racenutz
Member
You bet I will. And if I wasn't faced with the choice of either buying a Dillon or paying the rent I'd have a 550B on my bench right now
Between Lee & Dillon
- Thread starter oldschool
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You bet I will. And if I wasn't faced with the choice of either buying a Dillon or paying the rent I'd have a 550B on my bench right now
racenutz -
There's no question about the Dillon's being a great press with a great warranty. However, the Lee 4 hole turret will serve you well until it is more comfortable for you to upgrade. Also, the way I figure, after a short while the Lee won't owe you anything anyway because the press is only about $58 at Midway.
To your question a couple of posts ago regarding the priming arm. The first thing I did was to remove that arm and place it in a drawer. I resize and deprime on the turret but I use an RCBS hand priming tool (about $25). Lee makes a similar tool for even less. Midway has both. The only reason I mention Midway is because I've had good luck ordering from them and their prices seem pretty fair when compared to several others. There are many other mail order houses; MidSouth, Wideners, Graf's etc.
If you get a priming tool, make sure you get another shell holder for each size you will be needing. They are inexpensive and you won't have to keep swapping it to and from your press. Some tools might also require a uniquely sized shell holder. The RCBS hand primer uses the same standard shell holders as the press, I'm not sure about the Lee hand primer.
Good Luck,
SgtMaj
There's no question about the Dillon's being a great press with a great warranty. However, the Lee 4 hole turret will serve you well until it is more comfortable for you to upgrade. Also, the way I figure, after a short while the Lee won't owe you anything anyway because the press is only about $58 at Midway.
To your question a couple of posts ago regarding the priming arm. The first thing I did was to remove that arm and place it in a drawer. I resize and deprime on the turret but I use an RCBS hand priming tool (about $25). Lee makes a similar tool for even less. Midway has both. The only reason I mention Midway is because I've had good luck ordering from them and their prices seem pretty fair when compared to several others. There are many other mail order houses; MidSouth, Wideners, Graf's etc.
If you get a priming tool, make sure you get another shell holder for each size you will be needing. They are inexpensive and you won't have to keep swapping it to and from your press. Some tools might also require a uniquely sized shell holder. The RCBS hand primer uses the same standard shell holders as the press, I'm not sure about the Lee hand primer.
Good Luck,
SgtMaj
oldschool
Member
Midway
My entire startup kit came from Midway except for the stuff I would have had to pay hazmat on. And they sent me a full catalog with the order their online shopping with the wish list & cart is great. Depending on how many days delivery you are from Missouri their delivery is fast & cheap.
The Lee Auto Prime does take different shell holders. I ordered my auto prime and couldn’t use the shell holder that came with my 4 die set I was however able to find the proper one locally for $2.89.
I figure that I am saving at least $50 per 1000 rounds reloading so I figure that the Lee 4 hole will have paid for itself plus interest by August.
My entire startup kit came from Midway except for the stuff I would have had to pay hazmat on. And they sent me a full catalog with the order their online shopping with the wish list & cart is great. Depending on how many days delivery you are from Missouri their delivery is fast & cheap.
The Lee Auto Prime does take different shell holders. I ordered my auto prime and couldn’t use the shell holder that came with my 4 die set I was however able to find the proper one locally for $2.89.
I figure that I am saving at least $50 per 1000 rounds reloading so I figure that the Lee 4 hole will have paid for itself plus interest by August.
Bruce Layne
Member
I've had a Lee Pro-1000 since 1995. I've loaded quite a bit of 10 mm ammo on it, and saved a lot of money over buying factory ammo. I also learned a lot more about shooting, and discovered that reloading is an interesting and fun hobby in its own right.
I wouldn't argue with anyone who bought a Dillon press, for two reasons. 1) Dillon makes good stuff. 2) I've learned not to argue with people about their religion. I think Lee owners are very satisfied with their presses and enjoy reloading, but seem to be a more pragmatic bunch. Dillon owners seem more emotional about their choices. I can understand that. I like good tools.
If you are reloading hundreds of thousands of rounds, the Dillon will probably be more robust. But I think this is beyond what most shooting enthusiasts will do. The very inexpensive Lee press has been more than adequate for my needs and has actually been quite durable. It just cranks out the quality ammo. I might add a bullet feed, to go with the primer feed and case feeder, so I just keep everything topped off and pull the handle.
If I was doing it again, I'd spend the extra money for a Lee Loadmaster. It's more solid, and has five stations instead of three so I can use the factory crimp die as the last step, even though the ammo I load on the Pro-1000 has been very accurate in my Glock. Besides, even if I did manage to wear out a Lee press, I could buy another and still save a few hundred dollars over the cost of a decent blue press.
