Question on Lee Presses?

[flintforever]

I like to ask a question on progressive presses
1# Lee Pro 1000
2# Lee LoadMaster
I been reloading for 45 plus years I now run for the last 12 years a Lee Classic Turret it is a great press
I like to increase my numbers :I now load average 50 rounds in 20 Min:
My cal. are 380 9mm @ 45 acp
I been looking at the lee pro 1000 but the only draw back it has 3 station
I do like to taper crimp for semi-auto pistols
The next best would be to use the single stage press for taper crimp
I also looking at the lee loadmaster 5 station but read a bunch of mix reviews
on the press.
I did set up a Dillon last year for a good Buddie but the 550 I think that was the model had no auto index.
will the lee pro 1000 has less problems then the lee load master ???

[foxtrotuniformlima]

Look at the Dillon Square Deal -

Progressive, pistol calibers only, auto index

[DougMurray]

The Square Deal is a great press. The only concern I would have with that is that it uses proprietary dies. You cannot use standard dies in that press.

My brother runs a Dillon 550b and it is pretty fast even though it is not auto advance. I run a Hornady LnL, which is 5 stage and does auto advance. Both are good presses (no fanboy comments please), run at about the same rate, and will do the job for you using standard dies.

I personally looked hard at Lee progressive presses when I did my initial search (I'm a cheap SOB) but many people seem to have real issues getting and keeping them working right. Some, though, are very happy with their Lee progressives. I didn't want to go down that road so I crossed them off the list.

Keep your eye out for used presses. You can sometimes find Square Deals with dies for a reasonable price if you are patient. I don't often see 550b or LnL presses at much below retail levels but if you do, go for it.

[Pauliedad]

Yes, I'm a Dillon guy.
Yes, I have a 650 and love it.

Just out of curiosity, why not the 650?

[TATER313]

I would stay away from the lee progressive, my buddy has one, and it is not that great. you might as well just stick with the turret press, which I have and is a good small press. I am going to jump on a dillon xl 650 myself.

[Supercharged]

It seems that you have enough reloading experience, that the setup of either lee progressive press shouldn't be a problem. As long as you keep an eye on your components ( mainly primers) they run smooth. I've loaded about 2500 rounds of 9mm on my pro 1000, the only time I've had problems is when I ran the primer tray to low. I bought mine used on eBay with all the add ons and a bunch of extras and paid about half of what a Dillon square deal is. I'm a detailed person by nature, so I don't mind having to "fine tune" things. If your not into occasionally problem solving, the Dillon would probably be a better choice. Hope this helps.
From what I have seen the pro1000 and the loadmaster are basically the same, main difference being 3 vs. 5 station. Priming system, case feeder and optional bullet feeder are the same, these are the areas most people find problems.

[mmesa005]

If you go with a Loadmaster add one of these and you have a smooth running case and bullet feeder.http://www.bullyadapter.com/home-1.html

[___M|9||___]

depending on your budget i would recommend a hornaday AP, im sure dillon is great but i can speak with experience, but if you must choose i would stick with the turret and use the money on more supplies.

[shinzen]

Pro-1000 is a fine press for handgun ammo. Before I switched to the Hornady LNL, I probably made thousands of rounds on mine. Yes, it does get a little finicky on the primers, but if you keep the tray loaded and the priming system clean, it runs well. I just did seat and light taper crimp in the last station, single die- wouldn't worry about a separate step. Volume is much higher than the turret for sure, running at a nice steady pace. I still use the turret for some of my rifle reloading