I’ve never gotten into reloading. No place for the equipment. In the past, .38/.357 ammo was cheap enough that it didn’t seem worth it to reload. My elderly neighbor, who isn’t too computer savvy, asked me to buy a LED Loader in .45 Colt and one in .30-.30 for him and he would reimburse me. I had never heard of these before. If I had, I wasn’t paying attention because I wasn’t interested in reloading. Watched a couple of YouTube videos and this looks like the cats meow! Certainly a suitable setup for any reloading I would do.

What do I need for powder, bullets and primers? How much should I expect to pay for such? I would just be looking to load up plinking ammo. Where do I start and how much can I save b reloading?

Thanks in advance!

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otis

Lee Loaders are a little labor intensive and slow, but they will get the job done if you are reloading in modest quantities. I started reloading with several Lee Loaders back in the 1960s when they cost about $10 each. They can be used most anywhere and they take up little storage space. I would look on eBay for used sets. Regarding components, it depends entirely on what calibers you want to reload. Powder and primers are somewhat pricey today. Lee Loaders usually come with a simple sheet of loading instructions and recipes. Powder charges are measured with an included dipper. You can buy a separate set of Lee dippers if you want more versatility.

I just looked on Midway USA , they have both in stock

"Lee Classic Loaders"
45 Long Colt # 647702 $39.99
30-30 Win #543039 $39.99

There will be shipping charges!

I started with one Lee Loader in 1979 (303 British), I have about 20 now. I like them for handgun and rifle cartridges, but wouldn't recommend them for shotgun rounds!

Ivan

If I may offer a snippet of advice, if space is a primary concern you might also wish to take a look at the Lee “Breech Lock Hand Press.” While it isn’t as capable as a bench-mounted press, it is significantly more convenient (and far less noisy) than a Classic Lee Loader. A hand press, dies, and all associated support equipment fit nearly in a small tool box.

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Mark Lathem

Way back when, I loaded thousands of 12 Gauge shells for trapshooting. But that was when plastic cases were in their infancy and paper cases were standard. The Lee Loader worked well with paper cases. Not so well with plastic cases.

I would not wish a Lee Loader on anyone who wasn't riding the trails on horseback and needed to load six rounds for his six-shooter. Too much work for too little ammo. Save up a few more dollars and get a press, dies, powder dropper, etc. and make your efforts worth wild. You'll either love reloading or hate it. No sense in working yourself to death trying to load minimum quantities.

The Lee Hand Press is cheap and miles ahead the entry level Lee. Takes up about zero space too.

FWIW, I have an about 4 ft wide, 2 ft deep and 10ft high cubby hole in my apartment. I have dies, bullets. powder & primer, cases and a Rockchucker, scale & powder measure tucked in there. Reload for about 90 cartridges.

It can be done.

Hammers are loud.
Hand press is quiet.
Hand priming tool is wise.
Worth the investment.
Hand press will fit in saddle bags, Horse or Harley.

I picked up a NOS 44 Mag Lee Loader for the NOS Winchester
'94 AE Ranger, 16" barrel, that I bought for the kids.
Just needed to load a few dozen, test function, then put the rifle away for now.
The Lee Loader was $15 on eBay, a few years ago.
Only downside to a '94 AE, you have to reach to catch the brass compared to a '92.

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Have Fun/Stay Safe

Do yourself a favor and skip Lee. RCBS, Dillon are great, dies, presses etc, you'll end up with those anyway sooner < later

I have a Lee Hand Press and like it. I had a Lee Loader and hated it.

Go sit in a closet with a 2x4 and hammer and bang for 15 minutes. Relaxing and fun? Then you need a Lee Loader.

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Uvidíme se později, aligátore.

Years ago I put a removable shelf in my kitchen pantry and clamped it down. I'd sit there with the door open and reload what I needed on a 3 hole Lee turret press. It worked for me. I thought about those Lee Loaders but the pantry shelf worked great.