And when I say "the extra money for a Loadmaster", I'm talking about $175 complete with dies, factory set up and ready to load ammo. This has been the recent selling price on eBay for brand new units drop shipped from the Lee factory. They're a little bit more at Midway and other online suppliers.
Overall, I believe Lee offers good quality and great value. Richard Lee invented home reloading and Lee Precision has introduced most of the innovations in that market. Their dies are the very best, as well as the very least expensive.
I've been casting my own lead bullets for the 10 mm, using a Lee Production IV melt pot and a Lee six cavity tumble lube bullet mold. It's a lot of fun. With a bullet trap, I reuse my lead as well as the brass. My cost to shoot the 10 mm is now 3-4 cents per round.
I just bought an old neglected Lee LoadFast progressive 12 gauge shot shell reloader, and am getting it back in shape. A little rust, and a cracked primer feed, but nothing seriously wrong. The press sold for the price of the 1000 wads and 1000 Winchester AA hulls that came with it, so my investment in the press will be $10 in repair parts and $30 for spare parts I might need later.
If you want the BEST and BEEFIEST single stage press, check out the new Lee Classic press. It's about $54 at Midway, and thoroughly beats the quality or performance of the RCBS or Hornady presses, for a lot less money. I'm planning on getting one to load match target rifle ammo. Lee is working on .50 BMG dies, which should go a long way toward lowering the sky-high cost of reloading for a .50 BMG.
If you want a Dillon, go right ahead. It'll only hurt once. Besides, someone needs to pay for the black helicopter, the machine guns, and the gun toting supermodels. It might as well be you.
I wouldn't argue with anyone who bought a Dillon press, for two reasons. 1) Dillon makes good stuff. 2) I've learned not to argue with people about their religion. I think Lee owners are very satisfied with their presses and enjoy reloading, but seem to be a more pragmatic bunch. Dillon owners seem more emotional about their choices. I can understand that. I like good tools.
If you are reloading hundreds of thousands of rounds, the Dillon will probably be more robust. But I think this is beyond what most shooting enthusiasts will do. The very inexpensive Lee press has been more than adequate for my needs and has actually been quite durable. It just cranks out the quality ammo. I might add a bullet feed, to go with the primer feed and case feeder, so I just keep everything topped off and pull the handle.
If I was doing it again, I'd spend the extra money for a Lee Loadmaster. It's more solid, and has five stations instead of three so I can use the factory crimp die as the last step, even though the ammo I load on the Pro-1000 has been very accurate in my Glock. Besides, even if I did manage to wear out a Lee press, I could buy another and still save a few hundred dollars over the cost of a decent blue press.
And when I say "the extra money for a Loadmaster", I'm talking about $175 complete with dies, factory set up and ready to load ammo. This has been the recent selling price on eBay for brand new units drop shipped from the Lee factory. They're a little bit more at Midway and other online suppliers.
Overall, I believe Lee offers good quality and great value. Richard Lee invented home reloading and Lee Precision has introduced most of the innovations in that market. Their dies are the very best, as well as the very least expensive.
I've been casting my own lead bullets for the 10 mm, using a Lee Production IV melt pot and a Lee six cavity tumble lube bullet mold. It's a lot of fun. With a bullet trap, I reuse my lead as well as the brass. My cost to shoot the 10 mm is now 3-4 cents per round.
I just bought an old neglected Lee LoadFast progressive 12 gauge shot shell reloader, and am getting it back in shape. A little rust, and a cracked primer feed, but nothing seriously wrong. The press sold for the price of the 1000 wads and 1000 Winchester AA hulls that came with it, so my investment in the press will be $10 in repair parts and $30 for spare parts I might need later.
If you want the BEST and BEEFIEST single stage press, check out the new Lee Classic press. It's about $54 at Midway, and thoroughly beats the quality or performance of the RCBS or Hornady presses, for a lot less money. I'm planning on getting one to load match target rifle ammo. Lee is working on .50 BMG dies, which should go a long way toward lowering the sky-high cost of reloading for a .50 BMG.
If you want a Dillon, go right ahead. It'll only hurt once. Besides, someone needs to pay for the black helicopter, the machine guns, and the gun toting supermodels. It might as well be you.
