I got my load all in the late 70's when I was a kid, and I can see that they haven't changed much. My friends had Mec brand loaders and they were no doubt far superior in precision and overall quality. That being said, I loaded thousands of shells with my Load all...served me very well. It's still in my parents house mounted on the same table in very good shape. bagged many ducks, happy memories.
A friend of mine moved into a rental house in the late seventies. The previous tenants had left a bunch of junk in the basement which included a fair amount of reloading gear. My friend wasn’t into reloading but knew that I would probably be interested. He offered me the stuff in exchange for reloading some 38 special rounds. I had no idea what I was doing but fixed up a box of rounds with a tiny amount of powder. We went down to a field nearby and I volunteered to be the fool to test out the loads. They were anemic but didn’t blow up in my face. Now fast-forward to today with thousands of brass rounds under my belt and Amazon just delivered my Lee Shot-Shell reloader. And the experiments begin again. Wish me luck and thanks for the tour of the gear.
I'm reloading using the Lee Loadall2 in 12 and 20 ga , Drilled 2 inch hole and used PVC pipe and Coupling and cap . When full take cap off and dump in Can . Love my reloaders and save a lot of Cash
@@314299 it will be here this Sunday, it's funny though. I also ordered the 5th edition shotshell reloading book. but it will be here on Saturday. I guess I can read through that while I wait. lol
@@CarlPapa88 it works out pretty good. I've loaded over 300 rounds with it so far. The only downside with it I have is that it does leak a little gunpowder through the slider but other than that. it does a great job!
I use the plastic package from .22LR rounds. The small rectangular type fits like a small drawer. I'm using a Load All 1 and it slides in from the back.
That's what I was thinking of doing when I set mine up. Drill a one inch hole and get 4 inches of clear tuubing with a plug on the end and just put the tubing in the hole
Great video. To empty the hoppers easily you can drill a hole in one corner of the lid. Put the hole on the side you want to empty out and hold it on securely while you pour out the contents. Flip the hole on the lid to the other side of the hopper and repeat. If you have your press bolted down you can pop the charging handle off and lift the hopper off the base.
I just bored a 1 1/16" hole in my bench and used 3/4" PVC Water Pipe for a shute below the primer removal hole. Then cut 1/4" off a coupling and glued it to end sticking above the bench to hold shute in place and so I could remove the shute when I remove the Press. Works great! Also, got a second Hopper Cover ($2.00 from Lee website) and cut a hole at the very edge of one corner (leaving the lip). Empty one hopper, rotate empty the other - easy. Exellent informative video - good job!
I have a load all from the late 70s what I did was to drill a 1/2 inch hole under the primer hole an a 1/2 inch hole in a jar lid an mounted it under my loader an it does a job catching my primers.
+Mona Gretzmacher That seems like a good idea if you plan on leaving the loader in a permanent location. Was your loader an older one with the metal base? Those were an extra pain to get the fired primers out of.
Good job with the video. I'm just getting back into shotgunning after a long layoff. I used to have an MEC, but it's long gone. I liked your video enough that I'm going to get a LEE. Thanks.
yep !! I been reloading all my 3006 and 556's and 338 lapua I know i would not had 2 much range time with out the use of a reloading press .. now im getting in2 casting .its so easy wish i done it lot sooner .. 255 grs RNFP out of a 45 acp 800fps is so fun .. now slugs & OO buck is next . :) thanks again 4 the useful info from u'r video .
Excellent overview, this was helpful to me in making my purchase decision. BTW, I have several Lee presses (for pistol and rifle) and find that the "auto" priming systems are improved by polishing the feed ramp with some car wax or Nu-Finish. Still not ideal, but for the price I think it's a pretty good method for efficient reloading. Keep them clean, dry and waxed and they provide acceptable service (for $10 :))
Good video! I used to load my 12 ga with the lee loader that came in a small box. I used to shoot trap and loaded many hundreds of shells,annoying my sisters with all of my banging. That was back in 68
Yeah, once you get going you can make a box of shells pretty fast. I timed the process and it took me about thirteen minutes to load a box. ruclips.net/video/YTMSFZmRznM/видео.html
Just to let you all know. you can actually empty this machines hoppers without un-bolting it from the bench (Con at 17:30 in this video). All you do is pop off the handle from the two pivot points either side that hold the top section on. Be careful to slide the upper section off the column, it is spring loaded but not too strong a spring. (Just make sure you do the correct pivot points with NO e clip retainers on them, they just literally pop off by bending the handle outwards slightly.) You can then just cover one side and tip the particular hopper out. Then just slide it back on the column and pop the pivots back on. No tools required and takes about 2-3 minutes.
+Fendermanpaul I was just going to mention this myself! I have not used mine for some time now but used to load hundreds of rounds every duck season. ( before steel was required) Not as nice as my MEC but it did the job. (my MEC was in 10 ga.)
I have the LEE Load All II machine and like it very much. I have to agree with all of your pros and cons on the machine. But for the cost of a MEC I can live with these small cons. I have seen a mod that a guy did to make it easy to empty each hopper without having to take it off the bench. Your video was VERY informative and I have shared it on my FB page.
This is cool, just order one of those shot shell reloader kits for 12 and 16 gauge. Never thought about reloading shotgun shells but here I am. Been reloading centerfire metallic cartridges for close to 2 decades now and brand new to this. This video cleared up the muddy water, appreciate it.
Love the pros and cons....great job on the video. I have a lee single stage press to load my 303 and I love it in the winter months. Now this video sold me on reloading again with lee. From a Canadian!
Excellent job of giving a 'look-see' of the Lee shot loader. Been kicking up the idea of doing some shotshell loading, mainly for slugs, and this may just fit the bill. Thanks for taking the time to do the presentation!
if you take foam ear plugs pushed into holes you drilled into the powder and shot hoppers you can get them pretty well drained. You can use a little tray out of a common shop asst of hardware like at harbor freight to collect primers too.
I bought one of these a year ago, then a 20ga, why I didn't get one years ago? They are AWESOME! Bolted both to piece of plywood back to back, c clamp top. Speed things up use bushing box to hold wads, box top velcro to plywood to hold primers &os cards speeds thing up so much. Use magnetic to clean up primers works great, thanks for video.
