lee load master or lee pro 1000

[Adeodatus]

hey im planning on starting to load my own 223 rounds. I have the lee 50th anniversary kit (single stage press) and have been loading 40s&w and 357 for a little over a year now. Now I want to start really cranking out 223 ammo with a progressive press. I have watched tons of reviews and Im coming down to the lee pro 1000 or the loadmaster. Im leaning towards the pro 1000 just because its cheaper (money is kinda tight now)... So id like all your opinions on what you think I should get.

Looks like Grafs is the cheapest
Free shipping
Pro 1000 - $159.99
Loadmaster - $226.99

[mif_slim]

Main difference is that the load master can load almost any caliber while the pro1000 is limited to pistol loads and .223. So if your going to load just .223 and pistol cal the pro is fine. If your planning to crank out some 30-06 progressive style, then the load master will be better.

[Cowboy T]

The Pro 1000 will also do 7.62x39 Russian with the proper shell plate.

You might also check MidwayUSA to see if they've got a sale going on (they sometimes do for Pro 1000's).

[AIMSMALL]

The Load master seems to be built more solidly plus you get 5 stations instead of just 3. I've been very happy with mine but I will say you will probably need a few spare little parts if you're going to load alot of ammo. I really like the factory crimp dies but because they seperate the seating and crimping operations you end up needing that extra station. I also decap with the universal decpping die because I like to resize on the #2 station while brass is getting primed. This setup makes priming more consistent/reliable because the sizing die holds the brass firmly in place while being primed instead of just the shell plate holding it loosely.

Hope this helps

One more thing, more stations = more options, check out the RCBS lube die for loading rifle ammo.

[sonnyt650]

For budget-conscious reloading, .223 and rifle cartridges in general have a few extra steps that make them difficult to do well on a progressive. Before deprime you'll want to separate out the brass that you've swaged out the military crimp from the once-fired, unswaged brass. You can then deprime knowing which pile needs to be run through the primer pocket swager. You'll then need to lube all the empty cases before sizing, and trim the cases to length afterwards. At this point you'll want to remove the lube somehow, otherwise the primer or powder might get fouled. From this point on it's like loading straight-sided pistol ammo, but yeah a progressive isn't much help for the early bits.

And Wideners has some Lee stuff in stock for cheaper, though check the cost of shipping to be sure you get the better deal.

[AIMSMALL]

How about, start with brass prepared using RCBS X Die prior to last firing.
1. RCBS LUBE DIE / decap
2. Resize (X die) and prime (trimming not required with X dies)
3. Powder charge (I use the lee pro auto disk powder measure)
4. Seat bullet (lee die)
5. Crimp with lee factory crimp die

This would allow the progressive press to load efficiently. It's also a good idea to have a single stage press setup so you can decap, swage and do your initial setup with the X die.

[BigBronco]

[AIMSMALL]

Trimming is not required with the x dies, check out RCBS web site

[mnguyen84]

OMG i need these!

Trimming is not required with the x dies, check out RCBS web site