Portable Reloading Press: Lee Hand Press
Вставка
- Опубліковано 8 лют 2025
- For a while I was looking for a way to keep reloading without having to use my large press that was in storage, and then I stumbled onto something magnificent. Enter The Lee Precision Breech Lock Hand Press. It's small, but it can reload like a champ as long as you can muscle it. Pistol brass was no problem at all, and machine gun fired 308 through a Full Length die was a non-issue as well.
Find it on amazon for ~35$ www.amazon.com...
Disclaimer: Reload at your own risk. Just like shooting, reloading ammo has it's inherent risks and you should receive proper training before you reload ammo.
Official website, blog, and online store.
www.inner-bark.com
Join me on social media to be up to date on the latest projects, news, and giveaways.
Facebook- innerbark
Twitter- innerbark
Pintrest- www.pintrest.com/innerbark
Instagram- innerbark
Wait... an informative video with no bs? Can it really be?
Subscribed!
haha glad you liked
Superb camera work and editing. Most of the time I don't care about that, but to show the utility of this gem of a press, your editing is really helpful.
Thank you very much!
A friend of mine from when we were in the USAF together had a LEE handloader when were were first in the AF. I met him in Turkey back in
1964 and he reloaded his own ammo for hunting. At the time it was hard to get .308 or 30-06 at our Rod and Gun Club and forget it off base.
He loved hunting Hogs over there and there was no limit nor season on killing them. He showed me how and took me hunting a few times
when our schedules permitted . It was a blast. I ran across him a few years later down in San Antonio at Kelly AFB. He still hand loaded
his ammo for a precision shooting but had upgraded his press to Dillon progressive. He pretty much said the same as the video, it depended
upon you personal choice and decision as to which way to go. But he also ties his own flys which should tell you he is a very patient and anal
person when it comes to being done the right way each and every time. I talked to him a couple of weeks ago and he has a camper that is
outfitted with all of his reloading equipment and he is a bench shooter at long range. He also reloads for some of his friends at these events
also.
Thanks for the comment James! Sounds like fun times with you two!
I really appreciate the work you put into your cinematography. It's really great. Good job.
I appreciate you notice! *thumbs up*
Not just the basic, needed steps, but you include some info to make this process run even smoother ~ THX! Great Video, too🇺🇸
Thanks David!
I love this press, been using it several years mostly for pistol cartridges. The portability is a great feature. Sitting in the recliner, you can watch TV during the sizing/depriming stage. Then move to any table for the other operations. Video nicely done.
Glad to hear from another hand press user!
No frills, no nonsense. This is the EXACT video I needed to see for this hand press, thanks for sharing it
Thanks for stopping by
I've been using these for about 7 years. Love it.
Yes!
Great demo Andy. I couldn't begin to count the number of rounds I've reloaded with Lee equipment. I've never tried that press though. I like the idea of having a full reloading setup that fits in a tackle box.
Thank you man, its sooooo convienant! I can watch all the chick flicks with the wife and still get man things done.
I use the same setup. I can reload while watching TV. Plus, I like the the feel you get with the LEE hand press, especially when full length sizing. You do not need to spend a fortune to reload. Sometime the simple things are the best.
I also use the LEE die bushings. Once you have everything set up, It's just lock and load.
yeah, I enjoyed using the hand press more than I thought I would. Working up loads at the range is easier too because you don't have to clamp down a press or anything like that.
Great video. I highly recommend that new reloaders start with this setup. So Easy to learn. Thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I have a lee single stage but limited in space in my apartment (bolted it to a dresser) so was looking at other options and saw the hand press. Good video as I'm now going to pick up the hand press. Allows me to reload in an area I have more room and on the fly/out camping/shooting if need be. With the small set up and portability.
This was my go-to when I lived in a modest 500sq ft apartment.
Wait a minute you forgot to have the loud blarring Rock&Roll music in the background, and blab and blab on forever about nothing. Informative, excellent script and video. Thank you.
haha Glad you enjoyed!
Thank you! Greatly appreciated your simple demonstration and explanation and that you had almost NO background musical noise distorting your words!
Glad you liked it!
Well Done ! I've got a Lee Hand Press , but I've not used it yet and now have a better understanding of its use ... Thanks !