Great machine. I've loaded thousands of rounds with it. My only gripe is that it is optimized for 7.5 shot. So when using different size shot it does not throw the correct weight as it throws by volume. No biggie, I hand load my heavier loads (hunting rounds) with a scale anyway to have more consistency. I have mine mounted to wood which is capable of clamping to a work bench. Then, it's easier to remove for cleaning, emptying and changing bushings with full hoppers.
I have seen on the Lee website that Lee have permanently discontinued the primer feed for reasons of the mould wearing out and lack of demand making it not worth the cost of constructing another. It makes me wonder if the Load-All II is itself not eventually due for obsolescence. I hope not, because it has almost certainly got people into shotshell reloading who would not otherwise have done so. My experience with it is that it is not a 200 round per hour machine. 100 an hour, however, is easily achievable if you have ingredients easily to hand & well laid out, an established recipe that you know will give you no surprises at the crimp stations, and are content to throw the loaded shells into a receptacle and deal with them as you see fit later. This is more than enough for any casual shooter (three or four rounds of trap once a weekend, say) or young reloader, and the all-inclusive nature of the kit straight out of the box is a DEFINITE bonus, as is the simplicity. I've retired mine now and moved up in the world, but it served me well for a year and upon it I learned the art of shotshell reloading. It will be a sad and sorry day when/if Lee finally retire it as a product.
Lee cant's be making much on the production and sale of these, I really doubt that the cost of re-tooling would be worth it if they ever wear out their molds. I could see a copy coming out of China if Lee ever stops production.
Nice presentation, thanks. I have one and to unload if needed, I pull the handles one at a time from sides of the unit and the powder shot units will slide right up and off. Don't manhandle it and do one side at a time until free. Still a pain to empty as you need to cover one side while emptying the other. The Lee does a good job once you figure out your loads and spacings. Thanks again. Dan
Thanks for going thru the trouble to make this video. Just learning about these things. I've a question about storing the machine - is it dangerous to store it with powder in the hopper? I have a secure place - no kids - but I don't know how dangerous gunpowder is to store. Also, I live in a damp climate. Will high humidity damage the powder?
you can easily empty the shot and powder hoppers by removing the top part. this is done by pushing out (left and right) on the handle. this will take the hoppers and dies off the base and handle because there are 2 pins about the size of a 209 primer and holes on the handle which lock them in place. i recently discovered the "hack" persay. no need to cycle continually or unbolt the machine. hope this helps
Great Job! I've been looking at the Lee Load-All and your video is a good complete review of this product. I found this video very helpful.. Thanks again!
The primer feed isn't designed to just drop in the station like that. It has a tiny screw in the bottom of the post that fits through a small hole in the base to securely attach it to the machine, but it still has to be lifted to feed each primer. Also the hoppers are designed to come off the machine by pulling the handles out away from it and it will spring off the machine for easy emptying. I find it quicker than unscrewing the bottles from my mecs.
If you were the sort who commonly loaded a variety of different shot and powder charges (e.g. small shot for skeet, larger shot for vermin, larger still for deer if you're the buckshot-using type), I guess you could always measure the charges with dippers, scales, etc, and use the press for the purely mechanical aspects (deprime, size, reprime, wad-start, crimp). Yes? If you got a dirt-cheap one secondhand, it then might not matter so much if some of the bushings had gone a-wander...
I don't know if you're still reading comments on this video but you mentioned that Lee does not make a 28 gauge press I own one and 12 gauge and I found that I can insert a 28 gauge into a sleeve of conduit and work it in the 12 gauge press as far as inserting wads and crimping the shell it does not resize it though
They still sell the unit without the primer feeder. I thought you weren't supposed to handle primers directly. How else are you supposed to prime the shells?
I cit 2 pcs of ply wood and glued them together one a little smaller than the other. I drilled 1 hole for the shot to come out of and 1 for the powder to come out of the down side is every time I want to empty it I have to unbolt it from the bench.
Love my lee loader but... the other day the center post popped out and yep, the hoppers dumped over backwards and emptied all the powder and shot onto the reloading table. I JB welded the center post back in. ok now. Saved all the shot and powder with a screen strainer, the powder went thru and the shot stayed in the strainer.
They do leak powder, about 10-20 times more than a MEC or a rotary powder measure like the Lee Perfect. I'd say I lose 1/2% of my powder over the course of loading shotshells. I would not use a shop vac or any type of vacuum cleaner around equipment that LEAKS POWDER. While the shot and powder bushings are great for 12 gauge, for 20 gauge there's a need for smaller powder bushings for some powders. And some want lighter shot loads. For those that do, check out Elite 3D Design. As several have commented below, the top does come off for emptying the shot and powder. Pull the steel bars off the side. And some of use bolt this to plywood or a section of 2 by 12 and C-Clamp it to a table.
Having used a number of these machines over the years I can say that some leak more than others. Some leak a little, some a lot. Powder selection influences how much escapes, fine ball powders are the worst while bulky flake powders leak a lot less. It is recommended that clean up should be done with a brush and a dustpan, not a vacuum cleaner.
You were talking about crimping being satisfactory, what do you mean? Like how far it will squish the crimp down? Well, let's suppose I wanted to load 1oz #7.5 or #8 at about 1200fps, or like #1 Buck loads, I mean I would think it would all work pretty fine, right? I'll probably be using Federal or Fiocchi hulls from their target loads, or loose hulls, I suppose. I'm sure it would be fine stock, wouldn't it?
Thanks for the video. Looks like you've got a lot of experience with the loader. I'm planning on purchasing one of these. How does it perform crimping new/unfired hulls? ... I hear that it "just can't" ... I'm either stubborn or enjoy punishment; but, It seems like it has to be possible.... It seems like slowing down to a 10 second hold in the pre-crimping station would ensure a good crimp. What do you think?
