Revolutionizing Your Reloading: The Lee 90886 Bullet Feed Kit
For serious reloaders, competitive shooters, and anyone looking to significantly boost their ammunition production, efficiency is paramount. Manual bullet placement is often the bottleneck in progressive reloading, transforming what should be a swift operation into a tedious, hand-cramping chore. Imagine being able to load hundreds, even thousands, of rounds without the constant need to meticulously pick up and position each bullet. This is precisely the problem the Lee 90886 Bullet Feed Kit is designed to solve, transforming your reloading experience from labor-intensive to effortlessly productive.
What is the Lee 90886 Bullet Feed Kit?
The Lee 90886 Bullet Feed Kit is a specialized accessory engineered by Lee Precision, a trusted name in reloading equipment, to automate the bullet placement step on compatible progressive reloading presses. Specifically designed for use with popular models like the Lee Pro 1000 and Load-Master, this kit streamlines your workflow, allowing you to focus on the overall process rather than the repetitive task of setting individual bullets.
At its core, the kit comprises a highly effective bullet feed die and a set of precision-engineered bullet feed fingers. These components work in unison to automatically feed bullets into the case mouth as the reloading press cycles, eliminating the need for manual intervention. This particular version, identified by the "90886" designation, is tailored to handle a versatile range of bullet sizes, accommodating diameters from 9mm up to .365 inches and lengths up to .46 inches. This broad compatibility makes it an invaluable tool for reloading a variety of popular handgun calibers, ensuring that a single kit can serve multiple needs within your reloading setup.
The Core Components Explained:
- Bullet Feed Die: This custom-designed die is mounted in one of the stations of your progressive press. Its primary function is to guide and position the incoming bullets precisely over the case mouth. The robust construction ensures durability and consistent performance over countless reloading cycles.
- Bullet Feed Fingers: These are the ingenious mechanisms within the die that cradle the bullet and then release it accurately into the awaiting case. The "one kit" design implies that the included fingers are adaptable or easily interchangeable to cover the specified range of bullet sizes, ensuring a snug fit and reliable feeding for each type of bullet you process. This adaptability is key to its utility for reloaders working with diverse calibers that fall within the stated dimensions.
By integrating these components, the Lee 90886 kit liberates your hands from the monotonous task of bullet seating, allowing you to maintain a consistent rhythm and significantly increase your output.
Why Automate Your Bullet Feeding? The Benefits for Serious Reloaders
Manual bullet placement is not just slow; it's a source of fatigue, potential inconsistencies, and even safety concerns if attention lapses. Investing in an automated bullet feeding system addresses these challenges head-on, offering a multitude of advantages:
Dramatically Increased Production Speed
One of the most immediate and tangible benefits of the Lee 90886 Bullet Feed Kit is the sheer increase in rounds per hour (RPH). By removing the need to manually place each bullet, you can maintain a fluid, uninterrupted reloading rhythm. This translates directly into producing hundreds, if not thousands, more rounds in the same amount of time compared to traditional methods. For competitive shooters who consume vast quantities of ammunition or those preparing for training sessions, this efficiency is non-negotiable.
Reduced Fatigue and Enhanced Comfort
Hours spent hunched over a press, meticulously positioning tiny bullets, can lead to significant hand, wrist, and back strain. The repetitive motion is tiring and can quickly diminish your enthusiasm for the reloading hobby. With an automated feeder, your hands are freed to operate the press handle and manage other tasks, significantly reducing physical fatigue. This means longer, more comfortable reloading sessions and more enjoyment from your passion.
Improved Consistency and Quality Control
While manual dexterity is admirable, even the most skilled reloader can experience minor inconsistencies in bullet placement over extended periods. An automated system, once properly set up, delivers repeatable, precise bullet positioning every single time. This contributes to greater overall consistency in your finished ammunition, which can translate to better accuracy on the range. The reduced distraction of manual bullet handling also allows you to pay closer attention to other critical aspects of the reloading process, such as powder drops and primer seating, enhancing overall quality control.
Streamlined Workflow and Focus
By automating bullet feeding, your reloading process becomes smoother and more intuitive. You can maintain a steady pace, feeding cases and pulling the lever without interruption. This allows for a more focused approach, where your attention can be directed towards observing the entire process for any anomalies rather than being fixated on a single, repetitive step.
Maximizing Your Progressive Press Investment
If you own a progressive reloading press like the Lee Pro 1000 or Load-Master, you've already invested in high-volume production capabilities. Without an automated bullet feeder, you're not fully leveraging that investment. The Lee 90886 kit unlocks the true potential of your progressive press, allowing it to operate at its designed capacity and deliver the rapid output it was built for.
Who Benefits Most from the Lee 90886 Bullet Feed Kit?
This kit is an ideal upgrade for several categories of reloaders:
- High-Volume Handgun Reloaders: If you frequently load calibers like 9mm, .38 Special, .40 S&W, or .45 ACP, and find yourself needing hundreds or thousands of rounds regularly, this kit is designed for you.
