LEE PRESS

[lonewolf5348]

I like to here from guys that have the lee pro 1000 seem there are mix reviews on the press,I also read a lot of guys like the classic turret 4 stage press over the 1000.
I am looking into getting back into pistol shooting,the draw back with the 1000 is it will only load pistol cases,I still load for my 06,have a rcbs single stage but no need to have to presses.
I was wondering if the LCT press can be fitting with the powder thrower for a little more speed when loading pistol bullets

I have the Pro 1000. The two presses are talking about are two totally different setup. One is a progressive (generally pistol but can load 223), and another is single stage turret.

I highly suggest people know how to use a single stage before trying to operate the Pro 1000. My 1000 gets me so mad, I about chuck it in the garbage can when using. But it was given to me. If you miss a primer, you have one heck of a mess with the 1000. If your powder gets a tad low, you can load cartridges with virtually no powder or very little (dangerous situation). You have to be totally paying attention to what you are doing using the 1000.

I couldn't imagine learning on a Pro1000 with having alot of years experience on a single stage. Go with the turret or single stage. If you have a hankering for progressive, you are going to have to shell out the money for a dillion.

[thndrchiken]

Personally I stopped using the Lee Autodisk measure when loading pistol in bulk. For what you'd spend on the 1000 I'd say buy a mechanical powder dispenser, it will cut your loading time in half and you can use it for loading your rifle cases as well.

[James B]

I have a couple Lee 1000 sets. AS BC said you have to be careful that it doesn't miss a primer and dump the powder charge down into the mechanism. If you really pay attention then they work pretty well. I also have the Lee turret press although mine is just the three stage. Can't say enough good things about that set-up it works really well. I just bought the Lee Aniversery kit to put out in the Garage. It comes with everything you need except your die set. This is a great buy and loads good ammo. The kit was on sale for 69.95. I have a room full of more expensive loading equipment but the Lee will load great hunting ammo.

[CZ2506]

ORIGINAL: bigcountry

If you have a hankering for progressive, you are going to have to shell out the money for a dillion.

I agree the Dillon is a high end, user friendly progressive but I retired my RL 550 a few years ago. Didn't need a high capacity reloader so I went to a RCBS Rockchucker and 2 Lee single stage presses (garage sale variety). Use the RCBS for full length resizing when needed and the Lee's for neck sizing and bullet seating. Use a RCBS hand primer and a Lee volumetric powder measure. I think I do a better job of reloading by going one step at a time. and having multiple presses set up gives me 40 - 50 rounds per hour.

[Briman]

I have a classic cast turret and love it. it reloads relatively fast, and much faster than you could ever hope to do on a single stage. I use a Lee autodisc Pro for a powder measure. I've probably reloaded 700 6.5x55 30-06 and 8x57 cast loads on my press so far in the last 4 months since I got it. The only drawback is a lack of a powder measure actuator if you wanted to use a Lee Perfect measure or a measure like a RCBS Uniflow, but I've been told by a Lee employee that they are working on something to allow automatic charging of full charge rifles loads. For pistol loads,its very easy- use a lee powder-through expander die with the Lee Autodisc pro.

My only complaints is that my safety prime sometimes flings a live primer across the room instead of dropping it in the priming arm, and the dies are mounted so close together that RCBS locking rings don't always work- if the screws are sticking out during adjustment, they bump into their neighbors locking ring. Lee locking rings are better for the application anyhow.