Lee Auto Breech Lock Pro Press

[wild_weasel]

I was shopping for 9mm and 223 Rem components on MidwayUSA's site and came across the new'ish Lee Auto Breech Lock Pro Progressive Press, that at $109.99 seams like a great value. Since I already have a Lee single stage 4 hole turret press w/accessories I decided to get this progressive press along with a few additional accessories to automate my 9mm and .223/5.56mm reloading operation. Looking forward to having a new toy to tinker with over the holidays, see you all at FT3-Tactical or Angeles Shooting Range.

Cheers,
W-W

[Cowboy T]

I watched both Midsouth's and Titan Reloading's videos on this press. It looks basically like a "progressive-ized" version of the Turret Press. To make it efficient, it certainly would need the shell feeder. It uses the Safety Prime system from the Turret Presses.

For those coming from a Turret Press, including the Classic Turret Press (which I do have and enjoy), this Auto Breech Lock Pro press would seem to be a decent fit. My initial concern was the rather significant moving around that I see in Titan Reloading's video. However, having loaded a lot of rounds on the Classic Turret, you don't have to do that if you're sitting right in front of the press. I can see where one could get into a routine of using the left hand to both actuate the Safety Prime and seat the bullet, then pulling the handle with the right hand, similar to the Turret Presses.

We now must compare this press to the long-standing Pro 1000 press, of which I have two (one for small primers, one for large primers). The Pro 1000 uses the Auto-Prime mechanism, which makes for pretty fast primer feeding, as long as you keep the primer chute clean (I have videos on how to do that in about half an hour or so). Should be done about every 5,000 rounds. The economy of movement is what makes the Pro 1000 a faster press, as you don't have to make two movements every round. Only one is needed with the left hand, to seat the bullet. The Pro 1000 has only three stations, so you don't get the Factory Crimp Die, but I find that the FCD is actually quite unnecessary. The bullet seating/crimping die already does a mighty fine job.

Which one to go with? Depends on your preferred style of reloading. Neither one would be a bad choice. The case feeder system is, in my opinion, a must for a progressive press, given that the point of progressive reloading is to increase the speed of round production. The bullet feeder system, not so big an advantage, especially when using Alox-lubricated cast bullets (Alox is kinda sticky).

[sghart]

I love mine.