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Newbie x Infinity - Please Be Gentle

646 views 13 replies 4 participants last post by  unclebob 
#1 ·
I have a lot of "old dude retired spare time" and have read about and watched a video of the Lee Classic Loader being used. Yep, one at a time. But that's OK as I'm in no hurry and I got it for $27 on Amazon. Not a bad investment for some hobby time-wasting. I got the 9mm one to start as that's what I shoot most. I guess .38spl and .45acp with the proper dies, etc to follow if all goes well.

I looked but the info is limited. It talks about a slight flare of the case but NO flaring tool comes with the kit. That kinda sucks as it costs $2 from Lee and I can't find one anywhere else except where shipping (mail) is more than the part! I'll have to make a run to some local supplier for components (powder, primers) so I'll see about maybe getting one at that time.

Can anyone of you gentlemen & scholars shed any light on my new toy (to arrive next week)? Does the literature included recommend powder/primer brands or types? I got the "ABC's of Reloading" book and am reading it now and ordered the Lyman manual so I figure between the two books plus what should come with the kit I should be able to get started. Right...?

Any help appreciated and anything I missed or should know please add. I also read "Zombie Steve's" post and want to give thanks for that, too. Very interesting. I'm starting slowly and will be going slowly so that's why the "kindergarten" loading kit. :supergrin: Thanks.
 
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#2 ·
Well look at you, you already know you need a flaring tool, you are half way there... :)

If the new kits are the same as the old ones, it will come with a sheet that has powders that will work with the dipper that is included in the kit. Make sure you read up or watch a video on the proper way to dip the powder (hint, scooping isn't it, even though every video I have seen with Richard Lee doing the loading he scooped it..).

Wait until the kit comes, read the chart and pick the powder that gives you best velocity for the bullet weight you have.

The two books you have or are getting will tell you everything you need to know, read them fully. Anytime you see a video or a post that disagrees with what you were taught in the book, ignore that video or post. Lots of old wives tales and bad info on the interwebs.

Have fun.

PS - I load my precision rifle at the range, one at a time. I use Wilson hand dies. One day I wanted to see how good the Lee Loader worked compared to my Wilson dies, the groups were the same, very, very, small. :)
 
#3 ·
Well look at you, you already know you need a flaring tool, you are half way there... :)

If the new kits are the same as the old ones, it will come with a sheet that has powders that will work with the dipper that is included in the kit. Make sure you read up or watch a video on the proper way to dip the powder
Why thanks! I am one smert boy! :supergrin: I figger baby steps and play with this just for range loads. The video that pushed me over the edge was Roy Huntington, editor of "American Handgunner magazine" in one of their tips videos. He loaded a .38spl round using this little kit. Seemed quite doable and for $27 I couldn't pass on it. Said 50 rounds an hour after getting the hang of it is about average. I can live with that. Reading the "ABC..." book now, ordered the Lyman manual and will check included literature with the kit when it arrives. To avoid HazMat fees it looks like a trip to the local Cabela's is in my future.
 
#4 ·
I started with one of those kits 30+ years ago. Be careful priming with it. I remember a primer going off and it burnt the index finger and thumb pretty bad. 9mm will be a bear to resize in that tool, but if you lube the case (very lightly) with wd40 it will be help a lot.
 
#5 ·
Thank you, that's the kind of "inside info" that will come in handy. Why do you say the 9 will be tough to size? Length? The 38 I watched in the video didn't seem to present any issues but it is a tad longer. AND he didn't use a flaring tool, either. I emailed Mr. Huntington about the lack of the tool and his rubbing the case on what looked to be a mat of some kind to lube it. Maybe it was an oily sponge... :supergrin: Thanks, again.
 
#6 ·
Personally, I would favor a small tin of Imperial Sizing Wax (or even a small piece of paraffin wax) over a liquid oil (primers don't like oil). If you definitely want to use a liquid lube, pick up some liquid lanolin, use extremely sparingly.

In any case, once your die has some lube in it, you don't have to lube each case.

Good luck.
 
#7 ·
That could explain what looked like a mat upon which he rolled the case before proceeding. I asked in my email so I should find out in his answer but that would explain the flat, mat-looking thing used for lube. Might've been a flat piece of wax or something. We shall see and thanks, again.
 
#8 ·
Personally, I would favor a small tin of Imperial Sizing Wax (or even a small piece of paraffin wax) over a liquid oil (primers don't like oil). If you definitely want to use a liquid lube, pick up some liquid lanolin, use extremely sparingly.

In any case, once your die has some lube in it, you don't have to lube each case.

Good luck.
Yeah - what WW said. ^^

Very sparingly on any oil on the case. That will kill primers. (I just figured everyone has WD available). My favorite lube is Lee case lube (2 oz tube). Just a small squirt of that with some denatured alcohol in a squirt bottle (i use small bottle that came with eyeglasses) - mix it up well and spray on your cases. Dries almost immediately. Typically you'll only lube rifle cases (non-carbide dies) but more on that later. Good question on why the 9mm is hard to resize, not sure, but it is, especially in the lee classic (at least that was my experience - ymmv). Enjoy the new hobby!
 
#13 ·
If you are loading jacketed bullets, I think you can probably get away with not flaring.
I plan to stick with FMJ or TMJ for now. I hate getting lead outta the barrel. And you know Glock says it's a no-no, so I wouldn't do such a thing, anyway! :supergrin:
 
#14 ·
All I can say be you than me using that thing. At the minimum I would at least get a hand primer. And a scale. Pounding in a new primer is not my cup of tea.
 
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