When I bolted my first blue press to the bench all I did was set the powder measure and seating die length. Then started cranking out ammo........NO tweeking.........No shimming ........No adjusting....No primer adjusting. That was 25 years ago. Same press is still cranking out good ammo. I had a pro 1000 given to me......Kept it about a week and gave it away. Not worth the hassle. Lee makes some good stuff that I use but I steer clear of their presses.
Lee pro 1000 issues.
- Thread starter swar45
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poorjohnny
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relax
is it bolted down tight to the bench? does the bench wiggle around when you pull the handle?
there could be a tiny piece off poop in the primmer feed troth. it doesn't take much. if you put powder in the shells with no primmer. the small stuff leaks out and cruds up the hole rotating mess. blow it out and start over. i started on a lee pro 1000 along time ago i found it cheaper and easer to buy one for each caliber they all had there issues none that i couldnt fix myself.
is it bolted down tight to the bench? does the bench wiggle around when you pull the handle?
there could be a tiny piece off poop in the primmer feed troth. it doesn't take much. if you put powder in the shells with no primmer. the small stuff leaks out and cruds up the hole rotating mess. blow it out and start over. i started on a lee pro 1000 along time ago i found it cheaper and easer to buy one for each caliber they all had there issues none that i couldnt fix myself.
ggibson511960
Member
A Trick?
I'm not endorsing the Pro 1000. I will even confess that I gave mine away after years of twiddling with it. I was crazy enough to switch calibers on the same machine. I found that if I got everything adjusted as best I could I spent all my time watching the primer feed. Mine wouldn't work without a stack of primers in the feed tray, churning out squashed primers or primer-less reloads if I wasn't careful.
As everyone has said, it is a frail and wobbly machine with soft metals that wear out quickly. A trick I found to make mine run a bit smoother was to carefully align the dies with the shell plate. There is a lot going on with each handle stroke, and if case mouths don't enter the dies smoothly there is a lot of grittiness and jerk in the press stroke that cause problems, you guessed it, in the primer feed and seating. I locked my die bodies down while multiple cases were 1/2 way in, cancelling out misalignment between shell plate and die holder body. The ram and shell plate index assembly are not the most robust, and misalignment in the stroke travel can stop the show on an eccentric case mouth or primer pocket.
Don't be too discouraged. Half the fun is getting it to work, then moving on to the next challenge, like hitting what you're aiming at, a far bigger one.
I'm not endorsing the Pro 1000. I will even confess that I gave mine away after years of twiddling with it. I was crazy enough to switch calibers on the same machine. I found that if I got everything adjusted as best I could I spent all my time watching the primer feed. Mine wouldn't work without a stack of primers in the feed tray, churning out squashed primers or primer-less reloads if I wasn't careful.
As everyone has said, it is a frail and wobbly machine with soft metals that wear out quickly. A trick I found to make mine run a bit smoother was to carefully align the dies with the shell plate. There is a lot going on with each handle stroke, and if case mouths don't enter the dies smoothly there is a lot of grittiness and jerk in the press stroke that cause problems, you guessed it, in the primer feed and seating. I locked my die bodies down while multiple cases were 1/2 way in, cancelling out misalignment between shell plate and die holder body. The ram and shell plate index assembly are not the most robust, and misalignment in the stroke travel can stop the show on an eccentric case mouth or primer pocket.
Don't be too discouraged. Half the fun is getting it to work, then moving on to the next challenge, like hitting what you're aiming at, a far bigger one.
fredj338
Member
Sorry, it's a Lee. Fortunately, you didn't spend much $$. Sell to another new guy & get a real progressive, if you need one; Dillon, Hornady or RCBS. If you only want 100rds / hr, get the Lee CT, a decent Lee product.
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catfish_dan
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quick question, are you loading large or small primers with your 45? I have a pro1000 and have been using it successfully for years for 45 so it will work. Make sure you are using the correct size primers for the priming system that was shipped with your press. If it's setup for large primer and you're feeding it with small then you will have issues. I'm only making this suggestion because I know the 45 ACP can be found with both primer sizes and that's my first thought of what could be causing issues.
