Done with Progressive reloading

Not all progressive press are made equal. I hate to knock Lee products, but almost all the products that I have, and have had, required a little tinkering.

I'm sure people do sometimes, as their needs and interests change, or (like yours) if they never developed beyond a certain point.

A progressive reloader is a must-have tool for someone in many competitive disciplines and/or someone practicing/training at a certain level. If you are only shooting a few boxes of ammo a month, a single-stage may be all you ever need.

I'm sorry you haven't had good luck with your progressive press. I can't blame you for droping back to a single stage. As said above not all progressives are created equal. I load on two Dillon RL550b's without hitch. I have only had 1 hicup in the last 90,000 rounds loaded on my 550b's, and that was my fault when I tried polishing the SPP bar. I do load 7mm, and .300wm on a single stage, but I don't think I could ever go from a 550b to a single stage for pistol, and .223.

I can not RAVE enough about my Dillon 550b! Any problems have been me and not the machine.

I would say that your problem is specifically with Lee and not all progressive reloading machines.

I had success going from single stage first, then to turret, and then to the Pro1000. Unless doing precision rifle, there is no way I would have settled for the slow production of the single stage. But it works for you, and that's what matters.

The Pro1000 is a tinkerers machine, requiring talent and patience, as well as the ability to derive some satisfaction in getting it running smoothly, which is possible and common.

Your opinion would be different if you used a Dillon instead of that piece of junk.

Don't let the Lee progressive leave a bad taste in your mouth regarding the concept of progressive loading.

After 30+ years of single stage press use, I bought a Dillon 650 with most of the bells and whistles and couldn't be happier....and now, multiple caliber conversions later, I still am completely satisfied with its performance.

I have more progressives than anything else but still use turrets and single stage presses that I use from time to time.

If Lee was the only company that made progressive presses I would use them a lot more.

That's why most folks that have owned them tell the new guys to buy better equipment, the first time around and avoid the frustration.

The Dillon BL 550 Basic Loader looks like my old RL450, almost. Perfect for reloading a little faster than a single stage.

I wouldn't ditch all progressive presses because a Lee didn't work right. Lee is not even in the same league as a Dillon, and that is for a reason.

I've not had any Lee progressives, but use a lot of their other little tools, gadgets and dies, and think they offer a lot of nice stuff for the money. My progressive Dillon SDB works great once it's set up, but you still have to be REALLY diligent. But I know where the OP is coming from. My MEC 12ga is a semi progressive - you still have to turn the plate, and I've come to just load one at a time on it, which is still pretty fast - just too much can go wrong when the thing is loaded up with a shell at every station. I've dropped enough powder and shot at the wrong time!

If you get better made equipment from other makers, you might have a change of heart. I have had several Lee products over the last 3 decades. They have all been replaced by better stuff from other companies, red, blue and green

gsc3zny said:

Totally new to reloading, a lot more work than I thought it would be ... Is it like this for eveyone?

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Starting out and learning to reload on any progressive has a steeper learning curve than single stage reloading not easily mastered by everyone - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=8965013#post8965013

Has anyone else ever dropped down to single stage from progressive?

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When I had difficulty using my Pro 1000 in progressive mode at first, my reloading mentor had me use it in turret mode by loading only one round at a time. Once I became proficient, he had me go back to progressive mode. Some have posted once they became proficient with single stage reloading, coming back to progressive made it easier.

I bought a single stage Lee press and really enjoy it.

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Glad to hear. The ultimate reward of reloading is enjoy shooting our reloads.

I'm a fan of most everything Lee's put out, and I really like the Classic Cast single stage.


But when it comes to their progressives . . . not so much.

Don't let it swear you off from one. If you get a good quality progressive, once you get it set up and working it really works.

Not to ignore that a totally different budget for equipment would be necessary in order to use the highly touted machines. It's much more than a choice of brands for the sake of design and supposed quality.

OP. Some of what the others say about the Lee Pro1000 has merit. That press is an inexpensive setup that has a spotty reputation. I also stepped down from progressive reloading to a turret or a single stage press. At the time the move was precipitated more by the immediate need of funds, and to a lesser extent once I had loaded up all that ammo, I just didn't use the press anymore. So I sold my Super 1050 Dillon press, which was a magnificent tool.

Now I use the Lee Classic Cast Turret and a RCBS single stage press. They fit my present needs better, and I am content.

With all due respect, to all the posters whose solution to ANY Lee progressive problem is simply just another color progressive press, consider this.

OP is a new reloader and I have been working with the OP since OP's first post on THR. As we usually recommend for a new reloader, it would have been better if the OP had started out reloading on a single stage press but the OP came to THR already with a Pro 1000 asking for assistance.

Would the situation been different had the OP started out on a different progressive press? Perhaps. But when the OP already purchased a Pro 1000, simply posting that brand XYZ press is the solution won't help the OP's situation.


For this thread, the OP already decided to purchase a single stage press and simply posted if anyone else has gone from progressive to single stage.

gsc3zny said:

Has anyone else ever dropped down to single stage from progressive?

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I do hope the OP continues enjoying this wonderful hobby of reloading and increase the reloading knowledge and proficiency regardless of the color of equipment used.

OK, please resume Lee bashing.

No Lee bashing here, but a Pro 1000 is about the worst tool for a new loader to learn on, especially at home by himself.


Enjoy that single stage! You'll use it even if you get a good progressive.

BullfrogKen said:

Pro 1000 is about the worst tool for a new loader to learn on, especially at home by himself.

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Yes, no arguing there. It is definitely not for everyone - I think it should have some sort of a warning label on the box ...

I myself would sell the Pro and buy a Classic Turret Press. I am now getting just over 200 rounds an hour with mine if I try. Most times it is around 175ish. Loading .380, 9mm, .223 and .308 on it. Nary the problem.

To bds,

I take your point - did not know he was new to reloading and receiving your help. I think that after re-reading the OP I would rephrase my statement to something like this;

"Rather than move to a single stage press - which for most of us is too slow and time consuming - I would get your current set-up to work to your satisfaction. Seek help from someone familiar with your Lee reloader, if that doesn't work contact Lee with your concerns."

Have you scanned through the many videos online?

http://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?p=Lee+Pro+1000+video

To me, the use of a single stage or progressive depends on the volume of shooting that one does and the amount of time he has to devote to reloading. Reloading itself is a great hobby and I've been doing it for more than 40 years. For rifle, I do use a single stage since I normally only shoot 60 to 100 rounds every month or so. However, I would not give up my progressive for handgun calibers as I shoot 300 to 500 rounds weekly and don't want to spend the time necesary to reload them on a single stage. I will not bash any make of equipment that one wants to buy and use as we all have our own preferences. However, there will always be differences in quality, ease of operation, and varying amounts of adjustments/maintenance needed to keep things working between the various brands available.