Lee Hand Press

[steve91104]

Anybody use a Lee Hand Press?

What's your opinion?

[SixPointEight]

I've used one. What will you be loading on it?

[___M|9||___]

I don't probably because I mostly load pistols, although it can be done for pistols as well but why bother I have a turret and progressive press that has a station for priming.

[stilly]

I use it to decap all of my brass. I have decapped 2k+ .223, 500+ 50 AE, 2k+ 44 mag, 3k+ 9mm, 2k+ .45 and over 2k .40 oh, and over 500 OTHER shells too.

Oh, and I punched a hole out the bottom of a 22lr that was inside another shell as I was decapping and the thing still kept going.

I only use it to decap because of how light it is, I can get a shellholder set and let them sit in the box with it and I can decap while watching tv so that I can then throw my brass into the wash and get the primer pockets clean too...

I Imagine that I might even use it to reload 9mm or what not at the range one day but I have not done that yet.

Worth the money...

[steve91104]

I've used one. What will you be loading on it?

Well I don't have one yet. Actually I have not done any reloading at all yet.

The reason I'm asking about the hand press is, I don't have enough room for a dedicated station and so I'd need something I could use at the dinner table, in front of the TV, etc.

Also, I was considering getting a few hand presses, and dedicating each one to a specific task. Like, one for decapping, another for sizing, etc.

Since I'll be doing only very small batches while I learn. Does this make sense?

[gunboat]

rather than multiple hand presses, consider a lyman tong tool for all loading except full length sizing --
I find the lee press good but rather awkward to manipulate for seating -
So full length size with lee and do th rest with lyman.
If you are not loading for a auto rifle, you can just neck size with the lyman.
my tuppence

[Broccoli Killer]

I use it to decap brass that i pick up at the range while watching TV. I've also been able to make 1000+ rounds of .40 S&W without any problems.

However you'll need to invest in some kind of hand priming tool if you actually want to load anything with the hand press.

I've also found that seating bullets to be inconsistent, showing variances ranging from .001-.003 inches.

Long story short, it's better suited for processing brass as opposed to being used as an actual press, but it can still get the job done in a pinch. You still need to buy a bench mounted press if you're serious about getting into reloading.

[epcii]

Never used one, but I can quickly tell you that it's a very, very slow way to roll your own rounds. However, they can be quite useful. Like for a SHTF kit, for example.

[stilly]

Well I don't have one yet. Actually I have not done any reloading at all yet.

The reason I'm asking about the hand press is, I don't have enough room for a dedicated station and so I'd need something I could use at the dinner table, in front of the TV, etc.

Also, I was considering getting a few hand presses, and dedicating each one to a specific task. Like, one for decapping, another for sizing, etc.

Since I'll be doing only very small batches while I learn. Does this make sense?

[GODVOICE]
The powers of Lee have already reached out and understood your dilema before it was brought to their attention.

The powers of Lee have decided to make a quick change bushing for their hand press so that you can simply push a button and remove/replace your die in about 5 seconds. You do not need to buy more than one press but you will need a quick change bushing for each die you wish to run on them. Also, the RCBS military primer crimp remover / swaging die does not fit completely on the handpress, well, it does but the shell ejector does NOT. The powers of Lee know this and currently do not care. I believe you can get the quick change bushing packed 1-2or 3 in a container for about $7-$10 for the lot.
[/GODVOICE]


Okay. Here is the deal that needs to be told to you. The Handpress is not a real press. YES, it IS a press but anyone that uses it uses it for fun and convenience. Like, when they wanna play around or do something not REALLY important or mission criitical. Decapping is FUN! decapping can be done anywhere while watching TV and it makes me mad that every 35-55 primers I have to empty the damn thing out.

The Lee Hand Press is to a normal reloading press what a skateboard is to a car. Sure, it will get you from point A to point B but you are gonna take a lot longer and be way more tired at the end of your journey. I think many people here would agree with that statement.

Reloading is reloading though (john madden statement there) and if you wanna do it right then you need the right things. Great, you are gonna be new to reloading, WELCOME, now how big a space do you think you need to reload?

Wait, what is that?

[GODVOICE]
The powers of Lee have already heard your dilema and they have an answer! It is the Lee reloading stand for $100! http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/...roductId/22851
[/GODVOICE]

Wow those guys are good. I know grafs is out of them but there are other people that sell those and I bet with a little searching on fleabay or amazon or widners or fsreloading or leeprecision you can find that stand. I DO not have this stand but if Lee makes it I bet it is good for something. Do you have ANY space on a workbench for a reloading press? Check out http://www.inlinefabrication.com/LEE.html Because these guys are looking damn fly in what they have been cranking out. Old desk? Old Chair? Old cabinet? Metal tube welded to floor plate that is bolted to the floor with a stabilizer arm to the wall or nearest workbench?

OMG how seksie does that classic turret press look on that all metal stand that you can mount ANYWHERE! Wait a sec, do you even NEED to mount that? I saw another guy had one of those and it looked like he did not have it mounted at all. Talk about loading in front of your tv... (great way to make squibs!).

Anyways, if you REALLY want to get into reloading then I want you to get into reloading the right way. Don't get all cheap and cut corners and try to just get your toes wet. You either jump in the pool and have a good time or almost drown and have a buddy save you. But trust me, get the RIGHT tools for the job and you will be MUCH happier down the road. I think I speak for everyone on that matter. Leave the handpresses for practicing ollies or handstan-err I mean for decapping or other light duties. I own one and it was the FIRST thing I owned and I decapped the hell outta every piece of brass that I got my hands on. Then when I got my tumbler I cleaned brass night and day (cause it was so damn slow) and then when I got my higher speed motor and converted my outfit to citric acid and water only I felt pretty like I was the next runner up for a nobel peace prize...

JUST DO IT... Look at your options and see how you can make it work for you.


Okay who wants to touch me? :O

[Bill Steele]

Great stuff.

In there is some good advice, maybe not stone tablet worthy, but good stuff nonetheless.

[Dutch3]

Great stuff.

In there is some good advice, maybe not stone tablet worthy, but good stuff nonetheless.

And no "Thigh Master" comments. Amazing.

[vincewarde]

I have two and love them

They work great within their limitations.

I have loaded 30-06 on mine, but that is pushing it. It's a great press for:

Loading pistol rounds

Loading rifle rounds up to and including .223 and 5.56 that are sized for use in ARs

Decapping any boxer case while in your armchair.

The bottom line is that this press is designed to be used in places and situation in which it is not practical to use a conventional press. It can be used "on the road", at the range, etc. It is not a complete substitute for a bench mounted press.

[duggan]

I have loaded roughly 2000 rounds of 6.8 and 5.56 with mine. Yes it's tedious work compared to having a turret or progressive press, but I don't have the space for a full setup and my reloading kit (dies, scale, powder drop etc.) fits in a plastic tool box. All of my prep work is done in front of the boob tube and on a few occasions I've taken brass with me on fishing trips and did all my decapping and resizing while waiting for fish to bite. As far as quality of my loads goes, I'm averaging an 1 1/2' 10 shot strings from 100 yards with the 6.8 and the 5.56 goes bang when I pull the trigger and blows up the fruit and veggies I use as targets (never checked my groups with them as I'm not that worried about accuracy) lol.

If your hurt for space or cash its not a bad way to spend under 100 bones to roll your own.