Lee Pro 1000 or Loadmaster ?

[BACKTOSHOOTING]

Seriosely looking at getting into reloading for 45ACP and 9MM but wont be doing a whole lot of it and cant decide between the pro 1000 or the better quality of the loadmaster.

Probably around 4-6 thousand a year in each caliber.

I like the way the loadmaster is built and is only $45 more for it than the pro 1000 and resale later would be better i think.

Your thoughts Please, Steve

[stand125]

If you are not shooting a ton, I would skip both and get the LEE Classic turret press.

[Cowboy T]

I'd suggest the Pro 1000 for those rounds. Pro 1000's are basically built for handgun cartridges and are very good at spitting out large quantities of very high quality handgun ammo in a pretty short amount of time. If funds allow, I'd suggest one press for your large primers (.45 ACP, etc.) and another for your small primers (9mm, etc.). This way, you set 'em up once, leave them as they are, and just start pullin' that handle. This is how I do it for .38/357 and .45 Colt. Alternately, if funds are a bit tight, buy one press for one of your rounds, and then just get the shell plate holder assembly and turret o' dies for the other round.

Why the Pro 1000 over the Loadmaster? Pro 1000's are somewhat simpler devices, thus easier to troubleshoot when something goes awry. Rest assured, you only need 3 dies to reload handgun cartridges. The only time that I believe a Loadmaster is justified is if you're going to progressively reload rifle cartridges, and I personally would feel more comfortable doing those either single-stage or on Lee's Classic Turret Press.

And speaking of the Classic Turret Press, yes, it is an excellent press, especially considering what it *doesn't* cost. :-) If I could have only one press, that'd definitely be it. Fortunately, I can have more than one, so the LCTP and the Pro 1000's are all on my bench.

[BACKTOSHOOTING]

I'd suggest the Pro 1000 for those rounds. Pro 1000's are basically built for handgun cartridges and are very good at spitting out large quantities of very high quality handgun ammo in a pretty short amount of time. If funds allow, I'd suggest one press for your large primers (.45 ACP, etc.) and another for your small primers (9mm, etc.). This way, you set 'em up once, leave them as they are, and just start pullin' that handle. This is how I do it for .38/357 and .45 Colt. Alternately, if funds are a bit tight, buy one press for one of your rounds, and then just get the shell plate holder assembly and turret o' dies for the other round.

Why the Pro 1000 over the Loadmaster? Pro 1000's are somewhat simpler devices, thus easier to troubleshoot when something goes awry. Rest assured, you only need 3 dies to reload handgun cartridges. The only time that I believe a Loadmaster is justified is if you're going to progressively reload rifle cartridges, and I personally would feel more comfortable doing those either single-stage or on Lee's Classic Turret Press.

And speaking of the Classic Turret Press, yes, it is an excellent press, especially considering what it *doesn't* cost. :-) If I could have only one press, that'd definitely be it. Fortunately, I can have more than one, so the LCTP and the Pro 1000's are all on my bench.

Why only three hole, Sizeing, powder, bullet seat, and crimp would need 4, am i not needing one of these ?

I plan on buying a 45ACP setup and the shell plate and dies and holder for 9MM and just switch them when needed

[CalTeacher]

Why only three hole, Sizeing, powder, bullet seat, and crimp would need 4, am i not needing one of these ?

I plan on buying a 45ACP setup and the shell plate and dies and holder for 9MM and just switch them when needed

Station 1. Size/deprime prime.
station2. Expand/charge
station 3. Seat/crimp with the same die.

That's all you need for pistol ammo.

The only reason to get the loadmaster over the 1000 is if you need ti either load rifle ammo larger than. 223, or if you want more than 3 stations for some reason (powder check die, etc.) But having more than 3 stations, as I said, is unnecessary for pistol. But if having more stations and more options floats your boat then go for it.

[Cowboy T]

One other thing. Have you ever reloaded ammo before?

[BACKTOSHOOTING]

Station 1. Size/deprime prime.
station2. Expand/charge
station 3. Seat/crimp with the same die.

That's all you need for pistol ammo.

The only reason to get the loadmaster over the 1000 is if you need ti either load rifle ammo larger than. 223, or if you want more than 3 stations for some reason (powder check die, etc.) But having more than 3 stations, as I said, is unnecessary for pistol. But if having more stations and more options floats your boat then go for it.

Its all new to me and im learning more all the time, I see now why only three stations, Funny you mentioned my boat cause im in the prosses of selling it to help fund supplies

[CalTeacher]

Its all new to me and im learning more all the time, I see now why only three stations, Funny you mentioned my boat cause im in the prosses of selling it to help fund supplies

And the addiction begins...

