The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - reloading shot gun shells without a press

hk33ka1 · March 9, 2011, 10:36 PM

Lee hasnt made them for shotgun since the 70's. They had mentioned to a few people who inquired they may start again but decided not enough people would buy them. They also used to have other versions of the rifles ones, more calibres and also made custom ones. Now they offer a dozen or so and don't plan on any more. They can still be found on eBay.

Around 1980 or so something happened and Lee Engineering ceased to exist and Richard Lee started Lee Precision carrying on with a somewhat different product line, I think this is when they started doing normal presses and dies. Mequon reloading may have had something to do with this as some of Lees products were sold with their branding on them back then.

from Lee's FAQ;

The Target Model Reloader, Lee Loader for shot shells, Auto Prime with threaded shell holder was made by Lee Custom Engineering. For the whole story, read Richard Lee's article in Handloader's Digest, 17 th. ed.

Lee Custom has been out of business for a number of years and Lee Precision does not make parts for those tools.

March 9, 2011, 10:36 PM	#11
hk33ka1 Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2010 Posts: 275	Lee hasnt made them for shotgun since the 70's. They had mentioned to a few people who inquired they may start again but decided not enough people would buy them. They also used to have other versions of the rifles ones, more calibres and also made custom ones. Now they offer a dozen or so and don't plan on any more. They can still be found on eBay. Around 1980 or so something happened and Lee Engineering ceased to exist and Richard Lee started Lee Precision carrying on with a somewhat different product line, I think this is when they started doing normal presses and dies. Mequon reloading may have had something to do with this as some of Lees products were sold with their branding on them back then. from Lee's FAQ; The Target Model Reloader, Lee Loader for shot shells, Auto Prime with threaded shell holder was made by Lee Custom Engineering. For the whole story, read Richard Lee's article in Handloader's Digest, 17 th. ed. Lee Custom has been out of business for a number of years and Lee Precision does not make parts for those tools. Last edited by hk33ka1; March 9, 2011 at 10:49 PM.