Lee pro 1000

[h0use]

Was wondering if any members here have used one? Midway has a great deal on one that is set up for .223

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/347040/lee-pro-1000-progressive-press-kit-223-remington

I would only use it for 223, I don't plan on changing it up. What do you guys think of this set up?

[Bill Steele]

Was wondering if any members here have used one? Midway has a great deal on one that is set up for .223

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/347040/lee-pro-1000-progressive-press-kit-223-remington

I would only use it for 223, I don't plan on changing it up. What do you guys think of this set up?

Pretty good value if you are mechanically inclined and the patient type when minor glitches pop up. If you want to be able to pull the lever and have it spit out trouble free ammo round after round, best to look elsewhere (for a LOT more money).

[Nirrad]

I load pistol rounds on an older Pro 1000, but haven't been able to start on 223 as I can't find primers or powder. For the money, I don't think you can do much better.

I'm hoping it will work well, but like Bill said, it's for the mechanically inclined and the patient type. It can be a bit finicky, but once it's dialed in, lubed, and fully loaded, you can really crank them out.

[kmca]

For what it's worth, I only know of 2 people that have the Lee....they're both using Dillons now.

[quicksilver914]

It works fine, particularly if you make a modification or two. Also, when you double up your powder dispenser disks which you will have to do to load the grains required for .223, don't forget to put the little side pieces in, can't recall just what they are called. If you don't , you will leak powder which will get into the primer and eventually foul up the priming process. Ask me how I know. Make sure that your little primer "arm", the black lever activated by the case advancing to the primer station is adjusted correctly and moving or kicking out a little when the case advances. You should see the primers in the trough advance down one step when that happens. If yes, you are good to go and can seat the primer.

Throw away the lamp cord tensioner thingy and replace it with a spring, most hardware stores have a selection. That will enable you to use a bit more pressure on the powder dispenser return and ensure full retraction of the powder head measure which will make for even (correct) powder throws. My problem before I went to the spring was the tension was too great (broke the chain) or too little which didn't fully retract the powder head head and produced less than a full throw.

One of those little plastic ties that comes around electrical cords when new is a great tool for the primer tray and trough. when you load primers and are attaching the primer holder, plug the hole with one end of the tie. when you have attached the tray to the trough, just pull it out (down along the trough) and you will start the primers into the trough without dropping any. When you are done, you can use the tie to run or push the primers in the trough back up into the tray and then plug the hole while you remove the tray. No primers left in the trough or fall out of the tray when you remove the tray.

[h0use]

Well I have been reloading shotgun shells with mec loaders for many years and they are a bit finicky at times but they work well. I think I should be able to get this one working with out any problems. I don't plan on changing the loader to load other calibers so once it's set it will be only loading 223

[Don the savage]

I have 2 lee 1000s one for 45 and one for 9. If i do my part and keep the primer tray full you can crank out 100s of rounds without incident. I think the issue with most is that they cant focus long enough to run the lee. Its the best deal for the money.

[stilly]

Sorry about the possible threadjack BUT,

All you Lee 1000 owners tell me please.

WHY did you get the 1000 instead of the Loadall? The loadall looks robust and hardcore and able to load tall bullets in a single bound...

I have been eyeballing the Loadall and I wonder why I see so many people come in here time and time again asking about the Lee pro 1000 and not the other one.

http://leeprecision.com/reloading-presses/progressive-presses/

What is the deal? two different bodies even. It is like people that come here are not aware that the Loadall even exists. Even in shootouts I always see them compare a Lee Pro 1k to the hornady or dillon... I see it as the Dillon of the Lee progressives. :\ What am I missing that makes the Pro 1000 better then the Loadall?

[CalTeacher]

Sorry about the possible threadjack BUT,

All you Lee 1000 owners tell me please.

WHY did you get the 1000 instead of the Loadall? The loadall looks robust and hardcore and able to load tall bullets in a single bound...

