Lee Pro 6000 Press

[9mmepiphany]

I did a search and couldn't find a thread about the new Lee Pro 6000, so I thought I'd put the info out

Lee recently introduced their new 6 station progressive press that is replacing the Lee LoadMaster, The ram linkage is that from their .50 BMG Classic Cast and is located under the sizing station to limit shell plate tilt.



The Pro 6000 press (with case feeder) is $239 at Titan Reloading and the Six Pack Pro (SPP) is $339. The SPP comes with a die set, primer slider, and matching shell plate in the caliber of your choice and also comes with an Autodrum powder measure. The press comes with dies mounted in Lee's Breech Lock bushings.

The biggest thing for me, besides the availability of 6 die stations, was that they now have a reliable primer feeding system which still uses their folding trays to avoid having to fill primer tubes. Loaded my first 100 rounds of .45ACP after setting the press up without any primer or case feeding issues.

This press is easily going to make the Dillon Square Deal redundant and will likely take a big bite out the Dillon's 650/750 market

Lee has been very responsive to user feedback when issues arise and have addressed them with updated parts for free. Up dates are on-going and other requested parts are being developed

[Oceanbob]

Except it’s the wrong color……..😜

[tabascoz28]

Right? You can't see any of the grease, powder, grime in my reloading dungeon when it's all dark like that. Maybe in the future that might be something I might try to get to work but my turret and auto breech 4 stations work. With more stations I will have to start looking into auto bullet dropper and trimmer = more money...

[sghart]

Yep, I am looking at one of these. My Lee Classic Turret and my Lee Pro 4000 get a lot of use. But I have watched several videos on the new Pro 6000 and it looks promising.

If they have the priming station figured out then I will probably get one.

[9mmepiphany]

Originally Posted by sghart

If they have the priming station figured out then I will probably get one.

The feed/shuttle is very reliable and the primer ram is now self-cleaning in case you drop powder on it, We tested it by pouring a mound of powder on the pin

[9mmepiphany]

Originally Posted by Oceanbob

Except it’s the wrong color……..��

"Old" Ford Motor Blue
DE 1621

[Cowboy T]

Funny you mention that...just a week and a half ago, I got my Pro 6000 press set up. Here is the press and its first output; the cartridge is .45 ACP.

Yes, the below rather large thumbnails are clickable for a larger version.



I had been considering the Pro 4000 press, which is basically just the Pro 1000, updated to have 4 stations instead of 3. This was important, because since I cast my own "boolits", even sizing my cast bullets first did not result in every round properly chambering in the guns. Most did, but not all; this included two 1911's, a Glock 21, Ruger SR45, and Springfield XD-s. Therefore, I need to use the Factory Crimp Die to post-size the finished round. This works very well to ensure proper chambering in any .45 ACP firearm. I know, some people don't care for the FCD...but it sure does work really well for me.

The output that you see above has already been tested in the above firearms. It worked *GREAT*. The primers are TulAmmo standard LPP's, the load is 5.4gr Titegroup under a 200gr LRNFP cast out of a Lee 6-cavity mould. The cases are assorted, mixed brass. All rounds fed and chambered perfectly.

The dies that you see in the above pics are as follows.

1.) decapping/resizing
2.) powder-through-expander and flaring
3.) RCBS "Powder Cop" die
4.) bullet seating
5.) Factory Crimp Die
6.) nothing at this time

The powder measure is the Lee Pro Auto-Disk Powder Measure with the so-called "infinitely adjustable" powder cavity insert. It does a fine job of consistent powder-drops, within 0.1 grain as measured by my RCBS 10-10 beam scale. The press comes with the Auto-Drum Powder Measure, but I had the Pro Auto-Disk Powder Measure already set up, so I just went ahead and used that. You use the same spring-loaded return on the Auto-Disk Powder Measure that you use with the Classic Turret Press.

The finished rounds plop very nicely right into the red tray at the front.

I'm still getting used to it and continuing to dial it in as I use it. The priming system in particular appears to require a bit of a "break-in" period of several hundred rounds. As I use it, it appears to get more reliable, which is a good thing. It's essentially a completely automated version of the Classic Turret Press's "Safety Prime" concept. I like it. Note that my Lee Pro 1000's both also needed a bit of dialing in to get reliable, so I expect this from any press, especially a progressive press. Initial indications are looking promising.

It also reminded me how quickly one can go through a box of primers with progressive presses...!

[9mmepiphany]

Originally Posted by Cowboy T

Here is the press and its first output; the cartridge is .45 ACP.

