Lee Classic Loader Kit

Anyone have experience with this little kit? I ordered one for 223 to kind of mess around with. Haven't loaded before, but I have had a 100rd box of hornady 50gr bullets laying around for a while now and also have been thinking of loading some heavier stuff, maybe 60gr partitions. Anyone used the 73 gr hornady eld bullets?

Is it the classic kit that uses the die and a hammer to load or one of the ones with a press. I have used both, started my reloading 40+ years ago with the classic kit without the press reloading for a 30-30.

You can load some pretty good ammo with it but it will be much slower than one with a press, but it does teach you a lot about reloading IMO

Yes, the one with the hammer. I've done some reading and it gets decent reviews, the hand press maybe next on the list as I work my way to eventually needing to be able size the whole case.

I got an RCBS Rock Chucker kit for $249 from Natchez recently. With the $50 rebate, it came out to $199. With the amount of accessories you get in that kit (primer, scale, loading block, case lube & pad, etc.), it really is an excellent value.

Loaded hundreds of rounds in 45 Colt with the whack a molie.

Go for it. I believe you are somewhat limited to powder choices and amount of the powder charge due to the scoop provided, but it will give you a chance to learn the very basics...

I've read the same thing. I'll buy a scale eventually to fine tune and increase power.

Not only to increase powder but to get much more uniform loads. Also don't expect as many loadings from each iece of brass as with a full press. Be careful when applying a crimp as it is easy to hit a little too hard and over crimp rendering the cartridge useless or at least it was for me at 14 years old

Thank you for the tips! Please keep them coming. I'm kind of excited about it a little. Loading up my own ammo and using that ammo to hunt. I have about 150 pieces of hornady once fired (by me) brass. I'll be loading for a savage model 25 walking varminter that shoots lights out already with hornady 55gr spire point ammo and 62gr federal fusion ammo.

I started reloading with the Lee Loader for the 30-30 Win as well. The ammunition always performed very well. I still have the kit and a kit for every rifle cartridge I shoot despite having a reloading room with six different presses. I like starting any new handloader with the Lee Loader. It shows an individual just how simple reloading a cartridge can be. At hunting leases, I have taught all the hunters how to handload their own while we worked on the tailgate of their truck. Doesn't get any better than that.

I like that.

Agreed, the Lee Loader is a great learning tool and also great for deciding whether reloading is something the shooter will enjoy. Many people do not want to spend their time reloading, and some people do not have the space for a dedicated reloading room. Looking at some photos you are close to my age, we didn't have the advantage of you-tube videos or google. Most of what I bought was through mail order and a mail catalog to decide on features and price. I actually started reloading on a Lyman "nut cracker", believe it was the model 310 if memory serves me right.

I finally loaded up some of my own ammo. It took me a while to get the c.o.l. set. Loaded up 3 small batches of 223 ammo per the hornady book. All 53gr v-max, using benchmark. 9-23.1gr, 8-24gr, and 8-25gr. Hopefully I did pretty well and these are consistent.

Things I would like to add to my little setup, hand priming tool and powder trickler.

Still hav my 30-06 and 30-30 Lee Loaders.

I have and still use the Lee Classic loader for loading my 45-70. It works. Only drawback is it is S--L--O--W, and it is tough to get a consistent crimp. Although you won't have to worry about crimp with .223. I do like the fact that you can load anywhere. If the SHTF, I'll be grabbing the Lee loader on the way out the door.

I have several sets of the Lee classics, don't use them much any more.
Don't have any proof, but it seemed to me that hammering the case into the sizing die cut down on the frequency of having to trim cases.

You can use a vise instead of a hammer.

I've seen pictures of guys using small arbor presses but if you were to buy one, you would be miles ahead buying a reloading press.