Glad you enjoyed it
I have used the Lee hand press to load all of my hunting, bear defense, and self defense ammo since I moved to Alaska in 2012. Ammo ranges from 300 win to 38 special. The only downside is I think you should buy a separate priming tool because the leverage of the press is too much for a priming tool, and you can crease the primer or scoop a shaving of brass into the primer pocket causing failures to fire, which I saw once. Otherwise a perfect tool I have no hesitation to tell beginners to buy as a first press.
I've owned and used an RCBS Special Five press on my bench since about the late 1980's.
But, I've just ordered one of these to try it out while working up loads, "at the range"!
This is by far the best video showcasing this hand press. Thank you!
This press is the cat's pajamas. When people want to learn the process of reloading I recommend this before they get a progressive where things can go bad if they don't have their system down.
@@innerbarkoutdoors I mainly wanted to start reloading because I bought an AR-10. Not sure if this hand press would be ideal for 308 haha. Might need to just go straight to single press.
@@duvalpenny100 if you use a good case lube like imperial sizing wax you should be fine. I reloaded maybe 1k rounds of 308 with this press and Forster dies
Thanks a lot for this video, I've been reloading with an RCBS press for about 30 years, and I've just ordered this so I can adjust my loads at the range. I really appreciate the time you took to cover many of the details of this press, it pushed me over the edge. I really only need to seat bullets deeper at the range, so this is a perfect way to try different pressures while I'm shooting.
This press paired with a micrometer die is hard to beat
@@innerbarkoutdoors Well I got it, just happily decapped/resized a bunch of .45 Autorim without having to get up from UA-cam. :P Really fine little press. TC
Great tip on the dryer sheets
*thumbs up*
Thank you very clear demonstration and informative - nice touch on the RCBS primer tool
There are better priming tools out there but I learned on the RCBS and have had no issues
Picked up 2 tips to speed up. Good video. Thank you for being concise.
Thanks! More videos coming about it soon! Hope you like them tooo
I went ahead and got one of these partially because of this video. I find it useful in depriming dirty brass before cleaning. Then I case size and and prime with the Franklin Arsenal hand primer and use the progression press for the rest.
Also I find it it mildly cathartic to use it while watching TV.
I definitely want one. Thanks for sharing.
Great video , I bought one of those years ago for the same reason , to take into the field . But I have never loaded the first round with it .
I have a number of presses I have collected over the years but my go to press is the Lyman Orange Crusher because I load a lot of large rifle
rounds . I have dies from most of the brands but keep going back to Lee , (mostly for price). On pistol rounds I just use the Lee measure cups but with rifle rounds
I do measure each load . It makes a noticable difference with rifles but not so much with pistols . I need to try it on .223 . Great video .
Nice! Keep on reloadin'
Fantastic video, clear concise and filmed brilliantly... better than any I have seen elseware
So nice of you to say!
Great walk through on the process and capabilities of this kit. Pro quality video. The use of dryer sheets was a nice tip too. Thanks!
Glad you enjoyed!
Great little portable press. Beginners can try reloading without a large investment , if they graduate to a bench press the dies will still work. As pointed out it can be used at the range (depending on range rules) or put in to a vehicle bug out bag.
It’s a great starter setup!
Great video, informative and well made.
I bought one of these c. 1986. Worked great, still does.
(Likewise, I did eventually buy a hand primer.)
*thumbs up*
Nice, thanks for posting. I've been using the Lee Loader (all by hand) for .308, but as you know it does not fully re-size cases. Okay for me, as the rounds are for bolt guns. Your video shows what's best for doing by hand and what's best done with the device.
I full length size 308 and 6mm creed with this. I've been using emperial sizing wax with powdered graphite for the inside necks with good results.
You would make a great Teacher!!! Lol you already are a great Teacher, nice job! you taught me something.This is something I am looking into! Keep doing videos with your soft voice it doesn't drag on, I was surprised the video was over lol! Peace brother.
So nice of you to say. *thumbs up*
I’m looking to start reloading. I think
I’ll go with this press. Thanks for the video - liked and subscribed 👍🏼
Thanks for the sub! I’ll be doing more reloading content soon!
Been using these since 1998, have 2 , one for sizing depriming, the other for bullet seating. Reloading.308 win.. loosen up the linkage bolts and the press will run smoother.
