the Lee loader.
- Thread starter jpvjr
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moooose102
Member
are you talking about the hand held whack it with a stick one, or the actual lee hand press, or ??? they make many different models, and the quality varries.
I have a Lee Classic Loader for 30-30. It loads fine ammo. I haven't had any problems only neck sizing for the lever. They're fun to use just for something different. Case life is not a problem at all, even with Federal brass. I'd suggest a scale though as the actual dipper weights are often quite conservative plus you and your gun will be safer.
jonnyc
Member
I use them in .45ACP, .303, and .308. Very happy.
JNewell
Member
Learned to reload on one.
That was the caliber. Bought it *used* (can you believe that? I was 12 and money was harder to come by in 1971).
Of the tool? More than good enough for its intended purpose. Of the ammo? Got unbelievable accuracy out of those loads.
In a .30-30, probably darn near eternal. You're only neck sizing. By the way, I never had any feeding problems, but back then I only had one rifle in that caliber. You might encounter feeding issues if you were using brass from rifle 1 with the Lee Loader and then trying to fire it in rifle 2.
If you have the time to use one, they work very well. They're slow, but they're more or less just neck sizing dies. Your brass will last a long time that way, and it should be the most accurate possible, as the brass is already formed to the chamber of your gun.
Im283
Member
I have two if them. .357mag and .45acp. They are slow I guess but they are easy to use and work very well. I would say on average if I apply myself I can make 50 rounds in about 75 minutes.
mallc
Member
Lee Loaders are Great
I have used the same 6 30-30 for hunting for years. Can't tell you have many meals those 6 cartriges have brought home.
I also reload with a Dillon 650 and Redding T7 but the Lee is about as hands-on as it gets.
Scott
I have used the same 6 30-30 for hunting for years. Can't tell you have many meals those 6 cartriges have brought home.
I also reload with a Dillon 650 and Redding T7 but the Lee is about as hands-on as it gets.
Scott
Peter M. Eick
Member
I learned on a 30/30 lee loader and a 38 special lee loader. I still occasionally use the 38 special one, but the 30/30 went with the 94 back when I had to sell it to get through college.
It is a simple to use, gives good accuracy and works well but it is slow. I have no qualms about recommending one BUT get yourself a lee hand primer press. Pounding on primers occasionally one can set one off if you are young and strong.
It is a simple to use, gives good accuracy and works well but it is slow. I have no qualms about recommending one BUT get yourself a lee hand primer press. Pounding on primers occasionally one can set one off if you are young and strong.
scrat
Member
Lee Loader big fan
i have it in
30-30
then i have the 30-30 deluxe target lee loader
9mm
410 shotgun
410 deluxe shotgun
12 guage deluxe
30-06
yep they all work very good. highly recomended. they are a little slower. But then life is about quality. When you dont have the time to use a lee loader. then you need to stop for a minute and try to figure out what your doing wrong in life. Enjoy the days you have.
i have it in
30-30
then i have the 30-30 deluxe target lee loader
9mm
410 shotgun
410 deluxe shotgun
12 guage deluxe
30-06
yep they all work very good. highly recomended. they are a little slower. But then life is about quality. When you dont have the time to use a lee loader. then you need to stop for a minute and try to figure out what your doing wrong in life. Enjoy the days you have.
scrat
Member
The deluxe lee loader and target version very rare hard to find.
a bigger container for sure. but comes with everything
here is a list.
standard die, decapper rod and loading rod
plus neck reamer, primer pocket clean, case trimmer, chamfer, primer installer hand held not the beating type
then the dye has a guage to seat the bullet.
for the shotgun it comes with the star crimp starter in both 8 and 12 segments. along with different types of dippers for various loads of powder and shot. also comes with a wad starter. and shell resizer.
you can still get the 410 on ebay but your going to spend some money.
a bigger container for sure. but comes with everything
here is a list.
standard die, decapper rod and loading rod
plus neck reamer, primer pocket clean, case trimmer, chamfer, primer installer hand held not the beating type
then the dye has a guage to seat the bullet.
for the shotgun it comes with the star crimp starter in both 8 and 12 segments. along with different types of dippers for various loads of powder and shot. also comes with a wad starter. and shell resizer.
you can still get the 410 on ebay but your going to spend some money.
scrat
Member
YEP and its all mine. mine mine mine.
got it brand new never used.
of course it gets its share of use now.
Tell you what. i will put ammo from this lee loader over store bought ammo any day. A lee loader was not meant for speed loading. When you take your time using this kit you will get the most accurate ammo made.
got it brand new never used.
of course it gets its share of use now.
