Lee Loader for .35 Remington

[BradCoPAHunter]

I've read many places that the .35 Remington round is a great candidate for reloading because factory loads tend to be on the anemic side, and it's supposed to be a fairly easy caliber to reload.  For a first-timer who wants to give reloading a try, would it be worth my while to invest in a Lee Loader?  Any other supplies I would NEED (other than powder, primers, and bullets), or that would make the process SIGNIFICANTLY easier?  Thanks:)

[burntmuch]

Yes Do it . I just started reloading. Im using the lee loader for 30-06, &45/70.  Real easy to do  Im not making match ammo but im getting descent groups 1 inch to 2 inch groups at 100 yrds.. The only problem is the lee loader doesnt crimp real consistant. Is your 35 rem a lever action? its not an issue for me cause im loading for single shot rifles.

[quickdtoo]

A 35 Remington Lee Loader isn't made by Lee at this time, although it may have been at one time.

As far as loads for it, I load 200gr Mt Baldy cast bullets to almost 2200fps in a Handirifle using Varget, dunno if leverguns can go quite that high, but it's not really necessary either, if ya need more, the 35 Whelen or 358 Win would be the way to go.

Tim

[BradCoPAHunter]

I noticed that Lee isn't making them for .35 Remington anymore.  I've got a chance to buy a nice clean used one, so I'm going to go for it. I'm curious to try out Speer's 180 grain flatpoints and the 200 grain round nose Remington Core-Lokt bullets.  I've read that the Speer 180's can be pushed to 2300-2350 fps, and the 200 grain Core-Lokt can go as high as 2200 fps.  That would slightly flatten out the trajectory of the round and maybe give me an extra 50 yards of useable range, making it a 200-yard cartridge for deer.  That would be all I would ever need where I hunt.

[quickdtoo]

Well, the Lee Loader is easy to use, I started with one.

Tim

http://www.beartoothbullets.com/tech_notes/archive_tech_notes.htm/51

[SneakyPete]

I started out with one about 20 years ago, they work good. The only problem I ever had was a primer going off while seating it. It didn't hurt anything but it does scare the heck out of you. The first thing I bought after that was a scale. The dippers are aright but I wanted a more precise measurement.

[beemanbeme]

I'd spend the extra 10 bucks and get a Lee auto prime.  While popping a primer and having the flame flare up around your hand does no real harm, it is kinda exciting.  The auto prime is quicker too.  Once you get comfortable with the Lee kit, I'd either get the set of dippers (10 I think) or a scale.  That'll give you quite a bit more versitility in powder choice and loadings.
Enjoy, this is a fascinating hobby.
Ask a lot of questions.  That'll give us a chance to show how smart we are..........

[LaOtto222]

I also started with a Lee loader, mine was for the 22 Hornet. I still have it. I got tired of it quickly. Spent too much money on an RCBS Rock Chucker, but I am still using it to this very day. You will find out if hand loading is for you and then you will make up your own mind if you want to go with more expensive (quicker) equipment. I have found that hand loading is a satisfying thing on it's own. I shoot to prove the loads I make, but it was the Lee loader that got it all going. The Lee loader is about the same price as a set of Lee dies, so you are not out much, no matter what you decide to do in the future.

[Larry Gibson]

I noticed that Lee isn't making them for .35 Remington anymore.  I've got a chance to buy a nice clean used one, so I'm going to go for it. I'm curious to try out Speer's 180 grain flatpoints and the 200 grain round nose Remington Core-Lokt bullets.  I've read that the Speer 180's can be pushed to 2300-2350 fps, and the 200 grain Core-Lokt can go as high as 2200 fps.  That would slightly flatten out the trajectory of the round and maybe give me an extra 50 yards of useable range, making it a 200-yard cartridge for deer.  That would be all I would ever need where I hunt.

Excellent way to start reloading, I started that way myself in the early ‘60s. 

A couple tips;

Get;
One of the larger MTM storage boxes, one with an internal tray, as it will hold all your reloading stuff.

A plastic headed mallet. These are available at most hardware/lumber yards.

Some 0000 steel wool to clean the outside of the neck. A small tuft wrapped around the neck and twisted does a quick job. May also be used with discretion to clean the outside of the cases.

A clean .35 or .375 cal bore brush on a small pistol rod to clean the inside of the necks. Push it straight in and slightly twist pulling it out. Usually one pass cleans the carbon and debris out pretty well.

A small screw driver with the tip filed or ground to fit a LR primer pocket to clean the primer pocket. The Lee primer pocket cleaner is inexpensive and works well.

A Lee chamfer tool for chamfering the inside of the case mouth and the outside if necessary. A small knife blade will do also for the inside.

The Lee hand priming tool is almost a must unless you want the be-jesus scared out of you when a primer pops tapping them in. 

A Lee powder funnel, works much better than pouring through the sizer.

A tapered punch worked a little into the sized case mouth can be used to flair the case mouth if you are loading cast bullets.

A loading block to hold the cases that you’ve put powder into.

Nice, or next to have;

Lee’s powder dippers.
A good powder scale.
A powder trickler.
At least one good reloading manual (I recommend Lyman's as a 1st manual to get as it is not manufacturer specific.
A dial caliper.

All the above will fit into the MTM box.

Most of the above will also be required when you advance to a single or progressive press.

I've a M91 Mauser I converted to .35 Rem and find the cartridge to be a very good one. I also have a Lee loader for it and adapted it to press use for neck sizing.  Enjoy yours.

Larry Gibson