[RNG]

Greetings everyone.

I've cross-posted this over at the LoadMaster site so folks here can use it if they want. My apologies in advance if this offends anyone.


Just wanted to share an easy mod to the P1k. I haven't seen it posted anywhere so forgive me if someones already done it.

Typical disclaimer applies. Do this at your own risk.

I've had my Pro1k for about a year or so and have been growing more annoyed dealing with the variance in OAL of cartridges when seating the bullets. This being due to the design of the turret just twist-locking into the turret ring of the press. Lees solution was/is to pre-load the dies which doesn't work very well.

So today I finally decided to try a modification to the press and after a test run and to my surprise it actually worked out pretty good. The mod took less than 15 minutes and I had the materials(screws) on hand.

The pics will explain everything. The "screws" were allen head type, 3@1/4x20x3/4" inch and 1@1/4x20x1 1/2". Using a drill press with a 13/64th bit I drilled four holes into the turret ring(see pics below). I then tapped them using 1/4x20 tap. Since the screws that I had weren't "set" screw type I beveled the ends slightly on the grinder. First I screwed them into the matching 1/4x20 die so I could use it to "chase" the threads when I was done.

Next I installed the four set screws, locked the turret into the ring and snugged the screws down so they would mark the turret for my next mod. I pulled the turret out and used the 13/64ths drill bit and drilled a small dimples for the set screws to seat into. That's about it.

In testing I've found that OAL's are more consistant from one cartridge to the next. Beats having to Pre-Load the dies.

Enjoy,
Richard

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii71/trimadge/Lee-P1k-Mod-15Small.jpg

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii71/trimadge/Lee-P1k-Mod-16Small.jpg

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii71/trimadge/Lee-P1k-Mod-17Small.jpg

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii71/trimadge/LEE-P1k-Mod-06Small.jpg

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii71/trimadge/Lee-P1k-Mod-19Small.jpg

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii71/trimadge/LEE-P1k-Mod-12Small.jpg

[evan price]

I have found that if I adjust the resizing die so that when the press is at full extension, the resize die has touched the shellplate and is putting pressure on the turret, and I have no variances in OAL. The turret is forced upwards in the turret ring and the design of the lugs traps the turret securely and solidly as a positive mechanical stop.

The die to shellplate pressure forces the turret to tighten up as the ram is topped out. The mechanical force here makes the reference dimension of the shellplate to the base of the turret ring a fixed dimension depending on the adjustment of the resize die, and solidly locks this measurement. Then the seater die is adjusted for crimp and OAL after the resize die is properly locked down. This is the purpose of the heavy cast stiffening ribs in the underside of the turret itself.

Your mod works, however on a properly setup and functioning Pro1K it is not really necessary.

[RNG]

however on a properly setup and functioning Pro1K it is not really necessary.

Evan,
I agree that this SHOULD be the case but even "pre-loading" the dies as the Lee techs recommended still didn't give me the consistency I was looking for or expected. I was still getting as much as a .005" variance in OAL between cartridges. Keeping the shell plate fully populated with 3 cases wasn't as bad as when I ran a single case through the press. Pre-loading doesn't work with a single case in the shell plate since once past the first die(decapping/resizing) you're no longer "pre-loading".

Now if I can only find a way to add a 4th hole to the shell plate and turret.

Thanks again for all that you contribute to the forums. I've learned quite a bit from all of you.

Cheers,
Richard

[evan price]

Richard:

Even with a single shell in the shellplate in another station than the resize, the resize die should still be touching the shellplate and forcing it up at full stroke.

I appreciate you've had problems with yours and my comments were not to disparage your work.
If what you've done works for you and you are happy with it, all is right with the world.

Happy shooting --EP