Lee reloading equipment

[LoboGunLeather]

Started reloading in 1972, with the first step being a Lee Loader kit. Within a couple of years I moved on to a good bench-mounted press, scale, powder measure, and kept adding more equipment over the years.

One of the items I continued using was the decapping punch from the Lee Loader; always found it handy to decap, clean, and inspect all brass prior to starting the reloading process. Probably used that decapper about 40,000 times or more.

A few weeks ago the decapping pin broke off in use. Looked in the original box and saw the old Lee lifetime warranty (in more recent years they have changed to a 2-year warranty). With tongue firmly in cheek I wrote to Lee and sent in the broken decapper.

Couple of days ago I received a package from Lee containing a brand new decapper (current retail price is more than I paid for the old Lee Loader!).

I'd say that Lee can be counted on for warranty service issues!

 

[Eddie Southgate]

The very few times I have ever had to test them on the warranty they have done exactly as was stated at the time the particular item in question was purchased . So far I have never paid a cent for any repairs and they have usually just sent me a new item . I have absolutely no problems with either Lee equipment or their customer service as Quality seems to rule with both .

Eddie

 

[gwpercle]

People can bad mouth Lee products all they want but the truth is they make darn good affordable stuff. A lot of us wouldn't be reloaders today without the $9.95 Lee Loader (the whack-a-mole).
I well remember how much carbide dies and bullet moulds cost. The only thing I could afford were single cavity moulds (and very few of those) and steel dies from Herters.
Lee's affordable carbide dies and affordable bullet moulds were welcomed with open arms from myself.
Always had the best customer service the few times I needed something.
But there always is going to be a segment that must drive a Porsche and talk bad about Ford's and Chevy's.
Gary....68 Chevelle Driver

 

[cowboy4evr]

I too started with the Lee Loader kit ( pound everything together) . I reloaded 38spl , 44 spl and 45 colt using those kits . I used mine for several years before getting one of their SS presses . I still use only LEE for my reloading equipment . I have quite few of their molds and they all have served me well . I use a lot of the Lee , 45-255 RNFP mold for my 45 colt shooting . It's very accurate in my pistols and my Rossi 16" lever gun M92 . I have 2 of the 2 cav molds . The $$$ I saved buying LEE equipment gave the funds to buy more supplies and the accuracy didn't suffer one bit . I have shot beside guys with the fancier high dollar stuff .

 

[Wee Hooker]

Without starting a Kool-Aide war, I will say that I have owned both Blue and Red presses. I found both customer service departments first rate and equal.

 

[SMSgt]

People can bad mouth Lee products all they want but the truth is they make darn good affordable stuff. A lot of us wouldn't be reloaders today without the $9.95 Lee Loader (the whack-a-mole).
I well remember how much carbide dies and bullet moulds cost. The only thing I could afford were single cavity moulds (and very few of those) and steel dies from Herters.

I'm still using my press and die set from Herters. And powder dropper.

 

[27 Man]

I too remember starting out with a Lee Loader Kit in .38 Special. It was slow and tiresome but produced shootable ammo for me. There are still times when I use it to deprime a case. I load several different rifle and pistol calibers. RCBS and Lee dies are the only ones I have and use.

 

[jradisch]

I have only been reloading for a few years now using the Lee Classic Turret press. A few months ago I noticed that the decapping pins on my universal decapping die and one of my other dies had been bent over. I ordered several new pins from Lee and was surprised to see they only charged me for a few dollars for shipping.

 

[ageingstudent]

People can bad mouth Lee products all they want but the truth is they make darn good affordable stuff. A lot of us wouldn't be reloaders today without the $9.95 Lee Loader (the whack-a-mole).

That's what we call a gateway drug Gary. That and the Lee load all for shotgun when I was in high school. I think I paid like 30 bucks for one in 1981. The next cheapest shotshell loader was a MEC at like 200 bucks. I made 3.35 an hour pumping gas after school so it wasn't a tough decision. I loaded 100 shells a week with it until I went in the service in 1986. I thought it held up pretty well for what it was. I had a problem getting the crimp right on one particular recipe and called Lee. The guy on the other end talked to me for at least an hour about components and fit untill I got it figured out. Pretty darned cool. I was 15, didn't know anyone who reloaded, and no internet back then. Just a big black dial phone on the wall and a phone number.

