Anyone using a Lee Pro 1000?

[Heatseeker]

I looking for a progressive press. Do any of you guys use a Lee Pro 1000? They seem to be the most economically priced progressives. I'm wondering what kind of experiences anybody has had with them.

I will be loading moderate numbers of cartridges, less than 1000 a month. Are these presses worth it? Any reoccurring problems?

Any input is appreciated.

[bartt]

I've been using mine for a little while now, so I not an expert. It is sensitive to some adjustments, and the powder measure that comes with it has some quirks, but overall I'd say it works pretty well.
There are some articles that you can find via google that point out the quirks and how to get around them.

If you are going to reload 223 (what I reload) then you will want to get the double disk set also and probably an extra turret. I find it easier to mount the decaping/sizing die in a turret by itself to do these operations; then tumble the brass. Then in the other turret I skip the decap then prime, charge and press the bullet. Not sure why you would want to skip cleaning, that just doesn't make sense to me..
The reason you will want a double disk set is the single disk does not give you all the options in terms of the capacity that you want.
Another thing with the Lee powder measure is that it takes a few charges to settle down after setup, so be prepared to pour the first 3-5 charges back into the hopper. After that it seems pretty darn consistent.
It's pretty tough to beat the price on this press. Have fun with it..

[ilbob]

I am pretty happy with mine.

They tend to have issues with the priming system if you do not keep the primer chute clean and full of primers.

Normal tweaking to get it going the first time though.

Mine is over 20 years old.

[grymster]

Thought you were looking for a turret press?

[clamper]

Run like hell from the Lee 1000.
This device has HUGE primer feeding issues.
Look in the dumpster for mine...I would not give it away to my worst enemy.

[txsnowman2k2]

hey clamper, let me give you my address so you can send me that bad loader...
Heatseeker, i have four of them, 2 pre '92 and 2 newer ones with the tabs on the body so i can utilize lee's bullet feeder. these loaders were NEVER made for commercial reloading and one hears both good and bad from these loaders. i have loaded 1000's and 1000's of rounds...with "upkeep" and logical maintenance, the lee 1000 pro will serve you for years...my dillon 1050 IS made for hard core loading and there is no comparing. the only thing is the limitation in rifle loading. you are limited to 223 size cases. i would not suggest loading 380's on the 1000 as the shell plate revolves too fast and you loose powder... btw, this happens on my 1050 dillon as well...just too small of a case. the dies are great, good price and lee has lots of accessories for loading. if you have a shot at picking one up at a good deal, i would... to fully take advantage of lee's offerings, make sure you get a later(newer) version of the shell plate carrier. i hope i've helped in asnwering your questions on the 1000...tx...

[mattman]

Run like hell from the Lee 1000.
This device has HUGE primer feeding issues.
Look in the dumpster for mine...I would not give it away to my worst enemy.

[ilbob]

Run like hell from the Lee 1000.
This device has HUGE primer feeding issues.
Look in the dumpster for mine...I would not give it away to my worst enemy.

If you go get it out of the dumpster I will pay to have you ship it to me. Can always use another reloader. What caliber is it?

[luckylogger6]

They aren’t perfect and will require some tinkering to keep them running but coming form a single stage press I think mine is great.

[Southpaw45]

I also use one and I agree with the others that the priming system on them sucks! I use mine for only pistol ammo. What I do is decap without sizing on my single stage and prime with a Lee hand priming tool then run them through the Lee 1000 with the decap pin removed from the sizing die. Its a little more work but Im sick and tired of trying to get the primer system to work properly. Im planning to get a Dillon 550 or 650. Haven't decided yet. I recommend you do the same. You get what you pay for....

[ilbob]

I also use one and I agree with the others that the priming system on them sucks! I use mine for only pistol ammo. What I do is decap without sizing on my single stage and prime with a Lee hand priming tool then run them through the Lee 1000 with the decap pin removed from the sizing die. Its a little more work but Im sick and tired of trying to get the primer system to work properly. Im planning to get a Dillon 550 or 650. Haven't decided yet. I recommend you do the same. You get what you pay for....

I have run many tens of thousands of rounds through mine and never had much trouble except when I let the primer chute get empty or some debris got in it. The most common culprit was a grain or two of powder. The second most common was me forgetting to make sure the primer chute was full (either bridging or out). Or maybe it was the other way around. In anyc ase it was not real common.

After you get your Dillon let me know and I will be more than happy to pay the shipping charges to send me your lee.

[ilbob]

Run like hell from the Lee 1000.
This device has HUGE primer feeding issues.
Look in the dumpster for mine...I would not give it away to my worst enemy.

Since I am not your worst enemy can I have it?