Which Lee are we talking about?

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ChiefPilot

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Last night I officially became a reloader, after loading my first .45 ACP rounds on my new Pro 1000. I was a bit hesitant to chose that model of press after reading about some of the horror stories and seeing how so many folks suggest buying almost anything but Lee stuff.

The thing is, I took it out of the box, set it up according to the instructions, adjusted the power measure, dies, etc. and then began pumping out rounds. The first ten rounds had exactly 5.2 grains of Unique, just like they were supposed to, so I ran through 30 or so more.

The whole thing was trouble free, which begs the question - are there two companies named Lee that produce reloading equipment?
 
A friend of mine has a pro 1000, and told me not to get one. He had problems with the priming station and disabled it. I have a single stage lee press , and have no problems, but what problems can a single have? I will upgrade to a lee 4 hole turret ,this Christmas. JDGray
 
For some Lee can run rouble free, but for the most part they are problematic presses. I think if you were to ask John at the Gunstop why he does not sell Lee progressive presses you would have your answer. John is a honest man! I know a couple people that have had to constantly tinker! In disgust they drank the blue kool aid!
 
I've never had problems with the Lee Manual presses as long as you don ask them to do anything too heavy. (Full length resizing of heavy rifle rounds in a turret isn't good) Pistol rounds are great. As to the "progressive" presses, I have to agree with those that don't like them. I had one of the earlier ones and it was nothing but trouble, wouldn't index half the time, primer feed was weak, etc.. I ended up just using it as a manual turret. I alway hand prime, so the primer feed doesn't bother me. Besides, I like to take it slow and make sure that everything is as it should be before I seat a bullet.
I hear that the best of the progressives is a Dillon, but BIG $$.

Dean
 
I had two Lee Pro 1000 presses that I used for the better part of 20 years. In that time, both presses made many thousands of rounds of reloads of just as high quality as the gear of any other manufacturer. That's basically my view of "color religions" in reloading. I also own equipment made by Lyman, Dillon, RCBS, and MEC and it's also very good equipment.

Some specific observations on the Pro 1000.

1) They must be kept clean and lubricated per instructions. This is not optional, or they will give trouble.

2) the primer system, particularly the channel that feeds from the tray down to the primer punch, must be kept very clean and the channel must be full of primers to provide enough force for the gravity feed to work. Some people talked about putting dry graphite in the primer system, but I just kept mine clean.

3) The speed of the Pro 1000 can only be pushed so far. Although it's fully progressive, its speed is limited.

Speed was one of the reasons I sold my Pro 1000s and consolidated all my reloading onto my Dillon XL650. I wanted to reduce the amount of equipment I had and increase my output. There was nothing at all wrong with the Lees, and I hardly think that Lee would be able to continue selling them if there were.
 
first time I've posted in Handloading and Reloading,

although I hung around Legal / Political for the last two-plus years.

Without making it a convoluted story, I will simply say that I am getting out my reloading equipment to get going again.

I was VERY active in handloading from late Eighties through midlatter Nineties--did a lot of load development in 10mm, .45ACP, and .40S&W for my particular pistols. I used to shoot about 10-12K rounds a year, 99% of it handloaded after about '93.

All on Lee equipment--and that's the gear I'm getting out now. Because of limited space at this house, I will only have room for a single-press bench, so I'll be re-installing the Pro1000 and doing a full cleanup on it. I was one of those for whom a 1000 worked just fine--and the comments Rico 567 made certainly match my experience. The real headache was the primer feed--until I made sure it was kept clean, and I personally did graphite mine for smooth use; others didn't.

I used to be compulsive enough to have extra case tubes set up, etc., etc.--and I could pump 500 rounds an hour, including boxing it--and there was no problem with the Pro1000 doing that. I'm older now, and I doubt I will need 1000 rounds a month next summer--just want to get the reloading done efficiently.

For various reasons, I'm simplifying my reloading--will initially do only .45ACP, until I get my 10mm pistols 'smithed up again.

I haven't unpacked the notebooks yet, but I had a 4.8 gr 231 load that worked beautifully to make major with BOTH the 1911s (.e.g, .45ACP and SA Omega 6" 10mm). For the .45ACP, that was under a 200grSWC; I THINK it was a 180 or 200gr LTC for the 10. (The notebooks will have all the data.)