I had a college buddy who did the Lee Loader thing...right up until he detonated a primer while trying to seat it.

I started reloading about 1971 with a Lee Loader in .38 SPL. They are slow, but produce satisfactory ammo. Mine came with a dipper for the powder charge that was made for Bullseye pistol powder (things might have changed). You can probably load a box of plinking .38 SPL ammo for half or more the cost of factory ammo. I admittedly went to a bench mounted press kit not long after. Using a Lee Loader should be considered if you don't shoot too much, you have limited disposable income and plenty of free time.

Congratulations, you are going down the right path.

I started with a 22 Hornet Lee Loader in 1979.

No need to invest in a bunch of equipment if that will fill your volume needs.

Here's what got me started. I also have one in 38. Had a 303 British and it produced very good quality ammo. Better than military or store bought.

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I've had Lee loaders (progressive/single stage) for years. Are they the best?, no. However, with the low volume I do they're just fine and do produce ammo that's decent. Like everything Lee has it's quirks, probably more than the expensive brands.

That being said I do prime by hand (RCBS), every time. It didn't take long, when I started out, to realize this needed done with powder all over the progressive press when it skipped a primer. That, definitely, was not worth the hassle...

MY observation: The Lee Hand press (Lovingly called the "Nutcracker" by thousands of people that own them), The require far more dexterity to use than any other form of reloading (right up there with Lyman 310 tools!)

A box of bullets, a tray of primers, an aspirin bottle of powder, your empties and a Lee Loader is a little move volume than a good sandwich. Once you are used to using them, 1 hour will produce 25 to 50 rounds while sitting at a picnic table. You will also need some form of striking device. I have used the following: Hammer, Firewood, Rock, and a Hiking Boot. Far simpler (and less expensive) than a 310 Tool or a Nutcracker in the field.

A hundred bullets, primers, and a cup of powder make 5 boxes of 30-30- or two boxes of 38 ammo. The Info on the package tells which powder & powder you need and how fast they will go.

Last observation: While some type of hammering is involved, since they only neck size the cases, ammo can be "Press Fit" together with enough force. (Seating primers is the hardest thing to do by hand!) Sitting at a picnic table, while camping, and loading is nowhere as noise as the next campsite chopping wood!

Ivan

You can make great ammo ... bot it will be made ...S-L-O-W-L-Y and the banging with the rubber / plastic mallet , gets Old Fast .

If you want to get into reloading look at a Lee Hand Press ...it's a nifty little hand held press , no bench required , I use one to reload all my Handgun ammo , from 32 acp to 45 acp and 38 Special to 45 Colt and 30-30 rifle ... I'm 75 and don't have extraordinary hand arm strength .
So it can't be hard ...I'm old .
The Lee Hand Press Kit , a set of reloading dies and a shell holder will let you make ammo sitting at your desk , kitchen or dining table or coffee table ... just about anywhere you have a flat surface ... and No Banging !
Lee Hand Press ...is ... Handy !
Gary

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Certified Cajun
NRA Member

This x 10. And I have both.

I bought a Lee Loader in 1971 for .38 spl. And then a 30-06, and then.....on and on until I had 16 of them. Every new gun I bought in a different caliber required a new loader. Then I bought a .41 mag Model 57 and they didn't make one, so I had to buy a press and dies. Had it not been for that I would probably still be using Lee Loaders.

Yes, they take a little longer.....Get in tune and it goes faster. Yes, the ammo is good.....as good or better than factory. If you are loading a couple boxes a week.....the time difference won't be a bother. If you are into heavy shooting.....spend thousands for a Dillon.

The only extra I would buy is a hand priming tool. You can drill some holes in a piece of wood to make a loading block.

Figure $40 for a pound of powder, $9 for 100 primers and $10 for 100 bullets. (cheaper if you go with lead) I assume you will use your own once fired brass. That comes out to about $11 for a box of 50. If you had started 4 years ago it would have been half that. If you cast your own bullets it would have been $2.50.

