Author Topic: Lee Anniversary Kit (Read 3453 times)

jack19512 · « **Reply #30 on:** June 18, 2006, 02:21:33 PM »

Posted by jerkface11

"Did I say the ammo wasn't good? Did I say accurate ammo wasn't a benefit of reloading? No i said neither. I said you can load accurate ammo with lee equpiment. Then I said their equipment isn't that easy to use. It takes LONGER to load ammo with lee equipment that it would with RCBS. For instance the lee safety scale is a lot more trouble than an RCBS scale. And the lee "perfect" powder measure is barely usable at all. Is the point clear enough for you now?"

I believe you said Quote:"As for being able to load accurate ammo with the lee equipment that isn't the point." That's not quite the same as saying Quote:"I said you can load accurate ammo with lee equipment. "

And I keep reiterating that for someone that doesn't plan on reloading large amounts of ammo and isn't concerned with loading 600 rounds an hour and really doesn't want to invest a lot of money into something if they aren't sure they will stick with it you don't need to buy the top of the line equipment.

When I first started reloading I asked the same question the original poster asked. For the most part a lot of the people that responded said don't buy Lee junk get Dillon and be happy.

They were very wrong in their advice. I am totally satisfied with my Lee equipment and see no reason for people to continue to ignore the needs of someone like myself that doesn't need the best or the fastest to do what they want to do.

Do yourself a favor and re-read the original post and see if most of the people that replied took his wants into consideration. And as far as Lee stuff being hard to use, I totally disagree with you. And no I haven't tried to use a RCBS scale and have at this point no desire to. Maybe when my Lee scale bites the dust then maybe.

As far as the Lee perfect powder measure goes I weigh every charge and only use the powder measure to get close to my charge and then use my powder trickler to finish. So like some of the other Lee equipment it doesn't have to be top shelf for me to produce top shelf ammo. Now, is there anything I said that isn't clear to you? :grin:

jerkface11 · « **Reply #31 on:** June 19, 2006, 04:53:44 AM »

Frustrating hard to use non user friendly equipment is NOT a good way to get into reloading. If you're still using the lee safety scale i feel sorry for you. Try a real scale sometime and see what i mean.

JD11 · « **Reply #32 on:** June 19, 2006, 05:10:14 AM »

Quote

My own opinion based on what others have consistently written about the Lee powder measure is that you'll probably want to weigh each charge to ensure that the charge is correct.

I can't speak for the Perfect Powder Measure that was mentioned, but Lee's Auto Disc Measure (used with their turret press) always faithfully throws the exact charge every time when checked against my scale. In fact I've got to the point where I weigh my first charge to double check that I've put in the right discs, etc, then maybe weigh one charge in 30 after that and they're always all within less than 1/10 of a grain. As far as their scale, (non-digital type), I have a Redding or RCBS packed away and haven't used it for many years because I like the Lee so much better. Like Big Jake posted, there's good and best, a Dillion would be nice, but so would a new Corvette. Fortunately Lee allows you to upgrade. I just ordered their Pro Auto Disc upgrade and Auto Prime update kits that adapt to the older turret press rather than having to buy their new Classic Turret.

jack19512 · « **Reply #33 on:** June 19, 2006, 11:41:51 AM »

Posted by jerkface11

"Frustrating hard to use non user friendly equipment is NOT a good way to get into reloading. If you're still using the lee safety scale i feel sorry for you. Try a real scale sometime and see what i mean."

There's absolutely no need for you to feel sorry for me. Evidently you haven't looked at the pics of my groups. I enjoyed reloading every one of those shots.

I will say it again, I challenge any of you to reload better ammo than I do. I will use my Lee junk and you can use, well whatever. jerkface11, it's time for you to put your scale where your mouth is. You are a perfect candidate for this.

