My initial impressions of the Lee pro 6000

Stefan A

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Southern York County, Pa.
You'll have to take my impressions of this press with a grain of #9, I mean salt, because part of my impressions have to do with being a new progressive loader. I have read through the threads here regarding press setup and QC/Mods, etc.

Anyway, my initial impression is that I will be able to make a lot of ammo and that experience, in the long run, will be relatively stress free. I think it is well thought out for a budget press and I am glad that Lee has listened to their customers to make things right. I am particularly impressed that fixes were developed specifically from the experience of Livelife and others here on the forum. And I am glad that Lee is looking on forums to discover these issues. So, yes, I am happy with my purchase.

I purchased it knowing full well that I was buying into a budget press by I company who's equipment I have owned and have complained about. With that said, some of the same problems I have had on the Lee Classic Turret I am having now. Particularly with powder leaking. I wish they would take the time to mod their powder measure with the attention they have put into this press. I have watched enough videos, taken these powder measures apart, generally fiddled with them enough to know that this is a product that needs more time in R&D. I don't like powder spilling out of the measure, but it's not the end of the world and won't make the ammo or the process dangerous. So, I will move on from this. I have to remember, it's all budget priced.

I really wish it was easier to take cases in and out of the shell holder at any station. This would greatly aid in the testing phase. I am not ready to start cutting things up as was suggested in another thread.

From time to time I need to deactivate the primer slider, so I remove the spring. I find removing the spring difficult. Maybe I just need more practice. So, I wish there were an easier way to deactivate the primer slider.

I loaded, progressively, about 40 rounds of 357 mag this morning. I used the case feeder. The process mostly went well. Every primer seated, none of the cases activated the powder check, the consistency of OAL is acceptable, but not perfect. I am more concerned with crimping into the cannelure anyway which every round is.

Once or twice, I had that primer issue which I described in another thread. A primer somehow got stuck under the shell plate wedged in with the primer pin. At this point, I cannot say why this happening. At first I thought the vibration of just using the press knocked it off the pin if there was no case. Then I thought I may have tried to prime an already primed case. So, not sure what's going on with this. I DID read the information posted here about the primer system.

Also, maybe 5 times, after the case was pushed into station 1, the case moved out a bit. Enough that it jammed the press as the ram went up - because the case wouldn't go into the die. So, I had to pause to readjust the case position.

During one or two of these pauses, whether it be for the case issue, or the primer issue, I forgot to insert a bullet. So, I ended up with a bin with powder in it and an empty primed case. Of course, that's user error.

OK - finally a little scare that I had. It made me just walk away to take a breath and type all this. So, a few months ago, I fearfully removed a live primer from a case. I covered my turret press with some kind of covering. I put on leather gloves. Put on my glasses and hearing protection. Stood as far away from my press as I could while still grasping the handle. And then at the slowest imaginable speed, raised the ram until the primer popped out. There was no problem. Fast forward to today. I decided I need to complete the 2 cases which were primed that I had accidentally forgotten to put a bullet in. So, forgetting that they were already primed, I dropped them into the case tube. Then, without the slightest hesitation and none of the safeties as described above (except glasses), I resized and decapped! The moment I heard the little ping of the primer I knew what I did. No explosion :).

Anyway, I think this will be a good press for me. I will just have to get used to a new system and a new rhythm. I am happy with the purchase.
 
OK, something I do to keep a problem from snowballing.

When something happens (bullet falling over, case catches on a die, etc.) on the upstroke that needs correcting you are forced to use only one hand as your other hand has to hold the lever, so the carrier doesn't drop down and index the shell plate.

When this happens to me, I put an empty primer tray under the carrier to hold it above the indexing rod twist so I can let go of the lever and deal with the problem with both hands.
A primer tray may not be tall enough to do this on the sixpack, find something that is. :uhoh:
Once the problem is cleared, I grab the lever, raise the shell plate/carrier, remove the primer tray, and continue on...
Sorry for the bloviation, as I tend to over-explain things.
I hope this helps someone,
o_O
.
Edit: Add mock-up pics:
Tray.jpg
TrayUp.jpg
Sorry for the RCBS content in a Lee thread. :uhoh:
.
 
