Lee Hand Loader For Smaller Cartridges?

[Sidewinder]

I need some feedback from someone that has one of these, and have loaded some small cartridges on it. I'm considering buying one to reload .22 Hornet, which has a thin wall. I'm not worried about speed, quality and uniformity is what I'm shooting for. I have a Rock Chucker for my heavier cases, but thought a hand loader might be good for the .22 Hornet. I'm not talking about the Lee Hand Loaders that you do hammering with. I'm talking about a portable, hand operated press. If I can make it happen, I'll post a pic...if I can't and someone else has a pic of one, be my guest. Thanks...I need feedback good and bad.

 

Well...just tried, couldn't copy and paste.

 

 

[dlmeadows]

I have a good friend that loads 38, 9mm and 45 on one of those. He loves it

[Patton]

To be honest, while I love my single stage challenger press, I wish that I had one of the Lee Hand Loaders so wouldn't be confined to the bench.

[DWARREN123]

I have one and have used it to deprime and size. Neat little press.

I do not know how it will work for the .22 Hornet.

[Monkeyman2500]

I have a good friend that loads 38, 9mm and 45 on one of those. He loves it

Have a friend that does the same thing. He loves it. It's slow but works great.

[Sidewinder]

Thanks for the feedback. My mind's pretty much made up...I'm going to buy one of them. Can anyone tell me who carries them locally? I saw a small "bench mount" in Academy the other day, for around $40... but didn't see and hand presses. I may have to order one online, but would rather buy one locally...as long as It doesn't cost twice as much.

[QuietDan]

I think I got mine from Outpost Armory . . . I had two, one I gave to a friend to get started, and later, one to deprime with in front of the tv in the house. It has plenty of force for its size, I'm thinking as much as a bench press, though I don't think I'd want to do .50 cal for Ma Deuce on it. . . . the largest I do is .308, and I think I've done a few on it just to see if I could. I have since included it in a ammo can reloading bug out box for .45 ACP.

Edited August 21, 2014 by QuietDan

[Sidewinder]

Is this Lee Hand Press steel or aluminum? Also, is the quick lock feature applicable to all of the Lee hand presses, or is it a completely different design, wherein you have to choose one with or one without it! Is it something that can be added to a regular Lee hand press later? Thanks.

[Omega]

Is this Lee Hand Press steel or aluminum? Also, is the quick lock feature applicable to all of the Lee hand presses, or is it a completely different design, wherein you have to choose one with or one without it! Is it something that can be added to a regular Lee hand press later? Thanks.

Here is a link to the one at Midsouth, it describes it quite well: https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/0000690180/Breech_Lock_Hand_Press_Kit_

[Sidewinder]

Here is a link to the one at Midsouth, it describes it quite well: https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/0000690180/Breech_Lock_Hand_Press_Kit_

Thanks Omega, I've read a few of these advertisements and still don't understand if there are "two" different hand loaders. It looks like there is...one, you screw your dies directly into the hand press, and on the other you screw your dies into the quick lock fitting, and then install it into the hand press. I like the idea of screwing my dies directly into the hand press. I understand the quick lock feature is supposed to save time. But, if I'm loading on a hand loader, my main concern is not speed. Thanks for the link. They call one setup the hand loader "kit", which leads me to believe there are two different designs. I'm looking for the one that my die screws directly into the hand loader...possibly the older model. Thanks again, Omega for the link.

[Omega]

Thanks Omega, I've read a few of these advertisements and still don't understand if there are "two" different hand loaders. It looks like there is...one, you screw your dies directly into the hand press, and on the other you screw your dies into the quick lock fitting, and then install it into the hand press. I like the idea of screwing my dies directly into the hand press. I understand the quick lock feature is supposed to save time. But, if I'm loading on a hand loader, my main concern is not speed. Thanks for the link. They call one setup the hand loader "kit", which leads me to believe there are two different designs. I'm looking for the one that my die screws directly into the hand loader...possibly the older model. Thanks again, Omega for the link.

Yes, the older one was just like their classic press but I don't think anyone has them in stock. Maybe a used one is out there that you can get, but the quick lock feature works decently enough I doubt you could tell the difference between them.

[Sidewinder]

Yes, the older one was just like their classic press but I don't think anyone has them in stock. Maybe a used one is out there that you can get, but the quick lock feature works decently enough I doubt you could tell the difference between them.

Omega, was the older ones steel, and the new ones aluminum? I'd really like to get my hands on one of the older models that someone got...was too slow, or whatever...threw it in a drawer 20 years ago, and don't use it anymore. I thought I read somewhere that some of them were steel. I believe all of the current models are aluminum. What the heck, I'd probably be happy with either model, if I didn't get ripped on the price. Should be the perfect press for the thin walled .22 Hornet brass.

