I am a beginner and just bought a 7mm-08. I guess I can use .308 brass and resize it.
I would like to start out with the Lee hand press (the entry level portable model). Is it feasable to resize to 7mm-08 with this kit?

To resize cases to another caliber I would strongly suggest that you purchase a decent bench mounted press. Nothing in more frustrating than trying to use a tool inadequate for the job at hand. The Lee hand press is inadequate for MOST reloading jobs at hand.................................DJ

I bought a Lee hand press recently so my kids could deprime brass while I was using my main press.

Shortly after, I picked up a 9mm pistol and a bunch of once-fired brass. I had to do some computer upgrade work away from home that would involve considerable time basically monitoring what the computer was doing, but not needing hands-on activity. So I figured I'd take my new Lee hand press and size a bunch of 9mm brass while I was there.

I did about 400 rounds and that was about all I could take. This is sizing with a carbide sizing die. And it's just 9mm!

I wouldn't want to full-length size rifle brass let alone neck down from one caliber to another.

Even the Lee Challenger press would be FAR beyond the capabilities of the hand press. But I would recommend spending a little more and getting the Lee Classic Cast press. Yes, it requires a place to mount it that is fairly sturdy, but the same is true for ANY good single-stage press. Your reloading time will be far better spent and far more satisfying.

Do yourself a favor & at least buy the cheapest Lee single stage. You'll only frustrate yourself trying to learn to reload that way.

It appears we have a consensus.

walker, the answer is YES. I have a Lee hand press and it can easily do that for a few rounds but you would get pretty tired by the time you did a hundred rounds of anything, never mind 400!

Do yourself a favor and get the little Lee "Reloader" press instead. It's about the same price, the same strength and will be MUCH easier to use if you mount it to a board and use clamps to hold it to a work bench.

Those light presses aren't intended to do case reforming but doing what you intend isn't really all that hard. Just use a good lube, Lee's white stuff in a toothpast tube is great and can be applied with your fingers as you work.

Later, if you get deeper into reloading and get a bigger press you will still have plenty of uses for the little one too so it won't be a waste at all.

You will also need a primer tool. I reccommend the Lee Auto Prime and their set of 11 shell holders that go with it. You won't need all those at first but the kit price is so good it is hardly cost effective not to get it and be prepared for later needs.

thanks guys, I figured as much, just like to verify from all the experience. I'll start with a good single stage press. The decision to use .308 brass is *not* price based I am looking at the Lapua for quality.

quote:

Originally posted by m_walker:
thanks guys, I figured as much, just like to verify from all the experience. I'll start with a good single stage press. The decision to use .308 brass is *not* price based I am looking at the Lapua for quality.

It is interesting that you would pony up for Lapua brass but want a $15 loading setup? If you want an inexpensive press, I think I still have a RCBS Partner press in my cabinet that I would be glad to let you have for a little more than that POS Lee, say $40+ shipping if you are in the USA. PM me.

quote:

By making decisions based on cost, the process is completely undermined, and the results are not achieved. The suggested equipment here is inadequate, .... you don't want any aluminum press produced by Lee. Go directly to cast iron. If you're resizing 7-08 brass, you're still better off with cast iron.

I would respectfully disagree with this on three points.

First, cost IS important to many of us if not for you, if for no other reason than it makes it possible for someone to do an activity or not do it, reloading include.

Second, paying for more features than needed serves no purpose but to drive costs up.

Third, Lee's "aluminum" presses are well engineered and plenty strong enough to do common reloading chores IF the user isn't too mechanically ham-fisted and breaks it foolishly. Clearly, tens of thousands of reloaders DO want presses made by Lee, that's why they capture such a large part of the reloading market.

Aluminum alloys are used in the frames of RCBS Partner and Hornady LnL presses and no one sneers at them. Perhaps their prices are high enough to satisfy those who hold Lee in such contempt?

Normal sizing and necking .308 to 7-08 is an easily done task and will not overload any press made by anyone.

--------------------------

Now, I often wonder about people who "answer" clear questions with their own off-centered personal opinions of what the questioner should be asking. It seems more respectful just to anwer the man's question as he stated it, perhaps he knows what he wants to ask. ???

quote:

Originally posted by Winchester 69:

quote:

Originally posted by m_walker:
I am a beginner and just bought a 7mm-08. I guess I can use .308 brass and resize it.
I would like to start out with the Lee hand press (the entry level portable model). Is it feasable to resize to 7mm-08 with this kit?

This kind of post bothers me. First off, the basis for each decision (brass, equipment) is primarily cost driven, the same premise that has been used to destroy our economy. My reason for drawing this comparison is that the results are what should be driving any process. By making decisions based on cost, the process is completely undermined, and the results are not achieved. The suggested equipment here is inadequate, and I am making guesses as to the reason for resizing 308 brass: military? Machine gun? I'll jump to the bottom line.

If you are doing ANY work with 308 military brass, you don't want any aluminum press produced by Lee. Go directly to cast iron. If you're resizing 7-08 brass, you're still better off with cast iron.

Check the recent posts in this forum by sydsdaddy. He started where you are and has progressed through the same territory where you are headed. You can benefit from his experience.

https://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/...=336101739#336101739

https://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/2511043/m/150106639

Did you not notice that my recommendation was for the Lee Classic Cast, a strongly-built, cast-iron press that is MORE than adequate for the simple task of necking .308 down to 7mm-08?

I think you're taking us to task for a non-issue, and frankly it sounds like a pet hobby-horse. Please forgive me for the characterization if such is not the case.

Thanks for the clarification. The statement to which I was responding - and, yes, did make me think that your comments were directed to more than just the OP - was:

"The suggested equipment here is inadequate."

How that doesn't involve more than the OP is unclear to me. It is a blanket statement which, I'm sure you would agree upon reflection, doesn't apply to all the advice given to that point.

I found this one interesting as well: "For those souls who wish to impose (emphasis mine) their pecuniary values on the uninformed, I am most definitely opposed as they are quite often misrepresenting absent virtues." Replace the word "pecuniary" with "extravagant". The shoe is on the other foot now. And I think "impose" is a mischaracterization. The OP asked for opinions. All present were delivering opinions. Opinions vary, that's why they're opinions.

Your point is well-taken, if not your delivery. I think we would disagree on what would be "adequate" but not necessarily on what would be "desirable". But it's still just opinions.

Take care.

quote:

Originally posted by m_walker:
I am a beginner and just bought a 7mm-08. I guess I can use .308 brass and resize it.
I would like to start out with the Lee hand press (the entry level portable model). Is it feasable to resize to 7mm-08 with this kit?

As most have posted you would be happier with a bench mounted press. Although using such an item would vastly improve your hand strength and the size of your forearms It would be though a reasonable choice for changing the oal of already loaded ammo at the range when looking for the optimum distance to the lands for the perticular rifle bullet load powder charge and so on. Oooh.......... thanks for the Idea! lightbulb just went on in my head.

Thanks a bunch

Have a good one.

I was thinking of the lee hand press just so I could get started, and I don't have a bench for a permanent mount. It's all good, I appreciate all the information as I am learning this stuff.

If you don't have a bench buy a Black and Decker Workmate and a couple C-Clamps. Buy a RCBS aluminum mount plate, bolt a good press to it and C-Clamp the mounting plate to the workmate.
When you are done you can fold it all up and store it in a closet............DJ