Opinion on Lee

[charlie b]

The 'old trick' on the seat stem is to make it custom fit to the bullet. Drill out the inside of the seat stem (so the bullet tip won't hit the stem). Put some mold release on the bullet of choice. Put some JBWeld (or any other 'filler' of choice) in the seat stem. Put them together and then you have a seat stem custom fit to your bullet. Used to do it with cast bullets a lot. I also put a sleeve around the seat stem so it wobbles less. It helps when using longer bullets. For some pistol bullets I'd just order a wadcutter seat stem and then modify it to the bullet I was using. Some rifle bullets all it would take was drilling it out and then using a tapered reamer on it.

The nice thing about Lee dies and bullet molds is you can experiment with or modify them without risking a $100 die. Lee is good about replacement parts as well. They will do a lot of custom work if you ask. We used to modify bullet molds for experimenting with different bullet shapes, including hollow points. Mill off the top of the mold for a lighter bullet or 'drill one out' to get rid of a gas check shank.

For those who haven't seen them, TItan Engineering has a lot of Lee stuff as well, including modified parts.

 

[The German]

If LEE was as bad as many want them to look like, they would be out of business. I personally have used several LEE Loadmaster progressive presses over the last 15+ years and even though they need tweaking and tuning regularly, they produce consistent and well working ammunition. Their factory dies are great and their powder throws are to just throw away - the price/value in my opinion is great and I would not hesitate telling a new reloader to get started with a LEE setup. Get used equipment and if they don't like it, sell it and don't have a lot of money invested in it. In the long term, if massive and consistent output is the concern, yes, there are better products out there.

 

[Tparrish]

I use some of their products, also if it wasn't for Lee a lot of folks wouldn't have got into reloading.

 

[LHSmith]

I am not sure how or why that decapping rod could be a problem.

Danny

Adjusting that collet is a big PITA. You need 2 extra wrenches and hope you don't affect original die adjustment because (on mine at least) it takes a lot of force to effectively tighten the collet. Get a stuck case and their proceedure has you "tapping" on the decap rod to free it up. The captured decap pin is a bad idea. You can use o-rings under most other make die locknuts.

 

[Leo_B]

I bought a used set of Lee dies. The powder dipper and instructions were missing. I sent a photo to Lee to be sure they knew exactly which set I wanted to complete, asking how much to buy the missing bits. A few days later, yesterday, Robert, our mail carrier, delivers a small box containing the missing items. Items I intended to buy since Lee is not responsible for a used set of dies. I got a nice note thanking me for being a Lee customer. Lee is always going to be my first stop, and only stop unless they don't offer what I need. A1 CS.

 

[old codger]

Tparrish That is exactly what I was talking about.

 

[hoghunter55]

So many people say the old Lee hand primer was the best they ever tried. If Lee came out with a Pro line or whatever they wanted to call it and made these primers, I'd buy 2 right away.

 

[DShortt]

The only major compliment I have with LEE lately is their cast bullet moulds.
But, cast is something of an art in itself. It's rarely a 'one size fits all' situation.

Having said that, I do still use a Lee press regularly with a Lee Universal decapping die for 2 reasons.
1 - to keep all the crud out of my RC press.

2 - the spent primer catch system works pretty well.

YMMV.

 

[Heavy Metal 1]

Some people think that one needs to spend a great of money on something or else it must be trash. That simply isn't true. You don't always get a direct linear improvement in product as the dollar price scales up. Then there is the issue of the materials. In a Glock it's a miracle polymer; in a Lee product it's just junk plastic, well GMAFB. My next door neighbor's Mercedes and my Toyota both do the same thing. They cart a human's butt from one place to another.

 

[209jones]

I've used various Lee products, decapper, scoops, C press, hand press, round tray handprimer, moulds, ingot trays. 10lb pot. They all did what was needed,the handprimer would break handles every once in a while, broke the head off the body once, replaced links a few times, lids got loose quick. Did not like the way they did the safety gates in the newer priming tool body, tray was fine, it really turned me off, wouldn't feed. Still have 5-6 round tray ones and some spares for them. Used the scoops for 45 yrs now as powder dumpers and tricklers, they work really well. Never had any issues with any casting product of theirs, all did what they were supposed to do.
Folks have to learn enough, to try to assess what they want to accomplish, to be able to evaluate some Lee tools, there are easier to use or more productive tools out there, some built stronger, but, they make a lot of tools that'll do the job just fine. Everybody gets a bad batch that escapes, or makes tool that looks great and you may not like once you get to using it, or has a built in fault.
Lee wouldn't be around if they made garbage, some is kinda sketchy, may not be as pretty, but, it works, and doesn't cost a pile to try, sometimes it is all you really need.