A Whack-a-Mole is an excellent way to get started. If you get bored, you will not have lost much. If you like the hobby, you can invest in the fancy stuff later.

I used Loaders for 25 years. The last 25 have been with presses. Last year I decided to put my old Loaders up for sale and I got rid of the whole lot for twice what I paid for them.

PS - forgot to add a GOOD Loading Manual to the required list.

I agree with post #6. If You are going to reload, start with the best You can afford. If You like reloading You are just going to go there anyway. If not You can still sell reasonably. Look on fleabay.

So with the Lee Breech Lock Hand Press, is it caliber specific or can you use different dies? Do you need different sizers, primer installers, etc…? I won’t load a lot but I’m thinking I will be at least loading some.357 and .30-.30 ammo.

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otis

I have a question for those that routinely use the hand press. I have a little arthritis, so my hands are a little aged. I could see maybe cranking out some short 38 cases, but would my hands suffer after a couple boxes of full length sized 30-30s?

I can pound a hammer all day long, but I would be hesitant to do a lot of squeezing.

Thanks, saved me from typing the same advice

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Still Running Against the Wind

I think you'd be O.K. I hold one arm of the hand press in my left hand with the press between my legs. I manipulate the cases with my right and I find I actually end up using my knees to squeeze it together. Even without the legs it's not really a hand strength thing. You don't have to grip it hard. More bicep and shoulder action.

I didn't start with a Lee Loader but I eventually ended up with one by accident. They do work. But they are far inferior to a Lee hand press. They have a few issues.

For one, they only neck size. That's fine but if you have brass that wasn't fired in the gun you're loading for your reloads may not chamber. It hasn't been much of a problem in the .38 Special but more so in the 9mm. I guess due to the wide variation in 9mm chambers and brass.

Secondly, when loading revolver cartridges it's hard to get a consistent crimp as you just hold the crimp die over the loaded round and whack it. Whack it harder, you get more crimp. I have found you can rig a "stop" for the crimp die using washers and the depriming chamber. Put the loaded round in the chamber and then experiment with different washers over the round and down on top of the depriming chamber.

While that hand press looks like a good idea, I wouldn't want to do 30-30's on it.

It all comes down to your quantities. The Lee Loader will keep you shooting for cheap. And if you buy the hand press for $80, don't overlook the fact you still need dies.

You're starting to get into some bucks. For that much money you could get powder and primers for 1000 rounds.

Maybe.
I didn't start reloading until I retired. I bought a Lee 4 hole turret press and a few sets of dies.
I have not been unhappy with it and have not had any desire to buy any other loading press.
I have added a few more sets of dies and a Lee perfect powder measure but that is about it.
The amount of ammo I need it has served me just fine.

I sort of miss my Lee Loader period. I was living in a fairly small apartment at the time with very limited storage and working space. Everything needed for reloading could be stored in a shoebox. I would sit on the floor in front of the TV set with my trusty Lee Loaders, banging out reloads with a hammer. I had plenty of time and reloading was a good way to kill it. Rarely did I load more than 50 or so cartridges/shotshells at once, which took about an hour. All I was loading at the time were .44 Mag, .30-‘06, and 12 gauge. The Lee Loaders fit my simpler lifestyle just fine.

Don't buy a thing until you can go to someone that is familiar with reloading and can show you at least the basics. A LOT of people jump into reloading with great intentions and before long they bail out of it because it's to expensive, too complex or just not worth the hassle. I started reloading in 1974/75 with shotgun loads for trapshooting and eventually went further for my Model 52's which have some complexities to them. For my two cents stay away from hand operated sizers, seaters and priming tools. They are okay if you are sitting in a cave in Afghanistan, but you need a minimum of a good single stage press to give reloading a fair shot no pun intended. If the bug really bites you a progressive press will soon be on your bench, but the single stage will still find service with you, but don't go progressive too soon. Learn the basics with the single stage first. I now use a Redding Turret press for all my rifle loads and the single stage handles all my re-sizing duty. A Hornady LNL progressive takes care of my handgun loads.

