Do any of you old timers

[Maven]

I will occasionally use the Lee Loader as well, especially if I sometimes load at the range. Years ago I picked up an older LL (black cardboard box) in .243Win. and was amazed at how tight its tolerances were. I.e, it is certainly the equal of their collet die in the same caliber, but a bit more labor intensive. Indeed, I used one to load a milsurp powder in my Ruger #1 .243Win. years ago and shot a dime sized 10 shot group @ 100 yd. (witnessed and with the included scoop) with 85gr. jacketed bullets, either Hornady or Sierra.

 

[SWISS SHOOTER]

Just sold one in 200 Swift. It actually worked but what a PIA.

 

[Creeker]

I got Lee dies with collimator neck size and Factory Crimp dies.

I like the Factory Crimp die but have never used the other. Are you happy?

 

[Rockydoc]

I like the Factory Crimp die but have never used the other. Are you happy?

Absolutely! Collet neck sizer dies are not available for all cartridges but I have them for every bottle neck cartridge I load.
I like being able to size without lubrication.

 

[Ian]

I bought up most of the unwanted Lee Loaders I could find for a while, have all the shotgun except 20, and many of the mainstay rifle and handgun calibers. The only ones I use are 12 and 16-gauge, and I seat wads with my drill press.

 

[blackthorn]

I have several sets but have never used them. My understanding is that the whack-a-mole sets only neck size the brass so, are best (perhaps only) used with brass fired in your particular firearm. True? False? Crap-shoot?

 

[Maven]

blackthorn, You are correct, they only neck size your brass, which I found out the hard way when I first began reloading. However, they do an excellent job for the most part (little runout on the ones I use) when you want to load a few test rounds or load at the range.

 

[RBHarter]

That's how I understand it also I had a 32 Rem/Win Special set . The shoulders have about as much in common as if you did a 32 Win Special AI with a Weatherby shoulder radius . I did like 3 cases and bought the CH die set on CB with zero remorse as I had decided that anything under $85 was better than doing 50 that way .

 

[Mowgli Terry]

I bough a pre-owned set of 357 Magnum in the late 1970's. Some of the used Lee gear that shows up looks like it came over on the Mayflower.

 

[philien]

Started my reloading career with a 12 ga. Lee Loader.
Dad was starting to get stingy with 12 ga. Rounds
Talked him into getting a Lee Loader to save money.
As you guys know that sure worked out well.

 

[Missionary]

Two weeks before we returned to Peru I got out our wack set and loaded a box of crow load.
If I had permanent space for our shotgun press there would be no need. But working off a 3'x2' bench and packing out gear to go to storage means those simple easy to pack last minute tools are very useful.

 

[Edward R Southgate]

I am not sure when Lee came into existence with their Lee Loader, but I think I pre-dated them, starting with Herter's equipment circa 1956. I got everything I needed from Herters.

I received 2 of those Lee Loaders included in my purchase of a used Marlin 336C in 35 Remington. I haven't attempted to use them. I got Lee dies with collimator neck size and Factory Crimp dies.

1958 for the shotgun shell loaders , early '60's for the rifle and handgun loaders . I got several that I use every now and then just for yuks . I got a 16 gauge , a .410 gauge , .38 Special , 38-40 Krag and an 8x57 .

 

[Missionary]

I bought my first in 1967 when I bought y uncle's Marlin 336 in 32 Win Special.
We have several 41 mag, numerous rifle and 12, 16, and 20 gauge sets. They all come in handy off and on.

 

[Poppy42]

Ever pull out the wack a mole for nostalgia?
I started on one like 50 years ago then quickly bought a RCBS JR set.

Haven’t use a whack a mole but I still load 30-06 and 38 special with 310 tools and a true-line junior. Does that count

 

[Mowgli Terry]

Haven’t use a whack a mole but I still load 30-06 and 38 special with 310 tools and a true-line junior. Does that count

Nostalgia?: Not so if actively in use. My last active use of a 310 tool was for 25-20 Repeater maybe forty years ago. . The 310 gear came from a store that was closing dies and handles out for very little money. Actually, the rig cost much less than a set of Lyman dies at the time. Along the way many more sets of dies were added. Should I need to load 22 Savage Hi-Power those antiques will be in use again. For the Apocalypse there's fancy complete nickle plated set for 257 Roberts. The Lyman gear was a world ahead of Lee. Those Lyman tools, as you pointed out, are still useful and a world ahead of the Lee Loaders of the day.

 

[RBHarter]

I have a Lyman 10 ga roll crimping tool just in case I ever stumble on a few 10 ga cases for that SxS Dad left .

 

[Walks]

I have never owned nor used a Lee "Wack-a-mole" setup.
Don`t think I ever will.

Me neither, friends complained so much about them I never wanted to bother.
Got one somewhere, don't remember the caliber.

I still have a 310 setup for .300Sav, .270Win & .30-06, I use the sizing dies with adapter bushing for neck sizing for bolt guns.

 

[Edward R Southgate]

Nostalgia?: Not so if actively in use. My last active use of a 310 tool was for 25-20 Repeater maybe forty years ago. . The 310 gear came from a store that was closing dies and handles our for very little money. Actually, the rig cost much less than a set of Lyman dies at the time. Along the way many more sets of dies were added. Should I need to load 22 Savage Hi-Power those antiques will be in use again. For the Apocalypse there's fancy complete nickle plated set for 257 Roberts. The Lyman gear was a world ahead of Lee. Those Lyman tools, as you pointed out, are still useful and a world ahead of the Lee Loaders of the day.

Should you ever decide to part with the 25-20 die set I am in need of a set to keep my model 25 properly fed .

 

[Otony]

I have a set in .30-30, and another in .44 Special

I’m not sure if you folks realize this or not, but you can still but Lee whack a mole sets brand new for 15 different cartridges

Lee Precision, Inc.. Classic Lee Loader

For over 60 years, more shooters have chosen the famous Lee Loader for their first reloading tool than any other. They realize it is all they need for good, accurate ammunition. In fact, at one time ammunition loaded with a Lee Loader held a world record listed in the Guinness Book of World...

leeprecision.com

 

[Mowgli Terry]

Should you ever decide to part with the 25-20 die set I am in need of a set to keep my model 25 properly fed .

I had better hold onto my 25-20 dies. 'Some years back it had bought a "barrel sizer" for my 257 dies. An individual had a business dealing in dies and die parts. That is good news. The bad news is that I lost the address. Guy may not still be in business. I'll keep looking.

Also, Remington pump guns rule. Mine is a 141 with scope in 35 Remington. A mechanical wonderment that would cost $10,000 to make today.