Lee deluxe turret kit vs lee pro 1000

[Markus]

Midwayusa has the deluxe turret kit for 109 plus 40 for dies is 149. They also have the lee pro loader with does for 159. Which is the better deal? Any particular problems with either?

[Mrskylinetou]

Did u look at a Dillion? Lee is not my favorite press but it's not bad. I would go with the 1000

[XDRoX]

If money is an issue and you want to buy Lee, then I'd get their Classic Turret Press.
Lee's progressives can be a little difficult at times and need constant attention to run well.

If you want progressive, then the Hornady LNL and the Dillon 550b and 650 are really the three you should be considering, IMO.

[mif_slim]

And the blue coolaid pours in.... :rollseye:

Lee is fine for what it is. Yes, Dillion is a good press but in tue end they still make the same ammo.

If your on a budget lee is fine. It all depends on your shooting need for the two press. The pro 1000 will load more for your time, the other will give you more options for caliber size. Pro 1000 is more a pistol press with the exception of .223.

Hope that helps.

[bumpo628]

That is a good point above about the 1000 being primarily a pistol press, while the turret press could be used for anything. I would also like to add that you can always remove the auto index from the turret press if you find out that you want to perform the operations in batches.

The Lee 1000 kit is a 3-hole press and the turret press is a 4-hole.
The fourth hole would be used for the 'factory crimp' die, which is not usually necessary.

You could get the turret press kit with the $26 3-die sets and leave the 4th hole empty. They sell the crimp die separate if you want to add it later.
At least that would make the difference between the two options noticeable at about $25.

The Lee 1000 would be nicer since it would automatically feed primers and cases. On the turret press you would have to do that manually.


I assume you are comparing these two items:
Lee 4 Hole Turret Press with Auto Index Deluxe Kit - $109.99

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=622290

Lee Pro 1000 Progressive Press Kit - $159.99

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=363062

[sonnyt650]

If you're going to crimp for an auto-loader (without crimping you might run into bullet setback issues -- saw someone else with this issue just this past weekend from gunshow reloads) you'll want to go "taper crimp" which makes the case follow the bullet rather than "roll crimp" which folds the mouth into the bullet. I'd pick the four station turret press over the the three station just for that reason alone.

[Cowboy T]

For rifle rounds, I use the Classic Turret Press, since I also do .308 and 7.62x54R. For handgun rounds, I use Pro 1000's. I'm getting close to 400 rounds/hour, sustained rate over 2 hours, with .38 Special on the Pro 1000. On the .45 Colt one, I'm getting just over 300/hour.

The Pro 1000 will do both .223 and 7.62x39 and make fine ammo. If you already have experience reloading (that assumes you have a scale, case trimmers, etc.), I'd go for that press. If you don't already have all the other stuff (scale, case trimmers, etc.), then I'd go for the Turret.

Either choice is a fine one.

[Markus]

Now anyone have a better suggestion in the same price range? With link please.

[Spaceghost]

How much reloading experience do you have? If this is your first press, get the Lee 4 stage turret and see if reloading is for you. It was my first press and I still use it for working up loads. I would pick up a hand primer if you are getting a Lee press, much less painful than priming on the press.

[Cowboy T]

Actually, I do prime on the press with both the Classic Turret and the Pro 1000. It does work quite well. However, a hand primer is a very handy thing to have. All my load development, and re-doing the occasional errant rounds, is done with my hand-held Auto-Prime. Definitely start out with this type of tool.

[zfields]

I would start with the lee single stage, then move to a lee progressive. They are a bit finiky, but once they are running, they purr.

[killshot44]

Get the Classic Cast Turret. Skip the kit, you can buy better pieces individually.
Check the Third thread from the top for a list of quality case-prep tools.

[SixPointEight]

Agree with killshot on skipping the kit. The little odds and ends will eventually be replaced, so you might as well spend the little extra on it now. I started with a lee hand press, and still use that. Figured I'd start cheap to see if I liked it. Now that I know I do, I'll be getting a pro1000 or a LoadMaster as my next press.

One thing, if you're new at reloading, you can't measure case length if you're loading progressively. Well you can, but it's really slow, but it IS possible to trim before resizing. Measure about 20 cases and then resize and remeasure them, check how much they grow. I set my micrometer a couple thousandths shorter than that number, and just trim before resizing.

You're casings won't all be the exact same length, but they won't be way too long either, and that's more important.

[MSB3050]

try the leeprecision.com site for better pricing and www.factorysales.com for other parts to save $$$. good luck