Lee Pro 6000 unboxing and testing for OAL consistency

[LiveLife]

Anyone still on the fence about getting one.

Yes. I think I'll stick with my blue stuff.

I like my blue stuff too (Along with C-H black stuff, RCBS green stuff and Hornady red stuff ...) and recently added Eliminator beam scale (Ohaus made 5-0-5) and "Dillon" dial calipers to go with 550 - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...-unlimited-budget.912629/page-4#post-12840006

While I was planning to replace the 650 and case feeder with 750 and case feeder from DAA; looking back, I am glad FA X-10 was delayed to market for almost a year as SPP/Pro 6000 kit has evolved through updated parts in becoming a reliable and precise press to produce finished rounds with minimal OAL variance (I mean, finished round consistency down to .001" is the proof of the pudding, right? ) - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...al-on-progressive-press.921633/#post-12684520

Press Set Up:

• "Best Practices" checklist for reliable press operation
• WARNING: DO NOT remove carrier core from the ram as 80 ft/lbs is required to secure the core to the ram with very precise alignment. Instead, follow this Lee Precision video on removing carrier core and ram as a single unit.
• Press mounting and initial set up (Bench mounting and drill template)
• Press lubrication
• SPP size comparison to Dillon 550
• SPP size comparison to ABLP
• Selecting powder charge station to prevent powder entering priming rod/pin sleeve (Issue addressed with redesigned rod/pin) (Resolved with updated carrier cover)
• Initial set up of dies (Lee Precision instructions)
• Setting up dies for greater precision
• Powder measure with Bottle Adapter using factory powder container (Updated with red hopper/lid and taller swivel adapter, Update kit to "Deluxe" $17)

New Priming System:

• Part 1 - New priming system overview and primer seating depth
• Part 2 - New priming system detail and small/large primer guide removal
• Part 3 - New priming system "self-cleaning" slider channel/trough holes
• Part 1 - Priming system using same priming rod/pin for small/large primers
• Part 2 - Priming system using same priming rod/pin for small/large primers
• Part 1 - Updated priming rod/pin with no charge replacement (Resolved sticky pin, pin stuck in primer pocket and powder in sleeve issues)
• Part 2 - Redesigned "self-cleaning" priming pin overview
• Part 3 - Redesigned "self-cleaning" priming pin stress test
• Part 4 - Redesigned "self-cleaning" priming pin dry priming test
• Updated primer chute/trough assembly with larger diameter pin (Resolved primers not sliding down from primer tray)
• Updated carrier cover with self-cleaning priming pin sleeve (Resolved sticky pin and powder in sleeve issues)

Press Disassembly and Reassembly:

• Press frame column bolt torque specs (Loosening frame bolts not necessary under normal use)
• Press disassembly and reassembly step-by-step (Lee Precision instructions)
• SPP ram, linkage and lever are same as .50 caliber Classic Cast single stage press
• Linkage reassembly instructions
• Shellplate detent ball and spring
• Part 1 - Enhanced top and bottom carrier cover reassembly
• Part 2 - Enhanced top and bottom carrier cover reassembly with redesigned priming pin (Even greater primer chute/trough pin contact with groove rings)

Fine tuning press operation for consistency:

• Inherent progressive press shellplate tilt/deflection affecting OAL variance (Lee Precision explanation)
• OAL variance testing with mixed/sorted range brass by headstamp in progressive mode
• OAL variance listing by headstamp in progressive mode
• OAL consistency testing methodology
• Part 1 - OAL consistency enhancement when using mixed range brass
• Part 2 - OAL consistency enhancement when using mixed range brass
• Myth confirming - Sorting brass for more consistent OAL
• Auto Drum - 50 drops of powder charge weights

Troubleshooting and Solutions:

