I am new to the forum. Have been target shooting for a couple of years (latecomer - just turned 66) I wish I had started a lot sooner since this has been a bunch of fun. I wanted to try some reloading for my M1A, so I got a Lee Loader. I was told this was a good way to start and see if I liked it and I have really enjoyed this part of shooting.
I use Federal Power Shock and Winchester Super X - both 150 grain. The Federal brass works fine, however, when using the Winchester, about half the bullets are loose after seating them. Those I have talked to about this pointed out that the brass on the Winchester is lighter gauge and is probably causing this. I myself can actually see the difference in the wall thickness.
I called Lee and was told to use a dowel to drive the case in a small bit more during the case sizing step (No. 2 in the instructions).
One other note: Since there was a run on ammo last month, I purchased some 180 grain Winchester. I assume this brass is the same for 150 and 180 grain grain bullets. Pardon my "newbie" ignorance.
I was told to get "The ABC's of Reloading" by Chevalier, which I now have and look forward to reading and studying.
I look forward to any feedback the forum might provide.

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I assume this brass is the same for 150 and 180 grain grain bullets

The brass would be different only if the runs of brass happened to be different. Variations between runs are normally very small if any unlike variations between brands.

You talking about a lee classic loader where you Drive the case in with a hammer? (I loaded a lot of ammo with oneabout 40 years ago.)If so it neck sizes only. Driving it in a little further will only make the very end of the neck hold the bullet. How long that will work with a M1A I don't know. Neck sized only cases will get tight quick in an auto.

reloading is not spelled L E E

it's spelled R C B S

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reloading is not spelled L E E

it's spelled R C B S

Hey when I was in college shooting a 6.5jap it was spelled LEE classic handloader. I think I even loaded my 20ga with one. Soon as I got out it was spelled RCBS

Hey, I resemble that remark, my fisrt LEE Load All was for the .38 Spl.. IIRC although it was a long-g-g time ago; think I paid $8.99 for it.

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LEE Load All

you are right I had the name wrong. Classic is what they call them now.

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Originally posted by ramrod340:

quote:

reloading is not spelled L E E

it's spelled R C B S

Hey when I was in college shooting a 6.5jap it was spelled LEE classic handloader. Soon as I got out it was spelled RCBS

I've still got (and use on occasion) the Lee Loader in 32 Win Spl that I bought in HS back in the 60's. Still have the rifle, too.

For me reloading is spelled LEERCBSLYMANREDDING. I've got quite a conglomeration but produce some really great shooting ammmo.

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reloading is not spelled L E E

it's spelled R C B S

WRONG!!! WRONG WRONG!!! It's spelled FORSTERReddingLeeLymanWilsonHarrellCorbin

and then the company from the People's Republik of Kalifonia.

Actually, they are all good and I own equipment from them all. I just happen to think that Forster's patented press and dies are the best off the shelf products you can buy for producing real precision target loads.

Certainly you can load some decent rounds with the Lee Loader. Whether those will be competitive target loads is open to question.

By the way, there are two Lee companies. I think the Lee Precision company is the one to buy from. Richard Lee's "Modern Reloading" is still a must for any handloader's library.


My spellchecker busted a gusset on this post.

Still have my 310 tool and dies; just don't use them anymore.

ronwk..... get the book HANDLOADING FOR COMPETITION by Zediker. then get a Sinclair Intl. catalog . then... go and sin no more.

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Originally posted by ronwk:
I wanted to try some reloading for my M1A, so I got a Lee Loader.

Now it's time to start over. Read back through the archived posts in this forum. Every other day someone asks questions about starting out and equipment. Do searches for info on particular pieces of equipment and calibers/rifles. Now that you've experienced Lee, it's time to explore the rest of the world.

BTW, Forster makes a die set for gas guns, 308 NATIONAL MATCH. The sizing die is a little shorter (0.002"), and the seating die is first class. Zediker's book has a section on gas guns and their ammo.

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there are two Lee companies

This is untrue. The rumor started with Hollywood's promotion of Bride of Lee, starring Jennifer Tilly and Ernest Borgnine. Rumors of Oscar nominations are also untrue.

Ronwk,

Welcome to the forum.

To answer your one easy question unequivocally,

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I purchased some 180 grain Winchester. I assume this brass is the same for 150 and 180 grain grain bullets.

Yes. The brass that chambers in your rifle can be loaded with any number of different bullet shapes, weights and sizes (length of course. Naturally, the diameter has to fit your bore - .308" or 7.62mm). Sizes I know of range from 100 grains to 250 grains or more. The heavier bullets may make the assembled cartridge too long to feed through the magazine/action, limiting you to using your rifle as a single-shot, hand fed shooter. Extra-long bullets may also jam up against the rifling and make chambering difficult or give high pressures.

Very heavy bullets may spin too slowly for good gyroscopic stabilization and may prove to be inaccurate as a result. To get good accuracy you might have to switch out your barrel to one with a faster twist to the rifling. Very light bullets may spin too fast and not perform well when it hits a flesh and blood target (I know you are a target shooter, but you might be lured by the stray coyote some day)

Staying away from lead bullets is a good idea because the lead and lubricant may clog up your gas port and downstream parts of your action.

Specifications for the 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge are not identical to the commercial .308 Winchester, though they are safely interchangeable, I am told.

