Lee equipment for a new reloader

[sdneil]

PM SENT Neil

 

[jimbo88mm]

I guess if you can't afford the good stuff maybe I should tell some don't bother, that really is how I feel about it, but I don't want to piss anyone off.

This actually surprises me a bit.. the part about telling someone don't bother if you can't come up with $500+ to get started with a proper reloading setup. I am glad I didn't read this thread two years ago when I got started.

I am one of those newbs that bought the Lee anniversary kit. I did a lot of research over the span of a few months before making the purchase (took me that long to save up the cash). I saw many different opinions on this board and many others. I setup a little spread sheet to compare the different kits (RCBS, Hornady, etc) and also had a custom list of selected parts from different manufacturers. Available funds for this project ultimately forced me to choose Lee or save up for another year and limit my shooting (not going to save much shooting factory ammo).

So I went with the Lee kit.
2 years & several hundred rounds later, I am still using everything that came with the kit, even that "horrid" scale.

I've read so many bad reports on Lee equipment that just don't make any sense.
I have the challenger breech lock press.. not seeing any egg shaped holes in the linkage.
On another board I saw someone trash the scale because he said he had to take the scale apart in order to remove the powder pan ???
Never had a problem with the decapper pin.. this includes the 223 die on crimped 556 range brass.
The most common complaint is that it "feels" cheap.

I'm using the plastic funnel. It works. I don't see the point in spending more money for a funnel. How is a funnel going to improve my ability to load ammo?
The powder measure actually works pretty good with extruded powders.
The scale is not great but I think it's precision would actually surprise people. Using my rcbs trickler, single kernels will move the needle. So I set the powder measure to throw a couple tenths of a grain low and then trickle up.. which ironically seems to be what many people do with the $300 autoloaders.

I understand that the Lee equipment is not top tier but it's not complete junk as some suggest. The Lee equipment is serviceable that will get you into the reloading game at a third of the price. With a Lee starter kit you will be able to load ammo that will be more precise then general factory ammo and if you load enough it will save you a good bit of cash in the process... never mind adding a new hobby.

Please understand, I am not a Lee fanboy and there are no hard feelings. I just take issue at the prospect of discouraging someone from trying out what could be a new and rewarding hobby because they don't have $500+ to drop on reloading gear. It's better for all of us shooters to do what we can to nurture interest in shooting sports. It is IMHO the best way we can ultimately protect the second amendment. Maybe thats a stretch but its how I feel.

 

[fdshuster]

jimbo88mm: Glad to hear Lee equipment is serving you well, for "2 years and several hundred rounds later". There are those who load several hundred rounds in one sitting or over a weekend in preperation for a match. I myself average 4 to 5000 per year, been doing it since 1960. Figure it out. Over the long haul, ( about 3 years for the "Challanger" press with the die cast pot metal parts), it went into the trash can in that period of time. So, off to buy another and that time it was the RCBS "Partner" press for my light duty work. The RCBS Rockchucker has been in heavy use since 1991 & cannot be told from new. As mentioned, the type of equipment chosen would depend on the type of ammo loaded: 9mm handgun for busting tin cans, sure the Lee will work. For loading match quality 6ppc, 6BR, 30BR, etc. it won't make the grade. Yes, you can use the 29 cent plastic funnel, but wait 'til you have a problem with static electricity buildup & you spend more time trying to get the powder kernals into the case when they are sticking to the plastic. Or the "one size fits all" pouring spout does not work with some neck diameters. Actually by your own words, "not great", "The Lee equipment is servicable", "Lee equipment is not top tier", I hear something other than an endorsement of their quality. I'm certainly not trying to discourage anyone from buying Lee ( or any other brand), but am saying the choices will depend a lot on what type of ammo is needed. Buy the best press, die set(s) and powder measuring tools you can afford, and for the rest, the less costly will probably work, at least for a while. There are also many good deals out there in used equipment. High quality presses, dies, scales, measures, etc. can be bought at a fraction of their original cost and since they were so well made ( sometimes better than the new that are "made in China") have many more years of useful life remaining, so "used" is another way to go. Whatever works for you.

 

[Tozguy]

I don't find it reasonable to expect a beginner to think like a seasoned reloader from the start. Whether one is taking up skiing, golf or any other sport, few people will buy the very best equipment of what is available from the get-go. The first set of equipment is rarely the last if you adopt the sport for any length of time. My suggestion to new reloaders is to use basic hand tools for the learning process (slow, low volume) until you have an appreciation for the basics and for where you are going. Then you can better determine for yourself where to invest your next $$.
Expect to write-off whatever learning equipment gets replaced. Some of us are forever searching for something new and better (even after 40 years of reloading) and have accumulated more than enough stuff for our needs (but that is part of the fun).
Lee does a good job of providing a stuff that works if you are on a budget. Some of Lee's products are as good as the competition's but are available at lower mark-ups. However, don't expect to be impressed with Lee's Perfect Powder Measure ($32) if you have been using a Harrell's ($240) for the last 20 years.
Kits from any source are to be considered carefully because you may be buying some pieces you don't need or want.

 

[fm1947]

fdshuster I'm with you, well said.

jimbo88mm,

I too am glad for you that Lee equipment has served you well, but what I do I just can't recommend that equipment, I actually guarantee sub MOA 5 shot groups when finished and on some guns I do the same but 1/2 moa groups, I first take the person to the range and shoot thier factory ammo just so they can see when we are done the difference and we are creating some reloadable brass, most are new rifle owners and some have had small caliber guns and all have stepped up to .308, only one with .243, I go way beyond basic reloading with them and spend about 3 days in this process to obtain good accuracy, so I just can't be slowed down with Lee equipment and having to tricle powder are get a magnifing glass out to read the scale, but for a guy like you I think it is great you did this on your own as many of us have with what you could afford.

Frank

 

[fm1947]

Here is a cost comparison Lee kit and deluxe die set total $130

Redding type S 3 die bushing set $96
Redding 3BR powder Measure---$133
Redding scale-------------- $79
RCBS rock supreme-------------$129
Redding & rcbstotal--------------------$437
Lee Total------------------------$130

Difference---------------------$307

Today a young man spends more on his Iphone, Ipad, and all the other I stuff at over 500 bucks so $307 difference for top qualitty equipment is not much to spend, that will last for ever

 

[BoilerUP]

Here is a cost comparison Lee kit and deluxe die set total $130

Redding type S 3 die bushing set $96
Redding 3BR powder Measure---$133
Redding scale-------------- $79

Redding total--------------------$308
Lee Total------------------------$130

Difference---------------------$178

You forgot the press itself, which makes the delta nearly $400...

 

[M-61]

After many decades of reloading I learned the only "expensive" tool is when you buy the bargin one, then it breaks, and you have to purchase the 'correct' one which you should have so in the first place. Now the tool is "expensive" as you have paid the price for the good one AND the price for the bargin one.
I have an RCBS Big Max that has served me well for longer than I can recall. Recently I bought a Lee turret press as I started loading pistol ammo for some friends and they go through ammo at an alarming rate. The press is actually junk. It stopped indexing after 100 loads. The primer feed belongs in a Leggo set for kids. I can't believe I didn't follow my own advice. At least it is not a costly error...I just shouldn't have needed the lesson.

 

[fm1947]

boilerup,

Thanks , I corrected above