Lee Loader

I've seen on you tube people cutting 308 brass short and then resizing the cut down cases to 300 Savage.

Would the hand press be sturdy enough for this or should I think of a bench press? My space is limited and the hand press is attractive.

I have recently acquired a Savage 99 in 300 Savage. I've been using classic loaders as a learning tool, but this might be reason to advance to a press to learn how to full length resize. I haven't entirely ruled out finding a classic loader in 300 savage entirely as yet, but I'm leaning against it.

I have a hand press that gets used for de-priming and final crimping. I has some leverage but I'm not sure there's enough to move a shoulder. The bulk of case forming I do these days is when I need a new batch of 6.5-06 cases and I know that wouldn't work on the hand press. For case forming I think you'll be happier with a bench press. I'm not familiar enough with the Lee presses to recommend one.

Make smoke,

Ohio3Wheels wrote: It has some leverage but I'm not sure there's enough to move a shoulder... For case forming I think you'll be happier with a bench press.

Excellent reply. Exactly what I'm wanting to know.

Just a little tip for swaging brass down. Make sure you have plenty of a good case lube on the brass and if you can anneal the necks and shoulders.

I would also recommend a bench press. Lee has a couple really good "O" presses.
The Classic Cast & the Challenger line. Both presses, given proper use, care &
maintaince, your children & grand children will be able to use.
The Classic Cast is a tank, your super great, great grand kids will be able to use it.
You can also look at Less New APP set up, it's not available yet but will be soon.
Good luck, keep us posted.

Edit to add,, MacD is right, don't forget the lube. Also, do yourself a favor & invest in a stuck
case remover, hopefully you'll never need it but, you'll sure he glad you have it if you do!!

I'll 3rd the above .

Imperial sizing wax will probably be your best bet , though I've gotten by with wet pad case lubing using STP for a decade or 2 . Just keep the visible "wet" mostly off the shoulder and on the neck and body to prevent lube dents in the shoulder .

New dies . Disassemble them , wash them out and poke something through vent hole . 3 for 3 I had chips that scarred shoulders . A little rubbing compound on a mop brush spun both ways for a few seconds also doesn't hurt . Pre lube the die with a wet lube for best results and lowest probability of a stuck case .
After 20-25 cases I run a dry case about 1 in 10 and after 100 or so and after the first 10 of any set I run a dry case 1 in 5 . Of course that depends lightly on feel and you're comfort with doing that .

Yosemite Sam wrote:I have recently acquired a Savage 99 in 300 Savage. I've been using classic loaders as a learning tool, but this might be reason to advance to a press to learn how to full length resize. I haven't entirely ruled out finding a classic loader in 300 savage entirely as yet, but I'm leaning against it.

I thought I had added a reply, but I guess I started chasing my tail and didn't get it submitted. You hit on why the Lee Loader isn't going to work; it is a neck sizer. Given what a 300 Savage Loader would run ($60+), you would be way ahead investing in a press. Over the Hand Press, which I think the sizing will be tough, I wait or prebuy the new APP press ($56). For $22 more dollars, I'd probably get the Deluxe version. The old standby "O" press, the Challenger, is $67. The prices are from Titan.

As a 99 owner, I can tell you that you are going to need to full length resize, particularly if you are a hunter and don't want a chambering fail in the field. To maximize brass life, you will need to become an annealer. I'm able to get away with neck sizing for my Rem 722, I use the Lee Loader die on a K&M Arbor Press, and I might get away with about three cycles.

Ranch Dog wrote: You hit on why the Lee Loader isn't going to work; it is a neck sizer. Given what a 300 Savage Loader would run ($60+), you would be way ahead investing in a press. Over the Hand Press, which I think the sizing will be tough, I wait or prebuy the new APP press ($56). For $22 more dollars, I'd probably get the Deluxe version. The old standby "O" press, the Challenger, is $67. The prices are from Titan.

As a 99 owner, I can tell you that you are going to need to full length resize, particularly if you are a hunter and don't want a chambering fail in the field. To maximize brass life, you will need to become an annealer. I'm able to get away with neck sizing for my Rem 722, I use the Lee Loader die on a K&M Arbor Press, and I might get away with about three cycles.

Again, this and all of the other replies are very helpful and informative.

I looked at that APP press. It has some interesting possibilities.

I would guess the hand press is strong enough, but my old arms ain't. But, for what you want, a bench press is in order. I have reloaded 30-06 with my hand press, F/L sized for my Garand, but only a few at a time as my arms got worn out after 8 or so rounds. A single stage press will be used throughout your reloading career as there's always something is needed to be done quickly (I use an old single stage for measuring bullet hardness, sizing bullets, depriming and some sizing work). My first press was a Lee Challenger that I used for several years reloading, F/L rifle case sizing and bullet sizing. It worked quite well until I had to sell all my reloading stuff (messy divorce and I had to eat), Don't let anybody tell you Lee's aluminum presses are "weak"...

mikld wrote: a bench press is in order. I have...F/L sized for my Garand, but only a few at a time as my arms got worn out after 8 or so rounds. A single stage press will be used throughout your reloading career.

This was the other thing I was wondering about, but had forgotten to ask. The hand press looks like it would take some exertion.