[Johngoboom]

I would like to try some hand loading, and have no experience at all. I have been saving my brass, and was thinking I might try the Lee Loader, in one caliber just to get started.

What do you guys think?

Is it even worth buying one? Or, should I just wait and get a single stage press kit?

I got a $50 gift certificate to Ccabelas, and thought I might give it a try.

 

[Bountyhunter]

I'd get a Lee turret press. It comes with pretty much everything you need. What calibers are you thinking you'll be reloading? You may start with one, but....

 

[Wizard]

John, back in the 90's I had a Lee single stage press. I loaded 9mm and .45acp....currently, I'm loading 9mm, .38special and .45acp It worked well...a little slow, but well. When I got back into reloading this year, I decided to get the Lee Turret press kit. There is a world of difference in the two. Four cycles of the ram, and you have a loaded cartridge, ready to fire. Currently, I can load about 150 rnds/hr. If you go with the Lee press (no matter which one), spend a little extra and get the 4-die carbide set for the caliber you want to load...it has the Lee Factory Crimp Die, and makes crimping so easy. Natchez had the best price on the turret press and die sets, when I got mine. You'll also want to get a tumbler (vibratory type)....they can be found for about $39.95 up. If you decide to take the jump, we'll let you know what you need and what would be nice to have.

I can tell you, reloading can be addicting. I've probably loaded between 5,000 and 6,000 since March. I enjoy it almost as much as shooting. In fact, I'm getting ready to order some Speer Gold Dot's and load some defensive rounds to try.

Like the old saying goes....."If you're not handloading, you're not shooting enough"...... :lol:

 

[Johngoboom]

Thanks a lot Wizard...

My wife was reading over my sholder, and said if it's addictive your not doing it!

Man you guys have to be more careul what you post.

:lol:

 

[Bountyhunter]

Or you have to keep an eye over your shoulder.

I've loaded around 3000 rounds in the last few months. I'm paying about 1/4 to 1/3 what a box would cost me at the shop.

 

[Wizard]

Tell your wife it's so addicting because you save so much money over store-bought ammo.....

 

[deputy125]

i can't see your images but i guess your're talkin the old lee loader where a hard surface and hammer is required?

if so then i will say that it works. it is extremely slow and tedious, production of around 20 rds an hour if ya don't rush it, its inexpensive, store and carry anywhere, and no special work bench is required. Ammo produced in my experience is very accurate and i still use one exclusively for my .308 winchester............if ya can't afford anything else, it is fine and i like to collect one for every caliber i have----just because..............
You can often get them on ebay or at gun shows for under $15 bucks dependin' on caliber.............

if ya can afford more, then an actual press makes life so much easier. A single stage press such as the lee challenger will ramp up production to a round house guess-ta-mint of 50 rds and hour. The turret will easily double out-put and more----and at least for me less of a pain with die set-up and changes. But the challenger and the turret require a sturdy work bench to mount the press to. No bench or can't get one---then the hand press comes in handy.............

 

[deputy125]

Thanks a lot Wizard...

My wife was reading over my sholder, and said if it's addictive your not doing it!

Man you guys have to be more careul what you post.

:lol:

Forgot to add----ya can always tell her that reloadin' means more time spent at home and less time in bars and such!!! :lol: :lol:

tell her to think of it as sort of quiltin' for men....theraputic and productive.............

 

[Deadeye]

I have a Lee Reloader press, Lee Modern Reloading manual & a Speer #13 reloading manual. All of them are brand new never been used. I'll take $70.00 + $8.99 shipping for all three. Send me a PM if your interested.