Lee reloader from 1961

[45 Carry]

I found a hand reloader made by Lee for .45 ACP. It's in a box about 5" x6" with a decapper, a die, a primer loader, a primer remover pin, a case removing tool, bullet seater, and a # 039 powder measure. The brass is hammered into the parafin lubed die then the primer is removed, the case removed from the die and a primer inserted, the powder added the bullet seated and it's all sone with a hammer, one round at a time.
Does anyone remember these? Does the powder measurer add the correct amount of grains depending on the powder type. The loading chart lists 4 types of powder and weights of 4.2 to 5.9 grains.
Can anyone offer any help with using this loader?

 

[lee n. field]

Lee still makes those.

If you didn't get the instruction sheet, see here. (though the pistol Lee Loader works a wee bit differently from the rifle set).

I couldn't tell you if they used the same dippers back then as they do now. Now-a-days they use one the same dippers as they package seperately in a set of 13, with a chart. When in doubt, you'll need to weight out a charge on a powder scale, and check with a loading manual to see if it is appropriate.

 

[SASS#23149]

started my loading 'career' on one of those in 16 guage.We 'batch processed' them....deprime 100,prime 100,size 100,etc.
It'll get the job done,just takes time.Be sure to add only a level dipper full,never heaping. KABOOMS are not our friend.

 

[armoredman]

Jumping jehosphat, that looks like a PAIN! I thought my single stage was slow! Wow, well, gee, if ya like it, hae fun, but I could not use that - I would have quit very early, and gone back to factory ammo.....

 

[SASS#23149]

armoredman

I feel the same when I look at my 550 dillon on the bench....and my old single stage sitting UNDER the bench.

 

[armoredman]

Someday I may be hi-tech with a Dillon progressive.. ..until then, my little RCBS jr is reloading home.....

 

[Berek]

lee n. field: The latest dipper set has 15 dippers and the reference chart. I found it to be rather accurate and use it quite often. I have yet to have any issues (knock, knock...)

The reference chart has most of the common powders (about 130 from the 5 major manufacturers) I have found a few they do not have (Accurate 2015 to name one...) But I was loading for .45-70 and found 5744 (better choice) listed. Also, I don't have to worry about "trickling." I'm not that anal retentive for mid-range loads.

Ok, I now return you to your regularly scheduled babbling...

Berek

 

[g56]

Yes, I remember the Lee Loader, it was crap, I threw it away, it almost ran me off from reloading, thank goodness I tried again with decent equipment.

 

[sm]

I've never used one. I recall folks having and buying these as I was growing up. Seems the idea of portable reloading was just another something folks thought was a good idea.

I recall some Missonaries I met telling me they used these back in remote areas. Seems the Model 10s were comforting. They had to conserve weight and room, so they took bare essentials, like taking in tools without handles and making handles once arrived. Air-drop supplies, and ever so grateful to get loaded ammo, and components. The day they got a Ruger MKI and ammo sent to them was a big deal.

Oh they had faith, they also mentioned one was supposed to take some responsibilty and well - "nothing wrong with praying while you are shooting - be it defense or when you need some meat on the table".

Made sense to me .

 

[JNewell]

I've never used one. I recall folks having and buying these as I was growing up. Seems the idea of portable reloading was just another something folks thought was a good idea.

My first reloading was with a Lee Loader that I bought used around 1972 or 73. It loaded some very accurate ammo, and got me started in reloading.

And yes, I did do on-site reloading at the range with it. Today I'd use a Lee Hand Press for that, but I still see some value in the Lee Loader concept.

 

[444]

This subject has been covered many times on this board.
Call Lee and talk to them about it.
That Lee Loader will produce great ammo. There is nothing wrong with it at all.
I have been handloading for over 20 years. I started out with a Lee Loader just like that one, only mine was in .38 Special. I loaded a lot of ammo with that rig. Today, I have a couple Dillon 550s on the bench along with an RCBS Rockchucker. I still own that .38 Special Lee Loader along with a half dozen other Lee Loaders that I still use from time to time. They work fine.

 

[macsfriended]

They're cool tools

I used a couple of different calibers as my learning to reload project and enjoyed every moment. Works GREAT.
I made (still make) a point to have one for each caliber I own just for general possible use. Darn Lee still doesn't have .40 S&W available, though.
Ed

 

[bakert]

I have a Lee loader in .38 Special in it's box up in a closet somewhere from the first venture into reloading. Slow but it worked. Also have a similar tool from Herters for 12 guage shotshells. Also slow but a friend and I loaded a pot full of AA hulls with it. Midway USA still sells the Lee Loader so there must be at least some demand for them.
Baker

 

[JNewell]

.40 S&W

Well, I'm an owner and a fan, though no longer much of a user, but yikes, I can't imagine doing serious loading for a semiauto pistol with a LL...the ratio of production time to volume consumed would scare me!