Lee Hand Press Quality?

RevolverLover · November 12, 2007, 11:14 PM

I have been using a Lee Hand Press for years and have been really pleased with it. They are great for load development. I have been thinking about getting a couple for Christmas gifts. So, how is the quality of the current production Lee Hand Presses?

glockopop · November 13, 2007, 12:23 AM

I've been using one for about a year, and I've had absolutely no problems. I just got a real good deal on a Dillon press from a TFL member, so I won't be using it as much, but I'm glad the Hand Press was given to me first so I could learn the basics of handloading.

I will advise you that if you give these as gifts in calibers for autos, get the three or four die set. The speed die seems like a good idea but you can't adjust the crimp, and I had feeding problems in my 1911 before I got the Factory Crimp Die.

The Lee Hand Press is a damn nice gift, mine was given to me by my girlfriend's dad!

Sigma 40 Blaster · November 13, 2007, 07:37 AM

I got one a few months back, it's held up well. I basically only use it for decapping pistol brass and decapping/resizing rifle brass and it's held up well for a few thousand cycles.

Leeman · November 13, 2007, 10:11 AM

The Lee Hand Press will load most any caliber. For some glowing praise read what users say about it on the www.midwayusa.com

**Unclenick** · November 14, 2007, 01:23 PM

I slicked mine up by treating the parts with MolyFusion oil. The dies go in and out smooth as steel, now and the ram just falls open. Not necessary, but gives it a nice feel.

glockopop,

Not sure why your speed die crimps can't be adjusted? I just turn the die body in an out a little to do that, same as for a separate crimp die. Once you know where you want it, a couple of scratch marks with a carbide scratch awl and you will always be able to find it again. You may have to change it back for sizing, but I always do all the sizing first, prime and charge the cases, then adjust the die for seating and crimping.

Nick

BigJakeJ1s · November 14, 2007, 10:30 PM

Never had any real problems with mine (for pistol plinking ammo that is), but the ram was mis-aligned to the die by a good 1/16" at the top of stroke, and it was springy as all get-out.

I bought a Huntington Compac hand press, and it is way better (at a way higher price:~$90 IIRC). It is much better designed, and I used it up until my wife bought be a co-ax last Christmas.

Andy

retrieverman · November 15, 2007, 07:24 AM

I have bought 3 Lee Hand Presses in the last couple of months and love them. I had been using a Lee Loader and decided to upgrade and bought one. I got tired of changing dies, so I bought 2 more. They function flawlessly.

chris112 · November 15, 2007, 01:43 PM

Just triied case forming (for the first time) yesterday. Triied using my Lee Hand Press, just too springy to get the last 1/2 millimeter resized. That should give you an idea how good the current production is.

November 12, 2007, 11:14 PM	#1
RevolverLover Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2004 Posts: 1,682	Lee Hand Press Quality? I have been using a Lee Hand Press for years and have been really pleased with it. They are great for load development. I have been thinking about getting a couple for Christmas gifts. So, how is the quality of the current production Lee Hand Presses? __________________ All I ever seem to read on this Internet is a bunch of "I heard..." or "I read..." sort of stuff. "One test = 1,000 expert opinions." -Art Eatman

November 13, 2007, 12:23 AM	#2
glockopop Senior Member Join Date: December 15, 2005 Location: Southern Indiana Posts: 922	I've been using one for about a year, and I've had absolutely no problems. I just got a real good deal on a Dillon press from a TFL member, so I won't be using it as much, but I'm glad the Hand Press was given to me first so I could learn the basics of handloading. I will advise you that if you give these as gifts in calibers for autos, get the three or four die set. The speed die seems like a good idea but you can't adjust the crimp, and I had feeding problems in my 1911 before I got the Factory Crimp Die. The Lee Hand Press is a damn nice gift, mine was given to me by my girlfriend's dad! __________________ I've only got two hands, but I've been known to carry three Glocks. RZA

November 13, 2007, 10:11 AM	#4
Leeman Member Join Date: October 20, 2007 Posts: 58	I love the Lee Hand Press for loading at my shooting bench. The Lee Hand Press will load most any caliber. For some glowing praise read what users say about it on the www.midwayusa.com

November 14, 2007, 01:23 PM	#5
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	I slicked mine up by treating the parts with MolyFusion oil. The dies go in and out smooth as steel, now and the ram just falls open. Not necessary, but gives it a nice feel. glockopop, Not sure why your speed die crimps can't be adjusted? I just turn the die body in an out a little to do that, same as for a separate crimp die. Once you know where you want it, a couple of scratch marks with a carbide scratch awl and you will always be able to find it again. You may have to change it back for sizing, but I always do all the sizing first, prime and charge the cases, then adjust the die for seating and crimping. Nick __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

November 13, 2007, 07:37 AM	#3
Sigma 40 Blaster Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2007 Location: East Texas Posts: 997	I got one a few months back, it's held up well. I basically only use it for decapping pistol brass and decapping/resizing rifle brass and it's held up well for a few thousand cycles.

November 14, 2007, 10:30 PM	#6
BigJakeJ1s Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2005 Location: Arlington TX Posts: 663	Never had any real problems with mine (for pistol plinking ammo that is), but the ram was mis-aligned to the die by a good 1/16" at the top of stroke, and it was springy as all get-out. I bought a Huntington Compac hand press, and it is way better (at a way higher price:~$90 IIRC). It is much better designed, and I used it up until my wife bought be a co-ax last Christmas. Andy

November 15, 2007, 07:24 AM	#7
retrieverman Member Join Date: August 20, 2007 Posts: 46	I have bought 3 Lee Hand Presses in the last couple of months and love them. I had been using a Lee Loader and decided to upgrade and bought one. I got tired of changing dies, so I bought 2 more. They function flawlessly.

November 15, 2007, 01:43 PM	#8
chris112 Junior Member Join Date: April 13, 2006 Posts: 10	Just triied case forming (for the first time) yesterday. Triied using my Lee Hand Press, just too springy to get the last 1/2 millimeter resized. That should give you an idea how good the current production is.