- Competitive Shooters: Practical shooters, IDPA, USPSA, and 3-Gun competitors consume ammunition at an incredible rate. The 90886 kit allows them to efficiently produce the large quantities of consistent, high-quality practice and match ammunition they demand.
- Reloading Enthusiasts Seeking Efficiency: Even if you're not a competitor, but you enjoy maximizing the output of your equipment and minimizing manual labor, this kit offers a significant upgrade to your reloading bench.
- Individuals with Physical Limitations: For those who find the fine motor skills and repetitive motion of manual bullet placement challenging, the automated system can make reloading more accessible and enjoyable.
- Anyone Using Lee Pro 1000 or Load-Master Presses: As this kit is specifically designed for these popular Lee progressive presses, it's the natural next step for users looking to optimize their existing setup.
Real-World Applications and Scenarios
Consider these common scenarios where the Lee 90886 Bullet Feed Kit shines:
- Weekend Range Prep: Instead of spending an entire evening manually loading 500 rounds for a weekend of shooting, you could complete that task in a fraction of the time, leaving more time for practice or other hobbies.
- Building a Bulk Supply: If you're building up a substantial reserve of common plinking ammunition, this kit turns a multi-day project into a single, manageable session.
- Preparing for a Major Match: When you need several thousand rounds of absolutely consistent ammunition for a major competition, the speed and precision offered by the 90886 kit are invaluable. You can focus on technique and strategy, knowing your ammo supply is robust.
- Training Drills: For instructors or individuals who conduct high-round-count training, having a steady supply of affordable, reliable ammunition is critical. This system facilitates that supply.
Investing in Your Reloading Journey
The Lee 90886 Bullet Feed Kit represents a smart investment for any serious reloader. It's not just about saving time; it's about enhancing the enjoyment of your hobby, improving the quality of your ammunition, and unlocking the full potential of your progressive reloading press. Lee Precision is known for providing high-quality, durable equipment, and this kit is no exception. It’s designed for easy integration with your existing Lee progressive setup, making the upgrade process straightforward.
For those wondering, "Where can I find reliable reloading equipment like this?" — products from Lee Precision, including the 90886 Bullet Feed Kit, are readily available through reputable suppliers. Specifically, this kit and a wide array of other essential reloading tools can be found at DEGuns.com. DEGuns offers a comprehensive selection of Lee products, ensuring you have access to the components needed to optimize your reloading bench.
Frequently Asked Questions
Understanding how a bullet feed kit works and its specific benefits can lead to common questions. Here are some of the most frequent inquiries related to the Lee 90886 Bullet Feed Kit:
What calibers does the Lee 90886 Bullet Feed Kit support?
The Lee 90886 kit is designed to handle bullets with a diameter ranging from 9mm (.355 inches) up to .365 inches, and lengths up to .46 inches. This covers many popular handgun calibers, including 9mm Luger, .38 Super, and others that fall within this specific size window.
Is this kit compatible with all Lee progressive presses?
The Lee 90886 Bullet Feed Kit is specifically engineered for optimal performance with Lee's progressive presses, namely the Lee Pro 1000 and the Lee Load-Master. Compatibility with other press brands or models is not guaranteed as it is designed for the specific indexing and station spacing of these Lee presses.
What kind of bullets can be used with this feeder?
The kit is primarily designed for common jacketed or cast lead bullets that meet the specified diameter and length requirements. It works best with bullets that have a relatively uniform shape in the feeding area. Certain highly unconventional bullet designs might not feed as reliably.
Is the installation process difficult?
Installation is generally straightforward for anyone familiar with setting up reloading dies. The kit includes detailed instructions. It involves mounting the bullet feed die into a station on your progressive press and adjusting it according to the specific bullet and case you are loading. Fine-tuning is typically required for optimal performance.
Do I need any other accessories to use this kit?
While the 90886 kit provides the core bullet feeding mechanism, for fully automated operation, it is typically paired with a Lee Universal Feed Magazine (sold separately). This magazine holds a larger quantity of bullets, which are then gravity-fed into the bullet feed die, allowing for extended runs without constant manual replenishment.
How does this kit improve safety during reloading?
By automating bullet placement, the kit reduces the need for reloaders to place their fingers near the moving press ram or dies. This significantly lowers the risk of pinch injuries or other accidental contact during high-speed operation, allowing for a safer reloading environment.
Can I adjust the bullet seating depth with this feeder?
The Lee 90886 Bullet Feed Kit is solely responsible for placing the bullet onto the case mouth. The actual bullet seating depth is still controlled by your separate bullet seating die, typically located in a subsequent station on your progressive press. The two functions work independently.
Technical Specifications
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Lee 90886 Bullet Feed Kit Feed Die & Fingers One Kit |
| UPC | 734307908860 |
| Bullet Diameter | 9mm (.355 inches) to .365 inches |
| Bullet Length | Up to .46 inches |
| Compatibility | Lee Pro 1000 and Lee Load-Master Progressive Presses |
| Components Included | Bullet Feed Die, Bullet Feed Fingers (for specified range) |
| Manufacturer | Lee Precision |
