using a lee loader kit with plastic mallet

[midland man]

I was wondering if anyone still uses or has used these little lee loader kits? I'm using one in 45 colt and it makes excellent ammo. I like it, even tho it's slow sure works good!

 

[Sunray]

Yep. Started out with one in .243 and used one for my BP .45-70 adventure(A trapdoor carbine does not use 70 grains of BP.). Throw the scoops away and use a scale though. The scoops are calibrated, for some stupid reason, in CC's. CC's are a unit of measure for volume and have nothing to do with reloading. They can vary the powder charge plus or minus a full grain too.

 

[Bush Pilot]

I was wondering if anyone still uses or has used these little lee loader kits? I'm using one in 45 colt and it makes excellent ammo. I like it, even tho it's slow sure works good!

You can really pick-up the speed if you use a case feeder and an automatic primer feeder.

 

[WestKentucky]

I still use one for .256 win mag. It does make great ammo but it's slow and loud. I have tried a few different things to make it less loud and less brutal but so far the two things that have worked are to use a heavy brass hammer or to use a clamping mechanism. The clamping route works well but is even slower than the hammer. It is nice to push stubborn cases in by using either a c clamp or bench mounted vice. I very very much prefer to use the rockchucker.

 

[dagger dog]

Started reloading with one in 357 Mag. in the late 70's, just bought another in 308 Win. to work up loads for my target rifle while at the range.

I take my kit, which is the loader, mallet, bullets, powder and primers and 10 or so pieces of brass, shoot them and let the gun cool while I reload the empties and record the results in my note book.

I will probably buy a Lane reloader for my newly acquired .410 bore shotgun, already have the brass Magtech shotshells, wads, and shot.

Too bad Lee doesn't make their shotshell Lee Classic loader anymore.

 

[Kp321]

Lee loaders bring back fond memories of my early reloading days. I started reloading shotgun shells in 1960 or so with a MEC 400. A little later I bought a Lee Loader for 30-06 for $6.95. I used a plastic hammer for a while but found that could fit the Lee Loader between the top and bottom plates of the MEC and use it as a rifle press. Primer seating was much less stressful that way.

 

[BullRunBear]

My first reloads were with a Lee Loader in 38 special. Didn't take long to move to a Lee turret press. But the last couple of years I've picked up Loaders for each of my bolt action rifle cartridges and just started using them. I only have one rifle for each caliber so neck sizing is sufficient. My rifle shooting is mostly slow, careful target work so I don't blow through ammo quickly and the slower process turns out ammo quickly enough. I do prefer to prime with a lee hand priming tool.

I'm keeping an eye open for one of the 12 gauge loader kits. It would be a hoot to use it to make some black powder shells.

I like the portability of the Loaders and there is something satisfying in turning out accurate rounds with such simple tools.

Jeff

 

[GBExpat]

In the late '60s my Dad started me on the reloading path with this:

 

[SlayerOfBunnies]

I use mine all the time. Something that helps quiet the process a little - I use a cinder block (any sort of anvil would work) on the floor for all pounding tasks. Used my desk for a while - waaaaaaaay too loud.

 

[LAGS]

I still use my Lee kits in several calibers.
I started off with the 7.62x54R when you could hardly find ammo for the MN's 40 years ago.
I have added ones like 38 S&W and 32S&W for guns I dont shoot much.
I love to take the Lee Loader when I go camping, so I can shoot all week and not have to invest in Box after box of ammo for the Odd calibers.

 

[docsleepy]

yep, I have them in multiple calibers and have used them several times, particularly with some load testing at the range. Also taught others how to use them and gave them away. Teen just finished loading 100 rounds that way....

 

[*Kemosabe*]

40 years later, I can laugh now…

I got into reloading on a lark and without any help… and it sure did show!

I bought the Lee Loader and the suggested powder for a .38 Special. Depriming was a no-brainer, but the resizing was impossible! You see, I was trying to hammer the ENTIRE case into the resizing die. If you think that was bad, you should have seen how I mauled the rims of the cases getting them out!

Anyway, I brutally loaded up 6 rounds and since it was in the evening and the range was closed I drove down a desolate road to test them out. Surprisingly, they all fired and I had the good sense to talk to someone about the error of my ways before doing that again.