Lee classic reloader

[buildit]

So I thought I'd post up a short review of my new Lee classic reloader kit. If you like bear skins and stone knives this is the reloader you need. :lol: Honestly it is pretty cool and I bought one so I could reload 45-70 govt rounds. Basically it a die and instead of a press you use a rubber mallet or piece of wood. I can see this being a pretty cool way for a beginner to get their feet wet for pennies on the dollar over an expensive press. Not fast but effective.
http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r288/luke1324/jokes/fireams/reloading/1st45-70bullet_zpsab41868a.jpg
I made one round last night just to test it out. I'll admit I was hesitant about smacking a bullet like a 45-70 with even a rubber mallet but I'll be damed it works and the test firing today proved it. 100 yard+ unsupported shot hitting a 10X16 inch plate. Made up two more rounds this evening in no time flat now that I have a better idea what I'm doing with it and have the length set properly.
So if you are looking to start reloading and want to do it on the cheap here is a great way to do that. :wink:

[schmidlin]

I was considering one of these instead of a single stage lee press for my. 308

[smmassociates]

I've mentioned starting into reloading some 40 years ago and not doing it. One of the "devices" we bought was one of those. (We also bought a conventional single-stage press. Progressives existed, but cost too much for our budget at the time.)

Very slow, especially if you've used a progressive, but IMHO, a handy gadget to have around even if you're doing a full setup with a progressive, or just making multiple passes in a single stage. However, if you need a quick decap, for example, and the press has a bullet seating die set up in it, bingo! $40-ish, I think. You can find a used single-stage press in that same price range, but then you have to buy a die set, and, naturally, the wrong die's going to be in it.... (I have a junk press here with a decapper in it. I was doing a lot of that originally.)

Regards,

[dinstar]

Back in the early 80s, the guy who showed me to reload gave me a very well used set in 38/357. He, a couple buddies and meself would go to the Eglin AFB/Hurlbert Field Rod and Gun Club with our 357 magnums. We'd spend hours going up to the line shoot a hand full, hit the bench reload the spent cartridges and repeat. If we were lucky maybe shoot a 150 or so rounds.

We had a blast and it was a great way to spend a Saturday. Enjoy.

[stephen45-70]

i started out using a whack a mole lee loader ... i do tend to collect them and highly recomend them to anyone looking to start reloading cheaply and safely .

one caveat ... always wear safety glasses ... eventualy you will set off a primer and scare the crap outta yourself

[dinstar]

i started out using a whack a mole lee loader ... i do tend to collect them and highly recomend them to anyone looking to start reloading cheaply and safely .

one caveat ... always wear safety glasses ... eventualy you will set off a primer and scare the crap outta yourself

Don't you mean 'Whac-A-Bullet'?

Yep, darn near pizzed myself. That was about a year after I started reloading with it.

[buildit]

i started out using a whack a mole lee loader ... i do tend to collect them and highly recomend them to anyone looking to start reloading cheaply and safely .

one caveat ... always wear safety glasses ... eventualy you will set off a primer and scare the crap outta yourself

That's funny. :lol: I can see where something like this for smaller calibers would be a pain but for the the big 45-70 rounds it seems like a really great idea. Cheapest I can find 45-70 rounds is $32 for 20, so still $1.50 a bullet. but I can reload them for $.40. :wink: So 30 rounds reloaded and I have paid for the reloader in savings.

[willbird]

One thing to be aware of for the guy who mentioned 308, the dies neck size only, meaning eventually with full power loads the headspace on the cases will get long enough that they will not chamber easily. We refer to that as "the bolt handle getting tight" and it puts a lot more wear on the locking lugs than rounds which have the proper .002 headspace minimum.


Bill

[alanm]

Speaking of Lee reloaders and other Lee products, I just ran across this when looking up ammo on the Walmart.com website. I don't know how long this link will work but try it anyway.


Lee Precision 6 Cavity Mold, .44 Caliber
$48.99

That's a pretty good price for that "mold". :roll:

[smmassociates]

Alan:

Wonder what you'd actually get if you ordered that....

(If I had any use for a .44 mold and a spare $50.... )

Telling their search engine to show only handguns, just for fun, included a few pellet or BB guns and some things that appear to be AR's....

No real handguns, though....

Regards,

[buildit]

So as an update I love these simple reloaders. I bought another for 38spl since I don't shoot a ton of them, 223 and 30 carbine. The 223 is a gift to my future BIL for Christmas with bullets, primers and powder to make 90 rounds or so. I had to return the 30 carbine to midway because it was missing parts and the die was not right. The new one is to arrive tomorrow. I have 50 rounds cleaned and ready to reload with it so I hope this one is good. Note: Midway said they would test and confirm the die was good with the new one they are shipping.

38 reloaded
http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r288/luke1324/jokes/fireams/38spl1stround_zpsaf3d8287.jpg

[kentguy]

buildit,

Looks good! Sometime this Spring/Summer I am going to pick up a 45-70 and start reloading for it, but I have other projects to finish first. I though that this might be a good idea to pick up one of these for use out in the field or just when I can't get to my shop. I have both the LEE single stage & the Classic turret press - used them for years, the both work great but a small portable press like this might just come in handy.

Thanks for the post.

[buildit]

Just a plug for a great resource on 45-70 bullets. X-tereme bullets sells them at a great bulk price. I've ordered 45-70 bullets from them twice along with other calibers and they work great.

[rich 2.0]

and now you're hooked bro .... tons of shooting for pennies on the dollar

[buildit]

and now you're hooked bro .... tons of shooting for pennies on the dollar

Yes but it sweet sorrow to watch friends now paying $20 for a box of 9mm when I'm pumping out 500 rounds for $80 - $90. :wink: