Lee hand loader?

1988rrc · Post by **1988rrc** » Sun Jun 23, 2013 1:47 pm

Has anyone had experience with a Lee hand loader especially for .45-70? Easy to use? Best to use the bench loader?

Mossyoak1957 · Post by **Mossyoak1957** » Sun Jun 23, 2013 2:07 pm

This guy makes it look easy.
Back in the 70's my dad had one for a British 303 if I remember it was real easy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3duhNVjAu6E

1988rrc · Post by **1988rrc** » Sun Jun 23, 2013 2:28 pm

Wohhhh now that's hand loading........
the lee hand loader I

Was thinking about was a big red plyer looking device. It is threaded to hold a die similar to the bench loader.

alnitak · Post by **alnitak** » Sun Jun 23, 2013 2:40 pm

I load 45-70 with the Lee handpress...it is easier than 9mm!

However, looking at the video, you mean the Lee loader...not the handpress. Sorry...no experience there.

Ji in Hawaii · Post by **Ji in Hawaii** » Sun Jun 23, 2013 2:42 pm

No problems even full length resizing of brass, great leverage, an awesome tool for the money.

Nath · Post by **Nath** » Sun Jun 23, 2013 3:03 pm

I use one 357 and in the past 30wcf.

Good tool.
I think Pitchy uses one!

N.

1988rrc · Post by **1988rrc** » Sun Jun 23, 2013 3:16 pm

alnitak wrote:I load 45-70 with the Lee handpress...it is easier than 9mm!

However, looking at the video, you mean the Lee loader...not the handpress. Sorry...no experience there.

No I ment the hand press g did not know what it was called ), found one for $25.00.

jeepnik · Post by **jeepnik** » Sun Jun 23, 2013 3:19 pm

I've got several setups in 45/70, .45 acp and .45 colt. I usually toss what ever caliber(s) I'm taking out in my Jeep bag. On occasion I've sat around before dark and put up a few rounds. Mostly for practice and a conversation starter. You'd be amazed how many folks, even shooters, have no idea you can truly "handload". I also have a couple of Lee Loaders (the kind you use the mallet with). Not fast, but if all else fails.

2ndovc · Post by **2ndovc** » Sun Jun 23, 2013 3:34 pm

1988rrc wrote:
alnitak wrote:I load 45-70 with the Lee handpress...it is easier than 9mm!

However, looking at the video, you mean the Lee loader...not the handpress. Sorry...no experience there.
No I ment the hand press g did not know what it was called ), found one for $25.00.

Great tool. I keep mine in a plastic "ammo can" with accessories. I can sit on the living room couch and size and prime
a couple hundred cases watching TV with my Better Half without her complaining that I spend all my time "down in my hole". Well I like it down there, it's cool and disorganized, but it's my space.

I've loaded a couple thousand of .303s and 45-70s with it and several hundred more '06's and .308s.
I bought one for a non-reloader friend and a set of 9mm dies. He took to it like a duck in thunder!

jb

ollogger · Post by **ollogger** » Sun Jun 23, 2013 3:35 pm

Ive used the hand press on hundreds of rounds
the largest is the 300 H&H , worked great
also have used the Lee Loaders a lot, at one time I was always on the move
so those tools served me well

ollogger

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Sun Jun 23, 2013 3:54 pm

I have one. I love it for decapping my BP brass at the range and will use it to seat a few bullets if I am only doing a FEW! But for full-length rifle cartridge sizing? Arnold Schwartzenegger I'm not!

The Lee single stage press is only $27.99 NEW from Midway; mate that to a Sears "Work-Mate" and you're both portable, comfortable and have better leverage! Both could be probably found on E-Bay for less.

KirkD · Post by **KirkD** » Sun Jun 23, 2013 4:19 pm

I used to use the Lee Handloaders for everything, including the 45-70. They were simple, easy to use and worked great. The one thing I purchased extra was a primer seater. I always hated hammering in primers. Having a hand primer really speeded things up. I had Lee Handloaders for 303 British, 45 Colt, 45-70 and 44 Magnum. We still use the one for the 303 British.

