Lee Hand Loaders...

[mike in co]

was at a gun show sunday. saw a small cardboard box with some hand loader parts. most of the parts for three lee hand loaders.
one was a 30-30...i did not have one in my collection
one was a .30'06...already have one,
and.......
tha last one is a .....


........ 7.7 japanese!!!!!

total cost for all three.....5 us dollars!
and this doesnt count the three target models i got from a fellow caster here on the board.
( 222, 243, and 25'06....i may have to build a couple rifles just to try them out!)

mike

[45 2.1]

was at a gun show sunday. saw a small cardboard box with some hand loader parts. most of the parts for three lee hand loaders.
one was a 30-30...i did not have one in my collection
one was a .30'06...already have one,
and.......
tha last one is a .....


........ 7.7 japanese!!!!!

total cost for all three.....5 us dollars!
and this doesnt count the three target models i got from a fellow caster here on the board.
( 222, 243, and 25'06....i may have to build a couple rifles just to try them out!)

mike

You wanna sell that 7.7 Jap set?

[mike in co]

not at the moment..i'm actually collecting the silly little things....just got a delux 12ga/3"...

[Ben]

Mike:

Hope you enjoy your 3 Lee Target Loaders. That .308 Brass you sent was nice !

Thanks Again,
Ben

[TNsailorman]

Those old Lee Target Loaders are the berries. I wish I could find a set in 6.5x55mm or .223 Remington.

[TNsailorman]

Well, I found a 6.5x55 Lee Loader, now its on to a .223 Remington. Time flies when your having fun. I also found a .41 magnum.

[freedom475]

All you collectors are causing a shortage and a price we people that want to use them can't afford!:mrgreen: Just saw a 410 on E-bay for 71$ with 2days left on the sale:confused:

[725]

freedom475,
If you strike out with a trade for that 10 ga Lee loader, I'll throw my hat in the ring and offer to buy it. Got a NEF 10 goose gun and that would be just the ticket.725

[45 2.1]

I have a complete 10guage Lee loader I would like to trade for a 41Mag. Thanks. Freedom475

I have a 41 Mag set, missing the decapping pin though (which is the easiest part to replace) and has a red #108 dipper instead of the #69 listed on the data. It does have the optional flaring tool (which is very hard to find). Ragged box label (box is fine), but does have the reloading data.

[bandit7.5]

You gotta love these loaders.They are getten harder to find in reasonable shape and of course cheap.Three for 5 bucks is beautiful.

[TNsailorman]

I am not a collector -- guns or reloading equipment, but I do try to buy one of those Lee Loader kits for each rifle or revolver that I own. One of the problems when hunting for one of the little jewels is finding one complete. Too many people remove certain parts from the kit (usually the flaring tool or the old metal dipping measure, or the decapping rod). And yes, I have noticed that the prices being paid is going up but I do my part by not paying "collector" prices -- if the bid gets too high I just drop out. For right now, Lee is still making these kits, so there is no reason to pay more than factory prices unless you are a collector and want a cardboard box instead of a plastic one. As I stated earlier, I am a shooter and a reloader--not a collector. I do not buy things that I would hesitate to use.

[Scrounger]

And for that I thank you and applaud you. Collectors are really scavengers, making things tough on people who would like to use things for what they were intended. A pox on them!

[mike in co]

WELL I AM A COLLECTOR.....but i aint rich..so its the frugal collector.
having said that..i'm a user too.
i have multiples in 308 and 7.62x43r,and use them for my 303 brit,6.5x55 and 8mm.
why multiples ??

set it and leave it...one per gun, sometimes one per boolit style.

why handload vs press ?? some of my matches are only 20-50 rounds....and its simple.

mike in co

[floodgate]

TNsailorman (and everyone else whi might have one:

I have a nice old paper box Lee Loader in .45-70 I got cheap, lacking the powder dipper and the little cardstock chart that lists the recommended loads and sticks out the end to show the caliber. I raided an incomplete dipper set to get the "correct" #167 red dipper, but need a copy of the chart. I made one for another poster here a week or two back, for a 20 ga. Lee Loader; hope someone with an older .45-70 one can return the favor - PM me if you can help. (Yes, I DID check under the styrofoam, but no-one had stashed it there.) The newer LL's in the plastic box have a different size yellow dipper, calibrated didfferently.