Entropy
Member
I admit Im the "new guy" here....but I purchased a Lee 1000 at a Farm&Fleet in 1986. I cannot even fathom how many tens of thousands of rounds Ive reloaded with it. A bunch of calibers. A couple weeks back the carrier finally developed a crack and put it out of commission. Besides the old style powder trough that stripped its screws, and a couple primer track thingies...its been quite reliable for me. I think I spent like $74.99 on it back in the day. I think I got my money's worth. Im teying to decide now what to replace it with. I have the ability to afford a 550, but I have all the turrets and large/small primer feeds, shell plates, etc for the Lee....Im torn. I reall am.
NAM68
US Veteran
I started with a PRO1000 3 years ago and still use it. I only load 45 ACP. When I first got it I tweeked and tweeked hundreds of times it drove me crazy but finally one day it worked right and I have'nt looked back. Hang in there if you can.
I don't have a Pro 1000 but I do have the Loadmaster. I gave up using it for small primers but with large primers it works fine. So I dedicate it to 45. The priming systems look pretty similar. You may need to take it apart and debur the plastic parts. Also I found that the priming parts need to be cleaned every few hundred rounds. Dust from the spent primers makes its way in there after a while.
Sellersm pointed you to some good sites that should be able to help. With the Lee progressives you have to look at "fidling" as part of the fun. Once you get it going right you will forget about the frustrations.
After the parts began to wear some I couldn't get small primers to feed reliably so I set it up with just a sizing/depriming die and run all my brass through. Then hand prime. Then set it up with powder/belling and bullet seating/crimping dies and run the primed brass through and complete the rounds. Still a lot faster than a single stage. I eventually bought a Dillon 650 since I was shooting a lot of 38 special and I didn't want to fiddle anymore. The Lee is still going strong for 45 though.
Sellersm pointed you to some good sites that should be able to help. With the Lee progressives you have to look at "fidling" as part of the fun. Once you get it going right you will forget about the frustrations.
After the parts began to wear some I couldn't get small primers to feed reliably so I set it up with just a sizing/depriming die and run all my brass through. Then hand prime. Then set it up with powder/belling and bullet seating/crimping dies and run the primed brass through and complete the rounds. Still a lot faster than a single stage. I eventually bought a Dillon 650 since I was shooting a lot of 38 special and I didn't want to fiddle anymore. The Lee is still going strong for 45 though.
I've been using a Pro 1000 to load 45 acp for years, but I stopped using it for priming after I had a whole tray of them go Ka-boom. Now I size on a single stage and hand prime then load the primed cases on the progressive. This allows me to use a factory crimp die in the third stage, which I prefer to trying to seat and crimp on the same stage.
I think the Pro 1000 is a decent press for the money if you have the patience to keep it running, but it is not for beginners.
I think the Pro 1000 is a decent press for the money if you have the patience to keep it running, but it is not for beginners.
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NJM15
Member
Check the primer feed
I had problem with primers turning sideways
And upside down I eventually got a hand press
Just to avoid any more problems.
Also check the punch pin that forces the primer
In to the case they have a tendency to hang up
The ramp is two piece and snaps together
I had problem with primers turning sideways
And upside down I eventually got a hand press
Just to avoid any more problems.
Also check the punch pin that forces the primer
In to the case they have a tendency to hang up
NJM15
Member
One more tip, make sure you have at least
25 or more primers loaded it needs the weight
To operate properly
Primer feeding seems to be the weakness of all progressive presses, and the Pro 1000 is the worst primer feed of all. This being said you can still make good ammo. I would size all the cases and hand prime. I would run the cases through the press again, minus the resizing die, to charge, seat and crimp. Loaded thousands of .38 Special and 9 MM this way. I did it until I replaced the Lee with a Dillon 550b. I couldn't be happier with the Dillon.
THEWELSHM
Member
Buy a hornady lnl and enjoy the free bullet rebate.
Thewelshm
Thewelshm
mstuhr
Member
There is a learning process
Hi Swar,
There are a lot of folks that don't like the 1000. There are better, more expensive options but the 1000 can be a good press.
Properly set up in .45 and full, it can be emptied in 4 minutes while producing quality ammo. That's not a recommended pace, but one that can be reproduced.
The advice to mount it to a really sturdy bench is great advice. Not just really sturdy, but really, really sturdy.Rock solid comes to mind.
After that, timing the shell plate can help you. As you pick up speed you will notice you can time the plate a little on the late side and momentum will carry it where it needs to be, otherwise it might run a little past.
Also, the spring that holds the case in the shell plate needs to hold the case in tight. If you are having trouble and remove a few cases it tends to relax a little and cause problems priming. Load primers as soon as they are low enough to re-seat a full tray.