There are many, many other things you need to develop good reloads and an experienced reloader can not only tell you about these extras, but show them to you also. I just had a young man over at my house and he had no idea what he would need to perform quality reloading, but he does now and he still wants to pursue it. Once he gets the minimum equipment and components he will be back at my place to set things up and get him going. No more surprises for him, he wants to reload.

Good luck whatever you decide.

Rick H.

I'd opt for one of their hand presses instead.
the Lee Loaders are a bit of classic kit, but the hand press embodies the same principals in a more productive package.
Lee Precision, Inc. - Breech Lock Hand Press
From here, you just need some flavor of powder measure, priming tool scale and dies.

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it just needs more voltage

squeeze between the knees and leave your hands out of it for the most part.

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it just needs more voltage

After I had bought a bunch of rifle Lee Loaders, as it turned out I only had one rifle of each caliber, so it was not an issue. As a matter of fact it was a positive because neck sizing only was easy peasy and didn't require lube, etc.

However, at the time I was also loading 9mm for 3 handguns I owned at the time. Never had an issue firing in any of the 3, whether with my own reloads or range pickup. I guess all 3 chambers were alike.

The first problem with a Nine was years later when I bought a Glock. But at that time I had dies and a press. I jammed that sucker up so bad I had to take it to a gunsmith to clear the chamber. When I got home I plunked tested every round I had in inventory and THAT was the ONLY one that didn't fit the Glock. However, it fit ALL my other Nines.

Hahahahaha. I have more problems with my knees than my hands.

Today I'm retired and can afford to buy factory ammo if needed. Nevertheless, I reload because it's an amazing hobby, and my equipment is all upscale and amortized years ago.

But looking back to when I first got started with a Lee Loader when I was a poor college kid, it was one of my best investments, and without it as a start I may not be reloading today.

Your concerns are valid. Sizing cases takes serious force.
- A bench mounted press offers the advantage of leverage using your whole upper body.
-A Lee Loader offers the advantage of inertia from the weight and velocity of the hammer.
-A Lee Hand Press forces you to manipulate the press, after getting the component(s) into the shell holder, then squeeze the whole thing together. Do you enjoy using hand held can openers or unscrewing lids off of jars?

I started with a Lee Loader and a Lee Auto Prime for 44 Magnum. It was, and is, a great set-up. My very first loads were 44 wadcutters using cast wadcutters from my LGS. The accuracy was better than factory ammo.
Today, I have several Lee Loaders. I also have a Dillon 650, an RCBS single stage press, and a Lyman/Ideal 310 nutcracker tool.

Using the Lee Loader is a step-by-step process. This is a good thing! You’re learning a fine skill where safety and methodical work are crucial. With practice, you’ll figure out a cadence and a few tricks.
Here’s one for you.
When resizing, use a thick board with a hole drilled in it just big enough for the case. Knock out the sized case with the die body placed on the board and over the hole. The case will fall out and land in the bucket that you had the foresight of placing underneath. A Black & Decker Workmate plays into this quite nicely!
Oh, the Lee hand primer tool is a good addition!

If you go the Lee Loader route, getting a Lee hand auto prime will save considerable time as you can prime all the cases quickly at the same time. And they are not too expensive. I use one even with my newer reloading presses, and I have owned it forever. One of my most used reloading gadgets. DO NOT buy a Lee bench priming tool. They are worse than useless. Mine constantly jammed. I later threw it away I was so disgusted with it.

