Lee Loader ???

Prior to my purchasing a .308 rifle, I didn't see any advantage to reloading. I had .22lr semis, a .40 and .38 pistols, and an AK. .22lr cant be reloaded, and the others can be had so cheaply it didn't seem worth it.
 
The Lee loader works well, it does what its supposed to do. No moving parts (you are the moving part).
I used one to get started reloading 30-06.

You will quickly want something better though. An easy affordable upgrade is the Lee "nutcracker" hand press. But honestly quality bench press kits are totally worth the money.

I realize space can be an issue for some, and in this case the Lee loader is as small as its gonna get.
 
I'd suggest a balance beam scale to check your "dips" along with your lee Loader. Accuracy and safety comes with knowing how much powder goes in your cases. With different dipping techniques, powder charges can vary over a full grain with many powders. Follow directions for dipper use and check dips on your scale...;)
 
My brother suggested I get a scale as well. The Loader came in the mail today along with a Lee catalog. Ill look and see what's available in the scales department.
 
I got started about 1970 buying a Lee Loader for .357. I got powder, primer and bullets then asked the gunshop salesperson what else do I need. He said "a bible" I wasn't comfortable using a hammer and the loads were way underpowered and the next week I bought a Rock Chucker press and a powder scale.........and most important a couple reloading manuals......Lyman, and Speer. I've got to say reloading has given me more satisfaction than anything else I have gotten into.
 
Lee makes a scale for $25. It's pretty good for the budget but I like my Lyman a lot better. I use it as a back up and somehow haven't touched it in two years. Also have a Lee Classic C press that I've never used.

If I knew where you were located I might suggest you make me an offer. PM if interested.
 
You can make safe ammo without a scale, but it's better to know, for sure, your powder charge. If you follow the dipping instructions, exactly, then your charges will be safe.
 
Instead of using a rubber mallet, a small arbor press works perfectly with the Lee loader if loading on a bench.
 
I started with a Lee Loader when I bought my first centerfire rifle. Used it for 2 years before buying a Rock Chucker while I lived in an apartment.

Never had a problem with any of the ammo it produced and it built quality ammo. The only thing I added was a scale, trimmer and tool to measure the cases. I still have the Lee Loader, a .25-06 version. For someone to learn reloading it's a great tool.
 
I finally got 10 rounds done with the Lee Loader. I used a Craftsman 6oz plastic face hammer. All that banging had me wishing for an arbor press or a Lee hand press.
Does the Lee hand press work with the Lee Loader or do I need a set of dies?
 
For all the other presses you have to buy dies. The smack em whack em works but it always feels like a novelty. Of course I tried using it and realized thin walls were going to equal unhappy neighbors quickly.

If you don't have room for a bench the hand press is great. I wish I had the room for a bench but I can size brass on the couch watching tv if I want. Many other people use them to make custom work ups at the range.
 
Itsa Bughunt I finally got 10 rounds done with the Lee Loader. I used a Craftsman 6oz plastic face hammer. All that banging had me wishing for an arbor press or a Lee hand press.
Does the Lee hand press work with the Lee Loader or do I need a set of dies?
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When I was just starting I used the Lee Loader kits. I used my (big) arbor press in my shop rather than a hammer. My brother and friends were using hammers and I suggested a bottle capping press. They all found used bottle capping presses and the reloading went faster and easier. If you can't find a bottle capping press there are a number of small arbor presses that will also work. It onlytook about three years to realize that I was going to be reloading a lot and I bought the RCBS Rock Chucker kit. I have added to it over the years with all the case prep and related gear but my press is a "rock solid" tool that will last many generations. I do still have my Lee Loaders and I occasionally use the 410 shotgun set but the rest are just for remembering the not so good old days.
 
like many others here I started with the Lee loader for loading .38/357. I still use one of the hand presses for working up loads at the range and do all my rifle loads at home on a Lee Classic single stage. As they say if it works, why mess with it and the Lee works. I have seen some amazing set ups designed to be used in small apartments using a single stage press and a portable folding work table
 
My first thought was that an arbor press would be great for the job, but I'm finding the height is too short on every bench top model I found. And the price is kind of up there. And they need to be bolted down. Dammit.

I used a magazine to protect my dining room table. Putting a neoprene mouse pad on top of that would make it quieter. I was thinking maybe a smallish dead blow hammer from harbor freight would be better than what I used.

I can see where this is going. I've had other spendy hobbies, astronomy, r/c cars and boats and helis and and and... I've found it's better to get good gear at the start. So I'll content myself with my Lee Loader and a better hammer while I lurk around this subforum and watch Craigs list.

Thanks for the help and advice.
 
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