Good shooting

Lost Sheep

Remember, believe only half of what you see and one quarter of what you hear. That goes double for what you get from the internet. Even this post. Double check everything with a reliable source. I heard of one reloader who got load data from the internet that had the decimal point accidentally in the wrong place.

quote:

Originally posted by ronwk:
edited for brevity...about half the bullets are loose after seating them. Those I have talked to about this pointed out that the brass on the Winchester is lighter gauge and is probably causing this. I myself can actually see the difference in the wall thickness.
I called Lee and was told to use a dowel to drive the case in a small bit more during the case sizing step (No. 2 in the instructions).

If I remember my Lee Loader correctly, if you drive the case into the sizing die deeper, you may run the risk of setting the shoulder of the case back. That would result in headspace problems.

Other loaders more familiar with the Lee kit will be able to verify or correct what I am saying. I know the Lee kit just resizes the neck, not the shoulder or body, but I would err on the side of caution, so I ask for more experienced loaders' thoughts.

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I was told to get "The ABC's of Reloading" by Chevalier, which I now have and look forward to reading and studying.
I look forward to any feedback the forum might provide.

One of my first books was "The ABC's of Reloading". I still read it and recommend it, as well as Richard Lee's "Modern Reloading", which I only first encountered this year. LOTS of food for thought in there.

I like to recommend reading several reloading manuals (at least the early chapters, where almost all of them describe the loading process). Check your local library or shooting range, or borrow a book from another shooter. What some manuals cover thinly, others cover well, and you will find some authors/editors explain things in a style that "speaks" to you better than others.

I am sure you have noticed that there is a bit of brand loyalty when it comes to reloading equipment. RCBS, Lee, Lyman, Redding, Forster, Dillon, Hornady, the list goes on and on. Almost no equipment you buy will be bad. Just some will fit your needs and style better than others. Cast aluminum presses (if you decide to get a press some day) are cheaper and lighter. Cast iron presses will last 10 times longer than aluminum. A friend of mine had the cheapest aluminum press in the world mounted on his bench and stumbled against it. Snapped it right in two. It wasn't a bad press, just aluminum, and not meant to be used as a grab bar. Iron would have probably been OK.

The good news is that most equipment can be mixed with other brands. e.g. RCBS Dies will fit in a Hornady press because almost all dies use the same thread size. Anybody's powder scale will measure powder just fine, electronic or balance beam. A matter of personal preference and style. Some people prefer to work standing, others seated, or left handed and certain presses are more amenable to those choices.

And, continuing with the Lee hammer kit is a valid choice, too. I just found it faster to use a press and quieter, so switched to a press. I use a mix of RCBS, Lyman and Lee equipment mostly.

Just be sure to wear eye protection whenever working with primers. A heavy glove might not be a bad idea, either.

Good shooting

Lost Sheep

Be careful using 180gr factory loads in your M1A. It isn;t designed for the heavier recoil impulse & slower pwoders often used in hunting ammo. Stick w/ 150 & 165gr ammo.
FWIW, ditch the Lee loader & at least get a cheap Lee single stage press & dies. You'll make better ammo & take less time doing it for very little extra cost. Try these guys foe specific about the M1A & reloading. http://m14tfl.com/upload/

fredj338 is right, stick with the 150's & 165's. Your rifle will thank you and you'll have no parts broken before their time.
Also, a wise hand loader will stick with medium burning rate powders such as IMR 4895 or Varget.

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Originally posted by fredj338:
FWIW, ditch the Lee loader & at least get a cheap Lee single stage press & dies. You'll make better ammo & take less time doing it for very little extra cost. Try these guys foe specific about the M1A & reloading. http://m14tfl.com/upload/

Ronwk,

Here are some other threads you might want to investigate if you are thinking about using a press instead of a hammer. As fredj338 suggests, I find a press faster and more consistent than the Lee setup. I was able to get by for years without a loading bench per se simply by mounting my press on a board and wedging it into an end table drawer. Took up very little space, though, I admit a lot more than the Lee kit.

https://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve
http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=13543
http://www.rugerforum.com/phpB...625361fbd5ae1f754eec

Lost Sheep

Thanks for all the info. I've ordered an RCBS press and a couple of die sets. Also getting the Speer manual. Figure I will need a some other items, but wanted to get these on the way.

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Thanks for all the info. I've ordered an RCBS press and a couple of die sets. Also getting the Speer manual. Figure I will need a some other items, but wanted to get these on the way.

Sounds like a plan. Don't forget a scale.

Buy the A-Square Manual, Any Shot You Want

I have used Lee and RCBS and find the main advantage of RCBS is that it is heavy and made out of cast iron.

With Lee on the other hand, you have the problem that while it is just as precise as RCBS, it is easier to use. As an example the Lee Collet neck sizer die does not require lubricant, so you have to skip two steps (lubing and cleaning the lube off).

As another example, since the Lee powder measure is made of plastic, powder grains flow more easily. The RCBS measure cuts the grains instead, which hangs up the handle.

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Originally posted by Corax:
With Lee on the other hand, you have the problem that while it is just as precise as RCBS, it is easier to use. As an example the Lee Collet neck sizer die does not require lubricant, so you have to skip two steps (lubing and cleaning the lube off).

Corax, how well does collet neck-sized ammo function in the semi-auto M1A such as ronwk, the original poster, asked about?

I don't know!

This one is probably worth its own thread. I do know that full-length resizing is recommended for semi-autos, but if the ammo is going to be fired only in the same rifle, is it necessary?