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Posted: 4/14/2011 7:23:05 AM EDT
| I don't shoot my S&W 29 that often (50 to 75 rounds MAX per year) so getting a full reloading set-up isn't cost effective for my situation and I can't say I really want to reload the other calibers in my inventory. I've looked at the Lee Loader for a way to support that one gun but none of my friends have ever used the system. Any thoughts or opinions on this most basic way of reloading? |
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I don't see any particular reason that your plan will not work. That said even going "cheap" by using a Lee Loader instead of a press you are still going to have a bit of an investment to make.
1) Powder + primers + bullets + Lee Loader + powder scale + loading manual = $$??. I personally would not load under any circumstances without an accurate scale also, although I understand that people load with Lee dippers and no scale I do not see the wisdom in doing that without a scale to verify the charge weight the dipper is throwing (not to mention verify bullet weight too) so add the cost of a scale to the above too for safety sake. Certainly you should not even be remotely considering loading without having read and understood a loading manual. I do think you would be far better off spending about another $50 over and above what you are going to spend anyway on the above: In stead of a Lee Loader buy a cheap single stage press, and the Lee 4 carbide die set. The dies are $15 more than a Lee Loader set. For a press your best bet is probably a used RCBS if you can find one cheap on e-bay or craigs list. If not I suspect one of the $25 SmartReloader presses will work sufficiently well for a couple hundred rounds a year that you won't notice the difference. Based on the price of 44 ammo I don't think that is too much extra to spend, and I think you will find that the loading experience is faster and more enjoyable with a proper loading press. Before you make ANY of the above purchases BUY A LOADING MANUAL THAT FULLY EXPLAINS THE LOADING PROCESS AND READ IT! |
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If you only plan on reloading for the one gun, get a Lee Loader. They are very easy to use, and work well, but are slow to use when compared to a press.
The dipper that comes with the Loader works just fine, but if you want to venture away from the loads listed with the Loader, you will need a set of dippers or a scale. The instructions that come with the kit are very good. Follow them to the letter, and you will be fine. All you need to buy(other than components) to start loading is a rubber mallet. I suggest using a hockey puck for a base under the die, also. Good luck. |
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Do it. You will probably need to lube cases, use the Lee lube, it is best as it isn't greasy/messy. Get a good mallet, rawhide is great but a hard dead blow has its merits. You can get by using nothing more than the dipper and the included primer seater but you will find their Auto Prime will speed things up a lot. Just ease into it. |
| Go for it as it is an awesome tool. Around 24 years ago my Grandpa would pay me a nickle for each round I loaded with his Lee loader using 'pappys' cast bullets. I used the Lee dipper and created $50 worth of ammo a week during the summer. A few years ago my Grandpa sent me the Lee loader I used to create many rounds. |
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