View Full Version : Lee Hand Press for Beginner Reloading Rifle
Bought a descent bolt gun to join my semi's and after shooting it a few times, I'm thinking about trying out reloading. BUT, I know myself and attention to detail isn't my strong suit. Seems like the Lee Hand Press would allow me to take my time, do each step correctly, not allowing speed to muck up the process. Also need portability as don't have a lot of space today for larger equipment.
Looking to reload 5.56, 7.62X39, 7.62X51 and possibly 6.5 Grendel later about 100-200 rounds a session.
Anyone use this to learn, or still use this press? How long would 100-200 rounds take to reload on one of these, couple hours?
Any insight you can offer would be appreciated.
Noah
TheAlsatian
03-06-19, 17:17
Yes I still have one. I used it and my old Lyman 310 tools to do most of my loading when I lived in MT. I did most of that in the Winter and it was easier to sit in front of my woodstove and do my loading. It works fine, just slower. I just wouldn't recommend it for magnum length cartridges but you have that covered. I would recommend you buy a separate priming tool, Lee, RCBS etc as that is painstakingly slow on a hand press...
Noah,
I would recommend not using the hand press for reloading. I own one of these and use it only for de-priming range pick up brass (This keeps dirt and grime away from my work space and my presses cleaner).
While you can use the hand press for most of the various reloading steps, I recommend a bench/table mounted press instead. I have found that the Lee hand press has some very loose fitting/floating parts and is not exactly the most ergonomic tool to use. The build tolerance of the various parts is likely to affect your ability to create match-esqe grade reloads but you could probably get away with decent range/plinking ammo. However, your choice in reloading dies and reloading process is more likely to affect the quality of your reloads.
The hand press is more of a pain to use then convenient. It's design sort of limits how you can hold it and the constant opening and closing of it is cumbersome compared to a traditional press. I have seen pictures of compact reloading setups that use very little space with a traditional press. Perhaps take a look at some of those options by searching the internet for pictures of compact reloading setups. In my opinion I would pass on purchasing one of these. Lee often sells some of their traditional reloading presses at a discounted rate in their Closeout section of their website if you are trying to start your foray into reloading by saving money.
BUT, I know myself and attention to detail isn't my strong suit.
Reloading requires a good amount of attention to detail. If you really decide to venture into reloading then I recommend purchasing a reloading manual and reading it before purchasing any equipment.
The above post by TxRaptor is a good advice.
If you are serious about trying out reloading a good place to start for equipment might be something like an RCBS Rockchucker Supreme kit, or a similar kit produced by Hornady or even Lee (their single stage bench mounted press, not the hand press).
But, as was said above, reloading is not a hobby for someone who isn't detail oriented and/or who tends to be easily distracted. The suggestion of getting a manual to read before buying any equipment is sound. You might also see if there's a training facility in your area that offers a class on hand loading.
You didn't mention your motivation for wanting to get into reloading. I've found that it hasn't really changed the amount of money I spend on shooting. It's a second hobby unto itself, and while it is absolutely possible to load ammo more cheaply than you can buy, it the time spent eats up most or all of the savings (assuming you value your time at all). I've found that I enjoy the hobby and the ammo savings is a bonus.
As for that hand press, I wouldn't want to be stuck trying to full length resize rifle cases on something like that.
They are perfect for reloading neck-sized brass for bolt guns, or batch depriming case lots whilst in front of the TV w/ the Mrs, ha!
I reload most of my mil-surps this way, using a universal depriming tool, as the cases don’t need belling/expansion or such ... deprime, reprime (Lee hand tool), powdah (B&M measure), seat & Lee factory crimp die. Nickle-sized groups at 50-yds, can’t be beat!
TomPenguin5145
03-06-19, 20:31
Take a look see here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lDL9tUnfVQ&list=PLTTrjvDib94l4NNyug0efjXsXokBksmRa
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTTHtcbfhpo
Gonna go with the attention to detail first also. Manuals are good too. Doesn't have to be new as far as safety and how to information goes. Lyman and 1960's NRA reloading guides are some of the best in my opinion. Online is good so long as who ever is keying it in knows what they are doing which is a good reason to have at least 1 hard copy.
I have used neck size .308 dies in a Lee hand press for sure and full length .223 (not sure if I ever did full length with .308) and it was fine for range and hunting ammo. Not as good as bench mounted, but I think it has a niche. Had mine awhile so maybe something is different, but as far as looseness goes I don't think there is much of an issue so long as the shell holder and die bottom out against each other.
