Tell me if I'm crazy, observations about the Lee ALBP

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mljdeckard

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So I was coming off of a long out-of town assignment where I made a little extra cash, and I had planned to upgrade from s hand press and a single-stage to a Lee Classic Turret. But the ad goblins showed me that the Lee Auto Lock Breech Pro was actually cheaper, like $109 from Midway, So I jumped on it.

Now, to be fair, to actually get it up and running, (especially if you have no other reloading equipment already,) you will probably double that in adding a auto-disk powder measure, priming tool, dies, etc. Also I made a pedestal upon which to mount it out of 2x4 scraps I had, which left it sitting too high, and contributed to the problem I had with a squib I talked about a couple of weeks ago in another thread. So I paid for a Lyman universal stand that is about 10", and put a lamp on it to be able to look down into every single case to verify a charge. That was like $57. The upstroke is sometimes stiff, so you will need a solid mount that will prevent it lifting off the floor.

The plastic pieces work fine, but you will probably chew a few of them up in figuring out how this thing works. It's ok, replacements from Lee are very cheap.

I got the case feeder and collator. The collator works pretty well, it only inverts about 1/100 cases. (Or, I can just have my juvenile range slaves feed them into the tubes manually.) The problem is, WHEN it messes up, it interrupts the entire process. You have to manually de-index, remove cases, etc. If it double-feeds a case, or one fails to go all the way into position, it makes it very easy to crush the case, damage the slide plank, or both. It was arguing with this process that allowed me to miss an empty case and get a squib. So I removed the case feeder. I have a bin of cases and a bin of bullets. It doesn't take that much time to place a case, and the feeding is far more reliable. So far I don't miss it at all.

The other thing is, I started skipping stations when I feed. When I had the squib, I backed off and started running only one case through the entire process. I found that it was much easier and smoother. So I clocked it. I can run a single case through the entire process in about 17 seconds. So I tried running all four again, and found that doing every process, every time, takes about 15 seconds. I was almost as fast with single cases as I had been running it as full progressive. But of course the other half of my brain asks; "If you are only running one case at a time, THEN WHY GET A PROGRESSIVE AT ALL? Why did you not just get the turret like you planned to in the first place?" So I tried running two at a time, every other station. This reduces the actcual time per round to about ten seconds. TO ME, that makes more sense than 15 seconds per station as full progressive?

Am I completely crazy? Is this just what I get for running a progressive that's non-blue?
 
I found the same frustrations as you, when I added the case feeder and collator. I tried the "penny trick" with a washer-headed screw, which seemed to eliminate the mouth-down cases, but the last case in the tube would bounce under the head, and, if missed, would get crushed. So, like you, I removed the feeder, and am going to run it as an "advanced turret", one case all the way around, which suits my needs just fine, and I can try again if my abilities increase at the same pace as my needs.
 
I am thinking about buying one. I would like to hear more reviews from members like you who have been using them for awhile now. There were was some good threads when they 1st came out. Thanks in advance.
 
Do what makes you comfortable and loads good, mistake free ammunition. As you get more comfortable with the machine and process, you can try putting the whole process back together.

On my progressive presses including a couple blue ones, I separate the resizing/depriming process from loading. Also, I prefer to prime off the press. I do the processes by batches.

I can really fly when resizing hand gun cases. Then when loading, the resizing process does not cause interference with the loading process, since it is already done, and I can conscentrate on loading. Also, jams are fewer and easier to clear without the resizing process being worked while loading.

Again, if it works for you, that is what you need. Some folks feel that you are wasting a progressive press if you do not load from fired case to loaded round. That would be a worthwhile goal but not worth the safety issues and mistakes until you are comfortable with the press and its operation.
 
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I bought the Auto-Breech when they first came out. Midsouth Shooters had a pretty good deal on them along with the shell plates. I kind of fiddled with it here and there, but found it needs a lot of concentration. I use the case Universal case feeder. I haven't gotten a bullet feeder, as I too like to look into each case to verify powder level.

Late in the summer I realized that I needed to catch up on some 9s and 380s. Seven hundred rounds total. Somewhere along the line, I changed the case feeder height, or it came loose. I crunched a case and it damaged the plastic that the case rides on. Looks to be about $5 and shipping. I think I will order the other plastic pieces also. They are of fair pricing. So for now, the LCT is back in its' respected position. :)

All in all, the Auto-Breech is a good buy. I'm just not sure I'm ready for all the hustle.
 