Very nice. I also started with .45ACP to see if the primer system would work better with LPP than SPP. The only LPP I had on hand were Federal Match and they fed very well. I've only loaded about 300 rounds so far

My set up is similar to yours:
1. Lee Sizing/Decapping die
2. Lyman M-die... like the "seat" that it provides to stabilize the bullet between stations
3. Lee Autodrum
4. Hornady Powder Cop
5. Lee Seating die
6. RCBS Crimp die

I'm waiting for Lee to offer their M-style powder through insert before I add their inline bullet feed in Station 4

The priming system in particular appears to require a bit of a "break-in" period of several hundred rounds. As I use it, it appears to get more reliable, which is a good thing. It's essentially a completely automated version of the Classic Turret Press's "Safety Prime" concept.

My primer feed seemed to work smoothly from the get go and I haven't added the upgraded shuttle or self-cleaning priming ram to it yet.

Do you have the black or grey primer shuttle?

[TomReloaded]

I have one with a Hornady bullet feeder and an automatic bullet collator.

I just crank the handle and ammo pops out. No more pushing the dumb primer arm, no more hand feeding bullets.

There's an issue with the priming rod spring, but Lee already has updates. You can also slide a empty bic pen over the spring to prevent binding.

[wannabefree]

I have it on good account Santa is putting one of these under the tree this year. I can't wait to try it out, graduating from a Lee Classic turret which I still plan on keeping for riffle and one of loads. I have already watched a lot of U tube videos and following a big thread over on the High Roads reloading forum.
If this press lives up to its early reputation its going to be a major game changer for the competition. A lot of folks hate on Lee but I am not one of them. You have to give them credit for innovation and working to produce some of the best bang for the buck products.
Merry Christmas,

[TomReloaded]

The priming spring isn't zero-problems, so people are going to freak out that it binds occasionally, even though it's easily fixed and preventable. The dies absolutely must be set to level and stabilize the shell plate, which the directions won't exactly lead you to also, so some initial fiddling will turn off the impatient.

It *will* run like a Dillon 750 if you put some work into it. Straight out of the box, picky consumers who demand perfection from a $250 6 die press may have complaints.

I keep an eye on my spring and keep it lubed and in good order, and it just pumps out ammo.

[9mmepiphany]

Originally Posted by TomReloaded

The dies absolutely must be set to level and stabilize the shell plate, which the directions won't exactly lead you to also, so some initial fiddling will turn off the impatient.

Having the ram under Station 1...the Sizing die...makes it less an issue that on progressives with centrally located rams.

On a thread on The High Road's Relaoding subforum, the consistency of OAL has been amazing with both sorted and unsorted 9mm cases

It *will* run like a Dillon 750 if you put some work into it. Straight out of the box, picky consumers who demand perfection from a $250 6 die press may have complaints.

Having recently had a Dillon 750 on my bench, I found the Pro 6000 easier to set up...granted the 750 had more aftermarket add-ons and a out-of-spec shell plate.

What slowed me down was I kept expecting there to be more tuning needed. The other thing that slowed me down was how tightly spaced the dies were...but then my primary press is a Hornady LNL AP. The Lee Breech Lock bushings are also a bit slower to click into place than the Hornady LNL bushings

[9mmepiphany]

Originally Posted by wannabefree

I have already watched a lot of U tube videos and following a big thread over on the High Roads reloading forum.

That is a great thread for owner or potential owners to really understand how the press is set up and how Lee has been responsive to feedback.

One of the members there have been asked by Lee to beta test upgrade for the Pro-6k and offer feedback and suggestions...he's testing to failure; or close enough.

If this press lives up to its early reputation its going to be a major game changer for the competition.

In it's current configuration and with all the upgrades being applied to production, I can't see any reason anyone would buy a Dillon Square Deal...other than to be able to say that they own "Blue"

With folks having to make more decisions based on cost/value, I think this press will start eating into the 750 market share...especially when you take into consideration the cost of caliber changes

[tigerpan]

Originally Posted by Cowboy T

Funny you mention that...just a week and a half ago, I got my Pro 6000 press set up. Here is the press and its first output; the cartridge is .45 ACP.

Yes, the below rather large thumbnails are clickable for a larger version.



I had been considering the Pro 4000 press, which is basically just the Pro 1000, updated to have 4 stations instead of 3. This was important, because since I cast my own "boolits", even sizing my cast bullets first did not result in every round properly chambering in the guns. Most did, but not all; this included two 1911's, a Glock 21, Ruger SR45, and Springfield XD-s. Therefore, I need to use the Factory Crimp Die to post-size the finished round. This works very well to ensure proper chambering in any .45 ACP firearm. I know, some people don't care for the FCD...but it sure does work really well for me.