Get Lee’s cheapest, smallest, lightest bench press. Mount it to a piece of 1/2” thick piece of board approximately 10” wide and at least 12” long, using bolts.
Now you have an easily portable press that can be mounted almost everywhere with 3 or 4 “C”’clamps. Would take up very little space mounted or stored.
I also recommend springing for at least 1 reloading manual; 2 are even better.
I know I'm getting into mission creep here, but a priming tool and a cheap mechanical scale will make life a lot easier.
Mounting the press on it’s own separate board will help you the most.
If you are not in a big hurry, go to gun stores and pawn shops keeping your eye out for used reloading equipment. When an old shooter and reloader dies, his widow usually brings a couple of cardboard boxes full of all her husband’s stuff for the store to sell. The boxes typically end up on the floor of the shop getting kicked around until the proprietor decides to sell of it for .25 cents on the dollar to get the boxes out of the way.
Some good bargains can be had if you look around.

Ive done 44mag anx it's not to bad. Not high volume though. Maybe 50 at a time. My hands aren't in great shape either. Lol..
It's not a high volume setup anyway

the small temporary bench is also a good option.
I've seen this in use at the range

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it just needs more voltage

The Lee Hand Press is a small , hand held , single stage "C" press it takes conventional screw-in dies . it is Not caliber Specific !
The linkage affords some leverage ... I'm 75 years old ... well worn and not any stronger than your average 75 year old , but I can reload all my handgun and 30-30 rif;le ammo with it ... No Problems .

If you get the Lee Hand Press " Kit " you will get a priming tool with it ... seats large and small primers easily .

Great if you don't have a bench to mount a press .
Easily portable , everything can fit in a shooting / gym bag or med/lge toolbox ... Compact little rig .

You still need dies , loading tray , shell holder and powder scale ... you want a scale to check / verify powder charge and you can make your own custom powder dippers with a scale .
Gary

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Certified Cajun
NRA Member

This is exactly who I ordered this for!

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otis

I started using a Lee loader in 44 magnum even before I got my first gun! I had just gotten my license and wanted to be ready for when my M-29 came in. I also had the Lee Powder Measure kit. It was slow going just doing 50 rounds. I also remember my father yelling at me while I was pounding the casings because he had to get up early in the morning to go to work. I didn't care, I was having the time of my life just waiting for the day when I could fire them out of my own gun. I hated pounding the primers in so I got the old Lee Hand priming Tool with the threaded shell holder. Made things so much easier! Also had the Lee Precision Melter Pot, Lee 255 gr. Bullet Mold and the Lee Bullet Lubricating and Sizing Kit that you used a torch to melt the lube in a little metal pan. AHH, the good old days! I only used that stuff for 100 rounds or so before moving up to RCBS equipment. But it got me started into reloading and casting my own bullets. Man I'm really showing my age with this post. Here is a PDF of my first loading sheet.

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Mention Lee Loaders an you'll get 100 replies (many inaccurate about slow and clumsy). I believe the Lee Handloader is more difficult to use especially on large revolver cartridges. Full length sizing will tire a man out after 1/2 box.

Think Lee Loaders are slow?

I agree it was but fun all the same while first starting out. That set up along with Speer Reloading Manual #9 were enjoyed for many hours.

X 10 also. and I also have both.

Irregardless of all the advice you previously received, my recommendation to a beginning reloader is the buy a Lyman Reloading Handbook, first thing, before investing in any equipment! You receive the fundamentals of reloading and reloading data for many calibers! Great investment! Then you will have an idea of what you are getting into.

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Richard Gillespie
FBINA 102

...if you lay the loaders and components (with a good mallet) out in front of you, you can reload a cartridge in about 45 seconds.

I used them for a good while before I got into more 'serious' handloading.

If you use the Lee scoops you will need a powder scale to verify your throws. Digital scales are inexpensive now, I have a Lee balance scale to double check things. In the early days I even made a few scoops for pet loads out of cut down shell cases. Constant technique is VITAL. A sideways shake does it. Otherwise you could use a powder measure (I use the RCBS Uniflow) but still need to check your throws. Once I get the measure adjusted I check every 8-10 rounds.