BluesBear
member
DILLON
Count me as one who has nothing against Dillon but have a Loadmaster with no plans to "upgrade". I have no problems because it's set up properly and I've ruined only a single $1 part in over 8,000 rounds. As to the priming portion of the press, I initially set it up properly and don't even watch it accept to see if it's running empty. In fact, that part I ruined was because I had never (NEVER) cleaned the priming assembly in all of those 8000 rounds.
If I wanted mass ammo, I have the ability to load around 1200 rounds an hour with it counting replenishing powder and primers - it serves all my purposes and I can't in good conscious spend three times more for a press that can't produce an end result any faster or better.
I have a friend that has a Dillon 550B and he too produces perfectly good ammo, however he admits that he's unable to do it as quickly. It also takes him a bit longer to change calibers but even so, he does like it.
If I wanted mass ammo, I have the ability to load around 1200 rounds an hour with it counting replenishing powder and primers - it serves all my purposes and I can't in good conscious spend three times more for a press that can't produce an end result any faster or better.
I have a friend that has a Dillon 550B and he too produces perfectly good ammo, however he admits that he's unable to do it as quickly. It also takes him a bit longer to change calibers but even so, he does like it.
Bruce Layne
Member
Uncle Don,
Thanks for the info. I have the Pro-1000 and have been considering upgrading to the Loadmaster. Your comments were very helpful to me.
Have you tried the automated bullet feed? If so, can you tell me if it works well with Alox tumble lubed cast lead bullets? Is it really 50% faster as Lee claims? I would assme so, as their other claims have seemed to be accurate, and not marketing hype. Admittedly, they like the products they sell and are naturally enthusiastic about them, but I've never known them to distort the truth to improve sales.
While the Loadmaster looks much nicer than my Pro-1000, I can't really complain about it. Despite it's less beefy appearance, it's definitely held up well and I have no issues with the quality ammo it produces. The automatic bullet feed can be added onto the Pro-1000 as well as the Loadmaster, and I'm thinking of adding this option. The idea of simply keeping the powder, primers, bullets and cases loaded into their respective bulk containers and just pulling the handle is appealing.
Thanks.
Thanks for the info. I have the Pro-1000 and have been considering upgrading to the Loadmaster. Your comments were very helpful to me.
Have you tried the automated bullet feed? If so, can you tell me if it works well with Alox tumble lubed cast lead bullets? Is it really 50% faster as Lee claims? I would assme so, as their other claims have seemed to be accurate, and not marketing hype. Admittedly, they like the products they sell and are naturally enthusiastic about them, but I've never known them to distort the truth to improve sales.
While the Loadmaster looks much nicer than my Pro-1000, I can't really complain about it. Despite it's less beefy appearance, it's definitely held up well and I have no issues with the quality ammo it produces. The automatic bullet feed can be added onto the Pro-1000 as well as the Loadmaster, and I'm thinking of adding this option. The idea of simply keeping the powder, primers, bullets and cases loaded into their respective bulk containers and just pulling the handle is appealing.
Thanks.
I've never put a bullet feed on as I've not had the need to exceed what it can do without one. In fact, I rarely use the casefeeder either because I find myself loading only 50 at a time now and then and it's not worth the time. Even then, I can do 600 in an hour if I needed that many.
The main thing to remember is to adjust the dies properly so that the press does it's work at the very top of the stroke and that dies are not adjusted so that it prevents that. Setting the primer seating depth properly is a piece of cake and then, just load away. I haven't see a Loadmaster yet that supposedly didn't work that was even close to properly adjusted.
The main thing to remember is to adjust the dies properly so that the press does it's work at the very top of the stroke and that dies are not adjusted so that it prevents that. Setting the primer seating depth properly is a piece of cake and then, just load away. I haven't see a Loadmaster yet that supposedly didn't work that was even close to properly adjusted.
mack69
Member
Re:
Oldschool, I picked up the Lee 4 hole turret Deluxe pistol kit, added .38/.357 carbide dies, a few adjustable charge bars and the Lee Factory Crimp die. I run the press like SgtMaj does, half cranking the turret to go past position #1 the decapper. If you inadvertently run the decapper into a primed case remove it and run it through the hand primer again as most likely it pushed the primer out of the pocket which may cause cycling issues. I would imagine that if you crank hard in the decapper position with a live primer in the case it may go BOOM. Always wear eye protection while reloading. I am very happy with my Lee 4 holer....I have run about 2,000 rounds through it thus far and have had zero issues what so ever.
