What's best way to prime with Lee Pro 1000?

[venom777]

Hello,

I've been reading mixed reviews about the consistancy of the Lee Pro 1000 to properly prime the cartridge case. Some people have recommended hand priming first, but if i do that I obviously won't be able to use the sizing/de-priming die.

So should i trust the lee to prime, or is there some alternative i'm missing?

I'm a complete greenhorn with regard to reloading... I got this machine when a friend of mine upgraded to the loadmaster.

Appreciate any comments....

 

[CatsEye]

I have a little over 5000 rounds of 9mm and .40s through my Lee Pro 1000 and it works great. The only problem I have seen regarding primers is when you let the feeder get low. The stack of primers in the feeder push the next one into position each time so if you let it get low it causes problems. Other than that, as long as you learn to feel the primer seat on the handle upstroke you shouldn't have any problems.

 

[moxie]

You can sstill use the die even if you hand prime. The die will de-cap and size the cases. You then hand prime them with a suitable tool such as the ones made by Lee or RCBS.

 

[ants]

To use the P1000 with hand priming you run the cases through twice (first run all the cases with the sizing/decap die only, then run them again with the other two dies but without the sizing die). But that isn't using the press to its full potential.

The priming station functions poorly if you do not keep it clean and full of primers, and make sure you adjust the shellplate timing according to Lee's directions. With all due respect, many loaders blame the machine for their own shortcomings when they don't follow those procedures.

Use some sort of blower to blow flakes of powder out of it (should any accidentally fall from the powder measure) and keep at least 20 or 30 primers in the tray, and the priming station works perfectly well. If the priming mechanism doesn't deliver a primer cleanly for some reason (occasionally it happens) just rotate the shellplate 3 or 4 degrees and slip that case out, make sure the priming station is clean, and proceed.

I really helps to lubricate the chute with powdered graphite. You don't want to use a wet lubricant, or it will foul the primers.

I load 10 to 20 thousand rounds per year on it. Those who don't follow the procedures and have the inability to operate it should step aside, but I guess it's human nature to blame the machine.

 

[Pumpgunner870]

As CatsEye stated, the only real problems comes from allowing the primer tray go empty. Also keep the trough clean of any spilled powder, usually a quick blast with compressed air every 200 rounds, or so, works fine.

The only other issue is that the primer trough is a two piece design with a right and a left. These two halves spilt down the middle. If they seperate far enough it can allow a primer to turn on it's side or upside down. Just press the two parts together the entire length of the trough when you fill the tray and you will have no problems.

I keep and eye on my primer tray and when it empties and I can see the trough start to empty I will refill the tray. When the trough gets below 2/3's full you will start to have problems.

Also as CatsEye mentioned you will feel the primer seat with the lever and after a while you'll know if you happen to have a primer go in wrong or miss completely. For any that get jammed I keep a small flat bladed screwdriver handy to clear the jam.

I've run over 5000 rounds of 9mm through my press since July and have had very little problems.

 

[venom777]

Ok thanks for the advice. I need to get a new primer tray and ramp anyways, so i'll just give it a light dusting of graphite powder and give the machine a chance to work.