I didn't want to just jump in over my head when I started reloading. When I seen this at the gun show for $15.00 I picked it up. I just wanted to start slow and easy to pick up the basics of reloading. I know I need lube, a tumbler, and a case trimmer. Is there anything else I need to reload with this kit? If anyone has used one of these and has any tips on using it. I would appreciate it. Thanks
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To educate a man in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society.
I've never used one before, but just hang on. I've heard all kinds of things about these Lee Loaders. Good and Bad, and you will prob. get plenty of both feedback. Good luck to you. Your'e in for a fascinating time.
I didn't want to just jump in over my head when I started reloading. When I seen this at the gun show for $15.00 I picked it up. I just wanted to start slow and easy to pick up the basics of reloading. I know I need lube, a tumbler, and a case trimmer. Is there anything else I need to reload with this kit? If anyone has used one of these and has any tips on using it. I would appreciate it. Thanks
Good start, however, I suggest that you find someone willing to sit down with you and walk you through it.
It's a hobby that is somewhat unforgiving of certain kinds of mistakes.
With the Lee Loader, all you need to add is lube (I prefer Imperial Sizing Die Wax, but you can also use STP), and the Lee trimmer\case-length guage for that cal. It's really easy to use, but it only neck-sizes, so rounds loaded may not work in any gun other than the one the case was originally fired in. I've used a couple of these and they produce some good, consistant ammo, but they're slow to use.
Bottom line: they're a perfect tool for a beginner to learn the how's and why's of reloading, and they also work well for loading at deer camp or the range, if you're extremely careful.
Kick yourself for wasting time and buy the Lee anniversary kit + a set of dies for your calibre/s. It has everything you need, cheap and good.
By the time you buy scales, a thrower (dunno about you guys but i don't weigh EVERY charge), case trimmer etc, the dinky mallet loader (as I called mine) is not cheaper at all.
I had a lee loader for a while but once you get a press (even the most basic one) you will wonder how you ever put up with that fiddly little sucker. Hope I haven't been too harsh but seriously, bin it. It's not that they dont work, it's just they're a pain in the a$$ and not actually cheaper.
Just looked at the picture, kit looks 2nd hand... Aren't they meant to be $15 new?
Don't feel too bad, I paid AUS$50 for mine 2nd hand, now I research before I buy.
Last edited by Jimmy243; 04-20-2008 at 06:55 AM.
Reason: Automerged Doublepost
Kick yourself for wasting time and buy the Lee anniversary kit + a set of dies for your calibre/s. It has everything you need, cheap and good.
By the time you buy scales, a thrower (dunno about you guys but i don't weigh EVERY charge), case trimmer etc, the dinky mallet loader (as I called mine) is not cheaper at all.
I had a lee loader for a while but once you get a press (even the most basic one) you will wonder how you ever put up with that fiddly little sucker. Hope I haven't been too harsh but seriously, bin it. It's not that they dont work, it's just they're a pain in the a$$ and not actually cheaper.
Just looked at the picture, kit looks 2nd hand... Aren't they meant to be $15 new?
Don't feel too bad, I paid AUS$50 for mine 2nd hand, now I research before I buy.
Harsh? I asked for your opinion just don't cuss me and we are good. I didn't buy it because it was cheap. I bought it to get the basics down. I priced a new one and it was $29.00. I haven't used it yet because work has picked up and haven't had a day off in awhile. I did some pricing also,I can get a case of wolf .223 for $229.00. It's going to cost me close to that to reload. Unless I'm going to reload for accuracy it may not be worth my time. If anyone knows of the cheapest place to get reload supplies please let me know. Thanks
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To educate a man in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society.
Pontiac when you get the basics down. I would suggest a nice O frame or D frame press. I load in stages. Do one thing at a time. Stay focused and organized and you should enjoy loading. You might want to get a good scale so you can check your charge weight. I would get any one except maybe the lee. It seems to confuse people.
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For info purposes only, use it at your own risk. JFKimmons and G&G aren't liable for it's misuse.