I like my Classic 4 hole Turrets press. The Auto Lock Breech Pro looks like a good solid press but I am fully invested in accessories meant for the LCT press and buying the breech lock bushings and shell plates necessary to load all the cartridges I now load would be prohibitive. Every handgun cartridge would cost me in excess of $18.50 in breech lock bushings alone.

Sure it's cheaper than buying Dillon or RCBS parts but still a cost I don't need.
 
Lee replacement parts only cost the shipping. The cost of the parts is covered under their warranty/guarantee. Add them to your cart and checkout and you'll see.
 
The reason for the progressive instead of a turret even with only one die going is the case feeder. Even if I'm just decapping cases, I can rip through 300 cases on the ABLP faster than I could on the LCT that I had. A case ejector on the LCT helps, but the feeder and ejector on the ABLP are better.

I've used the case feeder on mine for thousands and thousands of rounds. It's not perfect, but I've learned to adapt to it and it never slows me down. Even if I had a better press like a Dillon, the ABLP would still be ideal for processing brass. If I load up the case feeder and then send the brass through the decapper, neck sizer, body sizer, and expander stations, my brass comes out ready to clean, prime and load. I don't see how another press for any amount of money could do it better unless it was fully motorized -- something people have done with the Dillon that I wouldn't attempt with the Lee.

Now in loading (charging cases, seating bullets, crimping), I suspect the Lee equipment is lacking a bit in precision, especially compared to the best single-stage presses. It's doubtful the consistency of seat depth and concentricity are the highest. Also, I have the Lee bullet feeder and it worked wonderfully for a few hundred rounds and then it just started malfunctioning so often that it was wasting far more time than I could possibly hope to save with it.

To avoid squibs, I highly recommend the RCBS Lock Out die. Since I acquired it, I always use it.

The ABLP pro also has case size limits that the LCT and most other presses don't have. I only load handgun and AR-15 size cartridges on it. I also load for very few cartridges. I agree that if one loads for many different cartridges, consideration has to be given to the changeover steps required and what equipment is needed. I would not want to do a lot of changeovers on the ABLP -- but I would consider buying one for each cartridge I load and leaving it set up. A Dillion would probably be better in the end. As it is, I'm almost totally focused on one cartridge and the ABLP works fine. If I add another cartridge besides the few I do already, it would be too big for the Lee, low-volume, and I would go back to a single-stage.

So I'm really happy with how the Lee offers me progressive capability without having to afford a Dillon which I would just not make the most of.
 
It was arguing with this process that allowed me to miss an empty case and get a squib.

I use a Lee turret press, and the inability to put eyes on each powder charge is why I've not yet jumped all over this new Lee ABLP progressive. With four die stations, there's no room for a powder cop or lock-out die, as I crimp separately from the seating. I guess if I run the progressive slow enough I can verify each charge, but then that defeats the purpose of the progressive press. Still watching out there for a solution to my dilemma.
 
I use a Lee turret press, and the inability to put eyes on each powder charge is why I've not yet jumped all over this new Lee ABLP progressive. With four die stations, there's no room for a powder cop or lock-out die, as I crimp separately from the seating. I guess if I run the progressive slow enough I can verify each charge, but then that defeats the purpose of the progressive press. Still watching out there for a solution to my dilemma.
I think of the progressive as putting out a round with every stroke of the handle rather something that allows flying along as if there are awards for rounds per hour.
 
The case feeder works very well when adjusted, but I say that using it so far only for 38 Special. For the much shorter cases like 380 and 9mm I would expect some problems with tumbling. The penny mod on the collator worked very well when developed for 9mm but I would be skeptical about the shorter 380.
 
04F56566-F9F5-4E46-9D87-55D0A116EA7C.jpeg 165F462B-F94C-4FEF-91F4-3FAA73840A54.jpeg Yep, sounds like a Lee product. You get what you pay for.
Don’t get me wrong, I own a lot of Lee Products, but I also own the higher priced spreads, there is no comparison.