"And yes, I have noticed that the prices being paid is going up but I do my part by not paying "collector" prices -- if the bid gets too high I just drop out."

Ain't that the truth! I spotted just what I needed on eBay the other day - a nice old set in.45-70 with chart and dipper, and while I watched it bounced up and went for $38 and change, plus shipping! And the new ones cost only $29.88 at Lee and less at other outlets! (I was going to copy the chart for the older one and offer it as a site benefit auction.)

floodgate

[P Patcher]

Floodgate,
I got what you need and would happy to send you a copy. My computer skills are a little primitive so If you pm me your address I'll send it right out.
Addison

[mike in co]

this weekends gun show yielded a nice 220 swift hand loader....with out the data sheet.

anyone have a data sheet ? could send me a copy ?

thanks
mike

[armstrong]

does anyone know the correct powder measure # for a LEE LOADER 7x57 rimmed?

[floodgate]

armstrong:

I checked my First Edition "LEE Reloading Handbook" (no date, but probably from the mid-1960s, just after they went to the red plastic scoops; the "slide rule" charge table in my red scoop set is copyrighted 1966). They don't show anything for the 7 x 57 RIMMED (this issue doesn't list the .45-70 either!), but recommend scoop # 167 ("replaces and same as old 14") for the 7 x 57 rimless. You might compare the two cartridges in other manuals, if you can find them; I suspect the rimmed version is loaded a bit lighter in deference to the Drillings it was often chambered in.

floodgate

[Scrounger]

All of the scoop loads in the Lee Loader boxes were well under maximum, they were downright light.

[armstrong]

...Thanks floodgate...gives me a starting point...this loader has me a bit puzzled..its complete except for the dipper,looks un-used.. charge card is 1963, but has no loading data on it...

[twoworms]

I found a few Lee Loaders in 45-70, 45LC, 30-30, 20Ga.

What are they worth, and should I buy them. The 45-70 and 45LC are very good, the 30-30 and 20Ga are in cardboard boxes.

Tim

[G. Blessing]

Whats different about the target models?

and for that matter, is there something different about the older ones? My last years lee catalog still lists them new, albeit for fewer calibers than in the past...

G.



G.

[Single Shot]

All you collectors are causing a shortage and a price we people that want to use them can't afford!:mrgreen: Just saw a 410 on E-bay for 71$ with 2days left on the sale:confused:


I bought one off E-bay a few years ago for a total cost with ship for $56. Sold it on E-bay this year for $110 plus ship:mrgreen:

[floodgate]

G. Blessing:

The Target Model Lee Loaders are a lot more complete than the basic ones; they have provision for inside neck reaming, a case length trimmer like the one Lee sells separately, one of the older-style hand priming tools with matching shell-holder (instead of hammering the primers in with a mallet), and the seating depth is "micrometer"-adjustable. They are also REAL pricey, if the seller knows what he has. I've seen new-in-box examples go $75 - $100 on eBay; but I lucked out and got a decent one, well-used but serviceable, in .270W for $31.00 plus $8.95 postage.

floodgate

[G. Blessing]

Ah! Thank you. :tu

Does sond to be with better options/function..

I have a 70s vintage one(non target) for 30-30, and my Dad has a pair of that age, for 357, and 30-06... I will be sure not to loose them now.

G.

[gcollins]

You guys collect the Lee Hand Loaders? I threw awy several sets, of rifle dies in the Red plastic cases, i might have some more I would have to did for them, tell me what you are looking for? I also know where there are some, I have no clue on how much the person would want for them?
Greg

[exblaster]

What is a fair price for common caliber Lee hand loaders? While we are at this how about a price for uncommon ones?


Exblaster

[725]

Lee still produces them and they are sold at Midway, Midsouth, etc. I guess they go about $17 - $18 per unit. They don't make as large a varity as in the past, but still manage to cover many of the popular calibers. As far as the no longer manufactured calibers, it's just supply and demand economics. Caveat emptor. The .410 version has reached cult level status. Wish I could get one.

