I finally got to use a Lee Shotgun Load-All.

[Adam Helmer]

Last Tuesday I got four Large boxes of reloading gear for yard-sale prices. One item was a Lee Load-All shotgun press set up for 12 gauge shells. I began loading on MEC tools and never used a Lee shotgun tool until today. To test the quality of two kegs of different shotgun powders in the deal, I loaded 3 shells of 452AA and three of 700X and 11/8 ounces of #6 shot and CCI primers on the Lee tool.

I stepped out back the house and fired all 6 rounds in my favorite 12 gauge pump shotgun. All went well. I assume the powder will do for the 2012 trap/clays season. I like the Lee tool and it will see much use in 2012.

Adam

[dovehunter]

Adam, you are the first person I have ever heard to say they liked the Lee LOADALL. I have always had great luck with other Lee products and like them very much. However I found the LOADALL to be absolutely the biggest piece of crap I have ever used. Fortunately, I was able to sell it at a yard sale for almost what I paid for it. What I hated about it most was the fact that the powder and shot were essentially both held in the same hopper - a real pain when time came to empty them. Also, on the 20 ga. loader I had, it appeared to crush about 1-2 out of every three shells when you went to crimp them. My replacement MEC 600 JR has never done this (using the same shells and loads). And, compared to the all metal MECs, it was nearly all plastic and, IMHO, cheaply made. I am glad you like yours and have had good luck with it, but I will never have another, even if someone gives it to me. Nothing but MECs for me from now on.

[Adam Helmer]

dovehunter,

I am guided by performance of reloading tools. I dislike Lee reloading dies since one cannot lock the bullet seating stem like on RCBS bullet seaters.

Today my son-in-law came by and said he never loaded shotgun shells. I got out the Lee Load All and in 10 minutes he loaded a dozen #6 field loads. I agree with you, the "unloading the powder/shot hoppers" is a pain in the posterior.

This Lee Load All is my last ditch loader for shotgun shells. It works. Lee loading tools have a justifiable low price for good reason.

Adam

[Joe Boleo]

While I like and use a variety of Lee products, the Load-All reloader never appealed to me. I am sure it is functional and works well. However, I started using MEC and Pacific shotshell reloaders years ago and never looked back. Take care...
Joe

[Adam Helmer]

Joe,

Point well taken about Pacific and Mec shotgun reloading tools. I have used a MEC since 1961. Today a total novice sat in front of a $20 Lee Load All and in 10 minutes loaded a dozen field loads that functioned through his shotgun. What is not to like? He could have spent 10 times that purchase price on a reloading tool with NO increase in end-user performance. Yes, there is a difference betwixt price and value, BUT Lee Shotgun Loaders WORK! My 12 gauge LEE Load All will go on and on like the battery logo bunny. You must agree the old $9.95 Lee Loaders WORKED. If you have not yet tried a Lee Load All, I suggest you widen your reloading expertise.....

Old folks need to look at and experience what they never learned in the past.... LOL!

Adam

[skeet]

Glad you like that POS Adam. Did you get all the shot and powder bushings with it too?? I will never use one ever again. And that was POS in capitals. For 20 bucks I buy Mec 600s at gun shows and yard sales..like i need more. I must have 15 or 20.. I sell 'em on ebay every now and again and get 40 bucks or so to as much as 60. I do use Sizemasters in 12 20 28 and 410 for load development. To be hones I am not keen on Lee dies either. But the lee priming tool is the one Lee item that I consider easily worth it's price. I must have 6 or 8..none did I pay more than 5 dollars for. I have a RCBS hand priming tool and have never used it

[Adam Helmer]

skeet,

I kept an open mind, ran a dozen AA cases through the Lee machine and the crimps were perfect and the rounds chambered. Yes, I got all the powder and shot bushings with the tool. The Lee Load All may be "A POS" unless one learns to operate it properly. Happily, I followed instructions and produce excellent reloads. LOL!

