Okay, just got word I can have a Lee 5 Stage Load Master with everything needed to step right into re-loading. Looked up Lee on the web, of course they love their own stuff. What are some opinions from you guy's on the Lee.

it's cheap and it works....

...But once you try a "real" press (Dillon/Hornady/RCBS) you'll wonder how you got by with a Lee.

Don't get me wrong, I have a Lee Pro 1000 set up for loading .45 ACP because most of the time I'm too lazy to switch out the dies on the Lock-n-Load, but there are a lot of little things that can frustrate you with a Lee. They are cheap for a reason.

Dont get me wrong, I am not going to complain. The Lee web site lists the loader at $350 for minimal set-up. Cheaper than I anticipated for a loader getting into it. Assuming all the bells and whistles he is throwing in will more than make up for the cheaper loader.
I just cant pass up the offer and wont complain about any of it. He even stated it's not a "blue press", can do better. Can always up-grade later. That's why I'm asking you guy's for some opinions on it, just to know what I have to look forward to.

I use quite a bit of Lee equipment, mostly dies, hand primer and other small tools. I don't have a Lee Press but have a RCBS Junior press I bought 33 years ago and a Hornady LNL AP purchased 8 years ago so I can't comment on actual use of their presses. I have however examined several of their standard presses and the "classic cast" presses in both single stage and turret in the store and the classic cast seem to be very good and sturdy presses. If I was in the market for a new press I wouldn't hesitate to buy one of the classic cast presses.

The standard presses and progressives they sell don't give me as good a feeling. I wouldn't get a Lee powder measure, electronic or beam scale unless money was real tight. There are much better units available from RCBS or Hornady.

quote:

Assuming all the bells and whistles he is throwing in will more than make up for the cheaper loader

I bought a Lee single stage press and once I bought everything necessary I had spent enough to purchase a LNL or RCBS Kit.

I'm just not comfortable with the cheap Lee scale and what not. The press itself is working great and I wanted single stage because its more of a hobby for me, I don't need to put out 500 rounds an hour. I spend an hour a night making 50 rounds.

With that said, If I had it to do over again, I would probably still buy the Lee press but other manufacturers scale, powder dispenser and so forth.

You can find lots of RCBS stuff on Ebay for way cheaper than midway.

Unless you have a lot of patience & mechanically inclined, the Lee will drive you nuts. Lots of little things that just don't work well, like the powder measure & priming system. If you want a progressive, buy the Hirnady LNL or a Dillon SDB or 550B. You'll thank yourself down the road.

Thanks for the info guy's. I dont know the brands of the accesories. He just stated an electronic scale, 12-15 sets of die's, 80 plus pounds of powder, tons of brass, books etc. Just have to drive to Fla from Va to get it all.

quote:

Originally posted by DocSteve:
Thanks for the info guy's. I dont know the brands of the accesories. He just stated an electronic scale, 12-15 sets of die's, 80 plus pounds of powder, tons of brass, books etc. Just have to drive to Fla from Va to get it all.

All for that price? Buy everything & sell the press & dies, powder you don't need then buy a LNL or 550B. 80# of powder is worth at least $800, $30/set of dies, great score.

DocSteve, it's probably a good place to start when you get a whole set up like this. You have seen the word cheap posted a few times about Lee products. I am affraid that would be correct. It won't be long befor you will upgrade to a better reloading press.

The darn hobby is habbit forming. Just wait 'till you see your first loads come off the press. Here are a couple good examples Steve...45ACP @ 4gn.s bulls eye powder for a target load. Pound of powder= 7000 gn.s Divide that by 4 and thats a lot of shooting for a 25 dollar pound of powder. Or, .38 special and 148 gn. wad cutter type bullet for target, average of 3 to 3.5 gn.s powder. You can taylor loads for accuracy, speed or power to each gun you choose. A great hobby which saves you a ton of money.

Load with care and caution. Be neat and clean, if something in a string of loads seems out of place, stop and look things over for safety sake. Most of all...enjoy.

Oh don't lie to him! The hobby doesn't save you any money! In fact, it makes you spend money because you constantly want to make more ammo. It's so damn simple and cheaper than buying.

I stopped by WalMart one time and saw a 100ct box of WWB in .45 for 33$+tax.

After you do the math, you can make about 175 rounds of .45 for that much.

David Lee also failed to mention that while powder, primers and brass are cheap...The real money drain are the bullets. Those set you back 7-15 cents per bullet (lead on the low end, jacketed on the high)