Not sure what you are planning on loading 7.62x39 for, but not thinking of much of an advantage on that one.
Once again, the big thing is attention. I have read an opinion that a progressive can be better to start with since it lets you focus more attention on inspecting (& lower chance of double or no charge) than the physical motions of reloading.
Been trying to find someone local that reloads. Joining a large footprint private range in N Ga should help my chances. Tag along and get some instruction, then decide if it's for me, not sure if I want to deal with another hobby. Thanks for all the responses, seems like Hand Press isn't the way to go and would probably discourage me more, especially since ammo is so cheap these days.
Despite the advice to get a full-size bench mounted press, the Lee Hand Press is perfectly adequate for full-length sizing smaller rifle cartridges. In fact, when I started reloading, I must have loaded at least 1k of 223, and 1k of 300 BLK, with my hand press. The ammo shot quite well (much of it sub-MOA) and as far as I could tell had no obvious concentricity problems or other issues.
Where it falls short is in speed and sizing effort. I never had issues with the smaller cases, but you are going to look like Popeye if you decide to resize military 7.62x51 brass (which has a high sizing force even in a bench-type press).
Not everyone is in situation where they can have a full bench or shop, and in these cases it works perfectly as long as you understand it's limitations. It is also pretty damn handy of you want to do some on-the-fly loading at the range.
And starting out with progressive loading has a high risk for making alot of BAD ammo fast if you don't understand each part of the process well.
Where it falls short is in speed and sizing effort. I never had issues with the smaller cases, but you are going to look like Popeye if you decide to resize military 7.62x51 brass (which has a high sizing force even in a bench-type press).
I can only imagine!! Wow.
If the OP feels that he'll enjoy hand loading, a GOOD single stage will be a good investment. I've worn out cheaper presses to where the main shaft has play in the aluminum alloy press body.
My favorite press is the Redding Big Boss2 with the LNL quick change conversion. A lot of people like the Forster Co-Ax. Either way, you'll never regret buying solid gear later on.
Well you don't even need to find a particularly expensive press, some of the older, used stuff is perfectly adequate. I have loaded thousands of rounds on an old RCBS JR press. It isn't fancy but it is cast iron and indestructible.
Gunnar da Wolf
03-07-19, 16:06
I bought one of those hand presses for S&G. I’ve loaded .44 Mag, .308, .45-70 and even .375 H&H with it. It works and you can load ammo that’s as accurate as most factory stuff. BUT, you’ll only want to do about 20 rounds in a session, the looking like “Popeye” comment is spot on. Plus using it probably means you don’t have a nice efficient bench set up and you’re probably loading out of a tool/fishing/shoe box. You’re going to need dies, a scale and a bunch of other stuff to get setup and reload that first round.
By all means buy a couple reloading manuals first and watch some videos on You Tube. Then decide if you want to go down the rabbit hole.
The Lee hand press is great for building up your pecs or your wife's bust line..........................but after sizing 10 cases you will wonder if implants would be less work.
I’ve used the hand press for years (many years ago), and had no problem producing 1/4 moa ammo at a fast pace. There are ways to be precise and efficient with a hand press. However...., it does require a small investment to buy the right parts....
The only reason I used it is because I did not have space in a small apt at the time.
1. It is a PITA depriming / FL size from a Hand press. I got Popeye arms from loading tens of thousands of rounds off that things. Solution = Case lube.
2. And the rest assuming you already have all the tools/methods to do all the case prep between FL size and loading. Most of these are off the press anyways. Expand and seating is not labor intensive at all. That’s the easy part.
3. As others may have suggested, get a good hand primer.
4. Auto power dispenser w/ trickle settings - throwing powder can be a pain. Especially when you are loading match rounds. A Hornady auto charge at low setting can throw pretty precise charges.
4. At slow, it’s perfectly timed where you can pour powder into case, grab a bullet and then seat at a quick rate. Once you have prepped case ready to go, and auto charger charging powder, the powder is always ready when you need it. It’s a matter of how fast you can go through the process of taking out the loaded round, put a ready to load brass in, pour the powder, grab the bullet, then load. Just the same as you would with a regular press. You can easily average 150-200 / hour.
Just my personal experience......
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
You can easily average 150-200 / hour.
Even if I triple that time, this feels like something I can do 1-2 times a month and get to the range.
Buying a few reloading books to further my education and am watching youtube videos on specific calibers. I'm thinking about starting with 9mm subsonic (EVO Scorpion Suppressed), probably easier than rifle and with smaller cases and good light easier to check my work in a loading tray.
Found a great Tacklebox Reloading Setup for the hand press as well.