Thanks for the comment
Nice video!! That 10/10 scale is 5star absolutely the best I’ve used!
Those scales are money! It really upsets me that they discontinued them. Bring back the McRib and the 1010 scale!
@@innerbarkoutdoors Man, I'm with you on that, both! 😃
Really well done presentation, thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it
Well done, sir! This looks like an excellent piece of kit. I presume that the Lee will accept RCBS dies as well as Lee dies. Your video work is top shelf as well.
Thanks sir!
Thanks so much. Being new to reloading and being not familiar with much to do with it your video helps a lot. Probably going to pick this up for to reload 40 S&W at first. Then perhaps some .223 or 5.56 thanks again for the great video!
If you are going to be shooting ammo that wasn't fired out of your rifle, it's a good idea to get a chamber check die to make sure that it's in the correct spec. It's a fast way to see if your dies are sizing your brass correctly
Good review, nice video too! Good luck with your press.
*thumbs up* thanks! loving it so far
Liked and subscribed. Good job and thanks.
Excellent thanks for the tips. I'm going to pick this up and start reloading 6arc
*thumbs up*
I was thinking of that press..very informative..thanks
Glad it was helpful!
Hey bro, really miss your videos. I really enjoyed videos of you and your dog.
Did you stick around, videos are here!!
Excellent video. Thank you so much.
Thanks! Glad you liked it!
This looks like an excellent setup for me and the video was concise and informative. Like and subscribed right away. Thanks
Awesome, thank you!
Excellent video, thank you. I just bought the Lee breech lock hand press and look forward to getting started. And, I subscribed to your channel.
*thumbs up*
As always, excellent video and thanks for the overview. Looks like a great unit and I love the compact design.
*thumbs up*
never knew that piece of equipment existed. thanks for the heads up.
Don't sleep on it!
Great video. And as always super high-quality. As a UA-camr myself I hope to one day be able to learn better video editing software than the one I'm currently using.
Thanks so much, hope you are still around
Wow great video, professionally done as well!
*thumbs up* thanks !
Excellent teaching video. Thanks
*thumbs up*
Very cool, thanks for the video 😀
*thumbs up*
You know I've thought about getting into reloading for a while now.
But I was always worried that crimping ain't easy.
#crimplife
The lee hand press and the lee load all would really be all you need to get yourself going with limited space and budget
It’s a great little set up
Thank you
No problem! Hope it helped
Great video ! And great audio ! Like you hinted the Lee Breech Lock Hand Press is great for the Range Bag ! And more useful for a Auto Pistol and a Semi-Auto Rifle... tjl
Thanks Tim! Glad you enjoyed
Thank you very informative.
This would be perfect for running test loads at the range and working up loads. At least at the charging and seating stage.
*thumbs up*
This will suit my needs perfectly, and a forearm workout to.
The added workout is a bonus. I found it was mostly my chest and back. Light weight high rep!
Nice, thanks.
Your welcome!
Killer info,thx!
*thumbs up*
Amazing video format. Brilliant actually! Impressive camera control and film vantage points and background. I'm suscribed! Brilliant video style, please keep up the excellent work and effort, your channel is a gem.
I must ask, what your camera rig details and what editing software are you using? And are you doing this quality as a single person production?
Again, brilliant work, hats off to you
Welcome aboard!
I use adobe premier pro to edit.
Thank you. Very helpful.
*thumbs up* *thumbs up* *thumbs up*
Would love to see using the hand press on a traditional shouldered rifle cartridge.
Noted, thanks for the idea!
Nice video. Thanks a ton!
*thumbs up*
When priming you should be flipping each bullet over and checking the back to make sure the primer didn't go in upside down or crooked, get squashed, and is seated all the way.
My seater doesn't allow the primers to flip, and you can feel the primer being properly seated. Anything crunchy or heavy with resistance means that it's not going the right way. Stevie Wonder could run a hand primer.
@@innerbarkoutdoors I have 2 of the same seater and I assure you it can flip inside the cylinder, not in the tray. Yes you do usually feel resistance but it's worth the extra 1/2 seconds to flip it and make sure nothing is fucked up.
well done video.
Glad you liked it!
Great video
*thumbs up*
Hello, thank for making this. I'm trying to put together a kit, and I know what I'm going to get now.