So, any "update" information since about '98 any of you think would be beneficial for me as I get ready to go again, I would appreciate very much.
 
a lee pro 1000 was my first progressive press. i liked it so much i picked up another one used. can't wait till thanksgiving break to set it up. priming is okay, some batches it gives me trouble, other times its slicker then goose poo.

to answer your question there is only 1 lee. not sure if you asked seriously but its hard to read sarcasm in times new roman font.

1 more station would be nice, for a fcd but all in all i couldnt be happier with the value for the dollar
 
I've used Lee presses for about 25 years - first a Turret, then a Loadmaster for about the last 10-15 (I got one almost as soon as they came out, whenever that was.) With both presses I had to do some fiddling to get them to run right at the start - the spinner device for the Turret, and the case feeder for the Loadmaster - but after no more than an hour or so of fiddling things worked, and have worked smoothly ever since. As Rico567 noted, you do need to keep things clean. Plus, I've noted especially with the Loadmaster that regular lubrication of both the ram and the linkage makes for a MUCH smoother running machine.

The Loadmaster does occasionally crunch the little plastic slider in the primer feed system, but they're about a buck apiece from Midway so I just keep a few on hand, and replace one about every 2-3 years. As for feeding the last 7-8 primers in the primer channel, I have a 4 inch piece of guitar string, with the little brass eye on the end, glued into a short piece of 1/4 inch dowel - when the last primer disappears below the viewing slot in the feeder I remove the primer tray and slide the guitar string down the channel as a pusher. It takes only gentle pressure to insure that each primer is fully into the slider before operating the ram.

Would I like to have a system with the stacked primers, where gravity will (presumably) feed the last one as reliably as the first? Sure. But I understand Mr. Lee's reasons for not stacking primers, and the price for a red or blue machine (plus all the extras for the 6 calibers that I load progressively) would be WAY more than I have invested in the Lee stuff. As others have noted, the loads the Lee presses produce go bang with great consistency.
 
It is strange as a lot of Lee buyers have problems,get fustrated,put it back in the box,and hide the box in a closet. Then get on the net posting about how bad Lee progressive presses are.
The reason this didn't happen to you is that you "set it up according to the instructions". Which means that unlike most persons that bad mouth Lee progressive presses is that you actually read and followed the instructions.
If you ever have problems Lee now has help video's on their website.
http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/browse.cgi?1131081911.4938=/html/HelpVideos/video.html
 
Lee products are--well--kind of a conundrum. Now, why did I say that?

It's because some of their products can be problematic. The Lee progressive presses have a loyal following, for those who are willing to learn the ins and outs of operation. There are some folks who just plain swear at Lee products, saying that they're junk across the board.

There are, however, a few facts that can not be disputed:

1. For the reloader on a budget, the Lee turret press can provide a lifetime of service. It is simple, well constructed, easy to maintain, stout enough to load any cartridge that fits in it, and cheap to boot.

2. The Lee Factory Crimp dies are now recognized as a necessity for loading ammunition for semiautomatics. From what I've seen, you either have a Lee FCD, or you're going to get one. I load .223 for my AR15, .30-06 for my Garand, and .308 for my M1A. Each one gets a good crimp from a Lee FCD, and I've turned out some really good, accurate loads with them.

3. Lee Reloading Dies are just as good--if not better--than other brands, and will provide exceptionally accurate handloads. You can't beat them for bargains--my son (bless his heart, he knows what the old man likes :D ) bought me a .30-40 Krag for my birthday. It was the work of a moment to order 50 cases from Midway, and a set of Lee dies. I got the dies, complete with the FCD, a shellholder, and a sheet with some good load information. What more can you ask for?

4. I have used Lee bullet molds for the last 20 years. One mold in particular I use for 200 grain LSWC bullets that I run through a Star lubrisizer. These bullets do the trick with 3.8 grains of Clays at 50 yards; for the 25 yard line, I use 3.5 of Clays. The 3.8 grain load I use for an all around practice load, and it will cycle a .45 with a 20 lb spring. I have also used this load at the Nationals at Camp Perry, they're plenty good enough. Not bad for a set of molds that cost $35.00 brand new.