No longer than I have been reloading any of you veteran reloaders should be able to easily out do me. What say jerkface11, you or anybody else up to it?

jerkface11 · « **Reply #34 on:** June 19, 2006, 01:04:38 PM »

As i've already said at least twice in this thread LEE EQUIPMENT IS CAPABLE OF LOADING ACCURATE AMMO. But it is not user friendly in any way and not a good choice for a beginer. It's far more likely to cause frustration. I singled out the scale because it's the worst then lee makes. You can take offence and off up challenges all day long if you like. It changes nothing. Lee equipment is still frustrating to deal with.

jack19512 · « **Reply #35 on:** June 20, 2006, 12:59:08 AM »

Posted by jerkface11

"Lee equipment is still frustrating to deal with."

Maybe for you. But not for everyone. Would a Ford Pinto beat a Porsche in a 1/4 mile race? Uh...No. But would a Ford Pinto get you from point a to point b just like a Porsche would? Uh...yes.

I'm taking no offense. Just getting tired of beginning reloaders wanting advise about the Ford Pinto and some people telling them they won't be happy until they purchase that Porsche.

Some of us just aren't wanting to race in that 1/4 mile. We just want to sit back and relax and enjoy the sport of reloading and enjoy shooting the ammo that we produce.

As far as the Lee scale goes I have no trouble with it what so ever. Maybe it is because of the process I use. Like I said, I use the perfect powder measure, and even I admit it is far from perfect, to get close to my charge then use my powder trickler to finish.

Using the two in this manner is no trouble for me and I enjoy the process of reloading. It is relaxing for me and when reloading I always strive for quality, not quantity. And I think I succeed in my task. Isn't the most important thing to do is to reload quality ammo safely and enjoy doing it? :-)

JD11 · « **Reply #36 on:** June 20, 2006, 04:05:52 AM »

jack19512, I agree. On a positive note, a guy can get into reloading at a very low price with a Lee "beginners" kit, then when you want to upgrade to a turret/progressive press of their's or another brand, you definitely won't feel like you're out a lot of money when you shuck the basic Lee kit. I have my original ancient Redding single stage press, scale, etc, that I no longer have a use for, but at the time I bought them when a dollar was worth something, it was pretty spendy, of course they all were back then.

Personally, I can't see how a person could have a problem with the Lee scale. Setting grain by grain including 1/10's with the numbers, then the white slash marks and using the push-pin to lock your setting seems like a real clever innovation. I never liked the slider my old Redding, RCBS, and the others still have near as well.

jack19512 · « **Reply #37 on:** June 20, 2006, 05:48:53 AM »

All I know is I don't have a problem with my Lee equipment. If my circumstances were different maybe I would, I don't know. I load some very good ammo(I think) and I enjoy loading every round. I think a lot of it depends on what you really need to do and how fast you need to do it.

Right now my equipment does exactly what I want it to do and I have no desire to replace anything at this time. And really don't expect to replace anything in the future except for possible equipment failure or breakage.

bubba · « **Reply #38 on:** August 06, 2006, 03:36:31 PM »

I bought a Lee anniversary kit about 7 years ago. I still use some of the equipment now such as the press and all my dies are Lee. I upgraded some stuff such as I purchased a lyman dps II. I also have a second press a lyman 6 hole turret and I prefer the challenger press from Lee. I guess that I enjoy the time I spend and since I am very meticulous, I prefer to do everythinyg step by step not progressive. I load a lot of 270, 308 and 38/357. I shoot probably 100 to 150 rounds a week and my buddy the same. We both reload on my equipment and it has held up well. For me it is not a matter of speed, it is a matter of consistency and accuracy. The lyman press I have I inherited from My father in law and I have always been able to produce more accurate ammo on my equipment than he could with his lyman and rcbs equipment. Yes you do get what you paid for and in my opinion I got the best for my buck with this kit.

