Lee makes a single stage press that can be had for about $25. You need something like that and some dies and a powder scale at minimum. Look on eBay. Lots of used loading equipment there for cheap.
Has anyone used a lee loader?
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Double-O-Dave
US Veteran
epj (see #21) beat me to it. A simple "C" or "O" type press (they're called that because that's what the frame's shape looks like) can be had for around $25.00 from a variety of manufacturers. I found a brand new Lee single stage press like the one below a few years ago for around $20.00 on sale:
Lee Reloader Single Stage Press
Additionally, I bought a brand new RCBS "Partner" press from a fellow Forum member for $25.00:
RCBS Partner Single Stage Press
I briefly owned and used a Lee hand loader in .380 ACP caliber. I would not recommend this "thing" except to either a very experienced, or very desparate reloader.
You will be much better served by using a single stage press. By the way, even as you grow as a reloader, you will always find a need and use for your single stage press.
Best of luck,
Dave
Lee Reloader Single Stage Press
Additionally, I bought a brand new RCBS "Partner" press from a fellow Forum member for $25.00:
RCBS Partner Single Stage Press
I briefly owned and used a Lee hand loader in .380 ACP caliber. I would not recommend this "thing" except to either a very experienced, or very desparate reloader.
You will be much better served by using a single stage press. By the way, even as you grow as a reloader, you will always find a need and use for your single stage press.
Best of luck,
Dave
Bozz10mm
US Veteran
I started out with a Lee Loader for 45 Colt back in the 80's. I reloaded several hundred rounds with it before I detonated a primer. That was the end of that. I went out and bought a Rock Chucker and a Lee hand priming tool and a powder scale.
I would say to you to save that $40 and put it towards some other type of reloading equipment.
I would say to you to save that $40 and put it towards some other type of reloading equipment.
scattershot
Member
The Lee Loader works, as others have noted, but it's slow, and once you find/buy a bench mounted press, it will not get used. I'm sure you're anxious to get started, so my advice would be to buy a used press or a cheap Lee, and a set of dies for what you will be loading. You can then use the dies in other presses, and if you find your dad's press, you can set them up for different calibers or different operation on the same caliber, and load better ammo.
Make no mistake, you can load good ammo with the Lee Loader, even 9mm, since the cases came from your pistol to start with.
Might as well buy what you're going to end up with, anyway.
For the record, I have never had a primer go off during the loading procedure, with my Lee Loader or anything else, and I have mangled some beyond recognition. Just lucky, I guess.
Good luck, and welcome to another addictive hobby.
Make no mistake, you can load good ammo with the Lee Loader, even 9mm, since the cases came from your pistol to start with.
Might as well buy what you're going to end up with, anyway.
For the record, I have never had a primer go off during the loading procedure, with my Lee Loader or anything else, and I have mangled some beyond recognition. Just lucky, I guess.
Good luck, and welcome to another addictive hobby.
WalMart $28.34 and free ship-to-store pickup -
Lee Precision Reloader Press: Outdoor Sports : Walmart.com
And most anyone would pay $20 used if it were later put in the classifieds.
gregintenn
Member
A press can be had pretty inexpensively. You can always put it in a yard sale later. If you do much reloading, and have room, 2 presses would not be a liability by any stretch.
I don't like the idea of beating a primer in a case with a hammer, but I don't enjoy setting mouse traps either.
I don't like the idea of beating a primer in a case with a hammer, but I don't enjoy setting mouse traps either.
Targetslayer
Member
I began reloading back in the mid '60's with the Lee loader.
I think they were $9.95 at the time.
I started with one in .30-06 for my semi sporterized '03-A3.
I later added one in .30-30 for a pre '64 Win. 94.
I also had the assorted powder scoops to make things more interesting with more options.
I learned a lot for a new, starting out reloaded using the Lee setup.
I never had this happen in hundreds of rounds.
I started in 1980 with a Lee Loader. It was $9.95.
The primers were 1000 for $8.00
A pound of Dupont powder was $6.00
A box of 100 bullets were $5.00
A cheap way to reload the brass "you" shoot. It only resizes the neck.
I was blasting jack rabbits in Bakersfield, Cailforina. That was fun.
The primers "detonating", a couple of times. You get the hang of it.
Someday when you have the money you can buy a good press and all the bells and whistles to go along with it. I still have my Lee Loader with all my other stuff. Never a waste of money.
