Reality check for folks that would like to restrict ammunition..

[virginia mountainman]

Lee Loaders have been mass produced since the early 1960's and cost about $20

Also Powder, primers, and bullets are EASILY made from scratch at home using things very easily obtainable, yes, even the primers are very easy to make with things that are found in EVERY grocery store.

I as a long time reloader, will teach any of us in here, how to use such a simple tool to make your own ammunition.

[ileus]

1. I've wanted to get into reloading for a while...

but I look at all the tools at Midway and it's just amazing at the equipment you can buy....

[-..__...]

6. You can't go wrong with a Dillion.

And their warranty is unparalleled...

Our products have thrived for several reasons. First, I run the company based on my philosophy. You treat other people the way you want to be treated. I don’t want people calling me up saying, “You miserable S.O.B., you sold me this machine and now you won’t help me.” I don’t want anyone mad at me. This is reflected in our warranty. No warranty cards, registration or serial numbers are necessary. Whether you are the first owner, or the seventeenth, all our hobby-level reloading machines have a lifetime warranty. If you break, damage or wear out anything on them, it will be fixed or replaced – whatever is necessary to restore the machine to normal operating condition. If a minor part is all that is needed, contact us and we will ship the part. (International customers pay the return shipping costs) If something major is damaged or broken,contact us and we issue the customer a return merchandise authorization-RMA- to return the item to us for repair. The customer pays the shipping; we fix or replace as is warranted. Only our commercial machine, the Super 1050, has a one-year warranty, as do all electrical/electronic products and textiles. Our customers understand that they have a best friend at our factory. We are only a phone call, FAX or E-mail away. In return we receive an incredible amount of customer loyalty.

http://www.dillonprecision.com/#/about_us.html

My RL 550B is easily one of the best firearms related purchases I've ever made.

[rl6214]

7. I've used an RCBS reloader for years

I think whatever reloader one chooses, it is a relaxing way to spend an evening, saves a few bucks an ensures you will always have the ability to get ammo.

[petronius]

2. To be fair, that probably wasn't that guy's first time

That's really impressive to watch, kind of like that lightning-fast magazine change that was posted recently...

[Travis_0004]

4. He was pretty quick for a simple setup.

Give that man a progressive loader, and he will really fly.

[virginia mountainman]

5. Actully that man is...

Richard Lee....

[tularetom]

3. Ah, the old Lee Loader

I've loaded thousands of rounds over years with them.

Although I now have a single stage press I still use the Lee Loader to make .45 LC "snake rounds" using cardboard as over powder and over shot wadding. I do cheat and use the press to size and deprime the shells however just to avoid all the hammering.

You can load 12-ga. shot shells with something even simpler - a block of wood with a hole drilled in it, a washer and a nail.

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

8. Do those Lee Loader do bullet crimping? What about brass trimming?

Since Federal, Hornady and Lapua target .308 are about $27-$35 for a box of 20rnds, I've been wanting to get into loading for a long time now (I have thousands of spent brass). Unfotunately, a loading setup is kind of an expensive investment. Could something like a lee hand loader load consistent match-grade performance ammo? For bench shooting, the volume of shooting is often very low so maybe 2 hours of loading would make enough for a shooting session.

I know I'd probably have to get a scale or measure to get charges that consistent and I'll need a tumbler too.
But how does the lee kit handle trimming dies? What about bullet crimping (I shoot an AR10 autoloader)?

I know if I wanted to reload high volume pistol caliber, I'd have to go for a turret or progressive... but I'd probably still hand load 10mm with a lee loader since 10mm is about $0.60-$1.00 per round commercially.

[Lurks Often]

9. It depends on the loading set up, but

you can probably get a single stage reloading kit, which would include the scale for about $150 and don't forget a reloading manual, I'd suggest the Lyman 49th Edition Reloading Handbook

http://www.midwayusa.com or http://www.grafs.com/retail/index/index is a good place to start.

The press will pay for itself long before you finish reloading the empty brass you have.

[virginia mountainman]

11. it can, to a degree crimp...

BUT, it neck sizes ONLY, may not function reliably in your AR-10.

It does not have a trimming die, in my experiences unless your really "working the brass" with hot loads, and full length resizing with a press, the need to trim is minimal, and even then, only after several reloadings.

You would not be able to find a lee loader in 10mm anyway. If you did, by it being a straight walled case, it would take some real pounding with the hammer to use it, and their again, you would run into the gun not wanting to feed properly.

You need a press to do the kind of loading you wish to do.

Lee Challenger Breech Lock Single Stage Press Anniversary Kit $109.00

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/423081/lee-challenger-breech-lock-single-stage-press-anniversary-kit

You need that kit, and a set of dies, and you will be in business.

If your like me and space is a concern, I took my press to a local machine shop, and had them mount it on a small piece of 1/4 flat steel {6x6 in}. So I can use a couple of C clamps, to clamp it down to a picnic table, or a small bookcase that i have. I can also use the C Clamps to clamp the powder throw down as well.

I would also recommend a good loading manual, they are widely available, and powder manufactures, also have load data on their websites.

For your FIRST press, you need a single stage, so you can learn it step by step. When you decide that you want a progressive press, the single stage is still handy to have around.

[Remmah2]

10. During trap season it takes me an hour to load 100.

That's with a single station MEC too.