Enjoy....be safe.....mack
Oldschool, I picked up the Lee 4 hole turret Deluxe pistol kit, added .38/.357 carbide dies, a few adjustable charge bars and the Lee Factory Crimp die. I run the press like SgtMaj does, half cranking the turret to go past position #1 the decapper. If you inadvertently run the decapper into a primed case remove it and run it through the hand primer again as most likely it pushed the primer out of the pocket which may cause cycling issues. I would imagine that if you crank hard in the decapper position with a live primer in the case it may go BOOM. Always wear eye protection while reloading. I am very happy with my Lee 4 holer....I have run about 2,000 rounds through it thus far and have had zero issues what so ever.
Enjoy....be safe.....mack
LynnMassGuy
Member
Read this if you are considering Lee. I was.
http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=87394
http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=87394
oldfart
Member
I've always been a fan of Lee equipment and have frequently said so. After reading that thread though, I remembered the time I called the factory and had my call forwarded to "Mr. Lee."
His tone was anything but warm and conciliatory. In fact, he was downright RUDE!. I chalked it up to a bad day on his part-- after all, everyone has one once in awhile. But even with the 'bias filter' working full strength, the treatment reported was well beyond the pale.
Lee doesn't have a real e-mail address, so I sent a long message to The Boss via their tech line. I told him that I didn't think I could stand the flak anymore and wouldn't be touting his products.
Talk about shooting yourself in the foot! John Lee can fend for himself from now on.
His tone was anything but warm and conciliatory. In fact, he was downright RUDE!. I chalked it up to a bad day on his part-- after all, everyone has one once in awhile. But even with the 'bias filter' working full strength, the treatment reported was well beyond the pale.
Lee doesn't have a real e-mail address, so I sent a long message to The Boss via their tech line. I told him that I didn't think I could stand the flak anymore and wouldn't be touting his products.
Talk about shooting yourself in the foot! John Lee can fend for himself from now on.
Bruce Layne
Member
Thanks for the cross post link.
I read all five pages. Amazing.
I still think Lee makes good reloading equipment at almost unbelievably low prices. And my customer service experiences with Lee have been positive. But if asked about Lee, I will now also have to add a warning that their customer service is not always what it should be, and they don't always appreciate their customers.
In the past nine years I've generated a lot of goodwill for Lee Precision. I've enthusiastically recommended Lee products on many online forums like this one. But after reading Mr. Newman's post, and then reading Mr. Lee's reply, I can say with certainty that Lee has lost me as their unpaid spokesperson. I still think Dillon stuff is very nice but way too expensive, but if that's the cost of superior customer service, so be it. I'll refrain from recommending Lee Precision equipment in the face of the overwhelmingly loyal and devoted Dillon fans. At this point, I have nothing good or bad to say about any reloading equipment company. I suspect other Lee customers will react in a similar manner, and that will result in the same nonstop Dillon recommendations, and a few RCBS and Hornady posts, and almost no more enthusiastic recommendations for Lee. There's no doubt what this will do to Lee's sales.
I read all five pages. Amazing.
I still think Lee makes good reloading equipment at almost unbelievably low prices. And my customer service experiences with Lee have been positive. But if asked about Lee, I will now also have to add a warning that their customer service is not always what it should be, and they don't always appreciate their customers.
In the past nine years I've generated a lot of goodwill for Lee Precision. I've enthusiastically recommended Lee products on many online forums like this one. But after reading Mr. Newman's post, and then reading Mr. Lee's reply, I can say with certainty that Lee has lost me as their unpaid spokesperson. I still think Dillon stuff is very nice but way too expensive, but if that's the cost of superior customer service, so be it. I'll refrain from recommending Lee Precision equipment in the face of the overwhelmingly loyal and devoted Dillon fans. At this point, I have nothing good or bad to say about any reloading equipment company. I suspect other Lee customers will react in a similar manner, and that will result in the same nonstop Dillon recommendations, and a few RCBS and Hornady posts, and almost no more enthusiastic recommendations for Lee. There's no doubt what this will do to Lee's sales.
45nut
Member
Dillon and then after a while RCBS.
I started reloading about 1985 on a very poorly engineered RCBS "piggyback" mounted atop a RL-5. The RL-5 I never had a issue with but when I sold it I never regretted it. The Piggyback I regretted constantly,it should have never been released to the public,and that is not good customer service either. For a while I nearly had migraines from trying to get a run of ammo without real problems...and I hear the same of the Lee,and Hornady semi-regressive presses...yes I meant "regressive" as in I thought I was in the age of bone and wood tools it was so fragile.
The slightest thing would set it to locking up and driving me to drink.
