15AcreWoods

I started reloading for 38 Special with one of the old Lee loaders. The kind that just had the dies and a mallet was used drive the die onto the case to size it. It had a scoop to measure the powder. Anyone remember that far back? The reloads shot fine in my Colt Offical Police 38. Tried a Lyman "nutcracker" reloading set for a while too. In 1964 I bought a RCBS Rock Chucker and have loaded tens of thousands of cartridges with it, from .22 Hornet to .300 Win Mag and everything in between. I am still using the same press today for 38 / 357 mag, 30-06, 25-06, 7.62X39 and .22/250. The press is a little looser than when it was new but still reloads an accurate cartridge.

Two years ago my son bought a low priced progressive reloader (won't mention brand) that did not work out. Sent it back for a refund.

The point is to get something that will last. In the long run it is cheaper.

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Harlan

The best way to learn (and understand) reloading is to start with a simple press. I still use my 35-year old RCBS Junior.

I think learning the basics this way will keep you out of trouble when you go progressive.

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Electraclyde

I started with a Lee Pro 1000. Had to much time and trouble with the primer system, sold that unit and aquired a Lyman turret press. Very happy with the Lyman. I can load about 100 rounds per hour with this, which is fast enough for me.

REDTAIL

CR2008 i bought a rcbs single stage press just like the one shown in the pic. and it has served me well for over 25 yrs i was going to upgrade to the ROCK CHUCK press bud did not see the need to invest in the extra money now,the single stage press loads all of my hand guns and rifle calibers with no problems

mousehunter

I started with a Lee loader as well. Hint, do not get one.

I have a progressive (Loadmaster) and a single stage. They both have their use. I have considered a hand press, but the only use I could ever think of one was working up a load at the range.

lee n. field

I have a fair amount of experience with the Lee Hand Press.

It'll do what you want. Key phrase here is "low volume". This and a Lee die set are the absolute minimum you need to handload.

Negatives:

• Suboptimal ergonomics.
• I really don't like the Lee Ram Prime Die. It'll work, but RCBS' or Lyman's are a few bucks more, and much better. Or get a hand priming tool.
• You need to empty the trap in the ram every 30 or so rounds that you decap.
• Really not enough leverage to do the larger rifle cartridges.

alnitak

I've been using the Lee Handpress for 3-4 years now, so far, only on pistol cartridges. Frankly, I really like using it and think it's perfect for me for the following reasons:

- It was cheaper to get started than other alternatives
- I only need to do a couple hundred rounds a month or less
- I can use it sitting in front of the TV watching a ball game
- I don't need a dedicated area, loading bench, and permanently attached press
- Just starting out, I could be more in touch with each step
- It's portable
- I can work in stages of as little as 5-15 minutes as time allows

I've written a pretty comprehensive description of my workflow on another forum, if you're interested. But briefly, the process is as follows:

1. Clean brass in vibratory cleaner (a must; I went through all of the by-hand methods and home-made solutions before spending the $70 at Midway...just make it easy on yourself and your brass and spend the money)
2. Sort by headstamp
3. Deprime and resize (can do 100+ in 10-15 minutes)
4. Clean primer pockets and length-trim if needed (I use the Lee hand tools for this; optional)
5. Throw back in the cleaner for another couple hours (optional)
6. Expand case (literally, 5 minutes to do 100+)
7. Seat primers with Lee Autoprime tool (again, about 100 in 15 minutes)
8. One at a time, charge with powder and seat bullet (about 50 in 20 minutes using Lee dippers; takes longer if I need to weigh each charge)
9. Use Lee Factory Crimp Die (FCD) once I have 50 done in step 8 (again, literally takes 3 minutes for 50)

As you can see, each step is only 10-15 minutes, so as I have time, I do a step or two (or one step for two or three boxes). Generally, I have several boxes at various stages, though I make sure that some of the steps are done together. For example, I make sure that the cases are expanded and primed as a single step (I don't like putting primed cases into the press and then exerting a force down into them, although I have done it and there is little or no risk as the primers are seated below the level of the case). I also do steps 8 & 9 together. I like step 8, charging and seating the bullet, as one step, rather than charging a bunch of cases first and then seating. My way keeps me from ever double-charging (or even forgetting to charge) a case.

For me, the handpress works very well and is very convenient. I've turned out some very accurate, and if I might say so, very good (aestheticly speaking) cartridges. At some point, I may go to a turret or progressive press if I get into CAS shooting and need to churn out 500-1000 rounds a month. But for now, the handpress meets my needs.

Jay6

To get into it cheap and with good qaulity you can not go wrong with Lee equipment. Congrats and welcome to a whole other addiction!

sgtD

I bought a hand press about the time that this thread originated. I have been using it to load 50 or 100 rounds of pistol ammo per week since then. It works well and produces good ammo.

I'm right there with alnitak's post. I usually do some of the work on different nights. I'll decap and size while watching TV one night and may also clean primer pockets and trim the same night or the next night.I also have a Lee Autoprime which is a great tool. I may prime them then, or maybe the next night.



When I get 50 cases prepped and primed, I load them in one sitting. I use the Lee expander die that you can charge through. I set up the Lee Perfect Powder Measure on the kitchen table with a towel to protect the table finish and a C clamp. The Lee funnel fits in the die perfectly, so I just keep it in the die while I work. I expand the case, open the press enough to get it loose, so I don't have to jerk it after it's charged, and then stick the whole thing, press and all, under the measure, charge it, open the press and then remove the case and place it in a second loading tray. Sounds complicated, but it takes only seconds to do this.

This way, I have primed cases in one tray, and charged cases in the other. The primed case tray on my left and the charged case tray on my right. This way there is little chance of double charging by accident, since once the case leaves the first tray and is charged it is separated and placed with the other charged cases in the second tray.

I visually inspect the charges, weigh every tenth and then start the bullets by hand in the tray.

The last step is to simply change to the seating die, seat and crimp.

I can expand, charge, inspect, seat and crimp 50 rounds in about 25 minutes using this method.

BTW: last night I got my 30-30 dies in and sized 40 cases. They were easy to do and the hand press required very little force to size them. I also cleaned primer pockets and trimmed. As soon as my primers and powder get delivered to the gun shop, I'll get 'em loaded.

I bought the Lee Pacesetter 3 die set that comes with the factory crimp die. I did set the dies last night. I used a prepped and empty case to set the bullet depth and then used it to set the factory crimp die. evrything went smooth as silk so far.

IMO: if you need to do high volume work, don't get a hand press. If you want to load more than 100 rounds at a time, don't get a hand press. But if your like me and don't have the need for high volume work and don't have room for a bench mounted press it is a great tool. I have thoroughly enjoyed learning how to reload with this tool. For 25 bucks, it's hard to beat.

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alnitak

sgtD...if I had a perfect powder measure, rather than the dippers, I would probably follow the same process you do. The expander die, with powder pour through, works well.

I will say that I agree with you on the low risk of double charge if you move from the left tray to the right one. And also the need for visual inspection and testing powder throws occasionally. Just best practice and common sense.

However, a couple of considerations not mentioned:
- the risk of knocking over a tray-full of charged cases (or dropping something on it) and spilling all the powder (don't ask me how I know)
- the convenience of being able to stop when you want (if you charge a tray-full of cases, you just can't stop and leave them there...you must seat and crimp them all, whereas I can stop at any time if I get tired or something comes up).