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Stefan,
I too a a fairly new owner of the pro 6000 and initially had similar issues with the primer seat pin and dropped primers. I don't know if you have the newer tapered pin in your press or not but I replaced the original straight wall pin and the problem seems to have gone away. I am not sure why this would effect it but it did.
I also like you have had to pull cases to check different steps in the process and wish there was a better way to disable the primer feed system. Its also difficult to remove the primer feed tray when its full of primers without spilling then all over the place.
All of my loading so far has been 38sp & 357 Mag loads. I have had a few issues using the case feeder mostly with 357 cases where when I get down to 2 or 3 cases in the tube it drops 2 cases and I have to stop and manually fix it before pulling the lever to load another case. This in one case caused me to double or partially double charge a case fortunately I have an rcbs powder stop and I caught it.
I will soon be moving on to setting up for 9mm loads but so far my impression is about the same as yours. Coming from a Lee Classic Turret its faster but you have to pay closer attention and with time and practice I will get better and more comfortable at it. For the price and for my purposes this is a good press and probably the best bang for the buck. I have and never had any allusion that it would be perfect because its seems all progressive presses have some quirks.
One thing that I might consider is pre priming and sizing my brass and storing it for future reload sessions. This can be done on the progressive press pretty fast and would make reloading sessions less prone to problems at least when it comes to priming. I think a lot of folks do this on other presses for better results.
 
Good to hear your progress and my experience with the press helped another member.

Particularly with powder leaking. I wish they would take the time to mod their powder measure with the attention they have put into this press. I have watched enough videos, taken these powder measures apart, generally fiddled with them enough to know that this is a product that needs more time in R&D. I don't like powder spilling out of the measure
And why I suggested those having powder leaking down to station #2 issue to powder charge away from station #2 and Lee Precision (Calvin reported John Lee personally redesigned the priming rod/pin to address this issue with "self cleaning" updated pin).

A primer somehow got stuck under the shell plate wedged in with the primer pin. At this point, I cannot say why this happening. At first I thought the vibration of just using the press knocked it off the pin if there was no case. Then I thought I may have tried to prime an already primed case. So, not sure what's going on with this. I DID read the information posted here about the primer system.
OK, let's cover this more in detail starting with priming system.

New priming system on SPP/Pro 6000 kit uses primer sliders (Updated longer grey sliders) with primer guides attached at the ends (Picture shows upside down sliders/guides to show "1/2" numbers on sliders and "S/L" on guides)

index.php


Primer slider/guide shown right side up with "ribs" that move primer in chute/trough to the right side for pick up as guide/slider moves back towards ram/shellplate.
index.php


It's the primer guide that picks up and push the primer into station #2 on top of the priming rod/pin. And if no case is present in station #2, primer guide will pull primer back and slide it back and forth on the slider channel/trough.
index.php

index.php


I found primer guide won't set the primer on top of priming rod/pin centered consistently if:
  • Primer guide is not inserted fully and not in line with the slider
  • Priming rod/pin doesn't drop down slightly below flush
  • Shellplate is loose and lifts up where primer transitions from slider channel/trough to shellplate
So make sure the shellplate is tight (Which you already checked). Watch the primer guide carefully as it enters station #2 to make sure it enters station #2 fully without lifting up/hanging up. If you see any movement of guide up and down, actuate the priming pin up and down to see if pin top drops down slightly under the channel/trough surface.

If priming rod/pin doesn't drop down fully and top is above the channel/trough surface, there may be powder at bottom of lower cover preventing priming pin from dropping fully (And why Lee Precision updated the bottom cover from round to larger triangle shaped opening to be "self cleaning"). Picture shows updated bottom cover with triangle shaped opening.

index.php


Also, maybe 5 times, after the case was pushed into station 1, the case moved out a bit. Enough that it jammed the press as the ram went up - because the case wouldn't go into the die. So, I had to pause to readjust the case position.
This is a known issue to Lee and they are working on it as we speak. I will update when I hear something back from Calvin.
 
OK, something I do to keep a problem from snowballing.

