Originally Posted by
Walks
I started reloading in the late 1950's. My Dad, Uncle, Brother's and their friends. There was no Lee that I can recall then. So our equipment came from Lachmiller, Herters, Pacific, RCBS, Lyman, H&G and others that I've forgotten.
The only Lee item I ever remember using was the little decap rod and base for .30-06 & .45ACP
Fast forward to 1974, I was stationed on the East Coast. Got a few days leave and went up to Lyman in CT. Factory Store, bought most everything for .30-06, .38/.357 , Spartan Press, Die sets, Molds and a 450 Lube-Sizer and small stuff.
I knew when I came home that I would be Reloading on My Own.
Never bought anything from Lee except that decapper for small & large primers.
Fast forward to 1988, My Dad and I were getting into Cowboy Shooting, at a small Gun show he bought 3 Lee 2cav molds in .44Cal, said cast some bullets for our Colts.
The old Gentleman that sold the molds said "handle them gently".
And I always have. 30,000 bullets later the still drop good bullets.
Had a friend give me Lee dies in .38S&W, .32S&W and .44Russian. Not good dies. 32cal are marked .32ACP, .32S&W Long. Don't do well on the .32Short & Wimpy. Same with the .38S&W, some dies are marked .38Super, VERY Sloppy fit in My S&W Victory Model and My H&R Breaktop.
The shellholder for .44Russian won't fit in My old RockChucker.
The Lee FCD for .44-40 was mismarked .44Mag. The package was .44-40, the die was marked .44Mag. Called Lee, they didn't believe me.
I like Lee Molds, their dies are JUNK.