lee loader tool for 16ga?

[keeperofthehills]

hey guys and gals.
i was fiddling around in my gun/loading dungeon and came across an old lee loader that somone gave me for 7.62 russian. i never used it because it seemed kinda strange and not that safe to load it up and smack it with a hammer.

but i decided to try to use it... and its kinda fun and not as dangerous as i thought. but i saw in the box where they had sold them for 16 gauge.
now the tool I have ill say is at least 40+ years old. (copyright 1966 on the paperwork) so is the hand tool for the shot shells still viable?

my last experence with hand loaded shot shells was from some that my neighbor gave me when we were squirell hunting. I got a pocket full of shot for my trouble from improperly crimped shells.

ive never reloaded shotshells but i do save the hulls from all of my shotguns as every reloader should. and it would be nice to have more shot options than just 6 and 7 1/2 for my sweet 16s

are these things worth it or just a pain in the neck for shot shells.

 

[cdrt]

I still have my Lee reloading tool for 16 gauge that I got way back when (around 1965). It worked just fine, but was slow and a little tedious. It still has the price tag on it: $9.95.

 

[achildofthesky]

I used one for my 16 ga back in the 60's...

It was my very first reloading tool I got when I was 12. It enabled me to shoot on the cheap for a long time. Wish I still had it and the side by side I reloaded for.

Patty

 

[wdlsguy]

Lee doesn't make them anymore, but you can find them on eBay. I'm looking for one in 28 gauge myself.

 

[keeperofthehills]

do they make a nice crimp?

and what all would i need to get started?

 

[cdrt]

They crimp okay; not as well as a MEC or whatever, but they do a pretty good job. You'll need primers, some kind of powder, shot, empty hulls, wads and possibly a powder scale. They come up a dipper for the powder charge, but times have changed and loads are probably different from when I was using mine. This was back when they did not have one piece plastic wads. My first loads were with fiber wads and you had to use different ones for different shot amounts.

 

[SASS#23149]

my 1st reloading experience was with just such a Loader in 16 guage.
We used paper hulls with fiber wads.Not sure if later ones were used with plastic hulls and/or wads or not.
one option was a crimp starter for use with new unfired hulls.
Yes,I'm that old. lol
We would take it to the everglades with us,and whne out of ammo,make some more on the spot.!

 

[ATAShooter]

Get a MEC and don't look back.

 

[scrat]

for sure i would not get one for a 12 guage especially when walmart always has 12 guage rounds 100 for 15.00.

i have been looking for one for my .410 at almost 8.00 a box that seems to make a lot more sence. its just finding the wads at a decent price is where im at. And id love to find a lee loader toooo

 

[scrat]

holly smoke dont let this get away.


http://cgi.ebay.com/Lee-Loader-in-16-ga-2-3-4-shells_W0QQitemZ300170095950QQihZ020QQcategoryZ31825QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[keeperofthehills]

holly smoke dont let this get away.

I just put my bid on that item! haha

 

[PTK]

Too funny - I was just looking at that auction a little while ago!

 

[keeperofthehills]

sometimes i hate E-bay. i always get outbid by like a dollar or some crap at the last 2 minutes of an auction. because some people can lay on ebay all day and screw me out of stuff i need. ...

ive been trying to buy a miners dinner bucket for 3 months and i get outbid.

ill show em.. i get bolter rate at work now.. hehe.

 

[scrat]

Good luck on that auction.

hopefully some day i will be able to find one for a 410 guage

 

[SASS#23149]

I'll bet if you posted some WTB's for that loader on some gunboards you'd find one for less than FOURTY + DOLLLARS.yikes

 

[scrat]

ok now im all ears



besided thr what other gun boards would you consider posting them on.

im really interested in getting one for the .410 guage

 

[philbo]

If you're looking for a 410, here it is on Ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Lee-Loader-Relo...ryZ36258QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[scrat]

holly smoke again. why did i not see that.




i just put in the highest bid around

 

[scout26]

I wouldn't pay more then $50 for a Lee Loader in .410 when you can probably get a used MEC 600Jr for around $75.

You should be able to find (or have your FFL/Gunshop/Dealer order) a Lee Load-All in 16 ga for ~$45. Unfortunately Lee doesn't make them .410. (Although there does seem to be a growing demand.....)

Here's one in 16 ga on Evil-bay..... http://cgi.ebay.com/Lee-Load-All-II...ryZ71120QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[keeperofthehills]

i won the auction on Evil-bay (good one scout) mailing out my payment today, to my door for $42.34

way too much to invest I think.. but now i gots one.

about all i need now is wads and shot.. i think.

 

[skunkum]

Before you jump on the 16 gauge reloader wagon, research whether you can find supplies that you can afford. Wads for 16 gauge are harder to find than the ammo is. Shot seems to be $30 a bag and up. I haven't tried the Lee Loader, but the LoadAll II has worked fine for me in the past and they are about $40. I like my MEC, though. At about $100 used, the progressive is way better!

FYI, Bass Pro Shops has had the best price on 16 gauge game loads the last few years. I'm pretty sure I've seen some at about $5/box. I don't know how shipping is on a case.