Pictured is the Lee Classic Turret you mentioned. It’s a second press at our winter home in Florida. It cost a third of the price for a Dillon 550 but will never replace the Blue Press.
 
It took me a while to develop an eye for watching the case feeder to spot an upside down case. Progressive reloading just takes some time to develop a feel and an eye for checking multiple processes. Start slow.
 
It took me a while to develop an eye for watching the case feeder to spot an upside down case. Progressive reloading just takes some time to develop a feel and an eye for checking multiple processes. Start slow.

I agree with that and would also add, the more moving parts you have the more maintenance you need to do.

Dave
 
View attachment 870122 View attachment 870121 Yep, sounds like a Lee product. You get what you pay for.
Don’t get me wrong, I own a lot of Lee Products, but I also own the higher priced spreads, there is no comparison.

Pictured is the Lee Classic Turret you mentioned. It’s a second press at our winter home in Florida. It cost a third of the price for a Dillon 550 but will never replace the Blue Press.
Can't have a Lee thread without "get a Dillon" comments.
 
I say this time and time again. Some people should never go near a progressive press and others should never go near any press, Period. Not knocking anyone but some people just do not have the logic control to operate more tan one station at a time. Has nothing to do with what color the press is. In this case for you that want to talk about your Dillons, go start another topic. Your Dillon has no relevance to this topic.

mljdeckard so sorry to hear of your displeasure and the troubles you are having. I am familiar with your other topic on this as I responded there as well. As I stated above, progressive presses aren't for everyone and agree that maybe you would have been better suited to a turret press. I also have one of these presses and am actually quite happy with it, though it does have it's faults/flaws. I also have a Pro1000 which is basically the same design only the shellplate carrier does not have any plastic on it which is the way it should be. Also the case feeder with the spring is not as reliable or as positive as the Z bar on the Pro1000.

Still a bit confused by your last paragraph. That running 1 case thru takes 17 seconds to make one full rotation and produce 1 finished round. Yet when you fill the shell plate it takes 15 seconds yet you don't say how long to would have taken to complete that rotation and had 4 finished rounds with the press empty again.

I have been using my ABLP and have been running 380, 9mm and 45acp thru it and will admit there was a relearning curve to it from moving over from my Pro1000 press to this press even though they are pretty much the same press with one being a 3 station and the other a 4 station and the both use different priming systems.

In my view and with my use I wish that when Lee decided to make their upgrade that they would have kept the Pro1000 basic design and just added the new base and a 4th station and kept all the plastic covering off. Guess injection molded plastic is cheaper to make than diecast metal.
 
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In my view and with my use I wish that when Lee decided to make their upgrade that they would have kept the Pro1000 basic design and just added the new base and a 4th station and kept all the plastic covering off. Guess injection molded plastic is cheaper to make than diecast metal.
Lee is clear enough that strength parts are aluminum and others are synthetic, suitable to the duty. In all sorts of applications, some form of plastic is often the superior material choice, at least suitable, as well as provides a savings in cost.
 
Lee is clear enough that strength parts are aluminum and others are synthetic, suitable to the duty. In all sorts of applications, some form of plastic is often the superior material choice, at least suitable, as well as provides a savings in cost.

Lee as the manufacture can state whatever they want. From 1st hand use I strongly disagree with their assertion that this is a viable and suitable solution. I have never had a problem wearing or damaging the carrier on my Pro1000 which is all metal and operates exactly the same way.. Whereas I can find many examples of people having to replace this plastic cover on their ABLP after just a short use.
 
Lee as the manufacture can state whatever they want. From 1st hand use I strongly disagree with their assertion that this is a viable and suitable solution. I have never had a problem wearing or damaging the carrier on my Pro1000 which is all metal and operates exactly the same way.. Whereas I can find many examples of people having to replace this plastic cover on their ABLP after just a short use.
My turn might come, but I don't run my press recklessly enough to break things under force of the ram. I watch the stations carefully and don't pull the lever until I think everything is lined up. I use a case feeder, no bullet feeder, and I decap/prime on the press. I am loading 38 Special, so the cases are pretty easy to see. I pay particular attention to the case feed.
 
I don't mind all of the Dillon suggestions. I asked if this was what I get for using something non-blue. I am not under any illusions that the "you get what you pay for" rule doesn't apply most of the time in most situations. I honestly don't know whether more expensive presses have their own learning curve, this is the only one I have ever tried.