[floodgate]

exblaster:

Check them out on eBay. The older ones in the cardboard boxes seem to go in the $25 - $40 range, but with wild swings. As noted above, the 410's go high, as do the 28ga's. and 10 ga's. and the 3" versions run a bit higher too. There are usually 15 - 20 of them going at any given time; just watch for a while and occasionally a real good buy will come by - just don't let the auction fever grab you!

If anyone here has extras, offer them here first - many of us tend to accumulate them. Look for a WTS/Site Benefit offer from me on a .45-70 over the next few days - I had two feelers out and both came in; and another member provided the missing data card to complete the second set.

floodgate

[Junior1942]

A few months back John Lee told me that due to slow sales the days of the ol' whack-it Lee loaders were numbered. I now own one in every caliber for which I load . . . that they have one for, of course. Heads up, boys. . . .

[exblaster]

Thank you for the reply to my question. I ask because I got 6 old Lee loaders in a trade a while back and poster two common caliber ones in the for sale section . From the lack of response I was worried I had priced them too high and would have to have them for breakfast some morning. I will post some of the better ones and see what happens.



Front sight and squeeze.
Exblaster

[richbug]

...Thanks floodgate...gives me a starting point...this loader has me a bit puzzled..its complete except for the dipper,looks un-used.. charge card is 1963, but has no loading data on it...



I had one for 303 savage that was the same way(sold on Fleabay for
$150 IIRC). There were a few very low production models that didn't get load data or a dipper from the factory.

[Oldloder1]

:Fire:To any Lee Loader fans out there. I bought my first one--a 300 savage-- for under ten dollars in 1963. It was during huntnig season, the decapping rod broke and they had one in four days. Have been very pleased. As the family came along and started hunting we aquired--77 rem mag, 30-06, 243. Equal in accuracy or better than more costly systems. The brass seemed to last longer to. I just aquired a 7mm x 57mm mauser. If any one has a complete kit they would like to get rid of, let me know. Also who is a good supplier of brass?

[KCSO]

The Upper Missouri Trading Company still has some in stock, next time i go up there I will make a claiber list.

[Tracy]

All of the scoop loads in the Lee Loader boxes were well under maximum, they were downright light.

You got that right. My new 2 1/2" .410 LL, intended for paper hulls and card wads, nevertheless has a dipper that is quite workable for plastic wads in plastic shells!:-D

[Old Ironsights]

:Fire:To any Lee Loader fans out there. I bought my first one--a 300 savage-- for under ten dollars in 1963. It was during huntnig season, the decapping rod broke and they had one in four days. Have been very pleased. As the family came along and started hunting we aquired--77 rem mag, 30-06, 243. Equal in accuracy or better than more costly systems. The brass seemed to last longer to. I just aquired a 7mm x 57mm mauser. If any one has a complete kit they would like to get rid of, let me know. Also who is a good supplier of brass?

The brass lasts longer because it is not being full-length resized... ond one of the top benchresters in the world used nothing but a Lee Loader.

[Old Ironsights]

I found a few Lee Loaders in 45-70, 45LC, 30-30, 20Ga.

What are they worth, and should I buy them. The 45-70 and 45LC are very good, the 30-30 and 20Ga are in cardboard boxes.

Tim

If my current bid on a 20ga set falls through, I'd like to discuss aquiring yours...

[JIMinPHX]

All of the scoop loads in the Lee Loader boxes were well under maximum, they were downright light.

Depends which powder you choose from the list. Some were pretty snappy.

[Old Ironsights]

Scooping technique makes a hige difference too...

[Rustyleee]

I saw a target set for .223 go for over $75 when I quit watching it on e-bay. There was also a Mequon Loader that went for over $45 I was at work when that auction finished so I just bought a brand new set from Cabelas for $20.

[Old Ironsights]

It's weird what will sell for what when it comes to Lee Loaders.

I just got a nearly NIB/NOS 1964 20ga Lee Loader for only slightly more tha the cost of a NIB 2008 rifle/pistol Lee Loader.

OTOH, I've paid 3x that amount for a kit not nearly as nice just because I happened to be wanting it at exactly the same moment as a bunch of other people... and I'm impatient. Makes no sense, but it's Ebone.