hows the 7.62x54R lee reloader kit?

[jcaoloveshine]

im seeing it sell for less than $20, which seems almost too good to be true (i was expecting to spend upwards for $200 to reload). is it easy to use, and what else do you need to get started?

[tteng]

http://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?t=22925

For single-caliber trial/inexpensive reloading:
Brass (buy a 20-rd box of commercial, boxer primed: shoot them and collect the brass, ~$20), bullet (.303-Brit interchangeable, maybe $30 for a 100ct box), a 100ct sleeve of large rifle primer(~$4), and 1lb-powder (~$25).

[packnrat]

the only lee reloader kit i have seen does not come with dies.

buy the lee kit.

powder (the correct powder)
primers.
bullets.
loading info book.

take your time and triple check all.

have a good heavy and solid work table.

have fun.




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[bohoki]

you need to buy a soft blow hammer

like one of these also if you are firing them in a bolt gun the little scoop should be fine but if you are loading for an autoloader then don't reload with that kit

as it only resizes the neck]


i bought one of the 30 carbine "lee loaders" i reloaded about 100 then i bought some dies

its just annoying having to hammer the brass into the little die then hammer the shell onto a primer it just gave me the willies


oh yea i got mine here but back then they were $13.95

http://www.natchezss.com/product.cfm?contentID=productDetail&ammoGroup=0&brand=&prodID=LEE90243

theyve gone up a bit

[duenor]

it's actually quite relaxing to use but you need a good stout table.

[jcaoloveshine]

ive never reloaded before, so this might sound weird, but how does the bullet get pressed into the casing? i thought you needed one of those presses to do it. also, what are dies?

[Tmac]

Those things are great! I have a full reloading setup at home but when I go up to oregon in the summer. I have MN 91/30 in the corner of the garage along with a lee loader, hammer, powder, bullets and primers. In the afternoons I'll go sit out on the deck and fire off a hand full of rounds and reload them right there. Very satisfying...

A very good way to learn to get into reloading cheap. Some times the old ways are good.

By the way, I have bought a Lee Loader for every bolt gun or single shot I have if I could find the caliber. Some were discontinued several years ago but if you keep your eyes open they show up. Right nom I'm looking for 7.5 x55 Swiss.

[jcaoloveshine]

whats some good gunpowder/casing/bullets to buy for a finn m39? ive heard the lighter 148-150 gr bullets work better. also, do you guys keep gunpowder in a tool shed or the garage?

[packnrat]

i keep the powder and primers in the house, just trying to keep it at the same temp, can get way to hot out in the shed, (over 150) in the summer.110 in the shade, hotter in a shed.





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[bohoki]

ive never reloaded before, so this might sound weird, but how does the bullet get pressed into the casing? i thought you needed one of those presses to do it. also, what are dies?

the metal die that comes with the kit does multiple jobs

first it is the resizer then you use it as a powder funnel then it becomes a bullet guide

its best to use boattail bullets as they slide into the tight mouth better

i've never had a crumpled neck they just kind of swage their way in with the tappy tappy of my hammer

you need a bit of lube for the case resizing too but in a pinch petroleum jelly works

[jcaoloveshine]

the metal die that comes with the kit does multiple jobs

first it is the resizer then you use it as a powder funnel then it becomes a bullet guide

its best to use boattail bullets as they slide into the tight mouth better

i've never had a crumpled neck they just kind of swage their way in with the tappy tappy of my hammer

you need a bit of lube for the cases too but in a pinch petroleum jelly works

what item in this kit helps me fit the bullet in the casing? wouldnt a hammer be imprecise because the bullet might go in crooked?

[Tmac]

Here,

This should help. Click here for instructions for lee loader rifle cartridges.

I have never had to use any case lube for bottle neck rifle cartridges as the lee loader only neck sizes the brass.

[bohoki]

what item in this kit helps me fit the bullet in the casing? wouldnt a hammer be imprecise because the bullet might go in crooked?

the die itself is like a little chunk of chamber and barrel so after droping in the powder you drop in the bullet and then the bullet seater puts even presure on the bullet

also you set the depth so it wont be too far out or in

(what part of bullet guide did you not read)


hmm chunk of chamber a little duct tape and a flare gun starting to get ideas

[wellfedirishman]

Get a Lee Classic Turret

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=814175&t=11082005

Its $75 on sale, and dies are about $15. For under $100 you can get a good quality reloader that will last forever, and allow you to load about 100-150 rounds an hour.

The Lee Kit for $20 is more of a learning tool than a real reloading press, in my opinion.

Load safe and use a manual.

[sunborder]

I've loaded many rounds on my loader. The advantage of the loader over conventional dies is that it neck-sizes, making the brass last longer. Only drawback is you can only use it in one rifle, preferably a bolt gun.

As for the tool not being a real reloading press, the ammo I make on mine is just fine. I just bought a press and full set of dies, but only because some of the cases need to be full length resized, as they are getting hard to chamber. Mostly, though, I will still be sizing on the loader. Lee doesn't offer neck sizing dies for this caliber unless you special order them (expensive/long wait time).

Now, the lee loader for PISTOL calibers is more of a learning tool. Takes more force to size & prime. Don't like that part.