Lee Auto Breech Lock Pro

[CrankyCraig]

anyone using it? I have a LCTP and autodrums etc seems like a tempting idea with a case and bullet feeder. Seems like a cheap upgrade.

Well off to work!

 

[LiveLife]

THR Lee Auto Breech Lock Pro User Review/Discussion thread - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...pro-user-review-discussion-no-bashing.835426/

THR Lee Auto Breech Lock Pro Technical Support thread - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...0-technical-support-thread-no-bashing.835405/

I have one mounted on my bench and currently putting it through the paces. I got it set up for 9mm with separate seat and crimp operations (using two combo seat/taper crimp dies). After using Dillon 550/Pro 1000/LCT/Dillon 650, I would say Auto Breech Lock Pro is a viable 4 station progressive press.

If you noticed, there was a lot of buzz prior to release of the press and now that reloaders had a chance to use the press for a while, there is not much negative posting on forums ... almost silence. Believe me, if the press did not work, there would be non-stop posting on all gun forums, but we hear crickets instead.

And no, my Pro 1000s are not going anywhere as they can consistently produce .003" OAL variance with mixed range brass and .001" OAL variance with pre-resized brass (I am actually thinking about replacing my Pro 1000 with 2018 models with flat steel base) - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...progressive-press.833604/page-2#post-10779806

 

[Rule3]

THR Lee Auto Breech Lock Pro User Review/Discussion thread - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...pro-user-review-discussion-no-bashing.835426/

THR Lee Auto Breech Lock Pro Technical Support thread - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...0-technical-support-thread-no-bashing.835405/

I have one mounted on my bench and currently putting it through the paces. I got it set up for 9mm with separate seat and crimp operations (using two combo seat/taper crimp dies). After using Dillon 550/Pro 1000/LCT/Dillon 650, I would say Auto Breech Lock Pro is a viable 4 station progressive press.

If you noticed, there was a lot of buzz prior to release of the press and now that reloaders had a chance to use the press for a while, there is not much negative posting on forums ... almost silence. Believe me, if the press did not work, there would be non-stop posting on all gun forums, but we hear crickets instead.

And no, my Pro 1000s are not going anywhere as they can consistently produce .003" OAL variance with mixed brass and .001" OAL variance with pre-resized brass (I am actually thinking about replacing my Pro 1000 with 2018 models with flat steel base) - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...progressive-press.833604/page-2#post-10779806

"If you noticed, there was a lot of buzz prior to release of the press and now that reloaders had a chance to use the press for a while, there is not much negative posting on forums ... almost silence. Believe me, if the press did not work, there would be non-stop posting on all gun forums, but we hear crickets instead. "

Or perhaps it is because not many people bought them, so there is nothing to complain about. Do not appear to be selling like hotcakes.

Now anyone that knows my posts, knows, I am a Lee fan boy.

A big nine (9) reviews on Midway
Two on Amazon
21 on MidSouth
Two (2) on Titan

 

[LiveLife]

perhaps it is because not many people bought them ... Do not appear to be selling like hotcakes.

You could be right as Pro 1000 got updated for 2018 with flat steel base, hole through shell plate index rod, rotated shell plate carrier with station #1 on the right, etc. (like Auto Breech Lock Pro) and people could be buying 2018 model Pro 1000 instead. Many could have opted for Pro 1000's auto primer feed attachment instead too. And Pro 1000 kit comes ready to reload for the caliber ... at attractive price point.

Here's mine mounted on the bench and as you can see on the left side of shell plate, the hole through shell plate index rod is a great feature to ensure exact indexing of shell plate. Ram moves with smoothness and positive rotation of shell plate. Handle effort is not that much, even when resizing 9mm cases. Spent primers go inside the ram and down the tube for clean collection. And unlike Pro 1000, EVERY finished round drops into the collection bin to the right.

 

[Rule3]

As discussed (in depth) on the other threads I would buy the Lee if not for the ridiculous manual primer feed. I do that on the LCT, just can't wrap my head around that manual primer on a Progressive.??

