Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Reloading itch...

Every now and then I get the itch to start reloading. I'm still in college so sometimes my time is limited, but I think I could still make a few rounds here and there pretty easily.

I'm kind of a minimalist when it comes to gear for backpacking, hunting, fishing etc. So whenever I look at reloading equipment, the Lee Handloader always catches my eye because I could easily just pack it away when I"m not using it. I wouldn't have to have a press bolted or clamped to a bench. How do these hand presses work? I like the Lee collet dies as well because all the brass I have is already fire-formed and so technically I should just have to resize the necks right?

Also I've accumulated a fair amount of brass for my .270. It consists of Remington, Hornady (LM ammunition), and Federal. I've read that people have weighed the Hornady LM brass and it is lighter and thus thinner and that is possibly how they get more powder into their LM ammo. Would I get more powder into this brass as well (even though I know they use a special loading technique as well)? Out of the brass I have is there any preference? If I end up developing a good load should I just stick that particular brass, and chunk the rest because it might be a PITA to have a particular load for each type of brass?

I'd be reloading for my .270 Win. I guess I'm interested in being able to use the TSX and magpro to get some good velocity and fairly high BC's. I wouldn't mind tinkering with the 90 grain hollow points for varmints, and then having a heavier load for deer. However in the end I really don't care about damage on varmints etc. I'm mostly concerned about the best long range performance for when I'm plinking and possibly for an unsuspecting varmint/yote. Federal premium loaded with NBT's shoot great out of my rifle so it's really pretty easy to just buy those. Performance wise on the deer I shoot, it really doesn't matter what i'm using because I shoot all of them in the neck at moderate distances.

All of this reasoning is why I have yet to get into reloading because all of the game I shoot is easy to put down with the factory loadings and my rifle shoots a variety of them well. Comments and advice are welcome, as I'm trying to figure out a decent set up if I do take the plunge that will still be easy on the wallet, and pretty easy on storage etc. That's why I think the hand press coupled with the collet dies on my already fire-formed brass might be the way to go...what do you think?

No opinions on anything? Strange...

Here's my opinion:

I doubt that any engineer worth his salt would be satisfied with a Lee Hand Press for much longer than a week-end. Handloading isn't about saving money. Put that $25 toward a Rockchucker Kit or something similar, and pick up a few extra loading manuals, ....... or just stick with factory ammo.

From the reviews I've read people seem pretty pleased with that little hand press so that is why I consider it an option.

Stoked the Lee hand press will make acceptable reloaded ammo. It is slow as Christmas and it is not a setup that allows you to make top quality custom loads but it will make reloads that will shoot in your rifle.

You will need a scale and a Lee dipper set or if you buy Lee dies they have a dipper that will turn out acceptable loads included along with a loading sheet for various powders and bullets.

You will also need a case trimmer and Lee makes a good one for each cartridge, at least the common ones like the 270.

Don't mix your brass when reloading. At the modest loads that the Lee dippers turn out you probably won't get in trouble but it is best to form good habits early.

Get a good reloading manual to go along with your setup.

That said, and I know what you mean when you say limited space and funds, you will be better off in the long run buying a kit like the rockchucker or Lee's anniversary. I don't mean to sound like a used car dealer but for just a few dollars more you can have a set that is ten times better to reload with.

BCR

My opinion, shoot factory ammo until you graduate and have good job or career going. Then buy the rockchucker and do it right. This is not something you want to approach unless you have the funds and time to do it right. My opinion.

Since you have a rifle that shoots factory ammunition so well just wait until you have the space to get into handloading with equipment that will produce quality handloads. If you're sold on getting the Lee setup then do it just to get it out of your system, Then get the better setup when space/time/funds become available.

The best deal on a press is the Lee Cast Classic, for $60. It's steel, and it does everything that the more expensive presses do, just as well, but at much lower cost.

Reloading is a great pastime, and can be very rewarding. But, it isn't cheap and it depends on having some time to both reload and shoot. If you are like I was in college, you don't have much money or time-- and either would be better spent on school anyway.

(Stepping down from soapbox.)