 

[Rat458]

I started with a Lee Loader myself when I found out how much cheaper it was to reload 44 Mag.
Bought a Lee Challenger in the mid 80's with the maple range box and still use it today.
Sure wish they still made that box .
Never had any problems loading 30/06 with that press.

 

[rwsmith]

If you're on a budget...

It's Lee, Lee, Lee.

 

[MyDads38]

I also started with a Lee Loader back around 1980 for 38 Special. Loaded a lot of rounds with that kit! That little kit probably got more people started in this hobby than you could imagine. I have a kit for every caliber I shoot and still use them once in a while, takes me back to a simpler time, when it was all new to me. Since then I've bought a lot of Lee products, no complaints here about quality or durability-it all still works! Thanks Richard Lee....

 

[Diesel Kilgore]

AllI have is Lee except a few things. I put together a reloading kit for less than $100 compared to the $250-300 a Hornady or RCBS kit.

The only thing i'm lacking is a good trimmer.

 

[Federalis]

I have 10-12 sets of their dies and numerous other Lee "stuff", got a piece of .270 Win brass stuck in a re-sizing die (don't ask...) around Christmas time a few years back and sent it to them to unstuck. Didn't think I'd see that die back for awhile but had it back in hand - no charges for anything - in a week. Good products and great CS. My 2C worth...

 

[Mikeinkaty]

I'm new at reloading. I thought I should start cheap in case it turned out reloading was not for me. Now, 3000+ rounds later, it has become a hobby that I really enjoy. IMO, Lee kits are the perfect way to start.

That said, there are a few things that I would change. 1) I wish the primer thing was on the left side. I'm right handed so I have to reach around the press to insert a primer. I don't use that way often for priming; preferring to use the hand primer. 2) I wish the hand primer that came in the kit was not the kind that folds in half. 3) could not flaring be made an integral part of the resizing/ depriming die? That would eliminate an entire pass through the press. Maybe that's not possible though. 4) I don't like the combination seating/crimp die. Wish they would just sell the 4 dies with the kit including the Factory Crimp Die for pistol ammo. 5) why does the depriming pin have to be adjustable? That collet is a bitch to tighten. Make it solid and on an adjustment screw for changing the flare.

These gripes are minor, I know. The kit is still a fantastic bargain!

Mike

 

[radio11]

I think most everything LEE is still lifetime warranty--not sure. They have gone to charging shipping for the "part in question", but it's still a good deal. I guess because you "wrote" (snail mail) and sent the part, they assumed you were an "older gentleman" and couldn't bring themselves to ask for shipping charges (ha ha)


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[GypsmJim]

I load 26 calibers and other than an RCBS scale, I'm 100% Lee.

The Lee of 1972 was sold a few years later to Mequon, who quickly went out of business. Lee later started a second company, which is the current one. So, for them to guarantee a product from a company they don't even own any more is awesome to say the least.

 

[Engineer1911]

I'm still using my press and die set from Herters. And powder dropper.

I attended the FINAL GOING OUT OF BUSINESS SALE for Herter's in Eau Claire, Wisconsin in 1979 after graduating form engineering school. There was a large cardboard box of 300 Weatherby die sets that was so heavy, I couldn't budge the box.

I didn't buy much reloading stuff, but sure bought fishing tackle.

 

[rwsmith]

I wish more companies would do that....

I load 26 calibers and other than an RCBS scale, I'm 100% Lee.

The Lee of 1972 was sold a few years later to Mequon, who quickly went out of business. Lee later started a second company, which is the current one. So, for them to guarantee a product from a company they don't even own any more is awesome to say the least.

At the sake of starting a rant, I wish more companies would care more about their products than they do the company itself as a commodity.