What's wrong with Lee reloaders?
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mcdonl
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Do they eat much?
I like that. Pretty cool.
LiveLife
Member
To me, I don't think it needs to be Lee vs Dillon vs RCBS vs Hornady etc.
Like the Corvette vs Porsche vs Ferrari etc. or the Hyundai Sonata vs Honda Accord vs Toyota Camry, comparison discussions may never end. Some will say they will never buy anything but Porsche or Ferrari because ... Others will say Accord or Camry is better than the Sonata ...
The three sports car mentioned all have 2 doors, 4 wheels and engine/suspension that will move you quickly and handle the road well. The three sedans mentioned all have 4 doors, 4 wheels, trunk and move around a family and groceries well.
But different people will buy different make/model of vehicle for different reasons. It may be that Corvette buyer wants to drive a Chevy, be frugal and have the similar or better performance than the other vehicles. The buyer of Sonata may want reasonably priced, reliable transportation that also comes with a 10 year/100K mile warranty. Just because one buys a Corvette or a Sonata does not mean that they made a bad purchase and their driving experience will be poor. I for one love my Corvette Z06 and the Sonata - I do not feel that I have sacrificed my driving experience.
Reloading press (regardless of make and type) all have ram, lever, shell holder/plate and move the case up and down. Just like the vehicles mentioned above, each make and model of press has their individual characteristics good and bad.
I was taught to reload on both Dillon 550 and Lee Pro 1000 with their pros/cons identified with solutions. With Dillon, I was told: Clean and lightly lube all moving parts, verify your powder charge every 50-100 rounds, fill your primer tubes with primers properly, make sure you index the shell plate to avoid double charge, etc. With Lee, I was told: Clean and lightly lube all moving parts, make sure the primer feed ramp is filled, check your shell plate timing, etc. I reloaded quality match grade bullets with both and ended up choosing the Lee not because of the price, but preferred the auto index and the auto disk powder charge features.
Heck, sometimes I see the never ending Dillon 550 vs 650 vs 1050 discussions all the time at the range (If you are a "real" shooter, you "must" have the 650/1050) - and the discussions do get heated for some reason.
What's wrong with Lee reloaders? Like other reloaders, each Lee press has individual pros/cons. My Pro 1000 has primer feed issues, but I resolved that problem forever by depriming and hand priming separately.
Some say they just don't like the color.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=497331&page=2
Like the Corvette vs Porsche vs Ferrari etc. or the Hyundai Sonata vs Honda Accord vs Toyota Camry, comparison discussions may never end. Some will say they will never buy anything but Porsche or Ferrari because ... Others will say Accord or Camry is better than the Sonata ...
The three sports car mentioned all have 2 doors, 4 wheels and engine/suspension that will move you quickly and handle the road well. The three sedans mentioned all have 4 doors, 4 wheels, trunk and move around a family and groceries well.
But different people will buy different make/model of vehicle for different reasons. It may be that Corvette buyer wants to drive a Chevy, be frugal and have the similar or better performance than the other vehicles. The buyer of Sonata may want reasonably priced, reliable transportation that also comes with a 10 year/100K mile warranty. Just because one buys a Corvette or a Sonata does not mean that they made a bad purchase and their driving experience will be poor. I for one love my Corvette Z06 and the Sonata - I do not feel that I have sacrificed my driving experience.
Reloading press (regardless of make and type) all have ram, lever, shell holder/plate and move the case up and down. Just like the vehicles mentioned above, each make and model of press has their individual characteristics good and bad.
I was taught to reload on both Dillon 550 and Lee Pro 1000 with their pros/cons identified with solutions. With Dillon, I was told: Clean and lightly lube all moving parts, verify your powder charge every 50-100 rounds, fill your primer tubes with primers properly, make sure you index the shell plate to avoid double charge, etc. With Lee, I was told: Clean and lightly lube all moving parts, make sure the primer feed ramp is filled, check your shell plate timing, etc. I reloaded quality match grade bullets with both and ended up choosing the Lee not because of the price, but preferred the auto index and the auto disk powder charge features.
Heck, sometimes I see the never ending Dillon 550 vs 650 vs 1050 discussions all the time at the range (If you are a "real" shooter, you "must" have the 650/1050) - and the discussions do get heated for some reason.
What's wrong with Lee reloaders? Like other reloaders, each Lee press has individual pros/cons. My Pro 1000 has primer feed issues, but I resolved that problem forever by depriming and hand priming separately.
