Lee oversimplified?

[Rodentman]

I picked up a Lee catalog at Hoffy's today. It states:

«If you can replace a light bulb, that is (screw in a die); if you can measure with a teaspoon (dip a powder charge); if you can shove a cork into a bottle (seat a bullet) and can read and comprehend this description (read instructions) then you're all set.»

«A reloading press and a set of Lee dies are all you need to start reloading.»

I realize there is a bit of brevity here, but personally I think does a desservice to the hobby and gives beginners a false sense of security. It just aint that simple.

[JJ]

I picked up a Lee catalog at Hoffy's today. It states:

«If you can replace a light bulb, that is (screw in a die); if you can measure with a teaspoon (dip a powder charge); if you can shove a cork into a bottle (seat a bullet) and can read and comprehend this description (read instructions) then you're all set.»

«A reloading press and a set of Lee dies are all you need to start reloading.»

I realize there is a bit of brevity here, but personally I think does a desservice to the hobby and gives beginners a false sense of security. It just aint that simple.

Actually it can be that simple, depending on what you are loading.

Basic reloading is not rocket science. Now there are varying levels of reloading that require more skill and knowledge.

But a trained monkey can throw a couple grains of BlueDot in a 38 or 357 case and make them work. As a matter of fact that is exactly how I started. And I never read the whole manual cover to cover.

[Rodentman]

Don't tell Sam.

[Pat Cannon]

It's been working for me.

«... and can read and comprehend this description (read instructions)...»

This is the catch-all CYA clause.

Seriously, I think it's good to let folks know that they can start simple. And there's plenty of warnings in the literature to stick to published loads, at least until you really know what you're doing.

[Rodentman]

Pat, yeah that covers it. But to liken setting a die to screwing in a light bulb, and seating a bullet to putting a cork in a bottle...

Plumbing-measure distance from sink to water line. Cut pipe. Solder pipe. Well, it's just about that easy.

[Seismic Sam]

I picked up a Lee catalog at Hoffy's today. It states:

«If you can replace a light bulb, that is (screw in a die); if you can measure with a teaspoon (dip a powder charge); if you can shove a cork into a bottle (seat a bullet) and can read and comprehend this description (read instructions) then you're all set.»

«A reloading press and a set of Lee dies are all you need to start reloading.»

I realize there is a bit of brevity here, but personally I think does a desservice to the hobby and gives beginners a false sense of security. It just aint that simple.

Actually it can be that simple, depending on what you are loading.

Basic reloading is not rocket science. Now there are varying levels of reloading that require more skill and knowledge.

But a trained monkey can throw a couple grains of BlueDot in a 38 or 357 case and make them work. As a matter of fact that is exactly how I started. And I never read the whole manual cover to cover.

Says the guy who works at the Federal Ammunition plant... Oh, BTW, do the trained monkeys help keep the labor costs down on the assembly line, or do the OSHA fines for all those banana peels on the floor wipe out the savings??

[Ironsight87]

I know some people who can do all those everyday things, but I wouldn't want them anywhere near my press.
Reloading isn't too hard but you still need some good common sense and attention to detail.