Lee tools--the best and the not so hot

[Skip Sackett]

You can blow-up a firearm with a Lee Hand Press or a Dillon progressive.

Blaming a piece of reloading equipment for failing to load properly is like blaming a car for having an accident.

BTW- does the old timer want to get rid of "The Widowmaker"?

I am a little slow or I would have asked that question first. I think I need to have an RL550!

The reloading equipment blame is like saying that guns kill. No, people used guns to kill people. Couldn't have said it better myself either!

Good job Andy!

 

[papajohn428]

I've used mostly Lee stuff for going on 30 years, and opinions vary, but most of it is adequate to VERY good. My 3-hole turret press has cranked out several hundred thousand rounds and still works fine as a single-stage press. I love the turret system........set the dies and never have to dink with them again.

I bought a LoadMaster press awhile back, fought with it for three months, and finally sent it back. No questions asked. Their service department is awesome. I then bought a BreechLock Challenger press for .308 Precision loads, anmd absolutely love it.

I used the auto-disk powder measures for 20+ years, not all powders work well but most flake-types do. Rifle powders bring their own issues. For those I either scooped the charges or weighed them. The Perfect Powder measure isn't. I finally got an RCBS Chargemaster, and use nothing else for rifle charges.

The best thing Lee ever did was upgrade their Auto-Disk Powder Metering system to the Pro series, with the elastomer wiper. No jamming, no binding, no problems anywhere. For pistol and small rifle charges it's the beans, and it flares the case mouth at the same time.

I used Lee auto-primes for years, broke about a hundred of them, kept sending the parts back in for free replacements, then finally said screw it, and bought the Hornady hand-held unit. It has its own idiosyncrasies, but it doesn't break. The re-designed Lee unit looks pretty well thought-out, but I already spent my shekels, and I'm not going back.

The concensus is right..........Lee's scale sucks.

As for Dies.........nearly all of mine are Lee, and I have several dozen sets. The others are RCBS and Hornady, and I can't see much difference in the accuracy, which is my preferred way of judging such things.

I currently have two Lee presses, and no others. I'm too anal to use a progressive, too many horror stories and I like visually inspecting the powder charges before I seat bullets. I load in batches, typically several hundred rounds at a time, and I can crank out 300+ rounds in an hour with primed brass. I do the priming off-press at work or in front of the TV, so it doesn't eat up a lot of time.

The Case Trimmers are a great idea that works as long as they're the right length. Check it when you buy it, if it's right you're good to go for many years. Chuck it in a drill and you can do a couple thousand cases in an afternoon. I've done that.

Their molds may be "Cheap aluminum", but they work fine for me, and the tumble-lube design is pure genius. No sizing, just squirt some lube in a bowl full of bullets, swish it around, and set them out to dry. Then load 'em and shoot 'em. Simple is good, and they shoot fine in my various 45's. I use a 6-cavity 45-200-SWC mold, and I can crank out some boolits in a day! I also like their 20-pound furnace, with the bottom pour.

The main beef about Lee equipment is that it feels flimsy compared to other stuff. Well, their presses are as strong as the rest I've tried, aside from the wimpy little "Reloader" press, and it still does yeoman duty. If I needed a place to put a sizer, that would be the cheapest, simplest way to have a designated press for it.

As far as the strength issue, if you don't abuse it, it will serve you well. Most reloading presses are overbuilt to the Nth degree, the Lee stuff is just less so in some products. If an RCBS unit is 20 times over built and the Lee is three times overbuilt for a third the cost, I'll get the Lee.

And don't knock those free shellholders with their dies. Reloading is a hobby for the economy-minded man, and their dies are a bargain. The Collet dies have loaded wonderfully accurate ammo for me, and the brass lasts virtually forever, with no case stretching. And the Factory Crimp Die sells by the tens of thousands, with good reason.

It ain't all perfect, but most of it is pretty good. There's green and blue and orange stuff in my reloading setup, but there's a LOT of red.

 

[gregintenn]

I've used mainly Lee stuff for nearly 20 years now. It is cheaper than any other brand. Most of it is made cheaper; but it all works as it should. If you want something fancy and impressive; don't buy Lee. If you just want to reload quality ammo, buy Lee.

 

[Jellybean]

When I first started loading most of my equipment was from RCBS. After the first divorce I had to sell most of it, then, as I slowly built my finances back up, I started buying Lee products. I have yet to find any Lee product that I like better than any other manufacturers, especially if I can get a deal on used RCBS products. I still use a bunch of Lees' stuff but as I go along I replace them with other brands based on how bad I want them.

It is possible to load some decent ammo with Lee equipment, but not as good as others in my opinion. (I will add that I have never used their deluxe dies, which I have heard are supposed to be better than their other rifle dies, but that isn't saying much.) But quality ammo isn't my only basis for using other brands, it's the quality of time I spend handloading. To me, most of their products are garbage other than their dies and bullet moulds, and they aren't all that great, just usable.

