My initial impressions of the Lee pro 6000

Stefan A said:
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>
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It would be better to eliminate the powder getting into the priming pin area, instead of trying to compensate for it.

Track down the source of the (leaking) powder, is it from dropping powder into an unprimed case (?) that's operator error.
Is it from a Leaking Powder Measure?
Source that leak and/or re-adjust the drum tension to better seal or try a different drum if you have one.

If you cannot stop the leak, contact Lee, they will probably send you replacement drums.
If all that fails, as I suggested before, buy a Pro Auto-Disc Powder Measure. (or ask Lee to swop out the auto-drum powder measure for a Disc measure!).
LEE PRO AUTO-DISK POWDER MEASURE - Titan Reloading
jmo,
.
 
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jmorris said:
I bet you won’t have two containers on your bench from now on…
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That's something my early reloading mentors drilled into me. Also not to keep 8lb containers on the bench at all...1lb bottles are easier to handle and less expensive if you drop them or have to throw them out due to contamination
 
guzzi said:
Moving to a progressive is a big step.

And, experience w/ the press, i.e., fighting through the problems, will flatten out the learning curve. Keep loading and it will come. I will say that I pay particular attention to power levels when getting started and would recommend a powder cop, especially with fine-grained powders. Also, make sure your ram strokes are fully up and down - no "almost" here. Keep slogging!

Congratulations.
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GeoDudeFlorida said:
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!
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I cannot imagine how much powder I've scraped up and put back in the feeder. I'd gone broke if I had pitched it all. Just as long as you are using the same powder.
 
Stefan A said:
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.
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I have done things personally that I wouldn’t suggest others do. A couple of questions or “food for thought.”

How would you rate your luck as far as your reloading experience thus far?

Has it been so trouble/problem free you are willing to take on risks that are completely avoidable?

Or do you think a more rigid routine would help improve your experience more than just winging it and hoping for the best?
 
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NMexJim said:
I cannot imagine how much powder I've scraped up and put back in the feeder. I'd gone broke if I had pitched it all. Just as long as you are using the same powder.
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One of my sacrosanct rules is to not open two bottles of powder at the same time or while there is a possibility to cross-contaminate. Ask me how a know this! That said, if the bottle is indeed near full, I would shake it really well and get on with it. But, that's me.

If you're really worried, back off a grain.
 
jmorris said:
I have done things personally that I wouldn’t suggest others do. A couple of questions or “food for thought.”

How would you rate your luck as far as your reloading experience thus far?

Has it been so trouble/problem free you are willing to take on risks that are completely avoidable?

Or do you think a more rigid routine would help improve your experience more than just winging it and hoping for the best?
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My luck? Well, I haven't destroyed anything (except a few cases and primers). I haven't blown up any body parts or guns. So, am I lucky or just careful? I think careful. Well, except for that decapping thing - that was luck I think :). The experience has not been trouble free - especially moving to a progressive. But, I don't want to take risks that are avoidable. The question is (and has been answered by several people), exactly how much of a risk is this? I am working on a rigid routine. I think I have figured out when to do things and what to look at. But I am still slow - which is fine. Anyway, not 100% sure where you're going with these questions. Are you asking about the powder issue? Or reloading in general? Both?
 
Just probing so you could find your answer. The careful route is to not use contaminated powder.

You might not harm anything but ask those people who say shake and go to mix their powders too and they wouldn’t. Why?
 
DC Plumber said:
I was loading 45acp on my 6000 yesterday. I used the case feeder and only had to place a bullet manually. My load speed is between 9 and 10 seconds per round. No errors in 350 rounds except I ran out of primers twice and had to regroup. I love the 6000.
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My speed is probably a bit slower than yours at this point. Are you experienced with progressives, or is this your first one?
 
jmorris said:
Just probing so you could find your answer. The careful route is to not use contaminated powder.

You might not harm anything but ask those people who say shake and go to mix their powders too and they wouldn’t. Why?
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Well, no, they wouldn’t do it. That would be silly. But if they did it by accident in the same way I did, would they? I know all these guys are happy to encourage me to spend all my money :), but I don’t think they’d tell me to do something that would hurt me.
 
Stefan A said:
Well, no, they wouldn’t do it. That would be silly. But if they did it by accident in the same way I did, would they? I know all these guys are happy to encourage me to spend all my money :), but I don’t think they’d tell me to do something that would hurt me.
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And then there are those who did it but would never post that they did it or did it and didn't even realize they did it. ;)
 
Stefan A said:
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?
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Why not pour out 1/4 or 1/2 of the pound, and discard it? The Acc #9 would be on top, unless you moved the bottle around or mixed/shook it up. You'd lose a bit of powder, learn a lesson, and stay safe in the process.

