Lee Loader

[azmark]

I have a Lee Loader for my .357.  I'm getting the hang of using it (I'm a beginning loader) with lead wadcutters, but I have a question.  The Remington bullets I'm using are very soft and they deform a bit when I'm seating them.  I want to get one for a rifle, and I'm wondering if anyone has experience with this tool for rifle calibers.  Will V-Max's and HPs stand up to being tapped into the case?  Obviously it won't take much tapping since the neck will be chamfered and flared and the bullet won't be .001 oversize like it is with lead pistol bullets, but I'm just curious what kind of luck people have with Lee Loaders for rifles.

[Ranger J]

I at one time used them for both .308 and .223.  I only used jacketed bullets so seating them was no problem.  I eventually went to a single stage press as I did not like the occasional primer seating detonation and in the .308 I was loading for two different guns and the Lee Classic loaders do not full length resize.  I have a pile of about 6 of them on my reloading table collecting dust.  They’re good to learn reloading on but unless you just don’t have the space for a press if you are like a lot of the rest of us you will soon want something ‘better’.
RJ

[cattleskinner]

I have had excellent luck with them for a rifle.  I have shot under half in groups at 100yds. using them out of a handi rifle.  The seater on the rifle loaders are a deep cone that will NOT deform a v-max.  The one that I have will contact the bullet just a bit under the plastic tip.  I agree that you will eventually want something better if you want to reload alot of pistol rounds, since they are tough to get a consistant crimp on the bullet, plus carbide dies make it so much easier to resize pistol cases.  I think that they are the cats meow with rifle shells since you most likely won't shoot near as many rounds as a pistol, and the rifle loader neck sizes.  I like to use the lee hand primer to eliminate accidentally setting off a primer.  Good luck with your new addiction!

~~Amos

[burntmuch]

Im using one right now for my 45/70. The only problem Im having is 2 out of 10 bullets slide back into the case. Just started reloading so havnt found solution yet. Im wondering if I ll have same problem with 30-06. Havent had any primers go off on me yet, or deformed any bullets . Using JHP s   
                                                      Jay

[goodconcretecolor]

I started out reloading 308 with the Lee Loader and loved  it except for the primer detonations. Bought a Lee Auto-Prime for that. This combination worked very well. I reloaded the 308s with BTHP and spirepoint bullets without any problem so I don't think any plastic tipped bullets will be a problem. I had already moved on to a single stage press when I tried Ballistic tips for the first time.

[azmark]

I shot about 40 wadcutter loads in my GP100 this weekend.  I haven't had any problems with primer detonation, but apparently I got in a hurry, because 4 rounds had no POWDER!!!!   The stuck bullets came out easily with a push from a cleaning rod.  The good ones shot well, though.

[beemanbeme]

One thing to remember is until fairly recently, the bench rest shooters used basically what was Lee Loaders for their match loading.
I still like to get out one of my Lee Loaders and load up a batch of ammo every so often.  Keeps me in mind that about 90% of the good junque I have on my bench is "nice to have" not "got to have".   

[skb2706]

Reminds me of when you could get set up, less components, for $6. I still have a Lee Loader in 20 Ga. shotgun and 30-06 but honestly my total lack of patience never let me use them a whole lot. Still have the price tag on the box of either of them.
Nowadays its a $200 press, $140 custom dies, $150 digital scale and enough gadgets to fill a basement..........I know I have well over $3000 in it. And to think it all started with a $6 Lee Loader.

[dw06]

One thing to remember is until fairly recently, the bench rest shooters used basically what was Lee Loaders for their match loading.
I still like to get out one of my Lee Loaders and load up a batch of ammo every so often.  Keeps me in mind that about 90% of the good junque I have on my bench is "nice to have" not "got to have".   

Got to agree with ya on that,I got all kinds of reloading equipment,but I always get a lee loader for each caliber I load for.Nice to use when working up loads and seating bullets at different oals,when you don't want to drag out the seating die.
I did an experment years ago that covinced me just how well they will load.Shooting a very accurate 22-250 I was shooting prone at 100 yards,allready knew how this rifle shot,I shot once and reloaded that case with lee loader,and did same again for a 3 shot group.It measured .228 which of course I kept and still have.That was using a lee dipper from their kit that threw as close to my weighed load as I could get.So they will load great rounds,which reminds me may get the 223 lee loader out and dust it off.