lee loader 303 british

[Darto]

$35 one left used...

http://www.brassworldeshop.com/leeloader.aspx

[Darto]

that one being sold there is the original (only made 1 year, 1963) it had aluminum measure and used a #14 powder measure (that measure numbering only lasted 2 years).





the later years used a #167 measure (167 c.c.):

[peppermintman]

I watched the video, wow only 40 seconds to do? Seems like an interesting tool for sure.
How does the ammo do when a digital caliper is used to inspect for length,etc?
Amazing little tool

[smle-man]

I started reloading with one of these in .30-30. Didn't know jack about reloading. I tried using range pick up cases and quickly found out that the Lee Loader only neck sizes and my salvage cases wouldn't chamber in my Marlin.

Everything with the Lee Loader requires a hammer stroke. Occasionally when seating a primer one would go off and eject the seating rod from the case. I was doing all of this in the basement of my parent's house. They were glad when I switched to an RCBS Junior press and left the Lee Loader alone.

[musketjon]

Yep, I started out with a Lee Loader over 40 years ago. It certainly teaches one the basics and what's involved. Best way for a newb to learn in my opinion. Ammo was quite accurate as well. The only drawback is that since the brass is only neck-sized, it won't work in a semi-auto, although it would cycle and shoot just fine in my 03-A3.
Jon

[aolis110]

I reload 45colt with mine. I do a couple hundred rounds every spring when it's not too hot in my garage. I save a bundle. I've seen 45colt going for fifty bucks a box in my neck of the woods.

[BrocLuno]

In richard Lee's Book, he has an example of a fellow that took a national match 1,000 yd using a Lee Basic Loader. Said the guy had been loading that way for a long time. Guess if you're consistant, that what counts.

They have been used in the north woods a lot because they don't overwork the brass. The casings last a long time. But, I suspect they are mostly best for bolt guns...

I have two. One in 303 and one in 30-06. They are a good thing to have as a back-up if you are away from your press

[navydad2010]

I just found one at a club shoot from a trader for five bucks..45 ACP
I too started with Lee Loader (12 gauge) hammering shells in my parents living room before hunting the next day...then they came home, that was the end of that..lol

[pacrat]

Busted my reloading cherry in 1968 with a .308 win LeeLoader. Likely the best $9 I ever spent.

It also acted to show me the big diff in accuracy, between fireformed, neck sized, ammo for a given rifle. And FL sized when I got a press.

Even using the same dipper from the Lee set and same lot of powder. And same OAL. My FL sized ammo stretched my consistant 2" 100 yd groups to 4". I was all like WTF went wrong here.

An older fella named Dean Grennell at the long defunct Silverado Cyn Rod n Gun club, took me under his wing and splained the diff to me.