in the end of a dowel and call it a day. Better yet, call it a decapper!

confederatemule · Jul 19, 2011

Gadzooks Mike said:
Put a finishing nail in the end of a dowel and call it a day. Better yet, call it a decapper!

Didn't think of that.
I'd love to have the real thang, just because.
But your Idea sounds like what I'll do.
Thanks, Gadzooks Mike.

Mule

confederatemule · Jul 19, 2011

BTW... I did call Lee Precision. The only way to get the kit or any part of it is by looking at gun hows, yard sales etc, ebay, or those sort of places.
The Loader kits for shotshells were made by Lee Custom Engineeriang and they shut down in 1988.

Mule

gamestalker · Jul 19, 2011

Thanks for the explanation Confederatemule. I was actually thinking that was how it is used. I've never used an impact type of loading tool, but I have seen them form time to time. If your not concerned about how much time it takes to throw a round together, it will certainly do the job done. Other wise, a Mec 600 Jr. will do 4-5 boxes an hour once you get comfortable.

snuffy · Jul 19, 2011

pics

Here's a couple of pics of my lee loader for 2-¾ 12 gauge. Notice what the de-primer looks like. A short chunk of5/8 dowel with a blunt nail in it will work to pop the primers out.

That's a 3 inch shell there, so the de-primer would work to deprime it. I don't know what the difference is with the 3" model, perhaps the loading chamber is larger?

If your not concerned about how much time it takes to throw a round together, it will certainly do the job done. Other wise, a Mec 600 Jr. will do 4-5 boxes an hour once you get comfortable.

Now for the bad news. It won't work for loading plastic shells. When it comes time to close the crimp, you'll wish you were a body builder! :what:

It takes a LOT of force/pressure to close the crimp on a once fired plastic shell. These loaders were made to work on the out-dated paper shells.

I tried to use mine, I ended up putting the whole tool in my mec 600 to use the press to provide the oompf to close the crimp.

I got that tool of Ebay, just thought I needed something for my bug-out-bag to load shotshells. Since it's limited to paper shells, I should sell it, make me an offer! :uhoh:

Gadzooks Mike · Jul 19, 2011

confederatemule - this is my 12 gauge reloading kit. Not shown are 8 and 6 point crimpers and one vintage roll crimper.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=7333086&postcount=3

confederatemule · Jul 19, 2011

Snuffy, I sent you an email or message or something.

Mule

confederatemule · Jul 19, 2011

Gadzooks Mike said:
confederatemule - this is my 12 gauge reloading kit. Not shown are 8 and 6 point crimpers and one vintage roll crimper.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=7333086&postcount=3

I like that.

fguffey · Jul 20, 2011

Confederate mule, before you get too far into more tools let me dig, I have all the missing parts you need to complete your reloader. You did not indicate what the reloader kit cost you so I do not know if you paid too much, I will need you to forward your address.

And we think we invented reloading, I have reloading tools that go back to the late 1800s, these tools are class, nothing but class.

If I can find the instructions I will at least make a copy.

F. Guffey

confederatemule · Jul 20, 2011

fguffey said:
Confederate mule, before you get too far into more tools let me dig, I have all the missing parts you need to complete your reloader. You did not indicate what the reloader kit cost you so I do not know if you paid too much, I will need you to forward your address.

And we think we invented reloading, I have reloading tools that go back to the late 1800s, these tools are class, nothing but class.

If I can find the instructions I will at least make a copy.

F. Guffey

Thanks, F. Guffey. I gave way too much.

You have an email, message or what ever, through this profile.

Mule

confederatemule · Jul 22, 2011

You have a private message, or at least I think you do. You may have two. Please let me know.

Mule

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