I started reloading in high school with a Lee Loader in .30-30. Here's what I found: 1) you can make ammo with it. 2) it won't do a decent crimp reliably (not an issue with the 270), 3) the powder measure (dipper) that comes with the kit works but without a scale you can't perfect your technique to throw consistent charges, 4) the powder measure generally threw light powder charges (understandable, but limiting). Factory ammo, back then, and especially now, is way better than what you can make with a Lee Loader alone. At least it was for me.

If I was starting out like you I would do one of the following: Lee is the cheapest stuff out there, so that's what I'd buy. It works, but it isn't anywhere near the best there is-- cheap, but usable tools. You might find some better stuff for similar prices used if you look on Ebay or other online sources. Either, buy a Lee Loader and an inexpensive powder scale-- this is the cheapest way at about $14.00 for the Lee Loader and $18.99 for a Lee scale (Prices from Midway Caltalog). Throw in a plastic mallet, a loading block, and a powder funnel for a few more bucks and you're set. You'll also need at least one reloading manual. Or, you can get a Lee Reloader single stage press for $20.49, Lee dies for about $10.00, the scale above, loading block, etc. Either way, you'll spend less than $100 for equipment that will last until you graduate and get a decent job-- or even longer. I know how every penny counts when you're in college. Many of us who've "made it" forget that $100 was a fortune to us at one time. I try not to, because for some of us it still is. Anyway, I'd go the cheaper route, have fun, not expect too much, and keep shooting factory ammo too.

Good luck!

I guess I should say that I'm planning on mixing and matching a few things as far as brands go. However a fair amount might be Lee products because from the reviews I've read people are pretty pleased with them and they load up very good ammo. I have some money to spend because I have had very good paying engineering internships. I could actually foresee buying both the hand press and a mountable press. I've read that the lee auto primer is good as well as the powder dispenser, and although the scale looks cheap it is quite accurate. The collet dies supposedly load great ammo as well, and I don't have to mess with lube and full resizing on my fire formed brass etc....match this set up with a set of calipers and an oal guage and I think I can be pretty optimistic about loading some accurate ammo.

If you're going to do it, do it right. You need a good setup which allows the space and stability to do the job right. A sturdy table or bench, with room for components, rifle cradle, etc. makes the job a lot more enjoyable.

I would pass on the Lee setup. You will end up going with better equipment before long. I would apply the money you might spend on the Lee stuff toward good RCBS press, dies, scale, powder measure, etc. etc.

Reloading tends to become a lifelong hobby, once it gets started. If the time and space constraints of school don't allow it, I would wait till you are out to really get into reloading, then do it right.

So exactly what advantages does the RCBS stuff give you over the Lee stuff?

I do like the Hornady scale a lot better than the Lee, though.

I do own a lee auto prime but the rest of my reloading tools are RCBS.I know several people that started reloading with LEE then later bought RCBS,yet I don't know a single person that started with RCBS and then bought LEE.

Stoked_C,

You will definitely want to get a Lee auto-prime they are indispensible. And also a reliable scale, You are bound to want to experiment a little with powder charges in pursuit of accuracy. And a scale makes that possible.

Look for an RCBS model 10-10 on Ebay or if you can afford it buy a new one for about $110. The scale is the most important piece of equipment for a new reloading hobbyist after a couple of good manuals.

Over the course of several years I loaded thousands of rounds for my rifles with this scale, a tea spoon and a bowl of powder; as well as RCBS dies, a Lee auto prime, and a Lee hand press.

After reloading, everything went back into a boot box and under my bed. The hand press will decap and neck size your brass as well as seat the bullets effectively.

A decent caliper to check your case length and to measure COL is nice to have too, but case trimming is very seldom needed before brass has been reloaded two or three times. It is always good to check that length though.

And the setup will quickly pay for itself if you shoot over a couple of hundred rounds of rifle ammo a year. Check out some of the reloader supplies dealers such as Graf's, Midway, Wideners, etc. You will find the same Remington bullets available there that are used in their factory loads at substantial savings from many of the big name bullet suppliers.

Also I understand that Nosler has a website where one can purchase factory seconds at reduced prices but I have never used it.

