Reloading: Lee Hand Press demonstration

[byrnemonty]

i have the dies but no press , having problems too. got brass stuck in the die now

[skateboy159]

@byrnemonty use case lube they wont stick and clean ur dies before u use them

[patsarge1]

The breechlock hand press might take more time than a progressive for sure but will produce the same ammunition regardless of what some may say. Ive owned and used rcbs presses for years and would rather sit in the living room and load my ammo while watching tv anytime. I do move away from distractions of all kinds when weighing powder charges and seating my bullets and prime with an rcbs hand primer but the quality of the ammo is as high as your upper dollar presses anytime.

[SkallagrimNilsson]

@patsarge1

Exactly, and that's what I like about it too. I often watch / listen to news or Youtube videos while doing the rather boring, repetitive parts of reloading.

[SkallagrimNilsson]

Yes, it only requires a lot of time but it definitely saves money. You also get the benefit of being able to change the load whenever you like.

[MrGerrymcgrath]

That was good thanks, I think I might buy one of those. I was under the impression that you needed a lot of room to reload. I don't have it. I just got a 9mm pistol and it is expensive to shoot at 15 bucks for a box of shells. I am going to start keeping my brass. Good video thanks

Gerry

[yoobb]

The new version of this hand press is the "breech lock" hand press with quick change breech lock bushings. The kit includes the "ram prime" tool for priming. Many users prefer a separate hand primer.

[SkallagrimNilsson]

@yoobb

Thanks for the info, I didn't know about the new version.

[ferociousmark]

pls tell me everything i need to buy if i will be reloading 9mm ammo using this lee hand press and i wanna know the price and where to get them. your help will be appreciated thank you

[SkallagrimNilsson]

@ferociousmark

The hand press itself costs $25-30 on Ebay. Additionally you need a die set in 9mm ($30-35), a shell holder in 9mm ($5), a powder scale (price varies depending on type and quality), and a hand primer (about $20).

I would also recommend a powder measure for convenience, like the Lee Perfect Powder Measure ($15-20).

You can find all the stuff on Ebay. Alternatively you could check Midway USA.

[miguelajedecadiz]

@SkallagrimNilsson Hey man..!! Not possible to get a die to priming with the Lee hand press ???

[SkallagrimNilsson]

@miguelajedecadiz

I haven't seen one so far. There might be a priming accessory for the hand press but I'm not sure.

[miguelajedecadiz]

@SkallagrimNilsson Thanks man....and nice video ;)

[kriegschwert]

@SkallagrimNilsson did yours not come with the "Ram Prime" die? The only problem is that you dont have a tray to hold and dispense primer, you gotta load em one at a time.

[SkallagrimNilsson]

@kriegschwert

Hm, if my memory doesn't fail me completely I had to buy the hand primer because neither the hand press nor the die set included a priming tool. I also had a bench press, and that one had an integrated primer. Maybe that's the one you're thinking of?

[kriegschwert]

@SkallagrimNilsson They must have started adding a priming die recently, mine came with one, but like I said, you have to load the primers one at a time by hand....but if one is on a tight budget, you can now prime your casings with the Lee Hand Press.

[ryt2ber]

great video thank you for doing it

[SkallagrimNilsson]

@ryt2ber

You're welcome.

[reapyreap]

I am using this hand press also. After about 100 rounds of just a single stage, my hands hurt too bad to continue. I wish there was some sort of rubber covering over the sections that you hold.

[SkallagrimNilsson]

@reapyreap

Yes, I agree. That's pretty much the only complaint I have about it. I'm usually using it with gloves on.

[arcticgummibear]

You used a hand primer. Does the Lee hand loader also prime the shells?

[SkallagrimNilsson]

@arcticgummibear

No, it does not. As far as I know there is no priming accessory for it, so a hand primer is needed.

[jonmerritt]

Thanks!

[b5kalad]

Are you still happy with it? I am thinking about getting one. Any advice you would give to someone who has never reloaded before?

[SkallagrimNilsson]

@b5kalad

Yes, I'm still using it and very satisfied with it. When beginning to reload I'd suggest watching demonstration videos and looking for information on the web until you're familiar with the procedure.

[johndeereboy508]

Does the hand priming tool work with any caliber as long as you change the shell holder?