I've been known to take a calculated risk now and then. I used to race motorcycles, both drag racing and road racing. Even more dangerous than that was all the years I rode motorcycles in and around the Washington D.C. area. I'm a bit older and wiser now, but still occasionally take a risk

I know what I would do, and it wouldn't be "getting away with it".

chris
 
There is contamination in everything we use eat or drink, Depends on the concentration if it is harmful or not.
Not advocating mixing powders but as already posted this is insignificant.
7000/15=466.6 grains

so 1 grain for every 466.6

I do not understand what some posters think is going to happen??
 
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Rule3 said:
I do not understand what some posters think is going to happen??
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Well, if I had to guess based on the responses, I think the big concern is, having, “gotten away with,” what should have been a teaching moment, the offender will not change their habits and make corrections to prevent a future recurrence. That’s how I read it. Could be wrong.
 
GeoDudeFlorida said:
Well, if I had to guess based on the responses, I think the big concern is, having, “gotten away with,” what should have been a teaching moment, the offender will not change their habits and make corrections to prevent a future recurrence. That’s how I read it. Could be wrong.
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Perhaps but I don't think so. They are just parroting back the only one bottle on the bench at a time. I think the OP is smart enough to not do it in the future
I am sure all of us had made a mistake! They are not looking at the details of the minute amount

I especially "like" the use a shop vac method.:confused:o_O How insane! If any of my vacs got close to a bottle of powder it would suck it all down in a second. But then there are those fear using a shop vac to clean up will cause a fire or explosion, but for some reason to suck out 15 grains in a bottle it's OK?? Like it will only get the top layer?
 
Rule3 said:
Perhaps but I don't think so. They are just parroting back the only one bottle on the bench at a time. I think the OP is smart enough to not do it in the future
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I solved that problem by eliminating “the bench” completely.
 
Rule3 said:
I especially "like" the use a shop vac method.:confused:o_O How insane! If any of my vacs got close to a bottle of powder it would suck it all down in a second.
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Thanks!!! This quote made me laugh and made me forget my problems even if it was just for a moment!!! Even a bad vac with poor suction would do a job on that bottle!!!

Thanks Again and God Bless! Stay Safe, no matter if you're inside loading or outside shooting!
 
Stefan A, like most people I started out on a single stage and for me it was in 1997. Then I got a Redding turret press and then I took the plunge and tried an inexpensive Lee load master probably around 8 years ago. I primarily load 45 Auto on it but I do a few other calibers in the switching over wasn't as fast as I wanted. Also as we all know the primer system wasn't perfect. So for me going to the 6000 I was familiar with Lee and the feel of the equipment. I thought the 6000 was a tremendous step upward from the loadmaster and I really enjoy using it but will only use it for handgun rounds as I use my turret for rifle.
 
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Stefan A said:
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.
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I used to feel that way on the Pro 1000. Sometimes it can't be helped, but for my part I now avoid anything that makes me remove in-process shells or manipulate the shell plate. I also tend to avoid half cycling except for set up... and even then. The breech lock system makes it really easy to remove dies that are getting in the way of what you are trying to do. That's one advantage over tool head systems.

I deprime with an APP and wet clean my brass, so I removed the decapping pin on the sizing die. I made up a couple of dozen "set up" brass that are sized and deprimed. I filled the primer pocket with a little silicone adhesive. I am sure others have done the same.

So here is how I set things up for a new "run" where the dies have been previously adjusted.
  1. I leave out or remove all my dies except for the sizing and powder through die. With the breech lock system it takes all of a minute*
  2. If I am making adjustments to COL or using a new bullet then I do that with the set up brass before I turn the powder measure on. I use a RCBS lockout die so that has to go on last.
  3. I load up one case feeder tube and run about 10-15 set up brass through the press to let things settle down.
  4. I justs let them spill, powder and all, into the catch bin.
  5. Then I run four or five through to weigh the charges. I just catch them with my hand as they come off the shell plate.
  6. Only then to I reinstall the other dies and load the primers.
 
I did a quick change from .223 to 9mm, including new plates for the case and bullet collators.

Tested the case collator on the 6000 this morning.....only two hickups.....both caused by short stroking....which is all I did while I tested the feeding.

Overall I think it was successful. Liking the press more and more....and the 3D printed quickchange works great.

BTW, if you have to have sound and waving hand talk....don't watch the video! ;)

 
I inadvertently, found a new hole cross-section that feeds 9mm really fast.....the plate above was created for feeding Lead boolets nose down for sizing....but the only collator I had extra to test with was my first one...a AmmoMike little guy, and the only plate I had for it was that nose down plate with it's unconventional bullet shaped hole. Did not expect that it would vomit those nines that fast and efficient, and 100% correctly oriented base down. Ha. Pure happenstance.

So I decided to print a bigger one today to take advantage of the discovery, to fit the bigger collators. As for blue kool-aid? Well does a blue picture of the new plate on my printer printing right now count?

9mm_Case_Plate_Super_E.jpg simple, huh?
 
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