[Omega]

Omega, was the older ones steel, and the new ones aluminum? I'd really like to get my hands on one of the older models that someone got...was too slow, or whatever...threw it in a drawer 20 years ago, and don't use it anymore. I thought I read somewhere that some of them were steel. I believe all of the current models are aluminum. What the heck, I'd probably be happy with either model, if I didn't get ripped on the price. Should be the perfect press for the thin walled .22 Hornet brass.

I am not sure what the old ones are made of, I'll have to stick a magnet on my single stage press to see if its steel or some kind of pot metal. It's an 80s press and made like the older hand press.

[Sidewinder]

I am not sure what the old ones are made of, I'll have to stick a magnet on my single stage press to see if its steel or some kind of pot metal. It's an 80s press and made like the older hand press.

Thanks for all of the help Omega. I bought one at Academy this afternoon. I forgot to ask if they carried the Lee Case Lube. I have case lube that I use when loading with my Rock Chucker, it is Dillon Case Lube. I know it's a liquid, whereas the Lee Lube is a paste. The instructions that came with the loader, calls for lubing inside the case mouth with a Q-Tip, with Lee Case Lube. I've never done this on any case mouths before...afraid it might contaminate my powder. Do you do this with your hand loader?

 

P.S. this hand press is aluminum, but has the Breech Lock feature.

[deadeye111]

Thanks for all of the help Omega. I bought one at Academy this afternoon. I forgot to ask if they carried the Lee Case Lube. I have case lube that I use when loading with my Rock Chucker, it is Dillon Case Lube. I know it's a liquid, whereas the Lee Lube is a paste. The instructions that came with the loader, calls for lubing inside the case mouth with a Q-Tip, with Lee Case Lube. I've never done this on any case mouths before...afraid it might contaminate my powder. Do you do this with your hand loader?

 

P.S. this hand press is aluminum, but has the Breech Lock feature.

I use the RCBS case neck brushes to clean the case mouth but I am using a regular single stage Lyman Orange Crusher press.  I don't add lube to brush and it seems to work fine. 

[Omega]

Thanks for all of the help Omega. I bought one at Academy this afternoon. I forgot to ask if they carried the Lee Case Lube. I have case lube that I use when loading with my Rock Chucker, it is Dillon Case Lube. I know it's a liquid, whereas the Lee Lube is a paste. The instructions that came with the loader, calls for lubing inside the case mouth with a Q-Tip, with Lee Case Lube. I've never done this on any case mouths before...afraid it might contaminate my powder. Do you do this with your hand loader?
 
P.S. this hand press is aluminum, but has the Breech Lock feature.

I have an old midway branded neck brush setup with a white graphite powder that I use for rifle cartridges. I tried the whole q-tip thing (ok with powder, it dries fast)but it got tedious fast. Here is a simular one:
https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/00070011341/Case_Neck_Graphiter_ For the outside I use a case lube spray and place a few cases in a baggie then spray a bit and roll the cases around. I find it much easier than a case lube pad and regular case lube.

[Sidewinder]

I have an old midway branded neck brush setup with a white graphite powder that I use for rifle cartridges. I tried the whole q-tip thing (ok with powder, it dries fast)but it got tedious fast. Here is a simular one:
https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/00070011341/Case_Neck_Graphiter_ For the outside I use a case lube spray and place a few cases in a baggie then spray a bit and roll the cases around. I find it much easier than a case lube pad and regular case lube.

Thanks for the link...I like this setup. For the outside of the case, I just lay a bunch of them on a tin lid, spray them down, then roll them around on the lid, let dry, and then proceed. Never tried the baggie method. Are you concerned about any of the case lube getting into the inside of the case? have you seen this case neck graphiter sold in any of the local stores, or gun shows? I'm afraid to use my credit card on the internet these days. I could do a postal money order, if they'd go along with that. They could hold up shipping until they got the money order.

[Omega]

Thanks for the link...I like this setup. For the outside of the case, I just lay a bunch of them on a tin lid, spray them down, then roll them around on the lid, let dry, and then proceed. Never tried the baggie method. Are you concerned about any of the case lube getting into the inside of the case? have you seen this case neck graphiter sold in any of the local stores, or gun shows? I'm afraid to use my credit card on the internet these days. I could do a postal money order, if they'd go along with that. They could hold up shipping until they got the money order.

No, not worried about lube in the case. It dries quick and never had powder issues because of it. Not sure about your local area gun stores, I'd call them. Though nothing is 100%, I never had any security issues from midway or midsouth. Heck, for that matter nothing from any online shopping. Did get notice about Target though and I dont shop there.

[Patton]

I just saw the first one I have ever seen in person at Academy this morning. Edited August 25, 2014 by Patton

[Sidewinder]

Update on the Lee Hand Loader. I've just finished de-priming & full length case re-sizing my first box of 50 Winchester Super X, with the hand loader, and all went well. I had ran them through the tumbler first. I used the Dillon case lube, on a cotton swab, in the case mouths, and rolled them in it for outside case lube. The little hand operated Lee Loader worked real good, and was not hard to close, for the de-priming / full length re-sizing operation. I wiped all of the excess lube off with a terry cloth towel, and have them back in the tumbler again. When they come out this time, I'll inspect, trim to length size them, debur/burnish the edges, then open the case throat just enough so that the bullet will sit straight until it enters the seating.crimp die. Then I plan to prime all of them with my Lee Auto Prime hand primer.