When something happens (bullet falling over, case catches on a die, etc.) on the upstroke that needs correcting you are forced to use only one hand as your other hand has to hold the lever, so the carrier doesn't drop down and index the shell plate.

When this happens to me, I put an empty primer tray under the carrier to hold it above the indexing rod twist so I can let go of the lever and deal with the problem with both hands.
A primer tray may not be tall enough to do this on the sixpack, find something that is. :uhoh:
Once the problem is cleared, I grab the lever, raise the shell plate/carrier, remove the primer tray, and continue on...
Sorry for the bloviation, as I tend to over-explain things.
I hope this helps someone,
o_O
.
Edit: Add mock-up pics:
View attachment 1129982
View attachment 1129983
Sorry for the RCBS content in a Lee thread. :uhoh:
.

Good tip. I will do this.

Stefan,
I too a a fairly new owner of the pro 6000 and initially had similar issues with the primer seat pin and dropped primers. I don't know if you have the newer tapered pin in your press or not but I replaced the original straight wall pin and the problem seems to have gone away. I am not sure why this would effect it but it did.
I also like you have had to pull cases to check different steps in the process and wish there was a better way to disable the primer feed system. Its also difficult to remove the primer feed tray when its full of primers without spilling then all over the place.
All of my loading so far has been 38sp & 357 Mag loads. I have had a few issues using the case feeder mostly with 357 cases where when I get down to 2 or 3 cases in the tube it drops 2 cases and I have to stop and manually fix it before pulling the lever to load another case. This in one case caused me to double or partially double charge a case fortunately I have an rcbs powder stop and I caught it.
I will soon be moving on to setting up for 9mm loads but so far my impression is about the same as yours. Coming from a Lee Classic Turret its faster but you have to pay closer attention and with time and practice I will get better and more comfortable at it. For the price and for my purposes this is a good press and probably the best bang for the buck. I have and never had any allusion that it would be perfect because its seems all progressive presses have some quirks.
One thing that I might consider is pre priming and sizing my brass and storing it for future reload sessions. This can be done on the progressive press pretty fast and would make reloading sessions less prone to problems at least when it comes to priming. I think a lot of folks do this on other presses for better results.
I am glad I'm not the only one with some of these same problems. Means that maybe it's not ALL my fault :). I am pretty sure it's the updated primer pin, haven't figured out how to manually manipulate it to see the whole thing. Unless I take the whole machine apart. All of the other parts are updated parts. Yes, the Lee primer tray is not the greatest. I try to put it on lock, and the switch is on lock, but it's not really locked. So then primers fall out. You have to finesse that switch just right. I don't think I'm picturing your case feeding problem.
 
And why I suggested those having powder leaking down to station #2 issue to powder charge away from station #2 and Lee Precision (Calvin reported John Lee personally redesigned the priming rod/pin to address this issue with "self cleaning" updated pin).

I suppose I could do that now, but when the bullet feed system comes available, which I plan to get, there will not be room to put the powder charge anywhere else but 2. I am using the DAA powder check. I suppose if I seat and crimp in one step, I could leave 2 empty.

  • Primer guide is not inserted fully and not in line with the slider
  • Priming rod/pin doesn't drop down slightly below flush
  • Shellplate is loose and lifts up where primer transitions from slider channel/trough to shellplate

Shellplate is tight. Pretty sure guide is inserted fully and that the pin is dropping far enough. Please see video

This is a known issue to Lee and they are working on it as we speak. I will update when I hear something back from Calvin.
That's great to hear
<iframe width="648" height="1152" src="" title="Primer pin action on Lee Pro 6000" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
Good tip. I will do this.


I am glad I'm not the only one with some of these same problems. Means that maybe it's not ALL my fault :). I am pretty sure it's the updated primer pin, haven't figured out how to manually manipulate it to see the whole thing. Unless I take the whole machine apart. All of the other parts are updated parts. Yes, the Lee primer tray is not the greatest. I try to put it on lock, and the switch is on lock, but it's not really locked. So then primers fall out. You have to finesse that switch just right. I don't think I'm picturing your case feeding problem.

""I am pretty sure it's the updated primer pin,""
The clearance/undercut of the updated pin to allow powder to flush out is cylindrical because of the equipment used to manufacture it and allows the pin to "wobble/move" off-center during its travel.

