LEE PRO 1000

[Range Rider]

I GOT A LEE PRO 1000 IN SOME SALVAGE.  THE PRESS IS IN THE BOX MAY BE UNUSED.  IT IS IN 40 S&W CALIBER.  CAN THIS BE CONVERTED TO .357 MAG?  WHAT PARTS ARE NEEDED?  WHERE DO I GET THE PARTS?  ARE THESE THINGS ANY GOOD?  THE WHOLE THING LOOKS SORTA WEAK.  ARE THESE WORTH SPENDING TIME AND MONEY ON?  THX

RR

[the jigger]

1) a set of 357 dies and a shell plate
2) Midway USA, Natchez, MidSouth
3) You will get varying opinions
4) IMHO they are worth the trouble if you go in knowing that there are
    some inherent problems. The automatic primer feed is junk. The cartridge case feeder
    is aPITA.
I have two. Both were given to me. One I have been using for over 20yrs.
I load several calibers and have a separate turret for each set of dies.
It will require some time and patience to become proficient.
I load 20 to 30 thousand rounds a year with mine.
GOOD LUCK, GOOD LOADING, and GOOD SHOOTING!!!

[Savage]

I have a couple of Pro 1000 presses. Both work well once you learn them. I haven't had mine on the bench since I bought a Load Master. Lee equipment is not for everyone. If you're not the type of person who can understand the operation of the press and how/why they happen, then Lee may not be the one for you. The Lee owner's manual is not well written, but there are some good videos on utube that are extremely helpful. Mine work great for me, but they're obviously not for everyone. Good luck with yours, and be sure to check out the videos on setup and operation.
Savage 

[Lloyd Smale]

Id tell you what id do with it but then all the lee guys would jump down my throat

[Range Rider]

Thx guys.  Yes, I know about presses I have 6 set up at anyone time. I prefer the Dillons for most of the handgun loading.  I think maybe Lloyd has the right idea on this project.  I thnk maybe it is a PITA project.  Thx again for the post.

RR

[JustaShooter]

Yeah, probably not worth it - send it to me and I'll make sure it never gets into the wrong hands...

Just a Shooter

[McDerry]

I got one.  I like it.  I don't prime on the press though.

I decap, clean sort, trim and reprime on a single stage and an autoprime.

I then run them through the press with the decapping rod removed from the sizing die.


The auto case feed works slick once you get the proper height adjustment.

Also the priming function tneds to work well with the larger primers.




I found that .222/.223 Rem works medioca on the pro as it tends to misalign in the rifle charge die spilling powder.  The 7.62x39, 30 carbine, 6mm/223, all the TCU cartridges, etc work well as there neck sizes are much larger then the rifle charge die and don't misalign.



Good press, plenty rugged enough and there a very reasonable investment.