9mm, 1st time user HELP!!!

KC9LDB · February 28, 2009, 01:17 PM

I have a Lee loader (hand) from 1974, everything is here, cept powder and primers. No clue what to use!

The Loader itself

Winchester 115gr bullets

The Chart on how to load it, uses a scoop.

Need major help! I really want to start loading with this loader, I do not want to buy a more advanced one, I figure that is it worked back then, it should work now! I just don't have the money for loaders, Im in college, it is a pain in the wallet! Thanks in advance!

50 shooter · February 28, 2009, 02:22 PM

You need small pistol primers, I use Winchester but you can use any type you want or can buy for the cheapest.

As for powder Win. 231 is a good choice and has never given me any problems. 4.5 grains is a decent load and I would seriously advise you to buy a reloading manual.

cgaengineer · February 28, 2009, 02:29 PM

Do you have a reloading book?

jtravisbayne · February 28, 2009, 03:54 PM

Like the others said. Get a manual. If money's tight, see if a local library has one. If not, hang out at Barnes and Noble and sip a latte while reading the ABC's of reloading.

I feel your pain. I was too broke in college to mess with anything gun related. Hang in there and be safe.

Travis

KC9LDB · February 28, 2009, 03:59 PM

Yeah I can get that, well, what would the power to get for just basic winchester 115gr bullets, those would be all i ever use

Eric M. · February 28, 2009, 04:59 PM

You need a powder scale to weigh your powder drops.
I like W-231 powder also, but there is a very narrow window between the starting powder drop and the heaviest powder drop.

With what I see of your reloader, and other things, if I were you, I would buy factory ammo until you are in better shape to upgrade your equipment.
It is hard to reload safely while going cheap with reloading equipment.

Eric

dwhite · February 28, 2009, 05:07 PM

You'll need a pair of calipers to set your bullet seater for correct overall cartridge length. Wrong length won't feed in your weapon correctly plus there are pressure issues from seating bullets too deep.

You Lee Loader will get you started but there is better equipment for not a lot more money.

All the Best,
D. White

HJ857 · March 2, 2009, 11:41 AM

Winchester Super Field is a good 9mm powder to start off with. Lots of space between starting and max loads, so it's forgiving. You can move to a powder that gives you more velocity after you've gotten some experience.

oneounceload · March 2, 2009, 01:56 PM

You need a manual, a scale, small pistol primers, and a fast burning powder - there are many. Read the loading manual for powder types and correct load amounts

**Mal H** · March 2, 2009, 02:14 PM

Always wear eye protection when using a Lee Loader, and ear plugs aren't a bad idea either. Trust me on this.

Now, don't let the above make you paranoid about using it. The Loader's work fine for their intended use, but occasionally a primer will go off for no apparent reason when seating the primer. It won't hurt you if you use the right precautions, but just be aware it might happen. I have never had one go off after it is seated nor have I ever heard of anyone else having this happen, so don't worry at all about that. Be sure to only use a plastic or hard leather mallet, never a metal hammer of any type.

I'll second the vote for good old W231 powder in 9mm.

If you are loading only for plinking/fun loads, you don't absolutely need a scale. The dipper will work ok as Lee always uses a dipper that is way short of the maximum load. If you want to get into more serious loading, a scale is a must.

February 28, 2009, 01:17 PM	#1
KC9LDB Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2009 Location: Woodridge, IL Posts: 147	9mm, 1st time user HELP!!! I have a Lee loader (hand) from 1974, everything is here, cept powder and primers. No clue what to use! The Loader itself Winchester 115gr bullets The Chart on how to load it, uses a scoop. Need major help! I really want to start loading with this loader, I do not want to buy a more advanced one, I figure that is it worked back then, it should work now! I just don't have the money for loaders, Im in college, it is a pain in the wallet! Thanks in advance!

February 28, 2009, 02:22 PM	#2
50 shooter Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2002 Location: SoCal PRK Posts: 986	You need small pistol primers, I use Winchester but you can use any type you want or can buy for the cheapest. As for powder Win. 231 is a good choice and has never given me any problems. 4.5 grains is a decent load and I would seriously advise you to buy a reloading manual. __________________ I see the world thru bloodshot eyes Streets filled with blood from distant lies The dogs of war never compromise, No time for rearranging.

February 28, 2009, 03:54 PM	#4
jtravisbayne Member Join Date: December 27, 2008 Location: Simpsonville, SC Posts: 48	Ditto on the Manual Like the others said. Get a manual. If money's tight, see if a local library has one. If not, hang out at Barnes and Noble and sip a latte while reading the ABC's of reloading. I feel your pain. I was too broke in college to mess with anything gun related. Hang in there and be safe. Travis __________________ The power of collecting and disbursing money at pleasure is the most dangerous power that can be entrusted to man. Horatio Bunce *If you put the federal government in charge of the Sahara Desert, in 5 years there'd be a shortage of sand.* Milton Friedman

February 28, 2009, 04:59 PM	#6
Eric M. Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2007 Location: Forest Lake, Minnesota Posts: 307	You need a powder scale to weigh your powder drops. I like W-231 powder also, but there is a very narrow window between the starting powder drop and the heaviest powder drop. With what I see of your reloader, and other things, if I were you, I would buy factory ammo until you are in better shape to upgrade your equipment. It is hard to reload safely while going cheap with reloading equipment. Eric __________________ NRA Chief Range Safety Officer NRA Pistol Instructor NRA Life Member DNR Certified Firearms Safety Instructor 37 yrs

February 28, 2009, 02:29 PM	#3
cgaengineer Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2008 Posts: 264	Do you have a reloading book?

February 28, 2009, 03:59 PM	#5
KC9LDB Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2009 Location: Woodridge, IL Posts: 147	Yeah I can get that, well, what would the power to get for just basic winchester 115gr bullets, those would be all i ever use

February 28, 2009, 05:07 PM	#7
dwhite Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 2007 Location: Wake County, N. Carolina Posts: 379	You'll need a pair of calipers to set your bullet seater for correct overall cartridge length. Wrong length won't feed in your weapon correctly plus there are pressure issues from seating bullets too deep. You Lee Loader will get you started but there is better equipment for not a lot more money. All the Best, D. White

March 2, 2009, 11:41 AM	#8
HJ857 Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2007 Posts: 447	Winchester Super Field is a good 9mm powder to start off with. Lots of space between starting and max loads, so it's forgiving. You can move to a powder that gives you more velocity after you've gotten some experience.

March 2, 2009, 01:56 PM	#9
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	You need a manual, a scale, small pistol primers, and a fast burning powder - there are many. Read the loading manual for powder types and correct load amounts

March 2, 2009, 02:14 PM	#10
Mal H Staff Join Date: March 20, 1999 Location: Somewhere in the woods of Northern Virginia Posts: 16,950	Always wear eye protection when using a Lee Loader, and ear plugs aren't a bad idea either. Trust me on this. Now, don't let the above make you paranoid about using it. The Loader's work fine for their intended use, but occasionally a primer will go off for no apparent reason when seating the primer. It won't hurt you if you use the right precautions, but just be aware it might happen. I have never had one go off after it is seated nor have I ever heard of anyone else having this happen, so don't worry at all about that. Be sure to only use a plastic or hard leather mallet, never a metal hammer of any type. I'll second the vote for good old W231 powder in 9mm. If you are loading only for plinking/fun loads, you don't absolutely need a scale. The dipper will work ok as Lee always uses a dipper that is way short of the maximum load. If you want to get into more serious loading, a scale is a must.