But after farting around with the LnL primer system I do not know which is more of a PITA.?
Hopefully I have the LnL primer "dialed" in now,

 

[Walkalong]

If you noticed, there was a lot of buzz prior to release of the press and now that reloaders had a chance to use the press for a while, there is not much negative posting on forums ... almost silence. Believe me, if the press did not work, there would be non-stop posting on all gun forums, but we hear crickets instead.

A very good point.

 

[Walkalong]

I had the idea of a post up through the shell plate to index it decades ago. It should be fool proof.

 

[Rule3]

A very good point.

Master Po: Close your eyes. What do you hear?
Young Caine: I hear the water, I hear the birds.
Po: Do you hear your own heartbeat?
Caine: No.
Po: Do you hear the CRICKET which is at your feet?
Caine: Old man, how is it that you hear these things?
Po: Young man, how is it that you do not?[7]

 

[RealGun]

anyone using it? I have a LCTP and autodrums etc seems like a tempting idea with a case and bullet feeder. Seems like a cheap upgrade.

Well off to work!

I use one with a case feeder and mounted on an Inline Junior Ultramount, quick change. It is so far dedicated to 38 Special. I decap, size and prime on the press and use the expander inside the Lee powder measure. There is a separate seat and crimp. Inline supplied an adapter for hanging a catch bin at the Ultramount's elevation.

I don't use a bullet feeder because I don't expect it to work with lead bullets, allowing that it might with coated. I will wait for someone else's report on that issue.

 

[LiveLife]

I had the idea of a post up through the shell plate to index it decades ago. It should be fool proof.

It is essentially fool proof as you get conditioned to slow down just a bit to allow the rod to go through the index hole in the shell plate. After awhile, it becomes second nature. I am glad to see Lee did the same for 2018 model of Pro 1000.

manual primer feed ... just can't wrap my head around that manual primer on a Progressive.??

As you know, I am a happy user of several Pro 1000s. Since I started using Auto Breech Lock Pro, I noticed Lee addressed every single "issue" with Pro 1000 to resolution:

• 4 stations instead of 3 for separate seat and crimp operation
• Solid steel base (2018 Pro 1000 also got this)
• Ergonomic roller handle (Pro 1000 already got this)
• No play. Period: Ram, Handle linkage, Shell plate, Shell plate carrier, Dies in Breech Lock bushings
• Lock ring eliminator (For Lee lock ring haters) - https://leeprecision.com/lock-ring-eliminator.html
• Exact indexing with rod through shell plate holes (2018 Pro 1000 also got this)
• Smooth captured indexing of shell plate (Compared to "free float" shell plate of Pro 1000)
• Improved case slide and feeder mount (Spring instead of solid Z-bar)
• Spent primers drop through ram into collection tube (No more pesky spent primers. We do have a mod for Pro 1000 that is 99.5%)
• 100% drop of loaded rounds into collection bin (2018 Pro 1000 did rotate shell plate carrier clockwise for better collection location and improved visualization of powder in case)
• Ram mounted under station #1 where resizing of case applies more pressure on shell plate (Pro 1000 already got this) - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...progressive-press.833604/page-2#post-10779966

And then Lee engineers got to Pro 1000 primer attachment (I can almost hear the conversation that could have taken place):

John Lee: Will Pro 1000 primer attachment ensure 100% primer feed on Auto Breech Lock Pro?
Lee engineers: Ummm ... No (Gravity feed is a factor, not all primer cups are same diameter, etc.)
John Lee: What will ensure 100% primer feed?
Lee engineers: Closest we could get is Safety Prime.
John Lee: Really?
Lee engineers: And we even made these cool holes on top of press to mount small and large primer feed arms along with the Allen wrench.
John Lee: Nice ... But I really wanted 100% primer feed resolution ...
Lee engineers: Customers could buy the Auto Breech Lock Pro with Safety Prime for now ... and when we come up with 100% primer feed resolution, we can offer "upgrade" option for Auto Breech Lock Pro users ...
John Lee: Make it so.
Lee engineers: Auto Breech Lock Pro 2.0 coming soon!


