Original Lee Loader

[DWalt]

I haven't used one of the old style "percussion" Lee Loaders in many years, but I ran across a complete set in .45 Colt, in very good condition, at the last gun show for $10. As I have always used .45 ACP dies for reloading .45 Colt, I really didn't need it, but I thought it might be fun to take a trip into the past, back when things were slower and simpler. I started reloading with one of those Lee Loader sets, in .44 Magnum, in the early 1960s. I think I also paid about $10 for that new set back then.

[Bozz10mm]

I started reloading with a Lee Loader in 45 Colt back in about 1978. It worked pretty well. Until the day I set off a primer. Decided it was time to buy a hand priming tool.

[epj]

They will make ammo that will go bang. That's about the best I can say for them. Lee basic press and a set of dies doesn't cost much and does SO much better.

[thadheth]

My first set was a .243 Win in the late 1960's. It taught me that primers going off accidentally are startling, but not all that bad Since then, I've purchased a few other sets, never used them, and sold them on eBay. There are some collectors out there - I had a 28 gauge set that sold for about $80 as I recall. The original Lee Loaders are an interesting "kit," that replicated what the early handloaders did at their bench and in the field.

[DWalt]

If one has a need for portability (or no storage space) and doesn't require large quantities of ammo, it's probably good choice. You can put everything you need in a cigar box, except a hammer. You can't say that for a press. When I first started reloading I had no space available to set up any more permanent reloading tools. The only place I had to reload was on the kitchen floor. The Lee did the job. My second caliber was .30-'06. I had a Lee tool for it also. It made ammo which did much better than go Bang. I don't remember ever setting off any primers.

Later on, I also had a 12 Gauge Lee Loader. Even slower than for metallics, but it worked OK for me back then. I think I still have that 12 Gauge set packed away somewhere. That was when I started shooting clay birds. I loaded lots of shotshells sitting on the floor in front of the TV set.

[Tom S.]

Just for grins, I took a 25.06, a Lee Loader, can of powder, box of bullets and flat of primers out to the range one day and kept loading the same case over and over. Got some really weird looks. I didn't know at the time that bench rest shooters would do pretty much the same thing.

[Clovishound]

Originally Posted by DWalt

If one has a need for portability (or no storage space) and doesn't require large quantities of ammo, it's probably good choice. You can put everything you need in a cigar box, except a hammer. You can't say that for a press.

I would recommend their little hand held press for that. It uses standard dies and does not require you to whack a live primer with a hammer.

[DWalt]

It's been quite a while, like nearly 40 years, since I was in the bench rest game, but indeed, there were shooters who just kept reloading the same case at the shooting bench for maximum consistency. Seems as I remember some who marked their cases so the orientation in the chamber was always the same. Some had portable reloading outfits with presses, some used hand tools. Generally, cases were neck sized only, which is what the Lee Loader does. I remember some who weighed out individual powder charges at home, kept them in little plastic tubes for reloading at the range instead of using a powder measure. I didn't do that, I loaded all my ammunition at home, but I did have a set of closely weight-matched cases of the same make which I neck sized only. I have no idea what BR shooters of today do.

"...does not require you to whack a live primer with a hammer."

Some may have experienced popped primers with a Lee hand tool, but of the thousands of rounds I reloaded with Lee tools, I don't remember a single instance of that happening to me, with either metallic or shotshell primers. But I always tapped them in lightly.

[mmaher94087]

I started with a 16ga. Lee Loader that I bought new to reload shot shells for my Grandfather's Win. '97 pump 50 years ago. Still have both and they both work nicely.

[Jack71]

Yep, I remember starting reloading in about 1971 with a Lee Loader in .38 Special. The cost was $10. It taught me the basics of reloading, but it was slow and awkward.

After a few months I bought a Lyman Spar-T outfit: turret press, one set of dies, shell holder and primer feeder all for a little over $40! I couldn't believe how much easier it was. Today, 45 years later, I still have (and use) the Lyman.

[twodog max]

My first handgun loading was a Lee in 44 magnum. A buddy and I both had Ruger Super Blackhawks and we cast bullets with a lee mold and loaded all our cases in his apartment. That was a long time ago. I also loaded a boat load of 12 gauge shotgun ammo with one. I had a lot of fun and learned a lot too. Still have the 12 gauge loader.

[rwsmith]

They work and I'm glad I cut my teeth on them. I could use them again in an emergency, but I'm thinking about going to a progressive from my single stage. As far going back, well, I donno bout dat.

[patrickd]

The Lee Loader will load some VERY accurate ammo. One thing to remember about the lee loader.. If you pick up brass from the range or otherwise not full length resized and load it with a Lee Loader there's a very good chance it won't chamber in your rifle.. The lee only sizes the necks on bottle necked cases and will not set the shoulder back at all. So if you fire a case from one rifle it fire forms to that chamber. Then if you try to chamber that case into a rifle with minimum head space you won't be able to close the bolt. Otherwise it is a great little tool that you could take with you should you need to bug out or just to have at the cabin I have loaded quite a few rounds with one and never had any issues with primers going off. If you clean the primer pockets they slip right in without needing to beat on them.

[Malazan]

I purchased one of these in .38 Special. It was fun but time consuming. It will produce good quality ammo. I learned the basics of reloading with one of these before purchasing a Hornady press. I will not part with it as it has sentimental value. I used a powder scale with it as the included dippers can limit your powder choices.

