Lee six pack pro opinions

Waterboy3313

Waterboy3313

Member
Joined
Sep 8, 2019
Messages
976
Location
Redding CA
I have been handloading for about 5 years now. I have my first press a lee single stage I bought in the beginning, a rcbs Jr press that belonged to my dad and a lee 4 hole turret press. I seem to like to hand prime my cases in batches as well be OCD about everything else from weighing my powder changes every time. I don't hand load to save money because it would probably be cheaper to buy white box at a big box store as well as spend the time doing more important things. I simply like consistency.

I've been thinking for a while I need a progressive press for my 9mm plinking needs. It all sounds good on paper but my ocd is getting the best of me. The thought of completing multiple processes with one pull of the lever really makes head spin.

Due to my lack of time and energy I have pushed myself to change a little bit. I ordered the Lee six pack pro 9mm kit. I have also ordered a Hornady powder cop die as well as a bullet feeder die setup. I'm hoping this was a decent decision and if all goes well I plan on either ordering another complete setup or misc parts to load 223 rem.

The press kit will be delivered tomorrow and the powder cop die as well as the feeder setup hopefully by the end of the week. I'm hoping there are a few people reading this with the same setup I just ordered that have positive things to say.

Your comments, suggestions, tips or tricks will be greatly appreciated.
 
With six stations I would have hoped you would have bought the lock out die instead of a powder cop die. You don't have to watch a lockout die, it will just stop your press on a no-charge or a double charge.

As far as the press goes, I will let others who have been using it for a while now do the commenting. I had one for a short time but it was defective and I sent it back for a refund. It was one of the first ones so opinions can't be based off my experience with it.

I do think it's a sound press, don't know how good the priming system is on it. I never got to find out.

I'm in the camp of using progressive presses. I have two of them that do all my loading now, mostly pistol. I can't see wasting my time on a single stage press with the volume of rounds that I load.

If I was a low volume loader, and was retired, I probably wouldn't care as much. (yeah, I would)

Just take your time and put some thought into what you want each station to do. Then set up each station and die, one at a time, then go to the next station and do it. Run some empties through it with the one station, then with two stations, then three and so on.

When you have it all set up the way you want it, run a case through it on a dry run to see if everything goes as planned. If it does, and your happy with your arrangement, then pull your dies back out and put some primers in and try priming cases on it.
Then put powder in powder measure and run some primed cases through the press, stop after each stroke and look at everything, no problem? Run another one.

All this time you are getting familiar with every function of the press whether you realize it or not, and that's what you need to be doing.

Think of it this way, it's not one big project going on there that you need to watch all the time, It' just six small projects, some you have to watch and some you don't.

Priming and powder you have to watch, you already know that, but the lock out die will help give you one less thing to watch, and safeguard you through the learning process, they work and work well.

Get an M-die type neck sizer, they go hand in hand with the bullet feeder, (which by the way works great). The step in the case makes the bullet just stick in there when the feeder drops one.

So I believe if you bought the M-die profile neck sizer for what you loading (and they are cheap) and the lock out die, (they are life savers for progressive operators) I think you have an easier time transitioning from single to progressive, especially with using the bullet feeder.

Two things I think are very important.
1. With a progressive, you have to train yourself to finish every stroke of the handle, you don't stop most of the way up, like to stand up a case that fell over, and then go up again. DOUBLE CHARGE.
You need to train yourself to complete the handle stroke every time without stopping, because if you double stroke at the top, double charge of powder. If you go up halfway and come back down you just threw your process out of time by one position. "SQUIB" no powder in one case. Best thing to do is just empty the shell plate and start again fresh.

2.No one ever said you need to run it at the speed of sound. There are no bragging rights to running them fast, only running them safely and making good ammo on them that's safe to shoot.
So take your sweet old time when setting up and running it and relax. You will find out you will spend more time looking at the press then running, because of how efficient they are.

I went from being a slave to a single station press, to all of a sudden all my ammo is loaded, now what am I supposed to do, just look at it? That's the way it is

I usually load around a thousand at a time on my Hornady, you can load 10 if you want, or as many as you want, everyone's needs are unique to them.

And we are here to help.
 
