LAbushman

I have loaded shotgun shells many years ago and used a Lee reloader for them and it worked OK. I plan to relaod 44 mag shell for hunting. Since I will be loading for hunting and I probably will not be reloading large quantities of shells. I found a couple of Lee 1000's ranging from $75 tp $120 plus another $40 for a powder measurer. I would like to get some comments back about this reloader. Is there is a better reloader for the money. Alternatives.

bigcountry

I got one. I also load 44 bullets. I got it free. I am not sure if I would invest in it. Very tough to work, and lord forbid you miss a primer and powder run thru the works. I would invest in a single stage press and a set of dies. You can pinpoint your loads and load much more accurately. I only use the Lee for mass loading for plinking.

SCbowhntr

LA,
I totally agree with bigcountry. I have a Lee Pro1000 and it's great for plinking and mass production but as far as loading consistency, it leaves alot to be desired. It will usually throw a charge to within .5 grains, which is usually fine for my SBH out to 30 yards but as for shooting in my 44 carbine, I can't get the load consistent enough to group better than 2" at 50 yards. At 100 yards, the group opens up to about 5". IMO, if you are just loading for hunting and not shooting alot, I would definitely go with a single stage and either electronic powder scale or good quality measure...you will definitely be able to tell the difference.

James B

I have loaded at least 20,000 rounds with the 1000. If you watch the primer feed closely you will have no problems. Missing a primer once in a while is its weak point. I shot combat matches for quite a few years and it served me well. I shot on average 700 rounds per week. I had two of them set up one just for the 45 ACP and the other for 38-357. I wore out several of the little nylon bushings but they were dirt cheap. For the MONEY I know of nothing else in its class. Oh if you miss a primer it dumps the powder charge down into the mechanics and you have to take it apart to clean it out. Sometimes I could just blow it out with an air hose. When I reloaded a big batch I had my wife set there and watch the primer feed.

LAbushman

I was looking at the Lee turret presses with a autoloading powder measure also. After buying the powder measure it comes up to roughly the same price as the 1000. Would the Lee turret press be better for my application? I would probably be loading 100-200 bullets per season. I am only loading to increase my powder charges and accuracy. I was not going into handloading strictly for the cost savings.

SCbowhntr

LA,
If that's all you're going to do, I would go with the turret press and a decent powder measure (Lyman, RCBS, or Redding). With the Pro1000 you can easily chunk out 100-120 rounds per hour...but if you're looking for quality over quantity...I think you'd be better off with the single stage press. JMHO