Someday when you have finished school and have the proper space and funds, there is nothing like having a dedicated reloading space with bench mounted equipment. But in the meantime the job can be done well with the tools I have mentioned.

I have primarily RCBS equipment on my bench now including the carbide dies for my brand new 41 mag. But I just found the need to order a Lee factory crimp die for the 41 to do what the RCBS die was failing at.

They all (Hornady, Lyman,Redding, RCBS, Dillon) make great equipment, some of it is just aimed at different needs, and different customers.

Okay.. I'm going to take a contrarian position here. If you're not sure you want to get into reloading, and you're in college (which probably means you're poor as sin), there is an easy way to start.

Take a look at the Classic Lee Loader. NOT something for massive reloading, but it will help introduce you to reloading and keep your expenses to a minimum. Downside is you can only reload cases fired in your gun (it neck-sizes only rather than full -length resize).

Here's my recommendation:

1) Pick up a Classic Lee Loader for your caliber.
2) Pick up the Lee reloading manual.
3) Pick up a box of ammo for your gun
4) Pick up one of the powder types and associated bullets listed on the instructions for the Classic Lee Loader.
5) Pick up a rubber mallet.

Read the instructions and the reloading manual.. make notes. No quiz, but your life and limb depend on following instructions.

Now go fire the box of shells, and then carefully follow the instructions and reload them.

If you have extra cash, the first thing I would do is buy a decent scale and start weighing your loads. This allows you a lot more flexibility on playing with powders and bullets.

This is how I started, and even though I have a press and better set up now I still do most of it with the classic loader set up. Kind of fun to grab your components and reload a box or two of ammo while sitting in front of the TV<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />.

Just my opinion...

Stoked C:
Here is my list of ESSENTIAL tools for reloading. Kits will probably have something you can�t or won�t use.

Press- (Go ahead and use the Lee Hand Press if it appeals to you, because you can always get a bench press later. AND, like you say, you don�t have to mount it.

Powder Scale- (You can get a Powder Measure later, but try and get a good one.) (A Powder Trickler is nice, but you can use your thumb and finger too.)

Dies- (You�ll need a 2 die set, even if you use the Lee Collet die, because you will eventually need to Full Length resize. Lee dies will work fine and dandy.)

Shell Holder- (Of course.) (It may come with the die set, but the Lee dipper will be of little value, since it is too limiting to be really practical.)

Primer seater- (Some presses have a primer arm. That�s the best way to go IMO, but the Lee Hand Press probably doesn�t.)

Dial Caliper or a Digital Caliper-

Case Trimmer- (You WILL need one so don�t fight it. I like the Forster myself.) (Using a file, won�t be pretty.)

Chamfer Tool- (Case Mouth Deburring Tool)

Primer Pocket Uniformer- (It also cleans the Primer Pockets)

Flash Hole Deburring tool- (You only gotta use it once)

Case Lube- (Imperial Sizing Wax is good, but that Hornady One Shot case lube will do.) (Be sure to put some INSIDE the neck, and wipe it out after sizing the case.)

Loading Manual- Be sure and read it. Pay close attention to how you adjust your seating die.

If I forgot something, I shore am sorry.

Good Luck
Smitty of the North

Lee Aniversary Kit

I've been using mine for 12 years. I did replace the scale with Hornadys a couple years ago, though. Less than $100 total and I've more than recoved the cost in ammo produced.

Maybe you need to trade that .270 in for a 6.5 Swede, .257 Bob, .35 Whelen or something that nearly forces you to handload. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

The .270 ammo from the factory is tough to improve on. You could make premium ammo for less $$ I suppose.

This is what I put together.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a177/greenboy2005/000_0001_0004.jpg

It works just fine. I do have a bench setup but this kit will work. The Lee hand press will work great and you will be making accurate ammo in no time. Don�t let any one tell you that Lee wont make great handloads. It most certainly will. You can get load information from the powder companies off the internet to save money. Just print it out and put it into a folder.

Happy Shooting
30-30 Man

Ditto what he said. You might think 'cheap' getting set up but trust me, cheap gets 'expensive' in a hurry.. LOL