Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Classc Lee Loader

I have about 500 pieces of 308 brass that I fired out of my Sako. Never reloaded and thinking about trying and looking at the Classic Lee loader for that caliber. Any reason not to for a starter outfit? On-line reviews are good and do highlight the limitations.

Are you talking about the press kit or the loader?

The press kit will get you started and work fine until you start upgrading, piece by piece.

I have a few of the Lee Loader's too, fun to use at times.

I started with and still use the anniversary kit. Only original piece I still have is the press. And it still shucks out loads for my .270 that are 5/8" @100..5 shot groups

JDK,

The Lee Loader works very well, in fact it often loads more accurate ammo than a press and conventional dies, because the neck is sized precisely in line with the case body, and bullets are seated very straightly. The smallest groups I've ever fired out of my Ruger No. 1 .22 Hornet were with reloads put together on a Lee Loader.

Lee Loader works well, but:

1) Wear eye protection
2) Wear ear protection
3) Wear a light glove on the hand holding the case as you gently tap it over the primer...

I've pondered a lee hand press for range loading. How well do they work for consistency vs the classic loader?

Your hand should not be touching the case when priming if you're doing things by the directions. The case is tapped out of the sizing die onto the waiting primer. The priming rod fills the case neck, the sizing die encases the primer. Yes, the primers do snap sharply when the rare one pops, but it is a very safe operation. (I hold the rod just above the top of the die when priming, so I can feel the case move onto the primer without hammering on it more than necessary.) A good Lexan-headed mallet makes a good Lee Loader accessory.

Everyone has to start somewhere, and that's where I began with a 6 mm Rem in about 1963. I could consistently hit golf balls at 100 with those rounds.

Not too many years ago, bench shooters were setting records with reloading tools quite like a Lee Loader.
Even though I have presses to spare, I started my son out with a Lee Loader. You can't get more in-tough with the fundamentals of reloading any better than a Lee.
I also got to see him when he was seating primers and popped one. It's not dangerous just startling.

I think a lot of us started using a Lee Loader. I have a pile of them in my shop, and always take one with me when I go to the range.

One thing I did learn early on was to use a hand priming tool. It wasn't because of the possibility of a bang; it was simply easier to re-prime.

Well, I just ordered a Lee Loader for the 308 and some 165 grain Sierra Gamekings. I now embark on the world of reloading. Looking for powder and primers locally.

Thanks for the help.

W/500 rounds of brass from the same gun wouldn't a collect die be a HUGE time and effort saver? No lubes to clean...basically neck size, prime load.

The little Lee also neck sizes, no lube. A no-frills 308 scout-type rifle and a Lee Loader in 308 oughta be in everyone's SHTF kit.

Good choice to start loading, but as you expand into a press, dies and other sundry items us reloaders think we need, don't sell or give away the Lee Loader set. You just might find it difficult to improve on the accuracy of the ammo produced by the Loader.

I continue to use the Loader's from time to time, especially in doing load work up at the range. The only change I made with the Loader is I don't pound with a hammer. Several years ago I picked up a nice, inexpensive arbor press.

Since the Lee Loader only neck sizes, make sure you don't try to use those reloads in any other rifle than the one that it was originally fired in. It may work... Or you may end up paying a smith to extract a stuck case. Don't ask how I know.

In addition to the Classic Lee Loader, I'd also suggest picking up a decent set of calipers and a scale to give you flexibility on working up loads.

If you don't want to use a wooden or plastic hammer, you can do what roundoak has done. This arbor press is around $70. I think Midway has this model. It's a Bald Eagle BE1001 Mini Arbor Press. It's a small press that is easily transportable.