I'm a guy that cringes when the name Lee is mentioned.....cheap junk is my feeling.....so the other day when I went to the gun shop across the highway to get a set of 6.5 X 55 dies and the guy tries to sell me Lee dies for $11.25.....as I'm gaging a little he says....."I personally guarantee you'll like them".

Well that's an invitation for a good "gotchya" and I said OK.....I bought them. Hell, how wrong can I go for $12??

Now the bad news.....these damn dies are really pretty good. They haven't caused a problem of any kind and seem to function as good as any of my dies.....I've only reloaded a hundred or so cases so far but they're everything I want in a set of reloading dies. I actually like them!!!!

Screw it.....I'm still not trading off my rockchucker press!!!!!

What ever you do ,don't try the Lee Classic press.I found the Lee interior finish better than RCBS.I have on occasion not bothered to lube for just one case,I can get away with that using Lee dies,but not RCBS.

I bought Lee's Carbide set for 45 ACP a few years ago....and you know, they work pretty good.

Their Factory Crimp dies are worth every penny and no need for me justify the purchase, they just plain work for my M1's and M1a types.

Most of my dies are from RCBS, but I also have one set from Bonanza and one from Lee. The best one is the Bonanza, and the next one the Lee. These two are considerably easier to work, as the calibration rod of these has a better form, than RCBS has. The rods of the RCBS sets are to rough and square, which means unsmooth work when calibrating the cases. It will help to polish the rods, but it will not improve enough.

Last week I ordered a set for my new .30-06. It will be a Lee set - fair price and good enough for hunting ammo. RCBS are too highly priced compared with their quality.

Regards,

Fritz

Well, I have started out reloading using LEE equipment. I have the LEE Anniversary Kit and I have not had a problem with it at all. The press and the dies work great. I have the dies for 30-06, 303 British, 38/357 and 9mm Luger. I have process just over 150 30-06, 200 9mm Luger and about 100 357mags. The only thing that I really don't like is the scales and the powder measurer that comes with the kit. I did purchase a RCBS 5-0-5 scale (I really like it), but haven't changed powder measurers yet.

I know a lot of people look down on LEE products, but I haven't had the first problem with them. Of course I haven't tried any of the other brands. The only dies that I have so far that isn't LEE is a set of 7.62 X 39 and 30 cal. and they are Hornady, got them in a trade.
I also have a set of 9mm Luger dies in RCBS that came in the trade and a RCBS single stage press. But, I still like my LEE setup.

quote:

Originally posted by downwindtracker2:
What ever you do ,don't try the Lee Classic press.

I've read good things about them (Lee Classic Cast Press) here. What problems did you have with yours?

I`ve been useing their "collet dies" for years when neck sizeing and can`t fault them at all. Their little hand primeing tool was what I learned to load with and still is the only way I prime.

I started reloading back in the early 80's and learned everything out of printed magazines and books. Therefore I didn't have anyone "teach me" their predjudices. I use dies from 5 different manufacturers and haven't had a set not work yet.
It's kind of like Savage rifles people judge them by one rifle that they owned 25 years ago and its faults have been magnified in their minds or from second or third hand information.

I almost exclusively use Lee dies.

That said, they commonly have a problem that takes about 3 minutes to set straight: They leave tiny burrs inside.

About 1/3 of my rifle dies had a very small burr at the base of the neck. The evidence is a "matte" finish on the neck of the brass when you form a case, or scratches up the neck.

One of my bullet seating dies had a burr all the way around the piece that applies force to the bullet. It had an amazing grip on bullets, and extracted every one.

As I said, I almost exclusively buy Lee. But I also plan on doing a little clean-up part of the time. Once you get that done, I think they are as good as anybody's.

Mr. Lee doesn't have the reputation of Redding or Forster and yes he is looked upon as the stepchild of the industry. However, I learned early in reloading that is pays very well to not just have an informed mind, but also an open mind.

Most of my dies are Lee's, both the pacesetter and collet kits. If you neck size, you can't beat the collet die and the factory crimp die serves a valuable niche. I am happy with them and my cloverleaf groups. They get the job done.

Yes I would like to know what if anything is bad about them !

quote:

Originally posted by new_guy:

quote:

Originally posted by downwindtracker2:
What ever you do ,don't try the Lee Classic press.

I've read good things about them (Lee Classic Cast Press) here. What problems did you have with yours?

bought a set of collet dies in 30-06, liked the results so much, bought 2 more sets. A little polishing of the internals and collets before getting started is well worth the time.

