The compact and inexpensive Lee Loader has been available for decades. In contrast to some of the advanced loading equipment seen here on Ultimate Reloader we thought It would be fun to look at a simple and inexpensive way of reloading rifle ammunition, and that’s what we’ll cover in this video!
VIDEO HERE (20:32 minutes)
Lee Loaders got a lot of people into reloading quickly and cheaply. The issue with reloading isn't what equipment you own. It's the availability of components...just like the availability of actual ammo.
ReplyDeleteVery true, Dan. I started with a 12ga and a .22-250 in 1971 and just about wore both of them out.
DeleteEd
"So easy a cave man can do it."
ReplyDeleteI use a Lee Loader for de-priming and neck sizing my fire formed brass for a specific rifle and precision shooting. I then use a Lee Perfect Powder measure and single press for priming, seating, and crimping. The bullets and primers are sealed with red enamel. .5" groups at 200 yards (club range limit) is the best I can physically do with that setup. I am sure I could easily be "minute of man" out to 500. Beyond that I would be lobbing bullets too much to be effective. Barrel was slugged and chamber was measured. OAL is .005" off the rifling.
ReplyDeleteHave done 30-30 and I think I still have one in 7mm Remington Express which I don't recall ever using.
ReplyDeleteDaryl
I had the opportunity to buy a 7MM Express Remington tang safety Ruger 77 and didn't do it. One of those 'kick myself' deals. It was neat because it was roll marked '.280 REM. or 7mm EXP. REM.'. It was the only one I've ever seen. Shoulda done it.
DeleteI still use the Lee Dippers for getting a close weight on my beam scales before using a trickler. It's amazing how close you can get with the dippers once you get in the groove, usually within a tenth of a grain or two of your desired weight.
DeleteHad a friend that loaded 41 Mag with one . I think he didn't use the powder measure , just dip the case in 2400 level to the top.
ReplyDeleteLee loading equipment, use it and you will upgrade to better equipment if you are serious about consistent loads.
ReplyDeleteThis old coot shows you how to do it with no more than a Swiss army knife: https://youtu.be/IHpU1wwr7Jk
ReplyDeleteTrail Boss- Best powder ever for .45-70 Gov't and most revolver calibers. Virtually impossible to overload a case that will be fired in a modern, strong firearm. The perfect powder for doo fusses or guys with fading eyesight.
DeleteI've used Wilson hand dies and Harrel's gear for years. Years ago, I would go to northern Wisconsin for benchrest shooting and muskie, so I had to learn to do it without electricity. I would shoot ten rounds and reload while my barrel cooled, and dump the these ten cases at the end of the day. It worked so well I still use hand dies to seat bullets.
ReplyDeleteThe only thing I use my Dillon 550C for these days is pistol ammo and decapping rifle brass. Everything else is done by hand, and I do pretty well with a rifle.
I started reloading with a Lee Loader in 30-30. I used it for several years and killed a bunch of deer with ammo I loaded with it.
ReplyDeleteNot long after I got the Lee Loader I decided I want to load shotshells too and I got a Lee LoadAll Jr. It made some good ammo too. I still have it and tried playing with it not long ago to see if it still works, and it does.
As I recall I got the Loader for 9.95 and the LoadAll Jr for 14.95 in 1979.