Update in my Lee Progressive experiment

[ljnowell]

I frequently comment on conversations that involve Lee progressives. In the past I've shunned then but since trying a Pro1000 I've been sold on it's ability to make lots of quality ammo fast.

That being said, I've line been a Lee Precision Fanboy. No apologies, their classic loader, turret, and now progressive have served me well. I always comment on how my pro1000 has been flawless since setting it up.

In the interest of full disclosure I must report a malfunction. While loading yesterday(somewhere in the neighborhood of 8-9k now) I had a round not eject from the shell plate. I backed it up and checked it and had a half seated primer. I say it to the side to fix later and kept going. The next did the same thing. Uh oh, it's the dreaded priming issues everyone talks about. What could be wrong? Will I need to call Lee and start replacing parts?

Nope, just had to remove the spent primer that fell on the base of the press and kept the carrier from bottoming out, lol. I wiped it off the base with my index finger and kept going. All was good.

 

[Steelworker]

Does your press present a primer to seat everytime or is it supposed to happen only if a case is in position? My press presents one everytime, even when no case is in that position.

 

[Walkalong]

It's always nice when it's something simple.

 

[Lafitte]

The Lee progressive presses that I have used present a primer only when a case is present. (Loadmaster and Pro 1000)

Lafitte

 

[ljnowell]

Steelworker if your press is doing that them the spring on the primer pin is installed wrong. Look on the bottom if the carrier and there is a wire spring clip that goes from the case sensor over to the carrier. If it's installed wrong it will do that. I'll get a picture for you. That's one of the things I had to set up on my press straight out of the box.

I would guess at least half of the Pro1000s arrive that way. I think it occurs in shipping. It only takes a second to fix.

 

[ljnowell]

This isn't the most clear but it shows it pretty well. Lots if times it will be hooked on the primer punch instead of the carrier body itself and it will cause exactly what you describe.

 

[Elkins45]

If you can't get the spring to reset then you can always just develop the habit of tapping the primer blocking arm (properly called the case sensor I think) after the shellplate advances. That will keep it from feeding a primer when a case isn't present.

 

[LiveLife]

My press presents one everytime, even when no case is in that position.

ljnowell is correct. The normal position for the primer seating rod is in the up position which blocks the column of primers and prevents one from entering station #2 when there is no case. When the case from station #1 rotates towards station #2, it will toggle the case sensor which tugs at the case sensor spring and drops the rod to allow a primer to slide into station #2. As ljnowell posted, if the case sensor spring is installed incorrectly (see picture below), the rod will be held down and allow additional/multiple primers to slide into station #2 - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=8699621#post8699621

 

[ljnowell]

BDS is who clued me into that when I first unboxed my press. Simple to slide the spring back where it belongs.

BDS, I thought you would get a kick out of my "problem." For a low price press this thing is still chugging along like a champ.

 

[LiveLife]

Thanks for providing an update of your life with the "finicky" Pro 1000.

It was brave of you to bite the bullet and post your firsthand experience from the unboxing to reloading the first 2000 rounds without much fuss. Glad I was able to help prevent you from running into problems with Pro 1000 before/as they occurred.

 

[Steelworker]

Thanks for the info. Soon as I get a few days off, I'll tinker with it some more.

 

[Steelworker]

My primer pin spring is mounted correctly. If you push up on the pin, it will stay up. As soon as you run one case past the case sensor, it will drop down and present a primer. But, then it stays down, allowing the free flow of primers. This makes me think that it is a problem with the case sensor, case sensor bushing, or the tension finger.

When the first case goes past the sensor, the sensor moves out, and stays in the "out" position. Any ideas?

 

[LiveLife]

When the first case goes past the sensor, the sensor moves out, and stays in the "out" position. Any ideas?

Your case sensor is definitely not operating correctly.

You may have debri in the primer rod housing. Tap the bottom of the primer rod several times to loosen any debri to ensure the rod is moving freely up and down. Recheck the case sensor function to see if it returns back after being toggled.

If the case sensor still won't operate properly, you'll need to disassemble the shellplate carrier and inspect the primer rod housing and/or the case sensor. Remove the shell plate carrier from the ram then remove the shell plate and pull off the primer feed attachment. The primer rod housing hole should be free of debri and rod/case sensor springs installed as shown in the pictures below. Reinstall the primer attachment and shell plate then check case sensor operation.

 

[ljnowell]

It also bears mentioning that the screw holding the case sensor can be over tightened.

When I first changed over from 380 to 380 I tightened it too tight and the first case would trigger it and it wouldn't return. I loosened the screw a touch and it's worked just fine since.

 

[Steelworker]

Thank you bds and ljnowell!! It appears that thecase sensor was over tightened.

 

[ljnowell]

Thank you bds and ljnowell!! It appears that thecase sensor was over tightened.

Sounds like you got it working then? If so fantastic! These presses really crank out the ammo and when you run into a problem it's usually quite minor.

 

[Steelworker]

Its working great now. After cleaning the primer punch pocket, and fiddling with the case sensor, I got it going. Thanks again.

 

[LiveLife]

Great! I love happy endings.

 

[stavman11]

ya love my 3 Lee Pro 1000 presses....

and as of Today... I will have a new TOY ta mess with... got the Hornady Rifle Bullet feeder on its way...

should really increase my .223 prodcution a lot.... expecialy when my Girade Trimmer shows up in about a week...