• Lee Precision SPP/Pro 6000 Knowledge Base
• Primer slider spring crushing/end snagging primer slider channel tabs (Updated with longer slider and narrower spring end)
• Priming rod/pin not actuating freely (Resolved with redesigned rod/pin) (Resolved with updated carrier cover)
• Shellplate to top press head/die alignment (DIY alignment with shellplate full of cases before tightening three hex bolts)
• Powder entering priming rod/pin sleeve (Resolved with redesigned rod/pin) (Resolved with updated carrier cover)
• Part 1 - Primer chute/trough pin not contacting the groove ring to shake the tray (DIY sleeve roller for pin - DIY stress test)
• Roller handle R&D issue (Resolved with new roller handle)
• Case feeding is not smooth and/or ejects cases (DIY tightening of shellplate to index shaft/proper mounting of case feeder)
• Shellplate works itself loose to affect indexing or locks up shellplate (DIY tightening of shellplate to index shaft)
• Priming pin gets stuck in primer pocket (Resolved with redesigned pin)
• Redesigned "self cleaning" priming pin stress test with powder poured in station #2
• Part 2 - Primer chute/trough pin not contacting frame column groove rings (DIY: Addresses primer tray not shaking enough)
• Part 3 - Enhanced with new priming pin / Primer chute/trough pin not contacting frame column groove rings (DIY: Better address primer tray not shaking enough)
• Part 4 - Primer chute/trough pin not contacting frame column groove rings (Resolved with updated larger diameter pin primer chute/trough assembly)

Beta testing/Product development:

• Beta testing Part 1: Inline bullet feeder die/rotary magazine
• Beta testing Part 2: Adjusting inline bullet feeder die for RMR 115 FMJ/JHP, 147 FP and X-Treme 100 RNFP
• Beta testing Part 3: Stepped "M" style powder through expander R&D
• Beta testing Part 4: Inline bullet feeder die/rotary magazine kit finalized to production (Lee inline bullet feeder die kit / Multi tube rotary magazine)
• Beta testing Part 5: Stepped "M" style powder through expander finalized to production

Lee Precision Update Parts/New Products:

• Updated longer primer slider with narrower spring end (Eliminates primer slider channel/trough retainer piece)
• Updated priming rod/pin with no charge replacement (Resolved sticky pin, pin stuck in primer pocket and powder in sleeve issues - Updated with redesigned carrier cover with self-cleaning priming pin sleeve to work with original/new gold pin)
• Updated primer chute/trough assembly with larger diameter pin (Resolved primers not sliding down from primer tray)
• Updated carrier cover with self-cleaning primer pin sleeve (Resolved sticky pin and powder in sleeve issues)
• New slower "soft twist" index bar (Addresses powder spilling and bullet tipping/tilting during shellplate indexing)
• New roller handle (More ergonomic operation of ram lever)
• New Deluxe Auto Drum (With red hopper/lid and taller swivel adapter, Update kit to "Deluxe" $17)

 

[9mmepiphany]

Yes. I think I'll stick with my blue stuff.

Nothing wrong with that at all, as long as you're already invested. The 750 had already come off my bench with the anticipation of adding a FA X-10. As already mentioned the delay of the X-10 happened to coincide with the introduction of the Pro 6000. I thought it would be an entertaining distraction which turned out to have been an excellent choice. I don't feel I've missed much in not waiting for the X-10 (it's still going through growing pains) and the Pro 6000 offers much more than the 750 did.

I've recommended the Lee Pro 6000 to several folks over the Dillon 750 already and don't see any reason not to. At it's price point, it completely buries the Square Deal and does everything most folks would use a 750 for for a much smaller investment

 

[harieg]

Six Pack Pro press for $200 is pretty good deal as Titan is selling it for $269 - https://leeprecision.com/reconditioned-six-pack-pro-reloading-press-3

midwayUSA 240. usd

 

[GW Staar]

I had bought the slow twist station advance rod back in December, but never got around to trying it. Thought I'd give people a heads up to a possible snafu with it. Hopefully mine is the only one that is slightly oversize in the width at the el end. It would not drop fully into the groove at station 4, where you have to secure it between the #4 die and the top press casting, but nothing a bastard file couldn't take care of, so I didn't panic. Just filed it some on each edge (paying attention to keeping the corners rounded) until it went into the groove flush on top.

I notice that Lee provides the slow twist version on new presses now....at least models set up for shorter cases, but still furnish the original faster twist for longer calibers. I did notice the slow twist worked fine with .223 rifle and 9mm pistol.....but haven't tested it with longer rifle cases. Anybody else try the slow twist on longer rifle cases?

Is it worth changing to? I think so.......really smooth.....I doubt there will be any powder escaping 9mm cases now on the trip around the progressive's merry-go-round.