[SkallagrimNilsson]

@johndeereboy508

Yes, for handgun calibers at least. Not sure about rifle ammo.

[danthman114]

will rcbs dies and shellholders work on this press?

[SkallagrimNilsson]

@danthman114

Yes, they are standardized as far as I know.

[danthman114]

@SkallagrimNilsson i wanted to do some reloading inside of the house since its 110 degrees in the garage right now...

[SkallagrimNilsson]

@danthman114

That's perfectly understandable...

[PapaleguasTX]

@danthman114 Yes, but the numbers of the shell holders are different!

[undergroundbasement]

I bought a Lee Hand Press just like that in 2009.You mentioned the screwing part, now Lee has the Breech Lock Hand Press where there is no more die screwing in or out, you just use a breech lock bushing for every die you have and it slide-locks in. They haven't been out long, I just ordered one, they are the same price as the older screw-in type. Now I have 2 Lee Hand Presses as well as a Lee Turret Press on a bench.I bet Lee sells more presses than any other company because they are affordable

[SkallagrimNilsson]

@undergroundbasement

That's interesting, I had not heard about the Breech Lock Hand Press before. Thanks for mentioning it, sounds very handy.

[saradamsmc]

I bought this hand press a couple months after watching this video and now came back to go through some of the steps with the dies once again. Nice video, very helpful. Thank you for posting it.

[SkallagrimNilsson]

@saradamsmc

Alright, good to know it was helpful.

[Stankyfish]

Definitely good to see this in action before going and buying one -- thanks a bunch

[SkallagrimNilsson]

@Stankyfish

You're welcome, glad to know it helped.

[PeaceBoards]

thank you so much for putting this video together. I am kind of new to shooting and have been looking into reloading (but don't want to spend like $1000), so i will definitely look into this method!

[SkallagrimNilsson]

@PeaceBoards

It's good to know the video was of some use.

[einkleine]

Hur mycket kostar det?

[SkallagrimNilsson]

@einkleine

Rundt $30 på Ebay.

[mjmoto72]

cool vid thanks

[robuqi]

Thanks for the tutorial. Much appreciated

[robuqi]

Thanks, nice tutorial and easy to understand.

[SkallagrimNilsson]

@robuqi

I'm glad it was helpful.

[davidsquall351]

Thats cool, I might give it a try.

[nadbooker]

Looking at this press. Thanks for the video.

[golandmar]

THanks for the video

[jakjsr]

Very nice job. Thanks much.

[SkallagrimNilsson]

@jakjsr

You're welcome. =)

[goodnightChesty1775]

i want to buy this to reload .243 will it work? good video man. what accent is that?where are you from? lol

[SkallagrimNilsson]

@goodnightChesty1775

Generally it works with every caliber, you just need to buy the right die set. However, I've heard that it can be problematic with some rifle rounds because you don't get as much leverage as with a mounted press.

Europe is good enough. =)

[goodnightChesty1775]

@SkallagrimNilsson thanks man, that is what i have heard about 3 times lol thanks again

[vkelsov]

@goodnightChesty1775 Austrian or German I think.

[Lexesbenz]

How many grain of powder are you using for a 14g bullet? Just curious, I use 115g and I use 4.5gr of powder.

[Lexesbenz]

@Lexesbenz

Crap I meant 147g not 14g.

[fireline6]

hello dude , i am having trouble reloading 9mm im using lee classic loader, and i can load my own brass ok, but other picked up brass seems to be to wide for my gun, wont eject , does not fit right, will that die set rezize the outside of the shell to make it as narrow as before?

[SkallagrimNilsson]

@fireline6

Yes, the depriming + resizing die should take care of that.

[Vincerama]

@fireline6 Make sure you aren't picking up 10mm or .40 SW cases, they are almost the same size as 9mm.

[762full]

You look (and act) like Jesus :)

You a Christian or what

[SkallagrimNilsson]

@762full

Err... no, not in the least.

[762full]

@SkallagrimNilsson hahaha c'mon just a little :)

I wish I had blue eyes you are special

[SkallagrimNilsson]

@762full

I know, I never get it when people on Youtube are kidding... And since there are a lot of morons and crazies, you never know. XD

[letstalkdirty1]

good video you need to get more hand tools chamfer flashhole debur just make sure everything is good you can get really hurt

[SkallagrimNilsson]

@letstalkdirty1

I do indeed have such tools. I don't use them every single time but at least frequently. With handgun casings it's not as critical as with rifle ammo.