Tell you what. i will put ammo from this lee loader over store bought ammo any day. A lee loader was not meant for speed loading. When you take your time using this kit you will get the most accurate ammo made.
scrat
Member
here is the deluxe shotgun
standard version
standard version
scrat
Member
oh and the standard version picture is of my 410 shotgun set.
NEVER USED.
BRAND NEW
The deluxe 410 though gets plenty of use.
NEVER USED.
BRAND NEW
The deluxe 410 though gets plenty of use.
JNewell
Member
That's why I started with mine. The only thing is, it's slower - but that's probably not an issue for your use.
Less than that. For most people, the hand press is a better long-term value. For the rest, the regular Lee Loader does everything they need.
scout26
Member
I've had one in .32 Win Spec for quite a while now. Works great.
I recently got one in .45ACP and I can't get the brass all the way into the die unless I use a sledgehammer. And I mean there's 3/8" still sticking out and it won't go in any farther. I've tried several different brands of brass RP, CCI, Speer, WCC, WW, IMI, etc. and have measured them (all are between .881 and .895).
With the .32 WS brass I can use a small 12 oz plastic mallet, this one in fact: http://greatnecksaw.com/product_info.php?pName=12oz-plastic-malletwood-handle and easily seat the brass all the way into the die, with very little effort.
Am I doing something wrong ?? Why won't the .45ACP brass go all the way into the die ??
Help me Obi-Wan, you're my only hope.......
I recently got one in .45ACP and I can't get the brass all the way into the die unless I use a sledgehammer. And I mean there's 3/8" still sticking out and it won't go in any farther. I've tried several different brands of brass RP, CCI, Speer, WCC, WW, IMI, etc. and have measured them (all are between .881 and .895).
With the .32 WS brass I can use a small 12 oz plastic mallet, this one in fact: http://greatnecksaw.com/product_info.php?pName=12oz-plastic-malletwood-handle and easily seat the brass all the way into the die, with very little effort.
Am I doing something wrong ?? Why won't the .45ACP brass go all the way into the die ??
Help me Obi-Wan, you're my only hope.......
scrat
Member
yep you sure do.
You can crimp with a lee loader. you simply put on the decapping chamber over the back of the round now put the round in the dye on the top side. give it a slight wack and it will now be crimped. You have to crimp for a 30-30 as its a tube fed magazine.
You can crimp with a lee loader. you simply put on the decapping chamber over the back of the round now put the round in the dye on the top side. give it a slight wack and it will now be crimped. You have to crimp for a 30-30 as its a tube fed magazine.
fireflyfather
Member
- Joined
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Brass life will be BETTER with a lee loader than with using a set of standard dies, as it neck sizes only. Works the brass less. Especially if you're using a rimmed cartridge.
My only complaints about the lee loaders I have is the .38 special version requires you to either lube the cases or pound like a maniac to set (or set off!) the primers. The rifle version I have is nice and smooth. I did learn a trick to seating the primers with the pistol version, however. If you tap the case about 1/8" out of the die before placing it over the primer, you don't have to deal with the resistance of the case against the die when seating the primer, and it goes in very easily. The drawback is that you have to be very careful that the primer is aligned properly with the primer pocket, since the guide formed by the die and primer seater is no longer flush. With my new method, I've never set off a primer, and it reduces fatigue and noise, not to mention eliminates exploding primers during the seating operation. Of course, not an issue with rifle loaders, but It makes all the difference with the pistol versions of the lee loader.
My only complaints about the lee loaders I have is the .38 special version requires you to either lube the cases or pound like a maniac to set (or set off!) the primers. The rifle version I have is nice and smooth. I did learn a trick to seating the primers with the pistol version, however. If you tap the case about 1/8" out of the die before placing it over the primer, you don't have to deal with the resistance of the case against the die when seating the primer, and it goes in very easily. The drawback is that you have to be very careful that the primer is aligned properly with the primer pocket, since the guide formed by the die and primer seater is no longer flush. With my new method, I've never set off a primer, and it reduces fatigue and noise, not to mention eliminates exploding primers during the seating operation. Of course, not an issue with rifle loaders, but It makes all the difference with the pistol versions of the lee loader.
scout26
Member
I figured out my problem with my .45ACP Lee Loader.
The guy I bought from at the gun said it was new in the box and never been used. I took that to mean that of course it had been used to make every .45 round for both WWII and the Korean war.
Well, lo and behold, I read the instructions. A little wax and the now the cases almost slide in.
And the gunshow guy was telling the truth. It had NEVER been used before.
The guy I bought from at the gun said it was new in the box and never been used. I took that to mean that of course it had been used to make every .45 round for both WWII and the Korean war.
Well, lo and behold, I read the instructions. A little wax and the now the cases almost slide in.
And the gunshow guy was telling the truth. It had NEVER been used before.
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