Some say they just don't like the color.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=497331&page=2
What's wrong with Lee depends on what you expect from it. Honest owners admit it takes constant adjustment/maintenance. I read tip on how you drag your thumb to prevent something from happening. If you're happy with that, then nothing is wrong with Lee.
Continuing the automobile analogy above: Lots of guys buy project cars because they love to work on them. I worked with a guy who bought a new Harley. He sold it after about six months and bought an older version. Said he hated not having to work on the new one. Other folks like to turn the key and drive away. Different strokes.
Continuing the automobile analogy above: Lots of guys buy project cars because they love to work on them. I worked with a guy who bought a new Harley. He sold it after about six months and bought an older version. Said he hated not having to work on the new one. Other folks like to turn the key and drive away. Different strokes.
If folks could just keep their ego's out of the equipment debate, it would sure help.
There is equipment out there that is machined more nicely than the stuff I have, but I like what I have.
Every piece of machinery out there has its little quirks, as well as its strong points.
I have multiple brands of dies, all of which I am happy with. I have had more quality control issues with one of the "better" makers than any other, but they make some great products.
I have inexpensve stuff, and costly stuff. Sometimes the costly stuff is worth every dime, and sometimes it isn't.
There is equipment out there that is machined more nicely than the stuff I have, but I like what I have.
Every piece of machinery out there has its little quirks, as well as its strong points.
I have multiple brands of dies, all of which I am happy with. I have had more quality control issues with one of the "better" makers than any other, but they make some great products.
I have inexpensve stuff, and costly stuff. Sometimes the costly stuff is worth every dime, and sometimes it isn't.
LiveLife
Member
I have hard time considering my Corvette Z06 as a project car ... My Pro 1000 is a work horse I will continue to reload on until I die.
It needs a little bit of lube and nothing else (maybe a little turn of Phillips screwdriver here and there).
BTW, I have Lee, RCBS and Lyman presses happily mounted on my bench - love em all the same.
My Pro 1000 is a work horse I will continue to reload on until I die. It needs a little bit of lube and nothing else (maybe a little turn of Phillips screwdriver here and there).
BTW, I have Lee, RCBS and Lyman presses happily mounted on my bench - love em all the same.
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I would not say that constant adjustment is needed. You need to set it up correctly for a caliber only once. Sure, when you change the caliber, or e.g., use different bullet, you need readjustment. You have to do this with any other press as well. Probably, you misunderstood owners claims.
The maintenance: regular cleaning and lubing is indeed needed for the Loadmaster. I do understand why it is needed. Claims that a mechanical device, which is not isolated from the environment, does not require the cleaning and lubing, sound like fairy tale of an ideal car that never needs an oil change.
In the words of a friend who has loaded on a Lee for years, "I have to adjust (I don't recall what) pretty often and I know which parts to keep on hand, but overall, for what I paid I'm happy with it." I've heard similar remarks from a few guys.
By maintenance (my word), I took him to mean changing worn or broken parts, not routine cleaning and lubrication.
Arguing with blurry claims of some mystery friend with no details against first-hand experience on the Lee press does not sound convincing.
Nate1778
Member
I like my Loadmaster, I would not say it needs constant adjustment, it needs initial adjustment and then runs pretty smooth till you switch calibers, then it needs re-adjustment. I unlike others have a priming system that works. roughly 7000 rounds and still on the original parts. Timing myself I have done 450 rounds an hour including putting them in the boxes. I would guess 500-550 is doable but one would need to be hustling.
I guess I could call a couple of Lee guys and ask, but it's not that important to me. If you cruise around various handloading forums, you find the info.
You satisfied with your Lee? That's all that matters.
AFA first hand experience, I owned a Lee some years ago.
orthodoxy001
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On the whole lee / dillon / hornady thing, I've done a lengthy and somewhat infamous review: http://www.comrace.ca/cmfiles/dillonLeeHornadyComparison.pdf
There's a link at the end to a video showing the LNL AP in operation (with a bulletfeeder).
Objective feedback always welcome.
There's a link at the end to a video showing the LNL AP in operation (with a bulletfeeder).
Objective feedback always welcome.
fourdollarbill
Member
The Lee Loader is Junk
I have had the Lee Load Master for a few years now and loaded about 8,000+ rounds through it for 40 S&W, 38SPL and 357mag and all 8,000+ rounds have gone bang and worked well. So this goes to show how crappy it is. One time I had to buy a new primer arm and it cost $1.29 ! *** 8,000+ rounds and I keep having to dump money into it.
