Lee Pro 1000 Questions

[melissa5]

Since my birthday is next month, I'm thinking about buying myself a press and have been looking at a Lee Pro 1000 Progressive Kit http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=351321 Does anyone have one of these and would you recommend it? I like that I could use it as a single stage while I am learning and then go full blast later on. On here http://www.factorysales.com/html/xcart/catalog/lp1000.html they say that one needs good mechanical aptitude to start with a progressive press? Are they talking about putting it together and getting it set up?

[Tilos]

M:
The pro 1000 is about the best bang for the buck but somewhat limited.
The priming and powder drop system can be troublesome if you are not mechanical.
Some give up and hand prime but that's not always a bad thing.
Here's a link to a prior thread about the pro 1000:
http://kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?t=4636&highlight=pro+1000

Tilos

[Sgt Saunders]

Buy a Dillon. It will be more money but there equipment is the best. There service in the best in the reloading world, they stand behind everything they sell 100%. You get what you pay for, so why not pay for it only once.
All my friends that shoot have a Dillon in one from or another. Personally I never liked Lee dies. I think they are cheaply made. I will say I do have 2 of there auto primers I've had for years and they do work great for my other reloading needs. But progressive reloading? Dillon is 1 #.
My 2c......

[OldLincoln]

I'm not one to get a progressive any time soon, but if I ever do, it could be a Lee in the 5 hole Load Master flavor. I'm not wary in any way about Lee products. I don't have the experience of others here but have RCBS dies and Lee dies. The Lee feel different but they work just as well.

The big difference for me is I want a Powder Check Lockout die that prevents over or under filling. I also like the Lee Factory Crimper die, so 5 holes. I was initially pleased at the reasonable price of the press, but then started my list of accessories and the $250 became $1000 for a fully loaded system. If you don't have the powder and primer dispensers why do it? Then you want the tray's and other gizmos to make it handy. And finally, you'll get the casing and bullet feeders.

The positive side is you already know what you want for birthdays and Christmas until for the next several years.

[Scimmia]

I use a Lee Pro 1000. When people say you need some mechanical aptitude, they're talking about running it, since it does have hickups now and then. Ditch the bead chain for the powder drop and rig up a rubber band instead and it runs fine. You MUST have a scale and weigh out the charge, since the chart that comes with the measurer is nowhere near correct. For the priming system, lube it with a touch of graphite and make sure the feed ramp is ALWAYS full. With just those two things, many of the issues go away. I still get an occasional problem with the primer feeder causing me to stop and clean out a ruined primer, but no big deal. Taking it easy, I can run well over 300 rounds/hour, even dealing with the occasional issue.

Yes, a Dillion would be nice, but for the price differential, I would rather buy another gun. If I was running 5K+ rounds a month or something, it might be a different story.

[MW surveyor]

Can't really help you with the Pro 1000 outside of if you get anything, pay attention!

Case in point - Finally set up my turret to de-prime, size and prime this morning along with the remainder of the steps as I had been doing this step on the single stage and then just using the turret for the flare, drop powder, set bullet and taper crimp. Took me a bit of time to get the rhythm down and very nearly loaded a few bullets without powder. Did mis-prime one and loaded powder and bullet before I realized what I had done. That extra step from my normal loading practice was enough to put me back into the real close attention again.

BTW-loaded 200 rounds of 45 cal in 1 1/2 hours (that's because I had to slow down). Normally load 200 rounds in 1 hour 10 min or so.

[melissa5]

I don't know that I'd call myself mechanically inclined, so let's move on to another option - http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=121744. I've spent the afternoon watching videos of people using this press and it looks pretty simple. The bushings should make changing out the dies pretty easy without having to adjust them every time. Anyone have this one?

[MW surveyor]

OK, this is the third time I've tried to answer your question. Getting frustrated but hope that this time it works.

Yea:cheer2:

Don't have that particular kit as I originally bought the Cast Breech Lock. The kit you are looking at will work but it is made of aluminum and a bit lighter than the cast one. If you are looking at producing about 50 rounds per hour then it will work. However, you will have to buy the bushings for each of the dies that you have, loading blocks (at least two), calipers and possibly a few other goodies like a tumbler or vibrator (if you like shiny brass).

If I knew then what I know now, I'd put together my own kit and it would be (and what I use now):

Lee Cast Turret
Lee Pro auto disk
Lee riser for the pro auto disk
Lee Safety Prime (set comes with arms for both large and small primers)
505 scale
Powder funnel
Lee carbide dies in the caliber that you want
Turrets for each caliber
Vibrator brass cleaner
Dial caliper

Of course you will also need
Loading manuals
Internet access for obtaining load data from the powder manufactures (which I know you have!)
Primers, bullets and powder(s) - Try to buy locally at first so you don't have to pay hazmat fee.

Just my 2 cents.

See that Bawanna posted just after I did. Spend a bit more at the start. If you decide to go with the breech lock, send me a PM and I'll send you all but one of the spare beeches that I have now! Heck, might even give you a good deal on a used cast one. Let me think about it some more!