I have one of these mounted right next to my MEC jr for powder and shot handling. I ended up screwing them both to a board so I can store them up on the shelf to get it out of the way of all the other junk on my reloading bench! lol that set of powder and shot bushes rocks! :-)
I don't mind mine. I load buck and slug rounds. I do all the case prep on the press, and load shot or slug by hand and roll crimp on drill press. I did load some bird shot and noticed the crimps liked to lift on some hulls, especially federal hulls
Using the Load-All for loading slugs/buckshot seems to be a common use for these loaders. As for getting good crimps much of that is a function of how well the components fit the particular hull, often loads listed in published data don't fit all that well and poor crimps can result. I like to "tune" loads that dont fit well by adding styrofoam wads under the shot, often a load that leaves the crimp pushed in can be made to crimp perfectly with a styrofoam insert.
great job bud !! I been loading brass ammo 4 long time & after watching ur video I'm thinking about buying one the cheap lee 12ga loaders for buck shot home defense rds .thanks again .. I'm sold ..
Very advisable video, it is best to use quality once fired reclaimed hulls as your start point such as Win AA or Rem Gun club, the pleats are better formed and good crimps are of the norm as you keep loading them over and over. also, as you said, the crimping station takes a bit getting used to as you develop a "Feel" for if your load is the right Hight. However, that "feel" stays with you even if you get another machine like a MEC. On another subject, I'm surprised that you don't make your own shot. I believe you told me that you have someone at the club that does and you get it from him. - Dave
Great video! I'll definitely have to pick one of these up. I assume that without the primer feeder you just use a bushing-type thing that drops in where the feeder would otherwise go (similar to the Load-All 1)?
I have my Lee Load-All 2 mounted on a board. I clamp the board to my table with "C" clamps when I want to use it. I have no problem emptying my hoppers. I tape a cover over the powder hopper (since that is the light material) and remove the press from the clamps and dump my shot back into the container. I remove the cover over the powder hopper and then dump my powder back into my container, do it slowly and you don't need a funnel.
Would you be interested in selling one of your extra 12 gauge units? I've been looking around for used ones, and haven't had much luck finding any yet.
I'm in Canada, and I expect you are located in the USA, so shipping would be expensive. it would most likely be cheaper for you to just buy a new one from Amazon.
I'm in Canada too, Ontario...but you're probably still right. Canada post has this nasty habit of wanting to be paid for the packages they ship ;). I am surprised how hard it seems to be to find these around. I would have expected to find them used everywhere. Anyways, thank you for the very quick response, have a great evening :)
Thanks for the video I think you had a productive storm day. I'd like one for crimps the hand loader isn't great at crimps unless I have paper hulls. I think I will pick one up.
If you know someone with a 3D Printer they could make a 2 piece cover for the reservoirs to make emptying easier . Also maybe a thin piece of brass or aluminum shim stock could be made to fit on top of the charge bar to reduce the powder spillage and glued in place. Just a thought ,I remember when the Lee Load All first came out ,looks like it's been improved a lot .I have a Bair Honey Bear .12 Ga. I bought 50 years ago when they sold the company to Pacific who later sold it to Hornady .
Yes, no doubt a 3d printer could make either a two piece cover or perhaps a cover hinged in the middle that would allow one side at a time to be covered for the purpose of emptying the hoppers. Interesting idea, thanks.
Where can I find loading data for 12g, 1-1 1/8oz, #8 or #9 for shooting skeet? Does the Lee come with accurate loading data or are there good sites for that?
What is the difference between a lee load all and a lee load all ll ? Is it the lee does 2 /34 and the lee ll does 2/34 and 3 inch? I had a lee 25 years ago, which I still had it.
The major difference is that the Load All II was built so that it could be fitted with an optional primer feeder. The base of the original machine was a metal part whereas on the II it was a plastic component. Both machines could load both 2-3/4" and 3" shells.
what kind of 12 ga wads is best 4 the OO .330'' buck shot ? I take safety #1 priority..I would like u'r opinion after watching u'r video .u know what ur talking about. i'm new at the whole shot shell loading.
Just ordered one, I'm loading Winchester super x xpert hv steel shot 3", 1-1/8, 2 shot 12 gauge. Does anyone know what kind of wads and bbs I should get
Hello. i reload black powder shells in 12 gauge. im looking to get the lee load all loader, and im wondering since i use 3 drams of BP to a 1-1/4 Oz of payload as my base. what powder bushing would be closest to 1-1/4 Oz payload? Or 3 1/2 dram with 7/8 Oz Slug payload...... Short term im asking if i can set this up to run volumetric for BP. (not using smokeless)
+WinterHillBattalion I would not recommend using the machine to measure black powder, it is not intended for it. I would suggest you call Lee precision to see what they have to say about using the press to measure BP.
Bandidos Brotherhood Outdoors just play around with it put in a bushing check powder a couple of times until you find the right one for your powder. Lee will say to use certain bushings while you really need to go up or down one or a couple.
Thanks for your video instructions - a good machine that works well I had a couple of these and traded off the 1 I used most. I had a spare and set it up for Unique powder. I used a scale and chose a bushing. but it has been a few years and I lost the spare powder bushings. *can anyone tell me where I can get replacement bushings?
There's a easy fix for the leaking powder. Take the charge bar out and install the bushings that you want to use. Sit the bar with bushing installed on a flat surface get some 2" wide shipping tape, cover the top of charge bar with the bushings installed with trim the outside edge's with a razor blade or box cutter blade. Do not cut out the holes yet install in the slot and slide from side to side. If it slides stiff then cut out the bushing hole and reinstall bar and cover. If it's real easy to slide and still has up and down play put another layer or two of the tape till up and down play is removed.
interesting idea. I've not had much of an issue with powder leaking, but that can vary from machine to machine and especially with the type of powder in the machine.
I'll bet Lee would send you the little screw for free. Some people change the spring on the primer feed so that it doesn't have to be lifted manually to feed. Lee designed it to be manually lifted as a safety precaution.
Unfortunately they don't make them in 28 gauge or .410. And they say they won't. I can see why the don't, they would have to incorporate some metal parts into the center section as all these area parts are plastic, thinner, may not be strong enough to hold up to the stress. But, adding metal parts would cause a redesign and higher cost. And of course, the machine was made 50 years ago. Why do any R&D if you are making money on someone else's efforts.
I think the big reason we have not seen any .410 or 28 gauge loaders from Lee is just that they think the market for them is too small for them to justify the effort.
