My first reloading efforts in the mid-1960s were with Lee Loaders - One in 12 Gauge, one in .44 Magnum. Several others followed during the next few years - .38 Special and .30-'06. I think I paid about $10 new at that time. Not unusual to find them at gun shows priced in the $10-$15 range today. Not too long ago I bought one in .45 Colt for $10, just because I wanted it, and also because it looked to be unused. Can't beat them for portability although they are a mite slow.

When I first started using them I would sit cross-legged on the floor in my crummy apartment and watch my B&W TV while loading. On a good evening I could load a couple of boxes of shotshells. Back in those days, most shotshells had paper cases and the Lee worked OK with them. They were good for maybe 3-4 loadings. I don't remember trying the Lee with plastic cased shells.