Lee tools--the best and the not so hot

[Hovnnes]

I really like my Lee reloading tools, especially the dies and the Classic Cast press(the Chuck Norris of presses) IMHO Lee makes some exceptionally well thought out stuff that is very affordable and in stock unlike some outfits who have items in the catalog but have to be specially ordered and waited for.

My own gear is a hodgepodge of Lee, Lyman, RCBS, Redding, MEC & Hornady(did I leave anyone out?) Some of it bought new, some of it handed down or traded for but these days I'll always look at the Lee catalog first if I'm contemplating a purchase. Even so, some Lee products are frowned on by my reloading friends---admittedly some if it looks pretty lightwieght (although often at less than half the cost of a comparable Lyman or Redding item!)

My question is, what products do you feel Lee manufactures which are truly exceptional values, and which Lee products do you feel would be less preferable to a second hand (because no one compares to Lee when it comes to price of "new") item by one of the "old line" companies?

 

[m657]

I've limited exposure to much of Lee's stuff, but I really LOVE their "Factory Crimp Dies" from first hand experience.

I've had a couple die sets that performed so-so but given the bargain price were much appreciated.

I don't recall even knowing anybody that uses their presses.....don't know why???

 

[jepp2]

Carbide FCD, collet die, carbide sizing die for 40 S&W, and their hand priming tool are the best on the market IMHO.

I haven't used any of their presses so I can't comment. And I have 2 RL550B Dillon presses, RCBS Rock Chucker and lots of RCBS and Lyman dies.

 

[Jc85]

lee vs dillon.

I have a load master arriving on the third (hopefully) and their safety scale coming a few days later.
Ill let you know how it fairs on my bench.

I looked around and read allot about the pros and cons vs other manufacturers. A couple things that I can recall w/o digging into any of my bookmarks are 1, the lee press comes with a 2 year warranty, after that you have to pay for 1/2. the Dillon machines come with a quote "no bs lifetime warranty." The lee press has a auto primer which doubles as a primer flip tray, you have to buy the tray separate with the Dillon machine which uses primer tubes. On the topic of primer feeding the Lee uses a tray that is more or less gravity fed, resulting (over time) in stuck or primers not exiting the slide.The Dillon has a weight fed primer feeder.
lee load master + 4 set carbide - 230
Dillon square deal +4 set carbide - 400
you can purchase a top of the line lee progressive and everything you need (scales, trimmer, cleaners, everything) and components for Under the price of the Dillon press.
Just a little comparison, hope that helped.

oh just recalled;
The lee has been said to require a bit of Tinkering. I'm just thinking its harder to get "set up" then it is the other presses. I also heard the lock nuts on the dies come loose from time to time. Please correct me if the above is not 100% accurate.

 

[ncbengal]

Lee case trimmer

I don't use their dies or press simply because I have never tried them. However, I have a set of their rather novel case trimmer for .308 that aligns the cutter with the flash hole. Whole thing costs a few bucks and is easy to use with a cordless drill. Any opinions?

 

[W.E.G.]

auto-disk powder measure is unreliable

a few grains of powder stuck in the slide mechanism will cause it to hang, and you'll get loads with no powder

 

[mtime7]

stay away from their safety scale it sucks, probably the worst on the market.. Their dies and cast presses are a great bargin

 

[Jc85]

stay away from their safety scale it sucks, probably the worst on the market..

Probably why its only 20 bucks and the next cheapest is 70

 

[mtime7]

Probably why its only 20 bucks and the next cheapest is 70

you would be well served to spend another 20 bucks and get a used ohaus 10-10 scale off ebay, or one of the older ohaus (sold by lyman) M5 scales

 

[J. R. WEEMS]

RELOADING

I started with LEE -- worked fine for awhile, but when I went to the Lee turret problems arose in a short time. I still have my Lee stuff, dies etc., but before I retired I went with Redding. Havent been sorry. Still use my Lee single stage to deprime all cases.

 

[Ron H.]

I don't use their dies or press simply because I have never tried them. However, I have a set of their rather novel case trimmer for .308 that aligns the cutter with the flash hole. Whole thing costs a few bucks and is easy to use with a cordless drill. Any opinions?

Sir, I've used those trimmers in .223, .308, and .30-'06. They're a remarkable value--cheap, accurate, and nearly foolproof.

Lee's deburring tool and primer pocket cleaning tools work, but aren't as good as their competitors. Same for the Lee Perfect powder measure. Sometimes you really do get better quality by spending more.