The output that you see above has already been tested in the above firearms. It worked *GREAT*. The primers are TulAmmo standard LPP's, the load is 5.4gr Titegroup under a 200gr LRNFP cast out of a Lee 6-cavity mould. The cases are assorted, mixed brass. All rounds fed and chambered perfectly.

The dies that you see in the above pics are as follows.

1.) decapping/resizing
2.) powder-through-expander and flaring
3.) RCBS "Powder Cop" die
4.) bullet seating
5.) Factory Crimp Die
6.) nothing at this time

The powder measure is the Lee Pro Auto-Disk Powder Measure with the so-called "infinitely adjustable" powder cavity insert. It does a fine job of consistent powder-drops, within 0.1 grain as measured by my RCBS 10-10 beam scale. The press comes with the Auto-Drum Powder Measure, but I had the Pro Auto-Disk Powder Measure already set up, so I just went ahead and used that. You use the same spring-loaded return on the Auto-Disk Powder Measure that you use with the Classic Turret Press.

The finished rounds plop very nicely right into the red tray at the front.

I'm still getting used to it and continuing to dial it in as I use it. The priming system in particular appears to require a bit of a "break-in" period of several hundred rounds. As I use it, it appears to get more reliable, which is a good thing. It's essentially a completely automated version of the Classic Turret Press's "Safety Prime" concept. I like it. Note that my Lee Pro 1000's both also needed a bit of dialing in to get reliable, so I expect this from any press, especially a progressive press. Initial indications are looking promising.

It also reminded me how quickly one can go through a box of primers with progressive presses...!

All Lee desk auto I have leaking problems even with fine powders.

[9mmepiphany]

Originally Posted by tigerpan

Most Lee progressive press have primer issues that all.

The only remaining "primer issue" is getting the last 3 primers to feed...as there isn't a column to push them through

[tigerpan]

Originally Posted by 9mmepiphany

The only remaining "primer issue" is getting the last 3 primers to feed...as there isn't a column to push them through

My friend have the master press, the primer system is Flicker. He end up getting a RCBs hand primed. I had square deal, Lee classic turrets and Dillon 450. and now only have hornady ap press. I think classic turrets worth every penny.
And hornady is good because you can DIY for brass feeder and bullet feeder

[9mmepiphany]

Originally Posted by tigerpan

I think classic turrets worth every penny.

I learned to reload on a Classic Turret. The priming drove me crazy and put me off Lee progressive presses until the Pro-6k

And hornady is good because you can DIY for brass feeder and bullet feeder

I like the 3D bullet feed better than the 3D case feed. The case collator is fine, but the feed takes up a lot of room and makes handfeeding, when you only want to do a few cases, problematic

[Cowboy T]

Originally Posted by 9mmepiphany

My primer feed seemed to work smoothly from the get go and I haven't added the upgraded shuttle or self-cleaning priming ram to it yet.

Do you have the black or grey primer shuttle?

I've got the grey primer shuttle. Again, the more I use it, the more reliable it's been getting. I'm really liking this press.

[9mmepiphany]

Originally Posted by Cowboy T

I've got the grey primer shuttle.

That means you have the updated spring too...less likely to kink or get caught on the tabs of the shuttle guide

[Cowboy T]

Just did a few hundred this afternoon. You know, for Christmas. :-) Took me about an hour. ZERO priming problems this time, and the only reason I stopped is because I ran out of bullets. Time to cast some more!

I'm really liking this press so far.

[wannabefree]

Santa came through and I spent a few hours with initial setup of my pro 6000. I got the kit for 38/357 and a separate shell plate for 9mm. I also got an rcbs lockout die. I ran some test case through the de-capping and sizing dies. It all seemed to run pretty smooth until I setup my powder drop and rcbs lockout die. I had to remove the Lockout die for testing because it does what its supposed to do and locks out the press if you don't have powder in the case DUH.
Today I am hoping to do a few actual test rounds with powder,primer and bullets. Its a lot more complicated than using my Lee Classic Turret but not impossible if you just take your time setting everything up.
I am not really sure what generating of updates mine has because it was purchased a few weeks ago and I am just now setting it up. I guess I will just take it slow and see if any issues pop up as I go. So far I am really excited to get started.

[bigbossman]

Originally Posted by Cowboy T

Just did a few hundred this afternoon. You know, for Christmas. :-) Took me about an hour. ZERO priming problems this time, and the only reason I stopped is because I ran out of bullets. Time to cast some more!

