Lee Hand Press for Beginner Reloading Rifle

[ndmiller]

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]

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...

[TxRaptor]

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.

[Tx_Aggie]

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.

[Lefty223]

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]

Take a look see here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lDL...efjXsXokBksmRa


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTTHtcbfhpo

[jsbhike]

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.

[ndmiller]

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.

[mic2377]

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.

[markm]

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.