Lee Pro 6000 unboxing and testing for OAL consistency

+1, 2, and 3 on GREAT WRITE UP and Pictures!!! Thanks @LiveLife for all the detailed information!!!

Very comprehensive look at the press and COL for the brass used. Thanks Again and God Bless!!!

 

That’s pretty impressive. How is the overall “feel”? Solid, sloppy, loose but not too, stiff but not too…? I know it’s purely subjective but I think you probably have a good feel after years of running a progressive.

 

Impressive indeed. Press is "snug tight" but smooth.

Having a press that can load all pistol and large rifle cartridges in a package the size of ABLP is remarkable - https://leeprecision.com/pro-6000-six-pack-reloading-press/

"Stroke and clearance - sufficient for largest magnum rifle cases. Uses the same all steel linkage found on our Classic Cast 50 BMG press."
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I loaded 10 more rounds to increase the "sample size".

Finished OAL consistency test continued - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...operational-consistency.911743/#post-12443544

• 10 R-P headstamp cases resized around .750" were selected
• RMR 115 gr FMJ RN sized around .3555" were used
• Case mouth was flared to .380" at Station #5
• .378" taper crimp was used
• Bullets were seated and taper crimped in same step at Station #6

OAL measurements:

• 1 round measured 1.124"
• 5 rounds measured 1.125"
• 4 rounds measured 1.126"

30 round composite so far:

• 1 at 1.124"
• 19 at 1.125"
• 10 at 1.126"

 

Thank you for such a detailed review.

I have a question.
With ABLP (4000) I see ~0.010" C.O.L difference between rounds being loaded in "turret" mode (when there is only one round on the press) and progressive mode (when there are rounds in all stations).
Is it different on 6000?
Does number of utilized stations (especially sizing and crimping) affects C.O.L?

 

This may sound like a silly question but, do you have any range garbage LC 7.62mm brass to test pocket swaging, F/L sizing, etc? One of the “knocks” on Lee presses is that they’re “weak” and one of the debates over progressives is that some operations have to be performed off press. I know you don’t have 7.62 dies and this is about the kit as delivered - I’m just anticipating.

 

Yes, shellplate tilt/deflection is a known phenomenon and if significant OAL variance is seen, using pre-resized brass can reduce OAL variance.

I loaded 30 rounds in progressive mode using same die settings and since resizing lengthens case by few/several thousandths, I selected cases that were slightly shorter than .750":

• 30 R-P headstamp cases around .750" were selected
• RMR 115 gr FMJ RN sized around .3555" were used
• Case mouth was flared to .380" at Station #5
• .378" taper crimp was used
• Bullets were seated and taper crimped in same step at Station #6

OAL measurements loaded in progressive mode:

• 5 rounds measured 1.134"
• 17 rounds measured 1.135"
• 5 rounds measured 1.136"
• 3 rounds measured 1.137"

 

Wow, thanks for checking that.
Looks like the new press behaves similarly to ABL.
I was hoping for improvements but at least now we know it's not worse.

Interestingly, I was able to eliminate C.O.L variation for rifle rounds by leaving the 9mm sizing die (with the decapping pin removed).
Constant pressure of the sizing die in station #1 made seating of rifle rounds much more consistent.
I wonder, now with more availbale stations, what if we install decapping die (without the pin) in one of the free stations to do the same for pistol rounds?
We would need to push the decapping die a few thousands below the sizing die (with the case inside) to "override" it's pressure.

 

WOW! A great deal of work in what you're posting and sharing!!! As I said earlier, very comprehensive and very detailed! Keep up the GREAT work!!!

I seem to get much more variance with OAL on my 4000. I may have to up my purchase time to buy the 6000 (it looks impressive) and give the 4000 to my son!

Lee should give you a sales commission or perhaps a rebate on the purchase of your press!!!

Thanks @LiveLife, your work is truly appreciated by all who visit here!!! Thanks Again and God Bless!

