Load Master Vs. Pro 4000

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Mark_Mark

Mark_Mark

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077AEFB6-2E96-42AE-B8BA-C5235691D3F2.jpeg Alright, I bought the Lee Pro 4000 9mm kit for $262 shipped. Then today Midways comes with a Sale of the Load Master 9mm kit for $290, $319 shipped

What should I do? The 4000 can be returned or canceled easy because it’s from Amazon. Should I get the Load Master?
 
I have never used a Load Master though I have used and do own one of each of the others.
I have gone this way because of the simplicity of these presses. Yes even the lowly Pro1000. I find I do not need more than 3 stations to load very reliable and functional pistol ammo. Last I ran it I loaded 1800 9mm on it w/o a single primer failure. And yes I prime on that press.

If it were me I would stand pat.
 
Load Master Looks Beefy! and I probably won’t need 5 station but having a powder check die might be cool
 
load-master 100% love mine. just got it. works awesome. get the universal decapper die and the factory carbide crimp die also in 9mm.
might as well get the case collator too even though it needs a mod to work properly with 9mm.
 
I personally like a lee loadmaster, I do not have a new model my model is 1990ish and the case feeder was ripped out of frame when I bought it. Prriming issues plagued me to the point I removed the priming set up and I hand primed and loaded ammo separately.

I feel the 4000 is a better machine, but if a new load master could run and not fail I would not be opposed.

Mike's reloading bench used to make a ton of awesome products for the loadmaster and I own everything except his primer mod service..... I have no idea why I don't I just wasn't willing to pay the 80 dollars (Typing that looks stupid)

I will now admit I have moved onto Dillon precision equipment and will not look back, I spent years chasing different manufacturers of equipment LEE, RCBS, CH AUTO CHAMPION, STAR PROGRESSIVE, STAR UNIVERSAL, RPD 1500, DILLON 450, DILLON 650, DILLON RL1000. I owned and used all the above presses and in the end Dillon presses win.
 
KY DAN said:
I personally like a lee loadmaster, I do not have a new model my model is 1990ish and the case feeder was ripped out of frame when I bought it. Prriming issues plagued me to the point I removed the priming set up and I hand primed and loaded ammo separately.

I feel the 4000 is a better machine, but if a new load master could run and not fail I would not be opposed.

Mike's reloading bench used to make a ton of awesome products for the loadmaster and I own everything except his primer mod service..... I have no idea why I don't I just wasn't willing to pay the 80 dollars (Typing that looks stupid)

I will now admit I have moved onto Dillon precision equipment and will not look back, I spent years chasing different manufacturers of equipment LEE, RCBS, CH AUTO CHAMPION, STAR PROGRESSIVE, STAR UNIVERSAL, RPD 1500, DILLON 450, DILLON 650, DILLON RL1000. I owned and used all the above presses and in the end Dillon presses win.
Click to expand...
Thanks guys, after a short think about it. The main point of the project was Cheapo Reloading Progressive. The Pro 4000 is the latest and most plastic-ish Lee Makes, So I’ll Stick with Pro 4000 and make the Ultimate Cheap Lee Progressive.

Thanks Everyone!!!!
 
KY DAN said:
I personally like a lee loadmaster, I do not have a new model my model is 1990ish and the case feeder was ripped out of frame when I bought it. Prriming issues plagued me to the point I removed the priming set up and I hand primed and loaded ammo separately.

I feel the 4000 is a better machine, but if a new load master could run and not fail I would not be opposed.

Mike's reloading bench used to make a ton of awesome products for the loadmaster and I own everything except his primer mod service..... I have no idea why I don't I just wasn't willing to pay the 80 dollars (Typing that looks stupid)

I will now admit I have moved onto Dillon precision equipment and will not look back, I spent years chasing different manufacturers of equipment LEE, RCBS, CH AUTO CHAMPION, STAR PROGRESSIVE, STAR UNIVERSAL, RPD 1500, DILLON 450, DILLON 650, DILLON RL1000. I owned and used all the above presses and in the end Dillon presses win.
Click to expand...
Dillion Always wins! But Lee will sell you a VHS Player for $39!
 
I have the LEE ABLP (which is the press in the 4000 kit). I like it and it does a good job. I run in as-is, without any automation (no case feeder, no bullet feeder and no automatic powder drop).

The press is easy to use and makes good functional ammo. There is really nothing that can go wrong on the press, as it is quite basic. I can't speak to the add-ons. They strike me as a little rube-goldberg-ish.
 
I think on the upstroke is where you prime on a Lee Load Master so that make that station dedicated to certain ways of reloading, make it effectively only a 4 station press.
I don't know about the Loadmaster, but the Pro 1000 and Pro 4000 are different presses from the the days of old. They are much better.
 
WeekendReloader said:
I have the LEE ABLP (which is the press in the 4000 kit). I like it and it does a good job. I run in as-is, without any automation (no case feeder, no bullet feeder and no automatic powder drop).