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Sun Jun 23, 2013 4:25 pm

I have one for 30wcf I it found easy to use but I only loaded a few rounds at a time.
The Lee auto primer tool that Joe Miller told me to buy was good too.

765x53 · Post by **765x53** » Sun Jun 23, 2013 5:00 pm

I started reloading with "Lee Loaders" and still use them for neck-sizing.

The "Hand Press" by the way, uses standard dies.

alnitak · Post by **alnitak** » Sun Jun 23, 2013 5:20 pm

1988rrc wrote:
alnitak wrote:I load 45-70 with the Lee handpress...it is easier than 9mm!

However, looking at the video, you mean the Lee loader...not the handpress. Sorry...no experience there.
No I meant the hand press g did not know what it was called ), found one for $25.00.

The handpress has been great! I use that and the Lee autoprime...have for 8-9 years...and have loaded thousands of rounds, for everything from .380 to 9mm, .38/.357, .44, .45-70, Tok and .223. Although I've since added a single stage, I still use the handpress to seat the bullets after the single stage has expanded and added powder...and also for the Lee FCD.

I, too, use it in stages in front of the TV. I can deprime/size a couple hundred cases in 15 minutes. Autoprime the same amount in about the same time in another stage. Even faster for the FCD. I also add powder and seat bullet....though every charge is weighed so no distraction, and powder added by hand and bullet immediately seated in one operation...no opportunity for double charge or no charge.

jeepnik · Post by **jeepnik** » Sun Jun 23, 2013 5:48 pm

Griff wrote:I have one. I love it for decapping my BP brass at the range and will use it to seat a few bullets if I am only doing a FEW! But for full-length rifle cartridge sizing? Arnold Schwartzenegger I'm not!

The Lee single stage press is only $27.99 NEW from Midway; mate that to a Sears "Work-Mate" and you're both portable, comfortable and have better leverage! Both could be probably found on E-Bay for less.

You know, I've got one of those workmates in the garage. I sometimes toss it in my work truck, but mostly it's for small jobs around the house. Works pretty good. Never though about using it as part of a portable reloading setup. Thanks for the good idea.

Lefty Dude · Post by **Lefty Dude** » Sun Jun 23, 2013 7:18 pm

I have the Lee loader for both 16 ga. & 12 ga. They no longer make them for Shotgun shell reloading.

They are great for a Bug-Out bag.

booyah · Post by **booyah** » Sun Jun 23, 2013 9:31 pm

I used a friends before and thought it would be really neat if i were reloading on the road. I couldn't think of a legitimate reason for that though.

I personally love my lee classic 4 hole turret though, and considering the normal lee 4 hole turret can be had for about $75 if you hunt around I would shoot for that.
(lee 4 hole http://www.natchezss.com/product.cfm?co ... to%20Index)
(lee 3 hole if you go that way even less http://www.natchezss.com/product.cfm?co ... s%203-Hole)

On the lee hand loaders, I think they are great fun, ESPECIALLY when you are hammering away at a primer and pop one off. The first time that happens it will get you to change your drawers

I did the first 200 rounds of 45ACP I ever reloaded on one of those before I got my turret press. Anyone wanna buy a 45acp lee loader? Only used for 200 rounds!

El Chivo · Post by **El Chivo** » Mon Jun 24, 2013 2:49 am

I like the Lee Hand Press, it was the first thing I bought (I wanted to understand the process better before choosing a press). Someday it will be my only press, when I no longer have the space for a full setup.

One thing I have been thinking about, but haven't done yet; if you mount it on the wall you would have quite a bit of leverage. Maybe make a bracket it can slide into, so you don't have to leave it up.