If you have your brass sorted by head stamp the Powder Cop will give you a good indication of the charge, but will not lock up the press. Like said, you have too look at it every time. I use it since I don't have to change my routine when I load bottle neck cartridges. The powder cop has a rod that floats with a o-ring on it. You adjust the body so the o-ring is at the top of the die as a reference. So any variation will show easily. Even a spec of media from cleaning will indicate the charge is high. Different brass will drive you nuts as the indicator will not be at a consistent spot ever time.

Like tightgroup tiger said, setup like it's 6 presses. Each station as a press and progress through the stations till you have a completed round. You MUST FULLY STROKE THE RAM EVERY TIME. Short stoking will cause all kind of problems. It's not a race so take your time, speed will come as you become more comfortable with all the process happening on 1 stroke. Once the stations are fully loaded you will get a completed round with every stroke, so it will be much faster in the long run no matter what speed you run.

I load most all my handgun ammo on a LNL-AP w/brass feeder, 100-500 per session. 500 is all my back can take before I'm forced to stop. I prefer to set the bullet by hand which allows me to peak in the case as a secondary confirmation, there is powder.

Ball powders will be your friend on a AP press, since they meter very good. Large flake and tubular/logs/sticks will give you problem. Make sure your powder dispenser has been settled so it throws a consistent charge with very minimal variation. This can take as many as 50 drops. I operate the dispenser manually while doing this, capturing the powder and returning it back into the dispenser. When it looks good I test the auto drop for load accuracy and adj as needed. I also run 3-5 after any adjustment have been made before checking. Run 10 checking each one will give you an average as what to expect.
 
I absolutely love mine. ~3000 RDS of 9mm through it, and once you get your "rhythm" down, it goes quickly! Like said before, FULL and deliberate strokes of the handle and setting every station up like it's a single stage are very important. I also recommend getting the Lee bushings with the set screws for locking the die down, much easier/ more consistent to set up.
 
Waterboy3313 said:
I have been handloading for about 5 years now. I have my first press a lee single stage I bought in the beginning, a rcbs Jr press that belonged to my dad and a lee 4 hole turret press. I seem to like to hand prime my cases in batches as well be OCD about everything else from weighing my powder changes every time. I don't hand load to save money because it would probably be cheaper to buy white box at a big box store as well as spend the time doing more important things. I simply like consistency.

I've been thinking for a while I need a progressive press for my 9mm plinking needs. It all sounds good on paper but my ocd is getting the best of me. The thought of completing multiple processes with one pull of the lever really makes head spin.

Due to my lack of time and energy I have pushed myself to change a little bit. I ordered the Lee six pack pro 9mm kit. I have also ordered a Hornady powder cop die as well as a bullet feeder die setup. I'm hoping this was a decent decision and if all goes well I plan on either ordering another complete setup or misc parts to load 223 rem.

The press kit will be delivered tomorrow and the powder cop die as well as the feeder setup hopefully by the end of the week. I'm hoping there are a few people reading this with the same setup I just ordered that have positive things to say.

Your comments, suggestions, tips or tricks will be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
I have the same setup as you, but RCBS powder cop die. Works well. I take my time and look at the stations on the upstroke and downstroke.

11558.jpeg
 
Waterboy3313 said:
ordered the Lee six pack pro 9mm kit.

suggestions, tips or tricks will be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Congrats!

From "'Best Practices' checklist for more reliable operation of Six Pack Pro/Pro 6000 kit" to get you started properly - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...x-pack-pro-pro-6000-kit.913577/#post-12885386

Following is work-in-progress "Summary of steps/mods/QC measures" checklist to ensure smooth reliable operation of the press before each reloading session:​
​
- Lube ram and all metal-to-metal contact/pivot points with STP/motor oil and wipe off excess (Can put a light coat of oil on twisted part of index rod to lubricate cross slot of index gear). Update with ergo roller handle for more comfortable press operation​
​
​
- QC: Check priming rod/pin is moving up and down freely and falls below the slider channel surface (New updated carrier cover is "self-cleaning")​
​
​
​
- Cycle the ram to ensure primer guide is freely and fully entering station #2 without hesitation​
​
- Install and adjust dies with shorter resized case length brass to set case mouth flare, taper crimp amount and OAL/COL of dummy rounds for max/working OAL​
​
​
- Install case feeder using a penny as spacer between top of case and bottom of feeder body/feeder body and frame​
​
​
- If experiencing cases bouncing/jumping out of case slider, consider "gated" 5 tube case feeder​
​
- If experiencing powder spilling out of case, consider using slower "soft twist" index rod/bar​
​
- QC: Since primer chute/trough won't feed with less than 4 primers, refill primers when half full or just below top of open slot​
​
​
- QC: Lightly tap hopper/factory powder container (If using bottle adapter) 10 times with finger to settle bulky/flaky powders and weigh dropped charges until consistent (Update to Deluxe Auto Drum for $18)​
​
- Run a case through the progressive steps to ensure proper operation of the press and finished dimensions (Update with slower "soft twist" index rod/bar to prevent powder splash out of case which now ships with new SPP)​
​
​
- Refill hopper with powder or replace with another factory bottle when powder falls below viewing window​
​
- Loosen breech lock bushing with wrench and turn Auto Drum upside down to return powder back into container​
​
- Wipe press clean with paper towel after reloading session​
 
