The Lee Loader

[robbor]

I saw something listed way back, about some competition shooters using lee loader dies back in the day. Anybody know if there is much truth to that? Ive never seen one in real life much less used one.

 

[Cheechako]

rob

Lee loaders are just a cheaper version of straight-line tools like the Wilson and are capable of producing very good ammunition. The target models are even better. The neck reamer is actually a miniature boring bar and works pretty good. I still use the priming tool for ALL of my ammunition, whether competition or not. I have seen real Benchrest shooters using Lee Loaders as recently as the late 1990s and there are some who use the old Lyman Tong Tools even today, albeit with custom dies. And, there is at least one guy who loads his ammo on a Dillon Blue Machine. The old RCBS powder measure still throws uniform charges with many powders as does the Lee PLASTIC measure.

None of this cheap stuff for me though. I use only the most expensive stuff I can find. It shows up in my groups. NOT:,

Ray

 

[robbor]

Lee made target versions of their loader,or you talking about wilson)? And a reamer? I looked at some instructions on the net a while back and was surprised to see that the loader basically neck sized only, which should help accuracy. I could not tell anything about bullet seating form the poor pics. I was very intrigued and am considering picking up a 22-250 set for kicks to maybe try at the range. I did notice that lee seem to not list them on their web site and stated that sales decline every year. They sound like a very viable alternative for the beginner or some one with very limited space. press and dies,$120), lee loader,$14)

 

[Cheechako]

I don't think that "Lee" makes the loaders anymore. I think they are made by another company. I don't have any of these new ones so I can't say what the quality is.

Anyway, Lee used to make a "target" version that had the neck sizer, a priming tool, a micrometer adjustable bullet seater, and an inside neck reamer. I can't say that the ammo they produced was any better than you could make with the basic set, except for the inside neck reaming. You can probably still find them on places like e-bay but I have no idea what you might have to pay for one.

Ray