The press is easy to use and makes good functional ammo. There is really nothing that can go wrong on the press, as it is quite basic. I can't speak to the add-ons. They strike me as a little rube-goldberg-ish.
Click to expand...
I agree.
The case feeder, the powder measure, dies, and shell plates are all your really need for add ons.
The case feeder works great after it's adjusted for the height of the case.
The riser for the powder measure should have came with it.
The bullet feeder is a little hokey, Very finicky. I'd stay away from it unless you like to aggravate yourself.
 
I must say the only reason I don't prime on this ABLP press is because I bought the basic ABLP and used case feeder and Pro Auto Disc off my old Pro 1000 on it.
I prime on an old Lee Auto Prime ll system on top off my Rockchucker for the ABLP for .357mag.
It's just what I've always done, just an old habit.
 
tightgroup tiger said:
I agree.
The case feeder, the powder measure, dies, and shell plates are all your really need for add ons.
The case feeder works great after it's adjusted for the height of the case.
The riser for the powder measure should have came with it.
The bullet feeder is a little hokey, Very finicky. I'd stay away from it unless you like to aggravate yourself.
Click to expand...
I bought the bullet feeder 3-6 months for $20, was on sale and I was trying to jury rig it for a lee APP. I’m defending going full on Progressive with feed on both end! Come on Lee! don’t let me down
 
WeekendReloader said:
I have the LEE ABLP (which is the press in the 4000 kit). I like it and it does a good job. I run in as-is, without any automation (no case feeder, no bullet feeder and no automatic powder drop).

The press is easy to use and makes good functional ammo. There is really nothing that can go wrong on the press, as it is quite basic. I can't speak to the add-ons. They strike me as a little rube-goldberg-ish.
Click to expand...
Alright, so the press is called the ABLP and the kit is called the Pro 4000. make sense
 
I also have the safety prime system. It works well.

You do need to pay attention to the process. If you forget to place a primer, you can dump powder into an unprimed case and make a mess. Been there, done that.
 
Mark_Mark said:
Alright, so the press is called the ABLP and the kit is called the Pro 4000. make sense
Click to expand...
Lee press users have been posting for sometime asking Lee Precision to come up with a 4 station press that addressed the issues with 3 station Pro 1000 and 5 station Load Master. And on THR, we even suggested the press be called Pro 4000 to denote "4 station progressive press".

When Lee was developing the new 4 station press, code name was "Pro 4000" but when it was released, it was called "Auto Breech Lock Pro" to denote actual function of Auto indexing, Breech Lock bushing, Progressive and users quickly nicknamed it ABLP.

Initially ABLP was offered as bare press only option but when the kit option was offered for various calibers, it was called Pro 4000 and I started interchanging the name ABLP/Pro 4000.

Many of us shorten the Pro 1000 to Pro1K so I may do the same and use Pro4K.
 
LiveLife said:
Lee press users have been posting for sometime asking Lee Precision to come up with a 4 station press that addressed the issues with 3 station Pro 1000 and 5 station Load Master. And on THR, we even suggested the press be called Pro 4000 to denote "4 station progressive press".

When Lee was developing the new 4 station press, code name was "Pro 4000" but when it was released, it was called "Auto Breech Lock Pro" to denote actual function of Auto indexing, Breech Lock bushing, Progressive and users quickly nicknamed it ABLP.

Initially ABLP was offered as bare press only option but when the kit option was offered for various calibers, it was called Pro 4000 and I started interchanging the name ABLP/Pro 4000.

Many of us shorten the Pro 1000 to Pro1K so I may do the same and use Pro4K.
Click to expand...
So Lee was a member of THR, getting ideas for free! I wonder what other Big Wigs in the firearms/reloading community are Members pretending to be common folk.

If you industry leaders are hearing me. Make a Gang Hammer Bullet puller!
 
kmw1954 said:
For the past year I have pretty much only been reloading and shooting 223Rem and when I started that I also found a Lee Auto Prime II and have been using it. For what I am doing it plainly works great. With it I can actually adjust seating depth of the primers.
Click to expand...
I’m going to try to make my Lee work like my Dillion SBD. but with Brass and Bullet feed!
 
Mark_Mark said:
So Lee was a member of THR, getting ideas for free! I wonder what other Big Wigs in the firearms/reloading community are Members pretending to be common folk.
Click to expand...
Some don't pretend at all ... And I do not believe John Lee ever was a member of THR but responded to email THR forum questions.

Jacob Wilcox, owner of RMR bullets - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?members/longdayjake.66795/

Jay Phillips (Now Justin Taylor, Marketing and Sales Manager), Berry's Manufacturing - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?members/berrys-mfg.125358/

Paul - Employee of Alliant Powders/Vista Outdoor - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?members/alliant-reloading.154994/

Matt Dardas, owner of Dardas Cast Bullets (Retired) - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?members/dardascastbullets.76985/

Brad & Jo Ann Alpert (RIP) - Owners of MBC - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?members/missouribullet.80576/

Massad Ayoob - Famed gun writer/instructor - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?members/massad-ayoob.22921/
 
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