A better design would be cutting longitudinal flats that would leave 3 or 4 corners still at full diameter to keep the pin on center/straight throughout its travel.
Much like the triangular hole in the "updated/self cleaning" bottom cover that has 3 points still touching the pin to keep it centered.
Of course, those flats would need to stop short of the end to maintain a full diameter to push/seat the primer.

This is not possible on a machine that only cuts diameters, unless it has a secondary cutter/spindle.
A cnc mill could machine flats or splines along that diameter, parallel to the centerline, as well as cut the diameter via circular interpolation programming.

Just my opinion, I am not an expert, but have spent some work time in the manufacturing world.
I am hoping someone at Lee sees this post and it sparks some ideas related to your/this problem.
jmo,
.
 
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From time to time I need to deactivate the primer slider, so I remove the spring. I find removing the spring difficult. Maybe I just need more practice. So, I wish there were an easier way to deactivate the primer slider.
I found this interesting, as I couldn't think of why you'd want to deactivate the primer slider.

If you don't want to prime a case, just removed the case after it goes into Station 1. Without a case present, the primer will be drawn back by the primer guide and another primer will not feed
 
Particularly with powder leaking. I wish they would take the time to mod their powder measure with the attention they have put into this press. I have watched enough videos, taken these powder measures apart, generally fiddled with them enough to know that this is a product that needs more time in R&D.
I'm interested in what is causing this, I've read about it several times, but I haven't experienced this yet. I loading with WST which is a pretty fine grain powder and you'd think, if it was going to leak, I would have seen it by now.

I understand some of it is caused by tightness of the rotor or flashing on the plastic parts. This is my first Lee Autodrum and I was ready to address flashing...being as old time plastic modeler...but I couldn't find any. I had more metal flashing on the cast parts of my Hornady LNL than I could find on the Lee
 
I suppose I could do that now, but when the bullet feed system comes available, which I plan to get, there will not be room to put the powder charge anywhere else but 2. I am using the DAA powder check. I suppose if I seat and crimp in one step, I could leave 2 empty.



Shellplate is tight. Pretty sure guide is inserted fully and that the pin is dropping far enough. Please see video


That's great to hear
<iframe width="648" height="1152" src="" title="Primer pin action on Lee Pro 6000" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>


Thanks for the vid.:thumbup:

It looks (to me) like the pin and primer shift to the Left (towards the center of the shell-plate) as it reaches the top of its stroke.
It's like the pin is moving left into the clearance cut under the top-end of the pin.
At loading speed, with no case in place, I'm guessing that side to side movement could flip the primer sideways or off the pin, etc.
I have to believe if there were a case it place that would not happen though.
sorry for the wag theory,
.
 
I really wish it was easier to take cases in and out of the shell holder at any station. This would greatly aid in the testing phase.
I know what you're talking about. Coming from a Hornady (spring) and Dillon (pins) the Lee was a Stop-n-Think moment for me.

While I was learning the process of using the press, I'd:
1. loosened the screws of the case retainers so that they'd be easy to swing out
2. raise the shell plate to clear the guide rod
3. rotate the plate with my thumb to align the case with the cut outs.
4. rotate plate back into position to align with guide rod
 
Please see video
While the updated "self cleaning" priming rod/pin will clear powder as press operates, if you have that much powder in station #2, I would use a small brush or compressed air to clear powder granules before I continue operating the press.

Then I would clear the shellplate of cases and operate the press several times to allow any debri/powder from underside of primer slider to drop down the round/rectangle holes cut into the channel/trough to clear before resuming reloading.

index.php


Only way for primer to get caught and dragged under the shellplate is if primer guide does not pull the primer back away from station #2. This could happen due to factors I listed in previous post.

Clear/clean the press first and make sure everything operates properly while closely watching what happens in station #2 with primer guide WITHOUT primers or cases. Initially operate the ram lever slowly then faster to see primer slider is sliding smoothly without jerky movement or snagging on tabs.