I've been touting Lee tools for a long, long time. The ONLY drawback I can see, is there customer service is not up to the standard of RCBS, and not likely to get there either. I once bought a set of Lee dies and on the fist case the decap pin broke like a piece of glass. When I called the lady was cordial, but informed me that she would send me a new pin, THIS TIME, but if it happened again, even on another set of dies, I'd have to send dies and all in to them. I thought that was a little crude, as I'm not into trying to beat companies out of $5 just for something to do in my spare time.

Aside from that, their tools work as well or better than most.

Lee also keeps the others' prices honest.

Lee is indeed looked upon as the red-headed stepchild by many, but I read his reloading guide and very much liked what he had to say. he struck me as very practical, innovative, and honest.

quote:

Screw it.....I'm still not trading off my rockchucker press!!!!!

Like another said, "Don't try the Lee Classic Cast." I purchased one and it is a very fine piece of equipment to say the least. I would definitely recommend it over many other brands any day.

Reloader

I use a number of Lee products, but this is not to suggest that I like them all. Many of them work extremly well and at their price a little trial and error is easy enough to swallow.

The only thing I dont like about their dies is I wish the expander button rod was threaded but othwerwise it is quite a good product.

Ive been toying with the idea of trying one of their turret presses, has anyone else used them?

Sometimes You will hear somone bitch on this forum about any die made. Most bitch about Lee dies because they work well and didn't cost an arm and a leg like the ones they bought. I have used lee dies for quite sometime and have never had a problem with any of them. I use the Lee decapper also.

quote:

Originally posted by Wstrnhuntr:
Ive been toying with the idea of trying one of their turret presses, has anyone else used them?

The first press I bought (1981) was a three hole Lee turret because 99% of my shooting was handgun rounds. I still have it and reload some rounds on it but there is a little too much movement in the turret for me to feel confident when resizing the bigger cases (375 H&H) and for real precision reloading.

I still load 44 Mags, 223, 243, 308, 25.06 etc. on it and it does great. The 45 ACP got moved to a Dillon for higher production levels when I was shooting IPSC.

For the 375 H&H, and the stuff for precision shooting (22.250, 6.5/284, etc) I use my Lyman turret presses. They are much more solid in the turret fit and give me more consistency.

I use several of the Lee collet dies, and like them very much-they make good ammo. However, I purchased their hand priming tool, and frankly think it's a piece of junk. I never could even get it to work.

Most of mine are Hornady but I have a Lee for my 375 win. It is as good as any other set I have and was cheaper, I bought on the reccomendation of a fiend and he had never gave me bad advice and was right again.

I have reprimed thousands of rounds with my Lee hand primer; it does a great job. The method used to hold the clear top on it is a bit dodgy, so I use a big paper binder to hold it fast in place and have no problems. I can prime each case in just a few seconds.

At least Reloder got my humor.

As a design feature I like collet held decapping rods,they center better and hold straighter,than screws.Redding gets around that by having a loose,err,self aliagning,rod.The down side is the collet held ones have to be oil free to hold well.

I use both Lee and RCBS dies. I think the Lee dies may actually be better. I certainly like the seating stem adjustment on the Lee bullet seating dies far better than the screw on RCBS ones.

Lee's Factory Crimp Die is far and away better than anyone else's crimping system.

I like Lee's case trimming system also -- I use it for all my reloading, and, usng that system, I trim all my cases every time I reload them.

I also use and recommend Lee's hand primer -- I think it is calle dthe Lee Auto Prime.

The only Lee press I ever used was the Lee Turret Press. Eventually the undercarriage of it gave way. so I would not recommend that press as I do not think it is strong enough for hard use.

I have a couple of lee dies and am happy with them exept for one thing, I dont kike paying extra for decent rings.

quote:

Originally posted by Pedestal:
However, I purchased their hand priming tool, and frankly think it's a piece of junk. I never could even get it to work.

Did you have a shell holder in place?

I just bought a Lee .458 die, and wasn't game to ask you all why it didn't have a neck expander button. Last night I figgered out its
built into the belling die. (I think)
John L.

I started off with a Lee Anniversy kit. The guy that taught me to reload said "It is cheap, and it works".

I now own a Hornady press, and some Hornady dies, but never had a problem with the old Lee. Never had bench rest winning ammo either, but then I am not that good.

quote:

Originally posted by Wstrnhuntr:
The only thing I dont like about their dies is I wish the expander button rod was threaded but othwerwise it is quite a good product. ?

Amen brother!!!!!!!!!! Changing pins or resetting the expander is a pain in the rear.