Okay now that the BS is done... I have found the value to be more than worth it. I get a very well made round with accurate powder drops. I'm not sure of the "its going to wear out" claim because mine is still going like the Energizer Bunny and is far from worn. I would buy another if I had a bigger table.
I have had the Lee Load Master for a few years now and loaded about 8,000+ rounds through it for 40 S&W, 38SPL and 357mag and all 8,000+ rounds have gone bang and worked well. So this goes to show how crappy it is. One time I had to buy a new primer arm and it cost $1.29 ! *** 8,000+ rounds and I keep having to dump money into it.
Okay now that the BS is done... I have found the value to be more than worth it. I get a very well made round with accurate powder drops. I'm not sure of the "its going to wear out" claim because mine is still going like the Energizer Bunny and is far from worn. I would buy another if I had a bigger table.
LiveLife
Member
orthodoxy001, nice comparison work (now that's how you do comparisons - actual first-hand experience).
Until my wife buys me a Hornady reloader, I will just keep chugging away on my Lee Pro 1000.
Actually, I have used many other reloaders but I guess it's kinda like Corvette vs Porsche vs Ferrari thing ... doing my own thing and it works for me ...
I absolutely agree!!! Please, don't ever buy one!!!
Until my wife buys me a Hornady reloader, I will just keep chugging away on my Lee Pro 1000.
Actually, I have used many other reloaders but I guess it's kinda like Corvette vs Porsche vs Ferrari thing ... doing my own thing and it works for me ...
I absolutely agree!!! Please, don't ever buy one!!!
1. If it would not be that important to you, you would refrain writing to this thread. Once you continue answering, your claim does not smell good.
2. Your referring to friends' experience only - above in the thread, and then claiming that you have your own, again, does not sound truthful.
That is correct. I understand that people may be wrong. I condemn person, who is lying instead of admitting that he was wrong. If this person owns guns, it becomes dangerous. This is the nerve.
Steve 48
Member
I have a Rock Chucker RCBS and a Dillon 550 and would not trade them for anything. I use the RCBS for big rifle rounds but everything else goesw on the 550. Lee is cheap cast iron if that ad many regret buying them and some love them. It really depends how much you shoot and the volume you reload.
I have a Loadmaster and Lee single stage press. I load pistol and small rifle rounds on the progressive Loadmaster and high power rifle on the single stage. Dillon is overpriced piece of junk, but some love them. It really depends on whether are you ready to toss $1k to start reloading.
David Wile
Member
Hey folks,
When I started reloading in the 1950s, the first loader I bought was a Lee Loader for about $4. I loaded one box of 30-40 Krag cartridges and immediately returned it to the store. To me, that Lee Loader was enough to drive one insane. Since money was an issue, and a Lee Loader was out of the question, I started buying used presses and rebuilding them. I had enough money to buy RCBS and Lyman Dies, and I was able to stick with mostly RCBS and Lyman metallic stuff in the early years. I was also able to buy and rebuild Pacific shotshell presses along with some MEC single stage presses. The last new press I bought was a Hornady LNL AP in 1997, and even though our kids were gone by then, that press was a lot of money to me.
I have always considered Lee stuff to be pretty much junk even though I still use their dippers and their Auto Prime hand tool. And you still couldn't get me to trade an old RCBS Junior press for a Lee press. However, having said all the bad things I think about Lee products, I have to recognize that I am saying those bad things after I have spent about 50 years accumulating a whole bunch of what is really now pretty darn high dollar equipment. I have at least four or five single stage RCBS metallic presses, a Hornady LNL AP, three MEC single stage shotshell loaders, and three Pacific/Hornady 366 progressive shotshell reloaders. None of that stuff has been purchased since 1997.
If I were just starting to buy reloading equipment today at the prices they sell for today, I am pretty sure I would start thinking that a lot of Lee Products just might be a very good buy. Now I am not about to suggest that Lee makes a progressive machine the equal of my Hornady LNL AP or a Dillon 650, but I don't have any idea how younger folks today can afford to buy the Hornady and Dillon machines. I know I sure couldn't. I reloaded on single stage machines for 40 years before I felt barely half justified in spending the money on my Hornady LNL AP. It seems there are a lot of folks out there who own several of the expensive progressives just so they don't have to change dies. That just boggles my mind.
I like my old "Old Name" presses that I have accumulated over the years, but I can certainly understand why Lee has made such an impact in the reloading industry since I started reloading. Lee is still targeting their product toward the vast majority of folks who either cannot or do no spend all their family resources for high dollar equipment. And the best thing about the folks using Lee equipment is that they produce good quality ammo if they learn the craft of reloading properly.