I haven't used any other Lee stuff, so can't comment beyond that.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

 

[Jc85]

its funny I told the local gun range proprietor i was getting into reloading, he looked up and said.. Dillon. then went back to doing w/e he was doing and paid me no more attention.
Oh another bit for comparison. Lee can utilize other manufactures dies.. Dillon uses only Dillon dies.

 

[snowman]

My experience is somewhat limited, but here is my opinion based on what I have experienced:

-I've owned two Lee presses, a single-stage and a turret(which I have currently). I'm satisfied with both(sold the single-stage a while back). I'm sure the top of the line presses are superior overall machines, but their much higher prices cannot be justified in my situation.

-I'm also completely satisfied with the Lee dies.

Now for the less desirable items:
-The Lee Autoprime tool is poorly designed, in my view, and I will gladly sell mine to anyone who wants it. The problem, for me at least, is that when the pivoting component which seats the primer is fully contracted(primer fully seated), my hand is forced into a very awkward, unnatural, and uncomfortable position. I haven't used it much, and won't be using it anymore.

-The Safety scale isn't worth the material from which it is made. Trying to adjust the screw-type counterweight is a maddening exercise. I have other objections also, but it's been awhile since I've used it and can't even remember them.

-The Perfect Powder Measure is far from perfect, and I've ceased using it also. The problems with it are too involved to get into at this time of night, so I'll leave it at that, at least for now.

There's my .02, as they say.
Andy

 

[Skip Sackett]

How much is a blown up gun? And say a loved one looses their sight or worse?

So, now, lets talk about value. Not price, value. To get something that is reliable, that costs 3 times as much but will never cause a squib that is followed by a double, is no price increase at all in my book.

The best thing that Lee makes, in my opinion is their dies. Followed closely by their 6 cavity bullet moulds. On the other end of the spectrum, their powder measures and 2 cavity moulds are good paper weights.

The Lyman #55 powder measure smokes the Lee's on functionality and just about any main line company's 2 cavity mould will do the same to a Lee.

Use their stuff? Yes sir and gladly. Turret press (and while I highly recommend them for new reloaders they are hardly the Chuck Norris of anything)is a good starter too that someone will use for years.

If you compare any Dillon press to a Lee, in person, you will see right away that there is a real difference in quality and value. Then again, not everyone has $500 to start out reloading with just for the press.

The most important thing about it though is that folks start reloading. If they use a Lee hand tool or an AmmoLoad machine Mark X - Pistol Ammunition Loader is a heavy production machine made of the finest available materials they just need to start reloading.

 

[Skip Sackett]

Dillon uses only Dillon dies.

The only presses that have to have Dillon dies are the Square Deal line. Any of the other presses, from their new turret to the XL650, can use anyone's 7/8"X14 dies.

 

[Skip Sackett]

Another question that keeps coming up in my mind is this: "Why does everyone keep comparing their machines to Dillon?" Um, right.

'Nuff said!

 

[ia1727]

Another question that keeps coming up in my mind is this: "Why does everyone keep comparing their machines to Dillon?" Um, right.

'Nuff said!

What Skip said--plus I'll add this : Price, Quality, Service ? Which two do you want ?

This isn't the 1940's anymore--you can't just expect quality and value in products you buy---bottom line profit rules what quality is invested in a product be it loading equipment or any other product you choose.

JMHO

Steve

 

[Hovnnes]

I have Lee dies for 45 ACP & 38 S&W, length trim gauges for just about every caliber I can reload, some collet dies and shell holders, a priming tool, the hand loading tool, bullet sizer/lube kits, a few moulds (.32 & .38) and the Classic Cast press, all of which I've been very happy with. My powder measures are RCBS and scale is a Redding. I've been thinking of adding a set of .45LC dies and maybe a .45 mould.

 

[Rule3]

I'd like to do a survey and find out what kind of vehicle(s) everyone that owns a Dillion drives.?? I am sure it must be BMW, Mercedes, Lexus. Acura and similar vehicles.(I'd name a American brand if there was a quality one)

The only Lee product I find useless is their scale. It is actually very accurate but next to impossible to use.

I disagree on the Perfect Powder measure,having tested it and using it it with many different powders. It works, is accurate and does not leak as claimed by others.

Sure there is heavier duty, better built, more expensive equipment out there but, Lee will load ammo and the end results you wouldn't know the difference.

 

[Snowbandit]

My old single stage press, that still gets used lots, is Pacific and my newer progressive is a Dillion. I have bought different brands of equipment over the years and the only company I've ever had problems with has been Lee. Pacific sold out to Hornady and their stuff is still good. RCBS and Dillion have great products and customer service. I just won't buy anything with the Lee name on it ever again. No patience for junk in my old age.