[WoodrowShootist]

i had the same dilemma for a while but i jumped in and bought the pro1k in 45 and then the parts to do 9mm and then 40sw. the pro1k is awesome. i love it. like it was said, it's not a difficult machine to learn. and i crank out 800rds an hour with 9mm. mine seems to run super smooth with 9mm, 45 is good too but 40sw is a little finicky. the trick to keeping this press running smoothly is to keep it clean. it's very easy to clean. i just hit it with the air hose. blow out all the dust, blow out the dies. get in there with a brush and that has kept mine running absolutely fine.

i actually am in the same spot again though, i've just posted mine for sale here because i decided to jump in *again haaha, and buy the load master. i have a feeling that i might regret selling this pro1k. anyways mine is posted it's got everything you need including spares to load 9mm, 40sw, and 45acp...except a scale, puller and all that other stuff. but press wise it's a complete set up. good luck with your decision and although i will soon see what lies ahead of me with the loadmaster i will say that you won't go wrong with a pro1k.

[gatesbox]

If you are not shooting a ton, I would skip both and get the LEE Classic turret press.

QFT^^^^

I was actually considering a dillon press recently and decided to stick with my little turret press. sure it is slower, but I am QC'ing each round. I have never had a squib load, every round I have loaded has preformed flawlessly. I can't say the same for some of my fellow action shooters who are cruising through the rounds on their progressives. Now that I know my turret press like a good friend, and have it indexed perfectly every time reloading is a pleasure and a joy.

I could e en make an argument for a single stage, but there you go.

I would reccomend buying an additional turret and powder measure for each set of dies. This enables changing calibers in about 5 seconds without any major adjustments.

Google Lee Factory Sales for the best pricing.

[gatesbox]

Station 1. Size/deprime prime.
station2. Expand/charge
station 3. Seat/crimp with the same die.

That's all you need for pistol ammo.

The only reason to get the loadmaster over the 1000 is if you need ti either load rifle ammo larger than. 223, or if you want more than 3 stations for some reason (powder check die, etc.) But having more than 3 stations, as I said, is unnecessary for pistol. But if having more stations and more options floats your boat then go for it.

Respectfully, there are calibers and conditions which benefit from the factory crimp die as well, 45 colt, 357, 38, etc.

[CalTeacher]

Respectfully, there are calibers and conditions which benefit from the factory crimp die as well, 45 colt, 357, 38, etc.

Like I said, its not necessary, but some people want a fourth station for such a thing. I personally see no need for a factory crimp die, but ill repeat, whatever floats your boat.

I tried a factory crimp die on many calibers, including 45/70 but never had positive results. Ymmv.

[CalTeacher]

i had the same dilemma for a while but i jumped in and bought the pro1k in 45 and then the parts to do 9mm and then 40sw. the pro1k is awesome. i love it. like it was said, it's not a difficult machine to learn. and i crank out 800rds an hour with 9mm. mine seems to run super smooth with 9mm, 45 is good too but 40sw is a little finicky. the trick to keeping this press running smoothly is to keep it clean. it's very easy to clean. i just hit it with the air hose. blow out all the dust, blow out the dies. get in there with a brush and that has kept mine running absolutely fine.

i actually am in the same spot again though, i've just posted mine for sale here because i decided to jump in *again haaha, and buy the load master. i have a feeling that i might regret selling this pro1k. anyways mine is posted it's got everything you need including spares to load 9mm, 40sw, and 45acp...except a scale, puller and all that other stuff. but press wise it's a complete set up. good luck with your decision and although i will soon see what lies ahead of me with the loadmaster i will say that you won't go wrong with a pro1k.

How on earth are you getting 800 rds per hour!? 400 per hour is a pretty quick pace. Are you using a bullet feeder?

[BACKTOSHOOTING]

And the addiction begins...

My addiction began 3 months ago when i went with an ex brouther in law and shot his pistol, I've bought 2 glocks [17 & 21] and a kimber tle custom in SS in 2 months and now the loading bug, Cant be any worse than my fishing addiction for the last 50 or so years

[WoodrowShootist]

i like to cruise at 500/hr. i have a goal which is to load 100rds by the time the song on the radio is over haaha. but 100rds in 4 mins average is 3.6sec a cycle...that's plenty of time. 800 is quicker indeed and so far only works with 9mm. the case is sturdier so i believe it runs smoother. also it's gets the most cases in the tubes. i don't use a bullet feeder, don't like the idea. but i have the box of projectiles next to me, i use gloves for grip and cleanliness. have multiple primer trays filled and ready to swap out.

at 3gr per charge the powder hopper lasts a while. the first primer tray when starting i load up with 120 to make sure that the primer arm will stay full when the tray is empty. with the collator on you get a couple more cases but when a tube runs empty i manually insert a case. this will make 100cases, 100 primers to load without stopping to refill. my next venture is to source extended length tubes to get more cases in there. but a cadence of 2-3sec/cycle is a fast but comfortable pace.

calipers and scale are close by, i randomly check weights and oal's. the slowest part is actually chamber checking the progress after an hour or two haaha.