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powwowell said:
I can't say enough about how important the posts by @LifeLife were to me. When I had questions he had the answers.
Click to expand...
Anything for THR members. :)

powwowell said:
Most economical and dependable progressive press on the market, for the money.
Click to expand...
And consistency of finished OAL using mixed range brass unsorted by resized case length isn't bad either. ;)

Unsorted (by resized length) mixed range brass progressive reloading (shellplate full) OAL consistency with RMR 115 gr FMJ - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...r-oal-consistency.911743/page-3#post-12446468​
  • Blazer unsorted - OAL of 1.128"-1.133" (.005" variance)
  • G.F.L. unsorted - OAL of 1.129"-1.133" (.004" variance)
  • .FC. unsorted - OAL of 1.128"-1.131" (.003" variance)
  • FC unsorted - OAL of 1.130"-1.132" (.002" variance)
  • WIN unsorted - OAL of 1.131"-1.133" (.002" variance)
  • R-P unsorted - OAL of 1.133"-1.134" (.001" variance)
  • R-P "." unsorted - OAL of 1.134"-1.135" (.001" variance)
 
tightgroup tiger said:
Two things I think are very important.
1. With a progressive, you have to train yourself to finish every stroke of the handle, you don't stop most of the way up, like to stand up a case that fell over, and then go up again. DOUBLE CHARGE.
You need to train yourself to complete the handle stroke every time without stopping, because if you double stroke at the top, double charge of powder. If you go up halfway and come back down you just threw your process out of time by one position. "SQUIB" no powder in one case. Best thing to do is just empty the shell plate and start again fresh.

2.No one ever said you need to run it at the speed of sound. There are no bragging rights to running them fast, only running them safely and making good ammo on them that's safe to shoot.
So take your sweet old time when setting up and running it and relax. You will find out you will spend more time looking at the press then running, because of how efficient they are.
Click to expand...
Sound advice!
 
Great thing about this hobby, there is no set way to do it. It is as individual as each one of use that do it. Then in today's world a person can easily find tools that fit and fill their individual requirements. No right or wrong way to do it just different.

My needs and routine are still easily fulfilled by the simple old Lee Pro1000 and a Lee 3 hole turret press. I am perfectly content doing it this way but then there are many others that are loading and shooting much more than I am. All comes down to the best solution for each individual.

Enjoy that new press and happy shooting!
 
powwowell said:
I can't say enough about how important the posts by @LifeLife were to me. When I had questions he had the answers.
Click to expand...

A wealth of information and experience which he shares gladly with all who participate and visit here!!! @LiveLife helped me a great deal with my reloading process as I am sure many would say the same!!!

You will be glad to get a SPP (6000)! Just follow many of the comments above and you'll be glad you did!!!

Thanks @LiveLife and God Bless!!!
 
Thank you all for the good advice and tips. I've never been in a hurry while loading anything. The reason I'm not as I am chasing accuracy. Life is also so busy I can never seem to catch up. There just aren't enough hours in a day to work, family time, personal time etc.

Sunday morning I took my 15 year old son to the range. First time in a few years he willingly wanted to go with me. We had a great time and he said he wants to start going with me more often. So now my lack of free time and another trigger finger is going to have me spending more time hand loading. As I said not in a hurry or any kind of race but if I can be more efficient it will hopefully free up time to do other important things.

I just got ring camera video of the ups guy leaving the box on the front porch. I will have to look into the lock up die. I saw a company that makes an electronic powder checking die. I forgot the name but I didn't want to allow my self to start any bad habits by watching for light or listening for an alarm that could fail. I think running this at a slow controlled pace will still save me a ton of time.
 