Adam

[skeet]

I am not a fan of the Lee shotshell reloaders at all. They wear and break easily with any real use. OK for the fellow loading 8 or 10 boxes a year..if he likes slow. Even an old slow Mec 600 is fast enough to do 8 boxes an hour..after learning the machine. I even attained higher rates way back in the 60s. I also don't care for Lee's progressive metallic presses. Had a fellow I consider a friend looking for one today. Ended up selling him a Dillon cause I wanted to keep him as a friend LOL!! I also must say..The small Lee loaders do work...but you still need a good scale. I used to use and still have an old Pacific Pakit or 2..first one I had was a 30-06 2nd was a 25-06

[skeet]

Adam... I didn't say the Lee wouldn't load shells. It will and does so in an adequate manner. It just isn't my cup of tea. I happen to load too much to want to use one. Lots of people out there have one... There are more than one POS reloaders out there. When I was selling P-Ws they came out with a "new, improved" P-W 900..The first 3000 were worse than a POS. They improved 'em for certain..but they lost market share big time..So..they came back out with the older style 800 loader updated a bit to recapture their image. For the money and if a guy knows what he is doing the Lee will work long enough to get past the 2 yr (useless) warranty period if he doesn't load a lot of ammo.. Luck to you with that thang.. I have given a few of them away. Gave a guy one at a yard sale not so long ago..so he could load a few shells for his two sons.. I'm a sucker for kids

[dovehunter]

Regarding the Lee Load-All, we'll just have to agree to disagree. I agree with SKEET 100%: it is an absolute POS. I am, however, glad you (Adam) like yours.

[Gil Martin]

Some Lee products are great values for the money and I use them. The Lee Load-All fails to make the grade. Trumpeting the virtues of the low tech, low quality and low cost Load-All is meaningless. You cannot expect us to trash our MECs and Pacific reloaders and take a quantum leap backwards. If you are fond of the Load-All, good for you. I do not and never will own one. All the best...
Gil

[skeet]

I am embarrassed to say..lookin through the vault for a part for a gun and I found a 20 ga Loadall in there in a box.. Oh woe is me..I'll have to find someone who REALLY needs one. I also found that I have 16 different Mec loaders here in Wyoming..3 Mec 9000Gs one 12 ga 650 Hydramec and a 20 ga Grabber progressive..the rest are either Sizemasters or 600-700 machines...I'm gonna have to get rid of a few of those beasts. I also have a couple of Pacific shotshell loaders down there..And have 2 366s in the garage..one 12 one 410..So I guess I don't have a use for a Load All LOL

[Adam Helmer]

Gil,

I never said you need to trash your MEC or Pacific shotshell tools. I still use my MEC. Compared to other products, I agree with you, Lee reloading dies are justifible cheaper. With my Load All last Saturday, a complete novice rolled a dozen field loads in 10 minutes. Wade was happy and the Lee tool served the purpose well. The Lee tool is a Nova and NOT a Corvette. Ok?

In our free market economy, there is plenty of room for likes and dislikes. Be well.

Adam

[skeet]

Hey Adam..not a Nova.. They were nice cars..more like a Corvair.. They also worked ok for a while. My mom had a Corvair..the motor actually fell out. Best part about the buy you made was gettin all the extras. Powder etc is worth more than the loader..even if it had been a Mec 600. First Mec I had in 1958 or so was a Mec 250..slow but did the job. When they came out with the 600 Jr in the Mid 60s..oh what a blessing. 452 Winchester powder was my favorite 12 ga powder for quite a few years..it worked well and I could buy it quite a bit cheaper. 700X is also a good powder..or was till they changed it many years ago

[Adam Helmer]

skeet,

Yep, my mistake, it IS a Corvair! LOL! Now, if everyone is happy, let's get on with loading shotgun shells.

Now, about that 20 gauge Lee Load All, I will pay the shipping if you want to send it to me. I am still instructing novices in shotshell reloading. Send me a PM for my mailing address.

Adam