lee classic loader question

[sachel.45]

i've been looking at getting in to reloading for my '06 and was wondering what your guys thoughts were on the classic loader. i know that i wont be loading in large volumes with this reloader. but with space at a premium this seems about perfect. i'm a little worried about the round going off when you it it with a hammer is this a worthwhile concern or is it pretty baseless? thanks in advance.

[quickdtoo]

Here's a great read on using the Lee Classic loader, I started with one, but moved on to a complete system with press and dies. In doing research on the Classic Loader, I never once read of an accident involving detonation, lots of folks who feared it, but none that actually had a problem when it's used properly, but I suspect some folks could make it happen with enough carelessness.

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

A less costly option to a bench mounted press that requires a minimum of space would be the Lee hand press which uses a standard die set.

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=0000690685

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=624416

Tim

[PaulS]

I have had primers detonate when seating them with a mallet - so did a couple of my friends when we first started reloading. We got some cheap bottle capping presses at a second hand store and I bought a smal arbor press. That solved the hammer problem and we were reloading - with presses that bent and twisted every time we sized a case with those old Lee Classic Load-alls. My arbor press was great. I was loading just like the benchrest shooters I had been watching at the range as they worked up their loads at the shooting bench. See what you can find in the thrift stores and pawn shops. If you find a small press you can put the hammer away and load "like the pros".

[june6th1944]

I use the Lee Loaders for .30-06, 8mm Mauser, .30-30 Winchester, and 7mm-08 (Lee doesn't make the 7mm-08 or 8mm Mauser anymore).  I also load my own turkey shotgun shells with older Lee Loaders for shotshells.  I use a lot of Lee reloading eqmt: length gauges, cutters, Auto Prime, press, primer pocket cleaner, powder scale (I bought a more useful scale though), dippers, and dies.  It seems to get the job done and well. 

I would STRONGLY recommend getting a Lee Auto Prime for loading primers.  I too have had them go off in the priming tray when using the Lee Loaders, luckily I had ear plugs in just in case it happened.  If the primer is cocked in there even just a little when you seat it, it may go off.  I had only one go off and I got an Auto Prime.  They are only $10.00 from Cabela's.  The Lee Loaders are <$14 at Cabela's as well.

I do have a press and full-length resizing dies, but I prefer to only necksize, particularly my bolt-actions.  I haven't had any problems w/ my .30-30 loads, but I'll have to full-length resize them after 4 loads or so.

Check out this website:
http://www3.sympatico.ca/shooters/Lee1.htm

This has good info on neck- versus full-lenth resizing and using the Lee Loaders.

Good luck.

[june6th1944]

I just read the http://www.beartoothbullets.com/tech_notes/archive_tech_notes.htm/51 article and it's EXCELLENT.

The only other thing I would recommend is getting the cutter w/ a large wooden ball on the end.  The one shown in the article will work (and I have one), but you'll develop arthritis if you use that one long enough.  The wooden ball makes it more comfortable as I spin cases in my drill.

Check out the Lee Precision website for that cutter.  You can also get a factory-reconditioned Auto Prime for $8.00 at the same time.  I had to buy some other parts from Lee, so it was worth buying the reconditioned Auto Prime since I was paying for shipping anyway.

Good luck.

[beemanbeme]

I have had a primer or two go off from over zealous use of my little plastic mallet.  Its much more exciting than it is dangerous. (I did start wearing a glove on my left hand, the one that holds the primer seating rod) Once you get the proper feel, its no problem.  The problem, if it is such, can be eliminated by buying a $12.00 Lee Auto Prime and using it.  Next, when funds permit, you want to get a fairly decent powder scale.  That will give you much more flexability than using the dipper.  It also gives you the opportunity to try powders other than those listed on the cheat sheet that comes with the kit.
When it comes to reloading, I am certainly over equiped if that is possible but every so often, I like to get out a Lee kit and run up a few rounds just so I can remember this sport is complicated only because we choose to make it so.

[Gregory]

A Lee Classic Loader in 30/06 got me started in reloading back in 1981.  It is a good way to start.

[Larry Gibson]

i've been looking at getting in to reloading for my '06 and was wondering what your guys thoughts were on the classic loader. i know that i wont be loading in large volumes with this reloader. but with space at a premium this seems about perfect. i'm a little worried about the round going off when you it it with a hammer is this a worthwhile concern or is it pretty baseless? thanks in advance.

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 .30 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 to clean the primer pocket but 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.  Following the directions the round will not go off when seating the bullet.

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

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.
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.
 
Larry Gibson