I would keep the machine clean and I'd lube action rod before each use.
All of that should be helpful to you but the best advice next to the "Really, really sturdy bench" is learn to feel what is going on with every pull. You will or can get to a point where you will know when to go and when to let up. A person can get where he knows what is going on by what he feels.
If you can't return it I hope some of these tips will help you get some use out of the 1000
Mike
Hi Swar,
There are a lot of folks that don't like the 1000. There are better, more expensive options but the 1000 can be a good press.
Properly set up in .45 and full, it can be emptied in 4 minutes while producing quality ammo. That's not a recommended pace, but one that can be reproduced.
The advice to mount it to a really sturdy bench is great advice. Not just really sturdy, but really, really sturdy.Rock solid comes to mind.
After that, timing the shell plate can help you. As you pick up speed you will notice you can time the plate a little on the late side and momentum will carry it where it needs to be, otherwise it might run a little past.
Also, the spring that holds the case in the shell plate needs to hold the case in tight. If you are having trouble and remove a few cases it tends to relax a little and cause problems priming. Load primers as soon as they are low enough to re-seat a full tray.
I would keep the machine clean and I'd lube action rod before each use.
All of that should be helpful to you but the best advice next to the "Really, really sturdy bench" is learn to feel what is going on with every pull. You will or can get to a point where you will know when to go and when to let up. A person can get where he knows what is going on by what he feels.
If you can't return it I hope some of these tips will help you get some use out of the 1000
Mike
I appreciate all the advice. I have returned the press Saturday, and will be doing some research on what to get to replace it. Leaning towards the hornady progressive press. Pricey but I haven't really heard anything bad about it. Other I'm looking at is Dillon. Have heard good things about both.
Another vote for the Lee 4-hole turret. I love mine. Easy to set up, easy to change calibers (with extra turret plates), easy to operate single stage or as a nearly-progressive. 100 rounds an hour is easy even taking your time.
Ultimate Lee maintence thread
This what it takes for a Lee progressive to run smoothly. WARNING: SgtLumpy is a perfectionist -- but he shows how to make a Lee hum.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/reloading/348394-how-i-reload-pic-intensive.html
It took me over a week to find this thread.
EDIT: And then I read Post #36 -- great news and a wise decision.
This what it takes for a Lee progressive to run smoothly. WARNING: SgtLumpy is a perfectionist -- but he shows how to make a Lee hum.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/reloading/348394-how-i-reload-pic-intensive.html
It took me over a week to find this thread.
EDIT: And then I read Post #36 -- great news and a wise decision.
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I'm not going to start a color war here. I don't have the energy.
Either press you mention will work.
I see you are in Mi. Lots of reloaders here up you way. Maybe someone will offer to show off their setup. Putting your hands on a loader is the best way to determine what you want.
I will say this. Your stated volume does seem to justify a progressive press. But if you have the funds, go for it
stavman11
Member
I have 3 Lee pro 1000 systems, 223, 9mm and 38s/357, I started loading on the .223 system.... and never looked back..
have worked flawless for me.... Sorry ya had issues.. maybe just not the best way for you ta start..
Get a lee classic press ta start with... then if ya LIKE and enjoy loading, get a dillon
I just got a Dillon Xl650 2 weeks ago... MAN what a great system... but spending $1000 isnt for everyone... and NOT for a begginer either..
If you couldnt figure out a Lee Pro, any other Progressive will kick yer Rear..... so dont start there... spend $200 on a Lee Classic or similar press and learn the basics of Loading. You can easily do 100/hr even with a single stage press
Anyways sorry bout yer luck... but maybe just proved ya need ta step away from a progressive for yer 1st press
have worked flawless for me.... Sorry ya had issues.. maybe just not the best way for you ta start..
Get a lee classic press ta start with... then if ya LIKE and enjoy loading, get a dillon
I just got a Dillon Xl650 2 weeks ago... MAN what a great system... but spending $1000 isnt for everyone... and NOT for a begginer either..
If you couldnt figure out a Lee Pro, any other Progressive will kick yer Rear..... so dont start there... spend $200 on a Lee Classic or similar press and learn the basics of Loading. You can easily do 100/hr even with a single stage press
Anyways sorry bout yer luck... but maybe just proved ya need ta step away from a progressive for yer 1st press
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