Lee Loader? - The Firearms Forum

hunterfisher · 03-03-2010, 05:44 PM

I just paid, $72.00 for two boxes of, Federal 85gr. Sierra Game Kings ammo. These prices are rediculous. I'm thinking of buying a, Lee Loader. I had a major stroke in 1985 and I sometimes have trouble understanding directions. I'm seeking advice on the mechanics of this product. Besides, powder - primers - and bullets, what else would I have to purchase? I shoot a .243 and being disabled, D.A.V, I have plenty of time to shoot, but like I said, can't afford buying ammo over the counter. Any and all help, would be much appriciated. Thanks.

Alpo · 03-03-2010, 06:30 PM

First, a Lee Loader only neck-sizes the brass. If your 243 is a bolt or a single shot, that is fine, but if it is a pump, lever or automatic, a Lee Loader won't reload your brass satisfactorily.

You will need, to reload, brass, primers, bullets, powder and some way to accurately measure it, and a loading manual. If using a Lee Loader you will also need a hammer and something you can pound on. That's pretty much it.

Oneida Steve · 03-03-2010, 08:28 PM

Back in the old days when reloading presses were massive and expensive, the Lee Loader made sense. Today things are different.

The price of a single-stage Lee press is quite reasonable nowadays. I recommend getting a press rather than the Lee Loader. As Alpo said, bottleneck rifle rounds can be difficult to reload with the Lee Loader. With a Lee bench press the process is much easier.

You can find some useful videos on using a Lee reloading press on youtube.

Welcome to TFF.

old semperfi · 03-04-2010, 09:40 PM

PLEASE UNDERSTAND WHAT I AM ABOUT TO SAY IS IN NO WAY DOUBTING YOUR ABILITIES.YOU SAID THAT YOU HAVE TROUBLES UNDERSTANDING INSTRUCTIONS AT TIMES.YES ,RELOADING IS DIF A COST SAVER,BUT YOU MUST BE VERY CAREFUL AND METHODICAL IN RELOADING.YOU MAY CONSIDER SELLING THE 243 AND PURCHASING A 223 CALIBER.THE AMMO IS A LOT LESS AND EASILY PURCHASED IN BULK AT K MARTS AND WALLY WORLD.THE RECOIL IS ALSO A LOT LESS TO ME.ONCE AGAIN NO INSULT MEANT I JUST WANTED TO GIVE YOU ANOTHER WAY TO STILL ENJOY SHOOTING OLD SEMPERFI

carver · 03-04-2010, 09:49 PM

hunterfisher, reloading is not rocket science. That said, the first thing you should do is buy a reloading manual, and then read it. There you will find the information that you need to reload your 243 ammo, or any other caliber. KISS Lee loaders will do the job, if you buy the right one for your particular needs. Reloading is fun, calming, and a great way to construct ammo that is much cheaper than what you can buy over the counter.

Sandman · 03-05-2010, 02:57 PM

I got the Lee Anniversary kit for Christmas, and at $100 bucks, I don't think you can beat it. I have added a couple hundred more in accessories since then, but could have gotten by without most of it. I am also loading .243, and am doing it for $8 per box vs. $28 at the store. At that rate, i will pay for my equipment pretty quickly.

hunterfisher · 03-08-2010, 06:25 PM

Thanks for all the help fella's. I've got everything I need to start reloading except, Rem. large rifle primers. Is it necessary to use the same brand primers in a recipe a friend gave me, or can I use any large rifle primers?
Kenny

The_Rifleman · 03-09-2010, 02:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hunterfisher

Thanks for all the help fella's. I've got everything I need to start reloading except, Rem. large rifle primers. Is it necessary to use the same brand primers in a recipe a friend gave me, or can I use any large rifle primers?
Kenny

Mainly you just want to use the same type, (large rifle; Federal 210, Remington 9 1/2, Winchester WLR, CCI 200 or BR-2, or what have you,) especially nowadays; I can't get the primers I first started reloading with so I have to make due with what ever they have. Luckily I don't notice a change in accuracy.

But many people load their cartridges hot, you might want to make sure your friends recipe isn't too hot. The only way to know that for sure is to buy a reloading handbook, read it until you understand everything. Then work-up your own loads as the manual suggests.

That is the best way to insure safely. I might add that it is the only way you can find an accurate load specifically for your rifle.

Another way to find if it may be too hot is to post what the recipe is, and someone that loads for that cartridge may be able to tell you how hot it is.

Stay safe!

RandyP · 03-09-2010, 10:19 AM

definitely check out a manual or two (or at least an online resource like from the powder company you are using). A friends recipe may or may not actually be sound or safe.

