Want to start.....

LowNslo · #1 03-09-2010, 05:26 PM

But don't really know where to begin. I was looking at this progressive reloader.
Lee Pro 1000 Progressive Press Kit 40 S&W - MidwayUSA
I am not looking to make hotter loads or anything, I just see this as a cheaper alternative to purchasing ammo every time i go shoot. What else would i need with this? Does it measure the powder or would i still need to hand measure? As a beginner, how would you rate this on a 1-10 scale of difficulty to set up and start loading?
Thanks for you help,
Chris

Carnage_7 · #2 03-09-2010, 05:45 PM

I would not start with the Lee 1000 as a beginner. This press is finicky-especially with primers and needs a lot of attention. I would look at the Lee Classic Turret Press if I were you. Here is a link to a kit containing the Lee Classic Turret Press: https://kempfgunshop.com//index.php?...mart&Itemid=41

Dale53 · #3 03-09-2010, 08:39 PM

Carnage 7 speaks the truth. The Lee Pro 1000 is for an experienced hand who has a mechanical bent.

On the other hand, the Lee Classic Turret is one of the best, if not THE best presses for a beginner as well as an old hand.

Dale53

BSkerj · #4 03-09-2010, 08:54 PM

RCBS has a great Rockchuck "kit" single stage for around 330.00. Has just about everything a novice needs..most importantly a manual which you should read front to back before attempting to reload. Enjoy the hobby and never think any question is to dumb to ask. Alot of years experiance here on this forum to help you ! Have fun and be safe !!

or

kev74 · #5 03-09-2010, 09:16 PM

I started with the Lee Pro 1000 as my first jump into reloading. In addition to the press and consumables, I bought a RCBS 505 scale used from ebay for about $20. The only other thing close to being a "must have" is the sorter/funnel that goes on top of the case feeder tubes. For $15, its well worth it in time savings. Also, Richard Lee's "Modern Reloading" book has a lot of load data, in addition to some helpful tips on setting up his presses and is also worth while.

The Pro 1000 has a bit of a learning curve, but its not insurmountable. Its big weakness is the primer feed system, which likes to sometimes flip primers and will sometimes fail to feed if the primer chute isn't kept full. To remedy this, I load rounds in two steps. First, I deprime/resize and prime - doing this with the powder measure removed from the press. Next, I remove the depriming pin and run the primed cases through again, adding powder and bullets. This way, there is now powder jumping out of cases to jam up the primer feeder, and if there is a badly primed case, I can pull it out of the batch without having to deal with pulling a bullet or dealing with spilled powder. I still manage to load a few hundred rounds per hour ( 500 rounds in 2 hours without pushing it ) splitting the loading process into two steps.

The Pro 1000 works well and makes quality ammo. With its low start-up price, I recouped my initial investment in the press and scale after about 800 rounds. The fact that the Lee press costs 1/3 to 1/4 of a comperable blue, green, or "other" red press makes the ocasional tinkering worthwhile for me. If I had to spend $700-800 on a reloading set-up, I wouldn't be able to afford to reload and I'd shoot a LOT less. If I were to do it over, I'd stick with Lee, but I'd consider spending the extra $100 for the loadmaster. After loading for about 2 years with the Pro 1000, the ability to load rifle cases, and the extra die station would be nice, but not necessary, for me.

fredj338 · #6 03-10-2010, 02:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dale53

Carnage 7 speaks the truth. The Lee Pro 1000 is for an experienced hand who has a mechanical bent.

On the other hand, the Lee Classic Turret is one of the best, if not THE best presses for a beginner as well as an old hand.

Dale53

Good advice. Unless you want to sepnd more time tinkering ww/ the press than reloading, bypass any Lee progresive. Good preogressives start w/ the Dillon 550B & then the LNL from Hornady. Few need more press than either of those. The 550B is very simple, runs perfectly right out of the box w/ minimal fuss.
Progressives are not the best for a newb reloader, lots going on at once, but yo ucan use a 550B as a single stage/turret to start out then as you get comfortable, you can treat it as a progressive.

nutsforsmiths · #7 03-10-2010, 02:33 AM

I have the 550B as well. Besides being a good press, you can reload over 160 different calibers with it. If you decide to reload other calibers, as I have done, then the 550B should be the only press you will need.

Other items you will need are a caliper gauge and a machine to clean you cases.

Enjoy the hobby.

kscardsfan · #8 03-10-2010, 02:35 AM

I too got a lee progessive to start out with, and I wouldn't do it over again. But I also made quality ammo by about the 2nd day by constant tinkering and re trying things. The manuals and literature that came in the box was all but worthless and unless you have a friend who is a reloader or are pretty mechanically inclined I'd stay away from a progressive.

hayseed · #9 03-10-2010, 02:45 AM

The Lee Pro 1000, as mentioned by others, does require some tinkering. Enough so that mine now runs without the priming feature and without the de-capping pin in the sizing die. My approach is similar to but a little different than what kev74 uses. I de-cap on an older single stage press with a universal de-capping die, tumble the brass, then use a Lee Auto Prime to install primers. The extra steps add a little time to the process, but I have yet to remove a primer that's been seated up-side-down or had to stop to clean up a powder mess. The Lee Pro 1000 is not a bad machine, but it's not a really good one either. It works for me and my budget of both time and money.

Whatever you decide, be safe and have fun. Reloading is a rewarding hobby.

LowNslo · #10 03-10-2010, 10:43 AM

Thanks guys im looking now at the turret press by lee. They have a anniversary package on midway that looks like it will suit my needs. I want too make sure i get everything and that hidden cost aren't there so i can start reloading soon. Thanks for the help and happy shooting!

Wee Hooker · #11 03-10-2010, 01:35 PM

I've had a early Lee Turret, a pair of the 1000's, a Dillon Square Deal B and most reciently the Lee Classic Turret. I'd also advise against the 1000 if your new to reloading. To much going on and too much to go wrong. ( and YES they are temprimental at times.) After a month or so of use, I can't say enough good about the Lee Classic Turret. IMHO,It's worth the extra few $ over the standard Turret. It's much beefier, tighter and smoother. Read the reviews at Cabelas or midwayUSA. You'll see ALLOT of folks like this press. Much less problem prone than the 1000's, better control of process/product AND it still spits out 3-4 hi quality rounds a minute. Cableas has them in a kit for $210 or you can build your own at midway. Mine just ran under $180 with 4 die set, primer feed and upgraded powder measure. ( I already had a scale).
hth