Reloader finally arrived

Snakebite · 12-21-2002, 07:36 PM

It took 3 weeks to get here but it worked out for the best because in the time it took to arrive, I built a nice reloading bench and got a lot of the other stuff I needed to start. I also put some lights over the bench so I could see what I was doing.
At first I wasn't too impressed with it because it just looked kinda cheap but after loading 60 rounds I really like it a lot. Its better than the fancy RCBS I used to have. At only $114.99 its a heck of a good deal. I've already ordered some collet and crimp dies from Lee and a few other goodies for the other calibers. Lee has a guarantee that it loads the most accurate ammo, so I'll see if its true.

JAMES · 12-21-2002, 11:01 PM

Congratulations on your new tool!

I may have to start bugging you for advice some day. I want to get set up to reload eventually, and I'm about ignernt as a brick.

You'll have to keep us posted on your impressions of the Lee loader. The price sounds real good.

giguy · 12-22-2002, 03:24 AM

well what kind of press did you get and where are you buying the
dies and supplies?

dave375hh · 12-22-2002, 08:41 AM

I'd suggest saving a few "grains of salt" to apply to Richard Lee's ad copy. They make some neat products but some of his claims are made in the intrest of selling stuff and have no basis in fact. The claims made for the crimp dies are the worst, and his guarantee only means he'll refund you money not your shipping or actually fix your problem.

jarcp · 12-22-2002, 09:41 AM

Dave, have you used lee dies? Have you submitted any question to the company for help? In my experience with them they fall all over themselves trying to correct problems. Their dies are not the best, but they are good for the money. And with a bit of polish and some time they can be great. As for any problems I've incurred, as soon as I contacted the company they were more than willing to ship me replacement part free of charge.

Snakebite · 12-22-2002, 10:08 AM

I got the Lee "Anniversary Special". It comes with the Challenger "O" frame press, scale, powder measure and other stuff. I ordered it from a local gun dealer here and it actually cost me less than ordering direct from the factory. No shipping and handling charges either.
I got the RCBS dies for the 6.5x55 and have some 8mm dies ordered from Lee. I want to see if there is a difference Like Lee claims.
Dave375hh. I agree with you on Richard Lees book. Its got some good information in it but its also full of sales tactics saying his stuff is the best. The guarantee is good though.
It does appear to load VERY consistently. I weighed and measured every single round when I first started and they were all exactly the same.
The only problem I have is that the time seems to fly by when reloading. The other day I was in my shop reloading and when I was done, I opened the door and it was pitch black outside. I had been reloading for almost 4 hours and it felt like only an hour had passed.
James, ask away with any questions!

giguy · 12-22-2002, 03:20 PM

you will like the lee press,snakebite.i have that and the turret press.never had any problem with either.lee products may not be the best as some people say but they are the best for the money and it gets the job done.i would advise to check prices at midway or natchez on dies,i use both companies and have not had any problems .

dave375hh · 12-22-2002, 08:32 PM

jarcp,
Yes I've had four sets of lee dies at one time or another. Two of them were carbide pistol dies .357 & .45acp the carbide ring pulled out of both of them. The others were rifle dies that were given me so I could load for one of my friends, they worked OK but I didn't like having to set the thread depth each time I wanted to use them. They had the o-ring type lock rings.
I still use two lee primer seating hand tools, and three of their push-thru bullet sizing dies for cast bullets(although I had to polish all three out to proper dia.) I wouldn't think of polishing a regular reloading die, that's the mfg. job.
As far as my asking them a question, by the time I do have a question they (lee) wouldn't be able to answer it.
Lee has done a great service to our sport by making reloading equipment affordable for more shooters. Most of the stuff I buy comes from Redding now, but I still tip my hat to Richard Lee for making a major contribution to our hobby.

k8cca · 12-23-2002, 09:09 AM

Watch out Snakbit, reloading will become a hobby of it's own!

You spend lot's more 4 hour reloading sessions, then you'll start looking for brass at the range and then you find a really good deal on a set of dies and of course you'll need a rifle or handgun to go along with them. Yeap reloading is a hobby all on it's own.

I love to reload and have a set of Lee 357 dies that work fine. I use them in my RCBS JR.2 press that I got used for alot less than the lee stuff, but had planned on getting the Pro 2 from lee before I found this RCBS deal. ENJOY!!