Harsh? I asked for your opinion just don't cuss me and we are good. I didn't buy it because it was cheap. I bought it to get the basics down. I priced a new one and it was $29.00. I haven't used it yet because work has picked up and haven't had a day off in awhile. I did some pricing also,I can get a case of wolf .223 for $229.00. It's going to cost me close to that to reload. Unless I'm going to reload for accuracy it may not be worth my time. If anyone knows of the cheapest place to get reload supplies please let me know. Thanks
You will find that simply loading carefully within safe accuracy margins will produce ammo equal or more accurate than factory, handloading is great.
The convenient thing about the anniversary kit (not to promote lee above other brands, just that I havent heard of comprehensive kits from other makes) for a learner is that it's all there, you dont need to ask "what else do I need to buy?".
Dumb question: Since they only neck size the case, will they work in autoloaders, like a 9mm pistol? I've always assumed reloads for automatics had to be full length resized.
Last edited by Taurus Fan; 04-20-2008 at 06:21 PM.
I have also been looking into reloading equipment, wanting to get started. I looked at the Lee Anniv. kit but now, I'm considering the Lee Deluxe Turret Kit instead. I like the idea that you can switch calibers just by changing turrets. Any thoughts or recomendations for a newbie? After reading jimkim's post, I will probably order a different scale.
Good start. I first used a Lee Loader 30 years ago for reloading 38 Special. A simple reloading outfit like this will give you a good start for learning the "theory" of handloading. Go slow, check often, and most importantly BE SAFE. Many fingers lost and good guns destroyed by a mistaken double charge of powder! A good place to get info on beginning reloading is Hand Loading for Rifles and Handguns
I gave away all my reloading equipment years ago when I became disinterested in shooting, now that I've got the bug again I'm toying with the idea of getting a Lee Loader just to have something to do. If I could throw together more than 30 rounds in an hour it may be worthwhile.
edit: Maybe not. I just checked the cost of jacketed bullets. Wow. When did reloading supplies get so expensive? I can buy 100 rounds of white box Winchester 9mm ammo for the same price as 100 rounds of jacketed bullets, what's up with that?
Last edited by Taurus Fan; 04-21-2008 at 06:16 PM.
Believe me, I have one gathering dust on a shelf. I started using it for 38 specials, but it is very hard to use after a while. Your wrists just get sorer and sorer. If you don't have carpal tunnel, this just may give it to you. A single stage press will teach you the basics better by not making the experience unpleasant.
I started reloading with the Lee Loader back around '72. Loaded for 45 Colt. Never had a problem. It was slow but it worked. Later on I moved up to a Lee Aniversery set. Much faster but the powder measure and the scale are crap. Gave those away and got RCBS powder measure and 1010 scale. Much better. Now I'm into a Dillon 550 but keep the single stage for working up new loads and for calibers I don't shoot in volume. The Dillon is fine if you want to run off hundreds in an evening but the single stage is better for limited runs. Love the Lee press and dies. Still use the Lee Dies in the Dillon. The Lee Loader is OK for learning. Just be ready to go to a single stage in the near future if you reload much. Highly recommend a top line powder measure and scale to go with the litle Lee so you can safely work up loads. If I were buying a single stage, I'd get the Lee turret or similer item from another big name company. Only then would I recommend a progressive and then only if you are loading by the hundreds. Just my 2 cents.
One of those plastic hammers might help.Lee makes a hand press that you buy the dies for.They are under $20. and I bought one to decap and collet heck resize.They will produce a good cartridge.I tried it and did ok.Of course,I have a scale for powder.I made some verry accurate loads,but it is slow.They are listed in midwayusa. sam.
I didn't buy it because it was cheap. I bought it to get the basics down. I priced a new one and it was $29.00. I haven't used it yet because work has picked up and haven't had a day off in awhile. I did some pricing also,I can get a case of wolf .223 for $229.00. It's going to cost me close to that to reload. Unless I'm going to reload for accuracy it may not be worth my time. If anyone knows of the cheapest place to get reload supplies please let me know. Thanks
