Post by Danny on Jul 31, 2018 21:42:18 GMT -5
There, I finally wrote it correctly. I dug around and found my loader in .223/5.56. I have it all in its original box but haven't used it in over 30 years. It is everything tool wise needed to load and fits in a box the size of three steno pads. The equipment is unique to say the least and I guess it didn't catch on as they no longer offer them.
Lee does claim in the included manual on the inset of the last page "The target model Lee loader is the most precision made production loading tool ever produced. You can shoot your ammunition with the confidence that it is the most accurate anyone will be able to produce with any given components".
That is a bold statement these days. My firearm when I loaded with this kit was a T/C Contender pistol with a Super 14 barrel. I was 25 so that might explain it. I put a Leopold 2x scope on it. It didn't help. There is no way I could testify to Lee's claims about accurate ammo with that rig.
Neck reaming is part of this loaders process. You get a micrometer body die you pound the de-primed case into. No lube involved. The die has a guide bore for the neck reamer. The tolerance can't be felt by hand on any of the mandrels or shell holders in this kit. He explains it if anyone wants the full version, I'll try to photo it. His opening claim is " Reaming the neck concentric and uniform is one of the most important features of your Target model loader. This insures that bullet concentricity and pull will be uniform.
Contrary to his title Modern reloading by Richard Lee, I bought this kit in 1980 new for under $50 knowing me.
The charge table is very interesting. Everything listed uses the same 108 powder measure (yeah its in my kit). The measure is a dipper you plunge into the powder like a coffee scoop and level it with a playing card. The table is laid out by bullet weight listing 9 different powders. How anal is that? Starting at 35-40 gr and ending at 55-60 gr bullets here is the list of powders for that dipper so keep up. The Dupont powders share the 40-55 gr bullets weights but somehow the others are more specific. Hercules reloader 7, Nobel Rifle No. 1, Dupont IMR 3031, Dupont IMR 4895, Dupont IMR 4064, Dupont IMR 4320, Hodgdon BLC2, Hercules Reloader 11 and Hodgdon 4895. The big warning though is to not use heavier bullets than listed for each powder type. A warning we all need to heed when using data.
Yet another reason lighter is better than heavier when you need to err on the side of caution or fit into the back seat. Your choice
Lee does claim in the included manual on the inset of the last page "The target model Lee loader is the most precision made production loading tool ever produced. You can shoot your ammunition with the confidence that it is the most accurate anyone will be able to produce with any given components".
That is a bold statement these days. My firearm when I loaded with this kit was a T/C Contender pistol with a Super 14 barrel. I was 25 so that might explain it. I put a Leopold 2x scope on it. It didn't help. There is no way I could testify to Lee's claims about accurate ammo with that rig.
Neck reaming is part of this loaders process. You get a micrometer body die you pound the de-primed case into. No lube involved. The die has a guide bore for the neck reamer. The tolerance can't be felt by hand on any of the mandrels or shell holders in this kit. He explains it if anyone wants the full version, I'll try to photo it. His opening claim is " Reaming the neck concentric and uniform is one of the most important features of your Target model loader. This insures that bullet concentricity and pull will be uniform.
Contrary to his title Modern reloading by Richard Lee, I bought this kit in 1980 new for under $50 knowing me.
The charge table is very interesting. Everything listed uses the same 108 powder measure (yeah its in my kit). The measure is a dipper you plunge into the powder like a coffee scoop and level it with a playing card. The table is laid out by bullet weight listing 9 different powders. How anal is that? Starting at 35-40 gr and ending at 55-60 gr bullets here is the list of powders for that dipper so keep up. The Dupont powders share the 40-55 gr bullets weights but somehow the others are more specific. Hercules reloader 7, Nobel Rifle No. 1, Dupont IMR 3031, Dupont IMR 4895, Dupont IMR 4064, Dupont IMR 4320, Hodgdon BLC2, Hercules Reloader 11 and Hodgdon 4895. The big warning though is to not use heavier bullets than listed for each powder type. A warning we all need to heed when using data.
Yet another reason lighter is better than heavier when you need to err on the side of caution or fit into the back seat. Your choice