It has been said you can only do pistol cartridges, but I have done rifle, though it can get you tired and sore. Currently I mostly use it with "M" dies to size and bell necks. It's more precise than my regular press, no wobble to it.

hightime · Post by **hightime** » Mon Jun 24, 2013 6:31 am

I just bought one at a garage sale. I like it. I can sit in my easy chair and load. Never done that before, and it's not slow like I thought it would be. Just loaded 40 rds. or 357 mag last night.

Owen

Ray Newman · Post by **Ray Newman** » Mon Jun 24, 2013 7:05 pm

Now this thread takes me back to 1968 when I first started handloading with a Lee Loader for a .38 Spec'l Colt Trooper.

Believe I paid around US$10.00 - 12.00 for the loader?? Worked well, but it was slow. I only had about 75 .38 Spec'l cases and I looked for brass at the range.

Attending college under the GI BIll, money was tight and that was the only way I could afford to shoot.

Sometime in the 1990's, gave it to a neighbor who used it for a good many years.

Nostalgia aside, in my case it would hard to go back to a Lee Loader after loading pistol ammunition on a Dillion and rifle on a Redding T - 7 turret press...

Wonder what would be faster: the Lyman 310 or the Lee Loader?

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Mon Jun 24, 2013 7:09 pm

As a teenager, I used the bang it with a hammer 16ga loader so I could afford to get to the skeet range once a week.....I currently have a Lee Hand Press, and the hand primer....It's just as easy and fast (and gives me better OAL results) then the Lee turret press.....Resizing 45-70 is easy if you use it like a Thigh Master....

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Mon Jun 24, 2013 9:49 pm

I use mostly a 4-hole Lee Turret on the bench, because it is easy to go from 'single stage' mode while working up a load, to 'production' mode once set up, and although you pull the handle four times to make one round (as opposed to a multi-station 'progressive' press, where you pull the handle once per round), it is pretty fast. It is only worth setting up the Dillon RL550 for really mass-quantities of one load, and you have to pay close attention - so close I find it nerve-wracking (plus a 'jam' of any sort really gets things out of sync). The RCBS Rockchucker is usually set up for a single task or used to support a powder measure.

As far as the Lee 'hand loaders' - even with all the above, I still use the Hand Press quite a bit. I don't do the 'intense' part of reloading with any distractions, but I do sort, de-prime and inspect brass while watching a movie (preferably a 'gun' movie). It is perfect for depriming like that. I did make a couple of very useful modifications to it though:

Two modifications I made to mine you want to consider...

1. I keep a piece of bicycle inner-tube slipped over the part of the press with the 'stop' that limits how far you squeeze it; the noise is less, but the 'endpoint' is still good. I was afraid that the constant impact would crack the pot-metal.

2. The more important modification was to drill a 'primer dump' hole in the side of the ram; the hole under the shell holder is a couple inches deep, but quickly fills with primers, and they have to come out the way they went in - through the little hole in the shell-holder. So I drilled a hole in the side they can fall out of.

Now the Classic Reloading Tool or 'mallet' kit I mostly use to just fire up a few loads on a whim to show someone how EASY and inexpensive reloading CAN be. They work just fine, but you have to develop a 'knack' for how hard to whack things. I didn't set off my first primer until four or five thousand rounds of 44 Mag and 6mm Rem had been loaded, and so I thought I never would. Just about pooped-drawers, and the dog shot up in the air like she'd been shot...!

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Tue Jun 25, 2013 9:15 am

Hand Press vs "Classic" Mallet version:

Hand Press, Pros:

Uses standard dies
Quieter.
Less chance of primer detonation.
Better for long straight-wall cases/full length resizing.

Cons:

Busted knuckles.
Have to manipulate a case full of powder in the air to an unstabilized press.
Takes up a lot of backpack space/weight if you are loading for only one caliber.
Can't do shotgun shells (except maybe .410)

I like using the Classic Kits for load development on the Range Bench and loading on a treestump - though if I was loading EBR ammo in a Hide I'd prefer the Hand Press.

