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!

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Ken

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.

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

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

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

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Pisgah

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

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"Acta non verba"

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.

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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<><

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.

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Pisgah

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.

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Dave Brown
SWCA #3279

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.

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

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.

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

I have many examples of Lee products that I had to "re-engineer" to function as intended.

I've had similar problems with less than super common calibers with Lee. They do a lot of mix and matching and "close enough" with a lot of those types of dies.

People either love or hate Lee. I seem to be the only one that sees shades of grey.

I generally like Lee, FOR THE MONEY they generally work as advertised. Definitely a mid level quality operation though.

I had only one experience with Lee CS, it was not positive. I chalked it up to "there's a reason the price is so low" and kept smiling.

Will I continue to buy Lee? Yup. Will the stuff PROBABLY work ok? Yup. Will I be shocked if it occasionally turns out to be cheap garage? Nope.

YRMV

What does the expander ball on the 303 die measure? I imagine it should be 0.309".

Just a bunch of Jarheads reloading on my back porch. I was using a Lyman Spar-t Press (had graduated from the 310 Tool) and friends using the Lee Loaders. When the second primer went off, I collected the Lee Loaders and handed out 310 Tools. The Lees went in the trash receptacle.

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

I see. Haven't heard the term Jarhead in a long time. My first thought was a recollection of someone in my past. He almost blew himself up!

I wish you would have sent them to me. I would have gladly paid the postage.

As years went by every time I placed an order with MidwayUSA I would add another set of Lee dies. After a few years I had all my calibers replaced.

Just last Winter I was consolidating some stuff and I assembled a package of a dozen or more Lee Loaders and put them on Craigslist. They went in a day and I got double what I paid for them.

I started reloading with the Lee Load Master and after a couple years of continually tweaking the shell plate advance, primer drop, I gave up and moved to Redding. The LM was just too temperamental. All the Lee equipment, Load Master, 3 powder drops, priming tools, dies etc are packed and on the shelf. I might try the Craigs list route...I'll never use it again.

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Never fly the "A" model

I had Lee Loader priming problems for my 44 Magnum kit. Maybe 1 or 2 out of 50. cleaned the priming base, made sure the stud was clean and then disc moved freely. Then unexpected pops went down roughly to once out of 75-80. I then started lightly chamfering the primer pockets and haven't had a primer pop since (1985 or so).

I too, am a long time Lee user. First tool was a Lee Loader for 38 Special in 1970, then a Lee Safety Scale, then a Lee Challenger with dies in '72. (My Lee die set for 303 British worked great) I now have about 17 die sets, 15 molds and 1/2 ton of various reloading tools with only one "problem". My 45 ACP die set flaring tool didn't give me as much mouth taper as I wanted. I have 7 Lee Loaders and occasionally I'll feel "retro" and get out one of my handgun sets and pound out a few rounds. Good relaxing "therapy" and zero problems.

Besides a SmartReloader C press the other tool I had the most disappointment with was RCBS Bench prime. Poor design, could not use it out of the box. Either had to have the handle hanging over the bench edge 6", cut 3" off the handle end or fabricate a stand 4" high to allow enough handle movement to seat a primer. Don't care for a 12" tube wobbling back and forth in front of my face either.

Most people I know don't read the directions that accompany a new die set.

"I've been loading for years, I know how to setup a die."

Many times being unfamiliar with proper adjustment/setup procedure leads to disgust with other brands.

If I were to bash every manufacturer that I've been dissatisfied with some of their products I'd be here a while.

Lee makes my overall favorite press, they have also made one that would have caused my mother to cuss.

I can say the same about most other brands products too.

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GOA
USA Shooting Supporter

Lee designs some innovative reloading items...then they make 'em. I understand they try to win the market share. They use too much plastic and other materials that do not hold up. The only Lee loader worth buying were the target models. With a little attention to detail you could make some very good ammo. The standard LL was an accident looking for a place to happen. Standard reloading dies?? You can get good ones from Lee and some times not so great. Had a carbide die break in less than a box. Lee would not replace it...so I replaced Lee. Their progressive presses leave way too much to desire..especially the junkm...er Loadmasters. Even if you can get them to work almost none stay adjusted. The Lee powder dippers are for the most part great little tools. Yep...you can get lemons from anyone...but quality shows in the long run. It shows more often in almost any other company's products than Lee. Even the old Herter's cheap reloading stuff was better than Lee....JMO

My sole Lee product complaint concerns the Lee bench-type priming tool. I can sum up my experience briefly by saying that if you are considering purchasing one, don’t. The primer feed jams up frequently and you have to stop to unjam it. It is easier to position primers one at a time than to use that poorly designed primer tray. The old style Lee hand priming tool with the round primer tray is much better, and I went back to using it.

Just gave away an entire Herter's Turret Press set up to a friend that collects reloading gear. I did keep the Herter's scale with it's plastic cover (was told the cover is rare).

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

I have a lot of Lee products mostly because back then I didn't have much money. I do like their handgun dies and the 4 Hole Classic Turret press a lot. The only disappointing product from them was their beam scale. While it is very accurate it is a pain to adjust. I much rather the RCBS 5-0-5 and especially the 10-10 but that is not in the same class.

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Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437

Yep

The Lee beam scale is one of the few Lee products I've used that wouldn't get many stars in my book. It's very hard to see the scale, IMHO, and if you barely touch it you knock it off your setting.

I like some of their stuff.
Dies will get you to useful ammo in most cases.
I really wasn't thrilled about their 350 legend set. The crimp isn't enough to plunk in my AR platform rifle.
Ultimately, I'll have an RCBS set to rectify the matter.
But otherwise, Lee made a few project calibers possible. 32 win special and 400 corbon among them

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it just needs more voltage

The only Lee die problem I experienced was a FL sizing die ( I don't remember the caliber) with a burr inside that scratched the case. I notified Lee and they sent me a replacement die body right away, no questions asked.