The die-changing hardware was no big deal to me, I already had a lot of lock ring eliminators because I had been running the hand press. The only irritating thing about switching setup for another cartridge is that the lock rings sit so close together, you have to be careful how you set them to allow space for the others to pivot and drop into their sockets.

I do verify every powder charge now, it requires leaning over and watching. I looked up the lockout die, and honestly, it seems to me like adding another die, which would require me to split my process into two parts just isn't worth it. At least not right now. Instead of ten seconds a round, which is what I am doing now, I would have to go back to the one case per station with each stroke, which is actually slower, save those half-finished cases, change the setup of the press for part two, and run all the same cases AGAIN. Which leads me back to wondering why a progressive press is any advantage at all?

I'm still running heavy rifle cases on the single-stage. I only plan to use the progressive for bulk ammo. I will use this one for .45, 9mm, 5.56, and 22 TCM. Maybe .30 Carbine.

I don't mean to be confusing with the timing claims. What I meant to say is, running all four stations with each process each time takes about 15 seconds a stroke. This is because with each upstroke I place a primer. With each down stroke, I have to check the case feeding, place a bullet, verify charge, and the stroking itself is more strenuous because each stroke has to size a case, where nearly all of the resistance happens. A single case is almost as fast as a single stroke when running all four stations, and running a case in every other station is about 20 seconds a cycle, or ten seconds a finished round.

Yes, the good news is, the plastic replacement parts are free, or almost free. I will need a new plastic base plate. The plank that the case feeder ram slides on is so dinged right now, I would have to go after it with a file to make it run smoothly. The only reason I haven't ordered one yet, is that I wanted to get through my initial 9mm batch before I get ready to start taking it apart. My case ejector is also well-chewed.
 
I use a Lee turret press, and the inability to put eyes on each powder charge is why I've not yet jumped all over this new Lee ABLP progressive. With four die stations, there's no room for a powder cop or lock-out die, as I crimp separately from the seating. I guess if I run the progressive slow enough I can verify each charge, but then that defeats the purpose of the progressive press. Still watching out there for a solution to my dilemma.

If you use the case feeder and runs the cases through twice, you get 8 die stations. I use all 8 because I crimp separately from seating, and I also expand separately from charging. I also resize the neck separately from the body. Doing this on a turret would require a lot of lever pulls.

Doing 4 + 4 operations isn't a hassle because there is a logical separation between brass preparation: depriming, resizing body, resizing neck, and expanding, priming and case cleaning -- and actual loading: powder charging, lock-out check, bullet seating, and crimp. I don't usually do the operations even on the same day. I'll wait until I have 700 to 1000 used shells to process. I usually rinse and dry them, and then I run them through the first four stations, clean them (wet tumbler and dry), and prime them. Then they go into my inventory of ready-to-load brass.

When I want to load cartridges, I start with brass that's ready to go, not brass that I have to decap, take off the press and clean the primer pocket or leave it dirty, and then do resizing and expanding at the same time I'm trying to get accurate powder throws.
 
My turn might come, but I don't run my press recklessly enough to break things under force of the ram.

I am loading 38 Special, so the cases are pretty easy to see. I pay particular attention to the case feed.

I don't have a problem with a difference of opinion which as I stated my wish would be that the carrier didn't have the plastic. What was working worked perfectly fine so in my minds eye the change was made for budgetary reasons and not for any functional reason. After almost 1 year of use I am still on the original plastic cover so yes we will see how long it lasts. I have loaded 380auto, 9mm and 45acp on this press and am quite happy with it.

I have advocated for this press since I bought mine and used it. To me this press is a hybrid of the turret press and the Pro1000. It is much faster than the turret when used as a progressive and doesn't have the priming issues of the Pro1000. My opinion is for someone beginning and only loading pistol calibers the best value in a press is either the Lee Turret press or this Auto Breech Lock Pro. They are simple to set up will produce a lot of pistol ammo.

The advantage of a progressive press in to put in a shell, index and repeat until one finished round is coming from the press with each pull of the handle. If you are not doing that then you lost the advantage of the press. That is the same for a 3 station press (Pro1000), 4 station press or a 5 station press.
 
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