Anyone have any experience with reloads using the Lee Loader (hand/hammer driven) press ? I'm curious if reloads from this set up work fine in the 9C or Shield.
Lee Loader 9mm Luger - Lee Precision
Lee Loader 9mm Luger - Lee Precision
Reloads
- Thread starter Ken.k
- Start date
The product description is very confusing. Says it is for 9mm but neck sizes only and not recommended for semiauto, pump or lever action guns. Sounds like it is designed to handload bottleneck cases for bolt action rifles. The idea of loading with a rubber mallet does not sound good at all to me. Additionally, I load with a single stage press and it takes a while to load a large amount of ammo and if this item did work I can only imagine how long it would take you to load 50 rounds!
Sgt 45
Member
A kit like that was my first reloader albeit for 16ga shotgun. It might work, it would be a real PITA. Lee also makes a hand held loader that uses real dies and does work fairly well although it is slow. I loaded .44 Colt on mine and it worked fine. The nice thing about using real dies is that you can use the carbide dies and forgo the lube for resizing.
That's the weirdest thing I have seen in some time.
Just save your money and buy a press. If the cost is prohibiting you from buying a press, look on ebay or in your local paper. Ask around at the gun club. Used single-stage presses are easy to come by.
You'll be glad you did. I have been using the same single-stage (rock-chucker) press for 24 years. I think the "kit" was $100. That's a pretty good value. Heck, you can buy a new Amazon.com : RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Press : Gunsmithing Tools And Accessories : Sports & Outdoors@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41gTdrbRDdL.@@AMEPARAM@@41gTdrbRDdL, right now.
Just buy components you need, over time. Be patient. Ask for Christmas and birthday gifts!
Just save your money and buy a press. If the cost is prohibiting you from buying a press, look on ebay or in your local paper. Ask around at the gun club. Used single-stage presses are easy to come by.
You'll be glad you did. I have been using the same single-stage (rock-chucker) press for 24 years. I think the "kit" was $100. That's a pretty good value. Heck, you can buy a new Amazon.com : RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Press : Gunsmithing Tools And Accessories : Sports & Outdoors@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41gTdrbRDdL.@@AMEPARAM@@41gTdrbRDdL, right now.
Just buy components you need, over time. Be patient. Ask for Christmas and birthday gifts!
That was my first reloader! Worked great for 30/06 and 357 mag. Yup, it was slow but I wasn't shooting hundreds of rounds at a time. It will most likely work for a 9mm semi-auto if the once fired cases aren't bulged.
It's still a great reloading tool to have should the day come when you are facing a SHTF scenario and need to travel light.
It's still a great reloading tool to have should the day come when you are facing a SHTF scenario and need to travel light.
OKFC05
Member
The best (reliable, good value, easy to use) press Lee makes is the turret (preferably classic for ruggedness). It can be used either as a single stage or with the turret rotating.
I still have my old Lee "whack it in" loader for .270. You don't want to load 9mm with one, trust me. You really need to fully size cases for semi-auto pistols to ensure reliable feeding.
I still have my old Lee "whack it in" loader for .270. You don't want to load 9mm with one, trust me. You really need to fully size cases for semi-auto pistols to ensure reliable feeding.
Rastoff
US Veteran
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2011
- Messages
- 14,710
- Reaction score
- 17,101
- City & State/Province
- So Cal (Near Edwards AFB)
Those Lee loaders, or ones just like them, have been around for years. Imagine how long it will take to load 100 rounds doing it one at a time? Probably a few hours.
I'm going to make an assumption here; you want to save money by reloading, but don't want to invest much to get started, right? I'm sure this loader will work, but it is not complete like they say. There are two weak points in this system; the sizer and the powder measure.
A pistol case should be resized along its length, not just at the neck.
The powder measure is marginal at best. There are three types of powder; flake, extruded and ball. All of them, due to their shape, will give different measures in a cup like that. For a shotgun this might not be a big deal, but half a grain difference in a pistol cartridge could make for too much pressure and you don't want that.
If you're going to reload, you must have a good scale(balance). Without one, it is just an accident waiting to happen.
So, there is a lot of money to be saved by reloading. However, it is worth it in the long run to invest in good equipment up front.
I'm going to make an assumption here; you want to save money by reloading, but don't want to invest much to get started, right? I'm sure this loader will work, but it is not complete like they say. There are two weak points in this system; the sizer and the powder measure.