[Bawanna]

Hornady makes those bushings for most any single stage press now. It does simplify things but it's also time consuming.

I didn't know anything about turrent press's when I got my progressive or I would have looked at those. I'm very happy with my Hornady LNL, it'll last forever, and it pumps out rounds really fast.

A turrent press would give you the best of both worlds, use it like a single stage, hand prime, which I prefer anyhow and when you want to go fast you can go that route too.

I'm sure this is all gonna get very confusing but it's worth doing your homework and it may pay huge dividends to pay a little more now for something a little better and upgrade components rather than go cheap now and regret it later.

[melissa5]

OK, this is the third time I've tried to answer your question. Getting frustrated but hope that this time it works.




Huh! Am I missing something? :o

[MW surveyor]

Huh! Am I missing something? :o

No, it is just that I had logged in, wrote up a reply tried to post and couldn't because the forum or whatever logged me out every time I hit the submit button.:mad:

[MW surveyor]

Whoa, have to post one more just to get rid of the 666 posts.

[melissa5]

Whoa, have to post one more just to get rid of the 666 posts.

I would have to do the same thing! :eek:

[MW surveyor]

Well, you only have another 104 to go!

[94zcar]

The only reloading presses I have experience with is the Lee Classic turret 4 hole press. Lee make a less expensive turret but for a few dollars more the classic turret is worth it in my opinion. The best thing about the four hole presses is the Lee factory crimp dies. With the factory crimp you will be less likely to have problems with your reloads.

when I got into reloading I looked at progressive presses and I was a bit worried about things moving to fast and me missing somthing, and the single stage presses looked like they would be a bit to slow, that is why I went witth a turret it's right in the middle. And it auto indexes.

I just reload pistol cartridges , but If I loaded rifle I would probably go with a single stage then.
So you may want to check out a turret press Lee, RCBS and Lyman make turrets. I have the lee and It works great.

You may also want to check out youtube there are some really great video's of how to set up and use any kind of press, the youtube vids helped me out a lot.

Sounds like you are going to have a great birthday!

[melissa5]

OK, I just bought my birthday present...basically the same stuff mw surveyor posted. Ordered it from factorysales.com for $195 shipped. After looking around, they had the lowest prices after shipping.

Products ordered
SKU Product Item price Quantity Total
90968 4 DIE SET 45ACP CARB $ 33.28 1 $ 33.28
90429 PRO AUTO DISK $ 33.98 1 $ 33.98
90064 CLASSIC TURRET PRESS $ 84.48 1 $ 84.48
90997 SFTY PRMR FEED LG&SM~ $ 20.98 1 $ 20.98
Subtotal: $ 172.72
Shipping cost: $ 22.34
Total: $ 195.06

I also found a used kitchen island for $30 and plan to mount the press to that and put it in the garage. It is a good height for me to stand or sit on a stool while loading.

During the next month, I will be going to a couple of gun shows to look at powder, primers, and bullets.

Thank you all for the great information. I'm sure I'll have more questions once I get started.

[Bawanna]

Wow! Off ya go. One thing to keep in mind as you do the kitchen island thing in the garage is rock solid is good. The solider the better. The less that press moves the more enjoyable it is to run.
Carbide dies are good, no lubing but keep em clean which doesn't have to happen often and I sometimes run just a bit of lube anyway, slippery is good. You might think on a factory crimp die later, some like em, I do, others say you don't need it.
I didn't see a powder measure or a scale on your list. You'll need those for sure. A tumbler is in your future as well.
Your in for some good times in your garage very soon. Enjoy.
Lots of help from the gang here too if you need it.

How you fixed for 45 brass, do you need some? Tilos sent me some nice 45 Colt brass, least I can do is pay it forward with some ACP.

[Tilos]

PRO AUTO DISC = powder measure.
A scale??
Loading manual??...I'd donate one but my stuff is so old it only lists patched lead balls and black powder(sorry wrong thread).
Tilos

[Bawanna]

You must have the same manuals I have. I keep meaning to get one from this century but I did that once and found all my previous loads from my earlier books that I'd been shooting were overloads and considered dangerous. Who do you believe now days.

The auto disc is a measure huh? I meant to go look up Lee's sight and see what all that is.

[melissa5]

I had enough points on my Amazon Visa to get a free Hornady 8th Edition Reloading Handbook. I'm still looking at electronic scales and calipers. I have $25 worth of points on my American Express to buy one of those.

The kitchen island is an old one and is pretty solid. I think it's real wood and not the pressed board junk. No rollers on the bottom either.

The Lee 4 die set comes with the factory crimper. :)

I've been saving my brass for the last week or two. It's hard to leave the range with the same amount of brass that you shot. They are good at finding hiding places. So, I probably have around 150 of the 200 rounds that I've fired.

[Bawanna]

I went and looked and it looks like you got a great setup. Tilos was right, the powder disc is a measure, but I figured he was probably right before I looked.

