Well, a friend just up and gave me a Pro1000 Progressive reloader since he never used it once and had it for years. Since I so my fair shair of pistol shooting in the winter, I said what the hey. But I have been reloading with single stage for years. Well this has a Deluxe Auto Powder deal with it. To measure the powder, it comes with all these disks with different size cavities. But the instructions are less than helpful. I mean if I want 10gr of Unique for 44Mag, how do I get that with VMD=.1092. The chart on there website shows VMD in one column, with the powder and a number on the top which I guess represents the powder disks. That number is 1.09. Any help would be appreciated. And if they give me the cavity to use on the disk, why do I need this VMD? Also, how accurate can I expect this thing to throw charges with powders like Unique? I know with my RCBS powder throwers, its not that accurate unless throwing H110 loads or ball powders.
Another thing, I suppose they expect you to trim before resizing with this setup? Right, because it sizes and deprimes in one cycle, primes in another, flares and charges in another, and seates and crimpes in another. I have just always sized then trimmed my cases before.
Lastly, I plan to start loading .45ACP. My Colt really dents the crap out of these cases. Do I need to staighten out with plyers before this opration? Or will this press only be good for wheelguns or new brass?
Thanks for any help. I still feel much more comfortable with my singlestage, but hey, if it speeds me up faster than 100 44mag rounds to 3 or 4 hours work, then I will take it. Price was right.
BC, I am not really going to be any help here but only one thing I have an answer too. Its about the powder and accuracy. NO progressive and I mean NO one throws stick powders well. YOu will find this with any progressive machine. I am going to get this spring or summer the RCBS PRO 2000 progressive machine. Go to shooters web site and they have a fair amount of lee pro 1000 reloaders that can help you out. Most are dillon but they have a bunch of lee guys too that are very helpful.
I also won't be of any help but a friend has a Lee 1000 and his has a warning on it. Do Not use Federal Primers. It will explode. I do not have any experience with progressive loaders but I thought I would pass it along for what it's worth.
Bigcountry, I can't really help you out on the powder measure since I weigh each of my charges on an RCBS scale.
As far as trimming BEFORE resizing, that sounds like you'd be asking for trouble to me. Maybe somebody else can shed a different light on it.
I've run some pretty knarled up cases through my sizing dies(I use the Lee dies) and as long as I lubed them well I never had a problem. As long as that expander ball can get down into the case it will size it. Just lube well and take it slow.
I'm with you though. I feel much more comfortable with my single stage press. A couple years ago a friend offered me one heck of a deal on a progressive press (Lee I think) but I turned it down. Haven't regreted it either. I'm much too satisfied with the product my single stage turns out. Besides i enjoy all that time spent loading a few rounds an hour.
Good Luck with it though. I hope it works for you.
Big country the 1.09 is the cavity number and you have that right for 10gr of unique. Lee crimpers do not require you to trim and your seat and crimp should be two separate dies .They have always worked good for me after you get them adjusted ,and the one thing to watch close is the primer feed .I have owned three of them when I was shooting a lot. I loaded rounds in 45 acp, 9mm luger and 40 s&w . They all worked fine . I also had a couple square deal Dillons and they worked about the same in my opinion. Every once in awhile you should check your charge just to see how consistant they are throwing .They will vary a little but this is one of the things you give up with a progressive loader . VMD isn't important to you at this point.
BTW I noticed bloodnativ's post so I have to comment you dont lube cases with carbide dies and the 1000 uses carbide in all thier pistol rounds .
Thanks for the replys. I played around a little last night and see that H110 throws very consistent, but unique still has some issues. Throws anywhere from 9.5gr to almost 11gr. Still in pressure limits but I usually get them right on the spot. I don't like messing around with unaccurate loads with H110. Can be a bad day with an underload or overload.
No real expander ball with pistol dies. But I understand what you are saying.
Halcon, can I use my RCBS seater and sizer/deprimer in this Pro1000 and just buy a Lee 44mag thru hole flaring die? I don't see any reason I couldn't, just making sure.
BigCountry You can use the RCBS sizer , bullet seater and the lee factory crimp if you want and your sizer is carbide . Your expander is in the powder through expander die that your powder measure screws into like you said and can be purchased seperately . I like the lee crimp better than anyone elses so thats why I reccomended that . I think once you get it all adjusted your will like it . Halcon
bigcountry... I'm not sure, but doesn't Lee recommend you don't use ball type powders in the Auto Disk? I always had good luck with Bullseye, 700x... those types of powders with my Pro1000. It's a good tool, if you only need three stations. My Auto Disk was very accurate and consistent using the small flake powders... usually within .1 grain...
You really have to keep your head in the game when using a progressive... don't have any distractions. Frequently check the powder charge level...make sure you don't stop and then start again.. it's too easy to double charge, if you aren't paying attention. But, once you get your system down, you can crank out a lot of ammo.
"Progress, far from consisting in change, depends on retentiveness..those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." Santayana
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"Progress, far from consisting in change, depends on retentiveness..those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." Santayana
Help!! Lee Progressive loader