One afternoon a fellow shooter told me to stop by and he would show me a real reloading machine after telling him of my misery and he had a blue Dillon on his bench. Took me years to submit but I did buy a used 450 for a song and upgraded to 550 shortly thereafter. Amazing to reload as much empty brass as I had and only worry about having enough components to stuff in them instead of constantly fiddling and cussing. The guy that said problems are created during downtime is 110% right,,and that is just not an issue with my 550.
I still use a Rockchucker as well as a Old Lyman Turret but the bulk of my loading is easily done on the blue machine including 45-70's,308s and the like as easily as my 357's and 45acp's.
I am convinced by my own experiences to say DILLON and without hesitation or reservations.
45nut
I started reloading about 1985 on a very poorly engineered RCBS "piggyback" mounted atop a RL-5. The RL-5 I never had a issue with but when I sold it I never regretted it. The Piggyback I regretted constantly,it should have never been released to the public,and that is not good customer service either. For a while I nearly had migraines from trying to get a run of ammo without real problems...and I hear the same of the Lee,and Hornady semi-regressive presses...yes I meant "regressive" as in I thought I was in the age of bone and wood tools it was so fragile.
The slightest thing would set it to locking up and driving me to drink.
One afternoon a fellow shooter told me to stop by and he would show me a real reloading machine after telling him of my misery and he had a blue Dillon on his bench. Took me years to submit but I did buy a used 450 for a song and upgraded to 550 shortly thereafter. Amazing to reload as much empty brass as I had and only worry about having enough components to stuff in them instead of constantly fiddling and cussing. The guy that said problems are created during downtime is 110% right,,and that is just not an issue with my 550.
I still use a Rockchucker as well as a Old Lyman Turret but the bulk of my loading is easily done on the blue machine including 45-70's,308s and the like as easily as my 357's and 45acp's.
I am convinced by my own experiences to say DILLON and without hesitation or reservations.
45nut
I have owned exactly three pieces of Lee equipment:
1. A Lee Auto Prime, worked great until it broke.
2. A second Lee Auto Prime, worked great until it broke (replaced it with a Hornady tool, which I should have started with).
3. A .45 ACP factory crimp die, worked great until, see above.
Now, I believe reloading equipment, like all fine tools, should last a lifetime. My dad used the same Herters press from the 50's until the '90's when he gave it to my brother, who is still using it. I'm using CH and RCBS dies that were probably made before I was born (and I'm not young). My obsolete Bair Kodiak press (bought used) will probably be left to one of my grandkids. My Dillon 550 is barely broke in after 2 years and several thousand rounds.
So my advice:
GO BLUE!
1. A Lee Auto Prime, worked great until it broke.
2. A second Lee Auto Prime, worked great until it broke (replaced it with a Hornady tool, which I should have started with).
3. A .45 ACP factory crimp die, worked great until, see above.
Now, I believe reloading equipment, like all fine tools, should last a lifetime. My dad used the same Herters press from the 50's until the '90's when he gave it to my brother, who is still using it. I'm using CH and RCBS dies that were probably made before I was born (and I'm not young). My obsolete Bair Kodiak press (bought used) will probably be left to one of my grandkids. My Dillon 550 is barely broke in after 2 years and several thousand rounds.
So my advice:
GO BLUE!
I've been loading pissola ammo on a couple of Lee turret presses for years. They are more than adequate for the number of rounds I shoot. That said, if I ever increase volume I will look to something more than the Lee turret (and it wouldn't be a Lee progressive - probably a Dillon). I size/decap on a single stage and hand prime. The turrets (one 3 and one 4-hole (converted from a 3-holer)) are for assembly only. The priming system on the two I have are inadequate. So for low volume requirements, these are just fine. sundog
kernal_panic
Member
- Joined
- Sep 29, 2003
- Messages
- 275
havening owned a pro-1000 and a dillon SDB i say spend a little more and get the dillon. if you are going to load 100-200 rounds once a month a lee will work out for you. if you are going to shoot 300 rounds a week buy a dillon.
KEEP IN MIND ANY MACHINE CAN GIVE YOU PROBLEMS!
My SDB decided to stop throwing powder charges last night. the problem was the screw that holds the actuator lever in place backed out. i fixed it but now i have about 20 rounds i have to pull the bullets.
KEEP IN MIND ANY MACHINE CAN GIVE YOU PROBLEMS!
My SDB decided to stop throwing powder charges last night. the problem was the screw that holds the actuator lever in place backed out. i fixed it but now i have about 20 rounds i have to pull the bullets.
cheygriz
member
You might as well save money in the long run, and just go ahead and buy what you're going to eventually end up with anyway.
Dillon 650
Dillon 650
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