By the way, I don't own anything from Dillion and probably never will. My goal isn't to see how much ammo I can spit out in a day and I hardly ever even use the progressive set-up I do have.

P.S. regarding their case trimmers. They are alright as long as all your brass is longer than their gauge. But if you have some that are longer and some that are shorter you have no way to adjust it to work for all of them.

 

[cjw3]

Lee dies: seem to be as good as anyone else's and have the shellholder thrown in to boot. I have several sets, as well as some Lyman and RCBS. The bullet seating depth adjustment system is the easiest on the market.

Lee moulds: good value, but not as durable as iron moulds, at least single and double cavity...can't answer for the 6 cavity (and I have moulds made of aluminum and iron). The sizers are a clever idea for those on a budget or who don't want to go overboard with a pile of stuff.

Auto-Prime: junk; I got an RCBS universal hand priming tool and have never, ever, looked back.

Factory crimp die: very good.

Case trimming system: good but sort of awkward. I got a Forster and have phased out the Lee stuff.

So, with me it's a mixed bag but I guess that's how it is with anything.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

P.S. regarding their case trimmers. They are alright as long as all your brass is longer than their gauge. But if you have some that are longer and some that are shorter you have no way to adjust it to work for all of them.

Was this supposed to be a long-form smiley on the end of your post?

 

[OM18V]

My only point with the car reference is this:

Not everyone can afford a Dillion, I can, but I choose to spend my money elsewhere.

I do not own a Rolex either but my Citizen (Seiko) solar powered watch is over 5 years, never comes off, goes in saltwater, been dropped and I still know what time it is.

It gets really old on every reloading equipment thread to "oh you should get a Dillion" Why not a RCBS or Hornady?

For the price Dillon charges and for all the extras you need to buy, they damn well better warranty it for ever. So you pay for that up front. The Lee Turret press makes ammo and it shoots as well as that made by any other press.

I would just as soon buy a RCBS or a Hornady. Their warranty and customer service is as good or better.

With the money I saved buying Lee equipment, I bought every set of handgun deluxe dies and 4 rifle sets, the extra turrets and all the other stuff for less that a Dillon press alone and probably a gun or two.
I did buy a Dillon beam balance.

Oh, I drive a Honda, could have bought the Acura but it's the same car with a few bells and whistles.

Wow, pretty defensive. I just answered your survey. Never made any reference to Lee or Dillon, pro or con.

 

[azrudy]

No comparisons to make just opinion about Lee products. My dad started me reloading for 30.30 & M1 Carbine on a Lee Loader in the 1980s, taught me alot about reloading using those tools and made some of the most accurate ammo I've fired. About 1981 bought a Lee Turret press and hand primer, still have them to this day! I load for pistol and rifle and have never had a problem with either. I have an Ohaus 10-10 but still rely on my dippers for most loads. I bought a Hand Press about 15 years ago and find that great for resizing and de-priming brass when sitting in the house or loading up at the cabin. Always tempted to try the other brands but since the Lee dies, press and accessories I have met my needs I used the money on components and guns instead. I guess it's about the value you have gotten from your equipment, and I have loaded a ridiculous amount of ammo on that press and never had a problem. Plus it has sentimental value, my dad and I loaded ammo together on it so I doubt that I would replace it unless it wears out! I think you all have good points but it all come down to personal preference.Take care. . . Az Rudy

 

[Jellybean]

Was this supposed to be a long-form smiley on the end of your post?

No, that is just a fact and no smiley is needed.

Just like, "...if you need a handgun factory crimp die you did something wrong.", doesn't require a smiley either, but it may cause some friction and since there are no sandpaper smileys I left it out.

 

[Ziptar]

No reloading set-up is fool proof. You can blow-up a firearm with a Lee Hand Press or a Dillon progressive. As has been brought up in this thread, one of the problems with ALL progressive presses is a false sense of security that everything is working right everytime you pull the handle. This can lead to a lackadaisical attitude towards reloading which can be dangerous. The majority of reloaders can and do load safely on any type of equipment that they have in their shop. Blaming a piece of reloading equipment for failing to load properly is like blaming a car for having an accident.

BTW- does the old timer want to get rid of "The Widowmaker"?

To be fair earlier I should have pointed out, the old turret he went back to using was an old Lyman Spartan not a Lee. I was just getting tired of typing on my phone.

I almost ended my post with something similar, "Presses don't make squibs, people make Squibs" but, again tired of typing on that tiny thing. I was just making the point that expensive equipment isn't a replacement for skill and diligence.

I asked if he was thinking of selling the Dillon, not right now he says. He's moving late this year said he might when he moves. I'll let you know.

 

[Bat Guano]

I'm an occasional user of Lee products; started with a Lee Loader 47 years ago and still have a couple of them. Don't care for aluminum molds but lots of people like them. The hand presses are darned useful. I use the little Reloader press mostly for priming and with oddball Lyman 310 dies and an adapter. Since I have a couple of massive old single-stage presses the Lee stuff just fills a niche. If I have any brand loyalty it's probably to RCBS. Fortunately the bulk of my gear was bought many years ago and the cost forgotten.