 

Loaded unsorted mixed range brass at random with following measurements of resized lengths and OALs:

1. R-P .751" - 1.134"
2. WIN .749" - 1.134"
3. Blazer .747" - 1.129"
4. G.F.L. .748" - 1.131"
5. .FC. .750" - 1.129"
6. FC .750" - 1.128"
7. WIN .750" - 1.131"
8. G.F.L. .750" - 1.131"
9. Blazer .748" - 1.129"
10. WIN .749" - 1.130"
11. .FC. .747" - 1.128"
12. FC - .752" - 1.131"
13. G.F.L. .750" - 1.129"
14. WIN .750" - 1.134"
15. R-P .750" - 1.132"
16. Blazer .750" - 1.130"
17. WIN .748" - 1.132"
18. FC .750" - 1.130"
19. R-P .749" - 1.133"
20. G.F.L. .750" - 1.133"

But wider swing in OAL variance was expected with mixed range brass and sorting brass by headstamp can reduce OAL variance like this random sample of WIN brass:

• WIN .749" - 1.133"
• WIN .747" - 1.131"
• WIN .750" - 1.132"
• WIN .750" - 1.131"
• WIN .751" - 1.133"
• WIN .750" - 1.131"
• WIN .748" - 1.132"
• WIN .750" - 1.132"
• WIN .747" - 1.133"
• WIN .751" - 1.133"

I am not a sales person for Lee. Just a retired Dillon user who also likes Lee products.

$239 for the Six Pack Pro press - https://www.titanreloading.com/product/lee-six-pack-pro/

$339 for the SPP kit (Also called Pro 6000) that comes complete with case feeder, powder measure and dies to reload a caliber - https://www.titanreloading.com/prod...nt/lee-presses/lee-six-pack-pro/lee-pro-6000/

 

But then my review of the product would not be "objective and impartial" rather "subjective and sponsored".

 

I think that is the point: this is a full rig for the medium to advanced reloader. It’s at a price-point that the more advanced high-volume shooter can buy one for each caliber they shoot competitively without having to break the budget. Unless you’re a competitive shooter buying one and several tool heads would be more economical than buying several kits but it’s still an option down the road. I hope I have that right...

NB: I’m getting just a little PO’d at the “new and improved” Apple iOS autocorrect. It’s more like autochange to something meaningless.

 

Well, perhaps, we (as all your fans) should do something for you for all your sharing and dedicated work!!!

I believe it's appreciated but the word "THANKS" just seems a bit inadequate for all your contributions! God Bless and many thanks!!!

 

Um you forgot the included shell plate; I consider all that extra stuff in the kit as well worth that $100.

With all your recent posts about OAL consistency (a good thing) I have to assume you are happy with all aspects of the press, another good thing.
Keep the posts coming,
jmo,
.

 

I’ll echo EMC45s comment…nice write up. REALLY appreciate the extra effort of disassembly for the detailed views of a new to the market press.

I’m at the beginning of reorganizating the reloading room and significantly expanding the available bench space. Will keep tracking this thread to see how the press performs and holds up but I have to say it appears to deliver significant value at its price point.

I started on Lee and moved on to other equipment but still use the original Lee single stage. I could easily see the 6000 sitting on the soon to be expanded bench dedicated to a single straight walled caliber like .32 H&R, .327 FM or .357Mag.

 

Good point. I guess if you have the space it’s a viable alternative to switching out for caliber changes.

 

I doubt different tool heads is the answer. I wouldn't want to take the press apart to change tool heads. But the quick change bushings wouldn't be too bad. Just change the preset dies.

I don't see myself buying more than one of these presses.....afterall I have two more progressives, plus an APP, and APP'd Summit press, and a Rock Chucker. What I don't have is unlimited bench space. What I do have is a need for a new winter project......so I'll be looking for a niche for this press mounted on my Quick Change base from Inline Fab......and they already have them for sale. I might even buy another base for the quick change.....if I can find a spot for it. Thing are already crowded in my Reloading Room.

I also see an immediate use for the new rifle collating mod I just 3d printed......least ways until I make another pair of electric case and bullet 3dprinted collators.

LiveLife! Great writeup....lots of trouble, but very worthwhile!

 

No tool heads on the sixpack.
Yes, quick change bushings.
just sayin',

 

Sell your APP? That's not an option in my reloading room.....not since TylerR came up with the quickchange caliber change for it. And now I have that option on my Summit with APP parts and Tyler's quickchange on that too.......and have them both mounted to Inline Fabrications uppers:

So then, I'll buy another upper (they already have them forsale) for the SixPack. And I have an upper for my RCBS bench primer also....so that'd make 4 choices for that bench spot........I will probably eventually add another Inline Fabrication base at another location......to allow 2 of the 4 to be mounted at the same time. But sell any of them....never!

You already have Inline Fabrication's quick change bench base don't you?.....and they make uppers for both the APP and the new six-pack press......so why not just have your cake and eat it too.