 

I probably won't be able to charge and seat the bullets yet. I have to make sure I have the bullets I need. I'll re-use the old box, so I'll try to re-load as close to the original as possible. This Winchester Super X box was 45 Grain Soft Points, so I'll try to duplicate that configuration. The box says these were varmint loads, and I'll stick with that. I plan to use Lil Gun for powder, but have to check my bullet supply. May have to take a trip to The Reloader's Bench in Mt. Juilet and see Larry about some bullets. Probably other things too...never can walk out of there with just what I came for! Bet you all are the same way.

[Omega]

Yea, they are actually quite good though slower than a full single stage press but a bit faster IMHO than the set you have to use a hammer on.  But if you are developing a load, its great to have one out at the range to load differing charges right on the spot.  I usually load like 5 of each charge I want to try before I head out but sometimes its nice to be able to load more of the one your gun likes to be REALLY sure.

[Sidewinder]

Yea, they are actually quite good though slower than a full single stage press but a bit faster IMHO than the set you have to use a hammer on.  But if you are developing a load, its great to have one out at the range to load differing charges right on the spot.  I usually load like 5 of each charge I want to try before I head out but sometimes its nice to be able to load more of the one your gun likes to be REALLY sure.

It'll be a while before I can attest to the whole loading process on my new hand press. I thought I had some 45 grain soft point bullets, but it turned out they are 50 grain soft points. When I put the reloads back in the factory box, I try to duplicate the load so I'll know what I'm shooting. I called David yesterday, to see if he had any. He was in Indianapolis at a gun show, and said he didn't have any there, but may have some at home. I have the primers and powder, just holding on the bullets. Maybe one of his suppliers has some. At any rate, I'm on hold for some .224 dia. 45 gr. soft point bullets.

[Omega]

I used to reuse factory boxes, specially the ones with plastic bullet trays. Now I stock up on plastic bullet cases with the hinged lids (2 piece) and use those. I never tried replicating any factory rounds because reloads can be so much better. I did try and stay close to what I zeroed with in my hunting rifles (130gr grand slam .270)when I first started reloading but now I zero with my hunting rounds since it normally takes less than 5 with my setup. In pistol, I reload a medium charge and shoot them to see how my gun likes them then adjust if it give me any issues with the process such as extraction, stovepipe etc.

Edit to add that these are the ones that I reload for varmint and plinking: https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/000042255TIP/22_Caliber_point224_Diameter_50_Grain_Black_Poly_Tip_500_Count_(Overrun)

Out of stock (OOS) at the moment but they pop up often. Edited August 31, 2014 by Omega

[Sidewinder]

I used to reuse factory boxes, specially the ones with plastic bullet trays. Now I stock up on plastic bullet cases with the hinged lids (2 piece) and use those. I never tried replicating any factory rounds because reloads can be so much better. I did try and stay close to what I zeroed with in my hunting rifles (130gr grand slam .270)when I first started reloading but now I zero with my hunting rounds since it normally takes less than 5 with my setup. In pistol, I reload a medium charge and shoot them to see how my gun likes them then adjust if it give me any issues with the process such as extraction, stovepipe etc.

Edit to add that these are the ones that I reload for varmint and plinking: https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/000042255TIP/22_Caliber_point224_Diameter_50_Grain_Black_Poly_Tip_500_Count_(Overrun)

Out of stock (OOS) at the moment but they pop up often.

Yea, I have a bunch of the plastic bullet boxes too, and like them as I can stick my reload data right on the lid. And, you're right about the hand loads out performing the factory loads. I haven't done any 22 Hornet loading, or shooting, yet but it seems the 45 grain bullet is the sweet spot for the round. I just hope it is for the two barrels I'll be shooting it from. Both are Contender barrels, one a 10" pistol barrel, and the other a 21" carbine barrel.

 

Thanks for the link, I just may try some of them when they get them back in stock.

[Omega]

Yea, I have a bunch of the plastic bullet boxes too, and like them as I can stick my reload data right on the lid. And, you're right about the hand loads out performing the factory loads. I haven't done any 22 Hornet loading, or shooting, yet but it seems the 45 grain bullet is the sweet spot for the round. I just hope it is for the two barrels I'll be shooting it from. Both are Contender barrels, one a 10" pistol barrel, and the other a 21" carbine barrel.
 
Thanks for the link, I just may try some of them when they get them back in stock.

If you can't get any, Midsouth has these in stock: https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/0003530176/22_Caliber_point224_Diameter_45_Grain_Triple_Shock_Flat_Base_50_Count
Or these: https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/000071310/22_Caliber_point224_Diameter_45_Grain_Spitzer_Varminter_100_Count
So depending on your price point and what you plan on hunting ,these might fit the bill.