Zorros
Ultimate Member
I like to shoot .45 colt from time to time and thought about one of those hand loader kits for under $30. Is this folly? If not, any tips, suggestions? I don’t want to invest in a hand press. I don’t think, i do not.
Never reloaded, and..
- Thread starter Zorros
- Start date
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LGood48
Ultimate Member
The Lee Loader kits have been around for a long time and would seem to be a good investment for the occasional shooter.
https://leeprecision.com/lee-loader-45-colt.html
Quite sure you could find one cheaper than at Lee Precision.
https://leeprecision.com/lee-loader-45-colt.html
Quite sure you could find one cheaper than at Lee Precision.
Not worth it IMO
If you don’t shoot much then get Factory.
To reload you are going to be investing time in learning and gaining knowledge and experience so an inexpensive Lee press and dies is not that much more.
If you want to try it to get your feet wet sure but it may also turn you off cause it’s not the same as a press.
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If you don’t shoot much then get Factory.
To reload you are going to be investing time in learning and gaining knowledge and experience so an inexpensive Lee press and dies is not that much more.
If you want to try it to get your feet wet sure but it may also turn you off cause it’s not the same as a press.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
hodgepodge
Senior Member (Gold)
Doable.
But the basic Lee bench press has allowed me to reload .45LC, and that caliber alone, for several years. It would be easier to do 50 or 100 that way.
But the basic Lee bench press has allowed me to reload .45LC, and that caliber alone, for several years. It would be easier to do 50 or 100 that way.
Zorros
Ultimate Member
Thanks, all. What does it cost to get into a simple bench loader?
Yes, i saw the hand kits for about $30. I don’t want to blow myself or anold colt up.
Yes, i saw the hand kits for about $30. I don’t want to blow myself or anold colt up.
Midsouth has a Lee kit for $121 + shipping.
https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/0000690050/breech-lock-challenger-kit-(50th-anniversary-kit)
How much 45 Colt do you shoot, or think you realistically might shoot, over the course of a year?
ken792
Ultimate Member
Go with the hand press for like $40 and a die set for about $30. The Classic Loader doesn't size the cases all the way and doesn't consistently crimp.
Biggfoot44
Ultimate Member
- Aug 2, 2009
- 33,107
As long as you fire them in the same gun, not an issue . With a little practice, you can get decent crimps .
Answer #1 - They're legit, they work , and with attention to detail, can produce surprisingly accurate ammo njn . As noted , the absolute low capital investment to do reloading , and very fast return on investment with a cal like .45Colt .
Answer #2 - They're Slow . They're Noisy . They're Really Slow .
It's a slippery slope , but a cpl different avenues for better ( quicker, more versatile ) setups for $100-ish , particularly if you get some flavor of used press .
It's your choice to decide your priorities of low cost / compact storage, and speed , no absolute right or wrong .
Answer #1 - They're legit, they work , and with attention to detail, can produce surprisingly accurate ammo njn . As noted , the absolute low capital investment to do reloading , and very fast return on investment with a cal like .45Colt .
Answer #2 - They're Slow . They're Noisy . They're Really Slow .
It's a slippery slope , but a cpl different avenues for better ( quicker, more versatile ) setups for $100-ish , particularly if you get some flavor of used press .
It's your choice to decide your priorities of low cost / compact storage, and speed , no absolute right or wrong .
Blacksmith101
Grumpy Old Man
- Jun 22, 2012
- 22,252
Lee loaders have introduced thousands of people to reloading, including me. If you like it then you will have a new hobby. You can then add presses, dies, accessories, etc. as you need them.
Natchez has them for $28.49.
https://www.natchezss.com/lee-classic-loader-45-colt.html
Add a Lee Manual for $15.99.
https://www.natchezss.com/lee-modern-reloading-manual-2nd-edition.html
If you don't like reloading then pass them along to someone else. I think everyone should have a Lee loader for the calibers they shoot just in case the SHTF.
Natchez has them for $28.49.
https://www.natchezss.com/lee-classic-loader-45-colt.html
Add a Lee Manual for $15.99.
https://www.natchezss.com/lee-modern-reloading-manual-2nd-edition.html
If you don't like reloading then pass them along to someone else. I think everyone should have a Lee loader for the calibers they shoot just in case the SHTF.
Blacksmith101
Grumpy Old Man
- Jun 22, 2012
- 22,252
That is vintage!
ken792
Ultimate Member
With revolvers, a neck sized cartridge isn't going to drop in as smooth as a full length resized one.
Pale Ryder
Ultimate Member
If you plan to reload on the move as in a SHTF bug out, sure. Otherwise a single stage press is not that expensive and overall I think better.
I started reloading for my Argentine Mauser in 1967 with a then Lee-Lyman 310 "nutcracker" set, because the ammo was scarce and expensive even then. I graduated to a simple Lee bench top single stage press a couple of years ago to load 9x18 Makarov and never looked back. My logic: There will be another Dimocrat administration, and if I shoot a caliber and ammo becomes regulated and scarce/expensive, I want to be able to load my own. The basic setup is really not that expensive (cost of less than a case of .45 LC), and a set of dies is also cheap.
Critical advice: I'd also invest in a decent set of "balance beam" scales to weigh your powder charge occasionally. That's what will cause a big bang if you screw up! I still use the set I bought in 1967.
Critical advice: I'd also invest in a decent set of "balance beam" scales to weigh your powder charge occasionally. That's what will cause a big bang if you screw up! I still use the set I bought in 1967.
Rambler
Doing the best with the worst.
- Oct 22, 2011
- 2,213
The Lee 50th anniversary set has remained in their catalog for many years past the 50th. It is available elsewhere for less than MSRP. It is a heck of a value.
https://leeprecision.com/50th-anniversary-breech-lock-challenger-kit.html
They also offer factory second presses on the website. Supposedly cosmetic issues only.
https://leeprecision.com/50th-anniversary-breech-lock-challenger-kit.html
They also offer factory second presses on the website. Supposedly cosmetic issues only.
EarnestT
In the hollow
In 1976 at the age of 16 I started with a Lee loader and a .303 British SMLE. I produced decent accuracy loads with that combo and got me hooked on reloading. I bought powder and primers at hendershot's no questions asked. I didn't know about seating depth so just matched some factory loads I had.
Biggfoot44
Ultimate Member
- Aug 2, 2009
- 33,107
Likewise in the same era , a reloading mentor was using Lee Loader to load MOA ammo for his '06 .
dist1646
Ultimate Member
Based on tests by Precision Shooting magazine, the RCBS Partner press is the way to go. According to their tests, the inexpensive Partner press produced ammo with less run out than much more expensive presses! I loaded everything from rifle to pistol ammo on it. I used mine for decades before recently switching to a Rock Chucker press. Still use the Partner for priming. That press is probably 40 years old!
I reloaded 38 special and 30-30 with them from the time I was 16 until I was about 21. It worked for me, slow but sure!