56416
Thanks everyone for their help.
Noah
assuming you already have all the tools/methods to do all the case prep between FL size and loading... Once you have prepped case ready to go, and auto charger charging powder, the powder is always ready when you need it. It’s a matter of how fast you can go through the process of taking out the loaded round, put a ready to load brass in, pour the powder, grab the bullet, then load. Just the same as you would with a regular press. You can easily average 150-200 / hour.
Really? That seems wildly optimistic, or you're assuming that cases are already prepped and powder is already measured by someone else.
Example:
Starting with clean cases and full primer tubes, the other night it took me 90 minutes to bang out ≈350rnds of .40S&W on my RL550B in 90 minutes. That's barely 200rnds/hour.
I wasn't rushing, but I wasn't dawdling, either. Given that my primer tubes are now all empty, I'll spend the next 30 minutes "reloading" just filling them, as the tumbler runs...
I would also drop the 7.62x39 idea, if "plinking" look into the Wolf 6.5G, was pretty accurate in the barrels I had. I don't have a progressive press and only reload for precision using an old Lyman Spartan single stage. If you are set on that hand press, you could always mount it into a vise. If wanting a single stage, as suggested the Rock Chucker is nice. Single stage will burn some time if you are using it for semi auto and "plinking" ammo. Factor in time, materials and volume of shooting to realize when you will have a gain. If you are retired and bored, have to have something to do!
Like Bimmer said, that case prep can be time consuming! I can say that unless something changes, the cost difference in .308 factory ball and me reloading was so small that I seriously doubt I will reload ball ammo for it.
I started with a Lee hand press and still own it. I reloaded .38 spl through .30-30 and .45-70 without issues, but it basically occupies a drawer now. It's great for shooting 100 rounds a month or for people who absolutely have no area for a bench mounted press.
Andy
I did say assuming all case prepping is done, I find loading on hand press is quite efficient. Charging I suggested auto charger. That’s the diff maker there.
And, rifle case prep is a PITA no matter what.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Bought a descent bolt gun to join my semi's and after shooting it a few times, I'm thinking about trying out reloading. BUT, I know myself and attention to detail isn't my strong suit. Seems like the Lee Hand Press would allow me to take my time, do each step correctly, not allowing speed to muck up the process. Also need portability as don't have a lot of space today for larger equipment.
Looking to reload 5.56, 7.62X39, 7.62X51 and possibly 6.5 Grendel later about 100-200 rounds a session.
Anyone use this to learn, or still use this press? How long would 100-200 rounds take to reload on one of these, couple hours?
Any insight you can offer would be appreciated.
Noah
For an entry level press or to try out reloading it is fine. Reloading 100 rounds is doable with the LEE Hand Press, however a fixed single stage will be more efficient and easier to use.
With the following limitations in mind: 1) It s fairly slow 2) In my experience. 308 is the largest case I would full-resize (use sufficient case lubes, particularly for the neck 3) Requies coordination (you are holding the press as the case is being seated) 4) Requires a fair amount of strength to use on rifle cases
If you want to try out reloading find a club or someone local who's willing to teach you. Even spending an hour with a knowledgeable reloader will save you a lot of mistakes and aggravation.
If that's not possible then YouTube can be extremely helpful. Here's my only caveat; Buy a quality reloading manual First, and read it. I read three reloading manuals and reloading books before I started.
Gavintoob, Johnny's Reloading Bench, Big Ed, GunBlue490
Links for online resources: https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/forumdisplay.php?f=89
Buying a reloading press is the least important tool, because frankly all of the single stage presses are similar.
The most important tools are your reloading dies, check gauges, measuring calibers, weigh scales, case trimmer, priming tool/s, and case preparation tools ( primer pocket brush/ deburring tools).
Reloading is not an inexpensive hobby and it doesn't really save you money. You just usually shoot more and can load some rounds at a lower cost or more quality rounds less expensive than factory rounds.
In conclusion, I will say that despite the initial start up costs, I believe reloading is an enjoyable pursuit and wish that I would have started sooner.
P.S. Check Ebay for used presses; Quality single stage: Rock Chucker, Redding Boss, Hornandy LNL, LEE Cast Iron Press, RCBS Junior
M1ashooter
03-18-19, 15:12
I've been reloading pistol and small caliber rifle on a Lee Turret Press for over 30 years and 308 and 30-06 on one of their O Frames. The Turret Press has finally wore out. So I'd recommend Lee product and shop Ebay as someone mentioned. What ever you get have fun.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.5 Copyright © 2024 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.