[petere1959]

bismuth or lead wouldn't come close to austrailan standards, must be ISO's, we use aluminium, copper, s/steel or nickel plated

[Flumphinator]

Dude, I have to say, your beard is awesome.

[SkallagrimNilsson]

@Flumphinator

Thanks. =)

[WillieNero]

Thanks for the demo!

[762full]

What nationality are you?

[762full]

I thought all weapons are illegal in North Europe, they are quite strict I believe, and not very orthodox in that regard.

[SkallagrimNilsson]

@762full

What does it matter?

[762full]

@SkallagrimNilsson You dont like it?

[SkallagrimNilsson]

@762full

I don't feel in any way connected to the country I was born in, and I'm not exactly fond of either its people or the state.

[762full]

@SkallagrimNilsson Why dont you like it? Now I really want to know!

btw do you cast your bullets?

[SkallagrimNilsson]

@762full

What's so interesting about it? Sorry, I just don't get it...

No, I don't cast them. It would be pretty cheap, but I just don't have the right place where I could melt lead.

[762full]

@SkallagrimNilsson Ahhh I gotta know! lol But I think you are Swedish :)

I would cast lead, its toxic, instead I like Bismuth. I has an even lower melting point. While its mass is not as high as lead, it does have desirable properties.

[SkallagrimNilsson]

@762full

If you give me a good reason why the heck it should matter, then I might possibly tell you. ;-)

[762full]

@SkallagrimNilsson lol you are funny



[762full]

@SkallagrimNilsson You could try bismuth instead of lead, I like it better

[SkallagrimNilsson]

@762full

Alright, thanks for the suggestion.

[762full]

@SkallagrimNilsson It has a lower melting point, (almost) not toxic, and fragments on impact. Never alter the barrel profile again! lmao xD

[bigpauly03]

Excellent video. I've been interested in learning to reload my own ammo and your videos are very helpful. Thanks for posting.

[SkallagrimNilsson]

@bigpauly03

Alright, I'm pretty sure you won't regret starting to reload. If you have any questions just send me a pm or whatever and I'll try to give an answer.

[TheShotgunNut]

Awesome I'm getting one :-)

[SkallagrimNilsson]

@MRB373WI3

Yeah, I know... actually I do have some resizing wax, but most of the time I'm too lazy to apply it to every single casing, or I think the reloading already takes too much time. =)

[edfire73]

nice video thanks alot for the info

[SkallagrimNilsson]

@edfire73

You're welcome. =)

[rage801]

how much was that press? nice vid

[SkallagrimNilsson]

@rage801

I bought it for $26 on Ebay.

[rage801]

great deal! thanks

[Marine052191]

Oh!!!!!!!!! Thanks for the brass cleaning method, those tumblers are so expensive. I'd rather do it on my budget. Hey, thx!

[rage801]

he didnt clean the brass. it was just the primer pocket. you have to tumble the brass

[Marine052191]

Oh yes, I'm in the process of buying a hand loading kit, but the Classic Lee Loader. I have about 200 empty .45Auto casings.

[SkallagrimNilsson]

@Marine052191

I was also considering the Classic Loader, the price is just great. But it seemed like a little to much hassle to me. Also I like to load silently, without hammer banging. =)

[speeedracerr]

Hello from the U.S.A.

Thanks for the great and informative video!!! A+++ Makes me want to get into reloading =D

Cheers!

[absolutsoju]

5/5

How do you clean your brass, btw?

[SkallagrimNilsson]

@absolutsoju

I don't have a tumbler so just use hot water with dish liquid and citric acid. Works well enough for me.

[Schmidt54]

awesome video! how often can you use one cartridge before the material wears down?

[SkallagrimNilsson]

@Schmidt54

It depends on the quality of the casing and on how strong the loads are, but I'm generally getting at least 3-4 times, often 5-6 times.

[000majorwinters000]

I hadn't even known that about ammunition. This was a very interesting watch. (: Good upload!

[blacksilkblacksilk]

5/5

You just have a way of presenting stuff in a way that makes it enjoyable to watch.

THX, great intel.

silk

[SkallagrimNilsson]

@blacksilkblacksilk

Thank you, that's nice to know. =)