I don't think they could make a 410 version of the machine with the plastic tool head used on the 12/16/20 gauge machines as a plastic drop tube/wad rammer would be too thin to be strong enough, and the tube used to push the sizing ring off the case and on to the new primer would be thin as well if made of plastic. Overall I expect the machine would require a drastic redesign. New shot/powder bushings would be required as the 12/16/20 gauge set are too large. I think it would make more sense for them to develop a die set so 410 could be loaded on one of their metallic presses, or perhaps develop a 410 press based on their turret press.
I don't know where you are getting that Lee Loaders are not in production. They certainly are right now. Did they recently start producing them again or what?
really? the little things that you wack with a hammer? because those haven't been made in shotgun in a while. i have one in 12 and 20 and love them. good buy
Yes, they all came with a resizing ring. If you have an older machine that's missing the sizing ring the current production sizing ring from Lee works perfectly.
According to the Lee Precsion website: 90011 is the standard 12 gauge machine for loading 2-3/4 or 3" shells. 90013 Includes an extra bushing for Nobel powders, along with Special Notes and Charge Table regarding the extra Bushing. 90014 is for loading 67.5mm length shells.
@@314299 hi I think I have it figured out, number 6 is for Fox's. I have only hulls, red alphamax number 6 shot and a blue champion super-GL 6. But when I bought my plastic wads they only had Winchester AA , and they are a tad loose is there anything else I have to do apart from changing the wads
I can see now why they never made one in 28 gauge. The plastic would be much thinner on the tubes and they would not hold up. These could be replaced with aluminum tubes but would add cost to the loader. So, unfortunately I have a MEC for .410 and one for 28 gauge.
That's a good point and might just be why Lee does not make these for the small gauge shells. Certainly the priming post and wad ram would be flimsy in such small diameter if made of the same plastic that the 12/16/20 gauge machines are made of.
i want to get a 12 and a 16 gauge, i have about 100 empty 12 gauge shells that i have collected and uhh.. im not gonna say how many live shotgun shells but yea, i want the 16 cause i have some empty shells and i cant find any to purchase, i have a 1952 bird gun in 16 gauge, the 12 gauge is just cause i want to get into reloading.
The vast majority of high brass shells size without problem, the sizing ring comes off fine in the re-priming station. I had some old super high brass shells (IVI Imperial brand) that gave issues, but no other shell ever was a problem.
I got my load all in the late 70's when I was a kid, and I can see that they haven't changed much. My friends had Mec brand loaders and they were no doubt far superior in precision and overall quality. That being said, I loaded thousands of shells with my Load all...served me very well. It's still in my parents house mounted on the same table in very good shape. bagged many ducks, happy memories.
Yes indeed they are a serviceable loader, certainly not fancy but do the job. Thanks for your comment.
Watching this nine years later and the information remains extremely useful. Thank you for tasking the time to create and upload this video for us!
No problem. It's nice to see people still find the video useful. Thanks for the comment.
A friend of mine moved into a rental house in the late seventies. The previous tenants had left a bunch of junk in the basement which included a fair amount of reloading gear. My friend wasn’t into reloading but knew that I would probably be interested. He offered me the stuff in exchange for reloading some 38 special rounds. I had no idea what I was doing but fixed up a box of rounds with a tiny amount of powder. We went down to a field nearby and I volunteered to be the fool to test out the loads. They were anemic but didn’t blow up in my face. Now fast-forward to today with thousands of brass rounds under my belt and Amazon just delivered my Lee Shot-Shell reloader. And the experiments begin again.
Wish me luck and thanks for the tour of the gear.
Compared to when you started reloading today we are blessed with such easy access to information for the new or potential reloader.
to get a better deeper crimp, put a 3/4" washer under the shell in the crimp finisher station, you can use thicker/thinner washers to adjust depth
I used to use a nickel
By far the best review I have seen on this machine. Thanks for the detail
Ordered one of these today to reload shells for trap shooting. Thanks for the video.
You are welcome, good luck with your reloading and trap shooting.
I just got my grandfather's lee load all 2, 16 gauge, 12 and 20 gauge conversion kits are 19 bucks. and new black base 10 bucks. lee is amazing
Don't let people hear you say that, if the reloader isn't 400$+ it's apparently junk
I'm reloading using the Lee Loadall2 in 12 and 20 ga , Drilled 2 inch hole and used PVC pipe and Coupling and cap . When full take cap off and dump in Can . Love my reloaders and save a lot of Cash
Interesting idea.
I just got one ordered off of Amazon. and I can't wait when it gets here 😁
Based on how fast Amazon ships I don't think you will have long to wait.
@@314299 it will be here this Sunday, it's funny though. I also ordered the 5th edition shotshell reloading book. but it will be here on Saturday. I guess I can read through that while I wait. lol
@@atticusnicol151 The Ballistics Products Advantages Manual also gets rave reviews.
How's it worked out? Just saw the same listing a couple days ago.
@@CarlPapa88 it works out pretty good. I've loaded over 300 rounds with it so far. The only downside with it I have is that it does leak a little gunpowder through the slider but other than that. it does a great job!
Couldn't you drill a hole in the bench where the primers drop, and catch them in a coffee can placed below it?
Not a bad idea, actually.
I use the plastic package from .22LR rounds. The small rectangular type fits like a small drawer. I'm using a Load All 1 and it slides in from the back.
thats what i did with my old style lee load all
That's exactly what I did with mine. I have a hole drilled in my wooden workbench so the primers can just fall through. It works great.
That's what I was thinking of doing when I set mine up. Drill a one inch hole and get 4 inches of clear tuubing with a plug on the end and just put the tubing in the hole
Great video. To empty the hoppers easily you can drill a hole in one corner of the lid. Put the hole on the side you want to empty out and hold it on securely while you pour out the contents. Flip the hole on the lid to the other side of the hopper and repeat. If you have your press bolted down you can pop the charging handle off and lift the hopper off the base.
You mean like I showed in this video back in 2014? ruclips.net/video/TuTrusOyMO0/видео.html
I just bored a 1 1/16" hole in my bench and used 3/4" PVC Water Pipe for a shute below the primer removal hole. Then cut 1/4" off a coupling and glued it to end sticking above the bench to hold shute in place and so I could remove the shute when I remove the Press. Works great!
