Lee Loader

[mdi]

Taylorh , there is a Lee Owners’ forum and on it there is a long running thread with lots of data sheets recorded. I’m pretty sure the one you’re looking for is there.

Froggie

PS Try here; https://www.lee-loader.com/viewforum.php?f=7

Yes! I've been a member of the Home for the "Low Life Lee Lovers"! For a while and have gleaned a ton and a half of unbiased, real life info. Some excellent history and hands on experience in an easy to navigate/read forum (unlike the trend towards the "new age color scheme, Second Media format [yuck!] that a lot of forums are going with).

[Alferd Packer]

I started reading this thread years ago and forgot what I read so I am enjoying it all over again.

[Castaway]

I have one in 45-70 and it’s now my Go-To for smokeless loads in my Ruger #1. I paper patch for it and find if I take the decapping rod, insert upside down it in a primed case and rotate it in circles, I can bell the case to accept a cast or patched bullet.

[W.R.Buchanan]

I have one in 45-70 and it’s now my Go-To for smokeless loads in my Ruger #1. I paper patch for it and find if I take the decapping rod, insert upside down it in a primed case and rotate it in circles, I can bell the case to accept a cast or patched bullet.

That is a good idea!

Randy

[fgd135]

Lee sells a custom neck flaring tool for the Lee Loader, fwiw, only $8.
https://leeprecision.com/custom-flar...ee-loader.html

[Castaway]

Would possibly consider a flaring tool if I had a caliber that didn't allow rolling the rod around, but in my case, an unnecessary part to keep up with. I’m curious though if it would work with shorter pistol cases such as 44 Mag and 45 Colt

[Goopy]

Quick question for you Lee Loader experts- is the .38 Special Loader Kit the same dimensionally as the .357 Magnum Kit, exception being in the powder dipper of course...
Thanks!

[Green Frog]

I’m not a Lee Loader expert by any measure, but will observe that seating depth and cartridge overall length of the 38 Spl vs 357 Mag might cause problems. You can’t adjust the Lee dies up and down like you would with threaded ones on a press.
Froggie

[Bmi48219]

I’m not a Lee Loader expert by any measure, but will observe that seating depth and cartridge overall length of the 38 Spl vs 357 Mag might cause problems. You can’t adjust the Lee dies up and down like you would with threaded ones on a press.
Froggie

I would think one can decap, prime and resize 357 using the Lee Classic 38 set since both cartridges have the same case diameters. Bullet seating depth is adjustable so that shouldn’t be an issue either.
The LEE catalog states either Classic die set can be used to load the other cartridge with the purchase of the correct powder scoop and load data sheet.

Note: The 357 Mag can be reloaded with this kit with the purchase of load data and dipper. The kit will crimp both the 38 Special and 357 Magnum cases.

I’m not as sure about crimping. The method I’ve seen is to invert the powder funnel top of the sizing die over the seated bullet and tap on the now-upward-facing base of the sizing die so the inverted funnel will squeeze the case mouth around the seated bullet. I think too heavy of a ‘tap’ could cause a partial collapse of the brass unless downward travel of the die/funnel is stopped by a precise length sleeve around the loaded cartridge.
Another point is that LEE does not provide a flaring tool with the die set. Shaving, especially with boolits, can occur. If you do somehow flare the case mouth and seat the projectile you can then resize the loaded round to remove the flare/crimp but driving the now-crimped loaded round out of the sizing die won’t help maintain a consistent COL.

[fiberoptik]

They do offer a small tool for flaring brass. I have one. At least they did. Didn’t cost much.

[TRG3]

Like most of you, a Lee Loader was my introduction to hand loading, that being a .222 Magnum and a .357, both served me well as a young teacher in SE Alaska. It was legal to shoot seals at that time for which I used the .222 Magnum and the .357 was used for Sitka blacktail deer. I traded locally for a Martini Cadet which I had rebored/chambered for the .357. I thought it was enough for brown bear but fortunately I didn't have to face one. Now that Illinois allows straight-walled cartridges for whitetail deer season, I can once again use the Martini.

[Tripplebeards]

Man is it a project loading over 80 10 gauge hulls! I'm down to roll crimping. These 2.5.oz #5 turkey loads should last me a lifetime if I don't start plinking with them. I might pull down some others I already have loaded up amd reload with this recipe.






Just bought a 3" 12 gauge version from a member here!!!! Can't wait!!! Whoo Hoo!!!! I'll load up some heavies for the 12 as well. I'll just have to get my hands on some wads and shotcups....and more shot. Burned up almost my whole 15 pound bag of #5's and over half of a pound of lil gun on these I just got!!! It goes quick!

[Tripplebeards]

My classic 3” 12 gauge lee loader came yesterday from a member here. He sent some goodies with it…a mec 10 gauge size master!!! Holy crap!!! New toys to play with!!! It’s missing a few parts so I’m on the hunt! I’m going to strip it down, polish up, and repaint it! I finally roll crimped all my 10 gauge hulls yesterday. All turned out pretty nice accept for six out seven black Winchester hulls and two Remington hulls that have powder burns on them from several firings. These eight will be used for pattern testing and then cut down to 2 7/8” hulls for my black powder shooter. Those black Winchester plastic hulls are super wimpy and can’t handle any pressure what so ever when roll crimping. The two Remington hulls I knew were past their prime but figured you don’t know unless you try. Almost looks like I don’t have enough lube in my four pin roller for the Remingtons? Anyways all the rest turned out great.





And the 8 rejects. I’m surprised I did get one of the 7 Winchesters to roll crimp nicely. It’s in the top left corner. I only trimmed off about a 1/4” off all the hulls after trying to straighten out the fold crimps. So there were existing marks from the previous folds. The federal and Remington hulls didn’t care I could push down with my drill press with some force at the end and no issues with crumpling the cases. If I barely used any force what so ever with the Winchester hulls they wrinkled right up. They will still cycle and feed just fine in my browning gold from past experiences trying them like this but they just don’t look pleasing to the eye. Oh well…these 8 will be practice loads.



All the rest look nice and professional.