Will52100 · « **Reply #39 on:** August 06, 2006, 05:58:26 PM »

I have to agree for the most part with jack19512, nearly everything I use is Lee. I didn't like the powder measure though, a little troublesome for me to use, but very acurate non the less. Other than lee I use a lyman black powder measure, and a Dillon Precsion scale. Love the ease of use of the scale. I also wiegh every smokless charge. I have an O frame single stage Lee press and a Lee 3 hole progressive. Only complaint about the progressive is that it won't load 45-70. Ever once in a while I'll have a primmer jam or some such but very seldom. My loading is by and far black powder, and I stick the bullet in by hand and drop the powder by hand so haven't had any jam issues there. It lets me turn out pistol ammo pretty quickly.

I realy liked aniversery kit, it came with just about everything to get started and with a little effort on my part I was loading good ammo. Not quickly, but as a learning experiance it was well worth it.

Also can't say enough good things about Lee carbide dies.

Also have a lee load all for 12 gauge, maybe not the fasted to use, but I reaload shot shell for one purpase, to shoot black powder in CASS, and the load all does very well for that.

I even use lee bullet moulds, and realy love there 6 cavity PRS and Snake bite moulds. Heck I even like there 17$ two cavity chepo round ball moulds, at that price a couple hundred castings and you've paid for the mould.

All in all I've been very happy with lee products, sure there are better, but Lee gets the job done, and I for one can't afford a dillon 550. Other than to shoot black powder I got into reloading to save a little money and a dillon 550 would put a big dent in the wallet. Now if I could just figure out a safe and effecent way to make black powder I'd be set.

MnMike · « **Reply #40 on:** August 08, 2006, 06:45:02 PM »

The Lee it works for me. Yes, I know it isn't perfect. But with it I can load very accurate ammo witin my budget.What else matters?

mike

jgalar · « **Reply #41 on:** August 09, 2006, 04:22:02 AM »

I don't understand the not user friendly comment. I have RCBS, Lyman and Lee. They all come with instructions and they are all easy to set up and use if the instructions are followed. I buy alot of Lee stuff because it works and is less money. I have replaced some expanding dies with the Lyman M die for cast bullets. For neck sizing the Lee collet die is far better than the RCBS die in my oppinion. The Lee priming tool works great as does the inexpensive case trimming tools.
I have the same Lee press that comes with the Anniversary kit. I don't use it for general reloading anymore, but it still is used for depriming, lead bullet sizing,seating gaschecks and other duties. For loading handgun rounds or lubed rifle cases it is more than strong enough and while it may not be a life time investment it should give you many years of service (mine is over 15 years old) and if you need to replace it they are inexpensive.
I do agree and disagree with some statements about the Lee scale. As for accuracy they are dead nuts on and are at least as accurate as any other reloading scale. The downside is they are tiny and sensitive and may be a bit of trouble for us older farts with bad eyes and shaky hands.

Swamp Yankee · « **Reply #42 on:** August 09, 2006, 08:58:06 AM »

I had a post here but it must have gotten lost durring the hacking that hit Graybeards.
Like alot of guys I started with the kit as well. As time went along I replaced most of the items. Today all I have left pretty much is the auto prime which still works flawlessly, most of the items got sold on E-bay. Belive it or not I got most of my money back parting it out. My recomendations: start with the Lee if reloading is for you you can always up-grade as you go along. My set up is a colection of Redding, RCBS, Forster,Lyman and yes even some Lee. I like their dies and find them easy to set up and use.
Like most guys here I found the scale was hard to use, it was the first thing I replaced but..... [a hint] duct tape it to the loading bench! It's to light and moves all over the place trying to adjust it. I found that made a difference. Good luck...Jim

brasskeeper · « **Reply #43 on:** August 18, 2006, 04:59:35 PM »

I agree with Steve, You get what you pay for..

