The first time so far seems charming.....
I've been reloading at least as long as I've been shooting. Muzzle loaders, pistols, rifles, from paper cartridge sharps to scoped up military style long guns, but never shotguns! I've had the same Lee Turret press for years and it seemed logical to start out with the Lee Loader....so far this simple little press, like all the Lee equipment I've used over the years, does everything the beginner shot shell reloader needs to safely explore his new hobby! RCBS, MEC, Dillon, etc., all make great stuff to be sure, but the user of the little Lee press need not worry about whether his efforts aren't as safe as others presses that are more expensive.....
Works great
Load for trap shooting simple to use consistant loads like factory recommend going slow when crimping in first stage, this enables the crimp groves to line up properly highly recommend
Budget equipment that works, but...
This is a budget reloader, and the 4 stars reflect that. If it had cost more I would give a lower rating. I've made usable 20 gauge shells with a good crimp that fit my 870. The geometry of the crimping works well. The cover holds the extra bushings. But... Unloading shot and powder is not as easy as with other reloader/powder weighing equipment. I saw in one YouTube video that if you take the top cover and drill a hole through the corner of said cover you can unload the shot and powder hoppers one at a time. The shot bushing selection does not get small enough for some loads so I have to use other measuring equipment Meanwhile the shot bushings include sizes that would be adequate for 3 1/2 inch 12 gauge loads, but this is the 20 gauge product. The powder hopper is not made of anti-static plastic as many other powder hoppers are, But it is a budget unit that does make usable shotshells.
Lee Load All II
Received the Lee Load All II 12 gauge unit a few weeks ago. It does a fine job of depriming, resizing & crimping shot shells. The negative part is using the right size powder & shot plastic bushings on the first try. If you don't, then you have to turn it upside down to get the powder and shot out before removing the loading unit. There is no easy way to do this! Not a good design feature.
Good press for the price
For the price you can't beat this press. It is very easy to use and produces good quality reloads. Base is made of plastic but seems that it should hold up for years. My two biggest pet peeves about this item is: - Not user friendly when changing out power/shot or bushings - Press leaks a small amount of powder As for the positive features of this press: - Comes with a variety of power/shot bushings - Not a lot of pressure is needed on the handle during each step I use this press to reload shells for Skeet. It takes me about hour to produce about 40 - 50 rounds. Excellent press for producing a low number of rounds.
