Lee Loaders, need help.
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GypsmJim
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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.
I can pound a hammer all day long, but I would be hesitant to do a lot of squeezing.
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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.
max503
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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.
gjgalligan
Member
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.
DWalt
Member
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.
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Rick H.
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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.
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.
venomballistics
Member
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.
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.
venomballistics
Member
squeeze between the knees and leave your hands out of it for the most part.
GypsmJim
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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.
GypsmJim
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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!
DWalt
Member
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.
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smoothshooter
Member
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.
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.
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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
venomballistics
Member
the small temporary bench is also a good option.
I've seen this in use at the range
gwpercle
Member
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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'79 Magnum GT
Member
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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