I'm really liking this press so far.

If I were to enter the reloading arena now, it would be the press I would probably buy.

The only reason I don't buy one now (or have a Dillon, for that matter) is because I have three Pro 1000's that have been working wonderfully for the past couple of decades.

No reason to "upgrade".

[eaglemike]

Lee has been the beat deal for the money for a long time. I've owned most of them, and got heavy into the Loadmaster when they first came out. I have a couple of the very early version so the carrier easily loses rotation. They gave me info to send them back. they'll work fine - but now I'd like to have the 6000.
I spoke with Richard Lee on the phone a couple of times long ago. He was interested in what I had questions about, didn't just blow me off. Nice experience.

[9mmepiphany]

Originally Posted by wannabefree

Its a lot more complicated than using my Lee Classic Turret but not impossible if you just take your time setting everything up.

It shouldn't be more complicated. The dies are set up just like on the turret. After initial setup, you can run just one case through it to check function and it will work just like the turret

I am not really sure what generating of updates mine has because it was purchased a few weeks ago and I am just now setting it up.

The thing to look for is the color of the primer slide and case head ring. Then seeing if the primer ram shaft is straight or contoured

[Cowboy T]

Originally Posted by bigbossman

If I were to enter the reloading arena now, it would be the press I would probably buy.

The only reason I don't buy one now (or have a Dillon, for that matter) is because I have three Pro 1000's that have been working wonderfully for the past couple of decades.

No reason to "upgrade".

For my revolver cartridges, I agree. My twin Pro 1000's--one for small primer cartridges, one for large primer cartridges--will be remaining firmly bolted to my bench and getting used as often as needed.

The Pro 6000 really was intended as an upgrade for my Load-Master. I did get the LM to where its weakest link, the priming system, is pretty reliable, but the Pro 6000 looks like it's even better. With the LM, I've found that, with the priming system mod that I made, I can *safely* do between 200 and 250 rounds/hour. That really isn't bad, and it's obviously a major upgrade over single-stage or turret press reloading. The Pro 6000, though, looks like it'll get me considerably faster than that, with a pretty darn well-designed priming system. I don't know what I'll do with the LM now; probably will figure that out later.

What may be getting an upgrade, though, is my little $30 Lee Reloader Press, now they've come out with the APP (Automatic Processing Press). Nothing wrong with my Lee Reloader Press; it continues to work great. It's just that the APP looks like a major superset of any single-station press out there, and for resizing my cast boolits, according to several YouTube videos that I've seen of it in action, this looks like it would be a *MAJOR* time saver.

[bigbossman]

Originally Posted by Cowboy T

For my revolver cartridges, I agree. My twin Pro 1000's--one for small primer cartridges, one for large primer cartridges--will be remaining firmly bolted to my bench and getting used as often as needed.

That's the thing with the Pro 1000, it really is a pistol press (I load all my rifle rounds on a RockChucker). The only other weakness is the powder disks - if you stack them, you're going to get powder leaks. As long as you stick to using a single disk (and that is not a problem with any pistol round I've loaded for), the press is awesome. I still regularly use the first one I bought way back in the early 90's for $104 delivered and ready to load .45acp. Incredible bang for the buck.

As an aside - I uses a Lee Breech-lock press as a priming press in conjunction with a (discontinued) Lee Auto Prime 2 press mounted priming tool for my rifle brass, and it works great.

I have no doubt the 6000 is a nice press, and so far the user reviews bears this out.

[Cowboy T]

It was actually time to clean the large-primer Pro 1000 this evening after work. Primers were ending up sideways; that's the sign. It's back to proper operation now. And, as you said, it rocks. The small-primer Pro 1000 will be getting the same treatment probably this week.

Lee has discontinued all of the Auto-Prime based tools due, according to them, to primers generally getting more sensitive, like the Federal primers. They should adapt the Pro 6000's priming system to the Pro 1000 and Pro 4000. It's actually rather nice, with all the benefits of the PEZ-dispenser-type Safety Prime, with the speed of the original Pro 1000's Auto-Prime.

I do stack the disks for my .45 Colt Magnum loading using Alliant 2400 powder. This powder is a fine-grained powder, and there's a very small amount of leakage, but it's nothing bothersome. Now, WC820 with its really fine particles, that's another matter. :-) I'm going to spend some quality time with the Auto-Drum Powder Measure and get to know it. Perhaps it fixes that leakage issue.

For rifle rounds, I generally use the Classic Turret Press. The Perfect Powder Measure is adaptable to press automation, and it does pretty well. I'm hoping the Auto-Drum Powder Measure will be as good.

