You know, after lurking for many years here, I decided to post this year because whenever Pro 1000 was mentioned, it was an automatic bash session with no real constructive or positive information offered to the OP who often was in a situation where higher priced progressive was not an option and was trying to make the best of the situation. I came to THR from other forums in the hopes of fair treatment of all brands, cheap to expensive. I intentionally did not post to see where the discussion was going and looks like it is starting to go south, even against OP's disclaimer. If this is the SOP for THR, then no one who owns Pro 1000 will ever post their problems or questions to be helped, so they TOO can enjoy reloading and shooting (When I started reloading, I didn't make enough money to support match shooting with factory ammo - I had to reload but didn't have $500-$1000 laying around for "other" brand press setup). Fact is, many people buy the Pro 1000 knowing the downsides for different reasons. So in the spirit of THR, can we stick to helping the OP? Thank you.
OP stated:
only pro1000 owners need reply ... all you dillon and LNL fans I know your presses are awesome, and some day I will get one, but right now, and in the near future it's not going to happen, so "get a dillon" is not the answer to this question
I reload 357 and 44 mag on a 3 hole turret press. I've got a single stage and 4 hole for other calibers.
greyling22, since you already own a single stage, 3 hole turret and another 4 hole press, I am thinking you are familiar with the reloading process. With the center hex rod lightly lubed with oil, is it indexing properly? You adjust the movement of the shell plate with a Phillips screw located below the shell plate carrier left of the ram. Move the ram up and down and turn the screw clock-wise to bring the shell plate into station. If it maintains the shell plate timing (auto index), then next step is adding up the parts you need to figure out whether it is cost-effective for you to keep dumping money into the Pro 1000.
I assembled it and discovered that I have a 44 mag shellholder large priming system, and large case feeder, but no tubing or collator for the feeder. I have a small case feeder with tubing, but no 357 shellplate or small primer feeding system. I think it will cost me around 50 bucks to have a fully functioning pro1000 in 357 and 44 mag.
Same tubing is used for both large/small case feeder. This is the cost break down for the part you would need:
Collator -
$12 at MidwayUSA
Shell plate - $14.49 (
#1 shell plate for 357 Mag and
#11 shell plate for 44 Mag)
Primer attachment - $11
kit comes with both large/small slide tubes, pins and one primer tray.
Do you have the
large case slider and the
Z-bar? You would need these parts for case feeding.
Extra parts - $1.69
Nylon hex ratchet
So your initial cost would be $52 ($12+2x$14.49+$11) to start.
The question is, is the pro1000 a decent enough press to mess with, worth a small investment, or is it just one big bag of headaches. Options are:
A) spend the money, it's an upgrade from the turret press, or
B) spend the 50 on groceries, stay on the turret press, pro1000 is too big a hassle.
The progressive press simply does the same thing as single stage/turret press but faster. I would recommend you assess your reloading needs based on how many rounds you need on a regular basis. BTW, Pro 1000 is capable of loading around 450-650 rounds per hour (650-900 using primed cases).
Since you already have a turret press, if you only shoot a few hundred rounds a month, you may not benefit from the Pro 1000. If you shoot more than 1000 rounds a month, I would say Pro 1000 is recommended.
As to Pro 1000 needing "tinkering" and things breaking, this is the extent of my tinkering for each reloading session:
- Wipe off press and lightly lube all metal contact surfaces (need to be done regardless of press brand/model)
- Check shell plate timing (move ram up and down - takes 2 seconds) and adjust if necessary (takes 5-10 seconds)
- Check case feeder/slider function (takes a few cycles of the ram)
- Check primer attachment tube for debri (clean as necessary)
- Check powder/primer level (need to be done regardless of press brand/model)
- Fill components (cases, powder, primers - need to be done regardless of press brand/model)
- If center hex rod needs additional lube during session (auto index is not working smoothly), lightly lube with oil and check timing (10 seconds)
- As to parts breaking, it is $1.69 nylon hex ratchet gear that is often not lubed (mine lasts about 50K+ rounds if you keep hex rod lubed which it rides on)
I have helped many Pro 1000 users who experienced problems and set up new reloaders on Pro 1000 (I usually setup both single stage and Pro 1000). The most common problem experienced by the users is that they don't familiarize themselves with the Pro 1000 operations and when a problem come up, instead of stopping and identifying the source of the problem, they force the press to cycle. Forcing or cussing the press won't fix any problem, but checking, cleaning, lubing and adjusting will.
I will admit that although the large primer feed attachment works for me 100%, the small primer feed attachment only works around 95% of the times due to primer feed attachment being gravity based and the small primers are not heavy enough to be pushed into station #2 to primer a case properly.
When press priming small primer cases, I keep an eye to make sure the primer "drops down" into station to prime the next case. If it doesn't happen, I keep a large paper clip/precision screwdriver handy to help push the primer into place. This is important because if you charge the case without the primer, powder will pour from the bottom of the case all over the primer feed attachment/primer rod/shell plate area and cause the frustrating situation many posted about (when this happens, you have to disassemble the shell plate carrier/primer attachment to clean the powder and reassemble).
If you want to try the Pro 1000, buy from MidwayUSA and for whatever reason you don't like it, return the parts or sell the press (I for one is always looking for another Pro 1000 setup for new reloaders).
For my match/practice loads (currently 40S&W and soon 45ACP), I hand prime cases so I don't experience the small primer feed issue. I load 1000-2000+ rounds per reloading session "at my leisure" so IF I have any issues, I properly troubleshoot and resume my reloading.
BTW, you shouldn't reload when you are rushed or distracted, regardless of press brand/model. PERIOD. If you feel pressured, you'll overlook things and make careless mistakes. If rounds are not loaded properly when you are distracted, it's not the press to blame but the user.
Here's a thread that will help you with your Pro 1000:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=507454&highlight=Pro+1000
This 2 part video will show 38 Spl rounds being loaded on Pro 1000 (not my video) - process used will be similar to 357/44 loading:
http://www.youtube.com/user/sfliberal#p/u/11/rj7JwO28Wzo
This 9 part video will show full disassembly/cleaning/reassembly/adjusting of Pro 1000 (not my video):
http://www.youtube.com/user/sfliberal#p/u/22/RzaPXj4g8D0
Keep us posted as to how things go.
