Lee Hand press
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I also looked into the Lee hand press. My concerns are this
Will it have long enough travel for a rifle cartridge? 30-06 is relatively long.
Amount of reloading. Each round completed will take at least 2 times through the press. One for decapping/sizing, another for bullet seating, assuming that you have a hand primer as well. For me, that would mean a lot of hand cramps. I usually do a few hundred rounds at a time.
The amount of force needed. For short, straight walked cartridges, aka most pistol cartridges, in a relatively small number, I think the Lee press would be a deal. Rifle cartridges? If it's long enough to fit what you're reloading, aren't reloading many rounds each sitting, and want an iron grip, do it.
My 2 cents. But again, I don't have it.
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Will it have long enough travel for a rifle cartridge? 30-06 is relatively long.
Amount of reloading. Each round completed will take at least 2 times through the press. One for decapping/sizing, another for bullet seating, assuming that you have a hand primer as well. For me, that would mean a lot of hand cramps. I usually do a few hundred rounds at a time.
The amount of force needed. For short, straight walked cartridges, aka most pistol cartridges, in a relatively small number, I think the Lee press would be a deal. Rifle cartridges? If it's long enough to fit what you're reloading, aren't reloading many rounds each sitting, and want an iron grip, do it.
My 2 cents. But again, I don't have it.
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Fla_dogman
New member
I wouldn't recommend it especially for the long case of a 3006. I have the Lee turret and love it, so easy to swap between calibers. I recommend it to those starting out. If you're going to take the plunge go ahead and jump in because eventually you'll upgrade and the hand press will be a dust collector... IMHO
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jwrowland77
New member
I have Lee Hand press, but use it strictly for decapping rifle rounds with my Lee Universal Decapping Die while I'm sitting around.
I like it, but don't know if I'd load a big cartridge on it.
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I like it, but don't know if I'd load a big cartridge on it.
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I've used a Lee Hand press for every process I've done in my single stage presses and turret press. No you probably won't want to try for 100 rounds per hour or reload 200 rounds in one sitting. It is not designed or meant for that kind of work. Some folks use the hand press to deprime while watching TV. Some take the hand press to the range when working up loads. I do neither but I have reloaded a lot of various cartridges with my Lee Hand Press. I've not had a problem with leverage when sizing cast bullets or F/L resizing rifle brass although I don't try to do 200-300 cases at a time, mostly just 50 or so. Lee's hand press will handle max. 3.650" ammo and a 30-06 max. OAL is 3.340" as per SAAMI, so seating bullets you'll have to feed the bullet into the die above the case. No big deal. For a beginner K.I.S.S. is best and the Lee Hand Press is a simple easy tool to start with...
If you're really new to reloading, read The ABCs of Reloading and you'll not only learn the process and why it's done, but you'll have a good idea of the equipment needed for your reloading needs...
Go slow, double check everything, and most important, have fun..
If you're really new to reloading, read The ABCs of Reloading and you'll not only learn the process and why it's done, but you'll have a good idea of the equipment needed for your reloading needs...
Go slow, double check everything, and most important, have fun..
I have a Lee and it works quite well.I do not hesitate to recommend it for your purposes.
Even if,someday,you graduate to a bench and a Dillon 650,the Lee hand press will be useful.
Don't forget to use a good case lube.I have not tried it,but Imperial Sizing Wax has a loyal following.You use your fingers to rub a little on the case.
You will need a case chamfering hand tool.That cheapest little Lee is hard on the fingers.Lyman makes a pretty good one.
You will soon need some form of trimmer.Lee makes some economical ones that will work with a cordless drill.
The Ram Prime for the hand press...will work,...to start,but!!.You handle the primers one at a time .At some point you may want a hand priming tool.For my money,the RCBS is the better choice.
I'm leary of the "value line" electronic scales.The good ones are more expensive than a balance beam scale.My money? A decent balance beam scale.
A tricler can be had for very reasonable price.You can make a dipper from a cutoff cartridge case or a piece of copper pipe with a cap or buy a dipper...
Anyway,scoop a dipper of powder that will be a few grains light.Put it in the scale pan.Use the tricler to bring it up to weight.
