Lee pro 1000 "coughs" powder

[DLrocket89]

Hi everyone,

Working on a Lee Pro 1000 in 9mm. As the ram comes down and and the shellholder "clicks" into place, the vibration of that click tends to cough a couple of grains from the case that's moving from the primer/powder station to the bullet station.

Did a quick google search and haven't found anyone encountering this particular problem. Thoughts? I was thinking maybe take the shall holder off and trim a bit off the spring that holds the detent ball in place (I'm pretty sure that that's where the problem is). I've had such issues with primers flipping over I moved the rod on the primer feed chute away from the main vertical rod so the vibrations from that aren't the problem.

Thanks!

Dustin

 

[Elkins45]

Yep, that ball detent system gives the cases a pretty good jolt, and short cases like 9mm make the problem worse. What I ended up doing was just putting my finger over the case mouth while it rotates.

 

[DLrocket89]

Glad to know I'm not crazy. Thanks, that'll work for now. Just got done stripping down the shell plate to clean the primer feed area, don't really feel like disassembling again right now...maybe tomorrow.

 

[LiveLife]

You can hold or put a bullet on case mouth as the shell plate clicks into station (Bullet is going there anyways ).

No more *coughed* powder.

Also, be sure to lube the center hex "action" rod. I use a drop of oil on my finger tip and rub top and bottom of hex rod and cycle the ram until indexing is smooth. I will add another drop of oil during reloading session when indexing gets less smooth.

Lubricating the hex rod also extends the life of nylon ratchet gear.

 

[cfullgraf]

Hi everyone,

Working on a Lee Pro 1000 in 9mm. As the ram comes down and and the shellholder "clicks" into place, the vibration of that click tends to cough a couple of grains from the case that's moving from the primer/powder station to the bullet station.

Did a quick google search and haven't found anyone encountering this particular problem. Thoughts? I was thinking maybe take the shall holder off and trim a bit off the spring that holds the detent ball in place (I'm pretty sure that that's where the problem is). I've had such issues with primers flipping over I moved the rod on the primer feed chute away from the main vertical rod so the vibrations from that aren't the problem.

Thanks!

Dustin

This is not unique to the Lee Pro 1000. Some of the other progressive presses experience similar problems. The most frequent solution is to replace the spring on the detent ball with a weaker or softer spring.

The problem is most severe when the case is near full of powder, regardless of what the cartridge is.

But, I have not had success with that solution with my Pro2000. I put my finger on the shell plate to drag the shell plate as it rotates in position.

I have several progressive presses from different manufacturers so I can mix and match to get the best operating conditions that I need. Not an option available to everyone.

BDS and Elkins45 have some good ideas to try.

 

[Dill]

I use my finger as well. I did the 'put the bullet on the case before it clicks' thing, but I wasn't the best at the timing and it clicked anyways about half of the time!

 

[GooseGestapo]

I’ve clipped a coil from the spring for the detent ball. But, just letting a finger rub the advancing shell plate works too.
No you’re not the first....! BTDT.

 

[Tilos]

A weaker spring and replacing the steel ball with a nylon ball took the snap out of it for me, on several different model/brand progressives.
The spring can be found at most Hardware stores, and some may even have the low mass nylon ball.
I bought the ball(s) off amazon...had to buy a bunch though:
https://www.amazon.com/50-nylon-precision-bearing-balls/dp/B007XZ7AYE/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1523903912&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=3/8"+nylon+balls&psc=1


edit: advancing the ZERO adjustment will reduce the snap and improve primer feeding.
Lee has a vid on their site showing this adjustment:

Make sure to advance that screw the additional 3/4 turn as described.