Any reason to not reload .223 on a Pro-1000

[flip180]

I have a Lee Pro-1000 that I use for .38's and other than a few hitches with the primer feeder by letting the try empty while reloading, I've had great results. I know it isn't the best out there but for 80.00 refurbished, I couldn't ask for more. I want to start reloading .223 for my Remington 700 VLS but pretty much need to get reequiped from scratch on a budget. I could either go with a cheap single stage such as the Lee Anniversery kit for under 80.00 from Midwayusa.com or order another refurbished Pro-1000 set up for .223 with collet dies from lee's website. Should I or shouldn't I? I really don't want to spend to much but want to be able to produce good accurate ammo for target shooting.

Thanks, Flip.

 

[Stinger]

I load pistols on progressive, and rifle on single stage. My reasoning for this is that I am fine using a powder measure for pistols, and of course I need them in higher numbers. But I don't shoot as many rifle rounds, and I am going for extreme accuracy (or at least hunting accuracy) and I want to weigh EVERY powder charge.

But to each their own. I would think you could get the dies for a much cheaper price from Midway than from Lee directly.

Regards,

Stinger

 

[Uncle Don]

As long as you can get the powder measure to drop the desired charge (meant for handgun charges), the .223 would work fine. I think the limit on height is a .308 but as mentioned before, you can't charge it properly with the Auto Disk Powder Measure which is designed for handgun.

 

[TooTaxed]

Dies: Definitely Lee! The 3-die Lee Pacesetter die set from Midway iscurrently on sale for about $18, including a factory crimp die and shell holder. Or, the Lee collet neck-sizing may give you a slight edge on accuracy for your bolt action.

Press: If you don't already have a single-stage press, you should consider getting one. They are useful for reloading cartridges you don't shoot often enough to warrant getting an expensive conversion kit for an Auto press. Consider a second hand press...I've never seen one worn out! (My Herters C tool is about 50-yrs old, my second-hand RCBS Jr2 "O" tool about 20. I've used them side by side for a "poor man's progressive!) Look at gunshop bargain counters, gunshows, and EBAY. The only thing to be careful about is making sure it uses standard shell holders. And, the Lee Anniversary kit from Midway doesn't sound bad!

 

[s&w 24]

I have two pro-1000's and they work fine. When loading 7.62X39 or 30 carbine I had a few case feeding problems but with the right case feeder parts that cleared right up.

 

[GooseGestapo]

You'll need the Universal Charging die and set it up for the .223 case length. You'll also need the Double Disc kit.

I've loaded a lot of .223 on the Pro1000, and for large runs of a particular load, it does well. It won't be as fast as loading handgun ammo, but much, much faster than loading with a single stage press. For small runs, (under 100rds) you'll be just as well off with a single stage press. A friend and I were shooting a lot of AR-15's and found that running 500rd through a Pro1000 was much preferable to single stage loading it!

You'll get better results with spherical (ball) type powders than extruded, but then, it still is dependant on the powder. IMR-4198 or Imr3031 dosen't meter as well as H322 or RL-15.

As for accuracy, I tested some loaded with identical powder charges/ect. through a friends custom 13lb AR-15 (24"heavy match bbl, weighted butt stock, ect. capable of sub-0.5" groups). With 26.9gr of BL-C2 under 55gr Nosler B.T.'s, we could not detect a difference between progressive loaded ammo, or single stage loaded ammo.

I did get larger sd's with Imr4198, but not a significant difference in accuracy.