Lee pro 1000

[jpm804]

Wow thanks for all of the great replies. I will get the hand books and get more informed.

The classic turret kit comes with the lee book which was one of the reasons I got the kit also ...

[Spaceghost]

I would suggest a quality single stage press that can handle rifle rounds. You will use it the rest of your reloading days. Prime by hand, weigh each powder drop with your scale. Seat each bullet immediately after putting the powder in the case.

Once you have done this for six months or so, you can make an educated decision about your reloading needs.

[shoebox56]

^^^ Agreed. Single Stage is cheaper in initial costs, less complicated to learn on. Once you feel confident to go to progressive, the single stage won't go to waste. Single Stage can still be used for decapping, swaging, case forming, etc.

[IrishJoe3]

I run a Lee Pro 1000 as well as a single stage. I started with the single stage, and still use it quite a bit for match ammo and rifle rounds (larger than .223).

The Lee Pro 1000 It is good.... I cranked out 1,500 .223 rounds yesterday afternoon. Its easy to operate, and great for cranking out bulk ammo. It is finicky and takes a good bit of tinkering and tuning until you find that sweet spot. The priming system in my opinion is lacking. It also takes time to switch over to a different caliber, (changing dies, plates, primer feed chute, etc). Not a big deal if you're planning on running a big batch. A pain if you only want 2-300 rounds. (I only have one Lee Pro 1000, so have to convert it over to run a different caliber). Pistol cartridges run like a champ; I load .40S&W, .45 ACP and 30 Carbine with ease on the progressive.

Unless you're planning on making a lot of ammo, the single stage is best. I would also discourage a progressive press till you're comfortable reloading. Learn on a single stage is my suggestion.

---Edit to Add....

I completely agree with Cowboy T, he's right on the money

[sghart]

I agree with the "walk before you run" approach. Learn the basics on a single stage.

I believe that a lot of negative press you read about Lee (and other brands) comes from guys who jump in with both feet. They are quickly overwhelmed by the steep learning curve and begin to blame the equipment unnecessarily.

I have a Lee Classic Turret and it is an outstanding system. I have a Lee Loadmaster, an RCBS Turret, a Lee single stage and an RCBS Rockchucker, as well as a couple of shotgun presses that I no longer use. I agree with one of the replies above that at this point in my life I can afford whatever machine I want. But you know what I am itching for? A Lee Pro 1000. I have always wanted one. And I don't know why.

Best of luck.

[pizzlemata]

I jumped into reloading just over 2 years ago and spent months researching before I purchased the Lee Classic 4-hole turret. It is a great system and have loaded a lot of 9mm, 38 spc and 357 mag with no issues.
I still do use it kind of like a single stage since Im paranoid. Better safe than sorry when reloading!!!
Now eyballing a Dillon... damn it

[Spaceghost]

Upon analyzing Cowboys's, I think he makes solid recommendations. However, I would really recommend priming with a hand primer. First, you can do the task easily and really feel how easy or how difficult it is to seat a primer. Secondly, the lee priming system is the Achilles heal of all their presses. I have no experience using one myself, I won't mention what brand of press sits on my bench. However, there wouldn't be so many youtube videos how to troubleshoot if it wasn't a frequently occurring problem.

I would also suggest getting a lee powder dropper. Very reasonably priced and very consistent. Once you've reloaded a few hundred cases with the same powder, it is very easy to eyeball a charge. I am not recommending you don't periodically check your charge weight. I am saying once you get comfortable, and properly tested a load, you can check every 15 or so powder drops if you are using a middle of the road load. Not hot, and not weak.

One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet in this thread is powder choice. I really recommend unique powder to learn on. Sure it's a little dirty, but it generally has a large window of safe loading, and takes up a lot of case capacity. Making a double charge impossible to miss.

New reloaders sometimes get caught up in what powder uses the least amount of grains so I can really save on powder costs. Not a wise choice for most people, especially new guys. Your fingers are priceless, the few bucks you can save on powder are not worth running a powder with an extremely small error margine.

A banned member posted up pics of his USP, I believe, when he missed a double charge of very hot powder. I am surprised he didn't lose a finger or two.

[bigbossman]

I'll go against the grain here....... if you're gonna do pistol rounds, buy the Lee 1000 and be done with it. It is not rocket science to set it up properly, and it is not rocket science to use it as a single stage while you're learning the ropes. When I got into reloading in the mid-90's, I bought the Lee 1000 kit for something like $104 ready to load for 45acp. Prior to buying it, I had zero reloading experience. It really was not a problem setting it up and using it for the first time.

Now - that being said, you're probably going to want a single stage press anyway, for rifle rounds. I suppose you could buy that first, learn on it, and then buy a progressive...... but my point is that there is just no reason to be afraid of the Lee 1000. If that's what you're going to end up with in the future, just buy it now.

