Author Topic: lee anniversary kit ? (Read 542 times)

JEFF WARD2 · « **on:** January 06, 2006, 04:55:28 AM »

as of know i know nothing about reloading but i am going to get started..
i have found this kit ,it says that it has every thing that you need to start reloading rite out of the box. 104.99
is this worth the price and can anyone tell me if they know anything about it.
i want to reload for 300 win,223,and 45-70..
any help would sure be appreciated..thanks ...jeff..

PA-Joe · « **Reply #1 on:** January 06, 2006, 06:01:45 AM »

I've been using one for 10 years. I upgraded the powder measure and scale. Reloads anything from 9mm to 300 wsm on it.

Zeke Menuar · « **Reply #2 on:** January 06, 2006, 06:08:18 AM »

Quote from: PA-Joe

I've been using one for 10 years. I upgraded the powder measure and scale. Reloads anything from 9mm to 300 wsm on it.

Yep. Great starter kit. Mine's been around since 1997.

ZM

quickdtoo · « **Reply #3 on:** January 06, 2006, 06:29:40 AM »

You can get the Lee Anniversary kit for $87 shipped from Cabelas, then all ya need is a good reloading manual and die sets..

Lee Anniversary kit

The kit is also available from Midway for about $96 shipped with the Lee manual if you want it.

stimpylu32 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 06, 2006, 10:00:02 AM »

Just about everything i own to load with says LEE on it , Some do not like LEE.

But for the person just starting to load (LEE is the best for the money kit that you can get ) Just MHO .

The only thing i do not like of Lee's is the powder scale , Mine is a RCBS 5-0-5 That i got the first night i started loading , Afrer throwing the lee across the room :eek:

jack19512 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 06, 2006, 03:22:55 PM »

I just recently started reloading myself and the Lee Anniversary kit is what I started with. It works well for me because I don't reload a lot of ammo at a time.

The powder scale is kind of aggravating but still works for me. I have had trouble with the powder dispenser not being real consistent in it's output. But still works for me because I measure every charge.

I recently got me a Lee classic press also. I think it really depends on just how much ammo you want to reload and how fast you want to do it.

I am after accuracy more than quantity and I take my time and am in no hurry so it works well for me.

R.W.Dale · « **Reply #6 on:** January 06, 2006, 03:43:47 PM »

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I bought one of these in order to move my operation from a buddies house, three words come to mind "hard to use" Going from real equipment to lee's toys left me at a loss for words for expressing how much this kit stinks. Within 3 months I had replaced everything except the case trimmer and the priming tool. Now before you label me as a Lee hater. I must say I really like lee dies, but if you've ever used real reloading equipment you would realize how cheezy the anniversary kit is.

JEFF WARD2 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 06, 2006, 06:19:20 PM »

thanks for all the info.
anyone else with feedback.
me and my son are wanting to get into this to increase our love of shooting!!!
thanks again..jeff

mountainview · « **Reply #8 on:** January 06, 2006, 07:25:24 PM »

Good kit to get started with and costs relatively little. Powder dispenser varies charges a bit on the powders I use, not all that bad, but I like as much consistency as I can get. The inexpensive Lee dippers are what I like to use the most since I have found that these give me very consistent charges and don't slow the process down all that much. Add sone dies and you have the hardware needed to start loading.

sixgun_symphony · « **Reply #9 on:** January 06, 2006, 09:20:51 PM »

Lee equipment is inexpensive and it works.

If you buy the Lee Anniversary Kit, you will need to buy the Lee dies as the three die sets come with the shell holder. The shell holders that come with the anniversary kit are for the Auto Prime, not the press.

jgalar · « **Reply #10 on:** January 07, 2006, 03:01:07 AM »

I bought the Lee setup to get started about 15 years ago and do not regret the decision. Mine came with much less "stuff" then. I have bought 2 more presses since buying the Lee setup, but I still have the original press set up on the bench and it gets used. Even if you decide to get a different/another press down the line sometime it is very handy to have an extra press. The press that comes with the kit is plenty strong enough for standard reloading. I have formed cases with mine, but that is like firing proof loads - you don't want to do it all the time. The Lee scale is awkward to use, but is at least as accurate as my RCBS 10-10. The priming system in the kit is top notch. You will also need a dial or digital caliper and for the Lee trimmer the "parts" needed to do your calibers such as shown below.
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=695045
The powder measure seams to get mixed reviews. I have no trouble using mine, but some claim it is inconsistant. Different types of powder and different charges can give problems to any powder measure and some work better than others with different powder. The one thing you can do to the powder measure is wash it with dish detergent and let it dry without rinsing to remove any static charge. Also run a few hoppers full of powder through it before trying to get it to throw charges this will also allow the powder to flow better. After doing this the measure works as well as others.

You will need dies and shell holders. The shell holders come with the Lee dies. I have dies from Lee, Lyman, and RCBS they all do what they are supposed to do. I like to use neck sizing dies so I don't need to lube and the cases last much longer. I actually prefer the Lee collet die over the RCBS neck sizing die but thats just my oppinion.

str8shooter48 · « **Reply #11 on:** January 07, 2006, 03:21:29 AM »

I use RCBS as far as press and scale and full length sizing dies.
But there are two Lee products that will never be eliminated from my bench. The Lee Autoprime hand primer and Lee Collet Dies.

j two dogs · « **Reply #12 on:** January 07, 2006, 04:20:51 AM »

Had mine about 15 years and have reloaded thousands of quality rounds everthing from 9 mm to .338 win. mag., broke the scale some time ago dropped something of a shelf. Purchased a dillon scale still reloading. Only caution you if your wanting to reload ultramags, they may not fit in the press thats what I've heard, have'nt tried it myself.

Jerry Lester · « **Reply #13 on:** January 07, 2006, 07:47:50 AM »

Quote from: Krochus

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I bought one of these in order to move my operation from a buddies house, three words come to mind "hard to use" Going from real equipment to lee's toys left me at a loss for words for expressing how much this kit stinks. Within 3 months I had replaced everything except the case trimmer and the priming tool. Now before you label me as a Lee hater. I must say I really like lee dies, but if you've ever used real reloading equipment you would realize how cheezy the anniversary kit is.

Spot on the money Krochus!

I started out with the LEE aniversery kit, and even with "zero" experience in handloading, I had enough sense to know that it was far from quality. The only thing I liked was the Auto-Prime. Even it has been replaced several times over the years because the things are made out of such sorry metal. Even the Auto-Prime shell holders are made of the same cheap stuff.

Within days I upgraded to a Rockchucker, a 505 scale, a Uni-flo measure, and other assorted tools.

The best value for the money in my book is the RCBS Partner kit. It's in the same price range as the LEE, and a whole lot better quality.