Also, got a second Hopper Cover ($2.00 from Lee website) and cut a hole at the very edge of one corner (leaving the lip). Empty one hopper, rotate empty the other - easy.
Exellent informative video - good job!
I have a load all from the late 70s what I did was to drill a 1/2 inch hole under the primer hole an a 1/2 inch hole in a jar lid an mounted it under my loader an it does a job catching my primers.
+Mona Gretzmacher That seems like a good idea if you plan on leaving the loader in a permanent location. Was your loader an older one with the metal base? Those were an extra pain to get the fired primers out of.
Good job with the video. I'm just getting back into shotgunning after a long layoff. I used to have an MEC, but it's long gone. I liked your video enough that I'm going to get a LEE. Thanks.
Thanks for the comment. These certainly have a different feel to them than the MEC does. Good luck with your reloading efforts.
yep !! I been reloading all my 3006 and 556's and 338 lapua I know i would not had 2 much range time with out the use of a reloading press .. now im getting in2 casting .its so easy wish i done it lot sooner .. 255 grs RNFP out of a 45 acp 800fps is so fun .. now slugs & OO buck is next . :) thanks again 4 the useful info from u'r video
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very very informational a lot of great info thank you for your times very well thought out and executed.
Thanks for the feedback.
Excellent overview, this was helpful to me in making my purchase decision.
BTW, I have several Lee presses (for pistol and rifle) and find that the "auto" priming systems are improved by polishing the feed ramp with some car wax or Nu-Finish. Still not ideal, but for the price I think it's a pretty good method for efficient reloading. Keep them clean, dry and waxed and they provide acceptable service (for $10 :))
Good video! I used to load my 12 ga with the lee loader that came in a small box. I used to shoot trap and loaded many hundreds of shells,annoying my sisters with all of my banging. That was back in 68
I have a few of the Lee Loader box sets as well, certainly slower and more nouise than the Load All machine.
I love my LEE load all 2. Once I get into a groove I am able to load a box of 25 in 15 minutes. Great little machine.
Yeah, once you get going you can make a box of shells pretty fast. I timed the process and it took me about thirteen minutes to load a box. ruclips.net/video/YTMSFZmRznM/видео.html
Just to let you all know. you can actually empty this machines hoppers without un-bolting it from the bench (Con at 17:30 in this video).
All you do is pop off the handle from the two pivot points either side that hold the top section on. Be careful to slide the upper section off the column, it is spring loaded but not too strong a spring.
(Just make sure you do the correct pivot points with NO e clip retainers on them, they just literally pop off by bending the handle outwards slightly.)
You can then just cover one side and tip the particular hopper out.
Then just slide it back on the column and pop the pivots back on. No tools required and takes about 2-3 minutes.
+Fendermanpaul I was just going to mention this myself! I have not used mine for some time now but used to load hundreds of rounds every duck season. ( before steel was required) Not as nice as my MEC but it did the job. (my MEC was in 10 ga.)
+Rob Brown ruclips.net/video/TuTrusOyMO0/видео.html
I have the LEE Load All II machine and like it very much. I have to agree with all of your pros and cons on the machine. But for the cost of a MEC I can live with these small cons. I have seen a mod that a guy did to make it easy to empty each hopper without having to take it off the bench. Your video was VERY informative and I have shared it on my FB page.
This is cool, just order one of those shot shell reloader kits for 12 and 16 gauge. Never thought about reloading shotgun shells but here I am. Been reloading centerfire metallic cartridges for close to 2 decades now and brand new to this. This video cleared up the muddy water, appreciate it.
I'm glad you found the video useful, best of luck with your shot shell reloading efforts.
If you pull the handle apart from the sides you can pull the press apart so you don't have to unbolt it to empty it.
Yep. ruclips.net/video/TuTrusOyMO0/видео.html
Love the pros and cons....great job on the video. I have a lee single stage press to load my 303 and I love it in the winter months. Now this video sold me on reloading again with lee. From a Canadian!
Excellent job of giving a 'look-see' of the Lee shot loader. Been kicking up the idea of doing some shotshell loading, mainly for slugs, and this may just fit the bill. Thanks for taking the time to do the presentation!
if you take foam ear plugs pushed into holes you drilled into the powder and shot hoppers you can get them pretty well drained.
You can use a little tray out of a common shop asst of hardware like at harbor freight to collect primers too.
I bought one of these a year ago, then a 20ga, why I didn't get one years ago? They are AWESOME! Bolted both to piece of plywood back to back, c clamp top. Speed things up use bushing box to hold wads, box top velcro to plywood to hold primers &os cards speeds thing up so much. Use magnetic to clean up primers works great, thanks for video.
They are pretty good machine for so cheap/inexpensive.
Great machine. I've loaded thousands of rounds with it. My only gripe is that it is optimized for 7.5 shot. So when using different size shot it does not throw the correct weight as it throws by volume. No biggie, I hand load my heavier loads (hunting rounds) with a scale anyway to have more consistency. I have mine mounted to wood which is capable of clamping to a work bench. Then, it's easier to remove for cleaning, emptying and changing bushings with full hoppers.
Very good and interesting review! I'm sold for it
I'm glad to hear you found the review interesting, thanks for the feedback.
I have seen on the Lee website that Lee have permanently discontinued the primer feed for reasons of the mould wearing out and lack of demand making it not worth the cost of constructing another. It makes me wonder if the Load-All II is itself not eventually due for obsolescence. I hope not, because it has almost certainly got people into shotshell reloading who would not otherwise have done so.
My experience with it is that it is not a 200 round per hour machine. 100 an hour, however, is easily achievable if you have ingredients easily to hand & well laid out, an established recipe that you know will give you no surprises at the crimp stations, and are content to throw the loaded shells into a receptacle and deal with them as you see fit later. This is more than enough for any casual shooter (three or four rounds of trap once a weekend, say) or young reloader, and the all-inclusive nature of the kit straight out of the box is a DEFINITE bonus, as is the simplicity. I've retired mine now and moved up in the world, but it served me well for a year and upon it I learned the art of shotshell reloading. It will be a sad and sorry day when/if Lee finally retire it as a product.