I may not be a Lee user, but I take my hat off to those who do use Lee equipment and learn to make qood quality ammo.
Best wishes,
Dave Wile
When I started reloading in the 1950s, the first loader I bought was a Lee Loader for about $4. I loaded one box of 30-40 Krag cartridges and immediately returned it to the store. To me, that Lee Loader was enough to drive one insane. Since money was an issue, and a Lee Loader was out of the question, I started buying used presses and rebuilding them. I had enough money to buy RCBS and Lyman Dies, and I was able to stick with mostly RCBS and Lyman metallic stuff in the early years. I was also able to buy and rebuild Pacific shotshell presses along with some MEC single stage presses. The last new press I bought was a Hornady LNL AP in 1997, and even though our kids were gone by then, that press was a lot of money to me.
I have always considered Lee stuff to be pretty much junk even though I still use their dippers and their Auto Prime hand tool. And you still couldn't get me to trade an old RCBS Junior press for a Lee press. However, having said all the bad things I think about Lee products, I have to recognize that I am saying those bad things after I have spent about 50 years accumulating a whole bunch of what is really now pretty darn high dollar equipment. I have at least four or five single stage RCBS metallic presses, a Hornady LNL AP, three MEC single stage shotshell loaders, and three Pacific/Hornady 366 progressive shotshell reloaders. None of that stuff has been purchased since 1997.
If I were just starting to buy reloading equipment today at the prices they sell for today, I am pretty sure I would start thinking that a lot of Lee Products just might be a very good buy. Now I am not about to suggest that Lee makes a progressive machine the equal of my Hornady LNL AP or a Dillon 650, but I don't have any idea how younger folks today can afford to buy the Hornady and Dillon machines. I know I sure couldn't. I reloaded on single stage machines for 40 years before I felt barely half justified in spending the money on my Hornady LNL AP. It seems there are a lot of folks out there who own several of the expensive progressives just so they don't have to change dies. That just boggles my mind.
I like my old "Old Name" presses that I have accumulated over the years, but I can certainly understand why Lee has made such an impact in the reloading industry since I started reloading. Lee is still targeting their product toward the vast majority of folks who either cannot or do no spend all their family resources for high dollar equipment. And the best thing about the folks using Lee equipment is that they produce good quality ammo if they learn the craft of reloading properly.
I may not be a Lee user, but I take my hat off to those who do use Lee equipment and learn to make qood quality ammo.
Best wishes,
Dave Wile
LiveLife
Member
Thank you. I could not have said it better myself.
Since I have produced several hundred thousand quality ammo on Lee Pro 1000, does that mean I have learned the craft of reloading properly?
Hooah!
QUOTE]If I were just starting to buy reloading equipment today at the prices they sell for today, I am pretty sure I would start thinking that a lot of Lee Products just might be a very good buy. Now I am not about to suggest that Lee makes a progressive machine the equal of my Hornady LNL AP or a Dillon 650, but I don't have any idea how younger folks today can afford to buy the Hornady and Dillon machines. I know I sure couldn't. I reloaded on single stage machines for 40 years before I felt barely half justified in spending the money on my Hornady LNL AP. It seems there are a lot of folks out there who own several of the expensive progressives just so they don't have to change dies. That just boggles my mind.
[/QUOTE]
Price alone was the reason I bought Lee equipment when I started reloading,
I have the breech loader single stage and the classic 4 hole turret that are absolutely perfect for my needs. They work great and turn out very good ammo.I can't speak for the 1000,but I'm sold on the Lee equipment I have used. I do use other dies sometimes but that 4 hole classic turret works any way you want it to, and very easy to use. As I said ;perfect for my needs. And on another subject;I can't beleive that everybody that loads does not own Lee's carbide die sets at Lee's price.
my2cents...
[/QUOTE]
Price alone was the reason I bought Lee equipment when I started reloading,
I have the breech loader single stage and the classic 4 hole turret that are absolutely perfect for my needs. They work great and turn out very good ammo.I can't speak for the 1000,but I'm sold on the Lee equipment I have used. I do use other dies sometimes but that 4 hole classic turret works any way you want it to, and very easy to use. As I said ;perfect for my needs. And on another subject;I can't beleive that everybody that loads does not own Lee's carbide die sets at Lee's price.
my2cents...
aerod1
Member
Don't throw away your Lee reloading equipment. I'll take it off your hands!!!:banghead:
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