Thread: portable reloading kit

After a portable reloading setup I can carry around in a backpack. Weight and bulk being a consideration, but reliability also.

I've looked into Lee Loaders, but I've recently come across these portable hand presses made by Lee.

Anyone here used either? Pros, cons, alternatives?

Cheers,
AJ

ive got lee loaders for a few of the cals i shoot every now and then ill drag one out and do a few loads makes accurate ammo dont notice any difference between that and press ammo

Originally Posted by Frodo

After a portable reloading setup I can carry around in a backpack. Weight and bulk being a consideration, but reliability also.

I've looked into Lee Loaders, but I've recently come across these portable hand presses made by Lee.

Anyone here used either? Pros, cons, alternatives?

Cheers,
AJ

I've been using a 50yr old Lyman 310 hand tool set up for years, there are no real cons with hand tool setups, easy to use and accurate ammo is the norm.

What cal are you loading for

I used the https://leeprecision.com/reloading-k...-loader-rifle/ kit when I first started reloading 40 + years ago made accurate ammo for my .243 it did.

You could use a rock instead of a mallet when out and about so not much to carry.

You could use this https://leeprecision.com/powder-measure-kit.html for working up a load and just carry the relevant dippers for your load.

I use the https://leeprecision.com/breech-lock...press-kit.html to seat my projectiles it also de-primes and neck sizes easily. never tried to full length size with it.

I use the Lee hand press for load development at the range. I resize the cases at home on my bench press in advance though. Super handy and good for doing a deprime of a heap of cases in front of the tv using a universal deprimer. Used the Lee load all kit a long time ago, worked ok but smacking the cases in with a mallet got tedious. Would happily use the hand press to resize if I had to.

I have had a lee hand press for 20 years and its still going strong. It not very good for full length sizing and a little technique involved when seating but when you get used to it, its fine.
I quite often use it just for seating especially if the weather is bad and I can't be bothered going out to the shed to use my main press ( I weigh my powder inside as my shed is not the best environment for scales).

I got ahold of one for a guy with limted space. He would put one side of it in a vise when doing FLS on cases. It also helped to stabilise it when doing projectile. He is getting on in years but manages it this way.
I know someone that loads for FTR with one too. So they are useable.

I have seen one attached to a tow bar and it seemed to work well

Sweet, cheers guys. Sounds like a hand press is the way to go. Agree that the Lee Loader may get a bit tedious (constantly banging away).

@northdude .270 win. The calibre all the cool kids use - so in other words, it's not for you. Haha.

Originally Posted by Chop3r

I have seen one attached to a tow bar and it seemed to work well

A tow bar?

Originally Posted by Frodo

After a portable reloading setup I can carry around in a backpack. Weight and bulk being a consideration, but reliability also.

I've looked into Lee Loaders, but I've recently come across these portable hand presses made by Lee.

Anyone here used either? Pros, cons, alternatives?

Cheers,
AJ

So why not save some weight and just take reloaded ammo with you?
Pro's - What would 20 rounds weigh? 1lb?
Con's - Gear to make 20 rounds + packaging 1.1lbs + the weight of the reloading gear?

Originally Posted by Frodo

Sweet, cheers guys. Sounds like a hand press is the way to go. Agree that the Lee Loader may get a bit tedious (constantly banging away).

@northdude .270 win. The calibre all the cool kids use - so in other words, it's not for you. Haha.

So thats why you loiter around gay bars

Originally Posted by northdude

So thats why you loiter around gay bars

Totally legal now and only one act of parliament away from being compulsory.

Originally Posted by northdude

So thats why you loiter around gay bars

Gay bars? No way. You must've misread what I typed and thought I wrote 25-06.