Lee Loader for 7.62 x 54r?

[aprayinbear]

Just wondering if anyone uses the Classic Lee Loader kit to reload their 7.62 x 54r rounds? Pros.....cons....? Cabelas still sells these for about $22 and I was thinking of picking one up if I go for a mosin. I really like the simplicity of these kits and like their portability.

All Thoughts welcome.

[dromia]

They are good, neck size only so you need to use brass that has been shot specific to the rifle your using to ensure chambering.

Make sure that any primer pocket crimp is removed or the primers can go pop when seating.

I can load 50 rounds in one hour five minutes going easy and using a powder dispenser rather than the dippers.

If you enjoy the process and don't need lots of ammunition then they are champion, I'll hand load a about 50 a month as part of my handlaoding regime on one just for the pleasure of it.

They produce accurate ammunition and don't give up anything in that department to other methods.

Well made too so one of Lees better made tools, although I have just heard of a chap getting a poorly finished neck sizer in a .308 Lee Loader and ruining a batch of brass before he noticed, so check its functionality before going for a full run.

[aprayinbear]

Thanks Dromia,

I think these little kits are vastly underrated. I recently started loading 9mm with a Lee Loader kit. Some people looked at me like I had four eyes. Like you, I load a relaxing 30-50 rounds per hour. On a typical range visit I shoot about 50-75 rounds (I'm a target shooter not a machine gunner ) Some folks spend that much time driving to the range! I also feel like I can safely control the process. So its great to hear your support for this little kit. I think its a great collectable as well and I fear more and more calibers will soon be discontinued. A 7.62 x 54 is tops on my list , But I'd also like to find a .303 kit as I think they are already discontinued.

Merry Christmas!

[dromia]

.303 British is still listed on lee's site. I've just picked up a second hand a .22 Hornet and a .444 Marlin set. The Marlin is one of the older ones with the hand prime tool included. Should land over here in January.

I've got quiet a few including 220 Swift, 30/40 Krag and 35 Whelan all of which aren't available now. Need to put a list together at some point.

Ho hum another job for the new year and my retirement.

[Krull]

I need to get my butt into reloading,I have one of those Lee hand-held presses,I don't really see a need for anything else myself.

And I'm getting a Mosin pretty soon too,and I have a .44,.357 ,9MM and a few others..........

[dhtaxi]

You will not be able to re load for the Mosin with a hand held Lee press. The pistol calibers with straight wall cases yes.
Any full bore stuff 8mm, 303, 7.62x54, etc and your Lee hand press is about as much use as a chocolate fire gaurd.
But no worries my freind when you decide to take the plunge in to reloading we are here to help.

[dromia]

The hand press works well if you are neck sizing rifle cases or using the collet die.

[Krull]

@dhtaxi
I also have the,what's it called?,Lee "O" press I believe,that you have to bolt to a table.

@dromia
Been awhile since I read the instructions but I do think it said just that.

I never had a chance as I had to take car of my grandma while she was alive,now that I'm on my own I have a reg ton of stuff I want to do.

[biganimal]

You will not be able to re load for the Mosin with a hand held Lee press. The pistol calibers with straight wall cases yes.
Any full bore stuff 8mm, 303, 7.62x54, etc and your Lee hand press is about as much use as a chocolate fire gaurd.
But no worries my freind when you decide to take the plunge in to reloading we are here to help.

I have loaded 7.62x54R, .223, 250/3000, 7x57, 8x57, 30/30, 30/06 and at least six other rifle calibers with a Lee hand press for many years. All but the '06 were full length dies.

It isn't difficult if you use a good lube and have moderate arm strength. It was my press at the range for working up loads. I had the Lee powder dipper set and the hand press right on the bench.

[WyrTwister]

I need to get my butt into reloading,I have one of those Lee hand-held presses,I don't really see a need for anything else myself.

And I'm getting a Mosin pretty soon too,and I have a .44,.357 ,9MM and a few others..........

I used the Lee Loaders years ago , when I was young and more broke than I am now .

SLOW !

When I got back into reloading , I bought the Lee hand press , did not have a place to mount a press .

Better than the Lee Loader & would probably build up your upper body strength ? I still use the hand press for some things , like de-priming military brass ( with the universal de-priming die ) before removing the primer crimps .

I now also have the O-Frame press , the little C-Frame press . And I got the Lee cast iron turret press a couple of years ago . I highly recommend it . :-)


God bless
Wyr