Author Topic: Lee Load-All  (Read 1587 times)

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Offline jmet2

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Lee Load-All
« on: September 26, 2005, 01:12:32 PM »
Has anyone used one of these shotshell reloader from Lee? If so, what was your take on it. Is it junk or not bad for the money.

Offline williek

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Lee loader
« Reply #1 on: September 26, 2005, 03:40:20 PM »
Excellent loader for the money.  I have loaded with one for years.  All my small runs of "special loads" are loaded on the Lee.  In fact I have two of them.  One for extra heavy loads, and one for extra light loads.
I have a MEC progress loader for trap loads, but I load all my heavy late season pheasent loads, and my light close range thick cover grouse loads on the Lee's.
They aren't fast; however, I would love to see the day hunting that I would shoot more shells than I can load on the lee in and hour or so!  Have at it and don't look back.  I don't think you'll ever regret it.
Good Hunting
williek

Offline jgalar

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Lee Load-All
« Reply #2 on: September 27, 2005, 01:48:21 AM »
They work fine. Max number of shells I can load is around 75 per hour.

Offline mountainview

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Lee Load-All
« Reply #3 on: September 27, 2005, 04:43:37 AM »
An inexpensive loader that is worth the money and nice for a beginner or someone who does lower volume loading. I have a 12 and 20 gauge load-all and they make very good reloads for me. After 1.5 years of use, I recently had a problem with certain hulls buckling but Lee's Customer Service responded promptly (friendly and helpful people) to my inquiry and I hope to try out their solution this week. With my higher volume of trap shooting this year, I'm looking to get something with a lower cycle time but I still plan on keeping the Load-alls for hunting rounds and load R&D.

Offline leverfan

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Lee Load-All
« Reply #4 on: October 02, 2005, 11:06:12 AM »
I like my Lee quite a bit.  In fact, I think it's one of Lee's better products.
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Offline varmitbob

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Lee Load-All
« Reply #5 on: October 02, 2005, 04:11:12 PM »
Excellent product.  I have one in 12 ga and 20 ga.  Small investment, and excellent consistent results.

Offline TCBrian

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Lee Load-All
« Reply #6 on: October 03, 2005, 12:54:53 PM »
They are fine for the money. I have been reloading with a 12 and a 20 for years, but finally wore them out. I recently bought a MEC sizemaster and it is far superior, but of course costs a lot more.
If you are just getting into shotshell reloading or are just going to load very small amounts of shells, the Lee is great and the price is incredible. If you are going to load a lot of shells, get a better loader and it will quickly pay for itself.
The biggest problems with the lee are bad crimps and buckling shells. You really have no exact control over wad pressure, so consistency will suffer.
If you are looking to load full power loads like pheasant or waterfowl loads, I would also go with a better loader. The lee is very inconsistant in the shot charge department, as a scale will quickly tell you. What can you expect from all plastic parts.
As good as the lee is for small ammounts of shells, I would say go with a better loader if you can afford it.

Good shooting,
Brian

Offline 50 Calshtr

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Lee Load-All
« Reply #7 on: October 04, 2005, 06:11:46 AM »
If you use one be sure the vertical square post is tight in the base.  Several years ago I was using mine and as I was lifting the handle it pulled the square post out of the base.  Due to the sudden lack of support the top portion pivoted and the spring shot the post into my forehead just above my right eye. After I got the bleeding stopped I set the post back in the base and used a sheet metal screw in the back of the base to secure it.  I also sent a letter to Lee detailing the problem and suggested the screw in the base to avoid liability problems.  They were so grateful they sent me a CATALOG!!!!  I don't think I'll use it---ever.

Offline TCBrian

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« Reply #8 on: October 04, 2005, 07:46:01 AM »
Throughout the years, I did several modifications to mine, including the sheet metal screw throught the metal support. If the spring doesn't hit you in the face, it will at least spill all your shot and powder all over the ground. Keeping the square metal support clean is very important, but still not guarantee that it wont stick and dump over on you.
As I said before, good for the money, but now that I know better, I'd start with a better loader. It will pay for itself in the long run.
Until now, I dind't load shotgun shells that much, but now I load a few hundred a week and at that rate, I would need a new lee load all at least once a year. Plastic is just no substitute for machined metal.

good shooting,
Brian

Offline slayer

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Blackpowder Loads?
« Reply #9 on: December 03, 2005, 02:53:46 PM »
Just found this thread. I want to load up some Blackpowder loads in the Brass Hulls for a single shot shotgun. Will this loader work or do I nead something else? I may load 100-200 a year, very low volume. Thank you-Jack.

Offline leverfan

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« Reply #10 on: December 04, 2005, 06:14:34 PM »
You don't need a reloading press of any kind for black powder loads in brass hulls.  There are some simple kits that cost about $30 or so, available from outfits that sell black powder accessories.  Basically, you knock out the spent primer with a thin rod while the case is supported on a block with a 3/8" hole drilled in it for the spent primer to fall in.  Many of the brass shells are meant to be reloaded with standard primers, and I'd recommend going with those.  Magtech, for instance, takes large pistol primers.  To reprime, a primer cup is placed open side up on a flat metal plate.  Center the hull over the primer, place a large dowel into the hull, and whack the dowel with a hammer.  Obviously, don't lean over the dowel, as it's not uncommon to set off some of the primers doing this.  Wear safety glasses, and all will be well, as the dowel only jumps a little bit.

Hodgdon's Pyrodex shotshell loading data will get you off to a good start as far as charge amounts (just use black powder, volume for volume, instead of pyrodex).  Your shot column height will not be too critical, but you can adjust shot charge and wad column height until you're happy.  You'll probably need 11 gauge size cards and wads to reach across the inside of a thin brass hull.  Brass hulls aren't crimped, you simply seal them up with an overshot wad.  I prefer clear silicone sealant (NOT CAULKING), and just a pea-sized dab will hold the overshot card in place, once you smear it around the inside edge of the hull, over the top of the card, with your finger tip.
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Offline slayer

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« Reply #11 on: December 05, 2005, 11:17:07 AM »
Great info!! I appreciate that. do you know what kit for $30 is available? I will give this a go and see what happens :D Jack.

Offline leverfan

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« Reply #12 on: December 05, 2005, 06:31:41 PM »
Howdy, Jack-

Try this link for full instructions, and a kit that starts at $35.

http://www.rockymountaincartridge.com/page10.html

It looks like their decapper is designed to work with their own brass hulls, which contain shotgun primers.  You might have to reduce pin diameter to get it to work with Magtech brass hulls.
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Offline slayer

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Lee Load-All
« Reply #13 on: December 06, 2005, 11:57:21 AM »
Thank you very much-Jack.

Offline slayer

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« Reply #14 on: December 06, 2005, 12:06:43 PM »
Wow, just realized how expensive thier Brass is :eek: Yes, the diameter of the decapping pin would probably be too large. I definitely want to buy the Magtech Brass for the price, plus they use the smaller primer. Jack.