Calipers.You need a set. There is an old school skill,reading a vernier scale.Its about seeing which two lines line up.Itsa bit like using iron sights.If you master the skill,you can measure just fine to .001 in.
Now if you go on e-bay,you will find Mauser,Helios,Starret,Browne and Sharpe,Etalon, Mititoyo,fowler,etc 6 in VERNIER calipers...in the $20 to 30 something dollar range.You want satin chrome,and look hard at condition.
Verniers will survive in your reloading kit toolbox.Treat them nice,keep them in their box,but a little chunkof crud will never foul the rack and pinion,they never havea dead battery.They are dependable,cheap,and..kind of cool...old school.A bit slower,but they work.
Get a couple MTMor other loading blocks.They will organize your process,and allow you to make a VITALLY IMPORTANT!!! visual check tat all of the cases have the same level of powder before you seat bullets.DO NOT SKIP THAT!!.
A couple of good plastic ammo boxes.Labels!!.Always write down the load details and label the boxes.
A notebook /log. Record each batch.Date,poweder,bullet, lengths,die settingsetc,all the details.Range notes.Don't rely on memory.Later,you can exactly duplicate.And observe and compareas you grow.
And DO invest in loading manuals.There is a Hogdon annual that is magazine format.Its cheap and good.I like the manual from my powder company,AND the manual from my bullet company.
You can alsogo to Hogdon,Nosler,etc online.
Good luck!! And ask questions here!! We will completely confuse you.
It will all fit in some tool or tackle box.
Good luck!!
Even if,someday,you graduate to a bench and a Dillon 650,the Lee hand press will be useful.
Don't forget to use a good case lube.I have not tried it,but Imperial Sizing Wax has a loyal following.You use your fingers to rub a little on the case.
You will need a case chamfering hand tool.That cheapest little Lee is hard on the fingers.Lyman makes a pretty good one.
You will soon need some form of trimmer.Lee makes some economical ones that will work with a cordless drill.
The Ram Prime for the hand press...will work,...to start,but!!.You handle the primers one at a time .At some point you may want a hand priming tool.For my money,the RCBS is the better choice.
I'm leary of the "value line" electronic scales.The good ones are more expensive than a balance beam scale.My money? A decent balance beam scale.
A tricler can be had for very reasonable price.You can make a dipper from a cutoff cartridge case or a piece of copper pipe with a cap or buy a dipper...
Anyway,scoop a dipper of powder that will be a few grains light.Put it in the scale pan.Use the tricler to bring it up to weight.
Calipers.You need a set. There is an old school skill,reading a vernier scale.Its about seeing which two lines line up.Itsa bit like using iron sights.If you master the skill,you can measure just fine to .001 in.
Now if you go on e-bay,you will find Mauser,Helios,Starret,Browne and Sharpe,Etalon, Mititoyo,fowler,etc 6 in VERNIER calipers...in the $20 to 30 something dollar range.You want satin chrome,and look hard at condition.
Verniers will survive in your reloading kit toolbox.Treat them nice,keep them in their box,but a little chunkof crud will never foul the rack and pinion,they never havea dead battery.They are dependable,cheap,and..kind of cool...old school.A bit slower,but they work.
Get a couple MTMor other loading blocks.They will organize your process,and allow you to make a VITALLY IMPORTANT!!! visual check tat all of the cases have the same level of powder before you seat bullets.DO NOT SKIP THAT!!.
A couple of good plastic ammo boxes.Labels!!.Always write down the load details and label the boxes.
A notebook /log. Record each batch.Date,poweder,bullet, lengths,die settingsetc,all the details.Range notes.Don't rely on memory.Later,you can exactly duplicate.And observe and compareas you grow.
And DO invest in loading manuals.There is a Hogdon annual that is magazine format.Its cheap and good.I like the manual from my powder company,AND the manual from my bullet company.
You can alsogo to Hogdon,Nosler,etc online.
Good luck!! And ask questions here!! We will completely confuse you.
It will all fit in some tool or tackle box.
Good luck!!
FrankenMauser
New member
I've used one in the past.
Not my idea of a good time.
My father had one that he bought simply because he wanted a Lee reloading manual and it was cheaper at that time to buy the "bundle" with the hand press.
He reloaded a few rounds of .375 H&H with it, and it seemed okay. Then he stepped up to .416 Rigby and snapped the top of the press off while trying to size.
