Anyone still using a Classic Lee Loader?

[CodyGT46]

Just curious to see how many on this board have or still use a Classic Lee Loader. I bought mine a couple years ago and so far have made a lot of .38 Special and .357 Magnum using it. Helped me a LOT by forcing me to go slow and not get distracted or in too much of a hurry. Now I think I'm ready to step up to some sort of press, just have no idea what kind to get. Have one friend telling me to get a RCBS, and another screaming that Hornady is the only way to go.


Also wondering about the one for .45 Auto, reading that it says "takes considerable force" for sizing. Does that just mean you got to whack it with the mallet a lot harder than you would for the smaller cases?

[slayer61]

I'm new to reloading and wanted more than single stage, but not a progressive set up. I like my turret press a lot. Slow enough to take care, but faster than a single stage.

[emptybottle151]

My GF does for 45LC *thud thud thud* all day long.

[coryhenry]

I have been using a lee single stage for years and still like it for its simplicity and ease of use.

[Rem222]

I still use the classic lee loader to neck size several calibers.

[Full Clip]

I'm new to reloading and wanted more than single stage, but not a progressive set up. I like my turret press a lot. Slow enough to take care, but faster than a single stage.

Turret worked fine for me as well. RCBS.
I also liked being able to dial in a caliber and just leave it set up even while making other rounds, making it easy to go back. My 45acp dies pretty much lived there.

[short circuit]

I still use the Lee Loader when I am out in the field.

[Eljay]

I was using one for a while to load up 45 Colt black powder loads. Took about two minutes each. Switched to a Lee turret press and that dropped to like 20 seconds each. Glorious moment.

The Lee Classic Turret is great - you can use it in single stage or auto index mode, switching calibers takes maybe a minute tops, it produces nice ammo, it goes reasonably fast. I'm using one for all my low volume calibers and doing 9mm on a Dillon 650. Don't see getting rid of the turret any time soon.

[stand125]

I use my Classic Loader to load 223 for my bolt gun.

[Noonanda]

I started reloading with a Lee Loader in 7.62x54R in 2002. Great way to learn the basics, still have it more for Nostalgia as I have a very nice Hornady L&L AP press as well as a few single stage presses LOL

[glockman19]

I have been using a lee single stage for years and still like it for its simplicity and ease of use.

^^^THIS^^^

[SBsasquatch]

I must confess, 30-06 30-30. I bought a couples boxes of factory for each caliber. Couple pounds off powder and some cheapo bullets.

Cool thing is, now they make it out to every range trip.

Classic lee, plastic mallet,and quality scale.

[Bumslie]

I collect the old ones in the black box.

I have the 45acp one. It sizes the whole cause unlike "the neck" with a 38 special.

The first few 45 cases I coat with imperial wax to help get in the die. The rest after that are gravy.

I like using the loader when I in have nothing to do, want to load, and waste a lot of time doing so

I have an old 9mm one that won't chamber in any of my guns. I need to buy a new production one and see if it will work

[3006mv]

22 Hornet in my camp kit.

[dodgeit101]

Bought it because that's what people suggested but I came quickly to learn that I should had bought a progressive. Reloading is not that hard of a process, you just need to be careful. I had someone teach me the ropes and then I started myself. I quickly learn that all I want to really do is just pop out hundreds of rounds in a sitting and then not have to do it again for awhile.