Problem - Can't wrap head around the manual primer on Auto Breech Lock Pro
Solution - Use pre-resized and primed cases done during quiet moments of life

Just kidding!

 

[Walkalong]

It is essentially fool proof as you get conditioned to slow down just a bit to allow the rod to go through the index hole in the shell plate.

Mine had more taper. Maybe it needs to be that way to make room. Mine was only in my mind.

 

[kmw1954]

Crankygraig, I have 3 Lee presses I use for only pistol loading. A old model 3 hole Value Press, a Pro1000 and a new Breech Lock Pro. The Pro1000 was my 1st press and then I added the Value Turret press to complement the Pro1000 and to make it easier to develop new loads. The Value Turret was a New-In-Box old model and paid about what a new 4 hole Value press cost. Thing is I could swap turret heads between the Value press and the Pro1000. To this day I still use both presses regularly.

I then came upon a Witness 45acp pistol and was having all sorts of trouble firing reloads in it. Then I finally listened to a moderator on the CZ forum about using the Lee Carbide Factory Crimp die. Problem was instantly resolved. So instead of fighting this load and doing the crimping on a single stage press I decided to buy an additional press. For a couple months I fought with myself as to whether it should be the New Breech Lock or the New 2018 model Value Turret press which is the same base but is a 4 hole like the Classic.

Anyways I came upon a sale for the ABLP press for just $110.00 including shipping so I jumped on it. To be completely honest I am not sorry I went this way. Everything from the Pro1000 such as the powder measures and case feeder easily migrated from one to the other. I am now using it dedicated to the 45acp and because I have a spare set of 9mm dies I will be picking up a shell plate to run 9mm on it. I've even considered setting it up for 9mm using just the 3 die pistol dies and adding in a powder lock out die.

Lastly I have not found that the Safety Prime system to be any better or worse than the gravity prime system on the Pro1000. The Pro1000 is faster but the ABLP is much easier to see into the cases to inspect powder and is a little easier to place the bullets on the case. Again, I have no complaints, it does everything I expected it to do.

 

[1KPerDay]

After fighting wth the gravity feed system on the Pro1K for a few months I'm seriously considering priming on the LCT first. The safety prime on the ABLP is a selling point for me. It always works. At best the gravity feed is 97% and at worst it's like 80%. I spend so much time dealing with tipped and mashed primers it uses up any advantage of the progressive press.

 

[someguy2800]

I pre ordered mine so I got one from the very first production. I like mine and will keep using it for 9mm, 38, and 357, but not entirely in love with it. I tried doing 223 on it and that was frustrating, so from now on I will only use it for pistol and loading fully processed pre-primed 223 that only needs powder and a bullet.

The safety prime does not work as good as it does on the turret but it’s workable if you don’t mine dropping a couple primers per 100 on the floor. At least it never jams and you always know one is going in. I posted the issues I’ve had in the other threads so I won’t rehash it here.

 

[Walkalong]

loading fully processed pre-primed 223 that only needs powder and a bullet.

Be careful, you might like it and get hooked doing everything that way.

 

[RealGun]

On the priming issue, I found that my Auto Breech Lock Pro requires the latest generation of primer feed, i.e. the one I was using on the LCT did not migrate. I think the primer mechanism would benefit from some ballast, so I may tape a bullet or two to it.

 

[someguy2800]

Be careful, you might like it and get hooked doing everything that way.

I already am, especially if I'm not the one doing the pre processing!

 

[Tilos]

On the priming issue, I found that my Auto Breech Lock Pro requires the latest generation of primer feed, i.e. the one I was using on the LCT did not migrate. I think the primer mechanism would benefit from some ballast, so I may tape a bullet or two to it.

I read somewhere that putting a washer (ballast) on the inner ear of the primer tray will keep it tipped out of they way.
you might want to give that a try,