NOTE: Primer must be pulled back reliably when there is no case present. Slider being jerky or snagging on hold down tabs (or debri/powder under the slider) could shake/move primer guide up/down to affect its ability to slide primer on top of priming rod/pin and pull back out. If this is not done reliably, then primer will be left on top of priming pin to fall off and get caught with/under the shellplate.
 
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Not related to the press, but I just messed up. Please tell me if this is really bad, or if I can get away with this. I accidentally dumped about 15 grains of ACC #9 into an almost full 1lb bottle of Acc. #5. Do I need to throw the bottle of #5 away?
 
Use a shop vac and remove the top layer where it went. May want to use a cloth over the nozzle to control the flow.
Thanks, but that's not going to work for me. I don't have a shop vac. Plus, it's in the original container which I can't see into with a much smaller opening than the rest of the bottle. I'd be doing it blind. This situation is going to be either I throw it away, or it's not enough to matter. When I say not enough to matter, I'm talking about danger - not accuracy.
 
Not related to the press, but I just messed up. Please tell me if this is really bad, or if I can get away with this. I accidentally dumped about 15 grains of ACC #9 into an almost full 1lb bottle of Acc. #5. Do I need to throw the bottle of #5 away?

Take this with grain of salt but It seems to me that 15 grains of powder mixed with nearly a pound of other powder would be less than 1`% contamination. If it were me I would just put the lid on it and shake it really good to make sure its mixed up well and call it a day.
hopefully someone who knows more than me will chime in and correct me if I am Wrong.
 
Time to spread it for fertilizer. Mixed powder is not something to guesstimate in my opinion. Is your hand or eye worth more than a 1lb container of powder?
 
Not related to the press, but I just messed up. Please tell me if this is really bad, or if I can get away with this. I accidentally dumped about 15 grains of ACC #9 into an almost full 1lb bottle of Acc. #5. Do I need to throw the bottle of #5 away?
Blend it and forget it. 15gr in 7000gr (7000gr/lb) of a much slower powder is insignificant.
If you had done the opposite - 15gr of No.5 in a pound of No.9 - it would be more serious but still insignificant for most circumstances. Chute it!
 
.......
Also, maybe 5 times, after the case was pushed into station 1, the case moved out a bit. Enough that it jammed the press as the ram went up - because the case wouldn't go into the die. So, I had to pause to readjust the case position.

I could be wrong, but I think the problem with case sticking to the shuttle is most likely clearance between the shuttle and the rail. It happened with .357 mag? Which has a protruding rim? and the rim could slide under the shuttle just a little? Betcha if you were to place a .357 case next to the removed slider, and cut a recess the height of the rim back just the distance between the case and the edge of the rim it would never happen again. Probably would do that with 30-30 rifle, and other revolver cases too. I doubt seriously whether that little mod would affect any other case.
 
Thanks, but that's not going to work for me. I don't have a shop vac. Plus, it's in the original container which I can't see into with a much smaller opening than the rest of the bottle. I'd be doing it blind. This situation is going to be either I throw it away, or it's not enough to matter. When I say not enough to matter, I'm talking about danger - not accuracy.

Use your regular vac and attach (tape) a small hose to the nozzle. If the opening is that small all the powder poured in is going to be concentrated in a very small opening. Just under the opening/cap/lid, unless you shaken the bottle.
 
Thanks, but that's not going to work for me. I don't have a shop vac. Plus, it's in the original container which I can't see into with a much smaller opening than the rest of the bottle. I'd be doing it blind. This situation is going to be either I throw it away, or it's not enough to matter. When I say not enough to matter, I'm talking about danger - not accuracy.

Don't worry about it. 15 grains of fairly similar powder mixed into 7,000 grains is not gonna matter,!
Good that you don't have a shop vac as that is just insane,

Mix 15 grains of pepper into 7,000 grains of salt and see if you can find it,:)
 
What’s the acceptable percentage of powder contamination?
The clinical answer to that is NONE!
The practical answer to it it mix it in and don't worry about it. 15gr of slower powder mixed into faster powder won't make a bit of difference.
Like Geo Dude Florida said, the percentage of 15 gr mixed into nearly or 7000gr is meaningless. Stir it up, shake it up, dump it out on a cookie sheet and mix it in, and don't worry about it.
 
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