Lee Classic Reloader

K

ksduckhntr

Active member
I am contemplating trying my ha d slightly at reloading and saw this little hand loader. I don't shoot to often but want to be able to assure myself some ammo when I need it. What are y'all's thoughts on it? Is there something else simple and easy to start with? I have a set of lee 243 dies I got in a trade so maybe look at something Lee? I need to get a Manila to start reading.
 
I like them a lot.Have instructed my friends how to use them in a great variety of calibers from 222 to 45-70.Boattail bullets work the best like the 75gr VMax.They work well and produce fine ammo_One friend got a Savage Axis in 308 Win and with The 150gr SST/Varget/WLR combo he has gotten 6 coyotes in 5 weeks.All have been between 250-300 yards.You can take your press to the range and fire a great many different bullet/powder combinations in real time.After practicing powder dumps with a dipper and scale a person can get scary close results.The case length guage/shell holder, and deburr tool,and a piece of steel wool makes some pretty and accurate ammo and everything fits in the little case.I can load a case in a minute easily,but most of the time I let the rifle cool between shots and ease thru the process.Happy Gilmore comes to mind...just tap it in with the mallet.I have 2 presses(Lyman and Lee) but use these tools a lot.Brass lasts for a very long time with this tool.
 
Oh and by the way....they only neck size the ammo so an autoloader or pump and this tool is out of the question.Also the ammo is gun specific,use only cases fired from your rifle.At $1 a pop for factory ammo you may come to like this tool a lot.I suggest getting the Lee manual and read it before ordering anything.If you go with the LeeLoader you will still want a plastic mallet,dial calipers,a scale,case length guage/shellholder,cutter and lock stud,and deburr tool,primer pocket tool,and boattail bullet of choice.You dont need a tumbler...steel wool works well and fits in the box also.For the average hunter this is the tool to have.For about $100 you will be set for a long time with custom ammo.Did I mention that brass stays nearly perfect for a very long time?? All the trainees of mine are in awe of their abilities after a little practice.
 
I have one I started with for.223 and it really works pretty well. Its not super fast but that's ok sometimes taking things slow is better.
 
I`m not sure what you are looking at; If I`m not mistaken, the Lee Classic Reloader is a kit that contains everything you would need to reload one caliber (minus a hammer..or large rock or something).
You say you have some dies aquired in a trade, so is this a Classic Reloader kit for .243?
If you just have a set of regular dies for .243, then you will need a press of some type to use them. Any brand of press would work because the threads are pretty much standard (same throughout the industry 7/8-14 IIRC).If you are looking for something portable in the way of a press, then Lee also makes a hand press, not sure how well they work.
 
Hooked,
I understand my dies are not needed for the lee classic reloader but was curious if there is a kit as simple as it is that uses a press instead of a hammer.
Pickaway, you said it can't be used for an autoloader or pump bc it doesn't resize the brass is there a tool I can buy that would accomandate reloading for a semi auto?

All great information, I am just hesitant about first purchase and acquiring the necessary equipment to get started.
 
I also, was hesitant at first about reloading, so I bought the cheapest kit at the time which was the Lee kit that included; press, powder throw, scale, funnel and hand prime tools. My only regret with purchasing that particular kit is the fact that 4 years later and oh..IDK..a few thousands rounds later(maybe more), I`m still using it.
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Reloading in general is `fairly easy`, just get yourself a manual and read up on it (I started with Lyman).A thread up at the top will be helpful to you as well.
If you are just wanting to load for your .243 only, and only want to make sure you have ammo for that that rifle, then a classic reloader kit, a hundred bullets, a hundred primers, and a pound of IMR 4064 ought to set you for life
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I had a e-mail from Natchez a few days ago, and they have a Smart Reloader KIT, that is even cheaper than the Lee kit I started with. That might be an option for you.
 
The Classic LeeLoader only necksizes and leaves the rest of the case as fired from your chamber.If you are gonna full length size,or load for other rifles and pistols,you probably ought to get a press kit.Especially for an auto or pump action.

But for simplicity`s sake with a bolt action...you can take the LeeLoader and shoot all day long with just a handful of brass.Thats pretty fun on a nice day.With some homework powder dumping and weighing a person can take a variety of powders and bullets and get results in real time.

Probably ought to get a manual and decide which way you are going to go.If ya go with a press kit you can always come back to the pocket loader.
 
Ok so I was thinking reload for my 243 (which is only one rifle in 243) and my 308 (which is the only 308) and get two lee classic reloader a in their respective calipers. This way it would be simple and straight forward to start reloading and on the inexpensive side. After reading about it I am unsure of using a hammer for setting the primer. Is there a tool that would make that process easier and less likely to set off? So then my next question is if I buy these "convenient" tools is it better to just buy a single stage press kit and the 308 dies and go from there? So many ways to get started. I like the dipper idea for the powder as I don't have to start off with a scale right away it seems like. I might and probably should visit someone's reloading bench and watch and learn as well as read.
 
I set hundreds of primers with a hammer and never had a problem, that's how it's designed and I'm sure lee did their homework. Also a primer isn't that powerful so not much would really happen other then some noise in my opinion. A lee auto prime is way easier and faster but you have to pick up the auto prime shell holder for that caliber or the whole set that covers most calibers. Oh and you'll need a case length trimmer. Your brass will stretch some after enough reloads.

I went through the same thing you are going through and in all honesty you'll probably end up with a press at some point in time.
 
Good advice here so far.

I started with the Lee Cassic loader for my 243. It's a cool little set, but as said, the priming always made me nervous. I got comfortable with it until I set one off. By that point I was already hooked on reloading. I then bought the inexpensive everything included Lee Anniversary set and dies for my other rifles. I built a portable stand for my press so I could use it wherever. That was still a little inconvenient in the livingroom watching TV with the family, so I bought the hand press for convenience.

If I were in your situation, already having dies, I would buy the Lee Breechlock hand press kit. Here it is on Natchez http://www.natchezss.com/product.cfm?contentID=productDetail&prodID=LEE90180&src=exrbSrch. I'm sure you can find it many places, maybe even from a sponsor here. Even when you move on up to a larger set, (I predict you will be hooked on reloading) you will still like having the hand press. If you already have a powder dipper with your dies, you're set, otherwise you need to choose a powder measure of some sort. I have now upgraded to a nice compact electronic scale. That's my opinion. Worth every penny you paid for it.
 
Yes Ksdkhntr there is a priming tool that seats a primer.And I use it with the Classic,you just have to alter the method a bit.

Yep,you said it well.Read first,then visit someones bench and watch.Then you can make an informed decision.

A scale is a must IMO.Or at least practicing with a dipper and scale until your confidence/ability is gained.If you weren`t a half continent away I`d have ya loading and shooting by the end of the day.I like to watch a person smile after they complete a day of reloading 101.And shooting nice groups I might add.

I know Eric the coyote killer (308 Win) loves his setup.Low tech/high efficiency.
 
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