Author Topic: Lee Load-All?? (Read 2408 times)

jpshaw · « **on:** November 11, 2012, 12:18:08 PM »

I never see this item mentioned on this forum. I see the old Lee handloaders and such but never these. At only $48 a pop it seems like a good deal for someone who only plans on loading a coupla boxes a year but want something different like 7/8 oz 12 Gauge loads. Any input about them?

rickyp · « **Reply #1 on:** November 11, 2012, 01:35:52 PM »

I have one for my 20 ga and it works great but is somewhat slow. I have reloaded enough with it to pay for it and not to mention the special shells i make for it

jpshaw · « **Reply #2 on:** November 12, 2012, 01:12:47 AM »

Heh, thanks Ricky. Slow is fine. I really plan on loading like a box of #8s and possibly a box of 6's each year but would like the 20 and 28 gauge level in my lightweight 12. I've got the magazine about loading 3/4 and 7/8 oz shot in 12 gauge hulls. They say the pattern is great due to the short shot column. Not trying to shoot skeet with this thing.

tacklebury · « **Reply #3 on:** November 12, 2012, 04:39:07 PM »

I don't have one, but have shot ammo made with one. Goes boom and kills rabbits and squirrels.

I think they are limited in shot size, but know a couple guys that hand lay buckshot and Lee Slugs into the shells at some points in time to make their own.

jpshaw · « **Reply #4 on:** November 13, 2012, 12:16:49 AM »

Quote from: tacklebury on November 12, 2012, 04:39:07 PM

I think they are limited in shot size,

What shot size are they limited in? Of course one could skip that station and simply pour it in from a measuring container.

rickyp · « **Reply #5 on:** November 13, 2012, 12:44:57 AM »

I personally do not use the powder and shot bushings. I use my normal powder trower and weigh the charge the same as for my rifle/pistol rounds and for the shot i have a shot dipper that i use. this works well for me but is slower

Ranch13 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 13, 2012, 07:45:02 AM »

I use one to Load bismuth shells for the 20 ga. It does a pretty decent job, but like most lee powder bushings you need to confirm the weight with a scale, as the bushing it says to use may or may not drop anything close to the charge you're looking for , and in shotshell reloading that is critical. Same with the shot, I use a seperate shot dipper and varify with a scale, to hit the right amount.
Be sure to use some wax lube on the bases of the case to lube them before sizing.

jpshaw · « **Reply #7 on:** November 14, 2012, 03:18:46 AM »

Thanks for all the input guys. I'm really thinking about getting one in 12 gauge. I see it cost about half what the whole load-all cost to change the gauge.

bobg · « **Reply #8 on:** November 14, 2012, 07:55:23 AM »

I had one in 20 ga. Worked great. Ranch13 is right. The powder bushing are way off. Checked 4 or 5 before i found one that would throw the load i wanted. After i figured that out no problems. It crimps one heck of a lot better than i thought it would.

jpshaw · « **Reply #9 on:** November 14, 2012, 11:49:07 PM »

Oh, I take every measuring device with a grain of salt. I have a grain balancing scale and I will confirm everything with it before using them as a matter of course. I reload .30-30 and .357 and have always weighed every charge. Now I will just have to start doing it with the payload also. Thanks for the input guys.

Doublebass73 · « **Reply #10 on:** November 15, 2012, 11:03:55 AM »

I use one for 16 gauge. It's just right for the amount of reloading I do.

eastbank · « **Reply #11 on:** November 19, 2012, 01:27:50 AM »

i have seen good mec 600-650,s at gun shows and flea margets go for 20.00 -40.00,s. i bought a mec 9000g in the box at auction for 85.00 and use it every week. eastbank.

beerbelly · « **Reply #12 on:** December 12, 2012, 12:19:24 AM »

I got my Lee load all for 20 gauge yesterday. For $47 at Midway you can't beat it. I loaded a few hulls I had and it works fine. Now to try and find the right load combination! I have been checking around and most folks think Blue Dot to be the cats meow as for powder. Of course they do! I don't have any.

Will try what I have on hand and pick up a pound of Blue Dot to try.

painted horse · « **Reply #13 on:** December 19, 2012, 07:01:14 PM »

I'm sure you know about following load "receipes" for shotshell loading...depends on hulls, wads, primers..it would seem to me that BD would be a limited powder for 20 gauge. I load a few 20s but they're just 7/8 ounce target loads with #6 shot. Win HS hulls, 14.5gr Green Dot, CCI 209 primer, Win WAA20 wad, runs about 1150fps and is a good load. Will also serve as a small game load..lots of good loads out there...buy a book and follow it..I would rather load shotshells than metallic..

Eastbank, if you come on any more of those 650s or heck even a 600 or Sizemaster, and especially a 9000 for that kind of money, you pick a couple up and I promise you I will double your money and pay shipping...no I'm not kidding..

eastbank · « **Reply #14 on:** January 02, 2013, 12:49:06 AM »

painted horse where are you located? i have several 600,s and sizemasters that i may part with. pm me or e-mail. eastbank.

beerbelly · « **Reply #15 on:** January 06, 2013, 05:30:33 AM »

Well I have found one big draw back, when changing load and powders, it's a pain!

gstewart44 · « **Reply #16 on:** January 09, 2013, 02:52:09 PM »

I have used my Load All since about 1987 with no problems. I have made all of my BP CAS loads with it and my heavy turkey loads as well. Only problem I have ever encountered was a light star crimp on Federal hulls.

painted horse · « **Reply #17 on:** January 12, 2013, 06:03:45 AM »

Quote from: eastbank on January 02, 2013, 12:49:06 AM

painted horse where are you located? i have several 600,s and sizemasters that i may part with. pm me or e-mail. eastbank.

Pardner, I live in the great state of Eastern Washington, (we (I) no longer admit to being part of the state thats west of the Cascades) find me one of those good prices on a Sizemaster in 20 gauge.....I have a 600jr in 20 but really like the sizemaster much better....

nodlenor · « **Reply #18 on:** January 12, 2013, 09:00:23 AM »

The Load-all is all I have ever used. I've loaded quail loads and Turkey loads with no problems. I don't load many but what I do load works as good as the ones I've bought.

D Fischer · « **Reply #19 on:** January 16, 2013, 07:55:18 AM »

I used a 12 and 20 gauge for a lot of years and I went through a lot of shells. Not really all that slow compared to the Mec 600. Both require the same number of handle pulls to do one shell. Big advantage to the Lee is you get it with every bushing you'll ever need. And comparing the changing to the resetting of a charge bar, Lee is a lot faster. I have used the Mec 600, have one now in 28ga, no faster than my old lee's. Also have a Ponsness-Warren in 16 ga. Might make better shells but my case mouth's usually fail with four or so loading's.