I mostly use my Hand Press for Full Length Resizing on those calibers where it is difficult to do with a mallet.

mikld · Post by **mikld** » Tue Jun 25, 2013 10:06 am

I have and use both, a Lee Handloader (small hand held press that uses 7/8-14 dies) and several Lee Loaders (the in-line dies type used with a mallet). My Handloader has served me well using it for all aspects of reloading, sizing bullets, and a lot of depriming. Largest cartridge I've reloaded with one is 30-30, but I've seen 30-06 reloaded on one ('cause of length, not leverage). My Lee Loaders have been used quite a bit over the years (I started with one in '69) to load my handgun cartridges and 30-30 for my single shot (rifle kits neck size only). I've used them with a yellow plastic hammer, a 3 lb. dead blow hammer (better) and an arbor press (best). Even though I have 3 bench presses ( four if you count a Smartreloader mistake) I'll still get one of my Loaders out occasionally for relaxing reloading a box of ammo.

GoatGuy · Post by **GoatGuy** » Tue Jun 25, 2013 1:06 pm

The "Classic" mallet version. What a trip. Have 45-70, 12 gauge and .45 acp. Bought all throughout the years decades ago. .45 acp and 45-70 got plenty of use before getting my second hand single stage press. That acp version loaded lots and lots of ammo for my 1917 Colt New Service. Took to wearing a thin leather glove when setting primers. Didn't keep the occasional primer from detonating, but it helped some psychologically.

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Tue Jun 25, 2013 1:17 pm

GoatGuy wrote:The "Classic" mallet version. What a trip. Have 45-70, 12 gauge and .45 acp. ...

I have...

9mm
.45ACP
.38/.357
.30-30
.308
.410
.45/70
20ga
16ga
12ga

All quite useful in a pinch. (or regular loading - in the case of .410...)

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Tue Jun 25, 2013 6:42 pm

mikld wrote:I've used them with a yellow plastic hammer, a 3 lb. dead blow hammer (better) and an arbor press (best).

My best results came with a broken-off hickory hatchet-handle, but I always wanted to try an arbor press.

I do use an arbor press for Paco's Acu-R-Zr, or however you spell it. Works great.

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Wed Jul 03, 2013 9:22 pm

AJMD429 wrote:I did make a couple of very useful modifications to it though:
Two modifications I made to mine you want to consider...

1. I keep a piece of bicycle inner-tube slipped over the part of the press with the 'stop' that limits how far you squeeze it; the noise is less, but the 'endpoint' is still good. I was afraid that the constant impact would crack the pot-metal.

2. The more important modification was to drill a 'primer dump' hole in the side of the ram; the hole under the shell holder is a couple inches deep, but quickly fills with primers, and they have to come out the way they went in - through the little hole in the shell-holder. So I drilled a hole in the side they can fall out of.

Drilled mine today. The bottom of the hole in the ram in mine is 2.030 below the top of the ram with no shell holder installed. Angled slightly upward, the primers drop out right away! Good idea, I made quick work of about 100 rounds of 45 Colt that were loaded with BP and I like to deprime before I soak them in a dishsoap/water solution. Thanks for passin' that idea along.

1988rrc · Post by **1988rrc** » Fri Jul 05, 2013 2:51 pm

I have also located several used .47-70 die sets. How do you tell if they are the type you can use without case lube (carbide??)?

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Fri Jul 05, 2013 6:49 pm

1988rrc wrote:I have also located several used .47-70 die sets. How do you tell if they are the type you can use without case lube (carbide??)?

Carbide dies have an insert in the bottom of the sizer die made of carbide steel. Standard dies don't have an insert there.

1988rrc · Post by **1988rrc** » Sat Jul 06, 2013 9:12 am

Further research on the .45-70 carbide dies, I find they are not available for this cartridge because it is not a straight walled. Have to use lube.

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Mon Jul 08, 2013 9:09 pm

Mossyoak1957 wrote:This guy makes it look easy.
Back in the 70's my dad had one for a British 303 if I remember it was real easy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3duhNVjAu6E

That guy looks like Pitchy!

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