I'm still waiting for my bullet feeder setup to be delivered. I have managed to build a solid mount though. Because I didn't think properly when i built my bench 5ish years ago I didn't do myself any favors. I made a solid 6"x8"x1/4" steel plate with a 2 in angle iron spacer with another 6"x6"x1/4" plate in top all welded together.

I had my son/apprentice is drilling holes and under the bench holding the wrench I was tightening the mounting bolts. Teaching the 15 year old is an interesting project but it makes me feel good he is changing from wanting to play video games. It's been a great project so far just a little slow. It's worth the time in my opinion.

I'm hoping tomorrow I will have the press and mount permanently bolted up. Also hoping the bullet feeder gets here and and I can get the setup completely put together and hopefully adjusted so it ready to run.

I'm planning on taking my son to the range again Sunday morning. Then he will get his first lesson in brass prep.
 
It's most likely me but I spent a lot of hours setting it up. Dry running each step except the powder station. I think something is missing for the autodrum. Lack of instructions and the powder cop die also in the way. So after all was dialed in minus powder drop I decided to run my funnel in the powder through expander die and use my lnl autocharger to feed the powder. Yes it was slow but it gave me plenty of time to look at each station and keep powder charges weighed.

Set up the bullet feeder from lee in the Dry run phase it seemed like it was working fine. Again lack of directions/instructions. I trial and errored it until seemed correct. Soon as I loaded the tube with projectiles the plastic bracket broke and bullets all ended up every where. Priming went sideways right out of the beginning something jammed and bent the little tab that hold the metal part of the Priming arm. I managed to get it bent back enough that it works now.

When one little issue pops up it sends off a chain reaction that makes a big issue. After 5 or 6 hours setting it up being super careful it all went crap in less than a minute. I'm trying to decide if I cool down and try again or I throw in the towel now.

It also seems like it wants to index itself slightly off. I was very careful to make sure I was all up and all down on the handle. Very focused on that but it didn't seem to matter.

I could have ran my 4 hole turret press along with my auto charger in the amount of time I spent yesterday and been time and money ahead. Like I said I don't know where this will go right now. I have some other projects that I need to get working on and maybe this will get put on the back burner for a while.

I'm not necessarily blaming the equipment, some if it was pretty flimsy plastic though. If it's me I screwed up and should stick to what I know.
 
So I'm probably really going to sound stupid now. I took some time to look over the new setup. As I mentioned lack of instructions which I probably wouldn't or couldn't read (I just look at the pictures).

I figured out how to install the autodrum. If it's missing any parts it's the return chain. Not sure if that comes with the kit but I saw it on a YouTube video for a different press kit. Now I'm just cycling an empty primed case to run some powder through the drum and die. Yes I took the expanding die apart and cleaned it thoroughly since it is coated in oil.

My goal at this stage is get some powder through it so it will throw constant charges. I figure about 100ish cycles to get everything coated and I am weighing each one. My 124 gr 9mm load likes 4.0gr of Titegroup. When I get consistent drops I will move on to the bullet feeder as I think everything else is ready to go.

I found a work around for my bullet feeder problem at least the broken part but I will be limited to 1 out of 5 bullet tube's. The fun continues. Sometimes walking away for a while and taking a break is the solution to the problem. So far I'm back on board as long as it continues to go like it has this afternoon.
 
Your post up above with the explanation goes directly back to the reason I am still loading with a Pro1000 3 station progressive press. Now the new one with the indexing pin makes it almost fool proof.
For many years all one would ever see for loading pistols were 3 die sets and that was all that was needed. Also all I use. I am not a re-manufacturer and I have no need to load a thousand rounds every month 12 months per year. So I go a little slower, produce a little less and find way less nervous reactions to what I am doing. Yes I take my time and physically look into every case before I place a bullet.
 
I didn't use the case feeder or bullet feeder on mine for the 1st few hundred rounds. It was easier for me to get use to it that way. Added the case feeder, then after awhile the bullet feeder. Both work well.
 
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Waterboy3313 said:
After 5 or 6 hours setting it up being super careful it all went crap in less than a minute.

autodrum ... return chain. Not sure if that comes with the kit but I saw it on a YouTube video for a different press kit
Click to expand...
< Shakes head >

There's no return chain used on Auto Drum as internal spring tension rotates the drum back. And why would you watch a video for a different press kit?

