Classic Lee Loader

[Dutch3]

I have a classic loader for .308 and would not be without it, even though most of my loading is done on a press.

That being said, I have experienced a few primer detonations while seating them. Insufficient cleanup of mil crimped brass - my fault. Not a catastrophic event by any means, but it does get your attention.

[ninjastar310]

So as far as quality ammo between the classic lee loader and a press, is their a major difference?

[short circuit]

I use the Lee Loader for 223 (bolt gun) and a RCBS 505 powder scale to do my custom target rounds. I can shoot 6 rounds into a single ragged hole at 100 yards I can cover with a dime (if I do my part).

I use a turret press to turn out plinking rounds and the lee loader when I travel or camp out.

[short circuit]

I use the Lee Loader for 223 (bolt gun) and a RCBS 505 powder scale to do my custom target rounds. I can shoot 6 rounds into a single ragged hole at 100 yards I can cover with a dime (if I do my part).

I use a turret press to turn out plinking rounds and the lee loader when I travel or camp out.

Over all I think it is a good product and holds up very well (several hundred rounds so far)

Some times it is just fun to wack the mole

I plan to get one for 9mm Luger (with the optional flaring tool) so I can make loads in the field.

[stand125]

I use the Lee Loader for 223 (bolt gun) and
I plan to get one for 9mm Luger (with the optional flaring tool) so I can make loads in the field.

I have a bunch of lee classic loaders and the only issue is that they tend to size a little large so FMJ bullets ( pistol ) can have an issue with set back in semi autos. They work awesome with lead bullets which are usually a little bigger than FMJ bullets.

[ninjastar310]

I have a bunch of lee classic loaders and the only issue is that they tend to size a little large so FMJ bullets ( pistol ) can have an issue with set back in semi autos. They work awesome with lead bullets which are usually a little bigger than FMJ bullets.

Now is that so, thats actually going to be my next question is that what is the main difference between using lead vs copper bullets? And so their isnt really a difference between a bullet coming from a press than the classic lee loader?

[stilly]

These are great to take to the range and using ONE piece of brass see how long you can keep reloading it. Kinda like how many licks does it take to get to the tootsie roll center of a tootsie pop.

I read on the Lee site though that larger calibers take more force so best to stick with smaller calibers like 9mm. I think .45 might need a lot of force.

Get one though just to develop loads at the range. That is really the only reason to have one, load development that is portable.

[scrat]

Lets Answer some Questions

Do you need to trim the cases........ Probably not. Because the lee loader only neck sizes the cases.

Neck sizing the cases mean the back half has not been sized. However if shooting out of the same rifle then its fine. You just need to see if the cases still fit in the magazine. As the cases will have been fire formed to your rifle and will fit perfectly. Now if you were full length sizing the rounds then you would need to check and trim the cases as they stretch when full length sizing.

Is it time consuming.

Yes it is. Not only is it time consuming however I have found that if you try to do several hundred of them your hands will start to hurt from the wacking. It just happens.

With that said I still have about 8 of them for every caliber and I still use them. However nothing beats a press. If your on a budget i would recommend saving your cases for one then saving up for the lee anniversary kit. It has everything you need minus dies, primer, powder, bullets. You can get the items as you go. Still might want to try the lee loader. Just be warned its slow and your limited to what the loading specs are for the dipper you are given. If you still want to go lee loader. Get yourself a powder scale. The lee powder scales are pretty good as you may want to try different loads but cant because you only have the dipper the lee loader came with. Also i would highly recommend a hand primer of some sort. Not only will this speed up your priming but its a lot safer. I have had a lot of primers go off using the lee loader. it does not do any harm just scares the bejesus out of you.

[ninjastar310]

Do you need to trim the cases........ Probably not. Because the lee loader only neck sizes the cases.

Neck sizing the cases mean the back half has not been sized. However if shooting out of the same rifle then its fine. You just need to see if the cases still fit in the magazine. As the cases will have been fire formed to your rifle and will fit perfectly. Now if you were full length sizing the rounds then you would need to check and trim the cases as they stretch when full length sizing.

Is it time consuming.

Yes it is. Not only is it time consuming however I have found that if you try to do several hundred of them your hands will start to hurt from the wacking. It just happens.

With that said I still have about 8 of them for every caliber and I still use them. However nothing beats a press. If your on a budget i would recommend saving your cases for one then saving up for the lee anniversary kit. It has everything you need minus dies, primer, powder, bullets. You can get the items as you go. Still might want to try the lee loader. Just be warned its slow and your limited to what the loading specs are for the dipper you are given. If you still want to go lee loader. Get yourself a powder scale. The lee powder scales are pretty good as you may want to try different loads but cant because you only have the dipper the lee loader came with. Also i would highly recommend a hand primer of some sort. Not only will this speed up your priming but its a lot safer. I have had a lot of primers go off using the lee loader. it does not do any harm just scares the bejesus out of you.

So their is no need to trim stright wall bullets and for a rifle if the round is fired through you guns, but what if its brass from the range? And the only thing im just concered of is the quality of ammo I get from the lee loader vs a press and if its the same quality just time consuming and a workout to load then I might as well go for the lee loader because on my spare time I just watch movies so why not load ammo while watching.

[morrow]

Do yourself a favor and get a single stage instead. They're not that much more expensive, especially if you get one used.

[Capt.Dunsel]

If your wanting or needing to start on the cheap , look into the Lee Hand Press. I use mine in front of the TV for doing the mundane , time consuming chores.

They use standard dies , fits in a box the size of a shoe box , and give you plenty of umphh to do cases up to 458 Win Mag ( have done them ).

[stilly]

Do yourself a favor and get a single stage instead. They're not that much more expensive, especially if you get one used.

Yeah but when you drill holes and mount it to the tables at the range the owners frown at you.

[zfields]

Yeah but when you drill holes and mount it to the tables at the range the owners frown at you.

Mount it to a board, then clamp it. That's how my presses are set up at home.

Sent from my Incredible 2

[ninjastar310]

Do yourself a favor and get a single stage instead. They're not that much more expensive, especially if you get one used.

Which press would you recommend and also whats the best place to find a reloading kit/press(like what website)? Because theirs barely anyone here selling their reloading equipment.

[the led farmer]

Lee classic turret and never ever look back if your going to get a press