For a cheap press, I'd rather buy one of the 'factory second' Challenger presses from Lee. Or, if a factory second isn't for you, the Reloader press is okay (marginally better than the hand press).
That being said...
Earlier in the week, I ordered one of the hand presses so that I can reload at the range for a case failure test with prototype Starline .444 Marlin brass.
Two cases. Two rifles. Reloaded and fire until each fails in some way.
But our range is very dusty this time of year, so I want to be able to perform the reloading steps inside my vehicle (I don't want that dust on my tools or in my dies). The hand press is the only thing that really makes sense for that application.
Not my idea of a good time.
My father had one that he bought simply because he wanted a Lee reloading manual and it was cheaper at that time to buy the "bundle" with the hand press.
He reloaded a few rounds of .375 H&H with it, and it seemed okay. Then he stepped up to .416 Rigby and snapped the top of the press off while trying to size.
For a cheap press, I'd rather buy one of the 'factory second' Challenger presses from Lee. Or, if a factory second isn't for you, the Reloader press is okay (marginally better than the hand press).
That being said...
Earlier in the week, I ordered one of the hand presses so that I can reload at the range for a case failure test with prototype Starline .444 Marlin brass.
Two cases. Two rifles. Reloaded and fire until each fails in some way.
But our range is very dusty this time of year, so I want to be able to perform the reloading steps inside my vehicle (I don't want that dust on my tools or in my dies). The hand press is the only thing that really makes sense for that application.
I have one, and use it only for decapping. To me, the application of the amount of force it takes to size a 30-06 rifle case just makes it uncomfortable to use.
For decapping, however, it works like a gem as very little force is needed for this operation, and you can bring it inside and decap on the couch in front of the TV.........
For decapping, however, it works like a gem as very little force is needed for this operation, and you can bring it inside and decap on the couch in front of the TV.........
I have only had one press for thirty years, and it is the Lee Hand Press...
I have done (and still do) use it for everything from .38 S&W up to .30-06 length, including .45-70, and necking-up .357 Herrett from cut down .30-30 cases...
I can do 50 rounds an hour from decapping to final crimp...I have done many thousands of rounds over the decades...
I can even work up loads right at the shooting bench...
I do not need anything else...
I have done (and still do) use it for everything from .38 S&W up to .30-06 length, including .45-70, and necking-up .357 Herrett from cut down .30-30 cases...
I can do 50 rounds an hour from decapping to final crimp...I have done many thousands of rounds over the decades...
I can even work up loads right at the shooting bench...
I do not need anything else...
I have and use an electric scale. I also have a balance and I use it to verify the electric.
I think a balance is generally more accurate than most affordable electric scales. If you get an electric do some research and do not get the lowest priced one you can find. I would also recommend having a balance for verification and back up.
Electric are great for fast readings but they do tend to have some peculiarities. They often need to warm up and have some creep. So they need to be verified periodically during use. Just do some reading and you will find out about all of it.
There are lots of options other than from reloading companies. I use a jewelers scale that I like a lot. Very accurate and has very little creep but is expensive.
I have the Lee hand press but use it only for decapping rounds while watching tv. Normally it will be several hundred rounds so I'll watch a movie get a couple of 5 gallon buckets and start decapping. Just based on my experience it is best used when doing very small batches, or working a load at the range; and be careful that you do not spill powder from the cartridge when seating the bullet. But loading is doable if budget is a key factory and patience is abundant.
I bought one , found it so "handy" , I bought a second.
It's a small single stage press that you operate with both hands . I do all handgun and 30-30 with it. It will do things like 30-06 but if it has to do a lot of sizing it takes some hand strength. A bench mounted press has it beat for big jobs, the hand press has the Classic Loader (whack-a-mole) beat seven ways to Sunday. Much less noise ...all that banging on the Classic Loader gets annoying. Neck sizing rifle with the hand press is easy.
I like it because I can reload inside the heated and air conditioned house, at my desk, the table , even brought it to the office and reloaded at my desk.
I have resized 500 military 308 with it , I'm 66 and would do 100 or so at a time, didn't find it that hard to do , just be sure and use a good sizing lube. It is easier on a bench mounted tool, but if you don't have a place for a bench....it will get the job done .