Stay midrange and whatever primer make you use should pose no issue.

hunterfisher · 03-09-2010, 07:00 PM

I'm shooting a .243. The recipe I was given is; 40gr. IMR and large Rem. rifle primers. The bullet is; Sierra Game King 85gr. BTHP.
I called, Hodgdon and they said 40.5 gr. would be Max. Have any you fellers tried this load before?
I sure appriciate all the help. Thanks again. It's hard being a rookie.
Kenny

03-03-2010, 05:44 PM	#1
hunterfisher V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 271	Lee Loader? I just paid, $72.00 for two boxes of, Federal 85gr. Sierra Game Kings ammo. These prices are rediculous. I'm thinking of buying a, Lee Loader. I had a major stroke in 1985 and I sometimes have trouble understanding directions. I'm seeking advice on the mechanics of this product. Besides, powder - primers - and bullets, what else would I have to purchase? I shoot a .243 and being disabled, D.A.V, I have plenty of time to shoot, but like I said, can't afford buying ammo over the counter. Any and all help, would be much appriciated. Thanks. -->

03-03-2010, 06:30 PM	#2
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,662	Re: Lee Loader? First, a Lee Loader only neck-sizes the brass. If your 243 is a bolt or a single shot, that is fine, but if it is a pump, lever or automatic, a Lee Loader won't reload your brass satisfactorily. You will need, to reload, brass, primers, bullets, powder and some way to accurately measure it, and a loading manual. If using a Lee Loader you will also need a hammer and something you can pound on. That's pretty much it. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

03-03-2010, 08:28 PM	#3
Oneida Steve Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 1,028	Re: Lee Loader? Back in the old days when reloading presses were massive and expensive, the Lee Loader made sense. Today things are different. The price of a single-stage Lee press is quite reasonable nowadays. I recommend getting a press rather than the Lee Loader. As Alpo said, bottleneck rifle rounds can be difficult to reload with the Lee Loader. With a Lee bench press the process is much easier. You can find some useful videos on using a Lee reloading press on youtube. Welcome to TFF.

03-04-2010, 09:40 PM	#4
old semperfi Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: i live in southern indiana,old country boy at heart Posts: 1,506	Re: Lee Loader? PLEASE UNDERSTAND WHAT I AM ABOUT TO SAY IS IN NO WAY DOUBTING YOUR ABILITIES.YOU SAID THAT YOU HAVE TROUBLES UNDERSTANDING INSTRUCTIONS AT TIMES.YES ,RELOADING IS DIF A COST SAVER,BUT YOU MUST BE VERY CAREFUL AND METHODICAL IN RELOADING.YOU MAY CONSIDER SELLING THE 243 AND PURCHASING A 223 CALIBER.THE AMMO IS A LOT LESS AND EASILY PURCHASED IN BULK AT K MARTS AND WALLY WORLD.THE RECOIL IS ALSO A LOT LESS TO ME.ONCE AGAIN NO INSULT MEANT I JUST WANTED TO GIVE YOU ANOTHER WAY TO STILL ENJOY SHOOTING OLD SEMPERFI

03-04-2010, 09:49 PM	#5
carver TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: DAV, Deep in the Pineywoods of East Texas, just west of Shreveport, LA Contributor Posts: 11,288	Re: Lee Loader? hunterfisher, reloading is not rocket science. That said, the first thing you should do is buy a reloading manual, and then read it. There you will find the information that you need to reload your 243 ammo, or any other caliber. *KISS* Lee loaders will do the job, if you buy the right one for your particular needs. Reloading is fun, calming, and a great way to construct ammo that is much cheaper than what you can buy over the counter. __________________ Y'all be safe now, ya hear! Lamentations Chapter 5: 1. Remember, O LORD, what is come upon us: consider, and behold our reproach. 2. Our inheritance is turned to strangers, our houses to aliens. 3. We are orphans and fatherless, our mothers [are] as widows. 5. Our necks [are] under persecution: we labour, [and] have no rest. 16. The crown is fallen [from] our head: woe unto us, that we have sinned! 21. Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old.

03-05-2010, 02:57 PM	#6
Sandman Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Louisiana Posts: 552	Re: Lee Loader? I got the Lee Anniversary kit for Christmas, and at $100 bucks, I don't think you can beat it. I have added a couple hundred more in accessories since then, but could have gotten by without most of it. I am also loading .243, and am doing it for $8 per box vs. $28 at the store. At that rate, i will pay for my equipment pretty quickly.

03-08-2010, 06:25 PM	#7
hunterfisher V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 271	Re: Lee Loader? Thanks for all the help fella's. I've got everything I need to start reloading except, Rem. large rifle primers. Is it necessary to use the same brand primers in a recipe a friend gave me, or can I use any large rifle primers? Kenny

03-09-2010, 10:19 AM	#9
RandyP V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 430	Re: Lee Loader? definitely check out a manual or two (or at least an online resource like from the powder company you are using). A friends recipe may or may not actually be sound or safe. Stay midrange and whatever primer make you use should pose no issue. __________________ Lee Anniversary and Lee Classic 4-Hole Turret, presently reloading .380, 7.62 Nagant (32-20), 9mm and 45ACP

03-09-2010, 07:00 PM	#10
hunterfisher V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 271	Re: Lee Loader? I'm shooting a .243. The recipe I was given is; 40gr. IMR and large Rem. rifle primers. The bullet is; Sierra Game King 85gr. BTHP. I called, Hodgdon and they said 40.5 gr. would be Max. Have any you fellers tried this load before? I sure appriciate all the help. Thanks again. It's hard being a rookie. Kenny