SM Bob · « **Reply #44 on:** January 08, 2007, 06:27:45 PM »

I have been reloading for over 35 years. I started out using an old RCBS Rockchucker type press that my Dad had. When I got on my own I got the Rockchucker supreme kit about 25 years ago and it is still going strong. I use a Lee Auto Prime for all my priming work. I used to use the auto primer feed on the RCBS for a while, but I got tired of it. I can prime around 300 cases an hour with the Auto Prime. It is a great tool ! That being said, If I were to recommend a reloading setup for a reasonable price to a beginner I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the Lee Anniversary Kit. It will do the job just fine. They back thier products up. I'm sure if somthing were to break or quit functioning properly the would replace or fix it. In my opinion the scale in the Anniverasy Kit is a bit suspect, but it could be upgraded in the future with a better digital one. I got a small digital from Midway on sale for $29 that works awesome. I say go for that Lee Anniversary Kit, and welcome to reloading!

Robert

Wingman26 · « **Reply #45 on:** January 09, 2007, 10:21:45 AM »

A long time ago when I decided to try reloading and I made the same mistake that a lot of beginners make, I went cheap, cheap in reloading means Lee. After a few months of absolute frustration trying to get that cheap crap to work I threw it out, I kept reading the magazines and knew that everyone wasn't having the difficulties reloading that I had experienced with Lee, so I decided to try again with better quality equipment, I bought a basic reloading press, a Lyman C press and dies to match, Lyman scale and a few other accessories, wow! This stuff actually works! You can actually reload ammo without all the problems caused by the cheap stuff! I was able to start out using a Lyman press and dies, I later upgraded to a RCBS Rock Chucker and later to a Dillon when I started shooting competitively. Experience has proven it saves a lot of money to buy a quality product up front, rather than going cheap and having to replace it later.

I started reloading almost 40 years ago, I came very close to quitting because of Lee, I wonder how many other potential reloaders have been run off by poor quality products, I bet it's a bunch.

Jerry Lester · « **Reply #46 on:** January 09, 2007, 06:34:01 PM »

...

I still can't see why anybody would settle for the Aniversery kit, when you can buy the RCBS Partner kit(same level starter) for nearly exactly the same price, and get extremely high quality equipment? I fully understand the logic as far as not sinking a pile of money into a hobby that you're just testing the waters in. I just can't see buying low quality alluminum/plastic equipment that's not held to any reasonable tollerances when you can get high quality cast/steel equipment that's machined very tight for the same money.

Like's been mentioned here already, the scale in the Aniversery kit is borderline dangerous know matter how good it might work for a while under perfect circumstances. The "perfect

" measure is PLASTIC! Not only does finer ball powder seep out around the metering drum, and spill all over the place, but after a few hundred drops of something aggressive like IMR 4831 the top of the metering chamber gets chewed up so bad it's pathetic.

Like I said early in this thread, I started out with the Aniversery myself because of the money. Yes, I even loaded some very accurate ammo, even for the tempermental 22 Hornet on that set-up, but had the RCBS Partner kit been available then, I'd have likely never started up-grading right off the bat. The argument was made here about buying a Pinto, or a Porsche. Quite frankly in this case it'd be more like buying a Pinto, or buying a nice Camaro for the same money. Either would definately get me from point A to point B, but it'd be quicker, and a much more enjoyable trip in the Camaro

.

7x57mm · « **Reply #47 on:** January 09, 2007, 08:25:55 PM »

I began my reloading life with a Lee Loader in .284 Winchester. Years later, when the Lee Anniversary was the best that I could afford at the time, I bought the kit. It served me well over the years and as my experience in reloading grew to a point I felt comfortable with it, I bought a Lyman Orange Crusher Kit and still use it. The old Lee Anniversary, well, there was a deputy sheriff I knew in New Mexico who wanted to get started in reloading. He got my Lee Anniversary Kit. To me, for someone just starting out whose wallet is thin as a razor blade, the Lee Anniversary offers an alternative which might otherwise keep people away from this wonderful extension of shooting and hunting. No one knows for sure if they will stay with reloading, or find out they do not like it. With the Lee Anniversary Kit going for something like $80 including the press, scale, powder measurer, case lenght trimmer, primer tool and a tube of case lube along with a manual, that just ain't all that bad! So to answer the gents question, go for the Anniversary Kit. It will well serve the needs you stated in your post. Tom Purdom

snuffer#1 · « **Reply #48 on:** January 10, 2007, 01:32:53 AM »

