Reloading for the Handi/Sizing Question

[greg916]

I reload with Lee Loaders (the kind you hit with a hammer), and they only neck size. Been using these since 2000 and have had no problems. I load 30-30, 45/70, 22 Hornet and 38Special. Most here advise full length resizing and I worry I will begin having problems? A few questions.

Should I go ahead and invest in a press and dies?

The Hornet groups factory loads horribly, they seem to be a loose fit in the chamber. After reloading they shoot fine. I wonder if full length sized cases will do well in this barrel?

I throw all cases out that have been trimmed more than 3 times. Will this keep me from ever encountering problems?

[Spanky]

You don't need to invest the money. Save it for powder and lead.
I use the Lee Loaders all the time for 45-70 and 30-30 and I don't have any problems with it.
Keep doin' what you're doin'



Spanky

[yukondog]

I'v been loading with the lee sense 1995 and have no problems at all,I'v never seen one you had to hit with a hammer before, about the only thing I would invest in might be a "C" or "O" press. I perfer the O press just because its stronger I think, there pretty cheap.

[dangerranger]

with a bench setup you can neck size also. the reason I use the bench tho is time savings. Ill prep a thousand cases at a time. one day I clean and polish, next day I resize and deprime, next day trim and prime. then I load over two or more days. that would last me around a year of matches.  I load three calibers that way+ shotgun shells. with a lee loader it would take all year to load that many. I wouldnt give up the leeloader , just reserve it for very small lots or as a portable tool. DR

[greg916]

http://www.leeprecision.com/html/catalog/cleeloader.html

yukondog, here is a link to the loaders I use

[quickdtoo]

I'v been loading with the lee sense 1995 and have no problems at all,I'v never seen one you had to hit with a hammer before...

The Lee Loader has been around a loooong time. 

Tim

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

[yukondog]

Thanks, do you hold it when you hit it?

[quickdtoo]

Yes, on a bench top, the Beartooth link goes thru the entire process, here's a video.

Tim

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeEl9wZyabc

[greg916]

Thanks , I'll continue on like I'm doing   I figured if there was a problem Quickdtoo would have said so. Sometimes I think he has more knowledge in his little finger than most of us have in our noggin!!!. I only load a few rounds at a time, so I don't need the speed. 

[quickdtoo]

Thanks Greg.  If you ever decide to go with a press, the Lee Collet die works excellent on the Hornet, I haven't shot enough to use up a batch of new cases I bought, but I still have the original batch of brass that I bought with my hornet barrel over 5yrs ago which had been reloaded at least twice before I got it, I've reloaded it 3 times since and it still shows no sign of failing, from all reports I've read, it's a great choice for getting the most life out of Hornet brass.

Tim

[gcrank1]

I will second that. I have reloaded some Hornet brass about 20 times with the Lee collet neck size dies (with great satisfaction) and cast lead bullets where not messing up the dia. was critical. I think in 6yrs. Ive lost 2 cases to neck splits. Ive never annealed them. Not having to lube/delube the little cases is a joy! Just make sure they are clean and go to it. I dont know if the factories are using .223 dia jacketed bullets in deference to the old tighter bore guns. If so, that could explain a lot.  Most likely your reloads are .224 bullets(?) and fit the bore better.

[greg916]

My reloads do use .224 bullets.

I was told that my rifle has a max spec chamber, and new ammo is always sized to minimum specs. 

[gcrank1]

With you using fully chamber formed brass you nullify any disorder there and FL resizing dies will undo what youve done. As long as the rounds chamber up without force, the breech locks and they extract or eject freely you are OK.

[Datil]

 I loaded with lee clasic dies for a long time ,still use them for 45-70. Have trouble with press dies in it.
 
 Marv.

[Rustyinfla]

   I've been using Lee Loaders sine 1973. I wouldn't be without one for any caliber I shoot.