[kriller134]

So I've been looking at the 50th anniversary kit from lee. It's the single stage kit. Am I better off with this or the classic turret kit? And again thanks for all the information. It's roughly a 75 dollar savings.

[Cowboy T]

That Anniversary Kit has been used to load many, many rounds by a whole lot of people. You'll be just fine with it. Don't spend a lot of money to get started. See if you like the hobby, first.

I started with an even cheaper press, the little cheapie $30 Lee one. Let me tell you, it may not be fancy, but that little press WORKS. The Anniversary Kit's press is a step above that, so you're good.

And remember, reloading is not a race. Take your time and do it right. Don't just read the reloading manuals; study them. I studied Modern Reloading for two months before I even attempted my first reloads. Good thing, too.

Now, to Spaceghost's point about powder, I understand the reason for his recommendation. Unique works well. I might also recommend Trail Boss, for similar reasons. That said, I did use Bullseye to load my first 500 rounds of .357 Magnum, and yes, I weighed every charge. That's the old-school way, it works, and it's never, ever wrong to use that method. Powder droppers simply make this more convenient. That old-school experience showed me what things "should" look like, and I got very good with weighing powder charges reasonably quickly. That first box of 50 took me nearly 5 hours from all the paranoia checks I did. On the firing line, I was a little nervous since these were my first ever loads (did I do it right? did I do it right?). And everything went just fine. Because I was careful and paid attention to detail.

Much satisfaction was felt. And it's been an addiction--er, hobby ever since. Hopefully you experience that same feeling; it really is a good one.

[jpm804]

So I've been looking at the 50th anniversary kit from lee. It's the single stage kit. Am I better off with this or the classic turret kit? And again thanks for all the information. It's roughly a 75 dollar savings.

Was doing the same thinking recently before I got my turret kit and felt it was worth spending the extra for it. After getting it I definitely thought it was worth it for me based on the following reasons:

- Lee Handbook
- Turret press ( don't have to remove dies to work on other functions - can manually index turret)
- Pro Autodisk plus rise ( while not perfect it is nice to do expanding and auto powder drop at same time)
- Turret can act like single stage easily and the "progressive" turret option is nice when you get comfortable and want to increase efficiencies. Currently I'm using it as single stage but like the option I can add that function.

Just some things to think about as you decide if its worth it for you...

[Spaceghost]

Get the single stage kit. The only thing I would upgrade is the scale. Budget a nicer scale, dies, compenents, brass prep equipment and you're all set.
You did all ready order at least one reloading manual right?

I would also recommend Dillon case gauges as well. They are well worth the cash.

If you do deicide to try reloading .223, don't forget the case lube! It will **** up your day when the first case you try to resize gets stuck in the die. Ask me how I know how...



I really recommend starting out with loading pistol ammo at first. Case prep is so much easier. You will save a lot of money reloading .45 ammo, considering the cost of .223 has come down in price significantly.

Plus .45 is a relatively low pressure round, perfect to start with.

[PTLaro]

I plan to start reloading soon as well and have been researching for at least four months. I started with reading Lee Modern Reloading handbook, great place to get detailed info on what reloading is all about. I have scoured youtube for videos on Lee Turret, Pro 1000 and LoadMaster. Some great info there as well. Many show how/what to adjust on the press to make it work smoothly. Just verify everything.

I have checked with some local stores and they all push Hornady and RCBS. They say Lee presses will break. Well from what other people have said and reviews Lee will get the job done.

My brother started on a Lee Turret Press and went to Dillon 650. He can afford it and said plan to spend $1000 on Dillon. He recommended the Turret Press to start with.

My plan after researching is the Lee LoadMaster. I am picking Lee like most people, gets into reloading at a good price that I can afford now. Maybe one day add a Dillon.

Why I chose LoadMaster

1. It is versatile. It can be used as progressive press, turret press and single stage press by removing the index key.

2. Appears to be sturdier than Pro 1000

3. The price is still reasonable and not much more that Lee Classic Turret kit. (Already bought Modern Reloading).

4. It will get the job done.

Cowboy T gave very good info. It is not a race.

Reloading is not rocket science but walk don't run first and be safe, pay attention to detail.

I have saved all my equipment I plan to buy on my shopping cart at Cheaper Than Dirt so I can buy everything in one place. There are many other online places to buy Titan Reloading, FS Reloading, Grafs & Sons, Amazon.

Lee LoadMaster 9mm kit
Lee Univeral Decapping die
Lee Factory Crimp die
Lee Case Collator
LoadMaster primer blast shield
Frankford Electronic Scale
Frankford Bullet puller
Lyman 49th ed Reloading Handbook
Total w/shipping $354


Plan to add dies and other equipment for .223 at a later date. Still much less that other brands.