Lee cant's be making much on the production and sale of these, I really doubt that the cost of re-tooling would be worth it if they ever wear out their molds. I could see a copy coming out of China if Lee ever stops production.
Just bought one from Graf & Sons, thanks for the great review.
Glad you like it.
Nice presentation, thanks. I have one and to unload if needed, I pull the handles one at a time from sides of the unit and the powder shot units will slide right up and off. Don't manhandle it and do one side at a time until free. Still a pain to empty as you need to cover one side while emptying the other. The Lee does a good job once you figure out your loads and spacings. Thanks again. Dan
Thanks for going thru the trouble to make this video. Just learning about these things. I've a question about storing the machine - is it dangerous to store it with powder in the hopper? I have a secure place - no kids - but I don't know how dangerous gunpowder is to store. Also, I live in a damp climate. Will high humidity damage the powder?
you can easily empty the shot and powder hoppers by removing the top part. this is done by pushing out (left and right) on the handle. this will take the hoppers and dies off the base and handle because there are 2 pins about the size of a 209 primer and holes on the handle which lock them in place. i recently discovered the "hack" persay. no need to cycle continually or unbolt the machine. hope this helps
I made a video showing this back a few months ago:
Lee Load-All : How to Empty the Powder and Shot Hoppers
Great Job! I've been looking at the Lee Load-All and your video is a good complete review of this product. I found this video very helpful.. Thanks again!
Gad to hear you liked it, thanks for the comment.
I use a small magnetic screw driver to remove the spent primers. Works great.
Good tip.
The primer feed isn't designed to just drop in the station like that. It has a tiny screw in the bottom of the post that fits through a small hole in the base to securely attach it to the machine, but it still has to be lifted to feed each primer. Also the hoppers are designed to come off the machine by pulling the handles out away from it and it will spring off the machine for easy emptying. I find it quicker than unscrewing the bottles from my mecs.
If you were the sort who commonly loaded a variety of different shot and powder charges (e.g. small shot for skeet, larger shot for vermin, larger still for deer if you're the buckshot-using type), I guess you could always measure the charges with dippers, scales, etc, and use the press for the purely mechanical aspects (deprime, size, reprime, wad-start, crimp). Yes? If you got a dirt-cheap one secondhand, it then might not matter so much if some of the bushings had gone a-wander...
I don't know if you're still reading comments on this video but you mentioned that Lee does not make a 28 gauge press I own one and 12 gauge and I found that I can insert a 28 gauge into a sleeve of conduit and work it in the 12 gauge press as far as inserting wads and crimping the shell it does not resize it though
That's an interesting approach to loading 28 gauge shells. Have you thought about doing a video showing your methods?
They still sell the unit without the primer feeder. I thought you weren't supposed to handle primers directly. How else are you supposed to prime the shells?
Handling primers causes no problems if your hands are reasonably clean. I have handled many thousands of primers and they all worked after.
I cit 2 pcs of ply wood and glued them together one a little smaller than the other. I drilled 1 hole for the shot to come out of and 1 for the powder to come out of the down side is every time I want to empty it I have to unbolt it from the bench.
You might want to check out the video I did on emptying the machine:
ruclips.net/video/TuTrusOyMO0/видео.html
Love my lee loader but... the other day the center post popped out and yep, the hoppers dumped over backwards and emptied all the powder and shot onto the reloading table. I JB welded the center post back in. ok now. Saved all the shot and powder with a screen strainer, the powder went thru and the shot stayed in the strainer.
That sounds like a royal PITA.
They do leak powder, about 10-20 times more than a MEC or a rotary powder measure like the Lee Perfect. I'd say I lose 1/2% of my powder over the course of loading shotshells.
I would not use a shop vac or any type of vacuum cleaner around equipment that LEAKS POWDER.
While the shot and powder bushings are great for 12 gauge, for 20 gauge there's a need for smaller powder bushings for some powders. And some want lighter shot loads. For those that do, check out Elite 3D Design.
As several have commented below, the top does come off for emptying the shot and powder. Pull the steel bars off the side.
And some of use bolt this to plywood or a section of 2 by 12 and C-Clamp it to a table.
Having used a number of these machines over the years I can say that some leak more than others. Some leak a little, some a lot. Powder selection influences how much escapes, fine ball powders are the worst while bulky flake powders leak a lot less. It is recommended that clean up should be done with a brush and a dustpan, not a vacuum cleaner.
You were talking about crimping being satisfactory, what do you mean? Like how far it will squish the crimp down?
Well, let's suppose I wanted to load 1oz #7.5 or #8 at about 1200fps, or like #1 Buck loads, I mean I would think it would all work pretty fine, right? I'll probably be using Federal or Fiocchi hulls from their target loads, or loose hulls, I suppose. I'm sure it would be fine stock, wouldn't it?
Thanks for the video. Looks like you've got a lot of experience with the loader. I'm planning on purchasing one of these. How does it perform crimping new/unfired hulls? ... I hear that it "just can't" ... I'm either stubborn or enjoy punishment; but, It seems like it has to be possible.... It seems like slowing down to a 10 second hold in the pre-crimping station would ensure a good crimp. What do you think?
You should be able to crimp new hulls with the Load-All. Go slow and with steady pressure on the pre-crimp and it ought to work out.
314299 Shooting Channel What would be best bushings for 1/1/8 oz shot for 12 gauge I got one of these.
314299 Shooting Channel will it do a roll crimp for slugs?
No- it does not roll crimp.
I have one of these mounted right next to my MEC jr for powder and shot handling.
I ended up screwing them both to a board so I can store them up on the shelf to get it out of the way of all the other junk on my reloading bench! lol that set of powder and shot bushes rocks! :-)
I don't mind mine. I load buck and slug rounds. I do all the case prep on the press, and load shot or slug by hand and roll crimp on drill press.
I did load some bird shot and noticed the crimps liked to lift on some hulls, especially federal hulls
Using the Load-All for loading slugs/buckshot seems to be a common use for these loaders.