Get one, you will find plenty of uses for it even after getting a bench mounted press. All my handgun ammo from 32 auto up to 41 magnum get loaded on the Hand Press now.
Scale hint...electric or electronic scales are not necessarily more accurate than a good beam scale. Talk to others about this. I say keep a beam scale on hand as a back up for the times the battery fails or the electronics start acting weird .
Gary
Loves his Lee Hand Press
It's a small single stage press that you operate with both hands . I do all handgun and 30-30 with it. It will do things like 30-06 but if it has to do a lot of sizing it takes some hand strength. A bench mounted press has it beat for big jobs, the hand press has the Classic Loader (whack-a-mole) beat seven ways to Sunday. Much less noise ...all that banging on the Classic Loader gets annoying. Neck sizing rifle with the hand press is easy.
I like it because I can reload inside the heated and air conditioned house, at my desk, the table , even brought it to the office and reloaded at my desk.
I have resized 500 military 308 with it , I'm 66 and would do 100 or so at a time, didn't find it that hard to do , just be sure and use a good sizing lube. It is easier on a bench mounted tool, but if you don't have a place for a bench....it will get the job done .
Get one, you will find plenty of uses for it even after getting a bench mounted press. All my handgun ammo from 32 auto up to 41 magnum get loaded on the Hand Press now.
Scale hint...electric or electronic scales are not necessarily more accurate than a good beam scale. Talk to others about this. I say keep a beam scale on hand as a back up for the times the battery fails or the electronics start acting weird .
Gary
Loves his Lee Hand Press
Yes it will handle 30-06 quite well. I have loaded 375 RUM on mine; ALL steps. 375 RUM makes 30-06 look small. I have also loaded all my handgun ammo, 223, 6.5 x 55, 280 Rem, 30 carb. 308, 30-06, 300 WM, 45-70, 7.62x54R on mine.
After 20 years I finall broke my first one; trying to force a stuck brass out of the die. I replaced it immediately. My other press is a Rock Chucker...but the hand press has done a bulk of my work over the years.
Is it fast?... NO.
Will it work out your arms?...Yes
Can you use it at the range?...YES
Does it store in a small place?..Yes.
chris in va
New member
Same here, about nine years with mine. I started with it as a 'get your feet wet' press but found it to be so versatile that I haven't bothered with a bench mount.
I only wish the handles were more ergonomic. Resizing 400 cases can really dent your hand.
30-'06, 223, 7.62x39, 38, 9mm, 45.
If you want compact, I had my "kit" in a plastic shoebox. (not entirely though, powder jug wouldn't fit). I kept the press, dies, dipper, bullets and a couple assorted tools in a regular plastic shoebox. Can't remember but there may have been room for a scale too...
I just retried and I got the press, a bottle of Universal, four dippers, an old RCBS scale (beam wrapped in paper towel), dies (3 wrapped in paper towels) and a few sleeves of primers. The Lee hand press comes with a ram prime and that fits in there too...
I just retried and I got the press, a bottle of Universal, four dippers, an old RCBS scale (beam wrapped in paper towel), dies (3 wrapped in paper towels) and a few sleeves of primers. The Lee hand press comes with a ram prime and that fits in there too...
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Blindstitch
New member
I have one and if you're only looking to do 50 rounds here or 100 rounds there it will work fine. Usually I do my stuff in stages. Deprime one day and load another day.
It can be hard on your hands but if you don't have a bench it's well worth the money.
It can be hard on your hands but if you don't have a bench it's well worth the money.
I have had a hand press for several years. I also load .30-06, which is the longest cartridge I load.
I can't say enough good things about this inexpensive little gadget even though I now have a bench mount turret. It still serves me well for small batch loads. I use it regularly for .45/70 when just loading 20 or so. I also use it for load development in other calibers. I can go to the range with 5 pieces of brass, some powder, primers and bullets and the press and dies and fiddle until I find a load I like.
I can't say enough good things about this inexpensive little gadget even though I now have a bench mount turret. It still serves me well for small batch loads. I use it regularly for .45/70 when just loading 20 or so. I also use it for load development in other calibers. I can go to the range with 5 pieces of brass, some powder, primers and bullets and the press and dies and fiddle until I find a load I like.
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