Anyone else impressed with the Lee 1000 Progressive Press?

[Potatohead]

If you do this you will never get another upside down case again.



A must have mod that will help with production.

That paired with a clean press,loaded primer tray,smooth operation, and tapping the primer tray every once in awhile pretty much eliminates problems.

I'm a Lee fan don't get me wrong, I use them myself, but I almost fell out of my chair when i saw this mod. Are you serious? Does Lee do this just to see what ridiculous things we will do to get it to work right? Pretty soon theyll have us hopping on one leg, or spinning around 3 times before you prime, or clapping above your head standing on one leg before you seat the bullet, or holding the machine at 90 degree angle or.........

I'm not trying to move this towards a bash-o-rama, and I dont want the thread to be closed, Im seriously asking, would it really make the cost that much higher if Lee just fixed this kind of stuff themselves? Taping a penny to the machine or whatever that is??? Surely if thats all the mod is, they could cheaply fix whatever problem that is correcting...or are they just seeing the lengths that we will go to? Hell, they could at least glue the penny to it for us, and we could pay two more pennies for the press to cover the glue and penny ...I bet the Lee folks are laughing their arses off...thats all Im sayin.

 

[RealGun]

Actually, that mods leaves us smiling, because it works, is very ingenious, and costs a penny.

FYI, the penny is drilled to accept a 22LR case, which is just the right diameter for the hole already in the hub. It serves to prevent 9mm from going in mouth first. There are some variations of this mod, but the drilled penny version is the one I use.

I grant you that, while Lee does provide large and small case feed tubes, they provide only one size aperture in the optional funnel.

 

[Schwing]

The funny thing is, I don't even bother with this mod anymore. I think in the last year I have had maybe a half-dozen upside down cases without it and and nearly doubles or triples the time it takes for the shells to find their way into the tubes.

If I am even half paying attention, it isn't an issue.

 

[shoebox56]

Reading this thread, I am sold on getting a Lee Pro 1000.

One question I have regarding a bullet feeder option. Can the user reliably see the case powder charge before the bullet feeder sets the bullet on the case? Trying to avoid a squib.

Thanks.

 

[stavman11]

Love my 3 Pro 1000's

Yes you can see the case Perfect... the Bullet feeder arm dosent swing out Until you start the ram Down.... so really dosent change any visual aspects of the press

Hope that helps....

 

[shoebox56]

Thanks Stavman! Helps greatly. Just reinforces my motivation to get a Pro 1000.

 

[fralic76]

Got a Pro1000 in 9mm and love it. I did the penny mod and cut a piece of 1/2" clear tubing to go over the primer arm so powder doesn't get in and give me problems. Did I say that I love it, and it wasn't that hard to set up. 45 mins from out of the box to reloading (dies all set up, had the mods ready to go before I got the press).

 

[Chevota]

I'll throw in my 2cents: I love my 1000 and its speed, as long as I can use a carbide sizer that is. I use case feed tubes and do the bullets by hand. The primer feed can stop up now and then, but dry lubing the feed will help a lot. I use Tungsten Disulfide applied with a Q-tip for that, then the ram and anywhere else lube is needed. I also use it on everything from guns to engines to toys, whatever. Amazing stuff and well worth buying, a 1oz bottle ($10) will last most people forever.

 

[Nordeste]

Just wondering why Lee is not manufacturing a Pro 1000 (or Pro 1500 or 2000, I should say) that accepts four dies so we can seat and crimp in separate steps and enjoy the benefits or the Factory Crimp Die. Perhaps it's a marketing thing as that non-existent press would be too close to the Load Master, but I'm sure a lot of us would buy it. I would. In fact, I considered the Pro 1000 when I got my LCT, but as I am a reloading noob decided to go semi-progressive, but a four station Pro 1000 would be on my list whenever I decide to go progressive.

 

[Rushthezeppelin]

Just wondering why Lee is not manufacturing a Pro 1000 (or Pro 1500 or 2000, I should say) that accepts four dies so we can seat and crimp in separate steps and enjoy the benefits or the Factory Crimp Die. Perhaps it's a marketing thing as that non-existent press would be too close to the Load Master, but I'm sure a lot of us would buy it. I would. In fact, I considered the Pro 1000 when I got my LCT, but as I am a reloading noob decided to go semi-progressive, but a four station Pro 1000 would be on my list whenever I decide to go progressive.

I would love one as well. I think part of the reason they dont is to keep R&D costs down which keeps their prices to the consumer low. Notice they havnt released a new product in ages, they just keep making tweaks and improvements to their old stuff.

 

[Chevota]

Nordeste & Rush: Mine has 4-hole, it was a conversion kit that includes the turret and a new index rod (the square twisted shaft) to turn 1/4 vs 1/3rd at a time. I love it and haven't used the 3-hole since.

 

[RealGun]

Just buy a different press with 4 or more holes. You're squeezing a buck too hard here. Serious reloading can involve A LOT more money than suggested by the interest in the Pro 1000. I have one too, among others, but have to accept it for what it is. I got tired of messing with crimp from the seating die, so I crimp 9mm off press before gauge check.

 

[Nordeste]

Chevota, that four hole conversion kit you talk about is an animal that I, at least, never heard of. Could you explain that a bit further (links, photos, etc...), please?.

 

[dave333]

Reading this thread, I am sold on getting a Lee Pro 1000.

One question I have regarding a bullet feeder option. Can the user reliably see the case powder charge before the bullet feeder sets the bullet on the case? Trying to avoid a squib.

Thanks.

Yes. The bullet feeder is retracted before the start of the stroke and you can clearly see if you have powder or not.

 

[777funk]

I'm the OP and I was using the pair of 1000's I own and once again thought of how much I enjoy these presses. My Bro in Law has a Dillon 650XL and I think he bought it just because people say it's the best. Not to say it isn't and I've never used one! But I don't know how I could be more happy with my choice in the 1000 Progressive. Works so well. I do have to be careful with it sometimes and pay attention that the primers are seating right but that's not too difficult to do. I've learned to feel for it when working that return stroke. No problem.

I also found a good way to reload longer cases (270, 30-06, etc) but not in a progressive manner (manually advanced).

Just so pleased with the Lee company and their products. I just had something break due to my own use and not their fault (decapper pin in one of my resizing dies) and I called them to order a new one and they're sending it no charge. I'm impressed with these guys. One of the purchases I've made in my lifetime that I'm always happy to think about. Another is Panasonic Eneloop batteries. Those rechargeables are the best rechargeables I've ever seen. Great product.

 

[Schwing]

I posted happiness in this thread back in 2013 and still have not changed my mind even though I did get a Dillon 650. The only reason I bought it was to get a good 5 stage press.

My Pro1000 still has a place on my bench and I still use it for .380 and .45acp. I have yet to have to replace a single part on mine after many tens of thousands of rounds.

 

[44vaquero]

Save a Penny do the correct modification for the case collator: 1/2 PEX tube fits in the holes, reducing them and eliminating inverted small calibers. The 1/4 x 1 1/2 carriage bolt and fender washer keeps any from falling directly in during loading