A few years ago I was given a Dillon 550; but it's still in the box. I could make room for it on the bench but I prefer to SEE what I'm doing.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

P.S. regarding their case trimmers. They are alright as long as all your brass is longer than their gauge. But if you have some that are longer and some that are shorter you have no way to adjust it to work for all of them.

You don't have to adjust it; it already works for all of them. The ones that are longer need to be trimmed, and it trims them. The ones that are shorter don't need to be trimmed and it doesn't trim them. That's exactly how it is supposed to work, and exactly how you should want it to work. If you have some reason for trimming short cases to make them even shorter, you can easily make or buy such a tool.

 

[Jc85]

i allmost bought dillon, does that count?
1992 toyota supra, 7mgte
(i'm just proud of my car)

 

[Hovnnes]

Sadly clunkered my '89 ex forestry service 4wd pick up for a '09 VW tdi. The truck only got 13mpg and had terminal metal fatigue

 

[Rule3]

Wow, pretty defensive. I just answered your survey. Never made any reference to Lee or Dillon, pro or con.

Huh??. Never said you did? My next car is gonna be a Forester. Hope it comes in Blue.

 

[David LaPell]

My first press was a RCBs Rock Chucker, then a RCBS Jr, and now I have a Lee Classic with the quick change bushings, and I love it. I have mostly Lee dies with a few Hornadys thrown in. I have a Lee Hand Press which is nice for resizing brass while watching your favorite TV show in your living room. I have the auto prime, never an issue with it. I also started with a Lee Safety Scale, I had good results with it once it was set up. Now I use a RCBS 750. My Perfect Powder Measure meters 2400 and Win 231 with no problems.

 

[Alan S]

2002 PT Cruiser with 250000 got it new . lees deluxe reloading kit for what i paid i am happy.

 

[JohnnieB]

.........My next car is gonna be a Forester. Hope it comes in Blue.

OMG - Just realized that GEICO commercial with a lady of the phone about to buy a new car has a subliminal message for Dillon embedded.
Probably to offset the "Better Red than Dead" message that the mainstream media and others are promoting.

As for cars, SWMBO and I have two DeVilles and a SLS, but none of them nor the reloading equipment is "Blue" and our combined age is 134 while our Cadillac's combined age is 47 with a combined mileage of 412,257 and a fleet average of 16.5 City / 25.3 Hwy.

Except for my original (now retired) RCBS single stage press, a beam balance and two digital powder scales and a vibratory tumbler, all my reloading equipment is Lee.

I got tired of chasing spent primers and getting pinched fingers, so I replaced the RCBS with a $35.00 Lee Reloader Press for decapping range brass and sizing bullets. I don't cast my own boolits, but I run the cast and swagged bullets I buy through a Lee Sizer and tumble lube them LLA.

I wish the Lee case length gauges were made for minimum case length rather than maximum, but a little judicious filing takes care of the issue. I only load .38spl, .357mag and .45acp and don't load hot enough to make the brass grow longer, so the only time I check/trim cases is when they are new or new-to-me.

The Lee Auto-Disk powder measures have their limitations and idiosyncrasies, but as long as I don't ask them to do things they weren't designed to do they work just fine for me, so my goal is to have one atop of the Lee feed through flaring die mounted in the separate turret plates for each caliber I load with my Lee Classic Turret Press.

Personally, I believe I get more bang for the buck with Lee products. YMMV

 

[hornady]

Lee seems to be the Hi-Point of reloading equipment, and I don’t care for Hi-points either. Nothing wrong with a Hi- point but like the Lee equipment.
If that is all you can afford great, but realistically. These comparisons of Lee with higher end equipment are a little lame.
Lee like every other reloading manufacturer is in business to make money. And sells his product at a profit. And this profit is made up with sub standard materials plastic and Aluminum. Over the last 40 years of Reloading and casting, I have owned several Lee items. All have been replaced with higher end items.
Lee equipment works adequately, but I have yet to find any product of Lees that was not finicky.
I am sure Hornady, RCBS, Redding, Lyman, as well as others could bring there prices down too a comparable price with Lee, I am also sure quality would suffer.
If affordability is your main indicator, a new company has flooded the market under the Name (Smart Reloader) looks like a Lee knock off at an even lower price.
I own 3 reloading presses. A pacific I started with 40 years ago, a Redding Big Boss, and a Hornady LNL AP. So what kind of Car do I drive?

 

[RidgwayCO]

Just wondering... beyond the turret and the ratchet parts, what structural part of this Lee Classic Turret Press is aluminum or plastic? Even the ball handle is wood.

Also, please advise where the comparable press from Hornady, RCBS, Redding, Lyman, Pacific, Dillon, etc, etc, is located? And at what price? Pooh pooh Lee all you want, but some/most of their stuff is innovative and well-made.

And I don't give a rat's patootie what car anyone drives...