5. The Lee Auto Prime is still recognized as the hand priming outfit to have. You simply don't need anything more elaborate.

I use Lee products with confidence, and highly recommend them. What more can I say?
 
FWIW, I was talking with the Lee factory recently about a part I couldn't find on their web site, and in the course of the conversation the fellow said something like "we are aware that our presses work best for those who are somewhat mechanically inclined." That struck a chord with me, as I do enjoy making things work (as long as I don't have to KEEP making them work) and have never minded the little bit of fiddling I've had to do with a couple of Lee products.

BTW, Lee does make things that are not in their catalog - like a Loadmaster shell plate to handle 45 Auto Rim (very thick rim.) Can't get it at Midway prices, but at least I can get it. So if you are wanting something that you don't see in the Lee catalog, give them a call and you might be surprised.
 
Ditto what powderman said.

Plus not only is their crimp die 'The Best', but their depriming pin design is also 'The Best'.

Given how little they charge for their stuff, you would not expect that they would still be innovating and improving, but they are - and definitely, if you are on a budget, Lee reloading equipment is an excellent choice.
 
I didn't mean to sound negative on Lee. In fact if you go through my reloading bench, most of my stuff is made by Lee. I have one of the first turret progressive presses that Lee came out with and I did have problems with it. Now whether they have improved them , I didn't follow directions, or maybe I just don't like progressives (I've never used another), I couldn't say. I still use the press, with Lee dies to load 45 ACP with 200gr SWC out of a Lee mold.

Dean
 
I LOVE Lee products. For general purpose handloading they're inexpensive and excellent. Granted, for match-grade handloading or for massive handloading operations with really big presses there are better brands. But I've found by basic Lee press and the Lee Loader I use now to be trouble free and very easy to use. I also really like their dies. I've used other dies but found them wanting.
 
set it up according to the instructions
Click to expand...

Good man! As another poster already said, that's the big secret to Lee equipment.

That said, I did sell my Loadmaster and buy a RCBS Turret Press to replace it. The Loadmaster just required a bit too much fiddling with for my style of reloading. I am much happier with the Turret Press.

Lee is great for new reloaders and/or budget-minded people. They make good equipment that works, even if it does require a more technical 'shade-tree mechanic' type of mindset to run them.

I have no problems with recommending their dies however. Half my dies are Lee, the others are RCBS. 90% of my equipment is RCBS otherwise.
 
Go ahead and put me into the "I like Lee" camp. Their progressives do take more tinkering than other brands that I have used in the past and use presently,but they do work nicely.
I have their 4 hole turret with auto index (a feature I usually bypass),and PRO AUTO-DISC powder measure that will turn out quality ammo almost as fast as some progressives. I like the pro auto disc and have more than one as you can buy the things (the best measure Lee makes) for around thirty dollars.
As has been stated, their factory crimp/post sizing die is used to load all my pistol ammo also, even on my RCBS PRO 2000. And as for their other dies,well, I don't see how they can sell them so much cheaper than anyone else and still have what is obviously a quality die set.
Don't make me settle on just one brand, but I'm just fine with Lee.
Thanks for listening.

SKIP
 
we are aware that our presses work best for those who are somewhat mechanically inclined."
Click to expand...

I think this is key, I hear/see many guys have problems with guns/tools,
etc. that work fine for me, like many products "sometimes" it's a matter
of maintenance.
 
Wrangler- I think Lee does, iirc the printed catalog of thiers that I have says for a few items they will tool it in the caliber you want for I think about $15 more. unfortunately I dont have the catalog in front of me so I cant tell you what items they will do this for.

Now I just bought a Lee Anniversary Kit and even though I havent done much with it yet since I currently dont have much powder, only a few primers and maybe a dozen bullets (one of my friends dad reloads and offered to give me about 50 CCI Large Military Primers and about 1/8 lb IMR 4198 to get me started, the 50 bullets i had where pulled from some corrosive military surplus ammo, and they are 123gr fmj). I have loaded maybe 30 rounds and have shot all but a few of the rounds (the very first one I have set aside as a trophy of sorts). After Christmas I am looking at adding a Lee Classic Cast press (and a Lee Hand Press for working up loads at the range) and then a Lee Progressive or a Lee Turrnet next year with my tax returns.
 
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