I have 11 sets of Lee dies, about the same in RCBS, one set of Black And White about 3 C&Hs, 1 Lach Miller, And 1 set of Lyman in .308. All these dies do their job OK except the Lyman which I NEVER use anymore as it doesn't perform very good .roger

The Collet die is a great design, pity they are a bit crude and unfinished as they come from the factory. But I guess you can't expect the world for that price. I have just about run into all problems people associate them with (no bullet hold, blow off top etc etc), but once you learn how to get round the poor finish, they are a snap to use.

At present, I have a Collet die that will scratch the heck out of my case necks. Anybody run into that problem, and how did you fix it?? I tried to see if there was anything obvious that needed to be polished from the inside of the collet, no luck thus far??

Other than that, no complaints - except they should be available in many more calibers as a stock item!
- mike

I have a Lee crimp die for every caliber I load, I also own several sets of Hornady dies, as well as Lee pacesetters. The only dies I have ever been unhappy with is a set of Lymans.

I haven't had any scratchy dies, yet. I've got about 5 sets of Lee, 5 RCBS, a Redding Neck sizing die, and a set of Hornady dies.

I like all the dies, but really like the Lee Collet/neck-sizing dies for accuracy and ease-of-use. Also like the factory crimp. And the case length gauge/cutter system. Oh yeah, and the Auto-prime. And the hand press. I also like my RCBS Rock Chucker, though.

Anymore I mostly look for the Lee deluxe set w/ FL and neck-sizing/collet dies, then buy the factory crimp die and case length gauge cutter for the caliber.

Now I'm concerned about all these scratchy unfinished dies, though. What are you guys using to polish them out?

Steve

I think part of the surprise is based on RCBS dies being so vastly over-rated. I've used Lee dies in many different chamberings, and have found them to always produce quality accurate ammunition. What more can one ask for, and you can't complain about the price.

There are better dies out there, and they are made by Redding and Forster. When your looking at run of the mill dies, Lee's are as good as anyones, and better than some.

i started as a "greenhorn" about last Christmas, and bought a lee aniversary kit and a lee pro-1000 progressive. with the lee manual from the anniversary kit, and a few add-ons(better scales, kinetic hammer,dial caliper, etc), i am very happy with this simple, effective and easy to use set up.
i"m loading .44,243 and 308 on the single stage, and 9mm on the prgressive.
i"m very pleased, and would reccomend my set up to anyone starting out in the reloading world.
(i did machine about a thou off the expander rods on my rifle dies to make them size a little tighter)

quote:

Originally posted by JAL:

Did you have a shell holder in place?

.

Actually, I could never get a shellholder to go in the (*^(*^ thing....

quote:

Originally posted by Pedestal:

quote:

Originally posted by JAL:

Did you have a shell holder in place?

.

Actually, I could never get a shellholder to go in the (*^(*^ thing....

The Lee hand primer uses different shell holders than all of the presses use. You have to buy them seperately.

On the Lee hand priming tool: It requires a different set of shell holders, but the entire set of them (11) is available in a kit for $15.

Also, a complete set of shellholders for the presses is available for $15, too. They fit other brand presses (like my Rockchucker) too.

Steve

quote:

Originally posted by skl1:Also, a complete set of shellholders for the presses is available for $15, too. They fit other brand presses (like my Rockchucker) too.Steve

they do not work on my Hollywood senior, however. roger

One of the best Lee products hasn't been mentioned, and those are their case trimming products. I got one of the big ball handles, the trimmer, and multiple "rods" for various calibers. You chuck up the shell holder in your drill, and have at 'em. While still in the holder, use the beveling tool on the case mouth, and your good to go.

And if you ever want a special tool made, call them up. They will make speciality items for a very reasonable price.

Like the rest of you, I have used many different dies sets, and have found Lee dies, collet and regular, to be as good as RCBS and Lyman. Their decapping pins are virtually indestructible. Kudude

I use the Lee Loadmaster for 380ACP, 9mm Luger 45ACP and a Challenger for 44mag, 22-250, 30-06,and 8x56R. Never had any problems. There is another nice product from Lee and that is the Lee Loader. It fits in a pocket and I own one for every caliber I reload. You never know where you run out of ammo and since I sail a lot and on a boat you have plenty of time you can make a fair amount of fine ammo with this simple tool.

What is wrong with the NEW LEE clasic press ? Its cast iron and big, and only $60 please let me know before I order one and wish I didn't...

quote:

Originally posted by short44:
What is wrong with the NEW LEE clasic press ? Its cast iron and big, and only $60 please let me know before I order one and wish I didn't...

He was being sarcastic. The press is fine. I have one and it is all that you have heard regarding a well made press.