Loading 12 Gauge Shells With A Classic Lee Loader

Sometimes referred to as the 'Tool and Dowel' method of shot shell loading, here's how I turn once fired target shells into buckshot self defense rounds.

[@krissylee524]

Cool to know 9 years later your video is helping me get into reloading with the lee.appreciate your video good sir.

[@icpchad]

It's a fun hobby, and useful skill to know. Especially in the world today.

[@Maxumized]

Bob Ross of reloading. My blood pressure drooped 10 points watching

[@justinsomerset5587]

Excellent video. I just discovered these recently and I love them. I have a big press but it is expensive per caliber and only makes sense if you are doing volume reloading. For bolt action these are perfect, cheap, and they only neck size making shells last longer. Also that is absolutely awesome to have that set up in a camper like that, totally cool. That is what these were made for, to be able to re-load in camp etc.. where you can't haul a press around. I guess they weren't as popular before so Lee stopped making about half the calibers they used to, but now they go like hotcakes so I hope Lee decides to pick them up again. An excellent vid, thanks!

[@mrscrapper3331]

I’ve just recently discovered the Lee hand loaders and fell in love with them! They are fun to reload with... I’m doing 6mm Remington and 45-70 government now and watching eBay so I can reload all my guns this way! Great video! Thanks!

[@MrGunny2009]

I have used one of these for about 40 years. The do work. Two things though. You shouldn't use the priming tool to close the crimp. You are supposed to use the ram with the wide head. That way you can just slap it with your hand instead of a hammer. Secondly, resist the temptation to add more pellets. You will increase pressures because of the increased weight, sometimes unsafely, and the extra pellets make it hard to get a good crimp. Leave that little bit of room at the top so that the crimp can fold in. Otherwise, good video. These are great kits to take with you traveling or camping.

[@perrinayebarra]

Just got mine in the mail today. Stop, HAMMERTIME!

[@SolarSavage]

Thanks for the share Chad, great info video bro,

[@geraldsilveira8369]

Nice. Always wanted to get one for when on the go.

[@sw640]

Love this video I just picked up a press on eBay can’t wait to start thanks Subbed

[@mattrussell5098]

Don't be over doing the lead. Your pressures will spike

[@JG10rBull]

Bought one of these off EBay 2nd hand, got it today made 25 shells of 12g.. works like a charm 10/10.. only down side is it cost me $90 Australian to get it here from the states

[@icpchad]

On the bright side ... you have a rare hand loading kit that is no longer in production. I got mine off EBay too. We went through a time when finding powder was hard to do ... I need to check locally for more.

[@CarlPapa88]

​@@icpchadFML Why would they stop making these?

[@icpchad]

@@CarlPapa88 Not sure. Could be that people prefer the loading presses for speed.

[@carllove3705]

Cool video. That looks like a great way to occupy some time. I just bought a shotgun and so will look into getting one of these old loader kits just like yours.

[@icpchad]

Carl Love E-Bay! ;-)

[@carllove3705]

I just ordered one the day I posted on your video. It is already on the way. I'll pick up my shot gun on the 20th, so it should be here by then.

[@outdoorsythings2573]

Just got mine in the mail. But I'm useing ffg ( blackpower) And brass shells. My reloading paper with box is in black powder and drams and oz. But basically 101 grains of ffg and 9 000 buck works great. Equal powder to shot basically. A square load. Shoots wonderful in my sxs and single shot. You should try BP.

[@user-vw5qh1tq5o]

Not good dee. needs hummer hit! Cramping with a matching is more safe❤❤👌👌

[@you_are_cleared_hot6950]

Wow, I didn't think you could hand load 12Ga. I'll have to get one of these - imagine the fun you could have with "custom" loads like rock salt for the people I don't like too much.

[@Barbarjinkies]

(incoming Sam & Dean quotes)

[@NYRM1974]

Get a RCBS Powder trickler will keep your powder load spot on.

[@sheeshalready]

I have a Lee Loader 20. There are no instructions, and they do not seem available on their site. Thanks for the video!

[@norinconp9438]

i set off a primer while hammering...

[@jeffreyelliott622]

where can you get this simple reloading equipment for 12ga. and .45lc ??? Love the simplicity of this reloading !!!!

[@joedefazio1464]

Jeffrey Elliott look up Lee classic loadr on the internet or Amazon

[@CartridgeCalls]

Ebay has them as well

[@charlesflaco5037]

pretty cool, what kind of wad you used?

[@SpaceExplorer31]

Great video Thanks

[@mnieswender]

great video.

[@armyofhamsters11]

You put the wrong shot in the shell? You said you wanted #4 and the box said #4 but you still chose the other box?

[@icpchad]

Elijah O'neal Is there a question here?

[@armyofhamsters11]

Chad Lilly Why? Did you know at the time?

