corruptone
Member
Let me start by giving some background as to my experience and my equipment. I have a Dillon 650 with quick change setups for 9MM and .45ACP and a few extra enhancements added. I also have a Hornady LNL AP that is also setup for quick change between 9MM, .45ACP, and .38/.357. I've been loading on a Dillon Square Deal B, Dillon 550, 650, or Hornady for about 18 years now. No, I don't consider myself an expert but I'm not a newbie either.
I came across a deal about a year ago where I could purchase a new Lee Pro 4000 9MM kit for $190 and while I don't need another reloader and yes, I was aware of a Lee's reputation for progressive presses, I had an itch that I needed to scratch. I mean, how good or bad can a $190 progressive loader from Lee be? Spoiler.....I'm pleasantly surprised.
To me, the Dillon 650 and Hornady LNL are VERY close. I love the aftermarket case feeder options for the LNL and I also think the feel of the LNL is better than the Dillon 650. That being said, I don't really have negatives I could state in regards to the 650.
On to the Lee Pro 4000. Is it constructed at or near the same level of either the Dillon or Hornady? No. That's not to say it doesn't load quality ammo. Yes, it has a fair amount of plastic but if you do break it, it is cheap and easy to replace. I broke a part (clutch drive) within just a few rounds. After they sent me a replacement, I noticed that the sizing die (supplied with this kit) was pushing brass down upon the cases so I called Lee to discuss. As it turns out, it was a known issue that my particular sizing die left the factory without being polished. I had another spare sizing die and installed it once I had the replacement clutch drive. I have no question that I broke the plastic clutch drive due to the factory faulty sizing die.
Once I had a 'working' setup, I set out to load some .45ACP and 9MM...again. First, the often written about Safety Prime system. I really LIKE it. Mine has been dang near 100% with both large and small pistol primers. While you do lose some time loading them into the press, you also gain some time back when it comes time to reload primers. I admire the simplicity of it. Switching calibers is easy, except for the case feeder. To do this right, I would recommend buying a separate case feeder for larger brass. That's not a knock of Lee at all and is to be expected when switching between small and large brass.
As for loading quality ammo and quickly, the Lee Pro did an admirable job. The supplied Auto-Drum powder measure isn't leaking and dispensing consistently with both Winchester Super Field and Winchester Super Target. I timed it and I can easily load 400 rds per hour on the Lee Pro 4000. I do load a little more per hour on the Dillon and Hornady but not substantially.
Is the Lee Pro 4000 at the same level of either the Dillon or Hornady? No, but it also isn't priced as such. For a newbie that wants to load pistol ammo, I wouldn't hesitate recommending this press as long as they recognized that if something isn't just right, you risk breaking something on the press. For an experienced loader, I think they would fair better on the 4000 as I think they know when something doesn't feel just right and will proceed accordingly.
I admire the engineering of all my progressive loaders and the Lee Pro 4000 is no different. It is a much simpler design than the Hornady and Dillon and yet it works. Picture attached for reference and I repurposed a homemade elevated stand I had to accommodate the Lee. It's not pictured but I added another piece of angle iron on the left side to hold a bin for bullets as I now like to load bullets with my left hand. I added an RCBS lock-out die so my bullet seating/sizing is the last station and on the right side of the press but even so, loading a bullet with left hand is real easy.
I came across a deal about a year ago where I could purchase a new Lee Pro 4000 9MM kit for $190 and while I don't need another reloader and yes, I was aware of a Lee's reputation for progressive presses, I had an itch that I needed to scratch. I mean, how good or bad can a $190 progressive loader from Lee be? Spoiler.....I'm pleasantly surprised.
To me, the Dillon 650 and Hornady LNL are VERY close. I love the aftermarket case feeder options for the LNL and I also think the feel of the LNL is better than the Dillon 650. That being said, I don't really have negatives I could state in regards to the 650.
On to the Lee Pro 4000. Is it constructed at or near the same level of either the Dillon or Hornady? No. That's not to say it doesn't load quality ammo. Yes, it has a fair amount of plastic but if you do break it, it is cheap and easy to replace. I broke a part (clutch drive) within just a few rounds. After they sent me a replacement, I noticed that the sizing die (supplied with this kit) was pushing brass down upon the cases so I called Lee to discuss. As it turns out, it was a known issue that my particular sizing die left the factory without being polished. I had another spare sizing die and installed it once I had the replacement clutch drive. I have no question that I broke the plastic clutch drive due to the factory faulty sizing die.
Once I had a 'working' setup, I set out to load some .45ACP and 9MM...again. First, the often written about Safety Prime system. I really LIKE it. Mine has been dang near 100% with both large and small pistol primers. While you do lose some time loading them into the press, you also gain some time back when it comes time to reload primers. I admire the simplicity of it. Switching calibers is easy, except for the case feeder. To do this right, I would recommend buying a separate case feeder for larger brass. That's not a knock of Lee at all and is to be expected when switching between small and large brass.
As for loading quality ammo and quickly, the Lee Pro did an admirable job. The supplied Auto-Drum powder measure isn't leaking and dispensing consistently with both Winchester Super Field and Winchester Super Target. I timed it and I can easily load 400 rds per hour on the Lee Pro 4000. I do load a little more per hour on the Dillon and Hornady but not substantially.
Is the Lee Pro 4000 at the same level of either the Dillon or Hornady? No, but it also isn't priced as such. For a newbie that wants to load pistol ammo, I wouldn't hesitate recommending this press as long as they recognized that if something isn't just right, you risk breaking something on the press. For an experienced loader, I think they would fair better on the 4000 as I think they know when something doesn't feel just right and will proceed accordingly.
I admire the engineering of all my progressive loaders and the Lee Pro 4000 is no different. It is a much simpler design than the Hornady and Dillon and yet it works. Picture attached for reference and I repurposed a homemade elevated stand I had to accommodate the Lee. It's not pictured but I added another piece of angle iron on the left side to hold a bin for bullets as I now like to load bullets with my left hand. I added an RCBS lock-out die so my bullet seating/sizing is the last station and on the right side of the press but even so, loading a bullet with left hand is real easy.