I'd say your close to in business.

[MW surveyor]

Melissa,

Did you get the riser for the Pro Auto Disk? If not, you will run into some interference using the Safety Auto Prime as well as adjusting dies. Also did not see any turrets. Definitely have to have them to mount your dies in.

A few more things to know....The disk will either dispense the listed amount or a bit less depending on the powder used. You will have to weigh a few charges before you make the final set. You can start using the press in single stage and de-prime/resize and prime before you get any powder or bullets.

Too early in the morning for any more reply. Be back later after another couple of cups of coffee.

[melissa5]

Melissa,

Did you get the riser for the Pro Auto Disk? If not, you will run into some interference using the Safety Auto Prime as well as adjusting dies. Also did not see any turrets. Definitely have to have them to mount your dies in.

A few more things to know....The disk will either dispense the listed amount or a bit less depending on the powder used. You will have to weigh a few charges before you make the final set. You can start using the press in single stage and de-prime/resize and prime before you get any powder or bullets.

Too early in the morning for any more reply. Be back later after another couple of cups of coffee.

I did not get a riser, but will correct that omission. The press comes with one turret. Since I'm only planning to load .45 to start with, I'll wait to buy a second turret.

[MW surveyor]

Good that you have at least one turret!

You only think that you'll be reloading for the 45. After you see how easy it really is, I'm sure that you'll add a few additional calibers. ;)

[melissa5]

Good that you have at least one turret!

You only think that you'll be reloading for the 45. After you see how easy it really is, I'm sure that you'll add a few additional calibers. ;)

I may reload 9mm down the road some time depending on how much I would save.

[MW surveyor]

Melissa - Before I forget (and I'll be out of touch from the 3rd to the 19th), a few other things about the turret press. There should be a plastic mount with the press to attach the primer arm. May take a bit of fiddling to get it in the right spot to align with the primer cup that inserts the primer into the case.

Second thing is to make sure that the powder container on the Pro Auto Powder measure sits over the top of the press. If not, it will hit the primer holder on the Safety prime.

Third thing is to not go too fast on the up stroke of the handle (advances the turret). Sometimes going too fast results in a misalignment of the turret.

I'd suggest that you try to get the riser and a few things locally to build up some good will with the local reloading shop. Disregard if these are the people you have been buying your new guns from, you've already built up some good will! :)

[melissa5]

I think I'm set with the locals already! :rolleyes:

I just ordered Hornady calipers & scales. I used more credit card points to get the scales for $3. :D

I'm going to get some internet prices for powder, bullets, and primers and then compare them with the local shops and gun shows in the next few weeks.

[Bawanna]

Unfortunately haz mat fees kill ya on powder and primers. My local shop 1 1/2 hours away no longer ships powder thru the mail.

Maybe some of the larger suppliers have a way around that. Worth checking certainly.

Bullets no problem. Precision Delta. They use those if it fits it ships boxes and the mailmen I'm sure hate them immensely.

[Scimmia]

For bullets, do you wanted plated, jacketed, or lead? I load lead from Missouri Bullet Co and am very happy with them. They also set up their packaging for the USPS flat rate boxes making shipping very reasonable for what you're getting.

As Bawanna said, the haz mat fees will kill you on powder and primers. If you're ordering a lot, it can still be worth it. Powder Valley has good prices.

[melissa5]

Here is where all the goodies will be placed when they start arriving Wednesday. There is a small drawer in the front and two shelves behind the door. I may have to turn it around the other way if the press arm hangs down to far and blocks the door. There is another door and drawer on the other side. Also, there is an outlet to the left of the table.

http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/2584/dscn2215z.jpg

[OldLincoln]

Sure you're not going to put a sewing machine on top of that? (just kidding... put down the gun...[please?])

[melissa5]

Sure you're not going to put a sewing machine on top of that? (just kidding... put down the gun...[please?])

I could but I wouldn't know what to do with it. :D

I know the table is small, but that's all the room I really have. Maybe I can rig up some type of shelf system to sit on the back of the table.

[Bawanna]

It's plenty big enough. The more area you have the more clutter you accumulate. It's like a garage, no matter how big it is you'll get more stuff than it can hold.

A shelf away from the bench to put stuff your not using is a good thing. I like the scale on something away from the bench so it doesn't get jarred or bumped. I work on my reloading bench so when I'm useing the BFH (Big Freaking Hammer) everything on the bench does a little dance. I put a steel post under my presses so they don't flex.

You got a nice start. It should work good. You might end up anchoring it to the wall so it doesn't move. Sizing can sometimes take a little force.

[OldLincoln]

Table is plenty big enough. My setup is a 2X8 board with the press and powder feeder on it which I clamp to my desk. It's great and when done, I just put it in the closet. I have supplies and other equipment in the closet also. I set the scale in an open spot on the desk. No problems as I'm sure you will be fine also.

http://i762.photobucket.com/albums/xx269/OldLincoln/NewReloadingBoard.jpg