[@muzzlebrake6698]

Didn't know they made this for 12 gauge.

[@alexbowman7330]

Back in the day they did. Not anymore, unfortunately.

[@okgabby]

I very recently bought a Lee 12 ga reloader set on ebay for about $40, so yes you can find them occasionally.

[@curtisdowling3773]

You don’t close with the capping rod ! That’s what the ram is for .

[@blusnuby2]

Question: What is the cost difference of similar SG shells, store bought vs self reloaded, (per shell) ?

[@icpchad]

If you can find supplies, it's much cheaper to reload. Not sure by how much exactly, but definitely cheaper. No sooner than I got started, it seems all the powder dissapeared.

[@blusnuby2]

@@icpchad Yep, if powder, shot, wads &/or primers are taken outa the equation---we`re screwed !

[@Barbarjinkies]

@@icpchad black powder is still out there, and effective, but hazmat fees are ridiculous

[@mrbudahsm0ke]

I was informed to never reload low brass and to only use hi-bras, other than that great video and I aswell like the fact this is transportable.

[@rileyneufeld7001]

You can reload low brass.

[@SOLDOZER]

Wrong....

[@neeedmorecoffee]

Can you use steel BBs you use in an air gun? I use a lee hand loader to load .357 mag . I enjoy the hand loading as well! I am just wanting to get into loading my own shotgun shells and I want to use steel BB size shot.

[@icpchad]

Sure can.

[@saltcreekammo]

I load Daisy BB's for my duck loads in 3" They work great.

[@lburrell1965]

I reload 10 gauge with one of these , a long as your careful and don't overload buckshot, you should be good.

[@ryanrosenblum2552]

can these be used with solid brass shot shells?

[@icpchad]

Not sure. But great question.

[@charlesflaco5037]

and roughly how many #4 shot you put in?

[@One1164]

how many times you can reload a shell? One time or you can do it multiple times?

[@icpchad]

You can reload a shell until it begins to show signs of wear ... like cracks in the plastic areas of the crimp. Various hulls last longer than others. Each hull should be inspected before being reloaded.

[@0570965]

How would you do it with brass shells? whats the old trick to it?

[@RabbitusMaximus]

Wooden dowel to prime. Waterglass to seal overshot card

[@CarbondaM5]

any danger in using this method?

[@johnpetty7066]

Yes, if you use a balance beam scale. Don't hammer on your work surface while measuring powder charges. I had a friend that was loading. 243 on his coffee table with his brother in law helping him and the 10 grain weight jumped over a notch and no one noticed. Unfortunately, it jumped up 10 grains and caused an "Oh Shit" when he fired a round with 10 extra grains of powder in the case. Ruined his rifle.

[@Buzzard-wq1bw]

We're can I get one of these (I can't find it on the lee website)

[@icpchad]

Buzz Bombs Gaming and guns Best Bet ... E-Bay. They don't make them any more, but there are many people who have sets to sell. That's where I got mine.

[@Buzzard-wq1bw]

Chad Lilly I don't know why the wouldn't keep making it (seems like a lot of people would want some thing cheap like this :)

[@icpchad]

Buzz Bombs Gaming and guns Cheap, easy, and fun. I like this method better than the presses. And I'm in no rush.

[@curtisdowling3773]

Your supposed to recap on the sizing body , not taking apart the ramming handle .

[@dogfather68]

Does that resize as well?

[@icpchad]

Yes.

[@dogfather68]

Chad Lilly Thanks, I had just bought one of these up on flEeabay.

[@panzermacher]

that shell was dangerously over pressurized

[@icpchad]

+MGTOW Galtist Apparently not. It fired just fine. So did the other 3 boxes I made.

[@icpchad]

+MGTOW Galtist Apparently you're wrong. You can watch the video of me shooting these on my channel.

[@adaml6917]

Just because the shells didnt blow up your gun doesnt mean they werent over pressure

[@saltcreekammo]

@@adaml6917 shotgun reloading is different than metallic. The only way to tell a shell is over pressured (besides expensive equipment) is when it blows up in your face.

[@mitta1973]

We can't get that setup in the UK

[@benseaton3741]

Jonathan Mita yes we can. Most reloding suppliers sell them.

[@imwatchin7770]

Less talk more reloading.

[@BushmasterRaZ]

Your next video should be "how to make a 3 minute video take 11 minutes"

[@icpchad]

Thanks for watching.

[@sprogisvdv6159]

FACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Iceman-k74]

Finally, You've got a piece of crap. The height of the shot in the shell is too much. Also, read the instruction manual - there's a 'step by step' explanation how to use all the equipment.

[@icpchad]

Er-Zhandos Keshubayev You'll know when I need your advice. I'll ask.

[@icpchad]

+Er-Zhandos Keshubayev Apparently, you're wrong ... the shells I loaded worked fine. So ... there's that.