Not real happy with Lee Precision, Inc.

kennethg · Mar 19, 2023

I recently purchased a set of 303 British reloading dies from Lee and their .358 classic bullet sizing kit.
Neither worked as received. The expander plug on the sizing die was to large.
The Lee rep I talked to said the bullets were to small and that was that. I was using the bullets of the diameter that my Lyman reloading manual (50th Edition)said to use.
Today I started to use the classic bullet sizing kit and found that the bullet punch would not fit into the ram of my RCBS rock chucker press or my table mounted priming tool.
I had to turn down the expander plug a very small amount to get the die to function correctly and about .005 from the bullet punch so it would fit into the ram. It is now working.
I was under the impression that Lee Products were very good and they stood behind them. I am glad that the latest set of reloading dies I bought were RCBS. No problems there!

GypsmJim · Mar 19, 2023

Do Lee Shell Holders (like the one for the 303) fit into the RCBS Press? If so, then the ram was bad. If not, then the 2 aren't compatible.

I load for 27 different calibers and cast and size boolits for each one. All my dies and presses and molds are Lee. Never had a problem with any of them.

One time I had a sizing die damaged from flaking nickle from deteriorating cases. Lee replaced it for free.

cowboy4evr · Mar 19, 2023

I load pistol and rifle using LEE and NO problems at all after numerous yrs reloading , more than I want to count . Regards Paul

Miracle Man · Mar 19, 2023

It's possible you got a lemon. I've also used Lee products for years with almost zero complaints.

Pisgah · Mar 19, 2023

I have to ask -- what diameter bullet did your Lyman manual say to use? Because if it wasn't .312...

colt_saa · Mar 19, 2023

Did you ask to speak to a Supervisor?

I have been using LEE dies and presses for several decades all with no problems.

The couple of times I broke a part Customer Service was very helpful and replaced them free even though it was not officially under warranty

LEE even made me a custom shell plate for loading 45AR on my progressive press and only charged me the standard shell plate price

AJ · Mar 19, 2023

I am on the other side of the coin. I don't use Lee unless I can not get it from RCBS or Lyman. Ever since I watched folks using a Lee Loader and setting off primers, I have not had a good feeling for their products. I took the Lee Loaders from my friends and gave them Lyman 310 Tools. The Lee Loaders went into the trash.

SMSgt · Mar 19, 2023

Lee has some good products for the price. It also has some not-so-good products for the price. Lee annoyed me with its changing shell holders with each hand primer model years ago, so I stopped shopping Lee.

Inland7-45 · Mar 19, 2023

I have been surprised at how well some of Lee’s stuff has worked and disappointed with others. I have a Lee aluminum mold for a .44 cal 200 gr RNFP. I paid $25 new about 15 years ago and cast a long run of bullets for my 44-40. I made sure that I followed the precautions for using an aluminum mold. The mold drops a really great bullet that looks as good as anything my Lyman or RCBS molds can make. I bought another one for .45 LC and it is just as good. I also have one of their basic ladel pour melting pots. I have also had this for about 15 years and it gets the job done and did’ nt cost a lot. All of this stuff was a great value. I am looking for an RCBS or Lyman furnace. But this would be an upgrade and not because of a problem with the Lee pot. It is very basic and I think it is time to move up.

I have had some of their dies and a do not like them. RCBS will always be the first choice for dies but Lyman , CH and Redding are not far behind.

I still use their Liquid Alox tumble lube method from time to time even though I have a Lyman Sizer Lubricator.

Overall I think their products are ok and many are a good value for the price while for some items such as dies or case preparation I would rather spend more for something from one of the other players

chief38 · Mar 19, 2023

I have a few Lee Dee sets that were given to me - after using them I'd never actually buy any. Thankfully they are for calibers I rarely reload anyway, so I have kept them.

IMHO, I like Dillon Dies the best and they work incredibly well on my Dillon Press. I also have a bunch of RCBS Dies that are descent (use them on a Rock Chucker) but again Dillon is the best IMHO - especially when being used on a Dillon machine.

Duckford · Mar 20, 2023

Have had good experiences with everything from Lee, save for their universal belling die, which is basically useless.

Kentucky Shooter · Mar 20, 2023

I like their powder dippers and their version of trim tools for each caliber, cheap but yet efficient. I have a few sets of their classic reloading kits for the novelty of them, and use them occasionally. But for new dies, it’s RCBS for me.

jake1945 · Mar 20, 2023

All my reloading equipment is LEE. Never a serious problem after 20 years.

brucev · Mar 20, 2023

Surprised at this issue with Lee. Would suggest follow up to see if something more can be done. Sincerely. bruce.

Pisgah · Mar 20, 2023

I have a cabinet full of Lee dies. Never a problem with any of them. I keep noticing the wording of the original post -- "I was using the bullet diameter the Lyman manual said to use" -- but he does not specify that diameter, nor does he specify the diameter of the expander plug.

D Brown · Mar 20, 2023

I may be wrong but so far as I know, Lee makes the ONLY carbide full length sizing die for .30 Carbine that doesn't require case lubrication. Mine works great!

By the way, the Lee .30 Carbine Carbide dies cost about a third as much as any of the competitors, at least the last time I checked.

pistolpete10 · Mar 20, 2023

Lee makes good powder scoops. Other stuff may or may not work. In my experience...............

AJ · Mar 20, 2023

pistolpete10 said:
Lee makes good powder scoops. Other stuff may or may not work. In my experience...............

I learned to reload using a Lyman 310 Tool and Lee Powder Scoops. I think enough of them that I have the old set and a new set.

GypsmJim · Mar 20, 2023

AJ said:
I am on the other side of the coin. I don't use Lee unless I can not get it from RCBS or Lyman. Ever since I watched folks using a Lee Loader and setting off primers, I have not had a good feeling for their products. I took the Lee Loaders from my friends and gave them Lyman 310 Tools. The Lee Loaders went into the trash.

Being the thrifty person that I am, and since there are long Winter months with extra time on my hands, I used Lee Loaders for 23 years. I only switched to dies and a press when I bought a new caliber and they didn't make one in a Lee loader.

I also admit to believing in reading directions and following them to a T.

At any rate, many thousand rounds thru a Whack-a-mole and never set off one single primer. Maybe I was just lucky.

54Bill · Mar 20, 2023

Never owned anything Lee unless it was an insignificant accessory. 99% RCBS.

Not real happy with Lee Precision, Inc.

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