When I started reloading, the first thing I did was read. I got the 2nd edition Lee manual and a 48th edition Lyman Manual. Heck, I even got a video from Lyman and watched it. See, I don't have anyone around to have as a mentor. I firmly believe that before you start doing anything you haven't done before, read and understand before you proceed. Reloading is a lot of fun and it relaxing for me. Another point, you have to not get distracted while you are reloading, BECAUSE IT CAN GET DOWN RIGHT DEADLY! When you can afford it also pick up some loadbooks. You can get them from midway for about 6 to 7 dollars apiece. They are one cal. with all types of variations with different bullets, weights, and the different types of powder. READ, READ AND READ some more until you understand what you are doing, first and foremost. Oh, I forgot something, I also have a Lee anniversary kit and I've had no problems with it so far, but I will get a turret press for my revolvers. As far as accuracy, with my 223, the reloads I have, I'm shooting just under 1/4 " at 100 yds, and under 1/2 " at 200 yds. Lee equipment not any good; I beg to differ!

billy_56081 · « **Reply #49 on:** January 10, 2007, 02:34:44 AM »

What is wrong with the saftey scale?

I hapen to make my living repairing ,calibrating and certifieing scales. There is nothing wrong with a cheap beam scale. A cheap beam scale will be more consistant than a cheap electronic scale any day. (and ALL the electronics sold for reloading are cheep) True electronics are faster and easier to use but they are not more reliable or more accurate.

beemanbeme · « **Reply #50 on:** January 10, 2007, 05:08:01 AM »

I have a Lyman 1200 electronic scale and I still proof it against my Ohaus 10-10. So far, knock on wood, the Lyman has been right on the money.

dmills · « **Reply #51 on:** January 10, 2007, 06:34:13 AM »

Well, it looks like we have a true consensus here--everyone has an opinion.

As as new reloader coming back to centerfire after many years doing muzzleloading only, I chose 25-06 caliber, just to have something different. Reloading for this one seems natural based on the limited factory loads available and the cost of those boxes.

I bought the Lee Anniversay Kit as the starting point. But before it even arrived, I had the brainstorm that I wanted to use the Hornady Lock n Load bushings to facilitate die changes without having to re-adjust after every change. So I sold the Challenger press on e-bay and bought the Lee Classic Cast press, which has the 1.25" die hole to accept the Hornady LnLs. It is too bad that Lee does not offer the Classic Cast press in a starters kit form.

I find the Lee scales difficult to adjust but accurate once dialed in. I am comparing weights between it and an electronic scale left over from a prior hobby, and find them consistent. The Perfect Powder measure also throws accurate charges, but is finiky to adjust. Also, it has failed to drop the full charge on one occasion and then dropped rest of it on the floor after I removed the funnel.

I like the case trimmer and the 25-05 insert and shellholder are certainly inexpensive enough. I am using a small power screwdriver to turn the case lock while trimming and chamfering. No problems there and I think it is a quicker method than chucking the case up in a RCBS or similar trimmer (even if powered).

I am not too impressed with the Primer Pocket cleaner. I am thinking about a faster (but economical) alternative. I have read that some folks do not bother with this step, but it goes against my grain to skip this.

The Lee hand primer that comes with the kit was seating Federal primers too deep in the primer pocket. Of course, the Lee manual also says not to use Federal primers with that hand primer. I'll try it again with some Win. primers that I got yesterday. With the Lee Classic Cast, I like the manual primer arm and find that the press provides plenty of feel so that I can seat the primers consistently. The only problem is that it will be an easy step to "forget" unless you prime all cases in a lot as a separate step instead of priming each case individually as you charge case and seat bullet.