During the 5-6 hours, have you considered asking for help on THR?

Years back, we ran a challenge how long it would take various gun forums to answer posted reloading questions. So same reloading questions were posted and most gun forums took days to receive responses, and not correct/accurate answers. On few forums, there was never a reply to the posted questions.

On THR "Handloading & Reloading" subcategory, often most posted reloading questions were correctly answered within minutes to tens of minutes. If you belong to several gun forums, try the challenge for yourself and see how fast/correct the responses are.

Waterboy3313 said:
spent a lot of hours setting it up ... I think something is missing for the autodrum. Lack of instructions

Again lack of directions/instructions. I trial and errored it until seemed correct. Soon as I loaded the tube with projectiles the plastic bracket broke and bullets all ended up every where. Priming went sideways right out of the beginning something jammed and bent the little tab that hold the metal part of the Priming arm. I managed to get it bent back enough that it works now.

When one little issue pops up it sends off a chain reaction that makes a big issue. After 5 or 6 hours setting it up being super careful it all went crap in less than a minute. I'm trying to decide if I cool down and try again or I throw in the towel now.
Click to expand...
You do realize there are literally hundreds of experienced reloaders on THR who are retired or read the forum regularly like me and would gladly help another member with new press setup?

I specifically worked with Calvin/Lee Precision as beta/product tester to get all the early production identified issues resolved for the past year ;) - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...-oal-consistency.911743/page-21#post-12861993

And why "Best Practices" checklist was developed to help guide those new to SPP/Pro 6000 kits setup/operate the press more reliably - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...x-pack-pro-pro-6000-kit.913577/#post-12885386
 
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There's no return chain used on Auto Drum as internal spring tension rotates the drum back. And why would you watch a video for a
different press kit?
Click to expand...
So it was just a Google search on the lee powder drum itself. I was a bit confused at first and the instructions/directions are not so good. No one ever accused me of being a genius.

You do realize there are literally hundreds of experienced reloaders on THR who are retired or read the forum regularly like me and would gladly help another member with new press setup?
Click to expand...
I don't want to be that guy that always asks for help especially when the answer should be something that isn't rocket science. I am very happy I belong to THR and I probably belong to several other forums but I can't remember because this is the one I frequent. Thank you for for sharing all of your knowledge and experience I appreciate it.
 
Waterboy3313 said:
I don't want to be that guy that always asks for help especially when the answer should be something that isn't rocket science
Click to expand...
But that's what gun forums are for, to exercise free speech and First Amendment right to openly and freely discuss things related to guns and reloading.

And when I started restoration of my 70s vintage 18'/21' Starcraft aluminum boats for retirement, I was "that newbie guy" on iboats forum. While I know my way around cars/trucks and can rebuild carburetors (I do OK with fuel injections too) and have my welding certification, I didn't know a thing about riveted aluminum boat hulls, no clue what "gluvit" was and how to rebuild a transom.

How hard can it be to cut up some plywood and glue the pieces painting with marine grade sealant? I mean that's not "rocket science" right? Well, I totally ruined a good piece of plywood and now I am contemplating sandwich reinforced aluminum sheet plates (I have several near 1/4" thick sheet stocks) for "no rot" transom and TIG welding everything.

Just imagine, we could have answered your questions and you could have been back to setting up the press within minutes instead of being frustrated for 5-6 hours.

I spent several days making the transom and started getting a "funny feeling" about it while painting the marine grade sealant. While waiting for the sealant to dry between coats, I FINALLY read the threads on rebuilding transom and oh my, I totally messed up and had to start over.

So as it's been retold so many times, "There are no dumb questions, just the ones you don't ask". :)
 
Waterboy3313 said:
So it was just a Google search on the lee powder drum itself. I was a bit confused at first and the instructions/directions are not so good. No one ever accused me of being a genius.


I don't want to be that guy that always asks for help especially when the answer should be something that isn't rocket science. I am very happy I belong to THR and I probably belong to several other forums but I can't remember because this is the one I frequent. Thank you for for sharing all of your knowledge and experience I appreciate it.
Click to expand...
Some of these guys live for troubleshooting stuff and helping others. That's literally what the forum is for.
 
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