Glad you enjoyed! Hope your kit turns out!
Wanted to take a look into hand loading with the ammo shortage and I bought one before the video ended lol.
Hahaha good call brother. Hope you get good ammo and some enjoyment out of it :)
awesome..
and definitely affordable..
Yup, it will pay for itself in the first range visit!
you answer alot of my questions i had about doing full reloading job with the hand press but i did not get the bushing u use tho for the die
Just saw this video WOW.. speechless.. I added up all the cost for defense ammo at the store compared to getting all the components to make or reuse your old shells casings your defiantly saving $ and saving gas and time to make your own supplie at home
The breakdown is crazy, and I’m glad people are starting to see that it is more affordable to do this at home.
Wish that came in a complete reloading out fit
They have a kit that allows you to pretty much do it all, but it's not as good as if you put the components together yourself.
Sorry, I had a hard time understanding which dies you preferred for the hand reloader. Was it the Hornady Lock-n-Load? or a specific Lee set? I would prefer something simple to switch. Very informative, and well done video. I was originally looking for just decapping, but after you video it looks like a great way for mobile reloads. Thank you for also showing how you outside the specific product you're describing you prefer to use an alternate primer set tool, and why.
Input from others on die suggestions is welcome... newbie
I think he used Lee dies with Hornady locking rings
Citizen is correct :)
This was really good I’m looking into reloading and this helps. I’m looking to get something not too expensive and compact, this looks like it fits the bill. I just wondering what else did you need to buy besides bullets and powder to complete your setup? I’m looking to reload hand gun and rifle ammo.
Check out my channel. I have a video that goes over the stuff you NEED to get started. The rest of it is just nice to have.
InnerBark Outdoors okay thanks I’ll make sure to check it out.
Nice.
*thumbs up*
I wonder if this would work for making 30.06 blanks.
In your opinion would this be a good press for a beginner? I am looking to get into reloading, but don't have a dedicated space and will only likely be reloading a box or 2 at a time for my 300 WBY and 30-06 and the occasional 44 magnum. Great Video.
I wouldn't recommend this for a first time reloader, or anyone as their only press. It takes a lot of force to resize brass, and that is the downfall of this device. It will handle case flaring, priming, bullet seating and crimping just fine but that resize die....oof. If you knew someone that would let you use their press for resizing then this would be a viable option for the rest of the process.
Yes, absolutely
If you have to resize more than 25 - 50 Cases with this Press, You better have Arms like Arnold Period.
Hahaha - slow and steady for me. It's more therapeutic and chill time for me so I'm not busting out 50 cases in 5 min :)
Resize enough cases with this press and you will GET arms like Arnold...
Wow great video! Am I able to use this press with rifle rounds too? As long as I have the correct dies? Also how has it held up over the last two years? Do you still use it or have you upgraded?
I still use it. I have a progressive press too, but this works and is ultra portable. I have used it on 308 sized cartridges with great success. I've heard of the 20+ year old ones having issues with concentricity, but mine have been at least as good as factory match ammo (checked with hornady concentricity tool) using match grade dies.
Beautiful video! The press is still available on the market although it went up in price. The question is; would this system work well in a 6.5 Creedmoor caliber? Really interested in knowing
Sure does! I use it all the time for my 308, 6.5cm and 6cm
Using the locking rings is clever! Did you also use a hornady bushing?
The Hornady bushing doesn't work with this (which sucks because I have 20 or so of them for my other press). I bought a few packages of the Hornady locking rings which when I got them is a better deal than the Lee bushings
InnerBark Outdoors thanks for the quick reply!
cam on, anh
*thumbs up*
I have the Lee Single Stage Breech Lock press and bought some of the Hornady locking rings, but they are so large in diameter that I can not use them because of the breech lock release button is in the way. Frustrating.
i had some interference, but not enough to make it unfunctional. The rings would press the button down a couple thousands of an inch, so the breech lock was still engaged.
Would this only be suitable for centrefire cartridges or could it be adapted for 12 gauge hulls?
Can you reload rifle rounds as well as pistol?
