lee loader question

[.357 shooter]

I got a new lee loader in .357. I got it to load practice loads because of the price ammo. I am going to still hunt with factory ammo.

Ok here is the question. I am only loading the starting load of 7.5 grains of win 231, 125 grain bullets, new magtech brass , and cci 500 small handgun primers. This load is perfect not hot but not that mild either and accurate. I loaded my first 6 rounds last night and tested them at my range today. Very nice shooting. I followed the directions to a tee, but extracting was a little tight, in my black hawk. Just wondering why, new brass, Magtech brass, or typical for the lee loader? As I said a little tight, just needed to work the extractor a little harder than on factory ammo which is alot hotter.

Thanks Bryan

[burntmuch]

I wonder if its because the lee loader only neck sizes. So the case fits your chamber ,Then when you reload it  the case hasnt been full length resized. Try polishing your chambers.

[coyotejoe]

Burntmuch nailed it, the Lee loader does not full length resize so brass will be a bit snug both going in and coming out. With a single action that should pose no problems.

[beemanbeme]

The .357 is a straight walled case, how would the Lee Loader only neck size it?
 You say store bought ammo extracts easily after firing but your reloads don't?  Hmmmm? Once you've extracted your reloads, do they drop easily back into the cylinders? 
Do you have a Chrony?  If not, we don't KNOW that the store bought stuff is hotter than your reloads. 
As a pure "wag" (wild a$$ed guess), I'm gonna say that the first firing of the store bought ammo is not blowing the cases out to a real fit, thus the easy extraction and the subsequent firings are making for a tighter fit.  The Lee Loader should take care of this however. Measure a case slightly ahead of the head of the case after you've resized it in the Lee die and measure one as it comes from the revolver. 
Do your reloads load okay?  If they do, then the problem is somewhere other than your reloads. 

[John Traveler]

The Lee Loader indeed only neck sizes the case in all bottlenecked cases AND almost all straight-walled rifle and pistol cases.  The "neck" of a case is defined as that portion that holds the bullet.  The only exceptions, I believe are the 9mm, .38 Super, and .45 ACP which give full length sizing, and the user is advised to use paraffin or case sizing lube.  Because of the basic utility and limitations of the Lee Loader, the user is advised to check that the fired cases will chamber in the gun before loading.  If they don't, the cases will need to be full-length resized in a press before loading in a Lee Loader.  Several subsequent firing/reloading cyles will expand the cases to the point that they don't chamber or extract easily.  It is also advised to check loaded cartridges (SAFELY!!) in the intended firearm before use.

Not intended as a criticism of the Lee Loader (many shooters including me started with one) but it's a slow, labor intensive device that will make good ammo if your shooting needs are not high volume production.

[Tom W.]

I used one  to load a .357 that we called the "tap and BANG" method, as  we invariably detonate a primer or two as we were seating them. Took to wearing a protective glove on the left hand.

I was given a Lee Loader in .44 mag  this past summer from a man whose brother had passed away. It too said that the brass needed to be lubricated with paraffin. I keep it as a memento. interestingly enough, it recommends a level dipper full of IMR 4227 for 180 -215 gr, bullets, H4227 for 180 -240 gr. and IMR 4198 for 225 -255 gr.   The paper is copyrighted 1975....

Most loadbooks and manufacturers recommend F/L resizing new brass, whereas factory loads are form fitted to your chamber(s).

[KN]

One other thing to consider is that if it is a minimum load it the brass may not be "bouncing back" so to speak after firing. Light loads tend to expand and stick in the cylinder more readily than a hot load. The case of hotter load will "bounce back" a little bit. At least I have found this to usually be the case.   KN

[SM Bob]

Lee Loaders work ok. I have used them for everything from 12 ga shotgun
to 44 Mag. I think a better way to go though is the Lee Hand Press with a
set of Lee carbide dies. You can pick up the Hand Press for around $20 and
a carbide die set for around $22. Get a Lee Auto Prime for around $15 and
you are all set.

                                       Robert

[tn_junk]

I loaded many hundreds of .30-30 with my Lee loader. Loved it. Went to .357 and didn't like the results. Exactly same as you are getting.
I bought a Lee Hand press and a set of dies and the problems went away.
Only problem is, I didn't stop buying and now own at least one of everything Lee makes.

alan

[.357 shooter]

I do have the auto prime, a must. I guess I will have to look into the lee hand press and dies. Not that they stick that hard just a little. They go in loaded great. The unloaded cases go in great. They just stick a little when the neck gets to the back of the cylinder on extracting after being fired?

[beemanbeme]

I,m not sure a press is gonna change your problem.  I'm wondering if it has something to do with where you're belling the case mouth to put the bullet in?  Don't quite see how, but..........?
Do you have a set of calipers? 
I had a Redhawk .357 and used a Lee Loader. I could tip the barrel up and most of the cases would slide.

[Dave in WV]

I'd make sure your powder measure is throwing what you think it is. 

[stimpylu32]

I do have the auto prime, a must. I guess I will have to look into the lee hand press and dies. Not that they stick that hard just a little. They go in loaded great. The unloaded cases go in great. They just stick a little when the neck gets to the back of the cylinder on extracting after being fired?

If they go in fine as a loaded round and only stick as you extract the last bit of case the loader is not your problem , my guess is that your chambers are just a touch wider at the mouth .

Take a Sharpi marker and color one of the cases before you shoot it then look at the case after you extract it , this will tell you if its the chambers .

stimpy