Lee Loader for $21 for 30-30? Good idea?

[STW]

http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/browse.cgi?1105479991.5568=/html/catalog/dies-rgb.html#LeeLoader

Is this a good kit for a first time reloader to learn? How does it work to use a "complete" kit like this without a press? Or does it asusme I have a press? I'd be happy to reload 20 at a time or so for the time being. I've read that 30-30 needs the whole case resized and this kit sounds like it only resizes the neck?

What would be the advantage of getting a press instead of this kit? $21 is much of a redundancy if I like reloading and decided to get a press. I've wanted to try reloading and I like 30-30--and have been saving brass--so this seemed like a good opportunity.

[Shorty]

STW,
You're going to get a lot of advise to start with a press, because you'll wind up getting one anyway.  Well, back when I was even poorer than I am now, I started with the "loaders", and used them for years.  As long as you don't expect speed or volume, they're just fine.  
As far as neck-sizing only, it should be fine as long as the ammo goes back into the same rifle.  Even if not, as long as the cartridge chambers OK, no problem.  

[dakotashooter2]

I haven't used one for a lever gun but you should be OK for at least a couple of loadings. After a number of loadings neck sized cases reach a point when they need a FL sizing to fit the gun again. This varies with the gun and loads used. Consider... that for another $20 you can get a set of lee dies and their economy press.

[victorcharlie]

Stw,  I started reloading with a lee loader many years ago.  Minus a good scale to weigh loads, the lee loader will do a very good job, but lacks the convenience of more sophisticated reloading equipment.  It's a great way to see the benefits of reloading without laying out a lot of cash.

I've spent a lot more money on less........I think you'll like it so well you'll want some better equipment after learning the process.

[Thomas Krupinski]

http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/browse.cgi?1105479991.5568=/html/catalog/dies-rgb.html#LeeLoader

Is this a good kit for a first time reloader to learn? How does it work to use a "complete" kit like this without a press? Or does it asusme I have a press? I'd be happy to reload 20 at a time or so for the time being. I've read that 30-30 needs the whole case resized and this kit sounds like it only resizes the neck?

What would be the advantage of getting a press instead of this kit? $21 is much of a redundancy if I like reloading and decided to get a press. I've wanted to try reloading and I like 30-30--and have been saving brass--so this seemed like a good opportunity.

I started out with a 30/30 Lee Loader and a Winchester Model 94 back in either '63 or '64, hard to remember now.  Worked just fine then in a lever action.  Now I have numerous presses and other equipment.  It's a good way to start.

You might make a scale for your purchase the Lee Loader.  With the scale you can make some different powder measures to throw different charges than the one that comes with the kit.

[STW]

I haven't used one for a lever gun but you should be OK for at least a couple of loadings. After a number of loadings neck sized cases reach a point when they need a FL sizing to fit the gun again. This varies with the gun and loads used. Consider... that for another $20 you can get a set of lee dies and their economy press.

Sounds like a good bargain too. Guess since I haven't reloaded before I'm trying to guess what the advantage to the press is (less effort and faster?) and the advantage of regular dies (can be used later in upgraded presses?). Spent some time looking through books on reloading but didn't see how the gear choices were different from each other. Reading the Lee site just raises more questions.

For example, what advantage or disadvantage does a turret press have? How are they different from the regular press? Do they use the same dies as a regular press?

Thanks for the advice, and the patience with these really simple questions.

[victorcharlie]

A turret press lets you mount several dies in the press at the same time.  When you move from say full length resizing and decapping to the next stage you just turn the turrett.  Turrets are really nice if you load for one cartridge as you would set up all the dies and leave them in the press.
 
With a single stage press you mount one die and when you are ready to go to the next stage you  take it out and put another one in.  Single stage presses are thought to be stronger than a turret, and if you're full length resizing large cases a single stage will usually allow for more leverage.  I don't find this to be an much of an issue if you lube the cases.  Both presses use the same dies.  
 
For reloading pistol ammunition I think a turret may be a little faster, but for rifle ammo it's probably a wash.

The lee loader will do everthing it needs to do, just not as fast , and if you do your part it will provide very accurate ammo.
 
I would recommend you get an inexpensive beam balance scale and weigh your powder for each load.  The measure that comes with the lee will throw different weights depending on the powder.  
 
For accurate loads, a scale will be much more consistent than the measure.
 
By the way, there is a handload and reloading forum here at Greybeard with loads of information on the subject.

[STW]

Thanks. I can see the difference now, and the reloading forum here makes more sense to me now :oops: . It looks like with a turret press I could get dies for .45acp too and keep them in a separate turret head and then I wouldn't have to adjust the dies at all. Haven't planned on reloading .45 since it's hard to load cheaper than you can buy (hardball) but from the conversation I read here, I should plan wanting to expand once I learn.