Hi there, first off great videos - so well put together, thank you for that. I am very much interested in this system and will be giving it a try shortly. I am somewhat still new to all of this and not familiar with the Hornady rings. I looked it up but it appears they have several options which I can't seem to figure out which is the correct one. Would you happen to have a model number you could link. These are the ones I was confused over Hornady #'s 044099, 044093 and 044606.
Go for the 044606. The other items are if you own a hornady press and is a proprietary bushing. The locking rings are universal and will fit all dies except 50bmg or similar cartridges.
@@innerbarkoutdoors ty
Love the content! Have you done any 7mm Rem Mag with this hand press?
I've done 308, 6.5cm and 6cm with this press. I don't think it would be comfortable full length sizing larger. Doable but not comfortable
Andy, I became impressed with the Lee Breech Lock Hand Press after watching your video. Any chance you can recommend other machines? I am looking for an alternative to the Dillon 650.
The Hornady Lock n Load AP press is my full size unit. I've been happy with the build and customer service. I've broken a couple pieces (my fault) and they had replacement parts out the next business day.
Can this reload 300 win mag?
After 6 years.....are you still happy with it?
Yes, I don’t use it as much as my benchpress, but it’s still a great investment
Is this a good way to get started hand loading
Exactly! Thanks for subbing! Hope you are enjoying the channel.
No ideas on how to set the depths of the sizing, flaring , seating or crimp dies.?
Each manufacturer is going to be a little bit different, but generally speaking for full-length sizing dies, you want to have the die slam all the way to the shell holder. The flaring die will be a half turn or so into the lip of the case, and for the seating die, you will want to have a about a half turn into the case which sets the standard crimp and then seat the bullet to desired length using the screw on top. It's better to overflare the case lip than not because otherwise you risk shearing off the jacket or compressing the lip of the case.
@@innerbarkoutdoors Thanks
Coming from a photographer, this is a great video. Getting ready to try my hand press for the first time. One question though, does the lee die need to be set to a proper depth for seating the bullet or is it adjustable so you can also do 38? Do you have a video of that if it is in fact adjustable?
For sizing, the die has to slam against the shell holder. For sizing, you typically feel resistance when the die hits the lip of the case, and from there you set your crimp. The top screw dials in your seating depth. Hope that makes sense.
Thank you so much for sharing this video. With the ammo shortage I'm thinking of getting one of these portable press. Right now 8m using nickel plated brass ammo, can that be reloaded?
Nickle plated ammo can be reloaded, but splits easier than straight brass after multiple reloadings. Just inspect before you load.
I live in a condo so this is really cool to know about. What are the Hornedy parts exactly? I'm not sure what size to get. Thanks.
Their locking rings are the standard size. They bumped the breech lock button slightly, but not enough to impede on the function of either. Look up their Sure-Loc dies. Looks like they are on sale at Midway
Hi Andy, I am not a novice when it comes to reloading. I used to reload in my younger years with Lee turret press. But kind of lost interest over the years and got rid most of my stuff including the press. But due to recent change in political climate and unfriendliness towards gun ownership and particularly ammo purchases requiring background checks here in the very liberal state of California, I might just take up reloading again. Like you I might just get a portable reloading press since I don’t want to spend lots of money. My question is: how do you make sure all your rounds have the same charge (grains) when I saw you just using the scoop to dump powder into the case? Do you go over each case with a scale and powder trickler and work your powder weight up to the correct charge? Back in my Lee Turret press days, a powder hopper is attached to case expander die and dump powder in one single step. I am not sure how you would do this with a single stage press. Thanks.
I have the lee powder dipper set, so it's usually one dipper, or a combination of two dippers to get the charge you want. Their chart is pretty spot on for volume/weight of different powders. The only thing you gotta make sure is that the dippers are filled uniformly (not piled/mounded up). For pistol, I prefer to use my progressive press but when I was in my apartment I had to make do with the hand press.
I have a friend that is wanting to get into reloading. Would you suggest this press for beginners?
Yes I would suggest it for beginners. You ought to learn the process (and see if you like it) and how to keep your procedure safe before investing in a full size press or progressive press. Too many people blow up guns and that's why doves cry.
Can you ask them to make a 300 win mag edition
You can do it with this press, just use good wax or lube
Will this work with 45-70 rounds? I'm interested in buying one but I want to make sure it will work before I buy it.
Crazy thing its why i bought mine
Sorry for lateeee reply. Yes.