I cleaned my cases in a collander and Dawn soap for years before I bought a tumbler.

If you reload rifle cartridges you will need a caliper or case gauge and some means to trim them. I have cheap Lee trimmers that I chuck into my drill press. A Lee case mouth chamfer tool is good, too.

Get a Loading manual and read up on reloading in general and the types of cartridges you plan to load. There are differences between rimmed cartridges, rimless cartridges and rifle cartridges. You don't HAVE to know this to use Lee Loaders but it is helpful and the knowledge is there for the reading. Things like Overall Cartridged Length, Headspacing and other aspects are worth knowing, especially from a safety standpoint. Besides, it is INTERESTING.

I started out with bullets, primers and a can of Bullseye powder. Decide what powder you want to use that will be versatile. Medium powders like HP-38/Win231 and Hodgdons Universal do well. After a while I added Unique and 2400 (Magnum powder)
I only use one powder for rifle, IMR 4789, though I have some others for light loads, etc. But the 4789 works with everything I load, from .223 up to 30-06, 7.62 x 54 Russian and 8mm Mauser. The Alliant powder are great, but they are geting harder to find. Hodgon sells their own power and also Winchester, Accurate, IMR and Ramshot.
DOUBLE CHARGES of fast powders like Bullseye and Titegroup can be DANGEROUS! Safety is paramount. Work out a routine and do it that way EVERY TIME. I always work from left to right.

A couple of reloading blocks are needed. I have one I bought and a couple that I've made on my drill press. (The Russian cartridge are big and rimmed)

Primers. I mosly use small pistol and small rifle, but I have large pistol and rifle on hand. I have some magnum primers but with the powders I use I don't really need them.

I've always been the 'King of Cheap' and only added tools/equipment as my operation grew. I use a lot of Lee stufff because they are simple, cheap and work well

All you need for your work area is a small amount of benchtop. Right now my work area, including my press, is about a 1 1/2 foot of desktop. Storage of all the components, tools, dies, etc, take up much more.

Have fun and call us again when you want to move to a reloading press!

CAVEAT!!!! Wear hearing, eye protection. I had a primer go off once when tapping on it with the Lee tool.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

1980...Speer #9, a can of Bullseye, Speer wadcutters, some .38 cases. WHACK, WHACK, WHACK, tap, tap, tap.

Then I got a 30-06 and a pound of IMR 4895. I had loaded for pistol and rifle, so my life was complete.

I moved to a press. Then I got .357 Magnum, 9mm, 7.62 Russian, 7.62 x 39, .223... And friends had .44 Mag, 8mm Mauser and a bunch of other stuff. I made cases for 7.7mm Arisaka out of .30-06 cases.

So much for limiting the calibers in order to economize. However, I do avoid big calibers because they do the same thing as smaller calibers, with less cost.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

I loaded a ton of good .357 with a Lee Loader. '72 or '73......357 was $5 or $6 a box. Seemed like a lot of money in those days. The Lee Loader reduced the cost by half, maybe 2/3. I did OK with it until I had the scratch to buy a loaing manual, an RCBS Jr. and a set of dies, and a scale. Added a powder measure. I was on my way......
A single stage bench mounted press & dies is the best advice for a new handloader. Get a current loading manual, a scale and a powder measure, and after you do your homework, primer, powder, & bullets. Then start producing your own ammo.
You can spend a couple hundred or so getting set up, but you will recoup that with your first 8 or 10 boxes of your handloads. And you will have the advantage of tailoring your rounds specifically for your firearms.
There really isn't any reason not to.

...in 'Islands In The Stream' his protagonist is confronted by a land crab that won't give way, so he shoots it with a .357 and talks about how the .357 cartridges were expensive and scarce, but you had to shoot them every so often so that you know how you are shooting. I don't suppose that Ernest ever got into handloading.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"