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11/12/2008 11:14:18 AM EDT
Background-Newbie, Waiting on my Hornady 7 book.

I would like to start hand loading shots shells (2 3/4 Buckshot) for various shotguns and have seen a Lee handloader that requires only a mallet, etc to make new shells.  No press, no buying additional dies..

Question:  Does anyone have any experience using the Lee Hand loading Shotshell makers?  I would like to give 'er a try for the few that I need to make per month.

Thanks,
11/12/2008 11:26:20 AM EDT
[#1]
I have never seen what you are talking about.  

I decided to start loading shells recently.  I found a MEC Grabber on e-bay for $150.  It is awesome.  Perhaps you can find a deal like that.  Most shotgun shooters are old.  I think mine came from a guy that didn't shoot.  He was selling all his father's gear.
11/12/2008 12:21:59 PM EDT
[#2]
Old shotgun shooter checking in. [>:/]


The LEE "Classic" dies for rifle work okay.  I've known anyone that used the shotgun die.  I guess there's no reason it won't work, but it would be awful slow unless you want to shoot only a box of shells every blue moon.

They're cheap enough to try out without worrying about losing much money.  There are lots of used MEC single stage presses around; the reloading store here probably has 5 or 6 right now.  I saw a bunch on Craigslist last night, and there seems to always be several there.

RCBS makes a die set for use in a press that might be a better option.  I don't know anyone that has used that one, either.

Wait until you shoot 12 or 14 boxes of shells in a day; you won't be using a hammer die.
11/12/2008 1:14:53 PM EDT
[#3]
I was asking because I saw some on gunbroker.com and they were really old sets.  I could not find any new ones on all the midway, brownell's etc.'s sites.

Do you know where I can find a new set out there?  I like the $20.00 variety.
11/12/2008 1:19:01 PM EDT
[#4]
Look for a Mec JR on ebay or gunbroker, They are pretty cheap, widely available, and about 10x quicker than what you are describing.

I've got an old one that works pretty well.  On another note, are lead shot prices still insane? like $50+ a bag?
11/12/2008 1:24:00 PM EDT
[#5]
Lee Load-all is about $40 at MidwayUSA.com. Not much more money, and does the job a lot faster. As little as it sounds like you are going to use it, it will last for years ands years.
11/12/2008 1:51:07 PM EDT
[#6]
Quoted:
On another note, are lead shot prices still insane? like $50+ a bag?


At my local Scheels, I saw that the 25# bag price was down to $34.99. Talked to one guy and he said they took a hit on a few bags of the old stock, but expects prices to continue to fall slowly.
11/12/2008 1:54:41 PM EDT
[#7]
Quoted:
Quoted:
On another note, are lead shot prices still insane? like $50+ a bag?


At my local Scheels, I saw that the 25# bag price was down to $34.99. Talked to one guy and he said they took a hit on a few bags of the old stock, but expects prices to continue to fall slowly.


Awesome, thanks for the heads up.  It's been over a year since I reloaded 12ga shells.

11/12/2008 2:48:35 PM EDT
[#8]
Quoted:
I was asking because I saw some on gunbroker.com and they were really old sets.  I could not find any new ones on all the midway, brownell's etc.'s sites.

Do you know where I can find a new set out there?  I like the $20.00 variety.


The shotgun loaders havent' been made sinced the 70's, I think? Anyway, they're all
collectors' items now. You'd be better off picking up a Lea Loadall or a used Lee Loadall.
I bought one of mine new for $25 from an online dealer, and the other used from a gunshop
owner for $10. Looks like the going price now is $40 or so. Still not a bad deal.

http://www.fmreloading.com/cgi-bin/miva?Merchant2/merchant.mv+Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=FMR&Category_Code=Shotgun
http://www.midwayusa.com/browse/BrowseProducts.aspx?pageNum=1&tabId=1&categoryId=19205&categoryString=9315***8603***9314***

Sam
11/12/2008 3:24:10 PM EDT
[#9]
Thanks Sam..  Great links,
11/12/2008 3:33:16 PM EDT
[#10]
The Lee Load-all looks like the way to go..  Now I have to talk my wife into getting it..
11/12/2008 4:29:04 PM EDT
[#11]
Have a Load-All in 12 and 20 gauge also an older Mec in 12 gauge.
For as much as I load shotshells nowadays I use the Lee. Super simple
to set up and I can,t tell the difference from the Mec. Was loading for
rocks and grouse haven't tried buckshot but shouldn't be difficult.
11/12/2008 4:55:47 PM EDT
[#12]
Quoted:
Lee Load-all is about $40 at MidwayUSA.com. Not much more money, and does the job a lot faster. As little as it sounds like you are going to use it, it will last for years ands years.


+1 I have one my dad gave me about 10 years ago. I have probably loaded 1000 rounds with it. He had it for probably 15-20 years prior to me. He probably loaded 5000-10000 rounds with it. Still works great to this day.
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