12-21-2002, 07:36 PM	#1
Snakebite Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tucson, Mexico Posts: 1,839	Reloader finally arrived It took 3 weeks to get here but it worked out for the best because in the time it took to arrive, I built a nice reloading bench and got a lot of the other stuff I needed to start. I also put some lights over the bench so I could see what I was doing. At first I wasn't too impressed with it because it just looked kinda cheap but after loading 60 rounds I really like it a lot. Its better than the fancy RCBS I used to have. At only $114.99 its a heck of a good deal. I've already ordered some collet and crimp dies from Lee and a few other goodies for the other calibers. Lee has a guarantee that it loads the most accurate ammo, so I'll see if its true.

12-22-2002, 03:24 AM	#3
giguy Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: south of indy Posts: 25	well what kind of press did you get and where are you buying the dies and supplies? __________________ they can have my guns....just as soon as i empty them!!!

12-22-2002, 08:41 AM	#4
dave375hh Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 587	I'd suggest saving a few "grains of salt" to apply to Richard Lee's ad copy. They make some neat products but some of his claims are made in the intrest of selling stuff and have no basis in fact. The claims made for the crimp dies are the worst, and his guarantee only means he'll refund you money not your shipping or actually fix your problem. __________________ Dave 375 H&H

12-22-2002, 09:41 AM	#5
jarcp Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: OKC, OK Posts: 253	Dave, have you used lee dies? Have you submitted any question to the company for help? In my experience with them they fall all over themselves trying to correct problems. Their dies are not the best, but they are good for the money. And with a bit of polish and some time they can be great. As for any problems I've incurred, as soon as I contacted the company they were more than willing to ship me replacement part free of charge. __________________ Reed's Ammunition & Research 1209 SW 129th St. Oklahoma City, OK 73170 www.reedsammo.com info@reedsammo.com

12-22-2002, 03:20 PM	#7
giguy Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: south of indy Posts: 25	you will like the lee press,snakebite.i have that and the turret press.never had any problem with either.lee products may not be the best as some people say but they are the best for the money and it gets the job done.i would advise to check prices at midway or natchez on dies,i use both companies and have not had any problems . __________________ they can have my guns....just as soon as i empty them!!!

12-21-2002, 11:01 PM	#2
JAMES Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: OKLAHOMA Posts: 575	Congratulations on your new tool! I may have to start bugging you for advice some day. I want to get set up to reload eventually, and I'm about ignernt as a brick. You'll have to keep us posted on your impressions of the Lee loader. The price sounds real good.

12-22-2002, 10:08 AM	#6
Snakebite Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tucson, Mexico Posts: 1,839	I got the Lee "Anniversary Special". It comes with the Challenger "O" frame press, scale, powder measure and other stuff. I ordered it from a local gun dealer here and it actually cost me less than ordering direct from the factory. No shipping and handling charges either. I got the RCBS dies for the 6.5x55 and have some 8mm dies ordered from Lee. I want to see if there is a difference Like Lee claims. Dave375hh. I agree with you on Richard Lees book. Its got some good information in it but its also full of sales tactics saying his stuff is the best. The guarantee is good though. It does appear to load VERY consistently. I weighed and measured every single round when I first started and they were all exactly the same. The only problem I have is that the time seems to fly by when reloading. The other day I was in my shop reloading and when I was done, I opened the door and it was pitch black outside. I had been reloading for almost 4 hours and it felt like only an hour had passed. James, ask away with any questions!

12-22-2002, 08:32 PM	#8
dave375hh Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 587	jarcp, Yes I've had four sets of lee dies at one time or another. Two of them were carbide pistol dies .357 & .45acp the carbide ring pulled out of both of them. The others were rifle dies that were given me so I could load for one of my friends, they worked OK but I didn't like having to set the thread depth each time I wanted to use them. They had the o-ring type lock rings. I still use two lee primer seating hand tools, and three of their push-thru bullet sizing dies for cast bullets(although I had to polish all three out to proper dia.) I wouldn't think of polishing a regular reloading die, that's the mfg. job. As far as my asking them a question, by the time I do have a question they (lee) wouldn't be able to answer it. Lee has done a great service to our sport by making reloading equipment affordable for more shooters. Most of the stuff I buy comes from Redding now, but I still tip my hat to Richard Lee for making a major contribution to our hobby. __________________ Dave 375 H&H

12-23-2002, 09:09 AM	#9
k8cca Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 74	Watch out Snakbit, reloading will become a hobby of it's own! You spend lot's more 4 hour reloading sessions, then you'll start looking for brass at the range and then you find a really good deal on a set of dies and of course you'll need a rifle or handgun to go along with them. Yeap reloading is a hobby all on it's own. I love to reload and have a set of Lee 357 dies that work fine. I use them in my RCBS JR.2 press that I got used for alot less than the lee stuff, but had planned on getting the Pro 2 from lee before I found this RCBS deal. ENJOY!! __________________ Ah dat smell of da cosmoline is making me feel funny. I LIKE it!