So overall, I am not displeased with the Anniversary Kit and when I started calculating the individual costs of the tools, I come out ahead, expecially with the sale of the Challenger press.

Tschreiber · « **Reply #52 on:** January 10, 2007, 07:05:10 AM »

i've been reloading since the late 80's. i started out with the lee kit. i still use the powder measure, the pocket cleaner, the case trimmer, and the priming tool. i thought i needed a "stronger" press, so i gave my brother my lee press and bought a rock chucker. needless to say, he is still using my lee press. the thing i miss about the lee press was the ease and speed in sizing straight case pistol brass. if i were to to it over again, i'd just keep my lee and try to wear it out! i don't load like i used to, so i'm sure someone will inherit my rcbs someday. but who cares about that? i could have bought a lot of bullets and powder for the $100 i spent on the rock chucker that i really didn't have to. i did upgrade the scale to an rcbs, and recently bought a digital scale from midway for $30. does the job!

cbourbeau32 · « **Reply #53 on:** January 13, 2007, 06:14:18 AM »

I will be one of the "few" that disagree with the majority. I had a Lee anniversary kit and it loaded quality ammo. I got out of reloading for a while and have decided recently to get back into it. I without hesitation (in fact just about 3 hours ago) order a full set up of Lee reloading equipment. This time I went with their turret press kit The reviews I read on it were favorable to very favorable. Just my opinion though. Charlie

GANDER · « **Reply #54 on:** February 14, 2007, 02:34:33 PM »

I for one happen to be very fond of LEE equipment. I have owned several of the others but I have found that simple is the best way for me. The scale isn't pretty but it does weigh constantly . the same goes with the powder drop. It is nothing special to look at infact I hide it when my gun guru buddies come over. but it does do a very accurate job at throwing consistant charges. I wouldn't call anything LEE makes cheap I would call it inexpensive. LEE was a genious and is the mastermind behind alot of the reloading components and tools of today. The higher priced brands are just spin offs of the products that LEE developed.
I say go buy yourself a LEE kit and never look back.

Ed Hill · « **Reply #55 on:** February 14, 2007, 03:36:49 PM »

I started with a Lee basic kit and was able to load great ammo with no problems. Since I started loading more handgun ammo, I upgraded to the classic cast turret. The scale is very accurate, but hard for me to work with having not the best eyesight. I got the Lyman scale that has numbers large enough for me to read in poor light without the glasses.

I put the scale and press on Ebay. The press sold for the price of a new one from Midway, and the scale sold for considerably more than a new one. I got back with $12 of what I paid for the kit with those two items!

So if you want to try reloading without a large investment, go for it! If you later change your mind or upgrade, you should be able to recoup most ( or all) of your investment.

Ed

Wingman26 · « **Reply #56 on:** February 14, 2007, 05:35:28 PM »

Lee puts out some of the best pot metal stuff out there, thank goodness the other brands use better materials, broken metal parts are extremely rare on good quality presses, not rare at all on Lee.

GANDER · « **Reply #57 on:** February 15, 2007, 02:47:46 AM »

Did you call LEE about that? They have one of the best gaurentee's and CS in the industry.

Wingman26 · « **Reply #58 on:** February 15, 2007, 09:29:49 AM »

Quote from: GANDER on February 15, 2007, 02:47:46 AM

Did you call LEE about that? They have one of the best gaurentee's and CS in the industry.

You're joking right? Most of the industry has a lifetime warranty, Lee's is only 2 years. I threw out all my Lee stuff years ago, these are photos of 3 different failures from 3 different owners, photos that I have collected in the last couple of months from various message boards, as I previously mentioned, broken metal parts are almost unknown in the other brands, but aren't really unusual on Lee presses. I have personally seen three Lee presses with broken frames, and one of those was the Classic Cast, I've never seen a broken frame on any other brand of reloader.

GANDER · « **Reply #59 on:** February 15, 2007, 01:20:34 PM »

Sooo you didn't call them about it... huh??