As for getting good crimps much of that is a function of how well the components fit the particular hull, often loads listed in published data don't fit all that well and poor crimps can result. I like to "tune" loads that dont fit well by adding styrofoam wads under the shot, often a load that leaves the crimp pushed in can be made to crimp perfectly with a styrofoam insert.
great job bud !! I been loading brass ammo 4 long time & after watching ur video I'm thinking about buying one the cheap lee 12ga loaders for buck shot home defense rds .thanks again .. I'm sold ..
Good review, thanks for the practical information sir!
Great video thanks, what do you think of the new lee 2's with the plastic base?
The ones with the plastic bases work just fine and are durable, despite not looking very rugged they hold up just fine.
Very advisable video, it is best to use quality once fired reclaimed hulls as your start point such as Win AA or Rem Gun club, the pleats are better formed and good crimps are of the norm as you keep loading them over and over. also, as you said, the crimping station takes a bit getting used to as you develop a "Feel" for if your load is the right Hight. However, that "feel" stays with you even if you get another machine like a MEC. On another subject, I'm surprised that you don't make your own shot. I believe you told me that you have someone at the club that does and you get it from him. - Dave
Great video! I'll definitely have to pick one of these up. I assume that without the primer feeder you just use a bushing-type thing that drops in where the feeder would otherwise go (similar to the Load-All 1)?
I have my Lee Load-All 2 mounted on a board. I clamp the board to my table with "C" clamps when I want to use it. I have no problem emptying my hoppers. I tape a cover over the powder hopper (since that is the light material) and remove the press from the clamps and dump my shot back into the container. I remove the cover over the powder hopper and then dump my powder back into my container, do it slowly and you don't need a funnel.
That certainly seems like a reasonable way to do things. That's the advantage of not having the ting screwed to a bench or table.
Would you be interested in selling one of your extra 12 gauge units? I've been looking around for used ones, and haven't had much luck finding any yet.
I'm in Canada, and I expect you are located in the USA, so shipping would be expensive. it would most likely be cheaper for you to just buy a new one from Amazon.
I'm in Canada too, Ontario...but you're probably still right. Canada post has this nasty habit of wanting to be paid for the packages they ship ;). I am surprised how hard it seems to be to find these around. I would have expected to find them used everywhere. Anyways, thank you for the very quick response, have a great evening :)
Amazing review!
Thanks.
thanks again, please do more vids on the load all2
Thanks for the video I think you had a productive storm day. I'd like one for crimps the hand loader isn't great at crimps unless I have paper hulls. I think I will pick one up.
If you know someone with a 3D Printer they could make a 2 piece cover for the reservoirs to make emptying easier . Also maybe a thin piece of brass or aluminum shim stock could be made to fit on top of the charge bar to reduce the powder spillage and glued in place. Just a thought ,I remember when the Lee Load All first came out ,looks like it's been improved a lot .I have a Bair Honey Bear .12 Ga. I bought 50 years ago when they sold the company to Pacific who later sold it to Hornady .
Yes, no doubt a 3d printer could make either a two piece cover or perhaps a cover hinged in the middle that would allow one side at a time to be covered for the purpose of emptying the hoppers. Interesting idea, thanks.
I keep seeing theses at gun shows, but everytime I go to buy one its not 12gauge. I think I'll wait and get a mec if I ever get into shoot trap
They sell aluminum foil sheets on rolld like tape with a sticky backing.
Adhear a layer to the tray cut to fit and see how it goes
Why?
To take up the slack that was mentioned.
Good info; thanks for sharing.
You are welcome.
I'm just getting started with reloading shot shell ordered one.hope it works for me
As long as your selection of components is good you ought to do just fine with your new Load All.
You could drill a hole under the primer discharge hole and have a bucket under your table to collect the spent primers
Yes, if you have a table you don't mind a hole in that will work.
Where can I find loading data for 12g, 1-1 1/8oz, #8 or #9 for shooting skeet? Does the Lee come with accurate loading data or are there good sites for that?
Lyman Shotshell reloading book 5th edition has all the Lee Loadall bushing information
What is the difference between a lee load all and a lee load all ll ? Is it the lee does 2 /34 and the lee ll does 2/34 and 3 inch? I had a lee 25 years ago, which I still had it.
The major difference is that the Load All II was built so that it could be fitted with an optional primer feeder. The base of the original machine was a metal part whereas on the II it was a plastic component. Both machines could load both 2-3/4" and 3" shells.
ok ,thanks for the info.
what kind of 12 ga wads is best 4 the OO .330'' buck shot ? I take safety #1 priority..I would like u'r opinion after watching u'r video .u know what ur talking about. i'm new at the whole shot shell loading.
Great review!
Best on the net
Thanks.
Good show . Thanks
Thanks for the feedback.
thank you.. nice review!
Thanks for the feedback.
Just ordered one, I'm loading Winchester super x xpert hv steel shot 3", 1-1/8, 2 shot 12 gauge. Does anyone know what kind of wads and bbs I should get
Hello. i reload black powder shells in 12 gauge. im looking to get the lee load all loader, and im wondering since i use 3 drams of BP to a 1-1/4 Oz of payload as my base. what powder bushing would be closest to 1-1/4 Oz payload? Or 3 1/2 dram with 7/8 Oz Slug payload...... Short term im asking if i can set this up to run volumetric for BP. (not using smokeless)
+WinterHillBattalion I would not recommend using the machine to measure black powder, it is not intended for it. I would suggest you call Lee precision to see what they have to say about using the press to measure BP.
Bandidos Brotherhood Outdoors just play around with it put in a bushing check powder a couple of times until you find the right one for your powder. Lee will say to use certain bushings while you really need to go up or down one or a couple.
Thanks for your video instructions - a good machine that works well
I had a couple of these and traded off the 1 I used most.
I had a spare and set it up for Unique powder. I used a scale and chose a bushing.
but it has been a few years and I lost the spare powder bushings.
*can anyone tell me where I can get replacement bushings?
You can get them direct from Lee Precision
leeprecision.com/chrg-bar-bushings.html
i just got into loading 12ga with my lee loader II anf the run around 75-85 buck in january 2022
That's not a bad price.
Someone used a picture from one of your videos is it your ebay account or what?