I have been eyeballing the Loadall and I wonder why I see so many people come in here time and time again asking about the Lee pro 1000 and not the other one.

http://leeprecision.com/reloading-presses/progressive-presses/

What is the deal? two different bodies even. It is like people that come here are not aware that the Loadall even exists. Even in shootouts I always see them compare a Lee Pro 1k to the hornady or dillon... I see it as the Dillon of the Lee progressives. :\ What am I missing that makes the Pro 1000 better then the Loadall?

Well, a Loadall only loads shotshells. Perhaps you're referring to the Loadmaster?

To the OP, I once had 3 Pro 1000's set up for various calibers, but grew frustrated with the constant maintenance needed to keep them running correctly. They can load some nice ammo, but with some quirks along the way. If you're willing to deal with these quirks, then you'll get a great deal on a progressive press. I decided to just bite the bullet and get a Dillon RL550B, and I couldn't be happier with this press. I'll never touch a Pro 1000 again.

[Pacilander]

I have used the lee 1000 for many different caliburs, mostly all pistol. The lee pro 1000 like all lee products will work and produce fine ammo, the only issue is the presses are very temperamental. Needs constant tuning and cleaning. It was stated above that you need to make sure the primer tray is always loaded with primers. Not just filled up when it's empty, the lee 1000 uses gravity and the weight of the other primers to feed the press and when you get to the last ten or so it will hang up and that is where the frustration begins. Personally I don't like the pro 1000 for any rifle caliburs. The press wasn't built for the bottleneck cases and the resizing process is a major pain on this press. It only has three stations which really limits uses. It's impossible to trim cases if you use it as a progressive and if you try to use it as a single stage the press is so small and for someone like me with big hands finds that it's too much of a pain. Personally if you plan to only do 223 then stay away from this press. If you are looking to keep cost low then get a good single stage and you will be much happier. But if you plan to do pistol caliburs or any straight wall case for that matter then the pro 1000 does what it says.

If you go on YouTube there are a lot of videos on the pro 1000. I believe there is a series by sfliberalwithagun that breaks down the entire process with the pro 1000.

But I agree with what was stated above if you are going to only load 223 then save yourself the headache and get a dillion! But if money is an issue then buy a single stage.

[mif_slim]

I been using the pro1000 for years now. Like someone stated above, if you cant stay focus on everything that is happening then the pro1000 is not for you.

Mines work fine. The only problem I have is the powder falling out If your using ball type that is small like AA#2 or such. Another is primer, fill it up and you should be fine.

[stilly]

Well, a Loadall only loads shotshells. Perhaps you're referring to the Loadmaster?

To the OP, I once had 3 Pro 1000's set up for various calibers, but grew frustrated with the constant maintenance needed to keep them running correctly. They can load some nice ammo, but with some quirks along the way. If you're willing to deal with these quirks, then you'll get a great deal on a progressive press. I decided to just bite the bullet and get a Dillon RL550B, and I couldn't be happier with this press. I'll never touch a Pro 1000 again.

Yes. I DID mean loadmaster...

[Don the savage]

Yes. I DID mean loadmaster...

I would give you about 100 reasons for going with the 1000. For me, because of sales and discounts i bought two 1000s for the price of one loadmaster.
Although i am considering one for .308 but progressive rifle scares the heck outof me.

[AdidasCJ]

I had this set for 223, and converted it to load 9mm. I now have two pro 1000s, one in 40 and one in 9. they produce some great ammo. But like said above they are temperamental at times. For me, i ended up picking up a lee load mater for 223. 5 stages, and i could use the crimp die. Ive turned out about 200 rounds with it so far and have not had any real issues. I did have a few primers that didnt want to seat right but i think i had issue in the primer pocket and not the press.

My set up is, Stage: 1: deprime/size, 2: Priming (i have a die with the decaping pin removed), 3: powder, 4: bullet seating, 5: Factory Crimp.

It would be my recommendation to get the load master! It will save you a headache later.

Here is a picture of my 223.

[stilly]

There you go. Maybe we steered the OP into going with a better press?

I gotta go check out the glock forums for the Lee stuff.