[TomReloaded]

The auto drum is fantastic. You can get exactly the charge you want, swap drums easily, and lose the leaks.

You can also swap the old large red powder hopper on it. The new clear bottle is tiny.

[9mmepiphany]

Originally Posted by TomReloaded

You can also swap the old large red powder hopper on it. The new clear bottle is tiny.

First you have to be able to find some.

An internet search showed that prices range from $4 to $16. I'm more tempted to get a Pyrex one from Dramworx...which will hold a pound of powder

[bigbossman]

Originally Posted by TomReloaded

The auto drum is fantastic. You can get exactly the charge you want, swap drums easily, and lose the leaks.

You can also swap the old large red powder hopper on it. The new clear bottle is tiny.

I'm still using the old round red and gray rectangular powder hoppers. That Auto Drum looks like a nice upgrade, thanks!

[9mmepiphany]

Originally Posted by TomReloaded

The new clear bottle is tiny.

The only advantage of the new powder measure/hopper is that it is designed to fit a 1lb powder bottle...of course, then you can't see how much powder you have left

[Cowboy T]

Originally Posted by TomReloaded

The auto drum is fantastic. You can get exactly the charge you want, swap drums easily, and lose the leaks.

You can also swap the old large red powder hopper on it. The new clear bottle is tiny.

That's good news, because I like the old large red powder hopper. I'll give the Auto-Drum a try with my remaining WC820. Thanks for the tip!

[Flouncer]

Will this new 6000 load rifle cartridges ? i.e. 5.56, 308, 30-06 ?

- thanks

[Cowboy T]

It looks like it will reload .308 Win, but not quite .30-06, similar to the Loadmaster. For the .30-06, I would suggest the Classic Turret Press.

[mikeyr]

Originally Posted by 9mmepiphany

snip... I can't see any reason anyone would buy a Dillon Square Deal...other than to be able to say that they own "Blue"...snip

The color is irrelevant to me as is the manufacturer, I will say I own 3 Square Deals, only because its so convenient to have a press set up for one caliber and only one caliber, never need to change anything, although I do check before each reloading session just to make sure nothing moved. I don't see myself moving away from that system and on this press to change calibers you have to change the plates just like the Dillon 650, I also have 2 650's and several quick change kits but when changing calibers, its never perfect and I have to fine tune the setup, so one is 9mm only with small primer and one is 45ACP only with Large Primer, I rarely setup the 45ACP to load 45Colt since I have a Square Deal for that. That is the beauty of the Square Deal, set it up once and never touch it again (but please do check it sometimes). So while this may be a better press, I don't think Dillon will lose any sleep over it.

[Flouncer]

Originally Posted by Cowboy T

It looks like it will reload .308 Win, but not quite .30-06, similar to the Loadmaster. For the .30-06, I would suggest the Classic Turret Press.

Found it right here on the Lee website -

" Maximum cartridge overall length 30/06 3.340" C.O.A.L."

https://leeprecision.com/pro-6000-si...eloading-press

[Cowboy T]

Originally Posted by Flouncer

Found it right here on the Lee website -

" Maximum cartridge overall length 30/06 3.340" C.O.A.L."

https://leeprecision.com/pro-6000-si...eloading-press

Good catch, and I stand corrected. Based on your post, I looked further through the Pro 6000 instruction manual. It includes accommodations for the 7mm Rem Mag and .300 Win Mag as well, so .30-06 definitely will not be a problem.

Hey...that means progressive reloading of M1 Garand ammo! Ohhhh...that's gonna ROCK.

[BrassCase]

A very interesting press, especially for the money and that 6th station that I wish my 750 had.

[9mmepiphany]

Originally Posted by mikeyr

The color is irrelevant to me as is the manufacturer, I will say I own 3 Square Deals, only because its so convenient to have a press set up for one caliber and only one caliber, never need to change anything,
...That is the beauty of the Square Deal, set it up once and never touch it again (but please do check it sometimes).

You can get three(3) Lee Pro-6k for less, about $200 less, than two (2) Square Deals and set them up the same way

Another way to look at it is you can get two (2) Pro-6k for only $50 more than a single Square Deal.

You get six die stations to play with to add a powder check or a bullet feeder. It comes with a case feeder

[9mmepiphany]

Originally Posted by BrassCase

A very interesting press, especially for the money and that 6th station that I wish my 750 had.

My Lee Pro-6k replaced a Dillon 750 on my bench.

On the other end of my bench is a Hornady LNL AP