 

[Bill Norris]

Not a fan of everything Lee makes but from day one I have used their hand priming tool up until my old tired hands said "hey I can't do this anymore" So, I went to the Lee bench primer a few years back and find with a tad of tweaking and caution it will work for my priming needs just fine.

Tweaking - The feeding of primers can be a pain when the unit is new. Seems to be some burrs inside of the feed trough that can be removed with a little piddling with small files and then applying some HBN/alcohol solution to the inside surfaces will make it as slick as grease. Primers slide right on thru.

Caution - Being careful to watch when the next primer is fed into the shell holder area to make sure the primer does not roll up on it's edge will fix the issue of seating the primer on it's side. The trick is do not allow the lever to bounce back on it's own. Keep your hand on the lever as the spring returns it. These are the only two issues I encountered with it.

Additionally, I use the Lee hand press for de-capping the cases along with the Lee de-capping die with no issues at all and if I re-load any handgun ammo I use all Lee dies for my 9mm re-loading needs.

 

[jds holler]

I set up to do some case trimming with 243 brass today. Started out with the old Lyman universal case trimmer and got so sick of the thing that I quit with it.
Got the little caveman, Lee trimmer with the Lee three jaw Chuck and went to town with the electric drill. The trim length is exact from case to case was coming out more concentric and way quicker.
While the case was still clamped in that three jaw Chuck, I hit the In-N-Out chamfer, and a quick spin on a Scott’s bright pad.

If anyone wants that Lyman case trimmer, I’ll send it to you for the cost of shipping.Jd

 

[danny]

One thing that bothers me a little about Lee lately is that there does not seem to be a lot of stability in their product lines. Back when the old man was running it, you could count on getting parts for your Lee gear for a long time. I am not totally sure that is the case now.

Danny

 

[charlie b]

Yes, they will support it in some way.

The Loadmaster is a good example. FYI, up through 2023 I was still getting repair parts that I needed (typically a couple of springs and one plunger). In 2024 I used their offer and got a new press as well. The old one continued on until I stopped loading for pistols. Both were given to someone who could use them.
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April 27, 2022
After 30 years of production, the Load-Master Progressive Press has been moved to legacy status.

Lee Lifetime Guarantee

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[Fast14riot]

I started out with Lee products in the '70's and had good luck.

In September 2025 I purchased a Lee collet die in 6.5 Creedmore, I neck sized 6 Lapua brass and the it tore the neck off completely, it got returned. I tested the neck size and it was oversize. The mandrel was oversize,

Don't know how that's possible. I neck up 22cal neck to 6mm with a Lee collet neck die and no lube.

 

[danny]

Don't know how that's possible. I neck up 22cal neck to 6mm with a Lee collet neck die and no lube.

Trust me, it can happen. I had a case get stuck in one, then had to pop the handle to get it out. The neck broke clean off. I may still have that case and can get an image.

Danny

 

[old_heli_logger]

Trust me, it can happen. I had a case get stuck in one, then had to pop the handle to get it out. The neck broke clean off. I may still have that case and can get an image.

Danny

After I anneal, I lube the inside of my necks for this very reason

 

[JSH]

LEE is the Harbor Freight of loading equipment. I am like others, I use some of their stuff.
Sorry I refuse to use their bottle neck dies, I will pay the extra to have something that is already finished inside. Their carbide pistol dies I have found to be fine.

 

[AR Shooter]

Been using the Lee cast single-stage press & Redding single-stage since before the turn-of-the-century and both have been faultless. Just never got in the habit of using Lee dies or other bits, other than their large decapper.

 

[jds holler]

I guess there are a lot of us who will always have a warm spot in our hearts for Lee equipment. A lot of us started our teenage years pounding shells together with the Lee loader kit. jd