lee reloaders?

Question

Im looking at Lees 50th anniversary kit and was wondering if its any good?

this will be my first purchase of reloading equitment and was wondering if its ok for the beginner?

http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/browse.cgi?1193261149.5862=/html/catalog/anivers.html

Answer 1

Lee makes great products. You won't be disappointed.

That same set is one I gave to my brother in law just a year and a half back. Diff name then, but the same set.

There are small things you'll no doubt be pointed out by the RC/Ly/Ho/Di folks but there's not one single complaint that really matters.

One is that the powder measure has "a flimsy shaft". They won't, though, mention that that powder measure is more accurate than *ANY* other knockoff design costing much more. Another is that the scale takes a few mins to set up and goes a bit slow....but they won't say that it's the most accurate balance scale, bar none, there is. They'll complain about the case trimmer/lockstud etc....heard a LOT about that one, in fact!....but they won't say that they probably have multiples because, simply put, it's the best and easiest to use design there is on the market.

You'll get lots of use out of your kit. It'll last virtually forever, and it'll always resell for pretty much what you paid for it. What else needs to be said?

Answer 2

I use a lot of lee products. Their "O" frame presses either the classic cast (iron) or the challenger (aluminum) are both very good. The dies are very good for their price as well until you get into the obscure calibers; they are still just as good but a little more pricey.

The only Lee tools I don't like is their scale and powder dispenser. The scale is phenolythic plastic(sp?) and I don't trust it to be very accurate. I fear that static electricity could through the weighings off a bit. Instead I use an ancient Pacific cast aluminum scale, it also goes way up to 700 grains. Its nice for checking bullet weights and really heavy powder charges for large calibers.
I don't like the powder dispenser for the same reason; too much plastic. I also had to work about 2-3 pounds of powder through it to get it to throw consistant charges. Lee says a break in of 1 pound is necessary before loading ammo. Plus if you ever use fine powders like Accurate Arms #2, it will leak out of the powder measure regardless of how much tension you put in the tension screw to stop the leaking. Also with bigger granule powders, the plastic wipes don't have the force to shear off granules of powder so you will see variance in charges, sometimes a little extra sometimes a little less. I now use an old cast iron lyman powder dispenser, the body is iron and the wipes inside are brass. It has been very accurate and hasn't leaked any powder yet. It also seems to be more consistant on light and heavy charges versus the Lee dispenser.

Answer 3

I have used their dies and shotgun loaders.
All my rifle and pistol reloading presses have been RCBS. I looked at the Lees but I couldn't get past the aluminum. The dies are O.K., but They were purchased because I couldn't find anything else at the time, and didn't want to wait.
I wished I had invested a little money in a better shotshell loader, but most of the really good quality ones run about the same as a downpayment on a car.
Lets face it folks, the wingnuts and moonbats are dragging our shooting industry through the courts so much that the overhead is getting to where only the rich can afford to buy new equipment. Just need to get that out of the way....
As for me I will stick with my Green stuff...RCBS

Answer 4

While I have not used this particular piece of equipment, I have used several items made by Lee Precision and found them to be excellent value for the money. As a starter kit, I would say that it is a very good choice. Later you may want to move up to something a bit more advanced but this will do you for a long time.

Answer 5

I have lots of Lee reloading tools and the only one that I have had any problems with was a progressive press. And that was parts breaking and primers not feeding. The others all performed well and were half the price that other companies wanted. I would recommend them
Their dies are way ahead of other companies in features.
Sarge

Answer 6

I use the Lee Handloader and Lee dies. The quality is very good and the prices are reasonable. But the hand press and the kit you are looking at are single stage presses, meaning you will need to perform roughly 5 steps (5 pulls of the press) to make one round. So for 100 rounds, you're talking about 500 pulls of the press, in addition to changing tools and dies on the press.

With a progressive press, all 5 functions are performed with one pull of the press. So 100 rounds require only one pull of the press with a progressive press.

For me, a single stage press is enough since I hardly shoot anymore. But if you're the type that shoots more than 500 rounds a week, then you should probably invest in a good progressive press. For a progressive press, you should check out Dillon.

Answer 7

I also have used lee reloaders and The 50Th anniversary will definitely get ya going, I rec amend that ya also buy a reloading guide it too will help to get ya started, I prefer the hornady guide, but all guide will be a great read and instruction piece

Answer 8

Great Company & Great Products.*

Answer 9

A lot of people use their products, so that tells you something.