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Lee Loader gauge?

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20 July 2017, 20:35
sonofagun
Lee Loader gauge?
How do you determine the gauge of a Lee Loader since it seems they are not marked?


Bob Shaffer
22 July 2017, 08:02
craigster
You might try a loaded (or fired) shell.
22 July 2017, 19:57
sonofagun
OK and will the right shell fit very closely inside the die and the decap rod fit closely inside the shell?

Or not?


Bob Shaffer
22 July 2017, 22:07
craigster
yes
27 July 2017, 05:47
TomP
quote:
Originally posted by sonofagun:
How do you determine the gauge of a Lee Loader since it seems they are not marked?


Empty hulls from the nearest range...


TomP

Our country, right or wrong. When right, to be kept right, when wrong to be put right.

Carl Schurz (1829 - 1906)
01 August 2017, 20:38
Bill/Oregon
Still have mine -- in 16 gauge. Loaded a lot of Montgomery Ward house-brand paper hulls with it, using Alcan 7 and fiber wads. Miss the smell of a freshly fired shell.


There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t.
– John Green, author
08 August 2017, 20:09
TomP
quote:
Originally posted by Bill/Oregon:
Still have mine -- in 16 gauge. Loaded a lot of Montgomery Ward house-brand paper hulls with it, using Alcan 7 and fiber wads. Miss the smell of a freshly fired shell.


I have one in 20 gauge, an old friend...


TomP

Our country, right or wrong. When right, to be kept right, when wrong to be put right.

Carl Schurz (1829 - 1906)
07 May 2018, 08:07
Mike_Dettorre
Bought my first one in about 1977. One of the greatest tools of all time. Executed it's task quite well. Loaded all my dove and quail loads with it C-clamped to the kitchen table. Mom didn't even object.


Mike



What I have learned on AR, since 2001:
1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken.
2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps.
3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges.
4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down.
5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine.
6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle.
7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions.
8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA.
9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not.
10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact.
11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores.
12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence.
13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances.
08 May 2018, 01:04
model7LSS
Unless I am mistaken, I think you can only get them in 12, 16, and 20. I have a 16 at home I can measure and see where yours falls.

I have really enjoyed mine.I mounted it to a plywood base that fits the RCBS mounting plate, and bolt it to the plate.


Auburn University BS '09, DVM '17
09 May 2018, 00:33
p dog shooter
I have had two gave one away.

I use mine for small one or two specialty loads.

They don't hold a candle to my MEC loaders.
16 May 2018, 21:24
mart
As was suggested, try a 20, 16 and 12 gauge hull in the first die. It should be a close fit.

My dad bought one for me for Christmas when I was 18(I'm 58 now). I loaded a lot of trap and hunting loads on that little machine. I still have it today and keep it set up for 2.5 inch loads for my Thomas Bland 12 bore. It always loaded good quality ammo and was simple to use. I use mostly Ponsness Warren for everything today but have my orignal Lee 12 and a Lee 20 I use for 3 inch loads. Great little loaders.


"...I advise the gun. While this gives a moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprize, and independance to the mind. Games played with the ball and others of that nature, are too violent for the body and stamp no character on the mind. Let your gun therefore be the constant companion of your walks." Thomas Jefferson