The Lee Loader - Awesome!

[Victor1Echo]

There was a Lee Loader in some reloading equipment I bought, and I was curious as to how it worked. I watched the video on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeEl9wZyabc . Then I went a reloaded 6 44 mag rounds. It's kind of scary, but fun. It was also quite easy and fast. I was really impressed with the product, but also the genuis behind it. Anybody as amazed as me about the Lee Loader?

PS I do have a basic bench set up with two othe 44 mag dies, but I just wanted to try it this way. Glad I did.

 

[jcwit]

It's a setup I started with years and years ago. I still use a Lee loader for benchrest shooting and reloading at the range.

To bad they don't make them in more calibers.

 

[mothermopar]

I started a thread asking about 'beginner' reloading sets, it evolved into one about the lee loader, et. al.

Check it out and add your thoughts, please!

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=527353

 

[GW Staar]

I started with a Lee Loader in .243 40 years ago. In those days Lee sold the Lee Loader and the "Target" model Lee Loader. The target model was I think $5 more. $19.95, $24.95...or was it $12.95, $24.95...too long ago. In the target model you also got a neck reamer and a straight line seater. How did it work for me?

My first twenty rounds was loaded on the kitchen floor. Speer 107gr bullets, Winchester 760, Winchester brass and primers. At the range, resting against a vertical column, and shot out of a new Remington 600 Mohawk (my first gun, $115 dollars) One 100 yd. five shot hole, 1/2" wide! Awesome!

Although, it caused an instant, permanent addiction to reloads, I was impetuously impatient, so I ordered a Rock Chucker the same week. Still have my .243 Target Model Lee Loader...used once. (never was a benchrest shooter) Probably won't sell it...it's a symbol. I should load another 20 though and see if I can duplicate or better the the first group in the same gun...40 years later. Still have my first gun too, obviously

 

[jonnyc]

It's all I use for .45 ACP, .45 Super, .308, .30-40, .303, and 7.62x54R.

 

[dwhite]

Jonnyc,

You actually load all those rounds on a "whack-a-mole" hammer type Lee Loader? Amazing. I've got one for .30-06. Haven't used it in years but I can't part with it.

All the Best,
D. White

 

[ranger335v]

"Anybody as amazed as me about the Lee Loader?"

Thousands. It is the foundation upon which today's Lee company was built.

 

[GW Staar]

"Anybody as amazed as me about the Lee Loader?"

Thousands. It is the foundation upon which today's Lee company was built.

Like I said, a Lee Loader is a symbol. The beginnings of affordable handloading, and the tool that put money in Mr. Lee's coffers to allow his fertile mind to invent many tools and methods that we use, that other companies had to pay him royalties to copy.

 

[jonnyc]

Yes, DWhite. It's all for bolt-actions and revolvers. I've upgraded to a Lee Auto-Prime and powder measure, but the heart of my operation is still the Classic Loaders.

 

[qajaq59]

Lee did everyone a favor dreaming it up, and he got a lot of guys into the hobby with it. Especially back in the 50s when money was so tight.

 

[RandyP]

"Especially back in the 50s when money was so tight."

As opposed to now when it's "Let the good times roll!"

lol

Seriously, they may not be the best choice for all needs, but Lee products are why I am able to reload. I own them, I use them, they work.

'Nuff said.

 

[Tallinar]

I'd be more amazed if the sizer was somehow carbide and didn't require case lubing. Only thing that kind of stops me from trying it for my .44 mag or .45 Colt.

 

[jcwit]

What do you expect for $22.00. Buy a spray can of teflon spray and use a butter spread dish and have at it. Not a big deal really.

 

[Ranger J]

Like a lot of you the little Lee was my first re loader and it started me down the slippery road to reloading. My first one was a 12 ga and I don't know how many thousand rounds I loaded with that one. Later I got into center fire pistol and rifle reloading and while it worked generally well it did have some weaknesses. I was shooting two 44 mag rifles, a Handi and a Ruger Deerfield. I soon learned that the Handi had a much more generous chamber than the Ruger and as the Lee did not full size re size the cases fired in the Handi would not chamber in the Ruger. About the only other down side to the Lee was the occasional primer that would go off when you were seating it 'whack a mole' style. Large size primers would certainly get your attention the first time or two that it happened. I still have a stack of the little Lee sets on my re loading bench but these days they mostly just catch dust. Still I probably wouldn't be in reloading today without them.

RJ

 

[jonnyc]

I never use any lube, I just got a bigger hammer. The .45 ACP takes an extra whack or two, not to really an issue.

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

I load for my .303 British and the .22 hornet. It really improved the .303 accuracy a lot. The hornet works just fine too. No complaints here for sure.

 

[earlthegoat2]

I like them.

I use it for 303 and sometimes 38. I like to have one of every caliber I have but 9mm just would not cut it with an Original Lee. Any rifle I will have one for though.

 

[Victor1Echo]

Last night I got some new 44 mag brass. I used my Lee priming tool to seat a primer, then add powder, set the bullet. Very quick. I like it because I am working on developing a 44 mag load. Great for small batches!

 

[qajaq59]

When did Lee first put that on the market? Anyone know? It's got to be a Loooong time ago. It's a testiment to Lee that people still buy and use them.

 

[brotus2]

Load my 1952 Model 70 with a 60's Loader.

 

[Brock K]

Yup love the ones i have!!! There are great to take up to camp and to the range to do some loading with!!!