Using Lee Pro 1000 as a Single stage press

[johnnydogs]

How can I prevent the shell holder from advancing? If possible I'd like to do some single stage work on it (take aparts, deprime, prime). Thanks!

 

[rockquarry]

I had a Pro 1000 years ago and it was really a better press than what the detractors claim, but don't recall if it could have been used as a single stage; maybe it's possible. I sold the Pro 1000 and three other progressives when it finally dawned on me I didn't need a progressive. Slow learner, no doubt.

If your Pro 1000 won't work satisfactorily as a single stage, consider a good single stage press in addition. They take up little space. Opinions vary; progressives certainly have a place, but the versatility of a single stage press is unmatched.

 

[BB57]

I had a Pro 1000 years ago and it was really a better press than what the detractors claim, but don't recall if it could have been used as a single stage; maybe it's possible. I sold the Pro 1000 and three other progressives when it finally dawned on me I didn't need a progressive. Slow learner, no doubt.

If your Pro 1000 won't work satisfactorily as a single stage, consider a good single stage press in addition. They take up little space. Opinions vary; progressives certainly have a place, but the versatility of a single stage press is unmatched.

I can't speak to the Pro 1000, but I can speak to the Dillon 550B (and the current 550C model).

Progressive presses come in two flavors, auto indexing and manually indexing. Auto indexing presses are theoretically faster (although that's debatable), and the claim is made that they prevent things like double charging a case (which is better prevented my paying attention to what's on the shell plate).

Manually indexing presses (like the Dillon 550B/C presses) are hands down far more versatile as you can operate them as a single stage press, as a turret press or as a progressive press.

That versatility is unmatched.

 

[Murdock]

The Lee Pro 1000 is under rated. I have owned and used a Pro 1000 extensively. (Full disclosure: I shifted to a Dillon 650 several years ago).

Loaded something like 35,000 rounds on the 1000. I also own a Lee turret press. My advice is to find a used turret press, and disable the automatic advance feature. You can then pop your turret off of the Pro 1000 and click it onto the turret press. That may eat up a whole 10 seconds of your time to accomplish. Then use the Turret press as a single stage. When done put the turret back on the progressive press.

The Pro 1000 is quirky, but once you learn to dance with it it is OK. The Dillon is much less hassle, but much more pricey. As much as I ilke the Dillon, I've kept the Lee stuff around the shop.

 

[cfplinker]

Can you put just one die in and let it advance through empty stations and dump into the bin.

 

[mikld]

For any "real life user's", unbiased info I go to Lee Loader • Index page "Home of the low life Lee Lovers" (!!)

 

[kenjen]

The part that makes it spin is the twisted center rod. You could try to use the press with out it.

 

[MyDads38]

Can you put just one die in and let it advance through empty stations and dump into the bin.

I have 4 Pro 1000 presses and have never thought about using them as single stage.(I have 2 single stage presses) As mentioned above, just use a single die and let them auto exit the machine. If you use the auto case feeder, this would make quick work of what you're doing.

 

[johnnydogs]

I really dig my Pro 1000. I bought it brand new in September for $208 from Optics Planet. It came with the case feeder and I added the bullet feeder last month after reloading 200 or so. I'll wait to get a single stage until the prices come back to reality.

 

[Bib]

I'm pretty sure you could just remove the twisted indexing rod and run like a single stage. If you're sizing you could use the case feeder. I had an RCBS piggyback back when I used to shoot IHMSA. You couldn't load rifle cartridges because the rounds were too long to allow indexing (shellplate would try to turn before the rounds were clear of the dies). I removed the indexing rod and was able to index the shellplate after the rounds were low enough to clear.

BTW..I have 3 Pro 1000s. One for 9mm, one for .45 ACP and one for .38 Spl. Got them all used for cheap. They require a bit of tinkering and replacement of the nylon parts from time to time but have served me well for quite a few years.