[Engineer1911]

My brother gave me a .30-06 Lee loader for Christmas 1974. Thousands of dollars later, I have a Rock Chucker, RCBS melting pot, two Dillon 550 presses, 35+ die sets, buckets of brass and lead, three gun barrels that the rifling was shot out, and I'm still looking for a good deal.

[AzShooter]

I started out with the Lee Loader and did many rounds with it. I did set off a few primers when starting out and my dog learned to hide when he saw me get that loader out.

It did teach me the right process of loading and to make sure I did everything right.

Now I have an old Lee press that's dedicated to bullet pulling. I load on a Dillon rl 650 which serves me well for the amount of loading I do.

[Carrier]

I started with a Lee loader 45 years ago for a 45/70 Springfield trapdoor. I reloaded those original 20 cases so many times and they went bang everytime. Still have a few of the brass left.

[gwpercle]

I still remember the look on my Dad's face when I told him that for $9.99 I could get this Lee Loader and I could reload our own ammunition , that look seemed to confirm his belief I wasn't playing with a full deck. "Why reload when you can buy all the ammo you want ? " "To save money Dad !" was my reply.
He gave me a $20.00 and said to be careful. That was 1967 and the "Whack-A-Mole" Lee Loader got me into this hobby.
Thank's Dad . And I still have that neat little tool .
Gary

[K Frame Keith]

Started with one of those too, in .38/.357. I too have set off a primer or two when using it.

[DWalt]

When I bought my first Lee Loader back in the mid-60s (.44 Mag) for $10, I believe my first can (back then, square) of Unique was about $3.00 and LP primers were around 50 cents per hundred. I bought bullets mail order from Herter's in Minnesota (and later, lots of other reloading items from Herter's).

[Watchdog]

Originally Posted by AzShooter

I started out with the Lee Loader and did many rounds with it. I did set off a few primers when starting out and my dog learned to hide when he saw me get that loader out.

Big grin, there.

[cowboy4evr]

The Lee loader kits are really a " marvel " . I too started my reloading journey using them . First , 38spl , then 44 spl and magnum then 45 LC . I too had a few of the large pistol primers go off , but it's not a big deal .
I recently , after much searching finally got a kit for the 41 magnum , my fav caliber .
I have gotten into loading and shooting my marlin 30-30 using cast . I inherited a Lee kit for it . Am looking forward to enjoying the fun of using it .

[MyDads38]

I too, got my start with a 38 Special Lee Loading kit around 1981. I remember the first time I set off a primer-WOW! scared me really bad LOL. Eventually I got the Lee hand priming tool (still have it and use it). I then purchased a used RCBS Reloader Special with a set of steel 38 special dies (still have them and use the press). I have my original Lee 3 hole turret press, a Lee Classic 4 hole Turret and just recently a Lee Pro 1000 for 9mm. In the process of all this, I started buying the Lee Handloading kits and using them again. Slow, yes; but there's just something about loading a box of ammo this way, that will tear the X out of a target at the same distances as any other press you care to use.

And just as consistent (powder scoop) as any of my powder measures. It's just fun and rewarding to an old dinosaur like me :-)

[Qc Pistolero]

Mine was in 1976 and it was in .44 Mag.Loaded these with IMR4227 .Since then,I bought some more:30-06,30-30,45-70.Like you Dwalt,just for the fun of remembering how it was.No,I don't use them anymore but I just can't pass by one without buying it(they go for $10 at gun shows)just for adding another set.And yes,I had a primer go pop once and I remember that time;I was pretty much in a rush and heavy handed.These are not for volume loading but make very good quality ammo.Kinda like driving down that scenic road instead of just cruising on the turnpike!
Qc

[scha]

I started with a 38 Special Lee Loader back in 1976. I still have it and I clearly remember setting off one primer when I first was learning. I moved up to an RCBS Jr press in 1977 and have loaded thousands of rounds with it over the years. I still like a single stage press and currently load 38 Special, 223, 30/06, and 303 British.

Steve

[radio11]

Did Lee ever make it for 7mm08? Although I don't shoot that caliber much, I would like to have one for "on the bench/in the field" cobbling. I have loaded my share of .38s with one of these and most recently made up a dozen shotshells to tame the snakes here at my place.

BTW, this is my first post here at the S&W Forum, but have enjoyed the information and banter for long time.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Qc Pistolero]

Originally Posted by radio11

Did Lee ever make it for 7mm08? Although I don't shoot that caliber much, I would like to have one for "on the bench/in the field" cobbling. I have loaded my share of .38s with one of these and most recently made up a dozen shotshells to tame the snakes here at my place.

BTW, this is my first post here at the S&W Forum, but have enjoyed the information and banter for long time.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Welcome to the site,This place is great for getting lots of info.
I used to work part time for a reloading supplier and if I remember correctly,I think I've stocked a few in 7-08.But just to be on the safe side,go on the Lee website and check it out.
BTW,you'll never wear out one of these tools.
Qc

[mikld]

I too started loading with a Lee Loader in 1969 and today, along with 4 presses, 13 die sets, 12 molds and a 3/4 metric ton of assorted tools, I still have 4 Lee Loaders. I'll get one out when I feel "retro" or want a few quick loads. Yep, I've had to change my panties a few times when priming with a Lee Loader (mostly the .44 Magnum kit), but remedied that by chamfering the primer pockets, just like decrimping a military case. I've also loaded quite a few rounds with a Lee Loader and my 1 ton arbor press...