[victorcharlie]

If your going to shoot a lot, reloading on most cartridges makes sense.  I loaded a lot of .45 acp and find it an easy caliber to load for.  The turret press is very good for this round as if you have a good powder measure like the lyman 55 you can crank out several hundred rounds per hour.

They also make a progressive press which cranks out a completed round every time you pull the lever.

[mountainview]

STW,

You can actually get the Lee Classic Loader for well under $20 at Midway or Cabelas.

Safe shooting.

[Lawdog]

http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/browse.cgi?1105479991.5568=/html/catalog/dies-rgb.html#LeeLoader

Is this a good kit for a first time reloader to learn? How does it work to use a "complete" kit like this without a press? Or does it asusme I have a press? I'd be happy to reload 20 at a time or so for the time being. I've read that 30-30 needs the whole case resized and this kit sounds like it only resizes the neck?

What would be the advantage of getting a press instead of this kit? $21 is much of a redundancy if I like reloading and decided to get a press. I've wanted to try reloading and I like 30-30--and have been saving brass--so this seemed like a good opportunity.

I started with a Lee Loader in .30-30.  It will serve you well but I do have a couple of suggestions.

1.]  Get a scale for measuring the powder as the scop isn’t all that accurate

2.]  Get a Lee Hand Priming Tool

I had the priming rod set off a primer in a case one time sending the rod thru the ceiling of my bedroom on top of burning my fingers.  My father didn't know I was reloading there(it was in the winter time and cold in the shed.  You may want to check Ebay for a .30-30 loader a they are listed there all the time and sell for around $10.00.  Do a search for Reloading Equipment under the Sporting Goods section.  They usually have over 4,000 items listed there.  Her is one listing;
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=31825&item=7126737212&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW.  Go with the Lee Loader, you won’t regret it.  Be prepared though as it does lead to a new hobby that is more like a habit.  Lawdog
 

[jgalar]

I had the 3 hole non autoindexing turret press but sold it and bought a 4 hole auto indexing press. The turret is good if you load a bunch of calibers because it only take seconds to change the turret and shell holder. It is very quick loading pistol size rounds as after each stroke it automatically rotates the next die into position. The autoindexing will not work with rifle cases. To load rifle cases you just remove the actuator rod when changing turrets - again it only takes a few seconds.
There are some bad points to the Lee turret press: The priming system sucks. There isn't nearly the room inside the press as a single stage press. I don't care for the way the press handles spent primers. (I deprime seperately on a single stage press) And there is alot of slop in the turret - if you are happy with factory round performance it works fine - if you want to load rifle rounds for one hole performance look for a different press.
For me the convenience of the turret press outweigh the negatives. The 4 hole press is easier to change over from pistol to rifle cases than the 3 hole. (speaking of the autoindexing presses) If you are loading rifle cases with the standard 2 die set you can put 2 different calibers on one turret. Once I have the dies set up I locktite them in and seldom have to adjust them again.
I use the press for various handgun, lever action and military surplus rifle cartridges. I only shoot home cast bullets and none of the guns I load for wear a scope. If I were to get a scoped varmint rifle I would probably check the difference in accuracy between using my single stage press and the turret.
The Lee loader is a neat little tool. Even if you have reloading presses and dies you can use the little tool at the range to work up loads or try different bullet seating depths.
Before buying any reloading equipment you must consider what type of reloader you will be.  If you are a perfectionist and think you will want to spend the time and money on getting the absolute best shooting load possible your equipment purchases will be quite different than if your main reason to reload is to shoot more and have a hobby that keeps you home and out of the poolhall and bars.

[Lawdog]

STW,

There is another option that may serve you even better.  The Lee Hand Press #90179.  Total MSRP of the kit is $36.98 when you purchase any die set.  I use this whenever I travel hunting and am going to be away from home.  The kit along with a Lee scale, hand primer, powder, bullets and primers fits into a tool box and is easy to pack or store.  Go to http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/browse.cgi?1105749340.3412=/html/catalog/rlpress2.html to view the different kits Lee makes.  Lawdog
 

[Throckmorton]

Loading bottleneck caes like the 30/30 is a bit tricker than straight wall cases like the .45acp.The bottlenecks are more length sensative as to chambering in the rifle,and they can 'grow' in lenght if the expander ball in the die is a tight fit.Means ya need a way to measure em after sizing,and way to trim 'em if th'yre too long.If the Lee Loader just neck sizes then half the problem is solved.
I started my relaoding 'career' on a LeeLoader in 16 guage,using paper hulls no less,many moons ago.They WILL get the job done and are good way to spend a bit of quiet time.WEAR SAFETY GLASSES.