How I Use the Lee Hand Press for Seating Tests and Match-Ready Ammo

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[mpccenturion]

I started on a Lee - handloader. Bring your hammer and I was loading on the range at 18. I moved to a Bonanza O Press - Lee dies - and away I went. The Lee Hand Press was the third - and I wanted it to load on the range. Yeh - I could hand-press 8mm Mauser and 30-06, but your hands got swollen on 100 rounds. Finally - about 15 yrs ago - I bought a Lyman Orange Crusher. I mounted it on a Metal Table leg - 4 pads - some 18 inches in four directions - I set it so the final bottoming of the handle was close to the center of the balance of the legs. Now - 42 yrs later - I enjoy coming here and learning about the 1000 yd game. Thank YOU for sharing! Cheers!

[sonnyburnett]

I've used one for years to de-prime my match cases while watching TV (I keep a bucket next to me to dump the primers out every 20 cases or so). Keep up the great videos John!

[mrbreakit]

I really like your transport case idea, thank you for that.

I’ve just recently been using this press for seating tests at the range, it’s been remarkably accurate (ES of .0015). Besides not having to buy an arbor press and more dies, I want to use the same die on every round to reduce variables. Using a quality micrometer seating die of one’s preference, this is a very repeatable process, and a huge time saver.

The breech lock version with locking collars makes this an effective, quick, and inexpensive mobile press. I have loaded pistol and rifle for years with it while away from home.

These short tool and process videos are pure gold, thank you.

[davecollins]

I used mine for neck sizing/deprime on 22-250 gopher rounds on Sat nites while watching TV, taken it to the range same as you, handy at times for sure. Had it for about 30 yrs now.

[skeet]

I used one of these for 5 years. 223 / 22 hornet / 7.7 jap / 762x39. Works great and is compact. Now I use it for depriming

[tylewis]

I used a Lee hand press to load thousands of rounds when living space was limited; always worked very well. NWFA member; thanks for the good info.

[novicereloader]

I've been using this press exclusively since I started loading in January. It works great, though I have to admit I'm looking forward to something bench-mounted soon. I won't be getting rid of it, since there's better deprimer, unless I get an APP at some point. I don't think I'd do magnum rifle on it, since .223 rem takes a lot of muscle to resize.

[northernsky]

I have two presses Redding T7 and XL750 with Armanov parts configured just as you had except it has no autodrive. Works nice. But I needed something for the range for seating depth testing and this was it. No need for Arbor now. I just ordered the case and the press. Thanks John👍

[senorslowpokerodriguez]

I've been wanting to get one because I don't have a lot of work space.

[nicsu]

Looking at grabbing one for loading while I’m stuck in a hotel during the week for work.

[terrycostakis]

I decap both rifle and pistol cases before wet tumbling and because I have multiple turrets for my T-7 press, I keep a Lee universal decapping die on my hand press at all times rather than having to swap the die between turrets

[mamiz]

Thank you for this great advice, John!

[barrygrant]

I have one of these for decapping all my brass and sizing/flaring all my handgun cases--while sitting all comphy in my Laz-e-boy. The I load everything on my state-of-the-art (Ahem) Herter's Model 3 single-stage press.

[bulletterminalperformance]

Thanks for this John!!! This will save me tons of trips to the range for doing seating depth tests!

[patrickcolahan]

That would be great for load seating development. Nice. Thanks John.

[skeet]

Just curious how you tote around the powder and scales

[rodillsoongobacktoprintedi]

When using the press to resize and deprime, the ram will hold 50spent primers...

[justinvandee]

I use same for seat tests. Works just fine. Heck I loaded some ammo from start using it for handgun. Larger neck case I was not able to size with proper shoulder bump. I can say that using it for primer seating has a good feel. For sure way better than the bench mount auto prime. Cheers

[ilikepiepls]

I have one of these. Works well at the range

[ryridesmotox]

The Lee bushing system is called the Breech Lock.