In your opinion, what do you think is the most economical and practical 12ga reloader? Keep in mind a quality and safe reload please.
You cant beat the Load All for economy, however if you can afford the extra money I would opt for a MEC600JR.
Are you planning to make a video on the MEC600JR?
Probably not anytime soon.
Okay! Thanks for what you have posted. I have learned a lot. It is really nice for you to take time to make the video.
Any idea where i can buy the primer loader? I looked on Lee site and they don't show one
Lee discontinued the primer feeder a few years ago. You might find a new old stock one somewhere like eBay.
I've got one I'd give ya...aint worth taking out of the box
Where would be the best place to buy or order wads for a 12 gauge from?
There's a easy fix for the leaking powder. Take the charge bar out and install the bushings that you want to use. Sit the bar with bushing installed on a flat surface get some 2" wide shipping tape, cover the top of charge bar with the bushings installed with trim the outside edge's with a razor blade or box cutter blade. Do not cut out the holes yet install in the slot and slide from side to side. If it slides stiff then cut out the bushing hole and reinstall bar and cover. If it's real easy to slide and still has up and down play put another layer or two of the tape till up and down play is removed.
interesting idea. I've not had much of an issue with powder leaking, but that can vary from machine to machine and especially with the type of powder in the machine.
I'll bet Lee would send you the little screw for free. Some people change the spring on the primer feed so that it doesn't have to be lifted manually to feed. Lee designed it to be manually lifted as a safety precaution.
Very thorough review, thanks a lot.
would you part with the 16 gauge loader?
outstand show I will be watching you a lot thanks
Thanks.
Did you drill & cap holes for emptying??
Unfortunately they don't make them in 28 gauge or .410. And they say they won't. I can see why the don't, they would have to incorporate some metal parts into the center section as all these area parts are plastic, thinner, may not be strong enough to hold up to the stress. But, adding metal parts would cause a redesign and higher cost. And of course, the machine was made 50 years ago. Why do any R&D if you are making money on someone else's efforts.
I think the big reason we have not seen any .410 or 28 gauge loaders from Lee is just that they think the market for them is too small for them to justify the effort.
Why do you suppose that there is no 410 kit for this machine 🤔 seems like you could save a ton of money reloading 410s.
I don't think they could make a 410 version of the machine with the plastic tool head used on the 12/16/20 gauge machines as a plastic drop tube/wad rammer would be too thin to be strong enough, and the tube used to push the sizing ring off the case and on to the new primer would be thin as well if made of plastic. Overall I expect the machine would require a drastic redesign. New shot/powder bushings would be required as the 12/16/20 gauge set are too large. I think it would make more sense for them to develop a die set so 410 could be loaded on one of their metallic presses, or perhaps develop a 410 press based on their turret press.
I don't know where you are getting that Lee Loaders are not in production. They certainly are right now. Did they recently start producing them again or what?
not for loading shotshells
O.A. Brown Well I just bought a new one!
really? the little things that you wack with a hammer? because those haven't been made in shotgun in a while. i have one in 12 and 20 and love them. good buy
We are talking the Lee Loadll not the little hammer thing
Excellent, thank you.
You are welcome.
Did the original Load all come with a resizing die?
Yes, they all came with a resizing ring. If you have an older machine that's missing the sizing ring the current production sizing ring from Lee works perfectly.
Excellent review.
What are the differences between the 12GA 90011, 90013 and the 90014?
According to the Lee Precsion website:
90011 is the standard 12 gauge machine for loading 2-3/4 or 3" shells.
90013 Includes an extra bushing for Nobel powders, along with Special Notes and Charge Table regarding the extra Bushing.
90014 is for loading 67.5mm length shells.
Hi I am new to reloading 12 gauge on the Lee load all 2 ,and I would like to know more about the bushings. Because I only buy eely number 6
Can you be a little more specific with your question? I'm really not sure what information I can help with based on your question.
@@314299 hi I think I have it figured out, number 6 is for Fox's. I have only hulls, red alphamax number 6 shot and a blue champion super-GL 6. But when I bought my plastic wads they only had Winchester AA , and they are a tad loose is there anything else I have to do apart from changing the wads
is the loadall 2 capable of loading slugs? I load pistol and rifle..... gonna start some slug reloading
+david elbow Yes, you can load slugs with the Load-All. Just be sure to empty your shot hopper first!
Tyvm
+david elbow No problem.
I can see now why they never made one in 28 gauge. The plastic would be much thinner on the tubes and they would not hold up. These could be replaced with aluminum tubes but would add cost to the loader. So, unfortunately I have a MEC for .410 and one for 28 gauge.
That's a good point and might just be why Lee does not make these for the small gauge shells. Certainly the priming post and wad ram would be flimsy in such small diameter if made of the same plastic that the 12/16/20 gauge machines are made of.
how is it with AA's vs. steel?. I hear that the AA's reload better.
Winchester AA hulls are a poor choice for loading with steel shot as they have much less case capacity than most other hulls.
at this point in my adventure in shot gunning (about a year), I am 100% shooting trap and would primarily load lead.
AA hulls are great when reloaded with lead, a quite durable hull with lots of load data and suitable wads.
i want to get a 12 and a 16 gauge, i have about 100 empty 12 gauge shells that i have collected and uhh.. im not gonna say how many live shotgun shells but yea, i want the 16 cause i have some empty shells and i cant find any to purchase, i have a 1952 bird gun in 16 gauge, the 12 gauge is just cause i want to get into reloading.
It's certainly getting harder to find 16 gauge shells and reloading them is a great way to keep yourself in shells.
thanks man very fast response.
What is the size of the wrench for the screws on the powder plate?
1/4".
@@314299 thanks !
How does this do with high brass? Does the resizer ring come off easily?
yes at least on my 20 ga
The vast majority of high brass shells size without problem, the sizing ring comes off fine in the re-priming station. I had some old super high brass shells (IVI Imperial brand) that gave issues, but no other shell ever was a problem.
Ill buy one of those 12 gauge lee load all.. Still have them?
I'm in Canada, shipping to the USA would cost more than the machine.
@@314299 dang 😞
I just purchased a lee load all on eBay, where can I find local and affordable primers shot and powder