Good Luck,
Targetslayer
gwpercle
Member
Instead of the "whack-a-mole" set up, Yes I have used it...still got a few around the bench...they sold for 10 bucks so most of us cut our reloading teeth on them. Slow, painfully slow and the primers sometimes go BANG.... Take a look at Lee's hand press, it's a step up , uses regular dies and shell holder, does not need a mallet, handy little tool to have around...I've got two of them along with bench mounted presses , so it wont be a wasted investment.
I just got through loading two-hundred rounds of 9 mm luger ammo while sitting at my kitchen table...it's a portable press and can use carbide dies or regular dies. It has a primer seater and you can get a push-through cast bullet sizer for it. In my opinion it is much better than "whack-a-mole" loaders.
Midway shows the press for $33.00, thats not much more than the $28.00 for the basic Lee loader kit, and you don't need a mallet!
Gary
I just got through loading two-hundred rounds of 9 mm luger ammo while sitting at my kitchen table...it's a portable press and can use carbide dies or regular dies. It has a primer seater and you can get a push-through cast bullet sizer for it. In my opinion it is much better than "whack-a-mole" loaders.
Midway shows the press for $33.00, thats not much more than the $28.00 for the basic Lee loader kit, and you don't need a mallet!
Gary
NJM15
Member
I have 2 Lee 1000 presses one for 9,40's and 357 Sig ammo , and one for my .223 after you use them for some time you get used to all of the idiosyncrasy's and how to overcome them, mainly in the priming operation
Peter M. Eick
Member
It works well. The loads are mild but they do work. I still have my 38 special lee loader on the shelf and occasionally use it to knock out a primer. Mine is about 35 years old.
GypsmJim
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I started loading with a Lee Loader in high school when I didn't have any money. And yes, I loaded 9MM. Now that I'm rich and can afford anything I want I don't use them any more. But that should not stop you. Go ahead and use it. I never made a bad round with mine...
Moe Mentum
Member
I started out reloading 12 ga shotgun shells with a lee loader, it will work, but it will be slow going.
jmmitc06
Member
I second the post above about buying the hand press kit instead of a specialty product for a specific cartridge. The hand press is $33 alone or $46 for the kit. Add the cost of 9mm dies you are at roughly $77 (going with the kit), an extra $49 dollars but, you will wind up spending at least the $31 for dies if you get any other press in the future (unless your dad had 9mm dies and you can find them). If you start loading any other caliber, you already have a press, you just have to get dies and the more speciality kits you buy the larger the opporitunity cost you pay when you make the switch to a press.
Also, I haven't used the product you linked but from watching videos on its use, it seems like alot more work with some really big limitations namely that the reloads it makes are gun-specific. May not be an issue for you but something to consider. Additionally as mentioned above, once you start reloading it is often the case that you shoot more per shooting trip and very quickly you go from having a 100 cases to reload to having several hundred or thousand, at that point even the hand press saves your hand and will be quicker.
Also, I haven't used the product you linked but from watching videos on its use, it seems like alot more work with some really big limitations namely that the reloads it makes are gun-specific. May not be an issue for you but something to consider. Additionally as mentioned above, once you start reloading it is often the case that you shoot more per shooting trip and very quickly you go from having a 100 cases to reload to having several hundred or thousand, at that point even the hand press saves your hand and will be quicker.
stevehart3578
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"Has anyone used a lee loader?"
Yes.
Yes.
gwpercle
Member
Oh so true ....I had forgotten about the banging noise that goes with the whack-a-mole process...you don't forget about that surprise primer going off though!
I use the Lee Loader for 38's and 357 mags. It works well. Go ahead and buy it.
It isn't nearly as slow as some make it sound. You'll get into a rhythm. Your reloading will go quickly.
You will set off a few primers. I set off about 2 primers every thousand rounds. They are loud and scary, but not painful. Wear eye protection. Lube the case. You won't need to pound as hard and the primers are less likely to detonate.
In addition to the kit, you'll also need a good hammer, a solid bench to pound on, and case lube. I use Lee's Resizing Lubricant. It works fine and lasts a long time.
Check YouTube for how to videos and good luck.
It isn't nearly as slow as some make it sound. You'll get into a rhythm. Your reloading will go quickly.
You will set off a few primers. I set off about 2 primers every thousand rounds. They are loud and scary, but not painful. Wear eye protection. Lube the case. You won't need to pound as hard and the primers are less likely to detonate.
In addition to the kit, you'll also need a good hammer, a solid bench to pound on, and case lube. I use Lee's Resizing Lubricant. It works fine and lasts a long time.
Check YouTube for how to videos and good luck.
Get a press. Anything else is a waste of money.
geddylee10002000
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NO for me. Get a RCBS press. It will outlive you.
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