A pistol case should be resized along its length, not just at the neck.
The powder measure is marginal at best. There are three types of powder; flake, extruded and ball. All of them, due to their shape, will give different measures in a cup like that. For a shotgun this might not be a big deal, but half a grain difference in a pistol cartridge could make for too much pressure and you don't want that.
If you're going to reload, you must have a good scale(balance). Without one, it is just an accident waiting to happen.
So, there is a lot of money to be saved by reloading. However, it is worth it in the long run to invest in good equipment up front.
Starwalker
Member
Lee makes some nice equipment. I have been reloading handgun ammo for over 30-years on Lee equipment.
I currently use a Lee Classic Turret Press and it will be the last press I ever buy unless I can wear it out which is doubtful. I can load 125 rounds per hour and I take my time reloading.
I currently use a Lee Classic Turret Press and it will be the last press I ever buy unless I can wear it out which is doubtful. I can load 125 rounds per hour and I take my time reloading.
Funny, second thread this week involving a Lee Loader. I've used one to load .22 Hornet for a Contender. If it hadn't been a single shot I wouldn't have had the patience.
I would not bother now, Lee makes a hand press, a couple of single stages and their turret presses are affordable.
IMHO the Lee Turret press is the best value in reloading. There are better presses, but the cost is usually as much as several Lee presses.
I would not bother now, Lee makes a hand press, a couple of single stages and their turret presses are affordable.
IMHO the Lee Turret press is the best value in reloading. There are better presses, but the cost is usually as much as several Lee presses.
Thanks for the feed back, I'll admit it was the price that caught my eye on this. But the description made me think it really was not worth it if you really can't use it for semiauto or other feeding guns. I'll get a real press. My shield is in route and it will be hungry soon.
feelinlucky
Member
The major problem I have with the Lee Loader is that you are required to hammer the primer in.
Hammer on a primer???
Hammer on a primer???
Sgt 45
Member
No you don't hammer on the primer. you place the primer in a cup, place the deprimed shell casing on top and TAP the shell casing down over the primer. I reloaded hundreds of 16ga shells that way, never had a problem. That said, I'd still prefer the lee hand press to this kit, especially if it won't fully size the case.
feelinlucky
Member
Primers are not sensitive to pressure, as in pressing into a case. They are sensitive to impacts. A firing pin "taps" the primer. I'm not the only one who has misgivings about "tapping" a primer.
Rastoff
US Veteran
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2011
- Messages
- 14,710
- Reaction score
- 17,101
- City & State/Province
- So Cal (Near Edwards AFB)
Primers are pressure sensitive, but it requires something to compress the base against the anvil.
If pressure is applied evenly to the entire surface of the primer, the explosive won't be compressed between the base and the anvil and won't ignite.
I agree that it sounds sketchy, but it should be safe. Of course you could always use a hand primer to eliminate that step in the Lee process:
If pressure is applied evenly to the entire surface of the primer, the explosive won't be compressed between the base and the anvil and won't ignite.
I agree that it sounds sketchy, but it should be safe. Of course you could always use a hand primer to eliminate that step in the Lee process:
gwpercle
Member
Whack-A-Mole loader is ok for revolver ammo. I have even done a few in 45 acp...not so great. 9mm luger is a nightmare. Had problems with loose bullets...not enough sizing.
Check out the Lee Hand Press. This works. doesn't need a bench to mount onto. Uses standard dies and shell holders. Is portable and economical. I have three bench mounted presses and bought a Hand Press for doing little things off the bench. It was so darned handy I got a second hand press and can now do just about all my reloading in the comfort of my heated and cooled house. Rifle and handgun . Stores in a tool box in my closet. Handy, loads proper ammo and cheap...whats not to like? Beats Whack-A-Mole loading by a mile.
Gary
Check out the Lee Hand Press. This works. doesn't need a bench to mount onto. Uses standard dies and shell holders. Is portable and economical. I have three bench mounted presses and bought a Hand Press for doing little things off the bench. It was so darned handy I got a second hand press and can now do just about all my reloading in the comfort of my heated and cooled house. Rifle and handgun . Stores in a tool box in my closet. Handy, loads proper ammo and cheap...whats not to like? Beats Whack-A-Mole loading by a mile.
Gary
